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The Almost-Ready for
Prime Time MP3 Players:
Apple’s iPod Also Faces a Competitive Onslaught		 If the Digital Life Convention is any indication, it's quite possible that those white headphones in everyone's ears aren't connected to an iPod... Here's some new technology for your music this holiday season that could very well replace the iPod as the new status symbol for the digital elite.

Creative Labs is introducing the “Zen Micro,” a competitor for the iPod mini. The MP3 device holds 5GB (2500 songs), it has a rechargeable 12 hour battery, a voice recorder, and an FM radio. It’s small (about 3.3”x2”), it comes in 10 different colors, and it has a vertical touch pad. It’s also compatible with Windows Media Player 10. With a sleek design, the Zen Micro looked like the highest quality competition for Apple this season, and Creative seems to have done an excellent job in its model concept. Garning the coveted "Best of Digital Life 2004," it seems that we're not the only one's who like the Zen. The price was listed around $250.

Another music device that could pop its way under the Christmas tree is SoniqCast’s “Aireo 2.” This MP3 player is connected to the web via Wi-Fi wireless broadband internet so users can download newspapers, audible books, magazines and talk radio in addition to their own music. The Aireo has a built-in FM receiver for radio, and an FM transmitter so you can listen to your downloads in your car or even on your stereo. It has 20gb of disk space, high speed USB 2.0, and a back lit LCD display just to mention a few of its perks. It has a rechargeable lithium/polymer battery, dual headphone jacks so two can listen, and it’s only 4.1”x2.6,” equitable to Apple’s iPod.

Most people use their computers as stereos, and that number is only growing. Why not just combine them? A company called Sonos is introducing the “Sonos Digital Music System.” By hardwiring your computer to one “Zone Player” (a small grey box), you can play music from a wireless PDA device, in any room with a Zone Player. There are two things I found that make this product unique: (1) you can play different songs from your online collection in different rooms (2) the introductory bundle is overpriced at about $1200. That comes with 2 Zone Players, and each additional is $500. Each additional PDA controller is $400. So it costs a lot to play a different song in each room, but nevertheless, it would make for a great party: Fusion in the living room, bluegrass on the lawn, funk in the bedroom.