The only thing that can kill iPod is Apple themselves. I am waiting for the next generation Nano, the current 2nd gen is not it. It is too flimesy, one drop and the screen gets buggered, no thanks. I want something I can keep in my ass pocket without worrying if it is going to break and solid state, none of this HD s**t and none of this video crap.
I think that the big thing users, especially non technically inclined users are looking for is something that is easy and works well. The Zoon player is definitely going to cause some ruckus but apple will probably still hold their customers in the long run. Not to mention if you take a look at the rate apple is progressing there is probably something big on the way, perhaps an ipod phone. They have already partnered with Motorola!
"You're tech savvy and yet you:like iTunescan't figure out how to use the Creative or Sandisk players?"Umm, well, first, being tech savvy has nothing to do with using (and liking) iTunes. As much as some people are file system bigots, I don't think there's any reason to pound a square eg (music library management) into a hexagonal hole (general purpose file management). Or, are you saying "real" tech-savvy music lovers use WMP?Second, he didn't say he couldn't figure out the Creative or Sandisk players. He said they were a pain to use. I agree, although it's been over a year since I've tried using one of those. Between forcing me to deal with a file system and drag/dropping instead of just syncing the device up when I get home (plop iPod in device. Wake up in morning, grab iPod from dock, and go), the computer-device interaction has always been my biggest gripe with the other players out there.The device UIs are sometimes okay (although I absolutely hate little joystick interfaces, and a hundred ill-labeled buttons the size of a grain of sand also tends to be a crappy way to interact with a device, but that's a personal preference). And to be honest I'm not thrilled with the iPod interface either (why can't I just shuffle the playlist I'm on or the album I'm listening to without going all the way to the top of the menu tree, then down into Settings, then finding "Shuffle" and changing it to "Songs"? At the very least the top-level "shuffle" command should just switch me over to shuffling the current playlist instead of shuffling my entire library ...) But, by and large, I don't see myself being won over by the interfaces on display here either (especially that Wolverine with indecipherable icons with text underneath them, but the text is blended into the marketing branding background so you can't read that either ... can't you just design an interface that isn't "an array of buttons"?)All that having been said (and parenthesized), the killer for me is the music library interaction. I rarely think about what's on my iPod. If it's in my library (which is, if I own it), it's on my iPod and ready to listen to.
pitty no mention of the creative zen vision W which just came out, is under $300, has a new awesome HD res screen (with much improved viewability over the old zen vision), and performs exceptionally well... I just picked one up and I have to say that the audio quality is better than my 4th gen ipod.. (using Shure e2c buds).. I was stunned! the video quality is equally matched. very nice PMP! if you want recording capabilities, it's all about the Archos.. the new 502/602 look nice.. but they're pretty large!
I just bought the sandisk e280 and i LOVE IT. I used to have a ipod but it was getting old and i hated using itunes. I sold by ipod on ebay got about $100. I bought a sandisk e280 off ebay for about $205. (they are $250 in stores) I HIGHLY RECOMEND THE SANDISK E280!!!
I see exactly where the author was coming from. They were probably using the term "iPod Killers" in context, as a loose term and not directly aimed.I have had quite alot of experience with Mp3 players, as well as PMPs. The main reason why iPods are popular is one thing and one thing only: Advertising. You see it everywhere, in your high street stores "cut price ipods..." "get a free voucher when you buy an iPod..." as well as literally giving them away on the Internet.This has made the iPod become a household name and as a result has caused the sales to rise, therefore ploughing money straight into Jobbs' pocket, for more advertising campaigns.If you have noticed and as a couple of other people have said on here, there don't seem to be many advertisements on the TV for other PMPs. This goes to show the exact extent of what we are dealing with here; you find those who advertise less, or even not at all, are the better parties, simply for the fact that they put the money into the innovation of the products instead of lashing out on full Technicolor adverts.I was in Currys.digital store the other day, and I saw a whole range of players. A couple of players I will mention was the iPod Video 80GB and the Archos 504 80GB. The iPod was £259.99, and the Archos was £229.99. There is conclusive proof that there are better products out there, which ARE in fact cheaper than the iPod.Yes I will agree that the iPod is seen as easier to use. That's pretty much true. But I believe that people are just following the masses, and all the time people go to the big manufacturers (Eg. Apple or Microsoft), they are getting a raw deal. Look at Norton AntiVirus for example, its a nasty piece of bloated software which all the top computer suppliers bundle with their machines. Why? because its cheap to make, easy to get hold of, has a big name and 90% profit for the manufacturer.I have been looking into iPods for a while now, and I have found the measures they do with their advertising, quite frankly, sickening. Everywhere you look you see those nasty little white earbuds, and enclosed are ignorant people that just flash their iPods out to "look cool". I know this isn't like everyone, and I would imagine there are decent genuinely polite people out there who use them, its just that where they are in your face all the time some are taking a negative view on this.Functionality is another main factor too. The Archos 4th Generation series can play pretty much anything, including iPods formats .mov and .aac, and even play DVD files (vob) and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround (ac3). Yes this does require small plug-ins and a docking cradle, but its good to have the option as to whether you really want those features, so you don't pay for what you don't want should you not be bothered with those cinema or podcast features.It is disheartening that many people flock straight to the iPod cabinet in their high street stores, when there are many better alternatives, such as Creative, iriver or Sony. People are just going to it for the name and nothing else, and the greedy high street shops are loving it because they know exactly what iPods are like, knowing they will go faulty just after the guarantee and be out of pocket, for whatever reason that may be.I have also noticed that many people are very loyal to their iPods, too, and would never give it up for anyone or anything. Maybe this is the case with most players, but its just a shame that people have been sucked into the nature of the iPod culture.Another thing is innovation. Yes, I will use Archos again as another example. They have been creating portable hard disk drive video players for years now, I believe the first may have been back in 1998 with their Jukebox Multimedia version. Apple see portable video as revolutionary, yet it has been going all these years? The features have been there in other players but it's all new to Apple. And because they are always dominating the media spotlight, they feel that the public will believe them that they are the first to create the features, when they are in fact copying features which have been around for a long time already. I am also aware that Archos have also broken world records for storage capacity and features. Yet they still remain small. Why? it's all in the advertising. It's just business.When you are doing your Christmas shopping just remember that there are other alternatives out there, instead of the Zune or iPod. If you are taken in by Apples persuasions, then I won't moan, but you will see for yourself as to what they are like. A wolf in sheep's clothing. Just be aware.
wibblewibbleOct 15, 2006
The only thing that can kill iPod is Apple themselves. I am waiting for the next generation Nano, the current 2nd gen is not it. It is too flimesy, one drop and the screen gets buggered, no thanks. I want something I can keep in my ass pocket without worrying if it is going to break and solid state, none of this HD s**t and none of this video crap.
astrotrainOct 16, 2006
But it gets the world off this one tracked mind for the only player for portable music is an iPod.Smash My iPOD<a class="user" href="http://smashmyipod.com/">http://smashmyipod.com/</a>
supermankdOct 16, 2006
I think that the big thing users, especially non technically inclined users are looking for is something that is easy and works well. The Zoon player is definitely going to cause some ruckus but apple will probably still hold their customers in the long run. Not to mention if you take a look at the rate apple is progressing there is probably something big on the way, perhaps an ipod phone. They have already partnered with Motorola!
jettredmontOct 17, 2006
"You're tech savvy and yet you:like iTunescan't figure out how to use the Creative or Sandisk players?"Umm, well, first, being tech savvy has nothing to do with using (and liking) iTunes. As much as some people are file system bigots, I don't think there's any reason to pound a square eg (music library management) into a hexagonal hole (general purpose file management). Or, are you saying "real" tech-savvy music lovers use WMP?Second, he didn't say he couldn't figure out the Creative or Sandisk players. He said they were a pain to use. I agree, although it's been over a year since I've tried using one of those. Between forcing me to deal with a file system and drag/dropping instead of just syncing the device up when I get home (plop iPod in device. Wake up in morning, grab iPod from dock, and go), the computer-device interaction has always been my biggest gripe with the other players out there.The device UIs are sometimes okay (although I absolutely hate little joystick interfaces, and a hundred ill-labeled buttons the size of a grain of sand also tends to be a crappy way to interact with a device, but that's a personal preference). And to be honest I'm not thrilled with the iPod interface either (why can't I just shuffle the playlist I'm on or the album I'm listening to without going all the way to the top of the menu tree, then down into Settings, then finding "Shuffle" and changing it to "Songs"? At the very least the top-level "shuffle" command should just switch me over to shuffling the current playlist instead of shuffling my entire library ...) But, by and large, I don't see myself being won over by the interfaces on display here either (especially that Wolverine with indecipherable icons with text underneath them, but the text is blended into the marketing branding background so you can't read that either ... can't you just design an interface that isn't "an array of buttons"?)All that having been said (and parenthesized), the killer for me is the music library interaction. I rarely think about what's on my iPod. If it's in my library (which is, if I own it), it's on my iPod and ready to listen to.
revenantOct 17, 2006
pitty no mention of the creative zen vision W which just came out, is under $300, has a new awesome HD res screen (with much improved viewability over the old zen vision), and performs exceptionally well... I just picked one up and I have to say that the audio quality is better than my 4th gen ipod.. (using Shure e2c buds).. I was stunned! the video quality is equally matched. very nice PMP! if you want recording capabilities, it's all about the Archos.. the new 502/602 look nice.. but they're pretty large!
dickcheney1Oct 20, 2006
I just bought the sandisk e280 and i LOVE IT. I used to have a ipod but it was getting old and i hated using itunes. I sold by ipod on ebay got about $100. I bought a sandisk e280 off ebay for about $205. (they are $250 in stores) I HIGHLY RECOMEND THE SANDISK E280!!!
nukeypearceDec 11, 2006
I see exactly where the author was coming from. They were probably using the term "iPod Killers" in context, as a loose term and not directly aimed.I have had quite alot of experience with Mp3 players, as well as PMPs. The main reason why iPods are popular is one thing and one thing only: Advertising. You see it everywhere, in your high street stores "cut price ipods..." "get a free voucher when you buy an iPod..." as well as literally giving them away on the Internet.This has made the iPod become a household name and as a result has caused the sales to rise, therefore ploughing money straight into Jobbs' pocket, for more advertising campaigns.If you have noticed and as a couple of other people have said on here, there don't seem to be many advertisements on the TV for other PMPs. This goes to show the exact extent of what we are dealing with here; you find those who advertise less, or even not at all, are the better parties, simply for the fact that they put the money into the innovation of the products instead of lashing out on full Technicolor adverts.I was in Currys.digital store the other day, and I saw a whole range of players. A couple of players I will mention was the iPod Video 80GB and the Archos 504 80GB. The iPod was £259.99, and the Archos was £229.99. There is conclusive proof that there are better products out there, which ARE in fact cheaper than the iPod.Yes I will agree that the iPod is seen as easier to use. That's pretty much true. But I believe that people are just following the masses, and all the time people go to the big manufacturers (Eg. Apple or Microsoft), they are getting a raw deal. Look at Norton AntiVirus for example, its a nasty piece of bloated software which all the top computer suppliers bundle with their machines. Why? because its cheap to make, easy to get hold of, has a big name and 90% profit for the manufacturer.I have been looking into iPods for a while now, and I have found the measures they do with their advertising, quite frankly, sickening. Everywhere you look you see those nasty little white earbuds, and enclosed are ignorant people that just flash their iPods out to "look cool". I know this isn't like everyone, and I would imagine there are decent genuinely polite people out there who use them, its just that where they are in your face all the time some are taking a negative view on this.Functionality is another main factor too. The Archos 4th Generation series can play pretty much anything, including iPods formats .mov and .aac, and even play DVD files (vob) and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround (ac3). Yes this does require small plug-ins and a docking cradle, but its good to have the option as to whether you really want those features, so you don't pay for what you don't want should you not be bothered with those cinema or podcast features.It is disheartening that many people flock straight to the iPod cabinet in their high street stores, when there are many better alternatives, such as Creative, iriver or Sony. People are just going to it for the name and nothing else, and the greedy high street shops are loving it because they know exactly what iPods are like, knowing they will go faulty just after the guarantee and be out of pocket, for whatever reason that may be.I have also noticed that many people are very loyal to their iPods, too, and would never give it up for anyone or anything. Maybe this is the case with most players, but its just a shame that people have been sucked into the nature of the iPod culture.Another thing is innovation. Yes, I will use Archos again as another example. They have been creating portable hard disk drive video players for years now, I believe the first may have been back in 1998 with their Jukebox Multimedia version. Apple see portable video as revolutionary, yet it has been going all these years? The features have been there in other players but it's all new to Apple. And because they are always dominating the media spotlight, they feel that the public will believe them that they are the first to create the features, when they are in fact copying features which have been around for a long time already. I am also aware that Archos have also broken world records for storage capacity and features. Yet they still remain small. Why? it's all in the advertising. It's just business.When you are doing your Christmas shopping just remember that there are other alternatives out there, instead of the Zune or iPod. If you are taken in by Apples persuasions, then I won't moan, but you will see for yourself as to what they are like. A wolf in sheep's clothing. Just be aware.