iPod and other mp3 players

Why is the iPod still considered the best mp3 player? It seems that whenever THG reviews an mp3 player they always have something about it not being an iPod killer.
I don't think that the iPod is the best mp3 player (anymore).
I think the iPod was first bested (killed) with the Rio Karma, and the iRiver iHP-120 will be out soon, and that looks like it will even be better than the Karma.
Both the Karma and the iHP are similar in size (and price) to the iPod, but have many more features. But if size isn't an issue, and price is; I think the Creative Zen MX is a good player.

Links:
(Rio Karma) http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/s [...] 220&cat=56
(iRiver iHP) http://iriveramerica.com/products/iHP-120.asp
(Creative Zen MX)http://www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_zen_nx/

Just woundered what was up. =)

~DS

Pocket PC's seem to be good for their price (I have one). But their shortcoming is memory. And for upgrading to more memory, flash memory doesn't really compare to HD for the size/price.

One on the reasons that I am not going to the the iPod is that it doesn't play wmp files (I also don't like a lot of other things; battery life, no fm, or any bonus features like recording) since Buymusic and Napster use Windows Media for their song singles, and iTunes is the only music store (that I know of) that works on the iPod. (I don't know what format MusicMatch uses.)

I'll probably buy the iHP soon.

~DS

Musicmatch is iPod compatible. It actually comes bundled with iPod.

WMP files...meh. I'm not impressed with Buymusic and Napster. iTunes still has a long way to go - specifically in the library of music offered - but it's interface, business model and usability are top notch.

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

I don't know it seems to me that the Ipod navigation is only okay. I have the Iriver 1mp-350 and the one thing I like is the extremely versitile navigation system they setup. The thing is very few reviews really go into the navigation systems of these players and that is really what makes or breaks them in my opinion.

Apple has since dropped it to about US$106 (w/ shipping) a few days ago. Still expensive, but better than $250:
<A HREF="http://www.info.apple.com/support/applecare_products/service/ipod_service.html" target="_new">http://www.info.apple.com/support/applecare_products/service/ipod_service.html</A>

Undeniable facts #45:
It's actually possible to screw yourself.

Glad to see they're clicked in...

too bad they think that that is a resonable price...

Im still not going to buy it now... they are looking to make a big profit.

If i Buy anything that is over priced, Car, Shoes, Apple product, ect, I expect a neer flawless product, and should something happen...the company should be more then willing to assist in the problem. ie fix or repear for free or for a very cheap price. hence why it is an over priced item.

You buy a pair of Tilly shoe's ($200+ CAN) or tilly anytihng for that matter, its a life time product, they fix it Free of charge, or replace it. If apple Did that, who would hesitate to buy one.



<b>on the verge of catastohy (y1.999...k)</b>
ASUS P4S8X - P4 2.4B - 2 x 512M DDR333 - ATI 9500 Pro - WD 80G HD(8M) - SAMSUNG SV0844D 8G HD - LG 16X DVD - Yamaha F1 CDRW

well for one camping doesn't exactly provide you with many outlets for power.

now i realize that going camping means you don;t generally bring along Tech stuff like that... but thats just it... people don't want to have to bring a Dock everywhere they go eather. its a hasske to carry around anytihng extra... the reason ppl are buying these new players is becuase they are so small and rassle free... well up untill having to charge it.

8 Hrs is good don't get me wrong... but 16 is not just a little better its alot better....IMO


<b>on the verge of catastohy (y1.999...k)</b>
ASUS P4S8X - P4 2.4B - 2 x 512M DDR333 - ATI 9500 Pro - WD 80G HD(8M) - SAMSUNG SV0844D 8G HD - LG 16X DVD - Yamaha F1 CDRW

Just curious, MD has been around for a while but it never captured the market (at least in the States, don't know about elsewhere) because it didn't offer enough advantages over, say, a discman.

Are the MD disc capacities still roughly 1 CD?
Can you still only record at 1x speed?

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

ok your information.

MD recording speeds are now 64x

they can now play, MP3, WMA, and their native ATRAC.

advantages

they are jogable (no skipping or breaking really)
MD's are cheap

they hold up to 4 cd's worth (either 4x 74 mins, or 4x 80mins depending on the disk you buy)

recoradble on the fly.

and battery life.






i think that MD's will soon be out of fashion, but when they get RW DVD type MD players, e.g. hold a Gb or so rather than their current amount, then they will really take off.


i jsut really really like the ability to take whatever music i want on the fly. as for them not really taking off.

here in NZ, i know ZERO people with an IPOD or similar, and only one person with a MP3 player of any kind. MD players, i know about 10 people, and cd players i know about 20.

MD's are pretty popular over here.
we are an active nation, so jogging and stuff is important

Alltaken


<A HREF="http://www.mud-puddle.co.nz" target="_new">http://www.mud-puddle.co.nz</A> its where its all going on, oh and its also all going on HERE <A HREF="http://doug.mud-puddle.co.nz/gallery/" target="_new">http://doug.mud-puddle.co.nz/gallery/</A>

At first, when I saw one of my friends with one, I thought it was nuts. It cost a lot, and...who needs that many songs on hand?

Now, I have an iPod. I don't carry CDs anymore. My cheezy MP3 CD player lost its job. And, I don't get sick of songs anymore. (Reason: <A HREF="http://www.musicex.com/mediacenter/" target="_new">Media Center</A>...best media organization software ever.) With a car adapter, power keeps it nearly topped off.

I'm not sure about the battery life, but if you cycle the battery completely through, it can only sustain that so many times. Keeping it frequently charged will enhance its battery life. And, the 8 hour statement of battery life is only if you keep a playlist going with songs ripped at 160kbps, around 3 minutes a song, over and over again. No backlight, no touching. So, there's tons of variances when it comes to how long it will actually last.

I didn't exactly look at other MP3 players, but from the looks of it, functionality is tops with the iPod. It's easy to navigate, and the latest generation scroll wheel is fantastic. I don't think I'd like all those buttons. Bottom line: They're just not as slick.

If you need a MP3 player to accompany you when running, solid state memory players are the only way to go. Unless you hold the iPod in your hand, it'll skip on you.

Oh yeah, a nifty site to check out tons of stuff iPod related is <A HREF="http://www.ipodlounge.com" target="_new">iPodlounge</A>. They're pretty cool.

Bryan

<A HREF="http://btvillarin.com/mojo/mojo.cgi?f=list&l=newslttr" target="_new">BTVillarin.com Newsletter</A> - Computing tips and stuff
<A HREF="http://forums.btvillarin.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=329" target="_new">My System</A>

<A HREF="http://www.ipodlounge.com/faqs_more.php?id=103_0_10_0_C" target="_new">What is the expected life span of iPod's battery? What are some battery recharging tips?</A>

<font color=green>one more thing....aren't the li ion batteries permanently installed in the players? so they're not replaceable....</font color=green>

<A HREF="http://www.ipodlounge.com/faqs_more.php?id=101_0_10_0_C" target="_new">Can I replace iPod's battery myself?</A>

<A HREF="http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_comments.php?id=P2051_0_7_0_C" target="_new">iPod's Dirty Secret Secret Revealed</A>

<A HREF="http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_comments.php?id=P2111_0_7_0_C" target="_new">Update: iPod's Dirty Secret Secret Revealed</A>

I'm not worried...cheers!

Bryan

<A HREF="http://btvillarin.com/mojo/mojo.cgi?f=list&l=newslttr" target="_new">BTVillarin.com Newsletter</A> - Computing tips and stuff
<A HREF="http://forums.btvillarin.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=329" target="_new">My System</A>

I'm gonna backup my brotha btvillarin here and give props to the ipod. I've had mine (5Gb) for over 2 years and still rockin'. ...and NO the battery has not exploded!

I think you misunderstood what the instructions say. NetMDs do not play MP3 or WMA. It only plays ATRAC. The program that comes with it converts your MP3 or WMA file to ATRAC and then records it to the MD at up to 64x speed.

I used to like MDs because of their small size, but since flash mp3 players came out, I saw no reason to waste time converting my mp3 files to atrac before I could record.

the ipod does one thing...ok, two things
1. it looks good
2. great user interface

thats it...
other than that, its an oversized brick, that i wouldn't touch with a 10ft pole unless you paid me

I agree if it says apple or ipod on it i won't get within 10 ft of it, and i especially won't buy one. i have a rio karma. way better than ipod.

Wrong, they did not get there first. The creative labs nomad was one of the first hard drive players on the market. And it was launched in Nov 11,2000 and the first Ipod came out in Oct. 2001