Creative is giving Apple a run for it's money, With new Zen Vision:M Options

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

Some of you maybe fans of the 5G iPod Video.
Some of you may be fans of the Creative Zen Vision.
Well, some of you might complain that the Vision is too big, and you like the iPod's size. But the iPod video doesn't play enough formats. Or all your other complains. Well look no further. The MP3 player that rips off the iPod's design is here!
It's basically a smaller version of the Vision, hence the name.

Creative is introducing their new Zen Vision:M, an answer to Apple's 5G iPod, and what an answer it is. We know it gets old hearing every new player get compared to Apple's flagship offering, but can you seriously blame us here? The specs are vaguely familiar, with a 2.5-inch screen at 320x240 resolution and a 30GB hard drive, though thankfully Creative squeezed in 4 hours of video playback, doubling Apple's endurance on at least video. (The audio playback conks out at 11 hours.) The size of the two players is virtually identical, with the Zen Vision:M only changing it up on thickness — at about twice the iPod's 0.43-inches. They're also forging their own path on button placement, sporting a layout similar to that of their Zen Micro Photo, and including a vertical scroll pad. Creative did add their usual FM tuner and voice recording niceties, and they have a decent list of video format support, including MPEG-4, WMV, Motion JPEG, DivX, and XviD, so this $330 player could turn out to be a worthy candidate for video capable commuting buddy — if Apple's lawyers don't have something to say about it first. Check out some closeups of interface, erm, borrowing after the jump.

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

Some Pictures







Heres a link.

[*mipadi*]

Creative Zen Vision? Sounds like it should be the Cheap Knockoff Zen Vision.

[hi-C]

Wow. I'm surprised Apple isn't suing for copyright infringement or something.

[medic]

Wow.  I'm surprised Apple isn't suing for copyright infringement or something.

Well they can't... They have no grounds for a lawsuit.

[ThunderEvermore]

Creative Zen Vision? Sounds like it should be the Cheap Knockoff Zen Vision.

Umm...seriously?



Anyway, I saw the Zen Vision M and I must say it is a nice little piece of machinery. My only beef, which the original Zen Vision ails, is the screen size, but like I said, the Zen Vision covers that, so I dont have any problems with it.

It looks awesome, and it takes just about every file under the sun. Everything but (Video title).bitsofstring I believe.

[EddieV]

This player bears a striking resemblance to the iPod Video. As much features as it has, if it doesn't have the SRS WOW, I wouldn't get it. The iAudio X5 does look promising as well, although not armed with SRS WOW, this player has the BBE Sound System.

[hi-C]

Well they can't... They have no grounds for a lawsuit.

It was a joke.

[*kryogenix*]

Argh. $330 is too much for my wallet. But the design looks like it would go nicely with the Nintendo Revolution.

[o0olaalaa]

it looks like they are just copying the ipod. if they are gonna make a new one at least be creative..

[pandamonium]

man thats dirty but it does look nice. it looks like a better product.

[*kryogenix*]

it looks like they are just copying the ipod. if they are gonna make a new one at least be creative..

Actually, the iPod's interface uses one of creative's patents.

Of course, the majority of people that own iPods probably don't know that, and I know many people will accuse creative of copying apple...

[*mipadi*]

Actually, the iPod's interface uses one of creative's patents.

Of course, the majority of people that own iPods probably don't know that, and I know many people will accuse creative of copying apple...

Psh. Let's be honest--the iPod used the UI first, but due to legal maneuvering, Creative managed to get the patent filed before Apple. So yes, legally Creative came out with it first, but let's be honest about where the idea came from.

[*kryogenix*]

Psh. Let's be honest--the iPod used the UI first, but due to legal maneuvering, Creative managed to get the patent filed before Apple. So yes, legally Creative came out with it first, but let's be honest about where the idea came from.

Apple is clearly one target, but it's by no means the only one, and while the UI described by Creative's patent is best-known through the iPod's remarkably similar user-interface, Creative launched such a system first, back in September 2000.

The iPod appeared in November 2001, and Apple's significant lead over Creative in the digital music market shows it's not just the UI that has brought market-leadership to one company and not the other.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/09/cr..._patent_threat/

[*mipadi*]

I stand corrected. I had recalled reading otherwise.

[*kryogenix*]

If Creative had the patent for so long, why'd they wait so long to file?

Beats me. All I know is Creative had it first.

[*chaneun*]

samsung > creative > apple

imo

[*mipadi*]

The patent itself is very broad--it's only for something like a "hiearchical list of menus" that allow for one selection at a time.

I guess they're even--Apple uses their UI design, and Creative uses Apple's industrial design.

Psh. Let's be honest--the iPod used the UI first, but due to legal maneuvering, Creative managed to get the patent filed before Apple. So yes, legally Creative came out with it first, but let's be honest about where the idea came from.

Sorry. Evidently I was thinking of a Microsoft patent. Microsoft also tried to patent an iPod-like UI, but their patent was rejected on the grounds that it was first invented by someone else (Apple, but later found to be Creative).

[artislife90]

As great as it is for creative to have the law on their side, the general public will.. ONE - not even give it a 2nd glance seeing the Ipod as the only choice (out of ignorance)... or TWO - See it as an Ipod nock off. or perhaps (but highly unlikely) Accept it and gravitate to it ending the Ipods complete dominance as the de-facto digital music player. (hah..no)

In my opinion, Apple will be viewed as the one being wrong by creative, just because the vast majority of people don't really realize how many other, even better, players there are around.

OH, and just a correction. Its IPOD with VIDEO, not ipod Video. A true Ipod VIDEO is rumored to be slated for 2006 release. (no idea what a "true" ipod video would entail.. but there we go.)

[ThunderEvermore]

Didnt the Zen Vision, the model after which the Zen Vision M was created, come before the iPod?

[EddieV]

samsung > creative > apple

imo

WRONG!

iRiver > iAudio > Creative > Samsung > Apple

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

Apple is clearly one target, but it's by no means the only one, and while the UI described by Creative's patent is best-known through the iPod's remarkably similar user-interface, Creative launched such a system first, back in September 2000.

The iPod appeared in November 2001, and Apple's significant lead over Creative in the digital music market shows it's not just the UI that has brought market-leadership to one company and not the other.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/09/cr..._patent_threat/

I was going to say the exact thing.

Yes it does go well with the revolution. And no, the vision after the iPod.

H, and just a correction. Its IPOD with VIDEO, not ipod Video. happy.gif A true Ipod VIDEO is rumored to be slated for 2006 release. (no idea what a "true" ipod video would entail.. but there we go.)

True, the iPod at it's core, is still a music player.

[*kryogenix*]

Creative's mp3 player was voted best in show at the CES.

Only thing is, no one is going to know about it. The only one with an advertising campaign is apple.

[sadolakced acid]

^ and microsoft...

Argh. $330 is too much for my wallet. But the design looks like it would go nicely with the Nintendo Revolution.

ahh, but the toshiba gigabeat piano white one looks like it owuld go nice with teh revolution too... (of course, microsoft wants you to use it with the xbox)

microsoft has the power to advertize the toshiba gigabeat s series, and it uses thier software.

bill gates showed one off at CES.

and it's looking rocking.

[ThunderEvermore]

And no, the vision after the iPod.

After the iPod with video?

[simx]

Creative's mp3 player was voted best in show at the CES.

Only thing is, no one is going to know about it. The only one with an advertising campaign is apple.

I love creative mp3 players
I'd rather have the creative zen vision than the ipod video

[EddieV]

Normally I don't like Creative MP3 players, but this one really appeals to me. I don't like how it looks like though, the look doesn't appeal to me, although the features do.

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

After the iPod with video?

I don't think so

[ThunderEvermore]

I don't think so

That was my point.

[*mipadi*]

An article about "iPod killers":

There are a million iPod killers floating around. Some feature more capapcity, some feature more gizmos, and some feature lower price points. None of the iPod killers are actually doing any iPod killing because they’re too busy trying to be more iPodish than the iPod.

Even with the consistent lack of success the iPod wannabees have had, there are still plenty of companies willing to make iPod knockoffs. Some of the manufacturers labor under the delusion that the next iteration of their player will dethrone Apple. The more rational mp3 player producers are intent on scooping up the lion’s share of the crumbs left by the market dominating iPod. For all the bluster and imitation the competition has consistently failed to dent the iTunes/iPod stranglehold, few expect that to change. Why has every attempt failed so miserably? Because if you are truly desirous to do to the iPod what Windows did to the command line there’s only one company who can pull it off. Their name is Microsoft and it is only a matter of time until they make a serious effort.

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

An article about "iPod killers":

It's also not that because they are tring to be more iPodish,
It's cause they also can't get a dent in the US market. THe iPod has more then 75% of the US mp3/PMP/PVP market.

[*mipadi*]

It's cause they also can't get a dent in the US market. THe iPod has more then 75% of the US mp3/PMP/PVP market.

That's not why they haven't been successful—that's just indication that they aren't.