Evolving Capabilities

The JukeBoxes should not just be thought of as MP3 players. Creative's range, for example, are capable of playing .wma as well as MP3s. wma files are even smaller than MP3 files with approximately the same level of quality encoded at 96Kbps vs MP3 at 128Kbps.

Firmware, drivers, or just software - whatever you call it, it adds up to the same thing: that's what makes the JukeBox work. Not only what makes it work, but specifically, it's what gives the JukeBox its capabilities.

The manufacturers are constantly developing the software that runs the Jukebox to allow it to do new and better things. If, for example, a completely new sound compression program came out that was 10 times better at compressing files than MP3s, new software would be able to make the Jukebox play those files.

Both Creative and Archos have released their Jukeboxes with an infra-red port, but without a remote control. They know that they will be able to program the remote control functions into the firmware later along with (potentially) wire-free transferal of music, or other infra-red using applications.

This is part of the reason why the JukeBoxes will not become obsolete anytime soon: the manufacturers are developing new capabilities. In reality, the longer you own your Jukebox, the more features will be added to the device by firmware upgrades. All the owner has to do is make sure that they have the correct upgrades (assuming they work, that is).

It also makes our job difficult because the capabilities of the Jukeboxes are constantly evolving. Keeping our facts straight is difficult as the goalposts keep moving!

Click here for links to the manufacturer's latest drivers.