Bruguru's Full Review: Philips GoGear ShoqBox PSS110 (256 MB) MP3 Player
Im always on the look for the latest and greatest gadgets. Isnt every guy? Technology is what its all about, and were constantly on the prowl for the newest and coolest hi-tech toys. Not long ago, I found just that in the Philips Shoqbox, a combination portable MP3 player, clock radio, and FM radio.
To be sure, this is an ingenious little gadget. For about $120, you get a lot of device for just a little money. The Shoqbox isnt perfect, but it is a decent value for a multi-functional device. Here are the details:
Portable MP3
The Shoqbox is a bit bigger than your average MP3 player. At about 4 inches long and an inch wide, it may seem strange as a jogging companion. But it isnt overly so, and it does offer the duel benefit of having a headphone jack for private listening and two self-contained speakers for larger audiences (or your own non-headphone enjoyment).
The Shoqbox offers 256 MB of storage, enough to record two to three hours of music. It will play MP3 or WMA formats with ease. In addition, there is an FM tuner with ten presets (but no AM). Reception is average, but good enough to get all my locals.
Speakers
The two speakers built into the unit provide surprisingly good sound for their size, about an inch in diameter each. Will they shake the house down? No. But they do sound pretty good. And you can attach the unit to external sources (Ipod, laptop) to use the Shoqboxs speakers.
Durability
The plastic case seems fairly shock resistant. It should survive average use for quite some time.
Clock Radio?
You can preset the Shoqbox to wake you up at a set time with radio, alarm, or MP3 music file. A definite plus for campers or other travelers.
Display
The Shoqbox offers an LCD menu that allows you to browse through the units contents and select the song you want to hear. Its also valuable for FM browsing.
Accessories
The included travel case is a definite plus. So is the power cord which operates the unit and charges the built in battery. No more buying disposable batteries, a big plus there. USB transfer cable is also included allowing you to load the unit with songs from your computer.
Overall
The Shoqbox offers multiple uses in one compact package. Smaller than a clock radio but larger than an MP3 player, it does try to be both without quite being perfect at equaling either. But it does come close, and at the price is a very decent value indeed.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 120.00 Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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