The Worst Gadgets of 2005
MP3 Player News
Ten to Avoid from PCmag.com. Full article read here.
10. Oakley Thump: If you’ve overdone it with the eggnog, a $350 pair of sunglasses with a built-in MP3 player might seem a divine combination. It’s not. The poorly fitting earbuds chafe, the glasses feel flimsy, and the style is dated. Avoid the first version, and be careful of the second—better, but still not great. And what happens if you want to rock out at night? Unless you’re buying for Bono, pick up an iPod shuffle and a pair of Revos for less.

5. PQI mPack P800 Media Player: Looking for a portable music and video player? The mPack looks attractive—you can record video and FM radio directly, and it even includes a CompactFlash slot. But playback is a problem. Even with the most recent flash update, fast-forward and rewind simply do not work, despite the manual’s direction. The screen is terrible, the interface abysmal, and the physical buttons erratic. Apple’s video iPod, the Creative Zen Vision, and anything from Archos deliver a better experience for less.

2. Sony S2 Sports Network Walkman NW-S23: Pity poor Sony. It invented the Walkman and then squabbled as Apple stole its lunch. This player finally supports MP3 files, yet it lacks so much else that it’s hardly worth the price. With ergonomics straight from a Klingon warship, balky software, and a poor display, this one deserves a place in the remainder rack. Again, you’re better off with a shuffle.

1. Samsung Digimax V700: Samsung can seemingly do no wrong these days. The company has supplanted Sony as the top electronics brand, exuding both quality and cool. We hope this terrible digital camera is an aberration, not a sign of things to come. With slow performance, lousy auto-exposure, and some shutter lag, this 7.1-megapixel camera never should have been released. Compact cameras from Canon, Sony and Nikon are far better—even if they do cost a bit more.
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