iPod envy is hitting home

Every street in London seems to contain at least one slightly smug iPod owner flaunting their white headphones. Experts agree the iPod has changed the way we listen to music while we're out and about. But computer makers already have their next target zone in sight - the living room.

Apple, along with dozens of other companies, is now hoping to create the hi-fi equivalent of the iPod.

The idea is simple. Wireless technology means you can get rid of cables and keep your PC outside the living room.

All that ' s needed is a little hi-fi component that plays back music from your PC, and an e a s y - t o - u s e remote control and display that let you choose songs. Simple, really. But, in reality, there are a plethora of products on the market.

Apple's solution is a little white box called the AirPort Express. It plugs into your hi-fi and connects wirelessly with your computer, allowing it to play music. It does this very well although the big problem is that to change track, you need to be at a computer. At £99 from Apple's online store at www.apple.com, it's a very inexpensive, easy way of playing back music through the hi-fi, and it also has the massive advantage that you can play music bought on Apple's online store.

The Apple's bigger, uglier brother in the market is the Creative Labs Wireless Soundblaster. Initially, it seems a far more appealing proposition. It has a large, chunky remote control with a big screen that lets you scroll through your music and, at the press of a button, have it play through a hi-fi connected to the small black control box.

However, this is no iPod. At £189 this is a valiant attempt at what is a great idea but with its ugly remote control, which is difficult to use, it simply doesn't impress enough.

Possibly the best all-round is the curiously named Squeezebox (left) from Slim Devices. A small, ugly black box with a large, clear display, this £189 gadget, available online at www.dabs.com, is relatively easy to set up, although as with all these devices, you'll have to configure the wireless network card in your computer.

To choose songs you can use your normal web browser, such as Internet Explorer, on your computer.