iRiver Clix

The Clix gets points for innovation. The 2.2-inch screen is raised from the rest of the player, and users play/pause, fast forward/rewind, and navigate through the menus by clicking one of the four edges. There's not much of a learning curve, but the front of the device has the tendency to pick up more than its share of fingerprints. The LCD makes watching video a rather enjoyable experience, despite the fact that you're limited to 15 frames per second.

 

The Clix' menus look strikingly similar to those of Windows Media Center. This 2.5-ounce player contains no menu or enter buttons. To select an option, you just keep clicking forward (the right side of the screen); to return to the previous menu, you click back (the left side). The volume controls are relegated to the player's sides. Since clicks are triggered rather easily, it's best to put the player on hold while it's in your pocket.

 

The in-line recording is a nice touch, as is the FM tuner. Pressing and holding up enacts a seek function, finding the next available frequency. The mic for the voice recorder feature is of fairly good quality, but a bit too sensitive, so don't pick up the device during recordings. Like the nano, the Clix features some simple games to kill time, but these Flash-based titles look better and are extremely addictive.

 

VERDICT: The iRiver Clix is the perfect player for those who want something different, even if the design and navigation aren't for everyone. With its bright display, innovative design, and plethora of features, the Clix gives this category some much-need envelope pushing.