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iPod Replacement Criteria

In my quest to find a suitable replacement for my iPod I plan on reviewing any device I purchase till I find a device that meets my needs 100%. My needs are defined below, but basically map to what I get today with my iPod plus some things I think I deserve.

In order to help you keep informed of my quest, I've created a category feed you can use (Technology | Digital Audio). For the meantime this category will be focused 100% of iPod replacements and related technology. I will try not to rehash existing reviews out there if I think they accurately reflect my opinions. In those cases I will point to the review and cover some of my thoughts.

As a primer, you may want to read my post about PlaysForSure to get some background.

Criteria

I have the following criteria in getting any new device. I will rate the device using a simple system.

  • Kick Ass - better than iPod
  • Good - pretty good in most areas, but missing some critical requirements. Feel free to spend money.
  • Lame - fails in some areas. Do not hand over your money for this device.

Size: No more than 15% bigger/heavier than the 3G 20 GB iPod. Smaller & lighter is better.

User Interface: It does not suck/was not designed by monkeys. Provides the following (in addition to basic features like play, pause, ffwd, rewind etc):

  • Browse/Play by Songs
  • Browse/Play by Artist
  • Browse/Play by Album
  • Browse/Play by Genre
  • Shuffle mode
  • Now Playing mode that displays current track information
  • Device can be Locked

Connectivity: Must support USB 2.0 for synchronization.

Charging: Must support charging via USB AND charging during Sync. Extra bonus points if the device has no other way to charge (no DC plug with a proprietary adapter). This is important for those of us that travel with Digital Cameras, Phones, an all sorts of other nonsense. The more devices that can just use a USB Type B to USB Type A plug have a special place in my heart.

Sync: Supports AutoSync with Windows Media Player 10 either via MTP or Mass Storage Device

Accessories:

  • Remote
  • USB cable
  • AC->USB Type A adapter for charging via supplied USB cable.

Battery Life: Must be better than the iPod, but this is easy to beat since my 3G iPod battery sometimes lasts as long as 6 hours.

Software: No installation required with Windows XP SP2 + Windows Media Player 10. If you require me to install software to meet any of the requirements you fail.

Price: Less than $400

Storage: At least 5GB for the mini form factor and 20 GB for the iPod form factor.

PlaysForSure:

  • Basic PlaysForSure support
  • Support for Audio Download
  • Support for Audio Subscription

Support: Manufacturer has a proven track record for supporting this device by shipping firmware updates that fix bugs.

Web Site: Manufacturer does not make false claims about the device's capabilities, or omit critical detail.

Optional Features:

  • Device appears as a hard drive in Windows.
  • Device supports FM Tuning.
     

Next up will be my review of the iRiver H320 and the Rio Carbon.

Published Friday, October 22, 2004 5:12 AM by omars
Filed under: ,

Comments

# re: iPod Replacement Criteria

Friday, October 22, 2004 8:08 AM by david
You cannot imagine all the thoughts running through my head having read this entry and your Plays4Sure entry. I'm loving it; a Windows user is stuck using an Apple product which he loves because it is superior to everything else on the market and which he hates for the singular reason that it is not a Microsoft solution. Reminds me of a Mac fanatic of yore.

Good luck buster. You're gonna need it. Because Microsoft controls only the software specs and a small portion of the hardware specs you are going to spend a great deal of time looking at mediocre players with decent PC integration, great players with mediocre PC integration, buggy players with buggy software, and more cheap shit than you can shake a stick at.

The PC world is full of just good enough hardware and just good enough software but nothing stellar. It has had more than 10 years to improve but hasn't appreciably done so. The only real competition has been with lowering the price and quality.

So if you are truly honest you are going to be using an iPod for many years to come. Of course I've found only a few Windows users who didn't spend a great deal of time trying to fool themselves.

# re: iPod Replacement Criteria

Friday, October 22, 2004 10:27 AM by Al
If it PlaysForSure why doesn't it work on a Mac or a PC using Unix or Linux? PlaysForSureIfYouUseWindows would be a much better name.

By the way, iTunes is the best Windows program I have ever used. If Longhorn ever exists with all of it's previously announced and subsequently deleted features intact, all the programs that work on it will be the resource hogs that iTunes is now.

The world has looked at hard drive MP3 players and over 90% chose iPod. Isn't that the best reason to choose iPod? It is touted as the best reason to choose Windows.

# re: iPod Replacement Criteria

Friday, October 22, 2004 11:15 AM by mike
It seems what you want is a 4G iPod.

# re: iPod Replacement Criteria

Friday, October 22, 2004 11:33 AM by Peter
"The world has looked at hard drive MP3 players and over 90% chose iPod. Isn't that the best reason to choose iPod?"

The world has looked at personal computers and over 90% chose Windows. Isn't that the best reason to choose Windows?

# re: iPod Replacement Criteria

Friday, October 22, 2004 5:16 PM by Bjoern Graf
RE: Peter

Both ain't real real choices :]

# re: iPod Replacement Criteria

Tuesday, October 26, 2004 6:42 AM by Hman
Try Asono: http://asono.com/en/go/k/news_2

# We are 4 years into XXI century but digital music in the car is still nowhere closer.

Sunday, December 05, 2004 10:46 PM by Mikhail Arkhipov (MSFT)'s WebLog
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