Creative unveils video and MP3 player

Creative Technology on Thursday unveiled Zen Vision: M, its new digital media player that is taking aim at Apple Computer's popular iPod. The Zen Vision: M device features a 30GB video player, photo viewer and MP3 player.

The 2.5-inch portable media player comes with a 262,144 high-resolution color screen and can hold up to 120 hours of video, or up to 15,000 songs, Creative said. The device will retail for $330 in the U.S. and is expected to be available later this month.

Click here to see a photo of the Zen Vision: M.

[Hep Cat]

Ha ha!

So, the only way they can compete with the iPod is to build a
device that looks almost exactly like one?

What ever happened to creativity?

Here's a hint, Creative. iPods are really successful because Apple
hires really good _designers_ and engineers. It's not enough to
build good hardware and write tight code - most companies can
find the engineering talent to do that - but it is tough to hire the
design and packaging staff needed to create lasting delight with
users.

Otherwise, it's just another piece of electronics, and that's not
enough to succeed in today's market.

Still don't get...

I still don't get how people are saying this looks like an iPod. The only similarity is that they're both white. But even then, the Zen has multiple colors. Similar interfaces? What do you expect? Basically every mp3 player has the same interface and guess what? Apple didn't start that.

They both play videos and mp3s. OH MY GOD! THEY MUST BE THE SAME!

Apple created success not by innovation or design, but by smart marketing and the complete experience of iTunes and the iPod. The iPod in and of itself is nothing special. In fact, it's quite crippled compared to, say, the Zen Vision:M and any number of other players on the market. By making the iPod the only player that works with iTunes proprietary format, they cornered the market.

Any company can do the same thing if they pump a ton of money into marketing. The kicker is that if a company can pump that money into marketing AND design an innovative product, they can take down Apple.

[stanshih]

Plays for Sure*

*Except for the 80% of you using iTunes

It's clear that ALL of Apple's competitors have superior hardware
specs. In the past it's been voice recorders, FM tuners, etc. Now
it's superior screens, battery life, etc. But the market has
dictated (so far) that ease of use trumps superior tech specs
when it comes to PMP's.

I agree with just about everything you said except your
conclusion that any company can take down Apple with proper
marketing and design. Now that we're 2 or 3 years into the
post-CD era, Apple's iTunes/iPod now enjoys the advantage of
inertia; an advantage that Microsoft is familiar with.

Also I disagree that money is the only important ingredient in
marketing. I'm pretty sure MS is dumping millions into the
disingenuous "Plays for Sure" campaign, but dollars can't turn a
lie into the truth. ;-)

[darrius3365]

Not copying iPod

All MP3 players are similar in that they need the same buttons and use similar interfaces (for which Creative owns a patent). This is comparable to the portable CD players and tape players of yesterday.

The latest Apple iPod (for video) was a reaction to the success of the PSP and Windows Media Center portables by companies like Creative and Archos. The "TiVo to Go" and CinemaNow.com provide promising services to Windows users and PlaysForSure compatible devices.

Steve Jobs sort of did a John Kerry (sorry, but the comparison is worthwhile) in being against video iPods before being for them. :-) (Some predict that Apple WILL introduce some kind of streaming/subscription service in 2006, not because it is the best thing in the world, but to cut off Yahoo!,Rhapsody, and Napster).

I think the iPod is a good product and worthy of its good reviews. I just don't believe that it is the ONLY product that can get the job done.

I also think that Creative has introduced some good products as well and just needs to put some advertising power into it like Apple needs to do with its computers and OS in order to capture the masses.

[darrius3365]

forgot to add

One thing that Creative will push with this product is the availability of more colors on the screen and the support of virtually any video format (DivX? 4 & 55, XviD5, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG4-SP, WMV9 and Motion-JPEG)...

success of the Windows Media Center portables?

success of the Windows Media Center portables?? What success they have been a huge bomb.

Ok I will admit the PSP is a big hit but not because it can play video, but because it can play games well and has a stylish design. The movies and other "fautures" are a bonus.. but I have never met anyone who bought a PSP just to watch videos, or an iPod photo just to look at pictures.

The iPod is the same it is a success not because it can show photos, play video, etc.. but because it can play music well and the rest is a bonus. Playing video was just the next evolutionary step.

[Dachi]

iPod killer #532

1) We can't fairly compare a product that is not out yet to a product that has been out for several months.
2) The 30GB zen is $330, the 30GB iPod is $300. The iPod could come down also.
3) I say it is a rip off of the ipod design but it is missing the best part of the iPod, the wheel.
4) People have said in the past, you can find "MP3" players for cheaper than the iPod, but iTunes and Apple's brand recognition has something to do with the popularity.
5) The iPod looks and feels like quality. The zen looks a little cheap in the 360 view.
6) The iPod is a HOT item this holiday season, and Zen will not even be out till after the season.
7) I thought I would be the last person to spend $200 on an "MP3 player". I bought 2 1GB nano's. I don't think the numbers are out for the nano, but I believe they will be big. There has been a ripple in the flash memory market due partly to the volume Apple has been selling nano's.
8) iPods are everywhere and people know what they are getting when they buy one.

I don't believe this will have an impact one way or another in the iPod market share.

[tennapel]

Marketing budget

Creative's marketing budget looks impressive too. It seems it moves them 1% market share up. How come ? :-)

[wpholmes]

More to it than marketing

Some people say that the only reason the iPod is successful is
because apple spends a lot of money advertising. Well this is not
true at all, you can't market a bad product. People will buy it, and
tell their friends not to get it.