Sep. 11, 2002 Nomad MuVo review
MP3-digital storage combo loses something
bylinecAssociated Press Creative Technology's new Nomad MuVo is both an MP3 music player and a digital storage device. It packs a lot into a plastic shell roughly the size and weight of a Bic lighter.
But as often happens when the features of two devices are merged into a single gadget, the MuVo lost a lot in the process.
For anyone who wants an MP3 player and storage that can be attached to a key chain, it's a better deal -- technologically if not financially -- to buy them separately.
The 64-megabyte MuVo now available online and in stores costs $130. A 128-MB version, available later this month, costs $170. By comparison, a 64-megabyte standalone storage device runs about $70. Competitive solid-state music players with far more features start at about $99.
As a storage device, the MuVo works very well. Its memory module unsnaps from a plastic sleeve that holds the battery and inserts into a Universal Serial Bus port on any computer running Windows 98 or later.
The gadget appears on the computer as another disk drive, and files can be moved onto it simply by dragging. It works without any special software in Windows 2000 and XP. New drivers must be installed in Windows 98.
What makes MuVo unique is its ability to play MP3 and Window Media music files. It's as simple as downloading the songs like any other file to the memory module, snapping the unit back together and plugging in a set of headphones.
The sound quality is very good, too. Creative, after all, is well known for its Sound Blaster audio cards and Nomad Jukebox players.
