Meizu's iPod-ish Mini Player shows Apple a thing or two

Normally we would frown on another cheap iPod rip-off from China, but in the case of Meizu's Mini Player, it looks like they've actually managed to make an improvement on the oft-copied design. Sure, that control scheme might not have any scroll action in it, but it does make room for 2.4-inches of QVGA screen in a form factor smaller than a 5G iPod. We can't complain about the price either, with versions ranging from a $87 512MB unit, all the way to a $200 4GB model. The unit supposedly supports video and playback, though we're not sure of the extent of codec support. We do know that the Mini Player has 20 hours of claimed battery life for music playback, which doesn't sound bad at all for the tiny 0.4-inch thick device. We don't really expect to see it in the States any time soon, but this is one iPod look-alike we actually wouldn't mind spending a bit of time with.

[Via Engadget Chinese]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2006 9:07PM]

the m6 is a ipod killer becouse of is it big screen, fm radio, eq, and a good price. Ipod nano 2g is 170 and meizu m6 2g is 150. theres no comparison

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 28th 2006 8:55PM]

Well I have an Ipod and TWO Meizus Miniplayers 4gbs . Just bought one for me and a second one for my wife. I don't work for the company, or am in anyway connected to them.
Been using mine for 2 weeks now and find them very well made. Sorry USA, but China is about to kick our butt.
This thing has a few details apple should pickup (BTW I've owned Macs since the 512k Macintosh came out, and have owned stocks in and out for years).
The headphones have a piece of plastic that separates the L & R wires that makes one of them run in the opposite direction thus avoiding the typical twisted wire syndrome most headphone wires suffer.
The headphones have a clip so you can clip the wire to your shirt and avoid the disgusting ear tug that happens so frequently.
OGG/FLAC support is there; I use ogg as well as mp3 and love being able to play w/out transcoding.
Voice recording and encoding (choosing bitrate) is great.
FM radio works like a charm with the autoscan. But I don't use FM so it doesn't count for me.
Mounts like a drive on the Mac & the PC without the need for that watchamacallit windowsFTP Sh1t.
On and on. I miss the clickwheel but other than that I'm happy as a pig in shit w/it.

later...

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 10th 2007 9:10PM]

This is best read from the bottom up...

Thank you, we will try to improve it.

BR,
________________________________________
发件人:
发送时间: 2007年8月9日 22:48
收件人: market; [e-mail]; sales; [e-mail]
抄送:
主题: RE: Meizu M6

If you have to wear new suit or shoes that smell like this miniplayer’s pouch…… I am sad.

From: market [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:07 PM
To: ; [e-mail]; 'sales'; [e-mail]
Subject: Meizu M6

Hello,

If it had been caused this problem, we are sad.

We did try it as you told it, actually we do not think it is much trouble, somewhat it shall be the same situation you buy a new shose or suit.
By far we have not got any response as you told, anyway, we are sorry about it and will try to improve it. FYI, we stopped use this type in domestic market but only involve the simple standard accessories.

Thank you and best regards,

Ella Wong
________________________________________
发件人:
发送时间: 2007年8月8日 21:27
收件人: [e-mail]; [e-mail]
主题: Re: Meizu M6

Hello again,

My point is, that the pouch that you use has a very bad smell.
If you try to smell it yourself, you will understand what I am talking about. WARNING: Try not to puke.

As to me recommending any other pouch....I don't know......Anything that does not smell bad should be OK.

Regards,

Vlad
***Sent from mobile device.***

----- Original Message -----
From: market
To: ; [e-mail]
Sent: Wed Aug 08 02:08:39 2007
Subject: Meizu M6

Dear Sir,

Thanks for your email and suggestion.

We involve this pouch into the package of Meizu Mini Player (M6). Is it not so good? Any other pouch you could recommend for us?

Thank you and best regards,

Ella Wong
===================================================
Meizu Technology Co., Ltd.
Add: Meizu Tech Bldg., Technology & Innovation Coast, Tangjia Bay, Zhuhai 519085, Guangdong, China
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
E-mail : [e-mail]
Website : www.meizu.com

发件人:
发送时间: 2007年8月7日 5:04
收件人: [e-mail]; [e-mail]
主题: Meizu M6

Hello Folks,

I just received Meizu M6 miniplayer.

I have to say I love this product. But my question is; why after putting so much good thought and design effort in producing such nice unit, you would ruin the customers impression with cheap Carrying Pouch that smells like a DEAD FISH. Don’t understand…

Just wanted to give you a feed back so you can correct the issue. I have a few coworkers that also wanted to by your player when they saw the features and performance, but were literally turned off by the smell.

Regards,
Vlad

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 24th 2007 11:34AM]

Just purchased one of these off ebay for £50 8gb. Firstly all you ipod toting individuals walking around like flocks of sheep following one another saying things like 'got the latest podcast' 'seen the next gen ipod' ooohhh ahhhh.
You are all walking around blind, blinkered and oblivious to the developments being acheived in the far east.
This little player packs some heavywieght features its counterpart can only dream about, inergrated FM tuner, video playback of any codec imaginable, easy drag n drop file transfers and all for the meager price of £50.
Please wake up and smell the coffee!!!!