MSI Megaplayer 516

While the iPod continues to hog the limelight in the portable audio player market, and the next generation of portable players with video is appearing, there are still devices coming out that cater for those of us who just want to replace the trusty personal stereo.

The MSI Megaplayer 516 is exactly that, a pocket-sized player with 256Mb of memory, which is enough to store some four hours of music. The blue text on the player's screen is easy to read, and navigating and playing songs is easy.

The jewel in its crown, however, is the built-in Bluetooth networking, which lets you connect wirelessly to a mobile phone. Once you've paired it with the phone - a slightly fiddly task, as all Bluetooth connections are - you can use it to control the phone with voice commands (if they are set up), or take incoming calls using the Megaplayer's earphones, which have a tiny microphone attached to one of the cables.

You still have a pair of wires connecting your head and your pocket, but it's a novel and useful idea.

Contact: MSI (no UK number)
www.msi.com.tw