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Apple vs Samsung: What's In An mp3 Player?
August 24, 2012 | This Just In

Posted on 08/24/2012 9:08:35 PM PDT by This Just In

I have never owned an mp3 player. Everyone else in my family owns either an Apple or a Sony, but I have yet to invest in one of these electronic devices. Not that I have anything against mp3 players. I've been reading reviews and checking prices for years. I consider it quite an investment to purchase one of these pricey players. I am not about to cough up a large chunk of hard earned cash in order to invest in a device that would last about a year, or one which turns on (or off) at random.

I've discovered that if you buy cheap, you can expect cheap. I've also discovered that the choices aren't that cut and dry.

I don't care for the iPod's or the Sony my family uses. The devices are either too inconvenient or too small.

Here are the mp3 players I've been focusing on:

Apple iPod Nano

Apple iPod Classic

Samsung ZUNE

I've read reviews on other sites, but it's a waste of time to try and wade through the anti-Apple posters, anti-MS crowd, and the legitimate reviews.

I'm hoping Freepers will be able to provide an objective opinion concerning these mp3 players.

I am not interested in gaming features or wifi. I'm looking for simplicity of use in a device as well as quality.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Miscellaneous; Music/Entertainment
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As an on-the-side: Can an iPhone be used solely as an mp3 without having to sign up for a package plan?
1 posted on 08/24/2012 9:08:38 PM PDT by This Just In
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To: This Just In

OOPS!

I meant to type:

Microsoft ZUNE.

Apologies.


2 posted on 08/24/2012 9:10:20 PM PDT by This Just In
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To: This Just In

Don’t know about iPhone, but Android phones can be used without mobile phone service. I ditched my cheap mp3 player after I got my Samsung Galaxy S2 from my mobile provider for free.


3 posted on 08/24/2012 9:22:50 PM PDT by Squawk 8888 (Tories in- now the REAL work begins!)
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Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: This Just In

ARM 11


5 posted on 08/24/2012 9:25:15 PM PDT by clamper1797 (I mourn for the America I grew up in ..fought for ..and loved ..July 4 1776- June 28 2012)
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To: This Just In

You can use an iPhone as an mp3 player without cell service. You can use the wireless function and chat, check email, and surf the net.

I went from an iPod classic to and iPod touch to an iPhone.


6 posted on 08/24/2012 9:28:18 PM PDT by TankerKC (If Mitt Romney is elected, everyone in the US will die!)
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To: This Just In

My iPhone is also my iPod. I LOVE it. Depending on the size of the memory chip it will hold thousands of songs. Quite simply, best thing ever. I listen to it all the time. Can hook it into external speakers or headphones. Great stuff.


7 posted on 08/24/2012 9:31:29 PM PDT by RIghtwardHo
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To: This Just In

The ZUNE is a dead product.


8 posted on 08/24/2012 9:33:40 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: Squawk 8888

Thanks, Squawk8888, but I’m not interested in the Android.


9 posted on 08/24/2012 9:35:46 PM PDT by This Just In
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To: This Just In

An ipod is an iphone without wireless talk. An iphone can be used for Skype calling without a cell plan. Apple mobile devices have been eclipsed by android devices. I think you’re too cheap for either of these options. Get a virginmobile LG android smartphone for $50 and a $35 plan. This can be your music player, as well, but you should get a $50 Sandisk miniplayer. Someone who has been as hesitant as you to adopt technology should just stay out of the pursuit altogether.


10 posted on 08/24/2012 9:39:05 PM PDT by Havisham
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To: RIghtwardHo

Pardon me for my ignorance, but would I load songs just as I would an mp3 player? I’ve learned that assumptions are rarely qualified.


11 posted on 08/24/2012 9:40:10 PM PDT by This Just In
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To: This Just In
If you want a cheapo MP3 player, go to Newegg. I got a $20 cheapy 3 years ago that I used everyday/all day at work. (I was an inspector, and in the field or on the road alot.)

Now I use it for a thumb drive.

12 posted on 08/24/2012 9:41:46 PM PDT by Slump Tester (What if I'm pregnant Teddy? Errr-ahh -Calm down Mary Jo, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it)
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To: Havisham

Thanks for a half-hearted reply. You’re being presumptuous.


13 posted on 08/24/2012 9:44:10 PM PDT by This Just In
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To: This Just In
I love my iPod Classic. A lot of people seem to hate Apple but after years of using Dell computers and Microsoft software I bought a MAC and although there was a bit of a learning curve I wouldn't ever go back.

Apple products are more expensive and you can get by with less expensive products. But no popups, trojan viruses, no incessant software updates and I don't have to pay Mcaffe and Symantic and the computer repair guys every year and photoshop works like a dream on this platform which is my main reason for owning a computer. One of the great things still about America is that people can choose where to spend their money. Apple, Microsoft, Linux.

14 posted on 08/24/2012 9:44:21 PM PDT by Newbomb Turk (Hey Newbomb, where's your brothers ElCamino ?)
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To: This Just In
As an on-the-side: Can an iPhone be used solely as an mp3 without having to sign up for a package plan?

Yes. But go with an iPod Touch if you don't want to make calls, it's a lot cheaper. I still use an iPod Classic - the last generation has decent sound quality and 160GB of storage. It'll last till the hard drive fails - 5 or 6 years.
15 posted on 08/24/2012 9:44:37 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: This Just In

I’m not an apple fan for PC’s (prefer Win and Linux), but as for MP3’s I think IPOD’s the way go. They all work good, so it’s comes down to preference in physical size/weight, storage, and user interface(dial or touch screen)

I’ve been using an iPod Nano for years. I prefer the rectangle old design with the round dial. I used a 2nd gen Nano that I bought 2nd hand on ebay which lasted me 4 years. It still works, but it’s beat to heck, so I decided to spring for newer one last year. I really didn’t like the newer 6th gen small square touch screen version, as I can operate the dial without looking. So I picked up a refurbished 5th gen Nano on ebay this past Dec. Been working great. That’s just my personal preference. I’d personally go with the classic as my 2nd choice.

Info on the generations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_Nano


16 posted on 08/24/2012 9:44:47 PM PDT by Craigon
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To: Slump Tester

I appreciate the comment. I don’t wish to purchase a cheap mp3 player. it’s been our experience that they don’t last.


17 posted on 08/24/2012 9:46:05 PM PDT by This Just In
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To: This Just In

Years ago, I paid about $30 for a sandisk mp3/radio for my dad. I had an ipod which didn’t have radio at that time. The sandisk was much simpler to use and sounded just as good. It was like a thumb drive that had an earphone jack. I have 3 ipods but didn’t buy them myself. If I ever need to buy one, it will not be an ipod. Too many proprietary restrictions like how many devices you can connect it to and download restrictions and iTunes capability to delete content it doesn’t recognize as legitimate. I don’t download music anymore but purchase the cd then upload to the ipod because iTunes likes to delete music not purchased through them. ipod cand be used as a thumb drive too, but good luck finding the content you want to take off of it. Lots of hidden and buried drives.

I think a big part of the quality of sound comes from the headphones rather than the device.

Sometimes the “good” stuff is overkill. The content is the same. The player should be easy to use and earphones make the difference in sound. Jmo.


18 posted on 08/24/2012 9:49:16 PM PDT by Ms. AntiFeminazi
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To: Havisham

“Someone who has been as hesitant as you to adopt technology should just stay out of the pursuit altogether.”

And I’m communicating and web-surfing via wifi on a laptop. I had no idea this indicates I’m in the dark ages.


19 posted on 08/24/2012 9:49:16 PM PDT by This Just In
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To: Newbomb Turk

We use MS, Dell, and Mac. All of these devices, hardware, software have +’s and -’s, although, we do enjoy the Mac.

I can purchase a brand new iPhone 4 for $50.00, which prompted one of my inquiries.


20 posted on 08/24/2012 9:55:34 PM PDT by This Just In
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