| OK, say you've got one thousand of your | | | | music players. Pop in a large memory card (e.g. |
| favorite MP3 songs sitting in your hard disk. | | | | 64 MB) and you can store many MP3 or WMA |
| What's the best way to enjoy those files? Most | | | | files. Then hook up a headphone, launch the music |
| of us probably will use the Windows Media Player | | | | software in the PDA and you're good to go! I |
| to listen to those files. but did you know there are | | | | personally own a HP iPaq 2210 which effectively |
| other more innovative and interesting ways | | | | keeps track of my appointments and doubles up |
| playback MP3, WMA and WAV files?Let's take a | | | | as a music player.Use Your Car StereoThis is my |
| look at the five methods.Use MusicMatch | | | | favorite way of listening to my MP3 collection. I |
| JukeboxIf you think most that most PC | | | | recently bought a car stereo that can playback |
| programs for playing digital music look like the | | | | native MP3 songs. This means that I can pop in a |
| built-in Windows Media Player, think again. There | | | | data CD containing hundreds of MP3 files and the |
| are programs out there that go far beyond the | | | | car stereo will play them! This does not work on |
| Windows Media Player in functionality. One great | | | | conventional car stereos. If you own a |
| example is Musicmatch Jukebox from Musicmatch. | | | | conventional car stereo, but still want to listen to |
| Musicmatch Jukebox is quite simply the world's | | | | your MP3 songs, one way is to create an audio |
| best digital music player. It supports playback of | | | | CD from your music files first. The car stereo will |
| various music formats like audio CDs, MP3s, | | | | then have no problem interpreting and playing |
| Internet streams, WMAs, WAV files and more. | | | | back the audio CD. Of course, in this case, you'll |
| You also get CD burning, music ripping and music | | | | be limited to about 14 to 17 tracks of music |
| organizing capabilities. The Plus version even allows | | | | only.Use Your Home StereoIf you're a music |
| you to automatically tag your music files with | | | | lover, you probably already have a home stereo. |
| detailed info and album art!Use a Portable MP3 | | | | Use it to listen to your MP3 music files! However, |
| PlayerPortable music players like the Apple iPod, | | | | take note that Like car stereos, conventional |
| Creative Nomad and Rio Nitrus have taken the | | | | home stereos will not be able to play back native |
| market by storm. You don't have to be confined | | | | MP3 songs. You will need a newer home stereo |
| to your desktop PC or laptop to listen to digital | | | | set with MP3 playback capability. New models |
| music! The portable music players can allow you | | | | from Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer and Sony |
| to take your music anywhere. The compact size | | | | usually have MP3 support.ConclusionAs you can |
| of MP3 and WMA music formats means that you | | | | see, there are many ways to enjoy that digital |
| can literally take a jukebox of thousands of songs | | | | music collection of yours. My favorite methods of |
| whereever you go! You may also want to check | | | | listening to digital audio files is via a portable music |
| out my review of the top 5 portable music | | | | player or the car stereo. Of course, you may |
| players here. There are also other portable music | | | | have your own preference - some people like to |
| options, including handphones with MP3 support.Use | | | | listen to music off their desktop PC or laptop. |
| a PDAThe latest Pocket PC or Palm-based | | | | Decide which method(s) is suitable for you and go |
| personal digital assistants (PDAs) can also act as | | | | for it! |