But that was how it happened when LP met the iRiver IFP-1095 MP3 player, this really is a thing of beauty, crafted with care and style let alone the pure technical wizardry found inside, don't believe us then read on.

At first its difficult to make out the function of the IFP-1095 especially if the headphones are not connected, its rather like a really funky star trek communicator and quite unlike any MP3 player we've had our paws on, the metallic finish raises this 1095 above its slightly cheaper 1090 brother and its well worth the extra money.

The detailing in this package has to be seen, the small but clear 1.2" LCD screen allows for full access to the very user friendly GUI with the main control being via the 4 way joystick which works with ease. The backlight is bright and makes reading the on screen menus and indeed viewing image easy which is surprising seeing as the whole unit measures just 91 x 34 x 31.3mm and it won't weigh you down at 63grams either.

Once LP had finished stroking the iRiver IFP-1095 (he's a recovering gadget aholic) we managed to test its primary feature the MP3 playback and recording, getting files onto the unit is accomplished via the USB 1.1 connection which is speedy enough but a shame that USB 2.0 wasn't used. As with all of iRiver products the supplied iRiver manager software works well allowing you to see your polished gadget and what files are inside, of course you can used the 512mb of space for any kind of file not just music.

Mp3 replay is excellent with a good audio level and bass weight and only a slight hint of hiss on the quietest of tracks, the 1095 will support bit rates from as low as 8kbps to 320kps and tracks can be tagged in ID3 V1,V2 2.0,V2 3.0, V2 4.0. But it doesn't stop there iRiver have fully embraced the new encoding format of choice for the professional Techie Ogg Vorbis and this baby can handle OGG files encoded from 96Kbps - 225Kbps which is pretty cool considering an OGG file at 225kbps is equivalent to a bit rate over the MP3 maximum of 320kbps.

Throw in support of WMA 44Kbps - 192Kbps and support of both OGG and WMA track tagging and you have a future proof little star on your hands, there is also a 20 preset FM tuner tucked somewhere inside the small shell of the IFP-1095 from which you can directly encode, in fact you can even set a timed recording!

Extras also make an appearance with an in built microphone to make impromptu recordings presumably that's why the MP3 rate can be dropped to the lowest 8kbmps for mono voice recordings.

But possibly one of the funkiest bits of design we've seen this year is the camera, sure its only a web cam resolution (640x480) on its 1/5.5" CCD chip but no one expects a camera on your MP3 player and no one will expect on to rise up out of the top of the unit quite like this!

The camera slides up out of the main body a bit like a gun turret or something out of doctor who, styled in the same metallic look and with a jagged ring around the top you can twist the cam to face away from the screen and use the 1.2" LCD as a view finder.

Battery life is a like the life expectancy of a Galapagos Tortoise, very very long, hitting a clamed 35hours before needing a re charge, which can be accomplished via an adaptor or through the USB connection, the Lithium Ion battery is also replaceable so when the time comes there's no need to send your baby away for a refit. The firmware is fully upgradeable and the iRiver website holds the latest versions and they do update each unit with new release even adding new function like the retro fit of OGG Vorbis to some of the older models.

So in conclusion we could take LP's total reluctance to give the iRiver IFP-1095 back to be a good sign and when weighed with the technological competence maybe we have to admit that LP's sixth sense is spot on this time. Available in the UK for £239.99 its not the cheapest flash based player but then we haven't seen another gadget that manages the combination of real function and style like this in quite some time.

More iRiver Reviews

More MP3 Players -

[ iRiver IFP ] [ MuVo2 mini MP3 player ] [ Rio Nitrus ] [ Philips HDD070 ] [ Zen Micro Review ] [ Sony NW-E99 MP3 ] [ Aiwa HZWS2000 ] [ Rio Carbon Review ] [ iRiver IFP 899 ] [ iPod Nano Review ] [ Archos XS100 ] [ Samsung YP-U1Q ] [ Cowon iAudio 6 Review ] [ iAudio U3 Review ] [ Creative Zen V Plus ] [ Cowon iAudio F2 ] [ Oracom UB890 ] [ iPod Touch Review ] [ 3rd Generation iPod Nano ] [ Sony NWZA818 Review ] [ MobiBlu B153 ] [ New iPod Nano 2G Review ] [ iRiver S10 Review ] [ Sandisk Sansa E200 Review ] [ iRiver U10 Review ] [ iRiver H10 Review ] [ Sanyo HDP MM3000 ] [ Philips HDD084 Review ] [ MPIO HD200 Review ] [ M:Robe MR100 ] [ Monolith MP3 Player ] [ iRiver IFP-599T ] [ Ipod Mini Review ]