PPC > Reviews> Sound

Philips Keyring 006 Audio Player

Don Bradbury looks at a neat digital audio player cum USB flash drive

The range of devices based on the plug-and-play USB flash memory principle is extending quickly. They range from simple quickly accessible storage device that can be easily added to a Windows PC through to flash memory card readers, FM tuners, intelligent backup devices, and a whole lot more.

In the case of the Philips 006 Key Ring, the flash memory is primarily intended for storing and replaying MP3 or WMA music files. You simply download them from the computer to the newly created virtual disk drive - that is the flash memory - and replay the audio files through the decent set of earphones provided.

Driver installation

Installation is simple with all USB-capable versions of Windows although Windows 98 does require the supplied driver to be installed. Whilst the install CD does install basic management facilities to the Start/Programs folder, moving your MP3 files around is done via either Windows Explorer or MUSICMATCH Jukebox 7.1 which is also on the CD.

The NiMH battery is initially charged for 4 hours directly from a USB port. You can also supplement capacity with an included AAA battery holder. Upon switching the device to the Playback/Download setting the unit is recognized by the OS as a USB storage medium whereupon the drivers are loaded automatically. Six hours of play time from the rechargeable battery is claimed.

During charging, a green LED shows progress. When charging is complete the LED goes out. It changes to orange when you switch to download, flashing while download takes place.

Downloading

After charging, you can copy your playable files to the Key Ring. The device is then plugged it into its neck strap which doubles as the player control. Then simply plug in the ear-phones and play your files. Having no moving parts, it is unfazed if you go jogging or want to listen while watching a football match.

While the main Start/Pause/Stop button on the device is mechanical and functions nicely, the other controls - volume and track jump - are touch sensitive points built into the neck strap. They also work well but it means you cannot grope for these controls while out and about, you have to be able see what you’re doing, and that’s not always easy or convenient.

In all other respects the device works nicely, though it comes at a substantial price. Volume is variable over a wide range, sound quality is decent and all that might be expected, and construction appears to be excellent.

You’ll find a whole lot of music files already present on this device, but if these are not to your taste, like any other drive it can be formatted, rendering the entire capacity available.

In conclusion

The Philips Key Ring 006 is a neat player for your MP3 or WMA files. Its 128MB of flash memory can hold four hours worth of WMA files, or two hours worth of MP3.

If £119 is too much for you to consider, there’s a slightly different design of audio player in the Philips range, the 004 Key Ring, with 64MB of memory. That costs £99.

Of course you may value this device as USB flash storage in it’s own right. Copy the files you need to work on at home from the office PC (you’d better check with the boss first) and you have an excellent means of transporting those critical files, or simply regard the copies as backups.

Don Bradbury

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