English, baby!

mp3 Players

Date: Jan 23 2004

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Do you like music? Do you listen to music when you’re on the go? Do you have an mp3 player? Are you thinking about getting one?
There are many different mp3 players on the market right now, and it seems like more are released every day. You can get everything from a home CD player that plays mp3s to a tiny mp3 player that you can wear on your arm.
Read on to learn more about mp3 players!

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Choosing an mp3 player can be difficult. There are many different players and each has its own pros and cons. Here are some things to think about when shopping for an mp3 player:
Disk Size
The disk size determines the number of songs you can store on your mp3 player. For example, the Apple iPod is available in three sizes – 40GB (10,000 songs), 20GB (5,000 songs) and 15GB (3,700 songs). The usual rule with disk size is the bigger disk size, the higher the price.
Player Size
If you’re going to be carrying your mp3 player, you probably want it to be as small as possible. Apple recently released a new iPod called the “mini” which is only 3.6” x 2” and weighs 3.6 ounces. It’s so small that you can easily strap it to your arm, clip it to your belt or even wear it around your neck, like a necklace.
Style
If you’re going to be using an mp3 player, you want it to look cool, right? Apple seems to have cornered the market on the stylish mp3 player with its iPod. The iPod’s design has been hailed as one of the most beautiful ever created. However, some other players have come out recently that challenge the iPod’s dominance. One such example is Sony’s S2 Sports NetMD Walkman.
Price
While the Apple iPod is without a doubt the best mp3 player on the market right now, it’s also the most expensive. For example, it’s possible to buy a 40GB Creative Nomad mp3 player for only $260. The 40GB iPod costs $499.

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Discussion

There are lots of mp3 players that I didn’t mention, but you can find them at places like Amazon.com and Buy.com if you’re interested. My feeling about mp3 players is that the prices are too high right now. I haven’t bought one yet, because I think the prices are going to come down a lot in the next year or two.
If you want to get an mp3 player now, you should remember the old saying: you get what you pay for.
Good luck!
Take it easy,
Migs
(substituting for John)