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http://www.macnn.com/articles/05/01/06/more.creative.mp3.players/

Creative adds more MP3 players to challenge iPod mini

updated 02:35 pm EST, Thu January 6, 2005

 

More Creative MP3 players


digital music player. The product line, which brings direct competition to the iPod mini, now includes a 1GB flash-based model as well as 4GB and 6GB disk-based models--in addition to the original 5GB disk-based model. The company touted Zen Micro's price and feature advantage over the iPod mini in its press release as well the players' compatibility with a wider range of services, such as the Naptser, MusicMatch, and the Wal-Mart music store. The diminutive players include MP3/WMA support, a "blue glow" backlight, a removeable chargeable battery, FM radio/recorder functions, voice recording support, and more. The 1GB model will be available in the first quarter of 2005 for $200, while the 4GB ($230) and 6GB ($300) models will be available later this month.. The 5GB Zen Micro is currently available for $250.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. Glasspusher

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2000

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    01/06, 02:58pm | report spam | Reply |

    Leninist MP3 players

    Quantity has a quality all its own- c***!

  1. benhur

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    Joined: Jan 2001

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    01/06, 03:55pm | report spam | Reply |

    missing the point

    I wonder how many people are going to write the Zen off bc it's "c***". Maybe it's true but the competition is getting tougher with better prices, more features and a tie in to MSN. People are going to care less and less if it's an iPod. Too bad for them but Apple will lose market share. I think it's just a matter of how drastic it's going to be.

    Let's hope Apple has something new to offer at Macworld that's comparable.

  1. jimothy

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    Joined: Sep 2000

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    01/06, 04:26pm | report spam | Reply |

    re: missing the point

    "the competition is getting tougher with...a tie in to MSN."

    You say that like that's a good thing.

  1. trevc

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2000

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    01/06, 04:59pm | report spam | Reply |

    Not bad...but...

    Overtime, people WILL start buying the competitors cuz when they get better software, etc. along with a cheaper price, they'll increase their marketshare... in fact looking at this model, the key configuration is not much different than the iPod wheel and it has FM and voice recording ... looks not bad.

    The good news, is that Apple doesn't have to do much to compete ... give a price drop here and there over time, add a new feature like FM overtime to different models so that vendors can still sell 'their' FM tuners for the lower end models, etc.

    (I don't see BMW / Alpine making connections for their MP3 players, etc., etc.)

  1. bigpoppa206

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2003

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    01/06, 05:24pm | report spam | Reply |

    however...

    I DO like Apple's track record...just when you are getting bored with the current lineup, they come along and innovate or re-invent new offerings and keep the "ooh" factor alive.

  1. Thain Esh Kelch

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: May 2001

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    01/06, 06:04pm | report spam | Reply |

    Hmmmm...

    I expect them to loose money selling two models within 20$, compared to selling one at 250$.

  1. benhur

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2001

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    01/06, 06:40pm | report spam | Reply |

    re: missing the point

    I don't think the MSN tie in is a good thing as far as being comparative to iTunes but it is passable. I've looked at it and it's a clone of iTunes basically. It even looks nice. So yeah, it is a good thing for people who don't care if MSN's music service was the original and best music service. As long as they can get something comparable or, as we see now, with more features at a good price, they're going to get it.

    You're right, BMW doesn't make connections for other mp3 players. My question is, how many of us actually drive BMW's?

  1. technocoy

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2002

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    01/06, 08:26pm | report spam | Reply |

    i think one of the...

    biggest points here is that people are missing the lock-in that the iPod is creating. pioneer, clarion, alpine, audiovox, most car manufacturers, and countless accessory companies are tying themselves to one player... the iPod. it's locking itself into the market. with so many things being created just for it (bose as well) there is little choice when you weigh the options. the iPod relationship is simplicity itself in relation to iTunes, and yes some people want a radio, some want it to record, blah blah blah, but most want it to just play music files. period. and it does that beautifully and nearly every company EXCEPT microsucks and Sony and creative are going to keep supporting it. that makes it INTERGRATED into nearly everything. the iPod is going nowhere but up.

  1. technocoy

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2002

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    01/06, 08:30pm | report spam | Reply |

    by the way...

    what the iPod has reached is called a tipping point. look it up.

    peace!

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