MP3 player recommendations

[InflatableBuddha]

My dad is looking at getting an MP3 player, and I'd like some suggestions for which models he should compare.

He wants to be able to:

• listen to music (obviously)

• watch videos (he hasn't specified what type though - not sure if he means just YouTube or purchased TV shows, etc.)

• surf the web at home via the router connected to the home PC

He doesn't need an FM tuner, games or office apps.

The device needs to be relatively easy to use. He's reluctant to switch from his basic cell phone to a BlackBerry or iPhone as he doesn't make a lot of calls or send many texts, so I think he wants to keep this MP3 player mostly for "fun" and keep his cell phone for when he needs to make calls.

The iPod Touch seems like the obvious choice, but what are other good devices to consider?

Thanks.

 

[TheStu]

Well, if the ZuneHD existed yet (why oh why did Microsoft announe it so early?) and had a decent browser I would suggest that.

I think that Archos has a PMP as well. But really, the iPod Touch has great battery life, is pretty easy to use, and is more or less the de facto standard (or rather the OS is) for app development on that scale.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Well, if the ZuneHD existed yet (why oh why did Microsoft announe it so early?) and had a decent browser I would suggest that.

I think that Archos has a PMP as well. But really, the iPod Touch has great battery life, is pretty easy to use, and is more or less the de facto standard (or rather the OS is) for app development on that scale.

I read some reviews for the Archos, and it looks like it has better video support (Flash, etc.), a better screen, better sound quality and obviously larger capacity than the Touch. But the reviews are somewhat mixed.

The Touch wins for battery life and ease of use, as you say.

I'll have to look at this ZuneHD. The Zune came to mind originally but then I realized it doesn't have a web browser - I guess the ZuneHD remedies that.

 

[TheStu]

From what I have seen on the ZuneHD, it will be WinMo based (at its core, it won't look like a WinMo phone interface) which means mobile IE. You want a decent browser in there, and as it stands the best mobile browser out right now is Mobile Safari. Though the webkit based browser on the Pre is pretty good I hear.

Video support is moot anyway since you will probably want to convert any videos you put on there anyway, if for nothing other than making it fit better on the smaller screen.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

I'm assuming the Mobile Safari is the browser on the iTouch?

If the ZuneHD has mobile IE, will there be an option to install a different browser such as Safari? I definitely want to make sure the device has a decent level of security.

I can't find much info about the apps at the moment. Too early, I suppose.

Good to know that video shouldn't be a problem on either device.

Thanks for the info so far; it's definitely given me something to think about.

 

[TheStu]

Safari is the browser on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Good luck getting Safari onto the ZuneHD, you might be able to SkyFire (I think that is what it is called. I associate it with FireFox in my head, though I am not sure how accurate that is) or Opera Mobile on there.

A mobile browser is different from a desktop browser. That and to the best of my knowledge, IE is not that insecure, certainly not IE8, and especially not on a 64bit OS.

But that is beside the point. I am not suggesting you not use mobile IE for security reasons but rather because it just straight up sucks. Web pages render wonky, zoom is messed up, it does not easily support multi-touch, and has poor standards support.