Technology: Some Like It Small

Look out, iPod. Flash digital-audio players are getting better than ever

IF YOU'VE BEEN LONGING for a portable MP3 player but have no intention of shelling out $250 to $400 for an iPod or one of its many imitators, there is a much cheaper--and in some ways equally coolchoice: a flash-based MP3 player. These handy devices, which store songs on a small silicon chip, cost about $100 and are often as small and light as a pack of gum.

Unlike the iPod and similar music players that rely primarily on hard drives to store songs, flash players have no moving parts, which makes them less susceptible to damage if used while jogging...

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