i had my first one 5 years ago. The pricing was so different then. It costs me $199 for a 32mb Samsung Yepp. Im talking bout mp3 players if u are wondering.

Fast-forward.

Creative Muvo V200 (512mb) is selling @ $199 today! Just imagine how much money those ulu-ly branded MP3 players (also 512mb) will cost at the IT Show 2005 @ Suntec Singapore Level 3 & 4. Its no wonder why gadget freaks like daddy is so tempted to buy me a new one.

A pity that he's quite an opposition to Apple products. Or else i may have the chance to get a green ipod mini? (there's engraving service available for ipods! isnt it cool to have ur name there? ha ha ha!) Heh, I'm greedy.

Still, count me lucky.

Up to now, everything sounded nice isnt it? ha! here comes the 'best' part. Daddy is eyeing on MP3 players with at least 512mb, USB 2.0, FM tuner, working on 1 AAA batt, 15hrs playback, backlight and EQ modes (preferably), n it should cost < $200. Its not mission impossible because i've came across some that fits all of the above criteria, only that they are neither iRiver, Creative, Apple nor Yepp.

One of them would be MTwo (which uses Samsung Original Flash Chip) from Gajah International. At least it looks like the YP-T6X that i fancied! Btw, Gajah Int is a local company formed by 4 NUS engineering students. I wonder how their MP3 players could serve as a language learning aid, interesting huh?

Personally, besides all the criteria stated by dad, I'd love to have one that has 7 backlight LCD display (or at least my fav White LCD backlight?) for me to play ard with according to my moods, Direct Mp3 encoding and lyrics synchronization function that allow me to sing to the tunes within mins, a voice recorder to use in my future korean cls, Korean language supported for me to put what i've learnt to use and lastly, i will also welcome the idea of having photos in the player. told u im greedy, heh.

All in all, a combination of Akira MP-E7, Gajah Lux-Pro MX-225D, Olympus m:robe MR-500i and Panasonic SV-MP110 would be gd enough. HA! Hope i've done sufficient homework for tml's IT Show!