<P> The first portable MP3 player was launched in 1997 by Saehan Information Systems , which sold its `` MPMan '' player in Asia in spring 1998 . In mid-1998 , the South Korean company licensed the players for North American distribution to Eiger Labs , which rebranded them as the EigerMan F10 and F20 . The flash - based players were available in 32 MB or 64 MB ( 6 or 12 songs ) storage capacity and had a LCD screen to tell the user the song currently playing . </P>
<P> The first portable MP3 player was launched in 1997 by Saehan Information Systems , which sold its `` MPMan '' player in Asia in spring 1998 . In mid-1998 , the South Korean company licensed the players for North American distribution to Eiger Labs , which rebranded them as the EigerMan F10 and F20 . The flash - based players were available in 32 MB or 64 MB ( 6 or 12 songs ) storage capacity and had a LCD screen to tell the user the song currently playing . </P>
when was the first portable mp3 player released
when was the first portable mp3 player released
1997
1997