I use a 2gb nano with some Sony over the ear headphones. I carry it in my backpack. I make a playlist of about 50 songs, set it on shuffle, and set the volume before I get going. It seems loud when I'm just sitting in my drive way before I start riding, but once I'm moving with the traffic and wind noise it's just right.

If you want news, you can download a podcast and stick it on the ipod before you take off in the morning.