Comments on: Look out iPod, here comes Dell...again

The Texas PC maker is considering selling a new player that will deliver music from third-party services.

[stsax]

I myself am sick and tired of Apple and Ipod article and adds. It's everywhere you look. I do not like any type of hardware or software that keeps you locked into there certain file types or any proprietary equipment and files. I'll keep my Insignia or I'm looking at the new Creative MP3 's also.

[open-mind]

I'm wondering if you know iPod can store and play MP3 and AAC files. Neither format is propreitary.

[iPhotographer]

An iPod supports AAC, WAV and the very common MP3 format. iTunes can easily convert WMA files into files you can play on an iPod. An iPod does not lock you into any particular format or subscription service. In fact the only thing it won't play is WMA files that have Windows DRM. The iPod is just as versatile as a Zen or Zune.

[supoman]

One surefire way to cost your shareholder money is to try to create and market an iPod Killer. Just ask Microsoft. There is only one iPod killer and it's the iPhone. Dell should spend it's money of innovation and not trying to out duel Apple.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Actually the iPhone is a very poor substitue for an iPod. Even the Touch with the same interface doesn't hold a candle to any other iPod for ease of use. When you have to go through multiple commands to get to the music player controls, then it's not as usable.

Example:
I will have a podcast playing. I have the system set to lock after five minutes, the longest you can have it delay. I also have Exchange email on it. That means if the podcast is playing for more than five minutes (default is one minute) and I want to stop/pause/change volume, I need to unlock the unit, then enter in my passcode in addition, then I will have access to the music player controls if those happen to be the screen that was last used. With no tactile feedback, you can't do any of this without looking- something you don't want to do while driving for example.

[HlLLARY CLITON]

if only Packard Bell would come out with an iPod killer

[Universal_Indie_Records]

"It's everywhere you look. I do not like any type of hardware or software that keeps you locked into there certain file types or any proprietary equipment and files. I'll keep my Insignia or I'm looking at the new Creative MP3 's also."


Ahh. I'm sick of every post like this some guy gets on and spouts nonsense. Let's clear up some things....

1. You are not locked in a certain file format. The ipod can play mp3's just like on your Creative Device. Yes the iPod also plays DRM AAC files.. but the Creative also plays DRM WMA files. Is one form of DRM better than another? I think not.

2. You have to use itunes to load the ipod and it's a lot more seamless than the program used for Creative. Read Cnet's own reviews.

So let's cut the crap. If you prefer one player over another fine. Everyone's taste is different...

but let's stop spreading the same lies and mistruths that seem to dominate these discussions everytime Apple or Microsoft is mentioned.

I'm sick of seeing it....

[Gundamdriver]

"You have to use itunes to load the ipod and it's a lot more seamless..."

Just another locking mechanism.

As you said, everyone has his/ her own taste, so this also explains that not everyone like to use iTunes to transfer music.

[Universal_Indie_Records]

oh... and Dell is not going to make one dent in the market.

[dnptorres]

Again!?
I used to have a Dell DJ music player and it was terrible. It was hard to sync with MusicMatch because sometimes it would recognize it and other times it wouldn't. The actual device felt like cheap plastic. I can't speak for all non-Apple MP3 players, I'm sure there are some fine ones out there, the Creative Zen being one of the one's I've heard exceptional reviews about. I'm on my 3rd iPod myself and what I love most out of that is how seemless it syncs with iTunes. I don't know why Dell feels the need to get into the MP3 business again. Its like when Apple started making printers and digital cameras. It wasn't necessary.

[scarface74]

"Its like where Apple started making printers and digital cameras. It wasn't necessary"

Apple started making printers in 1982 with the ImageWriter and was fairly successful until it exited the business in 1997-98.

[gsmiller88]

Hopefully it's of better quality than the DJ.

[kelmon]

If it's a subscription service then that's the deal-breaker right there. I have absolutely no interest in a service that requires you to pay a fee per month forever in order to listen to music. I'm pretty certain I'm not the only one that feels this way, particularly given the market share of the iTunes Store for music downloads.

[dariffle]

It depends on your perspective. For the same price buying one cd per month, a subscription service offers you all the music you can eat. Yes, you are renting it in perpetuity, but the price isn't bad at around $12-$15 per month. Most people have dead space in their monthly budgets they can cut to offset such a neglibable dollar amount. Cut three lattes a month and suddenly you have access to 3,000,000 songs.

One way or another, you have to spend money to listen to music at your discretion (provided you are trying to maintain a legal position). Renting versus buying is a common debate (consider buying a car versus leasing) and the end result depends on your wants and needs.

From a renter's perspective, you (a buyer I assume) can spend $15 and become owner of one cd per month (or fifteen single serving downloads, whatever). For the same money, I can listen to the cd you bought, that artist's entire library, and about 2,999,000 other songs at my leisure.

To each his own.

[TechTraction_Bret]

Looking forward to seeing what Dell plans to bring to market. Of all the times to enter this market, I think now is a good time. WIth Amazon, Rhapsody, and Napster all offering DRM-free 256 kbps downloads, there are some serious alternatives to the iTunes music store.

I've purchased music from Amazon and Rhapsody, and Amazon is by far the best and will probably give iTunes a run for its money. Buying a song from Amazon automatically places it in your iTunes library as if you were using the iTunes store. The interface at Amazon isn't as nice as iTunes but I'm getting used to it.

The iPod has a strong foothold in the market, and I love my iPod, but I think with increased competition from other online music stores consumers might start to consider other portable players. Dell could offer one of those players provided they address some of the important selling points (IMHO):

1) Must cost less than an iPod. Saving money is probably the number one reason people will look at an alternative device.

2) Device must be as easy to use as an iPod.

3) Differentiate the music management software from iTunes by seamlessly integrating with all online retailers.

4) Open up the device with an API so third party developers can make other music management software. Choice is good. And while applications like Songbird do exist for the iPod I still can't forget how Apple sued RealNetworks for creating iPod sync software for its Real Player. Apple just doesn't want consumers using their iPods with anything but iTunes.

Actually, if Microsoft were to tweak the Zune a little bit and address some of these points, then they too could bring some real competition to Apple.

I'm not trashing Apple or hoping someone comes along and kicks their butt in the online music and portable player arena. I just think competition is good. Unfortunately, i don't see anyone seriously competing with Apple in this space.

[Stariun]

No chance for Dell.

[drthshrbr]

Good points, TechTraction_Bret, but here are my 4.

1) Obviously, the device needs to be good, small, perform well, etc.
2) Marketing
3) Get it in people's hands no matter what (if it's Dell, throw it in free with a Dell computer. If it's Sony, or Samsung, bundle it with one of their $1000 products.) Basically, give these away by bundling, then maybe word of mouth will assist in the marketing.
4) There needs to be less competitors! Not no competition, but trimmed down to three or so. Sony, Samsung, Sandisk, MS, iAudio, iRiver, Dell, etc. People just look at all the others and think, why bother. So instead of 10 alt companies owning 3 percent of the market each, one alt company should come up with a true iPod killer, and two or three other alt companies use that technology but brand their own. That alt device would have a 30 percent market share and gain support by users and partners. Instead of the fractured picture that things look like right now, where company has enough support to gain traction against iPods.

[bigmc6000]

I have to wonder Dan - do you even own an iPhone? The poster has it right - the iPod killer is the iPhone. I don't even carry around my 80GB iPod anymore because I've already got one in my pocket.

As for you concerns about playing/pausing without unlocking - that makes me think you don't even own one. If you're using the Apple headphones just press the button near the mic and it'll pause/play and click it twice to skip to the next song. In addition you don't need to unlock your phone to get iPod controls - simply double click the home button and regardless of where you are you'll get the iPod controls.

[bigmc6000]

I don't know why Dell would even bother to enter the fray. Apple isn't really making that many *new* customers anyway. We're slowly reaching the point where it's just people buying new/smaller/bigger iPods so their market share is going to remain virtually the same (and probably go up a little bit) because once you go iPod you, almost, never go back. Part of that is because the other people would need to seamlessly work with all the music you've got and another part is the GUI and ease of use associated with the iPod. I've tried the others and I've tried the drag-and-drop kind. The drag-and-drop interface had to be, by far, the most annoying, painful process EVER. iTunes keeps it all organized and you never have to even think about the name of the file. they make it easy to stay with ipod and they also make it easy to work with one. that's why they succeed, not because it's the best hardware or the best bang for the buck but because it's an experience, not just something to tote around, you want to interact with it and Apple, for better for for worse, is the king of that in the mp3 market...

[joe3x]

If older people like and use your technology, everyone will buy cause they have the buying power. The ipod has the easiest interface on the planet......thats how it thrived all the other companies have crappy interfaces that confuse people. The ipod itself it not a great product, just the software.........so features and so one dont really matter.........it has to be easy of use......If its easier to use and operate a BMW than a old Mustang that breaks down, then people will spend the money. Interface---------not features...........INTERFACE!..........IAM TALKING TO YOU COMPANIES OUT THERE, MAKE THE INTERFACE BETTER........ITS OVERRIDES EVERYTHING ELSE

[enochrios]

BOOOM! Head Shot. YEAAAAA!