TIME Tech Buyer's Guide 2005: Bye-Bye, Wires

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1. Samsung XM NeXus Music Player

samsung.com (Available early 2006)
Like the Sirius product above, this portable player for XM subscribers stores satellite-radio broadcasts--and MP3s--to listen to on the move.

2. K-Byte Zipit Wireless Messenger

radioshack.com ($100)
For wi-fi homes, this pocket-size instant messenger connects to AIM, Yahoo! or MSN and is a good way to keep the kids from fighting over the PC.

3. Sirius S50 Portable Music Player

sirius.com ($360, service extra)
Record Sirius satellite radio to take with you on the subway or plane, where the service isn't available. You can sort saved songs by artist or title.

4. Oregon Scientific Weather Station

www2.oregonscientific.com ($200)
Because it receives regional info and National Weather Service alerts via MSN Direct, you get a full visual weather report at a glance.

(Not Pictured) Uniden Internet Phone for Vonage

uniden.com ($190, service extra)
This is one of the first mainstream phones built for the new wave of "voice over IP" broadband phone services. As with other Uniden models, additional handsets don't require their own phone jacks.

NEXT: Online Music Guide

BY WILSON ROTHMAN
PHOTOGRAPHS FOR TIME BY JAMES WOJCIK