Zune vs. Samsung
Welcome to my first post on the newly relaunched MP3 Insider blog. I'll be updating this blog regularly with MP3 player-related rants and predictions. If you're a fan of the MP3 Insider podcast I co-host with Jasmine France, you'll probably enjoy this blog as well. I wanted to start with something classy, but instead, let's get the ball rolling with a juicy product smackdown.
When it comes to interface and killer features, the challenger that Microsoft should really keep an eye on is the yet-to-be-released Samsung YP-P2 I reported on back in August. Although Samsung hasn't released pricing information yet, things could really heat up if the YP-P2 can get close to the the $149 and $199 price points of the iPod Nano and Flash-based Zunes. Not only does the YP-P2 offer a 3-inch touch screen and built in Bluetooth, but it also has the advantage of not being Microsoft. Honestly, after Apple's successful "I'm a
Mac" smear campaign, it's tough to convince people that Microsoft makes cool gear (unless you've got Halo 3 as bait).
We've been able to dig up two videos on YouTube that demonstrate the interface for both the Zune and Samsung YP-P2. To be fair, the Zune video shows a demonstration by a product rep, while the YP-P2 is handled by someone who seems barely familiar with the product. In my opinion, both interfaces look equally stunning. Still, here's the four questions that I can't shake:
1. Is there a way to pronounce the YP-P2 without saying "pee-pee"?
2. Which is more useful, the YP-P2's stereo Bluetooth transmission, or the Zune's wireless syncing capabilities?
3. Are touch screens really a superior interface, or has the iPhone hype simply created that impression?
4. Just how well does the new Zune handle podcasts?
I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Until then, I'll be studying these videos. Sound off in the Talkback section if you've already declared a winner.
Microsoft Zune 80GB
Samsung YP-P2
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.
Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
The real choice here is weather you want more memory with a hdd or flash memory with a touch screen.
This is a silly point, but it was meant to be.
2. Which is more useful, the YP-P2's stereo Bluetooth transmission, or the Zune's wireless syncing capabilities?
Stereo Bluetooth reigns supreme to me. Wireless syncing is nice, but you'll still have to use a cable to recharge the battery, so I don't see much of an advantage to wireless syncing. I'd MUCH rather have wireless headphones.
3. Are touch screens really a superior interface, or has the iPhone hype simply created that impression?
Could be...
4. Just how well does the new Zune handle podcasts?
Good question...someone please answer! Not entirely happy with the way the iPod handles them; I have a few nitpicks.
No we're not going to be able to speak the samsung player without saying "pee-pee" but it's a small price to pay if Samsung can deliver on all fronts. I find the Bluetooth to be much more useful. You can sync it with headphones, your phone (to answer calls obviuously) and if your one of those lucky people with bluetooth in your car you should be able to stream it into the speakers wirelessly and still be able to paas it around the car without havin them sitting in the passenger seat (unlike an audio jack)...
Actually if Sammy does a good job with the player i think a Very good Prize-Fight for CNET to do is the obvious ITouch vs. YP-P2... that wound be a close one....especially one to decide which is more important....bluetooth or Web browser...in future Mp3 players. That could pretty important.
"T"
They should market it as the YiPPy-2 or YiPPy-duo.
Just call it the p2!
then you can make pichu jokes.
-wes-
BTW u spelled lose wrong in both ur posts.. >.<
had one or two of them does not mean you can deduce the whole company
putting out cheap MP3s. I have had 4 of them and I go and check them out in
the store all the time as well as read all the reviews on them. Usually, the
Creatives score the same or better than iPods and Zunes. I still like iPod and
Zune too, they are great as well, but don't put Creative down. If anything,
they have some of the best MP3s, most of them doing more than the iPods
and Zunes can do, and at a cheaper price. I commend Creative for sticking it
to the other MP3 makers and raising the bar of quality and quantity of
features and construction of the player. All they need to do is make them
Mac compatible now as well. When Apple and Microsoft can finally get FM
radio and more format support like Creative does, then we might have an
argument.
I'm really looking forward to getting the p2. I think Zunes are nice too, but no one has them so the syncing thing is pointless. And because I live in rural Texas, the Ipod's WiFi is useless...also, I hate Apple.
Samsung has REALLY nice products, but I wish they'd give them more creative names! (P2, T9, T10, K3, K5, S5,) Blehh, LAME!
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by gmtheace
November 19, 2007 1:28 PM PST
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