What’s hot for 2009 in mp3 devices? If you go by name recognition alone it would be anything from Apple’s iPod series. Face it Steve Job and team have done a great job equating the iPod with all things mp3. There is more to the mp3 landscape, however.
Did you know there are mp3 players that do not require any connectivity to the Internet to function? Did you know there are combination CD mp3 players? Did you know there are many models that are extremely affordable and easy to use? If not, keep reading we think you’ll find something that’s a perfect fit.

Apple iPod – We’ll bring this up first because we know it’s what you’ll probably think of first. From the iPod Shuffle to the iPod Touch you’ll find an option from to around 0. Price and unit will depend entirely on what you want it to do. The 1 GB unit will allow you to house more than 200 songs, while the larger 32 GB units allow video, movies and certain PDA qualities that make it a function that goes beyond what you might think of an mp3 device.

Sony MP3 – The 21st Century finds Sony selling an entirely new Walkman. At the time of this review a 2 GB Walkman could be purchased for around . This included an FM receiver and a record function for radio shows you want to record digitally for later playback. Like the iPod you can also feature larger units with a video display. Available units provide up to 8 GB of storage.

Phillips MP3 – Like the Sony the top end player is an 8 GB video and audio mp3 device. Also like Sony this provides an FM receiver. Their top end unit (SA6185) provides built in speakers allowing you to share your video and music without ear buds.

Coby MP3 – This company has always been about providing affordable electronics. They provide a 2 GB mp3 player for around . This unit is based on a USB plug built in. No cords needed. On the top end Coby provides a wide screen video playback unit that comes in models up to 16 GB of storage.

Creative MP3 – How’s this for tantalizing? A 2 GB mp3 player for more than less than a 1 GB iPod Shuffle? Creative has provided this with the Zen Stone. This also features speakers and an FM receiver. PC World reviewed Creative’s top model, the Zen X-Fi and said, “…beyond question a better all-around digital music player than any of Apple’s current iPods.” The 32 GB unit sells for less than 0 and comes with the ability to use certain Internet functions in a wireless atmosphere.

RCA MP3 – RCA has long been known for their electronics and commitment to audio. The 2 GB Pearl is an unusual offering. This mp3 player provides the least expensive unit and it comes with the ability to expand your playlist through an onboard slot for an expansion card. The downside is the unit is powered by a single AAA battery. This will need replacing about every 15 hours. For the sports enthusiast RCA provides the Jet Stream. This provides wireless earphones, a stopwatch, calorie counter and pedometer.

Zune MP3 – So, you’re thinking 32 GB may not be enough for the music and videos you want to play on your portable mp3 player. Zune from Microsoft offers up to 120 of space for around 0. They also offer units for less die hard fans with 4 GB at the lower end.

Sandisk MP3 – This company has taken a hard look at how some people listen to music and concluded that there were some who would love an mp3 player, but who either did not have a computer or the expertise needed to download music. That’s the premise behind SlotMusic. This product allows you to simply plug a pre-loaded card into the mp3 player with music – much like a CD. It is the only mp3 player reviewed that offers a completely offline way to gain mp3 music. However, they also provide units that do require Internet connectivity with up to 32 GB of space for around 0.

Buying Your MP3 Player

Online shopping has become a great way to purchase electronics. When looking for your new mp3 player you might consider sites like http://www.bizrate.com, http://www.mysimon.com http://www.allmp3-players.com or http://www.amazon.com.

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Mumbai : CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards 2009 felicitated India’s most consumer centric brands which was held last week. Some of the dignitaries who made this event special were honorable politician Digvijay Singh – General Secretary, All India Congress Committee, Chanda Kochhar – MD & CEO, ICICI Bank, Nitin Paranjpee – MD & CEO, Hindustan Unilever and O P Bhat – Chairman, State Bank of India.

A panel discussion lead by Mr. Sanjay Pugalia to understand today’s consumer needs. Mr. Digvijay Singh, General Secretary, All India Congress Committee highlighted on the significance of rural India in the consumer market. To explain the consumer scenario, Mr. Singh quoted, ‘Don’t give them fish but give them the skill to fish’, which implies to educate consumers rather than inducing them to buy the products. He recalled how the Congress, since the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru era, has always worked for the welfare of agricultural community which, even though, has been perceived as weak, has proved to be India’s economic growth driver in today’s scenario.

The per capita annual income in rural India is growing very rapidly nobody in rural India pays the kind of rents or education costs that urban Indians do, making rural disposable incomes almost as high as urban ones.

There is also the phenomenon of rural youth increasingly bringing brand knowledge to rural households. “They go for employment to nearby towns, where they experience brands, and then become very strong influencers back home,” says OSS Retails Ceo Subhash Jewria

All this explains why even consumer centric brands do well in rural markets. But an essential element is ensuring wide distribution. In fact, the successes of brand, show that distribution, more than advertising, is the key for building consumer trust

Ms. Chanda Kochhar, MD and CEO, ICICI Bank highlighted pragmatic approach of the Indian regulatory environment that has contributed in maintaining debt at a manageable level. Mr. Nitin Paranjape, MD & CEO, HUL mentioned that the FMCG sector has not been hit despite the global meltdown. He also advised that the companies should not cut down operational expenses at the cost of quality . Ad Supremo Piyush Pandey stressed to know the pulse of consumers to understand the exact needs of the consumers.

As per the research conducted for the awards, the consumer continues to be the ‘king’ despite the economic slowdown. He is empowered not only with money power but also with wide variety of choices at his kitty that keeps him demanding year on year. In order to smoother the decision process for prospective consumers and honour the achievement of brands that have made it big, OSS Retails recognized and awarded most preferred brands at CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards 2009.

The awards were presented across categories such as financial services, FMCG, consumer durables, telecom, automobiles and retail. Sony and Philips bagged the most preferred consumer electronics companies

In the telecom category, Airtel, Nokia. BSNL won the awards for their respective services. In the FMCG category, HUL is the most preferred personal care and home care company. The most preferred food and beverage company is PepsiCo. Big Bazaar grabbed two awards as the most preferred multi brand food and beverage chain and the most preferred product chain. McDonald’s was awarded as the most preferred multi-brand fast food outlet.

In the financial services category, SBI rewarded as the most preferred bank, while LIC is the most preferred life insurance company. SBI and ICICI Bank were the most preferred credit card brands.

Among other awards, there were two special awards given – one to HUL as the ‘Value for Money Brand of the Year’, while Vodafone and Ogilvy were given the Storyboard Campaign of the Year award for the Zoo Zoo campaign.

The handsets have become the useful devices for the people. But the New Mobile Phones of 2009 have changed the way of living of the people as it has many high end features.

This is the 21st century and in this century mobile phones have become the important and effective devices for the people in their daily lives. These are considered as the multi-tasks devices as they perform several tasks. In the present 3G technology era each and everyone wants to experience new things with innovative thoughts and ideas. In the fast-paced world people like to perform their daily work very easily and quickly. That is the reason why these electronic devices have become so important in the present scenario. In the recent times, handsets have become the indispensable needs of the people. Earlier, these devices were only used as the means of communication with each other across the globe. But today, these devices are considered as the multi performing devices. There are several mobile manufacturing brands in the market of communication which are competing with each other. The manufacturing brands like Blackberry, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and LG etc., can be taken as instances. All these top leading brands have launched lots of mobile phones with sophisticated features and stylish looks.

Some of the New Mobile Phones 2009 which can be taken as instances are Apple iPhone 3G S, Blackberry Curve (Javelin) 8900, Blackberry Storm 9500, HTC Hero, LG GC900 Viewty 2 Smart and many more other handsets. The iPhone 3G S is a 3G smart phone which is beautifully designed by Apple. The handset comes with a touch screen and high speed technologies and features. The gadget supports an iPhone operating system version 3.0 with a gorgeous icon displayed user interface. The gizmo supports 32 Gigabytes of flash memory where an individual can store lots of data and files such as audio songs, videos, photos, files and many other things.

The Blackberry Curve 8900 is a New Mobile Phone 2009. This handset comes with many sophisticated features and beautiful looks. The user can transfer data at a high speed rate from this to the other compatible devices such as mobile phones, personal computers by connecting this through various connectivity such as Bluetooth and USB etc. It supports a GPS navigation which enables to find out the unknown directions and geograpical places while traveling. This acts as a way finder in a journey. The gadget built in microphone which allows an individual to record sound and voice which can stored on the phone memory. The device has a well fitted rechargeable battery which when fully charged permits one to enjoy 5.5 hours talk time and 360 hours standby time.

Another New Mobile Phone 2009 is the HTC Hero which comes with a stylish 3G touch screen. The 3.2 inches wide TFT LCD touch screen displays 65 thousand colours. The handset supports an Android Operating System which enables the user to operate the system very easily. The Wi-Fi and 3G HSDPA technology allows the user to transfer data in a high speed rate via Bluetooth and USB connector. The Quad band technology GSM network such as GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800 & GSM 1900 and HSDPA 900 & 2100 help the user to keep connected with the network in manual as well in roaming and in the International countries too. The music player plays music in the different formats such as MP3, MIDI, AAC, AMR and Windows Media 9 etc. One can enjoy a lot with the help of this handset. These handsets have come with many latest technology features which are very helpful to the people of this 3G technology era. Hope that these mobile manufacturers would launch many other handsets with great features and stunning looks.

Pilot’s Watch – Alpina Extreme

The official timer of the legendary “12 Hours of Sebring” endurance race, Alpina has dedicated a limited series of 257 pieces to the Florida circuit. The model combines the watch brand’s fundamentals with the needs of pilots: extreme precision, excellent legibility, shock resistance, robustness and reliability.

Technical Specifications:

Movement
Automatic, AL-525, 28,800 vib/h, 26 rubies, black rotor and bridges with circular-graining and C?tes de Genève decoration, 42-hour power reserve

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds and date

Case
Black PVD steel, 48 mm
Sapphire crystal and transparent back
Water-resistant to 200 m

Dial
Matt black with black carbon fibre at centre
Luminescent white and red applique hourmarkers and Arabic numerals
Luminescent white hands

Bracelet/Strap
Synthetic fibre with carbon finishing, black PVD folding clasp

Diver’s Watch – Clerc Hydroscaph

Developed in collaboration with under-water professionals, this powerful, prestigious and futuristic diving instrument is designed for the most extreme conditions. It is water-resistant to 1,000 metres thanks to a helium valve that is adjusted by a unique rotating bezel mechanism. And, with its exclusive system for adjusting it to the wrist, it guarantees sportsmen and women unsurpassed comfort.

Technical Specifications:

Movement
Automatic exclusive C606, 28 rubies, 28,800 vib/h, chamfered bridges with C?tes de Genève decoration and blued screws, 45-hour power reserve

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone and power reserve indicator

Case
Grade 5 titanium, 44.6 mm/49.6 mm with lateral protections
Exclusive crown activating and locking the rotating bezel
Water-resistant to 1,000 m

Dial
GMT at 12 o’clock
Power reserve indicator disc at 6 o’clock
Date window at 3 o’clock

Bracelet/Strap
Vulcanised rubber, Hornback alligator, or titanium