I was wondering...

Since iTunes is a favorite of many (simple to use with a pleasing interface), it helps sell the iPod and also songs from the Music Store. However, some of us love the iTunes program, but can't afford or don't like the iPod.

What can we do? I use a cheap iRiver, which serves its purpose at a low cost. Unfortunately, the best software I have for loading songs onto it is Windows Media Player- shoddy at best.

Is there some way of using iTunes with other devices?
Or is there a similarly pleasing program that is compatible with many devices?

I'm looking for free, here...

Better products may arrive, and Apple and Creative may sue each other to their heart's delight .. but the MP3 player market has a big "dumb zone".

This "dumb zone" consists of all the users taking whatever looks nice, others have, is advertised all around etc. Apple played this brilliantly, and 'iPod' is everywhere. The final stage where the word 'mp3player' is replaced by 'Ipod' is achieved in many states.

Even if products with better hardware or functionality arrive, I'm afraid they'll fail to shout louder than iPod. The dumb zone doesn't necessarily want slightly better audio quality, but a fashionable product that's easy to use.
An example is of course the design, where form follows fashion (lack of extra buttons) and the product numbers.
Just "iPod" and "iPod video". not RandomPlayer TS729 V1, because the target market doesn't care.
iPods being updated (generation) several times in the past but it didn't change their name. User convenience.



For my next MP3 player purchase (iPod still working after all those years, although hard drive does make some noise) I will consider many options and evaluate them, however the dumb zone user won't.

Creative may win in products that may appeal more to the critical market, however Apple seems to be doing better and better in the bigger market.

What do you mean? do like get music onto it? I thought all mp3 players for mass storage devices and windows detected them as such..... don't you just drag and drop them in like you would with a floppy disk (with faster result of course)?

I'm not huge on the whole Ipod, Creative and Mp3/Video player etc things so I'm not entirely sure as to what you are after.

The only use I have for WMP is watching video and listening to audio all that other crap is useless in my opinion lol

Im not sure if someone has said this but I personally have a creative(Zen V) and its a 1gig but I have 7 albums on it that are big I'm talking 24 songs on each album, and its only half full. the ipods do have a cool look I will agree with that but the one I have costs about $50 and it has radio, pictures, Video, and you can also make unused space into a zip drive (flash drive what ever you all it)I'm not sure if ipods can do that but I know that you have to get an adapter to listen to radio and the video ones cost 400+. so I'm really impressed with mine ive also had the Zen nano plus and that one has had great performance good durability (trust me that thing took alot of abuse) but I lost it so I decided to step it up to the zen V I recommend creative

-koolman

I love the zen vision m
Battle Of Music Players: iPod vs. Creative

My brother has a Creative Zen Vision M 30gb. I use it quite often and it is great. I can go to bed, watch a DivX video, not a "poopy" .Mp4. Even after watching a full length movie, it still has 3/4 of a battery charge left. Also, with the a/v cord output to the TV, I can store many excellent quality videos and not need to waste money on DVD+are's. Another great feature is the ability to right click files and click "Send to Device: Media Library" instead of having to hop on crappy iTunes.

Also, in order to keep data on an iPod, does it have to be on the computer harddrive at all times?

-kdvers

I have always been against ipods. Ever since they first came out I havent liked them. I don't have a reason for this dislike, I just have a weird unexplanable hatred to the way they have single handedly taken over the mp3 market and how every single one of my friends have one.

So about 1 year and a half ago when I thought I might treat myself to an mp3 player, I bought a creative zen 4GB. This has been very faithful and I think its great but the time has come for another to take its place - 4GB is not enough to fulfill my growing music collection and id rather somthing with a few more features (video, radio ect)

Now this is where my dilemma starts - apple have just brought out the iphone and itouch which are both very promising. Although it is completely against my morals, I an extremely tempted by these new options and a can not find any fault in either of them.

I am also aware that creative have their new model out with a lot of space, video and radio complete with a nice big screen. But unfortunately this does not tempt me nearly as much as the itouch (which is basically an iphone without the phone part)

So if anyone could give me any faults with apple and its products to dissuade me from giving any further thought (and perhaps money)into thier evil company, it would be muchly appreciated

Thanks







-laura

The dumb zone
Battle Of Music Players: iPod vs. Creative

You nailed that one right on... People who think about wat they buy don't buy an ipod because theve done their research...Most people just see a tv commercial were they display an ipod from 200 different angles and their on their way to the store to buy one. Thanks alot, now I know what to call it when people buy an ipod because it looks "cool" The Dumb zone :D

-reply by Ryan