Creative MuVo Squared 2 Information and Full Review.

This range of MP3 players has been superceded by the Creative Zen Micro and the Creative Zen Nano Plus 512MB.

Creative labs MuVo2, MuVo^2 or Creative MuVo squared, depending on how you choose to type it. The MuVo2 comes with 1.5GB or 4GB of storage, depending on the model, and is a nice little departure for Creative. "Music to the power of you" is the tag line for this range. Someone was paid to think of that, you know.

Is it just to confuse everyone that Creative have decided to give their latest range of mini-hard disk based players a similar name to their smaller capacity RAM based players: MuVo. Perhaps they have poached Archos's "chief product namer"? Perhaps this was the best name the could find. Regardless of their reasons for picking "MuVo2" you have to wonder how they imagined that people would type this into search engines?

This latest music player and data storage offering is square in shape, so, it's called MuVo²; geddit? In fact it wouldn't be such a bad name if it hadn't lead to that tag line ...

Creative MuVo Squared Info

Stores 1.5 or 4GB of stuff Simple to use Rechargeable, removable lithium-ion battery provides up to 10 hours continuous playback. USB 2.0 interface ensures rapid transfer of data and music Small and light FM radio and voice recording available as extra

MuVo Squared Review

This little range is surprisingly good. They start with 1.5GB of storage space and the top of the range is currently 4GB. 1.5 GB is really is where MP3 players stop being just fun and start being a Jukebox (unless they are a smaller capacity MP3 Player with a built in radio, which significantly extends their use). 4GB is not shabby for a jukebox.

As standard, both models come with USB 2.0 for speedy transfers of data and music 'twixt PC and Jukebox. Fast. The USB 2.0 connection can also charge these units while they're connected to your PC.

So what's the downside?

The LCD screen is quite small, but since these units are geared up for playing tracks and not towards operating as a photo wallet there is, arguably, no real need for a larger screen than the one given by its creator.

These jukeboxes use neither RAM, nor the larger, bulkier HDs as used by the Big Guns models that have 20-80GB of HD space. The smaller Mini-HD used in the MuVo2s means a storage medium that is less sensitive to vibration/ shock. Yes, there are still moving parts, so they are not immune to g-force related damage, but since the overall weight of the HD is significantly smaller, and forces involved in any collision are a product of mass x speed squared, lowering the weight of the storage medium lowers its predisposition to damage. Translation: you can go jogging with it.

Voice Recording is possible with this creative range, but as usual with Creative Labs it costs extra. Its an FM/ wired remote module that's purchased separately. Even more disappointing than the fact that you have to pay extra to get a record function is that when you get the record function it will record "voice" only and not directly from the radio that is also part of the optional extra.

The clean and simple lines of the styling are also manifest in the interface and control of the unit. Navigation around the MuVo2 range is instinctive and simple, using straight forward commands and easy to follow layout and structure.

As usual Creative only support windows operating systems and now only from Windows 98 Se and upwards, which means that anyone who has a Mac or even an older version of windows, can go elsewhere for their jukebox.

Within windows though operation is straight forward, relying on drag and drop methods of moving music or data files on and off your MuVo sq.. Its all very familiar, but the software that come with the MuVo squared is a little lumpy and seems to still be a fair bit bigger in terms of file size and memory usage than is strictly necessary.

Battery news

The battery is included and rechargeable, as has become standard in the world of dukebox.com - we're not claiming that its because of us, just stating that it is here. Creative claim the battery will give about 14 hours of continuous playback, which is very good. The battery is also replaceable, so you can swap batteries to extend playback time.

MuVo squared Size and weight

These players are small and light. 91g, including battery is very light indeed. A fair bit lighter than any of the larger capacity HD models. The MuVo is also small. They are less than 3 inches x 3 inches x 1 inch.

It's very slim, it's very light and if you like the style then this may well be the model for you.