Review of the nTren MP3 Watch

I have a bit of an advantage, though, since it functions almostidentically to the XonixMP3 watch I reviewed a couple of weeks ago, so the averageuser will probably want to at least skim portions of the instructions before divingin. The bottom line is that it's plenty easy to use, and should not pose a challengeto anyone who even knows what an MP3 is.I really like the accessories the nTren MP3 watch comes with. Both the headphonesand the USB cable retract into small spring-loaded plastic reels in order to keepthem from getting tangled, and to make them more portable. And both the AC adapter,and the standard headphone adapter, are included. Thanks, nTren, for not tryingto nickel and dime your customers by selling these accessories separately.The watch worked equally well with both my Macintosh PowerBook and IBM ThinkPad,as expected. Both OS X and Windows recognized thedevice and did the right thing as soon as it was connected. (Although the directionsthat come with the watch indicate that only Windows operating systems are supported,OS X works just fine, though the Mac will create additional metadata files onthe watch like.Separate batteries. The MP3 player and the quartz watch do not share the same battery which means you can kill the MP3 player's battery completely and not have to worry about the watch stopping. Luminescent hands. They aren't overly bright, but they will probably get you through a movie. One year service warranty. What's IncludedThe watch, of course.Stereo earphones (earbuds, actually). The cord retracts into a convenient andvery portable spring-loaded reel. Nice touch.USB connector (which also retracts into a spring-loaded reel) for transferringmusic and for recharging.Headphone adapter so you can use standard 3.5mm headphones.A/C adapter for charging (you can use the wall charger or the USB cable torecharge the watch).USB drivers for pre-Windows 98 machines.User manual.One year warranty registration card.Putting the nTren MP3 Watch Through Its PacesThe first thing you will notice about the nTren is that it comes in a very nicebox with everything you need included. The next thing you will probably noticeis that the nTren MP3 watch is a pretty darn good looking timepiece. The one Igot has a black dial and a black leather strap, and although I usually favor stainlesssteel or titanium over leather, I feel like in this case, the combination workswell. The watch case contains several controls (four buttons, a crownfor setting the analog watch, and a USB port), but they aren't overly conspicuous.Even the little metal stopper that goes over the USB port to pressure seal thewatch is not a visual burden. And the size of the watch, while not exactly subtle,is still well within the realm of reasonable, and these days, could even be consideredfashionable.I charged the watch and immediately put it to use. I found it completely intuitive,and never picked up the instructions at all except to make sure I didn't actuallymiss anything.