digital music player

Hardware or software that plays audio files encoded in MP3, AAC, WMA or other audio formats. There are several software-based music players that play audio files in a desktop or laptop computer, including iTunes, RealPlayer and Windows Media Player. Software players may also support streaming audio and Internet radio stations. See digital jukebox and media player.

On the hardware side, countless handheld players use flash memory or a hard disk to hold songs downloaded from the user's computer via a USB or FireWire connection. Apple's iPod is clearly the industry leader (see iPod). Low-capacity units with 128MB of flash memory hold approximately 30 songs in the MP3 format, while flash-based players with 4GB of memory can store a thousand titles. Hard disk models handle up to 15,000 tunes and more. Some units include an FM radio.

There's More than MP3
MP3 is the universal audio format that all digital music players support, and many early players could only play MP3 songs. Today, portable players support MP3 along with one or more additional formats such as AAC and Windows Media audio (WMA). For better quality, they may allow playback of uncompressed AIFF and WAV files. For example, the iPod supports MP3, AIFF, WAV, unprotected AAC and protected AAC, the latter format coming from Apple's online music store when a tune is purchased (see iPod). See MP3 and AAC.

Embedded in Other Devices
The digital music player function is not only in stand-alone devices. Although generally more limited in capacity, a player can be embedded in devices such as cellphones, PDAs, satellite radio receivers and in-dash navigation systems. For example, Apple's iPhone contains a full-featured iPod (see iPhone).

One of the First MP3 Players

Diamond Multimedia pioneered the handheld MP3 market in the U.S. with its Rio player, debuting with 32MB of flash memory in September 1998. Although the Rio followed a player introduced by South Korean SaeHan Information Systems a few months earlier, the Rio was a huge success, and countless players have since been made by many companies. (Image courtesy of SONICblue.)

The iPod Revolution

Shortly after its 2001 introduction, Apple's iPod became the most popular digital music player on the market. Two years later, this rural Vermont family was delighted to show us all their "iPoddery." On the right is the first iPod tabletop docking station and speaker system, from Bose. The smaller Altec Lansing unit is portable and lets our young hero carry his own iPod boom box.

The Digital Music Generation
The iPod, along with all the other digital music players, created an industry of accessories that let you carry, adapt and operate your player in all venues and under all conditions. Options in all styles from hard rock to Madison Avenue are available.

A Back Pack Boom Box

Skullcandy LINK Packs (www.skullcandy.com) hold battery-powered waterproof speakers in the upper straps for listening to your music player. A control panel in the strap adjusts volume. It also includes a microphone for hands-free cellphone operation.

Gloves for the iPod

Using an iPod's click wheel is difficult with ordinary gloves on, but you can with Tavo gloves (www.tavoproducts.com). The thumb and index finger tips are coated with silver so you can operate your iPod and keep your hands toasty warm. (Image courtesy of 4sight Products Inc.)