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ipod killers posts

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPod Family

MP3 Newswire's iPod killers for Christmas 2006

by Scott McNulty (RSS feed) on Oct 15th, 2006

It is mid-October, and you know what that means! MP3newswire starts compiling a list of iPod killers for this Christmas season (we covered last year's roundup, though the iPod was the best selling player last year, and it wasn't even wounded). You have to love a round up of potential iPod killers that starts with, I'm paraphrasing, 'We have been compiling this list for the last 2 years and while the 149 devices we covered were trounced by the iPod, this year we think things are going to be different!'

They point to the Zune and Sandisk's offerings as being strong challengers, but also admit that even if the iPod does lose some market dominance, the MP3 player market will continue to expand which means that Apple will sell more and more of those little devices we all love so much.

So, who's asking Santa for a Zune this Christmas?

Tags: ipod killers, IpodKillers

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPod Family, Cult of Mac

Giga-what? Giga-who?

by C.K. Sample, III (RSS feed) on Jan 6th, 2006

gigabeatYou've probably heard all the talk about the new Toshiba Gigabeat S Series Portable Media Center. It's the video-capable 5G iPod killer announced by Toshiba and Microsoft over at CES this week. It's supposed to come out this quarter in 30GB  for $299 flavor and 60GB for $399 flavor.

It looks good. Nice screen and nice device and if I didn't already have a 5G iPod (or any iPod for that matter), I might consider buying one for the Vongo compatability alone.

However, the Gigabeat,  like all products of its ilk, is no iPod killer. Why? Look at it. Look at any of these iPod killers. They either are trying to cram too many features in or they are trying to in some way shape or form appear similar to the iPod. They are all followers to a device that has already permeated the market.

When an iPod killer does come, as it eventually will, it's not going to be an MP3-player with video capabilities. It's going to be an entirely new creature of technology. Like a cellphone that dominates the market. Or some other unknown gadget that reaches cult status because it is lighter than a feather, is powered by the wind, displays holograms, and looks really cool. The iPod is the cult right now and all these multiple cool devices, even though they are undeniably cool are not going to be able to knock the iPod off the top of the hill.

Tags: gigabeat, ipod, ipod killers, king of the hill

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