ZenMicroPhoto now available in US
After a long wait, the
Zen MicroPhoto is now
available in the US. If you've been following along at home, you're familiar with the specs on this one: 8GB of
storage, so-so 160 x 160 OLED display (trust us; we played with it and were not impressed), WMA PlaysForSure
support, and the same form factor and color palette as the original Zen Micro (though Creative's online store is
currently only taking orders for the gray model). At $250, it's going to be a tempting alternative to the
iPod nano, especially given
the fact that the Zen has double the storage for the price and works with subscription music services (don't
worry, though; Apple will still sell ten times more nanos than Creative will MicroPhotos).
[Thanks, Alsyl]
Filed under: Portable Audio
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CerebralHulsey @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
More and more Engadget impresses me with their hatred of anything non-ipod.
Lets face it...the ipod is no longer innovative. Don't get me wrong the ipod is a great mp3 player, but it is not the only mp3 player and it is not the best mp3 player.
Not_Impressed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
What IS it with Engadget??? Seems like everytime a company OTHER than APPLE puts out a product - they bash the hell out of it! What the hell is wrong with u ppl? Just go read that paragraph of writing u call a 'post' and tell me if that isnt the most Pro-Apple BS u've ever heard. C'mon Engadget, you are a gadget site, NOT a promoter of Apple - unless u are receiving a payroll from Apple on the side perhaps...? You've got to start reviewing/previewing without the BS bias. Give the other companies a chance will ya?
Katherine @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Oh come on, it wasn't that biased. They did give Creative credit for giving you twice the storage for the price. The last part (in parentheses) could just as easily be taken as a jab against Apple's mp3 market domination.
Rich @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Seems a fairly unbiased post to me... Engagdet state that it has good points and bad points. The screen does seem a little crappy, though the storage is better than the Nano.
And the Nano probably will sell 10x more than this. Probably rather more than 10x too!
SK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
What would one consider the BEST MP3 player?
What the majority of regular consumers want in an MP3 player differs greatly from the what the majority of readers of this site want in an MP3 player. Consumers want an MP3 player which plays MP3s, easy to access the songs, in general they don't care for all the features that APple's competitors have crammed into them.
I'm beating a dead horse, but there's a reason why Apple is #1 in the market, they have produced a simple, clean, easy to use and functional MP3 player, period.
There is competition out there for MP3 players, anyone can put any of their home physical libraries on to EVERY SINGLE MP3 player on the market.
It's the online music stores/services which would dictate which MP3 players people purchase.
As for innovation for the iPOD, it's design hasn't really changed much, it's UI hasn't changed. It's hardware has, and that's the hallmark of a good product design. Externally, the iPOD interface really doesn't need changing. It's form factor has gone through different iterations, but it's insides have been gutted and redesigned at almost every revision.
apeguero @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Damn I was really waiting for this product to become available. Unfortunately they're a few months and two iPod generations late. I ended up first buying an iPod photo about 3 months ago and now an iPod video yesterday (in black none-the-less). There were plenty at the Apple store in Novi, MI. No 60 gig though, but I don't need all of that space and heft :)
I checked out the Zen Micro photo at my local Best Buy. My impressions:
1. Screen is really dark - There are a few settings for the screen which are Dark, Darker, Darkest, and Off. The screen sucks!
2. Screen is narrower then the one on the standard Zen Micro.
3. Size is the same as the previous model. This is a plus.
4. Scroll bar seems to be better then on the previous version.
That's it folks. Don't buy this online until you see it in person. Avoid being disappointed by a screen that is nothing like what's being shown online.
I'm not a Zen Micro hater. My first MP3 player was a Zen Micro. I ended up buying an iPod because I needed more space and a color screen. Even before buying the iPod I had given the RCA Lyra and Toshiba Gigabeat F20 a shot. In the end I just couldn't find another product so well made with such a huge selection of accessories that I can find anywhere.
SK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Why can't the haters realize that Apple makes very good products, period.
The reviews speak for themselves, as does the market.
Get over it.
Have you ever heard the Engadget Podcasts??? Ryan and Peter are pretty damn unbiased... They RIPPED the iPOD with video, and really put some decent perspective on Apple's strategy (sluggish)
-S
Aleks @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Creative puts out devices to only work with a BS operating system (i.e. Windows). The article is not biased at all, they are just stating their honest opinions.
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
You want biased crap? Go read Gizmodo (which I removed as an RSS feed 2 days ago after 6 months).
Engadget is fine. The post above is NOT an unreasonable/religious bash. Settle down and stop reading your paranoia into things.
Rivendale286 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Hated of anything non-iPod? I was incredibly happy to read this and thought it was anti-iPod, which is a positive. I don't like the iPod either (I have a Creative Zen Touch), but this is a milestone. It seemed Engadget actually sort of hinted about the Nano being overrated and how this was basically better... Go Engadget, more anti-iPod comments please...
Jason Deraleau @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
"After a long wait"
People _wait_ for this kind of junk?
Travis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I own a Zen Xtra 40gb and a Zen Micro 5gb. I got the Micro for Yahoo Music. With the DRM'ed media I have syncing issues and it will take up to 30 seconds to actually make sound after hitting play. Battery life is also pretty weak on the Micro compared to the Xtra. Then end result is that I rarely use the Micro.
I buy just as many CD's as before, I just make better decisions with Yahoo to screen out the junk. Rip them and use my Xtra in the car.
Deputy Doffoos @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
#1 too little... too late... It's not only Endgadget the only ones that are not impressed with this one.
The problem is that this product should have shown up 8 months before, not now. That's why no ones impressed.
omar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Well it might not be better than the nano which I bought from http://www.egadgetmag.com/index.php . and also the release of the video iPod might kill this. I don't know, you really think people out there love something more than the iPod they shouldn't even call it mp3 players. it should just be iPod. its an ICON man.
NekoTsukimi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I gave up waiting on the Zen Micro Photo becoming available here and plopped down my money on a nano. I was on that thing like white on rice until the nano came about (and even before then, I could care less about an iPod). No regrets on my end.
Whisky @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Maybe if they made the purchasing much easier they sell more and compete side by side with Apple.
Come on only the gray model and only online. If you release it, put all the colors and also have it in stores already.
When Apple releases something, its up on their website and in stores ready to sell within a week; thats good marketing.
And Im not an apple lover; I dont even have any apple products.
JG @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I love the ipod nano. However, I also love subscription music services. If apple would get off their lazy butts and come out with a service then I would trash my zen micro in a second!
deslock @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
This device is disappointing. It's nice that the controls are backlit, but the screen is low resolution and dark. At 3.8 ounces and 0.7 inches thick, the Zen is almost three times as heavy and thick as the nano. Since it's hdd-based, it'll have more lag, vibration, noise, and fragility. But if you're going to go with an hdd-based player, spend another $20 (educational pricing) and you can get a 4.8 ounce, 30 GB iPod that plays videos on a nice, bright 2.5" screen.
#1: "More and more Engadget impresses me with their hatred of anything non-ipod."
#2 "What IS it with Engadget??? Seems like everytime a company OTHER than APPLE puts out a product - they bash the hell out of it! What the hell is wrong with u ppl? Just go read that paragraph of writing u call a 'post' and tell me if that isnt the most Pro-Apple BS u've ever heard."
Man, you Apple haters are a bunch of whiny little bitches. From Engadget's summary:
"At $250, its going to be a tempting alternative to the iPod nano, especially given the fact that the Zen has double the storage for the price and works with subscription music services (dont worry, though; Apple will still sell ten times more nanos than creative will MicroPhotos)"
That last bit about Apple selling more nano's could just as easily be interpreted as a gibe at Apple fan-boys (ie they buy the nano even though the Zen offers twice the capacity for the same price).
Tim @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Bestbuy has these, I saw it and was disappointed, and I'm one of the 'anything but ipod' guys.
I've got a 5gb Zen Micro, and I think that when it ceases to serve my purposes, I'm going to go ipod. It's a better product.
sigh.
Val @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
you know...you guys make me angry, you all claim to be such intelligent gadget fans. the thing is, the Nano is a Flash player, a FLASH player with 4 GB is insane! The microphoto as was the ipod mini were HD based players. The nano, is super durable, has no moving parts(you can run or do sports with it) and its much smaller/better looking then the microphoto. Granted people do run with their normal ipods/minis/zen products, etc. HD based players break over time if you run with them, there's tons of horror stories if you dont believe me, the nano, on the other hand is flash based, so it will never break from running or doing sports with it.
homer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
well engadget people are NOT apple fun boys! they use ASP (by microsoft) to run this site.
Bill, you are the best.
MikeDLA @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Have been waiting ALL YEAR for this and well... it's just too late. Nano simply redefined the game.
I'm a PC user with a 40Gb iPod but I use Yahoo Unlimited and need another player that supports subscription services. The Plays For Sure players that work with Yahoo are generally lame - the Micro is the best of the bunch IMHO.
But Creative took so long to bring this thing out that they've missed the boat. I'm just going to keep waiting until someone brings out a subscription-compatible player that is more nano-esque. Creative need to pull out all stops to dominate the Plays 4 Sure players. Maybe it'll take a couple years. Maybe never.
Geez I bet those Creative guys are hating Apple. I think iTunes sucks but I've got to admit they are on a roll with their 'pods. Why are Apple the only company to develop players that make your jaw drop? Used to be Sony way back B4 they went down the crapper. Creative need to focus on the audio tech and partner with someone else for design of the housing and UI.
tig @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
I'm torn. I would love to have an iPod, but I've been waiting for this. Seems like it's really not all that bad - don't see what the fuss is about just because they're "behind the game" or whatever. It's still very much what I want / need. And has more storage than the iPod Nano. I'll probably give one a try.
mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
More and more Engadget impresses me with their hatred of anything non-ipod.
---
Huh? Check CNET if you want to hear about PlaysForShit... Engadget was very kind to Creative.. 10-to-1 ratio? That's generous.
egloskerry @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
You're saying it's just avaliable now? The Best Buy I work at has been selling it for more than three weeks now.
Owen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
Also available in the UK >> www.goaudio.co.uk/p3820
oH
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM
the sad thing i do find true about this article though is there will be 10 times more nanos sold. i hate apple and all things ipod (whoops, i mean visa versa, but it still gets the point across), but what it all boils down to is there are 10 tools for every 1 person with a brain, therefore apple wins out on this battle. hell, they can prolly sell 20 times more just cuz everyone's nano is gonna shatter when u press the buttons