It's hard to escape the news and reviews at this point, so we'll be blunt — Apple has a new line of iPods out, and they're not half bad, either. But they're not for everyone, and as we've discussed before, there are still quite a few users who just aren't fans of the iTunes ecosystem. Some need a device that just plays music — and cheaply at that — which isn't always as easy as it sounds.
So what's a hapless consumer to do? Flash-based iPod alternatives are still alive and well, contrary to what you may think, and we'll show you a few capable models on which to spend your hard earned cash.
Apple's smallest iPod is pretty sweet. It's damn tiny, and can fit a few thousand songs too. But it isn't your only option. Samsung's YP-S2 pebble is a similar, Shuffle-sized device that works much like Apple's minuscule iPod. There's no screen, and just a standard array of buttons, meaning navigation should be largely familiar.
However, with the lack of a clip or clothing adapter, it may not be the best device for frequent exercise. In that case, the Archos Clipper does much as its name implies. It's nearly twice as big as the latest Shuffle, but still small enough that you probably won't notice. And if you're looking for something really different, Sony has a wearable player that actually sits right on your ear.
The good thing is that there are numerous non-iPod choices in this space, both with similar storage and battery life configurations. And the physical design isn't half bad either. iRiver has made some great looking devices in previous years that could easily challenge Apple's own. Sony and Creative also have a heavy presence in this space, with models that even play video like the old Nanos too.
And if the latest Nano is a little more your style, Archos even has a a small, 1.4" LCD-based player that works in a similar fashion. Sure, there's no multi-touch and iOS style UI, but that's a small price to pay for indulging your iTunes-free lifestyle.
Perhaps the most similar alternative is Microsoft's own Zune HD. It's one of the better iPod alternatives on the market, and competes with similar features as wireless connectivity, a 3.3" touchscreen and a modest collection of apps and games. It's about the farthest you can get from the iTunes ecosystem, and you even have access to Zune Pass, if that's your thing.
If you're hoping to replicate the Touch's newly-minted video capture capabilities, you're in luck. Archos' line of Android-based multimedia players can actually shoot 720p quality video, along with access to the Android market in a similar manner to Apple's ecosystem. You can't get much worse than Android's stock player, so we assume the Archos skin is something of an improvement.
What we're most curious to hear, however, is what sort of iPod-alternatives you use. Are today's flash-based offerings enough enticement away from the Apple ecosystem? Let us know in the comments!
Images via Flickr users nino63004, 朝歌@Taurus and robertnelson.
The Shuffle
However, with the lack of a clip or clothing adapter, it may not be the best device for frequent exercise. In that case, the Archos Clipper does much as its name implies. It's nearly twice as big as the latest Shuffle, but still small enough that you probably won't notice. And if you're looking for something really different, Sony has a wearable player that actually sits right on your ear.
Another Nano
The curious thing about the iPod Nano is that you could argue its new redesign is almost too small. While previous models were largely candybar in shape, the latest release looks more like an iPod shuffle in terms of size and dimension — making this the smallest Nano yet. With that in mind, it's very likely you could be yearning for a Nano alternative that's a bit similar to its previous form. The iRiver E30. These can be a hard to find in-store, but they can be ordered online.
And if the latest Nano is a little more your style, Archos even has a a small, 1.4" LCD-based player that works in a similar fashion. Sure, there's no multi-touch and iOS style UI, but that's a small price to pay for indulging your iTunes-free lifestyle.
The Touch
Perhaps the most difficult alternative to shop for is Apple's most popular iPod, the Touch. In fact, what makes this device so problematic is just how unlike an iPod it actually is. Considering it shares the same iOS ecosystem as the iPhone, there's really no other device that comes anywhere close in terms of apps, gaming or internet capabilities. But that's not to say other companies wont try.
Microsoft's Zune HD.
If you're hoping to replicate the Touch's newly-minted video capture capabilities, you're in luck. Archos' line of Android-based multimedia players can actually shoot 720p quality video, along with access to the Android market in a similar manner to Apple's ecosystem. You can't get much worse than Android's stock player, so we assume the Archos skin is something of an improvement.
What we're most curious to hear, however, is what sort of iPod-alternatives you use. Are today's flash-based offerings enough enticement away from the Apple ecosystem? Let us know in the comments!
Images via Flickr users nino63004, 朝歌@Taurus and robertnelson.
