ipod video vs psp - getting interesting

[TEXAN]

Nokia N91 - 4GB built-in HDD.

Early 2006 launch.

http://www.nokia.com/nseries/

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5944.html

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000683041511/

The ipods of the world are on borrowed time.

 

[Ty]

When mobiles with built in Hard drives's are released then it shall be the beginning of the end for standalone mp3 players such as the ipod.

I dunno man. I run down my mp3 player in a single session (8 - 10 hours). I don't want my phone to die in a single day. Until they can make a small device that will give me 3+ days of standby as a phone (plus my usual talk time during those 3 days) AND enough juice to double as a mp3 for those 3 days, I won't move to it.

My phone is a critical device. It needs to be up and running for those 3+ days. My mp3 player isn't nearly as critical.

Will the functionality converge to the point that I will jump ship? I don't doubt it, but I'm guessing not for a few years at least.

 

[darkblu]

I dunno man. I run down my mp3 player in a single session (8 - 10 hours). I don't want my phone to die in a single day. Until they can make a small device that will give me 3+ days of standby as a phone (plus my usual talk time during those 3 days) AND enough juice to double as a mp3 for those 3 days, I won't move to it.

My phone is a critical device. It needs to be up and running for those 3+ days. My mp3 player isn't nearly as critical.

Will the functionality converge to the point that I will jump ship? I don't doubt it, but I'm guessing not for a few years at least.

a very good point. i've always been a big proponent of the convergence in personal electronic devices, and i believe in time things will actually reach that point - one personal communicaton and enterntainment device that will surve us for all our IT needs. but as long as our different spheres of IT needs cannibalize on each other substantially (mp3 playback eating on your habitual cellular stand-by time, games eating on your daily mp3s playback, etc) such devices are going to remain in the gadetry domain. we need those fuel cell technologies now, goddam it! ; )

 

[CMAN]

I'm not big into the phone does everything, because I wouldn't be able to have my phone at work. So I'd hate to have a cell phone, then not be able to use it. In addition, I'm also worried about the battery life of the phone. Every cell phone I've had ends up with a crap battery in a year, and I don't have the money to buy new batteries. Next, the interface will never be very good for an MP3 player, because it also needs to be a phone.

For the PSP vs. iPod debate. They are too distant to be direct competitors. I agree they are indirect competitors though. PSP is primarily a gaming device with video on the side (and I hear UMD movies haven't gone well), while the iPod is primarily an MP3 player with video on the side. I'd choose the iPod because I want/need an MP3 player, and I want a harddrive for movie storage. I don't have the moeny nor the patience for using Memory Sticks (and I already have some since I have two Sony digital cameras). Also, the iPod is a lot smaller and more discrete (especially for watching some South Park during class. ). I'm not really in the mood for a portable game machine right now, and if I was I'd probably go for the Nintendo DS, since I already for a GB-A. Lastly, the controls and GUI for watching the movies is probalby better for the iPod.

What is the battery life on the PSP compared to the iPod?

I'm not saying the iPod is better than the PSP, but the PSP doesn't offer anything to me the iPod cannot due, while the iPod has many features I like that the PSP does not have.

 

[Lazy8s]

A separate device, and its batteries, which only plays media is more to carry and more expensive than just extra phone batteries.

 

[ANova]

The ipod is good for music and decent for video, the psp is good for gaming and video and decent for music. It's pointless comparing the two.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Convergence of electronic devices, and a whole glut of useable devices, have been held back for years do to the limits of current portable power-source technologies. But...

When mobiles with built in cold fuel cell powerpacks are released then it shall be the beginning of the end for mobiles with conventional rechargable power packs.

Mystic Meg speaks the truth! Though I'm sure everyone's capable of figuring that much out for themself. And here's another amazing prediction...

When portable power sources are sufficiently capable to drive complex devices, the release of the first consolidated portable communications and entertainment platform shall be the beginning of the end for seperate unifunction devices whose advantage has typically been longevity.

And...I'm getting another one...

When portable flash storage has reached affordable multigigabyte capacities then it shall be the beginning of the end for portable harddisks.

 

[mckmas8808]

For the PSP vs. iPod debate. They are too distant to be direct competitors. I agree they are indirect competitors though. PSP is primarily a gaming device with video on the side (and I hear UMD movies haven't gone well), while the iPod is primarily an MP3 player with video on the side.
What is the battery life on the PSP compared to the iPod?

Two things CMAN. UMDs are doing great for the length of time that they have been out. Read this.

And once news got out that two Sony releases had sold 100,000 units within two months—by comparison, it took nine months for Sony's first DVD, "Air Force One," to do the same—the other studio chiefs sat bolt upright. Soon afterward, Fox, Universal and Paramount announced their backing, followed more recently by New Line and HBO, which leaves Warner Bros. and DreamWorks the only significant holdouts. Today there are roughly 150 movies, TV compilations, concert videos and animated films available for the PSP, with more than 250 expected by the year-end, making it the most widely supported new video format since the DVD launched in 1997.

So far, the UMD video business, projected at roughly $250 million in revenues for 2005, has been nothing but positive for Hollywood. The studios are milking their catalogs by re-releasing older hits like "First Blood" and "Kill Bill" for $20, while newer titles sell for the same price as their DVD counterparts; as a result, UMD revenues in no way jeopardize total earnings. The early success of UMD videos is pushing retailers like Wal-Mart and Virgin to move them from behind glass and onto the store floor, which should boost sales even more.

Link --> http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9379116/site/newsweek/

See CMAN UMDs are doing very well right now. There future is unpredictable because portable media formats have never had a real consumer base.

And for battery life the ipod video 30GB version gets 2 hours of video and the 60GB version gets 3 hours of video playback.
Link --> http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html

The PSP's battery life is about 3 to 4 hours depending on screen brightness and volume.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

This makes me lauch
making it the most widely supported new video format since the DVD launched in 1997.
How many new video formats have been launched since DVD?

 

[PC-Engine]

http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/cowon/a2/index.html

http://ihome.iaudio.com/iaudio_board/review/cowon_a2_review01.html

 

[mckmas8808]

This makes me lauch
making it the most widely supported new video format since the DVD launched in 1997.
How many new video formats have been launched since DVD?

I understand what you are saying and it is funny when you think about it. But I still see what they mean. There has been a few formats that did try to come out though. I can only think of Divx, VCDs, the mini-DVDs, etc. I know others know about more than that. I think they are just trying to say that UMDs lifespan can be as long as DVDs. It is possible.

And PC-Engine that is a great piece of hardware, but I don't need one more piece of equipment to lug around. I'm waiting on stupid ass Sony to release a 3 megapixel Digital camera for the PSP to attach to the USB port. Come on Howard what's the problem? CONVERGENCE!

 

[TEXAN]

Sorry pc-engine, but mobiles will be the death of PMP's also.

Every handheld device under the sun shall go the way of the dinosaurs at the hand of the mobile phone.

 

[StefanS]

I understand what you are saying and it is funny when you think about it. But I still see what they mean. There has been a few formats that did try to come out though. I can only think of Divx, VCDs, the mini-DVDs, etc. I know others know about more than that. I think they are just trying to say that UMDs lifespan can be as long as DVDs. It is possible.

VCD is way older than DVD. DivX is no format.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Every handheld device under the sun shall go the way of the dinosaurs at the hand of the mobile phone.

EVERY handheld device?! Wow! Hairdryers and electric shavers too, eh? And quality digital SLR's with interchangeable lenses will be replaced by mobiles with a miniscule zoom range too? And electric screwdrivers? Do they fit into your grand schemes?

 

[habbe]

VCD is way older than DVD. DivX is no format.

Are you sure ?.

I thought it was the Divx format that would give you the disc for free and you had to pay every time you watch it, and didn't the players come with an built in modem... It was several years ago i heard about them and i could very well have mixed things up..

 

[Mize]

Sorry pc-engine, but mobiles will be the death of PMP's also.

Every handheld device under the sun shall go the way of the dinosaurs at the hand of the mobile phone.

Actually, it's the Casio calculator-watch that will kill them all.
And no, phones won't do it either. People like bigger screens (especially those of us with poor eyesight) and I don't see holographic diplays on cell phones in the near future. When I got my first PDA phone FIVE years ago people said they would kill PDA sales...never happened.

 

[mckmas8808]

Every handheld device under the sun shall go the way of the dinosaurs at the hand of the mobile phone.

You are kidding right? We are talking about cellphones right? It will never happen. Just re-read what Mize said and you will get your answer to why this will never happen.

 

[one]

Sorry pc-engine, but mobiles will be the death of PMP's also.

Do you expect a cellphone to have a screen bigger than 3"?

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Do you expect a cellphone to have a screen bigger than 3"?

One possibility would be a flexible, extensible screen that can be rolled up inside the mobile when not in use, and extended to watch media with a more rigid support.

 

[mckmas8808]

One possibility would be a flexible, extensible screen that can be rolled up inside the mobile when not in use, and extended to watch media with a more rigid support.

HUH? That's funny. No seriously what were you really thinking?