Asono touts designer MP3 player

Want an MP3 player that doesn't look like an MP3 player? Norway's Asono may have the answer: the Play, a low-cost version of its Mica device. iPod Shuffle-like in its simplicity, the Play has no screen and a single joystick for control. It even clips into its own design-integrated neck lanyard.

According to the vendor, the device plays MP3, WMA and ASF files for up to 12 hours on a single charge of its built-in battery. There are five equaliser pre-sets to tweak the sound to meet your personal preference. The unit supports four playlists, but there's the obligatory shuffle mode too.

What's really cute is its use of sound cues to help you navigate. According to Asono, "the player gives the user feedback using a variety of distinctive and discreet sounds. Even with no display, the feedback sounds make it possible for the user to choose between a number of settings, folder search (artist, album), shuffle mode or four different playlists".

The more sophisticated version, the Mica, sports a display, FM tuner and voice recorder. It's got 512MB of Flash memory, while the Play comes in 512MB and 1GB versions, in either white or black. Asono wants €129 (£88/$153), €99 (£67/$117) and €129 (£88/$153), for the three models, respectively. ®