Microsoft prepares 'iPod killer' - Built by iRiver!

[Exo]

The software giant has enlisted Creative Technology and Korea's iRiver International to develop devices for the European market.

http://tinyurl.com/yt9dq

[SemiLOOSE]

i got better things to do with $700-$800

like spend a month beached in maldives

[mrb42]

Show me someone who will buy that, and I'll show you an idiot

$800!! They have to be kidding!

[Big D]

This is refering to the European price which would equate to £400.

The price of a UK iHP-140 or a 40Gb iPod.

The US price would, I expect, be nearer to the $500 mark to directly compete with the iPod 40Gb.

[Nick114]

I would have bought one, if i hadn't just bought my IHP-120!!

[Exo]

Yeah, I would of bought one, that price isn't much more than the UK price for a iHP-140
Our USA friends have it easy for prices of imports!

I'd buy one when it's out!

[sweetspot]

I'm just sick of having every stupid media player comming out being labled as the next "iPod killer". Give me a farkin break already ! The iPod is a MUSIC player...not a god damned media center ! Yes. I'm defending the iPod. It plays Mp3's and has no stupid association with Microsoft, so it's not ever going to play WMA or ASX or any other stupid Microsoft video file. Besides, there are rumors of the 4th gen iPod comming out, and it's said to have video in mind.

The whole iPod killer thing is really played out and obnoxious, considering the fact that todays current DAP's have already proven to be as good as the iPod in many people's minds. I for one think that the IHP is better for ME than the iPod, so in that regard, it is an "iPod killer". The media really freakin' need to get over themselves and try to find real things to report on...or at least learn how to be honest. Hm...that won't happen, then they'd be out of jobs.

[seadzz]

I am convinced that the "in crowd" would continue to purchase apple inspired devices no matter how technically inferior they may continue to be just for the "coolness" factor.

With this in mind there will never be an "ipod killer"

As for this media player and its 30-40GB HD....how useful is this going to be if the battery (weakest link) gives you 3 hours of useful service.

Clearly the Marketing guys are not talking to Engineering who is not listening to the consumer. So very typical.

jmho.

sdz

[FlameGrilled]

*message edited...*

The media really freakin' need to get over themselves and try to find real things to report on...or at least learn how to be honest. Hm...that won't happen, then they'd be out of jobs.

I once told some of the media people that (well, words to the same effect anyway), and also directed it at the PR peeps at the particular press day in question for WinXP.

Needless to say, both the PR & media reps had plenty of BS to defend themselves with

But when one 'uncool cat' ends up stealing their thunder, those peeps sure get snotty -but the circumstances meant it was hard to have me ejected from the event :P

The venue security took big interest in hounding me, and failed miserably. As one 'fascist' motivated one found out - dont give me cause to react, else i will.. in tac-nuke fashion

[rd]

I wouldn't even poke that thing with a stick.

I'm also missing what's so exciting about getting a small portable video player. I never bought a handheld TV. I guess I might want to take a bunch of recorded shows on a long car ride. However, I haven't gotten into the whole DVR scene yet.

Any insight into why this feature is so desired? Is it the whole DVR thing or do people want to carry home videos around?

[Skeeve]

The biggest drawback to the iriver version of that player is that iriver's other media player looks like it will be a far superior player when it comes to size, looks and formats supported.

[divad6719]

The Creative player weighs in 11.5 ounces-- roughly three times as thick as an iPod and roughly twice as long to accommodate its TV-quality color screen. It has a USB port and comes with audio and video outputs cable of playing media on a TV or a stereo.

Look at the size of that beast, how can that be described as any kind of killer (never mind iPod).
These multimedia devices are a completely different animal and iHP's, iPods or whatever don't deserve to be compared to them.

If you fancy watching movies on a tiny, I'll go blind eventually, screen then good luck I say. Sometimes I wonder if minaturisation is going too far.
I'm not even going to comment on the MS connection (WMA, WMV anybody ??).

[seadzz]

Do you think they plan on making DVD's watchable on the screen of the ihp-300? Or are they just going to make the lyrics in colour?

sdz

[Exo]

Ooohhh yes, just think, it could hilight word-by-word the word you should be singing too - just like Karaoke. Wow, will be worth having just for that feature alone, I mean where would I be without my lyrics!

[FlameGrilled]

As a rfreshening of this topic - someone on the iRiver 'Zoo' posted a topic about these MS cored players and how they might b good for use with all you can eat' type music sbscription serives :- Here.

You might be interested in my response (look for the FG signed anon post) as i have had big dealings with such services and good insight into the probs..