The MP3 player is the most recent in an evolution of music formats that have helped consumers enjoy their tunes. Records, eight-track tapes, cassette tapes and CDs -- none of these earlier music formats provided the convenience and control that MP3 players give music lovers. With an MP3 player in hand or pocket, a consumer can create personalized music lists and carry thousands of songs wherever they go.
All of that stored music and the MP3 player itself fit into a device that's smaller than a deck of cards. That's a big difference in size -- as opposed to carrying a CD player and CD storage case. These advantages propel the popularity of MP3 players. This popularity is also related to the wide variety of players available to consumers. MP3 players come in many different shapes and sizes as manufacturers try to appeal to wide audiences. You can even find players that are integrated with other devices and consumer products.