Samsung launches first salvo in war with Apple

[Dinko]

Remember a few months ago when Samsung said they were going to rule the DAP world?

They meant business.

- Samsung took the lame iPod GUI and all its faults

- added a better screen

- more than double the battery life

- improved sound significantly over the iPod but dropped user-EQ relative to previous Samsung DAPs

- made it compatible with the vast majority of legal online music providers which use WMA files

- made it drag & drop (for WindowsXP)

- does not rely on one particular software (you can use WMP, RealPlayer, etc)

- improved the controls relative to the iPod

- figured out that people don't buy iPods for the features: all they need is a colour screen to make it better than monochrome, the rest (calendars, games, etc) is useless to the standard user

- Samsung made it look classy: the new YP-Z5, the direct iPod Nano competitor, takes a page from Sony: make it look high end. The silver Samsung YPZ5 with its brushed aluminium body looks like a modern cousin of Sony's NW-HD1. Next to it, the Nano is like a plastic, finger-smudged toy. The Samsung feels solid, but like HD1 it feels more like a serious, upscale guizmo. The build quality and feel of the player even reminds me of some MD players I've seen.

In other words, they probably looked at what people do with their iPods, kept that, and improved the rest. The only stuff missing are accessories.

Where Samsung actually stands a chance relative to other companies, is probably in marketing. So far, few companies - if any - have tried to out-market Apple. Sony certainly hasn't even tried (at least not in Canada).

On Friday, I was reading the paper and Samsung had two consecutive half-page ads for the YP-Z5. Listing it's advantages: "Better Screen" "Better Battery"... now they didn't mention Apple, but it's not hard to see who they're shooting at. They pointed to the specially dedicated product minisite ( http://www.samsungfreedom.ca )and they listed the stores which carry it. The stores have boatloads of the Z5 in stock and on display.

Will it be enough? Probably not. But at least they're actually trying, and backing up their products with marketing and a competitive price.

[Guest Stuge]

- made it drag & drop (for WindowsXP)

- does not rely on one particular software (you can use WMP, RealPlayer, etc)

Since this does not relay on any paticular software which is also really nice but since this player doe use drag & drop so ordinary user will never be bother to use any software for uploading songs .

[pata2001]

Nitpicks:

1. The YP-Z5 is MTP device, not UMS. Meaning that it is only compatible with winXP. Also, it would require WMP10. Not really true drag-n-drop UMS style. The iPod, although requires iTunes to transfer music, is still a UMS device, so you can use it with any OS for data storage.

2. Price. Most stores are selling the Samsung at the same price point as the nano. In the past, Samsung used to include additional features like FM and recording, but not this time. So, Samsung is confident that it will compete with the nano. But, they forget 1 thing, iTunes. iTunes is what makes iPods so desirable. Without any additional features, the iPod is still a better buy for most people, plus the fact you can get educational discount from Apple.

3. iPod has rockbox option. I don't see rockbox going to any Samsung DAP.

What I like about the YP-Z5 is the dedicated volume buttons. Something that seems to be forgotten with the onslaught of nipple-style and touch-sensitive controls.

[jonny mac]

But, they forget 1 thing, iTunes. iTunes is what makes iPods so desirable. Without any additional features, the iPod is still a better buy for most people

Not true, the iPod is desirable because it's fashionable and Apple wisely market it as such. iTunes is only a bonus.

[Guest Stuge]

Not true, the iPod is desirable because it's fashionable and Apple wisely market it as such. iTunes is only a bonus.

Yeah..In newspaper ,in magazine everywhere it considered as fashion statement ..