MPMAN MP-F59 1Gb

The MPMAN MP-F59 1Gb MP3 player was just a terrible device.

Bad software interface design. For example, if you pause the playback and the device auto turns off because you didn't resume play, it will not remember where in the MP3 you were. Fast forwarding goes at the same speed no matter how long you hold down the FF button, so if you are using it for books on tape or lectures, you will be spending a long time getting an hour or two into the track. The menus are context sensitive so you have to get the player into certain modes before you can adjust some of the settings. There is no control over the bad multi color back-light. Those are just some examples.

Poor hardware design. It is chargeable only via a USB cable, which is very hard to plug in as it is retractable, so when trying to connect the cable you have to struggle to not just push it back into its retracted position. The buttons often respond as if you clicked on them twice when you only clicked them once. There is no interface lock, so you can't just set it to play and put it in your pocket, as you will end up accidentally hitting buttons through normal movement. Again, just a few examples.

If I hadn't purchased this on sale I would return it. As it is, I will probably just get another device and let this one sit in a drawer. I don't have it in me to sell it or give it to someone else.