It's a Pack of Gum? A Lighter? Nope, an MP3 Player
By SARAH MILSTEIN
he Nomad MuVo, a digital music player and file-storage device from Creative, is a nifty gadget. Unlike most peripherals, it requires no cable to connect to a computer. Its core -- smaller than a pack of gum -- plugs directly into a U.S.B. port and acts as an additional drive. No file-transfer software is needed, and for Windows XP, 2000 and Me and Mac OS 9 and X, no drivers are needed either. (Drivers for Windows 98 are included on a CD.)
MP3 and WMA files can be copied directly to the MuVo and played on the device. Other data files can be stored on it for transfer to another computer. The MuVo holds 64 megabytes of data, which is about two hours of music in WMA format or one hour in MP3 format. A 128-megabyte version will be available in the fall.
The MuVo's core slides into a housing case that holds one AAA battery, which lasts for up to 12 hours of music play. The combined unit is about the size of a cigarette lighter and weighs less than one and a half ounces.
As a music player, the MuVo is simple. Songs must be played in the order in which they were downloaded, and there is no display screen. There are buttons for skipping, replaying and pausing tracks, and for volume. There is also a hook for a key chain or lanyard; a lanyard and earbuds are included.
The 64-megabyte MuVo is $130, and the 128-megabyte version will be $170. More information is available at www.creative.com.
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
