Lean mean song machines!!!

There are MP3 players and then there are MP3 players. We've all grown used to the plethora of portable MP3 players that are available in the market. So what's new, you ask. Well, on the fringes of the MP3 world, beckoning tantalisingly, are a few select devices that can truly dazzle in terms of design, functionality and plain, good ol' innovation.

More than music - Compro PDS-AV

Be prepared to be swept off your feet. With the Compro PDS-AV, you can transfer songs to the device using standard 3.5-inch floppy disks, but the player uses an enhanced mode of reading and writing on these disks, where up to 32 MB of data can be stored on a single 3.5-inch floppy! Alternatively, you could also opt for a 120 MB SuperDisk or a 240 MB UltraSD storage device. This device features either a USB or a FireWire interface for connectivity to your computer. To top it all, you can also use the device to store non-MP3 files such as digital movies, images and large files on the player.

Songs in the palm of your hand - Pocket Pyro Palm MP3 player

For all you Palm users out there-you can now give your handheld device a voice. The PocketPyro is a standalone MP3 player that can also dock with your Palm handheld computer, giving it digital audio playback capabilities. Besides, this device supports nifty features such as file storage for your Palm, text-to-speech conversion, etc. Based upon a USB interface, this MP3 player also supports fast file transfers and for something so small, it supports a relatively large number of functions.

Smooth operator - Nike psa play 120

What do you get when one of the funkiest sportswear companies decides to get on to the MP3 bandwagon? Yup-the Nike psa[play. Probably the most innovatively designed MP3 players around, it comes armed with 64 MB of memory (upgradable to 96 MB) and features surprisingly simple controls. Developed in collaboration with S3 (makers of the highly successful Rio MP3 players), this is one player that will go down well with all of you who love to listen to music while you sweat it out.

The MP3 Schwarzenegger - PJBox!!!

So, you don't fancy those wimpy MP3 players with a 'measly' 64 MB of memory? Then what you need is this Schwarzenegger of MP3 players. Armed with a 6 GB hard disk, PJBox can hold up to 1,200 of your favourite MP3s. With its enormous 10-minute shock protection, you can knock this player around all you want and it will still not skip. Though not much of a looker, PJBox more than makes up with its impressive features and crystal-clear audio fidelity-a true audiophile's choice.

Listen and shoot - Fuji FinePix40i

You can call this little device a jack-of-all-trades. This one is no ordinary high-resolution digital camera. Besides featuring an impressive 2.4 megapixel CCD image sensor, the Fuji FinePix40i is a full-fledged MP3 player! The remote control that is integrated into the headphones is used to access the MP3 capabilities and can also be used for controlling the camera. Compatible with conventional SmartMedia cards, storing MP3 audio on it is a snap.

Pocket full of music - Iomega HipZip

Now, here's a smart, self-sufficient one. While most other MP3 players settle for CompactFlash or SmartMedia cards for storing your songs, the Iomega HipZip uses its own 40 MB PocketZip media. With eye-catching looks and features such as fast USB connectivity, impressive audio quality, equalization settings, etc, this portable digital audio player means business.

Let it roll - Likko LKM012 MP3 Discman

If you have always harped on and on about how you wish there was a portable CD player that could also play MP3s, well, you can stop yowling now. With the Likko MP3 Discman, all you need to do is to record your favourite MP3 tracks onto a CD-R or CD-RW disk and pop it into the player. Best of all, it can also read MP3 tracks that are stored in sub-directories within the CD. With the capability of holding up to about a hundred MP3 tracks per disk, you'll never have to loop your songs the next time you go out for a jog or workout!

Handyman - SSI Neo25 MP3 player

This is one of those MP3 players that have taken the more radical route to storage-it comes with a 6 GB, 12 GB or 20 GB hard disk! Not only can this device do what all other MP3 players can, as far as working with MP3 is concerned, but it also doubles up as a portable external hard disk-you can transfer any type of data using this device. If looks don't matter, then this battle tank of an MP3 player offers oodles of storage space and top-notch audio features and performance.

RockIn' With PoWer!