PC-Engine said:
People who listen to MP3s on-the-go on a regular basis usually listen everyday or every other day so you won't be seeing people carrying their PSP anyway to listen to MP3s, it's too big.
No, and that's not what I said. And it IS why I said MP3 playing is an also-ran feature for it. What WILL happen is that people who carry their PSP's with them for other reasons--to play games (and potentially to watch assorted video stuff)--will use it to play MP3's (especially if there's a good headphone/remote combo available for it instead of necessarily carrying yet another device with them. If they haven't joined the "MP3 revolution" yet, they may not bother with another device, and if they don't care enough and don't want to carry their collection around with them and cycle through it constantly, there's little reason for them to care otherwise either. It's not going to displace the iPod crowd (and likely not the Shuffle either, as it's both
style and amazingly non-bothersome), but it would knock others out of the way simply because of the "why bother?" factor.
OTOH on those days where they decide to take their PSPs with them to play games, they might want to listen to MP3s. There's a big difference between the two scenarios. In other words people don't carry their PSPs with them ANYWAY. You're delusional if you actually believe that.
What? It might be nice if you try reading, as that is
exactly what I was talking about: "...if the PSP they carry around ANYWAY can play things just fine." The PSP is no threat for most MP3 playing since it's either cheaper and more convenient, or not as apt for those who take their MP3 playing SERIOUSLY. But those people who are carrying around their PSP's
ANYWAY are doing so because they want to play with the PSP. And while nothing will match up to the convenience of a GBA-SP as far as a gaming device goes, the PSP is still perfectly convenient for a portable gaming and video device.
Regarding portable DVD players, people use them on airplanes all the time. They carry them in their carry-ons. People who want to watch a 90min movie don't mind carrying a DVD player around because if you've got 90min to spare then bringing a DVD player along isn't a big deal. People don't carry around a DVD player everyday just like people won't be carrying around a PSP everyday so it's a moot comparision.
OH MY GOD IT'S ALMOST LIKE I GAVE THAT AS THE MAJOR SIDE-POINT IN MY LAST REPLY!
It's not a moot comparison, because the people who will be carrying around a PSP to
play with far outnumber the people who carry around a portable DVD player to
only watch movies on, which means the video-watching (note, I do not say "movie watching") capabilities of the PSP will also be more widely embraced. As it's not just movies people will want to carry with them, but movies, funny internet stuff, game trailers, webcam recordings, showing photos, etc... All in a much more portable package, and a more desirable one for other reasons. One that is much more likely to be whipped out and looked at when you have 5 minutes to blow instead of 90, to be shared with your friends, used to show off the machine... THAT is what makes a device part of common usage, and it's something that the PSP could succeed at, while a portable DVD players has no chance whatsoever. (As previously stated, the PSP is not the only device that could fill that role, but it's pretty much the earliest and highest-profile one that could. Apple has the mindshare as well, so they'd best come out with a cheap-enough iPod Video quick.
Or a good Photo hack! Hehe... Other portable media devices [like that M:robe 500] have not really found a place, so you typically only get it as part of other devices, like PDA's with a good screen, or someone's high-quality digital camera. But those are no the kind of mass-market devices we're talking about, nor are succeeding notably on the marketplace.)
BTW listening to music while viewing that HUGE PSP LCD is going to suck your battery big time too. Do you know of any good MP3 players with a 4 hour battery life?
Yes, because as we all know, everyone who ever uses the MP3 functions of a device does it only at huge stretches without ever being in reach of a socket or bothering to recharge. Oh, and they also
love watching music videos for four hours straight without ever getting tired and/or are
continually mesmerized by a screen while listening to music. WinAMP Visualizer junkies, all!
The point is to stress uniqueness and entice people with new things, not to "replace and only consider one option." People might be more likely to carry their PSP around with them as a music player if they could toss a few videos they like on there as well, but it's not like they would be only staring at the screen for hours on end. It would mainly be used as any normal MP3 player would, with the screen to use if you're bored, want to show off, want to catch that song you love "in full glory"... etc. How many people need to go through more than four hours of SCREENLESS MP3 playing operations? You listen on the way to work and back, or going to school and between classes, random wanderings around town... And what do people do if their battery runs out? Well, most people just don't use their device until they get back home and charge it (or replace the battery), and those that care enough...? Well they pretty much carry a spare around with them, and that's true for basically any device no matter HOW much airtime it gives: whether we're talking a cell phone that only gives two hours of airtime, or an MP3 player that gives 30.
I'm curious when everything will stop being "best possible scenario/worst possible scenario" with you. The mass market has FOREVER shown us that their neither know nor care about it.
