Wind-up mp3 player praised

Anyone heading off on a long journey to remote places should ensure they take a wind-up device with them, according to one expert.

Writing for the Guardian, Stephen Fry explains that the Eco Media Revolution player offers people the chance to listen to music without having to be near a plug socket.

The device, an invention of Trevor Baylis, features a hand-crank which is used to generate power for the gadget.

"One minute of winding makes for 45 minutes of play, that’s the promise: a big British bargain," Mr Fry states.

As well as mp3 playback, the device can also display video, photos, text and can also be used to charge a mobile phone.

Meanwhile, those interested in a more conventional media player might be interested to know that Seeking Alpha reports the Microsoft Zune is the most likely device to pose a challenge to the iPod during the run up to Christmas.