It's a look we've all grown more accustomed to seeing on our way to class: people walking around with little buds nestled snugly into the ears, white wires trickling down into coat pockets. It's something that's become a lot more than just a "look" -- it's a sign that millions of dollars across the globe are being spent on a product that many college students consider a near necessity.\nMusic players supporting MPEG Audio Layer III files, or MP3 players, have become so popular in recent years it's become almost impossible not to find someone on campus with some brand of the technological triumph that has made obsolete the bulky portable CD players we grew up with. \nThe first MP3 player appeared in 1998. It had a 32MB hard drive, retailed for about $70 and was released by Eiger Labs. It wasn't until three years later, however, that Apple released the original version of its powerhouse iPod -- a product with which many were unfamiliar at the time, but has now become a household name.\n"We sell tons of MP3 players," says Branden Scott, a sales associate at Best Buy. "People are really interested in all the new features, like the built-in phones or cameras, but lately our most popular has been the nano."\nCameras? Phones? Nano? This may sound like a foreign language to some consumers out there. And even if you're well-versed in MP3-speak, how do you know which player is the best? How much money are you willing to spend? These are just a few of questions that must be answered when venturing into the murky waters of MP3 player purchase.
\nBig Name Players\nOne of the most popular MP3 players, the "Digital Jukebox", is produced by Dell. Its 20GB model sells for $249 on www.dell.com. For those less avid listeners, Dell also offers a smaller, in both memory and size, 5GB "pocket" Jukebox ($323), along with a more formidable 30GB (around $299). \nRemember, more memory means more songs. For example, a 20GB iPod is able to cram 5,000 songs in its itty-bitty shell. But in the past year, people have become a lot more concerned with more than just listening to music on their portables.\niRiver, for example, is a company that makes products that offers not only playback of MP3 files, but allows you to catch the "hot eight at eight" on your favorite radio station. With an FM-tuner and a built-in voice recorder, this 20GB beaut retails used for around $240 on www.amazon.com.\nBut radio could be considered child's play to some techies demanding the most and the best from the MP3 player market. Those looking for a more portable approach could be interested in the Oakley Thump 256MB sunglasses -- though it won't be able to hold as many songs as its competitors whose memories in the gigabyte range, you'll be able to finally throw away those old shades and switch to eyewear that will not only be fashionably functional, but will play your favorite tunes as you lounge on the beach during those bright, summer days. That is, if you're willing to spend $500 on a pair of shades.\nDespite the wide selection of other players, the iPod has proven to be the most successful and popular player among American consumers. The pocket-sized white rectangle we've come to know so well has come a long way since its inception in '01, so buyers can expect even more bells and whistles on Apple's latest models this holiday season.\nPhotos, TV shows, music videos, home movies, books-on-tape are just a few of the things the iPod can now hold, in addition to music. Apple says the new iPod is "music to your eyes," and it's hard to disagree with the ultra-sleek half-inch thin handheld that comes in either white or black. It comes in 30GB and 60GB models, capable of holding 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos and is equipped with a longer battery life than its predecessors. Though an Apple product, the iPod software is compatible with either Mac or PC. The new iPod starts at $299.\nThe iPod nano is a smaller, featherweight version that's a little larger than a credit card and the thickness of a pencil. It goes for $199, and can hold nearly three days of music.\nBut it's Cingular that perhaps takes everything to a new level -- not only do they let you talk on your cell, but you can listen to your iTunes on the same phone. iTunes+Cingular lets you hold up to 100 songs on your phone, lets you pause your music when you need to make a call, browse the internet, edit playlists and comes with built-in speakers or pluggable ear buds. The phone's software, both PC and Mac compatible, goes for $150.\nIt's clear that consumers will have a lot to choose from with their holiday shopping as far as MP3 players go. While each company offers different features and benefits, everyone's different. A great resource to find which player is right for you is www.mp3-player-guide.com, or dropping by your local electronics store to ask a few questions before you buy. \nBut despite all the flashy add-ons, Scott reminds us that consumers are looking for one thing in their quest for the perfect MP3 player.\n"People like to stay traditional," he says. "At the end of the day, they just want something to play songs"
