August 12th, 2009 
Kris Saelen 
Right now, it seems like the last thing the mp3 market needs is another budget option overloading the $50 price range with choices. However, considering its features, the Philips GoGear Vibe is probably worth giving shoppers one more option to tackle.
Perhaps the most unusual feature for a player in this price range is the addition of a 1.5 inch color screen for viewing artwork, pictures and video. While the screen may be unimpressive in size and quality, but having a screen at all is so unusual at this price that I’m willing to overlook it.
Of course, the screen is almost negated by a ridiculous control pad that is a downright pain to navigate. Nothing about this navigation pad works the way you think it does. Skipping songs requires pressing up and down instead of left and right. The indentation in the middle is not an enter button but instead just randomly presses direction keys, with the enter button being inconveniently located on the side. Maybe it’s a small complaint, but it’s also a constant one.
The features for the price range are impressive, with the ability to listen to internet radio channels or streaming music, to view video, pictures, or display album artwork. There is even a voice recorder. Sure, the quality isn’t outstanding, but for the casual user shopping in this price range, I think it’s more than passable. The sound quality (once you switch out the unimpressive included earbuds) is also about standard.
All things considered, I think budget shoppers are really going to like the Philips GoGear Vibe. It certainly has more features than pretty much anything in its price range, even if the quality is expectedly lower than your higher priced mp3 players. Do the extra features turn your head or do the design quirks have you running for cover? Leave us a comment to let us know.
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