Portable audio player

[Bill Sconce]

On Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:16:15 -0500
Cole Tuininga <colet at code-energy.com> wrote:

> 
> Hey folks - 
> 
> I've been starting to go to the gym quasi-regularly, so I think it may
> finally be time to break down and get a portable audio player.  Looking
> for any suggestions...  My requirements are:
> 
> * Inexpensive
> * Linux compatible
> * Inexpensive
> * mp3 playback (ogg would be nice, but not required)
> * Inexpensive
> * Has a standard 1/8" headphone jack (are there any that don't?)
> * Inexpensive
> 
> I don't need something huge - a GB or so would be plenty.  Thoughts?  


I recently bought my own first venture into this stuff.
>From Circuit City, where (incredibly) the clerk on duty was
a Linux geek, who suggested a:

    Samsung YP-U2J
    1GB
    ~$70

It's white, the length and width of a USB "thumbdrive" device,
with a playlist, 1/8" headphone jack, and an FM receiver. It's
Linux compatible. 

Actually, it *is* a USB "thumbdrive" device: you plug it into a
USB port, do a "mount -t VFAT" etc. and you're off to the races.
Because you can load it by "moving files onto a USB disk" (that is,
by shell commands) it has proven especially handy for podcasts to
listen to in the car.

It plays Ogg as well as MP3.

One caveat: you have to install the non-US firmware.  As delivered
the device works only with a certain manufacturer's "Media Center",
whatever that is.  The firmware is available from the mfr's (non US)
support sites on the Web.  (I still have the installer I used, if
anyone wants to put Ogg on a YP-U2J.)

.02
-Bill