If you can't beat 'em, copy 'em. Creative Technology today began selling an updated version of its MuVo2 hard drive-based music player in five alternative colours reminiscent of Apple's iPod Mini.

The MuVo2 FM contains a 5GB hard drive, up from the current MuVo2's (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/04/26/creative_muvo2_review/) 4GB unit. With a removeable, rechargeable battery that Creative claims can provide up to 14 hours' playback, the device can output WMA, MP3 and WAV audio through a four-band equaliser with four pre-sets and a custom EQ option. The player operates at a signal-noise level of 98dB.

As the name suggests, the player now comes equipped with a built-in FM radio. There's a voice recording feature in there, too, which can also save radio programming.

Each player sports a 132 x 32 pixel display with a blue backlight. The five colours on offer are white, black, pink, blue and green. The devices measure 6.7 x 6.6 x 2cm and weigh 103g. They use USB 2.0 for data transfer to a host Windows machine.

Creative isn't alone in attempting to take on the iPod Mini. Fellow MP3 player maker Rio Audio this week began shipping its 5GB Rio Carbon (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/02/rio_carbon/), and European PC provider Packard Bell is preparing a 5GB model of its own (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/12/packard_bell_ipod/).

The last two are one-colour models - so far Creative appears to be the first music player company to follow Apple's lead down the multi-colour route. However, Kyocera recently began shipping a line of digital cameras (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/22/kyocera_ipod_cam/) decked out in iPod Mini hues.

In Japan, the players will retail for around ¥26,800 (£136/$245) a pop. There's no word yet on UK or US availability. ®

Related stories

Rio pitches Carbon player at iPod Mini (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/02/rio_carbon/)
Packard Bell preps iPod Mini clone (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/12/packard_bell_ipod/)
Creative MuVo 2 4GB MP3 Player (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/04/26/creative_muvo2_review/)
Kyocera offers iPod Mini-matching digicams (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/22/kyocera_ipod_cam/)