iPods

[DRoseDARs]

*DRoseDARs scribbles in pencil over the word "iPod" on his list...*

Why pencil, you ask? Well, one never knows for certain...



Ok, well...maybe Asher does...

[Asher]

For those interested, ExtremeTech has an excellent guide for how to upgrade the Zen's HD easily: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1186827,00.asp

I also love the title of their linked review: "Nomad Zen 60GB Eradicates iPod Envy"

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Asher

The choice is clear.

Yes, buy the real thing, not the cheap, sleazy imitation. The ipod just looks better and has a better interface. It's also USB 2 compatible if you don't have firewire. The Zen is bulky and ugly, the ipod is less than the size of a packet of cigarettes. People admire ipods, the Zen looks like a piece of medical equipment.

Plus you can use it as a portable drive, store contacts on it, play games on it and use a calendar.

Anyway, the best thing to do is try both out and see which one you like.

Still cooler though:

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
Yes, buy the real thing, not the cheap, sleazy imitation. The ipod just looks better and has a better interface. It's also USB 2 compatible if you don't have firewire. The Zen is bulky and ugly, the ipod is less than the size of a packet of cigarettes. People admire ipods, the Zen looks like a piece of medical equipment.

Give me a break -- the new iPod's interface sucks. There is zero tactile feedback when you push the buttons, they're simply circles drawn on a touchpad thing to save Apple money and increase the already enormous profit margins.

Plus you can use it as a portable drive

Somehow a portable 60GB drive for cheaper seems better than a portable 15GB drive.

The iPod can play AAC, WAV, and MP3 though, while the Zen can play WMA, WAV, and MP3.

As for the Zen being a "cheap immitation" -- Creative had the first HD-based player on the market.

The new iPod also ripped off features from the Zen, like creating playlists on the fly.

The scrollbar on the Zen is also more functional -- I can easily scroll through and change songs while it's in my pocket. That's not exactly possible when you need to spin your fingers around in large circles on the front.

And the Zen's blue backlight is just sexy.

[Agathon]

Had to laugh at that review. They showed the older model ipod which is bigger than the current models. I'd say that you can see where the money has gone, the ipod is well designed and compact, the Zen is a poorly designed knock off.

And the screenshot of the Zen's bundled software is just hilarious. Jesus Christ, what a hideous and unintuitive interface.

Anyway, if you buy an ipod you'll get to use itunes for Windows when it is released this year. Anything would be preferable to that joky cartoonish Zen software.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
Had to laugh at that review. They showed the older model ipod which is bigger than the current models. I'd say that you can see where the money has gone, the ipod is well designed and compact, the Zen is a poorly designed knock off.

The iPod ripped off its "new" software features from the Zen, and also stole Creative's idea of using a harddrive for a personal media player.

And the screenshot of the Zen's bundled software is just hilarious. Jesus Christ, what a hideous and unintuitive interface.

I didn't even install the software.
Notmad explorer kicks ass. Or just transfer in WMP...

[Asher]

I would get an iPod over the Zen if they were similarly priced.

But there's no way in hell I'd pay $150 more for the iPod. That's just ridiculous.

[monkspider]

Asher makes a good point on the pricing, but I must admit, that Ipod is rather nifty looking.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Asher

Give me a break -- the new iPod's interface sucks. There is zero tactile feedback when you push the buttons, they're simply circles drawn on a touchpad thing to save Apple money and increase the already enormous profit margins.

It works just fine.

Somehow a portable 60GB drive for cheaper seems better than a portable 15GB drive.

I'd buy the 30 gig model myself.

The iPod can play AAC, WAV, and MP3 though, while the Zen can play WMA, WAV, and MP3.

Which means you can buy music through the itunes store.

As for the Zen being a "cheap immitation" -- Creative had the first HD-based player on the market.

You mean that gigantic piece of crap they were selling a couple of years back.

The new iPod also ripped off features from the Zen, like creating playlists on the fly.

The Zen is a flagrant attempt to copy the ipod, just like those coloured all in one PCs were flagrant attempts to copy the imac.

The scrollbar on the Zen is also more functional -- I can easily scroll through and change songs while it's in my pocket. That's not exactly possible when you need to spin your fingers around in large circles on the front.

Get the remote.

And the Zen's blue backlight is just sexy.

So is the ipods.

Anyway, compare the interface.

On the left we have the ipod's software, soon to be available for Windows users:



And on the right we have an interface disaster:

[Asher]

The reason the Zen is bigger is because it's actually affordable when you use a laptop HD over a 1.7" proprietary one like Apple does.

If you like wasting money, then go for the iPod and buy an iMac while you're at it.

If you actually like your money, it makes much more sense to get the Zen.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
It works just fine.

It works, it just doesn't work very well.

Anyway, compare the interface.

And on the right we have an interface disaster:

I agree Creative's software is a steaming pile of crap. Which is why no one uses it. You can transfer files to it in Windows Media Player if you wanted, or most people use Notmad Explorer:




You can even access that last screen remotely from any computer on the internet.

[Agathon]

I'm prepared to pay for style, size and functionality. Well made things cost more.

Anyway, I hope you aren't going to defend that awful looking software - that's clearly a disaster.

[Asher]

I've said I don't know how many times now that the included software is crap...

[Agathon]

Those pics are even worse.

Anyway, I don't think you need to use the scroll wheel on the new ipods, but I haven't had a chance to play with one left.

And those other pictures are nearly as bad.

Anyway, can you please change your sig - one "have a nice day" maniac on Apolyton is enough, don't you think?

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Asher
I've said I don't know how many times now that the included software is crap...

hi...

X post. Didn't see the others.

...have a nice day.