Creative Zen Stone 1 GB MP3 Player (Blue)

Creative Zen Stone 1 GB MP3 Player (Blue) Review

Creative Zen Stone MP3 Player

*****/*****
I give this product 5 stars because it is exactly what I wanted - a very small, sturdy, sleek mp3 player with no screen (so you can't scratch it up or get it dirty), and a good price.

Pros:
+ Weighs less that 1 ounce
+ Extremely easy to operate
+ You can use a free downloadable program called Creative Media Lite to transfer and organize sound or data files to the device. This is a drag-and-drop program, very easy to operate. Songs are played alphabetically by folder name, so you can decide the playback order by renaming folders.

Be Aware:
- Battery life can be less than 10 hours, depending on sound resolution of files
(but it's easily chargeable - just plug it into any USB drive on your computer)
- There is an LED light that flashes about every second during playback. It changes to yellow or red to indicate battery life.
- Device only holds 1 gigabyte of data (but that is more hours of music than are playable in one session of battery life)


Inputs/Outputs (2 total)
+ 1/8" headphone jack
+ UMS/MSC (with included cord, connects to USB on your computer)
(this is what you use to load files onto the player, also to recharge it)

Buttons (6 total)
+ Volume up + Volume down
+ Track skip/fast forward + Track start over/previous track/rewind
+ Play (2 second hold), pause (click), stop (2 second hold)
+ Folder skip
(also there is a hidden reset button, I have never used this)

Switches (1 total)
+ Regular play/Shuffle mode

* * * * *

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a great MP3 player that doesn't hold many songs, and doesn't have a screen, and is easy to use, small, and light-weight, then this is for you.

I purchased a Zen Stone armband and skin so that I can hold it on my arm behind my elbow when I workout and have no pockets. You can get this on Amazon for less than , just do a search for Zen Stone armband.
Creative Zen Stone Armband and Skin (Black)

Creative Zen Stone 1 GB MP3 Player (Blue) Feature

• Tiny flash MP3 player with smooth curves and glossy blue finish
• 1 GB memory holds up to 250 MP3 tracks or 500 WMA tracks
• Supports Audible 2, 3, and 4 formats; USB 2.0 interface
• Plays music in normal, shuffle, and repeat modes
• Measures 2.1 x 1.4 x 0.5 inches (W x H x D); 1-year parts warranty

Creative Zen Stone 1 GB MP3 Player (Blue) Overview

Incredible sound. Incredible price. Incredibly tiny. ZEN Stone 1GB MP3 player holds up to 250 songs. Skip-free MP3/WMA player ideal for working out. Play modes include Normal, Shuffle, or Repeat. Flash drive features for simple Drag-and-Drop music and data files without any drivers. Multi color LED to indicate charging status and playback status.

Creative Zen Stone 1 GB MP3 Player (Blue) Specifications

The Creative Zen Stone is one of the smallest and most economical MP3 players you'll find anywhere. Compact enough to fit into almost any pocket and weighing less than an ounce, this featherweight player can be worn comfortably around your neck or on your arm while you're traveling or working out. With a capacity of 1 GB, the Stone holds about 250 songs, or 16 hours of music, in MP3 format (or 500 songs in WMA format). In addition, the player's convenient plug-and-play capabilities mean that you can simply connect the player to your PC--the player is only compatible with Windows XP or Vista operating systems--and drag-and-drop your music and data files between player and your computer without the need for special drivers.

The featherweight Zen Stone (0.9 ounces) is one of the tiniest MP3 players on the market.

With smooth curves and a glossy blue finish, this stylish MP3 player is designed to make you look good wherever you go. Ergonomically designed controls, including a conveniently placed quick-play mode switch, let you skip to the next song or folder, or randomly play all the songs in your player with a single touch. Changing play functions is as easy as sliding a toggle switch. The player also supports Audible 2, 3, and 4 formats in addition to MP3 and WMA files. And while the player is compatible with for-purchase WMA DRM files, it does not support portable subscription WMAs.

The player's ergonomically designed controls make it easy to skip songs or access your favorite tracks.

Other details include a multicolor LED screen that notifies the listener of the unit's charging and playback status, support for Creative's Media Lite software (available via download), a rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery that delivers up to 10 hours of continuous audio playback, and a USB 2.0 interface. The Zen Stone measures 2.1 by 1.4 by 0.5 inches (W x H x D), weighs 0.9 ounces, and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and a 90-day warranty on labor.

What's in the Box
Blue Zen Stone MP3 player, earphone, USB 2.0 cable, quick-start leaflet.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Apr 25, 2010 11:37:04