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Music players for the joggers

By Damian Koh

I'm not sure how many of you actually listen to music when you are jogging. I hate running, period. The only reason I would do that is when the annual physical fitness test looms, or when I'm trying to impress a chick (it's all about keeping up appearances). I realized only recently why so many people like to zone out with some tunes while they are jogging. The music takes the fatigue off their minds. It's like an out-of-body experience, if you get what I'm trying to say. So for those of you who actually prefer sweating it out rather than over a pint of Hoegaarden, here are five tiny music players to accompany you on your next mindnumbing run.

Click here for a feature comparison table.

1.  Apple iPod nano (4GB; third generation)
 
CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10
The good: Offers crisp, bright video playback; exceptionally thin all-metal body; above-average battery life; built-in games; an advanced user interface.
The bad: Wide body; the smaller scroll wheel; lack of video output; average-sounding audio quality.
The bottom line: The shape may have changed, but Apple's relentless attention to detail remains. The third generation of the iPod nano provides loads of entertainment for a down-to-earth price.

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2.  Creative Zen Stone Plus (2GB)
 
CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10
The good: The Creative Zen Stone Plus comes in a choice of six colors and offers 2GB of storage for less than S$99. It includes some handy extras, such as an FM tuner, a stopwatch, and a voice recorder. The player also has good sound quality.
The bad: The Zen Stone Plus interface is not totally intuitive, and the screen is too small to display full track info. It also doesn't offer full ID3 tag sorting for music, and the rated battery life is unimpressive.
The bottom line: For those who want a super small and cute MP3 player that offers more than just simple music playback, the Creative Zen Stone Plus fits the bill nicely.

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3.  Samsung YP-U3 (2GB)
 
CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10
The good: Cool design and a built-in USB interface; inexpensive; easy to use, integrated FM tuner and a voice recorder; supports OGG and WMA; package includes a snap-on belt clip and a headphone cable wrap.
The bad: Doesn't offer the best sound quality; touch-sensitive controls won't appeal to everyone; small monochrome display.
The bottom line: The Samsung U3 is the proof that a basic MP3 player doesn't have to be ugly and featureless; it's simple, inexpensive, cool-looking, and perfect for the gym.

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4.  Apple iPod shuffle (2GB: second generation)
 
CNET Asia rating: 6.3 out of 10
The good: A dead-simple user interface with satisfying tactile controls; integrated belt clip; includes cute little syncing cradle.
The bad: No screen; might be too small for some users; non-standard USB syncing removes plug-and-go appeal.
The bottom line: If you like your music playback simple and your device nearly invisible, the second-generation iPod shuffle will suit you well. But absentminded users should steer clear of this easy-to-misplace player.

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5.  Sony NW-E016 (4GB)
 
First take
As if releasing a delicious video Walkman wasn't enough, Sony has built another compact and smart-looking MP3 player. The NW-E01x series is a range of ultra-slim and sporty players, with 30 hours of battery life from a 1-hour charge and the same audio-enhancement tech that delivered cracking playback on the NW-A808.

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