When it comes to MP3 players Creative Labs is no slouch. The Creative Zen Stone is the first real iPod Shuffle rival to obtain any foothold in the ultra compact MP3 market. The Zen Stone is perfect for the person on the go, easily fitting in small pockets or on an armband.

Weighing less than an ounce the Zen Stone is designed for inconspicuous mobility. It features 1 GB of storage, holding approximately 500 songs. It supports MP3 and WMA formats (protected and unprotected) and touts a 10 hour battery life. The Zen Stone does not have a screen, nor does it include an FM tuner.

Critics find the Zen Stone to be a fair competitor to the iPod Shuffle; they particularly liked the ability to skip to the next folder on the device, not just the next track. Users like the Zen Stone’s tiny size and price tag the ability to use Windows Explorer instead of proprietary software for file transfer.

Whether you’re on the go or at home the Creative Zen Stone is great for the casual user just looking to jam to some of their favorite tunes, and the price is nice too.