san diego startup Slacker aims to take the guesswork out of digital music by combining an MP3 player with Internet radio. It's a radio version of the Apple juggernaut.

Slacker players will be available at prices from $150 to $400, depending on storage. The music will consist of one hundred digital radio stations, which will be free with ads or $7.50 per month without. The programming will be received via satellite or the Internet over WifFi. Slacker will include love it or hate it buttons that customize the music stream. Slacker executives include the former CEOs of Apple competitors iRiver, Musicmatch, and Rio.