Why the Samsung T9 Is Fun

Samsung has been an innovator in MP3 players, coming out with some of the first super-small players a few years ago and last year launching the first XM-Radio-compatible player (which was followed by this year's Helix). This fall it has introduced a couple of fun models with unique features that could make them compelling buys for the growing anti-iPod community out there.

The K5 with its built-in, slide-out speakers has gotten all the attention (I just got one and will report back with my hands-on impressions in the next couple of days). But the T9—announced last month but finally available for purchase—is equally compelling because of its relatively unique feature-set in such a small package.

Besides subscription-service compatibility, the cell-phone-like T9 can play videos, display photos, make on-the-fly voice recordings, and receive FM radio. But here's where it differs from many other players: It has a text viewer and file browser, which sounds like an ideal feature for students who need to do some last-minute cramming before a test. It can also play downloadable games, but then so can the iPod.

At $150 for 2GB, it makes a nice second media player for anyone who wants a full-featured, non-Nano companion to a bigger player.