Neo 35 Provides Music on the Move

SSI Computer's portable MP3 player goes from car to stereo through its docking stations.

Paul Heltzel, special to PCWorld.com

LAS VEGAS-- One of the problems with downloading MP3s is that you don't have a player in your car--or connected to your stereo. SSI Computer is showing at Comdex here this week a device that uses docking bays to get around the problem.

The Neo 35, priced at $599, can be connected to a PC or home stereo, or inserted into a car dashboard. It can store a whopping 81GB of music files, which SSI says translates to about 34,000 songs. SSI is now selling less expensive versions as well, including one for $389 that holds 10GB and a 20GB version for $409.

At those prices, the Neo costs about $100 more than other portable MP3 players. Nike recently started selling its PSA Play 120, a very lightweight, rugged MP3 player that straps to your arm. And Iomega's portable HipZip player lets you swap out 40MB PocketZip disks, which cost just $10 each. Both the Nike and Iomega players sell for about $300.

It's a Portable Auto Stereo

A metal handle lets you pull the Neo out of its docking station and carry it. The stereo docking bay uses standard RCA connectors to hook up to a stereo amplifier. The car-docking bay installs into a dashboard or the trunk, and it can be operated with a remote control.

The Neo is just one of many MP3 devices making a debut at Comdex. Other companies are hoping to grab consumers' attention with devices that combine functions, such as LG Electronics' combination MP3 player and digital still camera, The Digital Music Eye.

Sprint and Samsung also hop into the MP3 game with their music-playing cell phone, the Uproar. The $400 cell phone being shown around Comdex can hold about 25 minutes of music.