Donald Bell's MP3 hot list

Donald Bell, Senior Editor March 11, 2008

Every company wants to make the next industry-defining product, but few have the guts to create something innovative. Here are the products that keep my job interesting.

First off, the Microsoft Zune. After years spent attached to my iPod, it's refreshing to finally have an alternative MP3 player that can compete against Apple in interface design, storage capacity, and features (including excellent podcast integration and subscription music support). For those times when I just want to lay in bed and listen to Internet radio, the Chumby has quickly made a home on my nightstand. Logitech's new Squeezebox Duet may not be as luxurious an in-home streaming music solution as the Sonos, but at half the price, who can complain? When it comes to Wi-Fi portable video players, I just can't choose between the Archos 605 WiFi and iPod Touch--so I'll take them both, thank you. Finally, without some great headphones, even the best MP3 player will sound like a dollar-bin radio. The Shure SE530 in-ear headphones are out of my price range, but that shouldn't stop me from including them on my hot list, right?

More Resources

Hear Donald on the MP3 Insider podcast,

Portable MP3 and video players,

MP3 player buying guide,

Editors' top earbuds