Boy, do I get tired of getting tangled up in the wire that connects my MP3 player to my headphones. I have a cordless phone, cordless drill, cordless vacuum, wireless camcorder, and wireless Internet. So stepping up to wireless music seemed like something I should've done a long time ago.

When I took the new Sony NWZ-A829 out of the box, I realized that this MP3 player's best feature is what it lacks — a mandatory cord (though Sony does include a pair of wired earbuds, just in case you prefer being tethered to your MP3). The 'A829 is Bluetooth® compatible, which means that it makes a wireless connection to other Bluetooth-ready devices like headphones, MP3 speakers, cell phones, and car stereos.

After loading it up with tunes, I tried out the 'A829 with some Bluetooth accessories. Within seconds of turning each thing on, the player recognized both Sony's DR-BT21G wireless headphones and the compact Sony SRS-BTM30 MP3 speaker. Next, I selected the device (headphones first) that I wanted to use from the list the player had created. I chose my favorite song from the menu, and there it was in my ears, clear as a bell. Furthermore, I was free as a bee. I could lay the player down and dance without pulling a cord out of a plug or twisting a wire out of shape.

Imagine being at the gym with this setup. It's always annoyed me to have my headphones' cord whipping back and forth as I walk on a treadmill, not to mention the many times I've accidentally ripped it out of my MP3 player with an extra-wide arm swing.

This MP3 player also worked well with Sony's Bluetooth speaker. I decided that at my next party, I might put batteries in the speaker to make it totally wireless. I could put it out on the back deck, where we always end up. Then my friends and I — who bicker over what kind of music to play at parties — could pass the MP3 player around and take turns picking out songs (poor friends, though: it's my playlist in that player). The nice thing? No one would have to return to the speaker to change tunes or volume like we would with a docked player.

The Sony NWZ-A829 impressively struts its stuff when it makes that wireless connection to Bluetooth gear like Sony DR-BT21G wireless headphones and the Sony SRS-BTM30 speaker. Next thing I need? A cordless computer mouse — mine’s been wrapped around my ankle the whole time I typed this.