FLASH AUDIO PLAYERS

iPod Shuffle

Okay, here I am recommending a gadget that doesn't offer near the features of its competition, and isn't bargain-priced. What the iPod Shuffle is, however, is eminently cool, despite its shortcomings.

First, let's look at the good. The iPod Shuffle is a flash memory player that comes in 512MB and 1GB capacities. Battery life is an okay-but-not-great 12 hours, and it's small and lightweight. In fact, the form factor helps Apple to hit this one out of the ballpark; it's no bigger than a pack of gum, and operation is via a miniaturized variation of their larger Click Wheel controller. The iPod Shuffle looks and feels cool which counts for a lot.

Now for the negatives, chief of which is the unit's display or lack of. That's right, the iPod Shuffle doesn't have any sort of display, so there' no way for you to see what song is currently playing, or to queue up music in a playlist. You're totally at the mercy of the Shuffle's randomness hence the unit's name. It's all shuffle all the time, which Apple uses as a selling point. Me, I'd like at least a little bit of control over what I'm listening to, but I understand the appeal. (And, to be fair, you can create playlists in iTunes, transfer them to the Shuffle, and choose to play the songs in order, which makes things just a little less random.)

The 512MB model can hold 120 songs or so, the 1GB model twice that. It connects directly to your PC or Mac by plugging into an open USB port, no cable necessary. (After all, it is the same size and shape of a USB flash drive.) It operates on two AAA batteries.

Can you find more features in other players? Most definitely. Can you find a better deal elsewhere? Maybe. But can you find a cooler flash memory player, or one in more demand? The answer is no; in this category, the Apple Shuffle is in a class by itself.

Model: iPod Shuffle Manufacturer: Apple (www.apple.com) Capacity: 512MB or 1GB Dimensions: 3.3'' x 0.98'' x 0.33'' Weight: 0.78 oz. Price: $99 (512MB), $149 (1GB)

Creative Zen Nano Plus

If you want more control over your music than the iPod Shuffle offers (and a display, too), then consider the Creative Zen Nano Plus. This is a flash player with reversible LCD display (for right- or left-handed operation), 18-hour battery life, and built-in FM radio and recorder. The Zen Nano Plus comes in 512MB and 1GB capacities, and in ten different colors. And, also unlike the iPod Shuffle, it plays WMA-format files, in addition to MP3 files.

Model: Zen Nano Plus Manufacturer: Creative (www.creative.com) Capacity: 512MB or 1GB Dimensions: 1.32'' x 2.58'' x 0.51'' Weight: 0.8 oz. Price: $129 (512MB), $169 (1GB)

Rio Forge Sport Player

The Rio Forge Sport is a neat little player designed for on-the-go action. You get an extremely compact, extremely rugged player with pretty good sound, long battery life (20 hours), a big display, and (as an added bonus) a built-in FM radio. It comes in 128MB, 256MB, and 512MB models; the unique shape is actually easy to hold when you're running.

Model: Rio Forge Sport Player Manufacturer: Rio (www.digitalnetworksna.com/rioaudio/) Capacity: 128MB, 256MB, 512MB Dimensions: 2.6'' x 2.4'' x 0.7'' Weight: 2.3 oz. Price: $129.99 (128MB), $159.99 (256MB), $219.99 (512MB)

iRiver iFP-900 Series

iRiver's iFP-900 series players are compact, squarish units that fit well in any pocket. All models offer 40 hours of battery life, a cool color display, and built-in FM tuner and voice recorder. You get your choice of 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB capacity.

Model: iFP-990 (256MB), iFP-995 (512MB), iFP-999 (1GB) Manufacturer: iRiver (www.iriveramerica.com) Dimensions: 2.5'' x 2'' x 0.75'' Weight: 2.2 oz. Price: $199.99 (256MB), $249.99 (512MB), $299.99 (1GB)

AudioTronic iCool Scented MP3 Players

Technically, there's nothing outstanding about these AudioTronic MP3 players. What is cool about the iCool mini-players is that they smell in a good way. All iCool players have changeable embossed faceplates, and selected faceplates come with an aroma smell. You have your choice of lemon, strawberry, cherry, blueberry, rose, chocolate, cookie, coffee, and even marijuana scents. Odd, but true!

Model: iCool (various models) Manufacturer: AudioTronic (www.audiotronic.com) Capacity: 128MB Dimensions: 2.6'' x 2'' x 0.67'' Weight: 1.2 oz. Price: $65