Like many of my fellow Americans I did a bit of travelling this past week. In the airports I visited briefly, nothing was more ubiquitous than the mp3-listening transient. Little white iPod buds nestled in ears everywhere, drowning out the cacophonous bustle of life in the terminals.

While I couldn’t have recognized the new ibiza Rhapsody even if I had seen one, I doubt there were many in use, mainly because the thing has only just been released. How long until this Wi-Fi portable media player becomes the preferred method of sonic escape? I would guess as long as it takes to expand the Wi-Fi hotspot horizon. I like the concept – a media player that doesn’t require a computer to access the impressive Rhapsody library of songs and videos. Just find a hotspot and connect. The automatic podcast updating is very cool, particularly for someone who has numerous subscriptions. (I am not yet one such someone, though I am trying. There are only so many hours in the day…).

Sound interesting? Check out all the specs on Haier’s website. I know we’ve already issued this year’s holiday gift guide, but this merry little stocking stuffer deserves consideration.

Ben Hardy - Contributing Writer

Between watching re-runs of the The Jetsons and convincing his Insteon and Z-Wave controls to get along, Ben Hardy is immersed in the world of home automation, home control, and home networking.