Sneak peek at Cowon's S9 touch screen GUI

Is it just me, or does the user interface on Cowon's S9 media player look a little familiar?

(Credit: CNET Asia)

CNET Asia's DigiHunter recently published some user interface shots of the Cowon S9 touch screen media player. Considering that Cowon has been teasing the S9 since August, my expectations were running pretty high ...maybe too high.

I don't want to spoil it, but I'd be lying if I said the S9's GUI doesn't come across as a poor imitation of the Apple iPod Touch. I know that iPhone and iPod Touch comparisons get thrown around a lot these days, but really, this thing makes the Meizu M8 look original.

Like any Cowon device, the S9's file support and sound quality are probably fantastic, but if it walks and talks like a knock-off, no amount of FLAC compatibility will make you feel better about flashing this thing around.

If the rumors are right, it may be awhile before this Touch contender makes its way stateside. There's still no word on official U.S. pricing, but a Korean press release puts the 4GB S9 at 219,000 won ($150), 8GB for 259,000 won ($178), and 16GB for 309,000 won ($212). Unless you're spending December in Korea, don't expect to see the S9 until 2009.

More photos of the S9 are available on Cowon's S9 product page.

[loose_screw]

That's weird. I have an iPhone and I don't think it resemble's Apple's UI at all. If anything I think it reminds me more of WinMo.

[MadLyb]

Knockoff or not, I hope this product truly delivers on a non-Apple solution.

One weakness is the capacity. There should be a 32GB solution and a 64GB option would be spectacular, or at least a 16GB solution with a SD slot.

[fuzbears]

The only simularity is in its use of icons, scroll lists and sliders... ALL proper touchscreen interfaces are going to employ these items, there is no way around it. The key is if the animations to transition from screen to screen look the same, which would show it to be a copy.
I think the writer of article is just a bit Apple blinded at moment.. At least the parts shown aren't even original creations for the iPhone.

[locomocoto]

Sorry cnet but the GUI doesn't look like Apple's at all. I don't think there are that many options all all when we're talking about a touchscreen.

[7dee]

OK, this is the second time I comment on an S9 preview which probably makes me come off as a little offensive, but it just doesn't end. This is the 10,000th time you compare everything to Apple and receive negative comments because of that, and you just keep on doing it! Please, take a hint, people want to know more than your ability to spot similarities between IPod and the rest of the world. Or did you forget that the D2 had the icon setup AND a touchscreen WAY before ANY IPod had it?!

Hey Donald, I can't help but spot the similarities between the layout of CNet.com and a million other websites. Wow, I sure do contribute with that information don't I...

@MadLyb: A 32GB version has been confirmed by Cowon, although no more info on its release date other than "it will be released shortly after the 8GB and 16GB versions".

[francisc0121]

yeah i agree...

honestly i could see why you say the UI looks like the iPhones... but its not even by THAT much

and saying its even more of an imitation than the Meizu M8, is just stupid
i came here to Cnet to get some good honest coverage, not a biased comparison to the iPhone from an apple fanboy