Samsung R'Play YP-R0

Samsung YP-R0

It wasn't long ago that spending $100 on an MP3 player meant getting little capacity, limited features, and a screen that didn't display photos or video - if you got an LCD at all. No longer: Archos and Samsung have recently released players that should give anyone considering purchasing a stripped-down iPod shuffle ($79 direct, ) pause. The Samsung YP-R0 ($99.99 list) offers 8GB of storage, solid file support, a decent display, and even above-average earphones. The 8GB Archos 3cam vision ($99.99 direct, ), however, is also worth your $100 - its earphones may pale in comparison, but this player comes with a built-in camera for photos and video. Still, if you want a solid listening experience without having to spring for an earphone upgrade, you should check out the R0. Measuring 3.7 by 2.0 by 0.4 inches (HWD), the 2.1-ounce R0 isn't iPod-shuffle small, but it's compact and manageable. Where the Archos 3Cam vision is minimal and sleek with a touch-sensitive screen, the R0 relies on physical buttons below its display for navigation. The graphics are simple, with a bit of animation thrown in if you make certain selections - but the menus are dull to look at. That said, the 2.6-inch, 320-by-240-pixel display is very bright and crisp for its size, which means your photos and videos will look great.