Creative unveils Vision:M video iPod killer

[Kr0z]

I don't have an iPod and the Creative Vision:M still doesn't convince me I need or want an iPod like device. :sleep:

[Des429]

lol yeah the UI resembles that of the ipod quite a lot actually.

[Kr0z]

Im Starting to think that companies just market thier product as an "iPod killer" for that extra bit of attention now, there have been numerous "iPod killer"s, which, well, havent stood up to thier name.

LOL ATI Tried that. We all know how that ended :rolleyes:

[dL]

Creative always copies Apple. Here it is yet again.

dL

[.weir]

I finally got my *first* mp3 player (Zen Micro coming for Christmas)

I made the choice after staying at a friends apartment, he had a micro, his room mate a nano . . . i used both in one afternoon and found I like the look and navigation of the nano better, but the micro was bigger (storage) better sound blah blah, who cares though, I could have picked the nano for the navigation for example, everyone gets so worked up about the whole "iPod VS [insert mp3 player name here]" battle.

I can see how the iPod dominates the market, it's dead simple to use, and for 90% of the population (those who aren't nerds) is the best way to get your music, plus a genious marketing campaign, but I mean comon, it's a peice of electronics, why does everyone get so defensive.

BTW, I would defenitely love to have one of these Vision:M's

[L3thal Veteran]

It actually does look good for a Creative device. Comparing this one to the current array of Creative MP3 players, this one looks the best and its specs aren't bad either.

[+Random Stranger Subscriber¹]

as many said before this is ipod COPY - decent copy but definately not killer.

anyway, i think the main issue for me here - is the lack of support for lossless audio codecs beside wav. where is FLAC or OGG??? exactly.

weak creative... weak.

if it have cowon like standart support then it would have being a winner even with thicker size and crap interface.

[+virtorio MVC]

Looks like an idiot cousin to the iPod that nobody wants to talk to. If Creative wants to boost sales maybe they should try some actual creative ideas, not just make an iPod look alike. Sure it has a nice range of format support, and longer battery life, but that doesn't change the fact that sales are going to meager compared to that of the iPod video.

[DrunkenMaster]

The killer value of the iPod is its integration with the iTunes store. That's the main reason its selling like hot-cakes. All the other MP3 players have not been able to offer this to date. Unless Creative has its own store, they will not succeed. And the inteface with the click wheel-type thing isn't working.

[Kavi]

iRiver all the way in terms of creativity and dedication to that player industry. :cool: They have been ahead of the game for a year or more now. They've had video players with larger screens for a long time. I do think that the iPod video and Nano are big steps for Apple. Although I have to say that Creative has to get more creative.

[MonkeyClaw Veteran]

the white ones interface is exactly the ipod interface right down to the colour scheme. :angry:

Glad I wasn't the only one that noticed that...

Its a sad attempt at a copy of the new 5G iPod, way to big and more expensive. The interface is rather cumbersome (the touch strip or whatever its called) and its just so big looking. Props to the fact it has a user replaceable battery though u can replace it on the iPod as well, and also to the other file support though I only use mp3 or m4p. Also I do like the backgrounds for the UI though the UI looks just like that of the iPod.

Like Kavi said, Creative needs to get creative. Innovate, don't copy.

Its a nice try, but no dice.

[Matt T]

iPod killer? More like iPod copy that will flop like all the Creative players that came before it.

I've always said that a true "iPod killer" will look nothing like an iPod. You have to innovate, not duplicate, if you want to make a dent in this market.

The whole color scheme of that interface is a direct copy of the iPod and the interface itself is probably much less intuitive based on Creative's history. And what is with those buttons? Other than the play/pause, many of those symbols are confusing and foreign to consumers.

The iPod is all about simplicity, ease of use, and an ecosystem of software and services (iTunes) to pull everything together. No one can match that combination at this point.

[icecaveman]

What are you talking about? 3 of the buttons are very clear, one is for back, one is for menu, one is play/pause... there is only one button that's not easy to understand

[.Ark]

As many people have already said, they COPIED the basic iPod UI which bugs me first... The navigation buttons are no where compared to the click wheel and its much thicker! Overall: (N)

[Shannon]

Mmm, looks nice. Now they just need to add the ability to install our own audio decoders.

I don't know why they haven't thought of this yet. If they'd let us install decoders for any codec we want, then there'd be no need to scream "WE WANT OGG VORBIS SUPPORT DAMMIT!!".

[Quillz]

That doesn't look half bad.

[Fonze]

you forgot something mrogers, creative = no damn software (itune) to sync!

I guess this one is still a removable disk..

It syncs with WMP10 and Creative's MediaSource software, which has gotten much better in the past year.

Creative still doesn't get it. It isn't so much about features (although those are important), but the whole package. I can buy an iPod, bring it home, and within 5-10 minutes have iTunes up, ripping CD's, and buying songs on iTunes for 99 cents. No Creative or any other mp3 player comes close to that type of integration and simplicity.

WMP is already installed on Windows XP machines, don't even have to install software(ala iTunes). You can rip/burn/buy music through it from MSN Music Store, Napster, Walmart, MusicNow, MusicMatch, Puretracks, Audible, PassAlong Music Store, SongTouch. Plus it works with any Plays for Sure mp3 player, which is basically anything except the iPod

Twice the size? Ouch. One of the largest factors for my iPod purchase was its size and weight.

You consider size more important than sound quality, features and format support? How tight are your jeans?

Creative always copies Apple. Here it is yet again.

dL

Is the zen micro a copy of Apple? Was the original Nomad Jukebox, Portable Media Center, or Muvo copies of Apple?

The killer value of the iPod is its integration with the iTunes store. That's the main reason its selling like hot-cakes. All the other MP3 players have not been able to offer this to date. Unless Creative has its own store, they will not succeed. And the inteface with the click wheel-type thing isn't working.

If by integration you mean forcefully locked into their own software and online store, then I'd agree with you.

Damn, why you guys gota be hatin' yo :whistle:

[MonkeyClaw Veteran]

Cause its a blatant copy of what is already out and successful and its being called an iPod killer. If it was an iPod killer, then it would be better than the iPod in terms of actual innovation, not just a pathetic copy. It has its plusses but they don't cover up the fact that its a copy. Everyone copies, its true, but at least some cover it up wit a little bit of innovation, this practically have a neon sign above it saying COPY!!!

[giga Veteran]

You consider size more important than sound quality, features and format support? How tight are your jeans?

With my Sennheisers, I've noticed pretty much a minimal difference between my friend's Creative and my Apple. The features on my iPod suit me fine and the formats are there for me as well. (AAC-my fav. compression format, ALAC-lossless)

My jeans aren't that tight. Well, almost...boot cut. :p But the main reason is that I exercise with my iPod.

[icecaveman]

Creative has spent extreme ammounts on R&D in the past, never with good resaults... they had lots of innovation but it was simply not working! People were brainwashed by the media, you were not cool unless you had white ear-buds. Creative tried that and it worked, people are more and more buying their products. Heck I've had creative players before and nobody noticed it until I got a white one with white ear buds, then suddenly people came around.

I don't understand people, it's like when people are far more impressed by a very simple cell phone than a high end PDA. it's disturbing for us tech-hores.

[MonkeyClaw Veteran]

No its that some people like simplicity over complexity, its not that we aren't any less tech savvy, it just means we prefer to have something very subtle and minimal as to something more in your face and clumsy. I don't own an iPod for the white earbuds, heck I'm getting a new pair to replace those crappy things for christmas, I own one however because its easy and a pleasure to use.

[Ambience]

I would not call this an ipod killer....I mean it costs more, weighs more, looks worse and creative's software is not as good as Apple's IMO...... I have owned three mp3 players in the past 3 years and the iPod is still the best in terms of looks and performance I have owned......but you know people are going to buy this just because they have some weird hate for Apple and the iPod tongue.gif

Hard not to when practically everybody has one.

[BajiRav]

why is "creative" name/logo missing from white & green players ?

fake ? :laugh:

as many said before this is ipod COPY - decent copy but definately not killer.

anyway, i think the main issue for me here - is the lack of support for lossless audio codecs beside wav. where is FLAC or OGG??? exactly.

weak creative... weak.

if it have cowon like standart support then it would have being a winner even with thicker size and crap interface.

WMA lossless ? :whistle:

[Premgenius]

I don't own an iPod, but doesn't that UI look exactly like the one on the iPod?

Yes, looks very similar.

[QuarterSwede]

No its that some people like simplicity over complexity, its not that we aren't any less tech savvy, it just means we prefer to have something very subtle and minimal as to something more in your face and clumsy. I don't own an iPod for the white earbuds, heck I'm getting a new pair to replace those crappy things for christmas, I own one however because its easy and a pleasure to use.

You're forgetting that most people just want to listen to music and the iPod gives them that in a stylish and very simplistic package. The 150 million accessories don't hurt it either.