SPECIALTY AUDIO PLAYERS

Delphi XM MyFi

This is one of my favorite portable audio players, period. Of course, I'm a big fan of XM satellite radio, so it's no surprise that I'd really like a portable player that lets me receive XM broadcasts on the go, which is exactly what the MyFi does.

The MyFi is, simply put, a portable XM radio receiver. As long as you're outdoors (or near a window), you should be able to pick up signals from one of the orbiting XM satellites. When you're indoors or in a car, attach the included satellite antenna to improve your reception.

And here's the neat part as if satellite radio on the go wasn't neat enough. The MyFi includes a built-in audio recorder that can store up to 5 hours of XM programming. So you can record talk or music when you're in signal range, and play it back when you're indoors or out of range. Not a bad idea, all in all.

In addition to the portable MyFi unit itself, you get a home accessory kit (with antenna), vehicle accessory kit (with car antenna), headphones, and a remote control unit (great for listening at home.) The MyFi receiver has its own portable antenna built-in, of course, as well as a built-in wireless FM transmitter that lets you transmit MyFi programming to any home or car FM radio. The MyFi also has an illuminated six-line LCD display; it not only displays channel, song, and artist info, but also personalized stock tickers, sports score tickers, and so on.

I'm not sure the MyFi can totally replace an iPod; it doesn't let you download and store your own music, after all. But if you're an XM junkie, it's great to be able to get your XM programming wherever you go and not just in your car.

Model: MyFi Manufacturer: Delphi (www.xmradio.com/myfi/) Dimensions: 4.5'' x 2.8'' x 1.2'' Weight: 7.2 oz. Price: $299.99

Apple iPod Photo

I put the iPod Photo in the specialty category because it's a regular iPod with specialty functions in this case, the ability to store and display digital photos. The normal iPod display has been replaced by a 2'' color LCD, and you have a choice of 30GB or 60GB capacity. Naturally, the iPod Photo still works like a normal iPod music player so much so that Apple has now dropped the iPod Photo designation. From now on, any large-capacity iPod with a color screen is simply a big iPod with a color screen!

Model: iPod Photo Manufacturer: Apple (www.apple.com) Capacity: 30GB or 60GB Dimensions: 4.1'' x 2.4'' x 0.63'' (0.75'' for 60GB model) Weight: 5.9 oz. (30GB), 6.4 oz. (60GB) Price: $349 (30GB), $449 (60GB)

Mobiblu DAH-220

Mobiblu's DAH-200 is an MP3 player shaped like a cassette tape. It actually works like a cassette tape when you insert it into a cassette deck; press your cassette player's play button and the MP3 player starts playing. Kind of old school, but clever. (At present the DAH-220 is only shipping in Europe; check with the company for U.S. availability.)

Model: DAH-220 Manufacturer: Mobiblu (www.mobibluamerica.com) Capacity: 128MB Price: ~$200

GPX SportX

GPX's SportX is a pair of backstrap-style headphones with a built-in flash audio player. The audio player has 128MB of storage, as well as its own FM radio. It's nice to combine a portable audio player and headphones in a single unit it's one less gadget you have to lose!

Model: HW6805DT Manufacturer: GPX (www.gpx.com) Capacity: 128MB Price: $99.95

Oakley THUMP

Here's another wearable MP3 player, this time built into a pair of stylish sunglasses. The Oakley THUMP grafts a flash player and pair of integrated earphones onto some tres cool Oakley shades. You get your choice of 128MB or 256MB models; the 256MB model has polarized lenses.

Model: THUMP Manufacturer: Oakley (www.oakley.com/thump/) Capacity: 128MB and 256MB Weight: 1.8 oz. Price: $395 (128MB), $495 (256MB)