Mobile Devices
In the past it seemed like there was only one real mobile device to buy, but there year you do have a few different options.
The iPhone
Of course you know this had to be on the list. The iPhone has to be the most popular smartphone out there! I’ve had one for quite a while and I couldn’t image using something else. Besides the amazing GUI the thing that makes the iPhone so great is all the apps. You name something and there is probably an app for it. There are over 100,000 apps in the app store and more keep on getting added every day.
The DROID
Motorola’s new DROID smartphone has been talked up a lot lately and rightly so. Many people are moving over to this phone because it is only on Verizon’s network and runs Google’s Android operating system. I briefly got a chance to take a look at the DROID and I really liked it. One advantage it does have to the iPhone is that it does have a keyboard, many people do not like the iPhone because it does not have a “real” keyboard. The DROID comes with 16GB memory and can be upgraded to 32GB. With more apps being developed for the Android operating system this phone should become more and more popular. With a 2 year plan the DROID is $199.99.
iPod Touch
If you don’t need a new phone, but want a portable media device the iPod Touch is a great choice. It not only will playback music and video it has become and portable gaming platform. Almost every app that works on the iPhone will work on the iPod touch and the touch has WiFi so you can download game and apps as well as music. Right now Apple offers the iPod Touch in 8GB ($199), 32GB ($299), and 64GB ($399) versions.
SanDisk Sansa Clip MP3 Player
If you need something to just playback music and you are not worried about video and games then the SanDisk Sansa Clip is the perfect compact MP3 Player for you. There are many compact MP3 players out there, but I like the Sansa because it one of the only ones that has a display to show track titles and information. Even though you want a compact MP3 player I think being able to still see your playlist is important. The Sansa Clip also has an FM radio and Rhapsody DNA integration. SanDisk offers the Sansa Clip in 1GB – 8GB versions, with the 1GB version starting at around $20.
I've been meaning to get the SanDisk Sansa Clip. This might just be the time to buy one!
Just got one of those Thermaltake BlacX Duet's and they're real handy devices
I'd love to own an eSATA Flash Drive. The case i currently have (Thermaltake: Element S) is the first one I've owned that supports that functionality on the front I/O panel. Standard flash drives are just too slow.
I've owned the SanDisk Sansa Clip MP3 Player for a couple of years now and it still gets used almost every day. It's perfect for riding my street-bike because it has physical buttons you push to change the songs and is so small you can barely notice it in my jacket. Also, it's wonderful for snowboarding because if you do happen to drop it in the snow and it breaks you aren't out $200 like with an iPod or Zune.
Be wary, the actual “clip” on the back of the MP3 player is quite fragile, mine broke off after the 1st week of use.
Good to know! I'm not planning on using the clip though. As you said, it's quite fragile. Is it removable?
sadly, no.
sadly, no.