Music Players for Our Generation - How Do You Groove?

Some of us can probably still remember the days when records and music on the radio were the only ways to listen to our favourite tunes. Today, there are more music listening devices than we would have ever dreamed of. When it comes to your favourite artists and songs how do you groove?

CD players - The ability to digitally record and archive music has revolutionised the way we consume modern media. Commercially available since 1982, CDs remain the preferred standard in the music industry for recording and storing music.

At home, CD players are a part of most stereo equipment and home entertainment systems. Despite the recent popularity of downloadable music formats, true collectors often still prefer the hard copy compact disc, citing purity and complexity of sound in CD recordings compared with other formats.

Mp3 players - when it comes to portability, mp3 players have taken over the world. iPods have of course, become the most popular music listening device in the noughties with over 260 million units sold worldwide. It's hard not to recognise the signature white ear buds dangling on suits and students alike as they tune out the world during their morning commute.

Smaller mp3 players utilise flash memory while hard drive storage like those on the iPod offer up to 80GB to hold some of the most extensive music collections. The larger capacities of these models also make them a useful as a supportive device for backing up computer data.

Music on the radio - meanwhile, despite the developments and advancements or media players - many of us still enjoy tuning in to our favourite radio stations for some good listening. DJs make a name for themselves for knowing how to pick a good tune while that classic soothing radio voice is carefully honed by presenters and hosts across the world. Radio music offers us the chance to learn about the latest music albums or re-discover some of our long forgotten favourites.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for something outside of your local stations, internet radio has opened up a new way to receive music from all across the globe. You can tune into your favourite European jazz station, get a dose of traditional African drum beats or get a sample of the latest Sessions 7 CD. Social media sites like MySpace have become a preferred distribution channel for new and emerging artists who want to reach out to their fans.

Of course, smart hybrid technology lets mobile phones, computers and other media devices function as an all-in-one music player. There are so many ways to listen to your favourite tunes. When it comes to the soundtrack to your life, how do you like to groove?