You probably wouldn't spend $250 on a mobile MP3 player/recorder that comes with only 64MB of flash memory, even if it does use removable media, but the Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Music Handsfree HBM-30 ($250 direct) may change your mind—beyond its MP3 capabilities, it functions as a hands-free digital phone. The HBM-30 is best used when paired with a Bluetooth cell phone. It isn't entirely wireless, though. You need to plug in the included headphones to listen to music or talk on the phone. Sound comes to both ears for listening to stereo audio, of course, but also for phone calls, giving the added bonus of cutting out background noise when you're talking. The microphone is hidden in the player between the volume level buttons, and its performance is fully acceptable during phone calls when wearing the player on the lanyard or clipped to a shirt pocket.

An LCD screen on one edge of the player shows audio track information when you're playing music and offers Caller ID information if your phone and service plan support it. If a call comes in while you're listening to music, the music pauses automatically, and you can answer by pressing a single button on the player. You can also you use voice commands to answer the phone from the MP3 player. As soon as you finish a call, the music resumes playing where you left off. A totally wireless solution with a separate headset and microphone set suitable for both phone calls and music would be cool, but at least this lets you use a relatively conventionally configured music player for hands-free conversations.

According to the manufacturer, the HBM-30 runs for up to 10 hours on one triple-A alkaline battery, and the included 64MB Memory Stick Duo is good for about 1 hour of MP3 or 2 hours of protected ATRAC3 audio. The 3-ounce audio device comes with a lanyard, a clothing clip, and a standard audio input cable for recording from an analog audio source (note that you can record in ATRAC3 format only and strictly to MagicGate Memory Stick Duo media).