Digital Home Thoughts: Samsung YP-Z5 "Nano Killer" Reviewed

"The YP-Z5 is Samsung’s new line of flash based MP3 players reaching microdrive-sized storage of 2GB and 4GB capacities. Samsung decided to go head to head with Apple, pricing the YP-Z5 along side the iPod Nano at $200 and $250 respectively. In the past I have not been impressed with Samsung’s flash based players. This player, however, has changed my opinion of Samsung MP3 players. Even though there are a few things lacking, Samsung has created a great user experience with an overall solid design and a simple user interface."



Boy, if I had a dollar for everytime someone reviewed an "iPod Killer", I'd have enough to buy several iPods already. :wink: This player at least appears to comes close. Discounting the proprietary USB cable, lack of a manual EQ, inability to create playlists on the go and inability to drag-and-drop files onto it, it looks like a very nice player. The user interface was designed by Paul Mercer's company (he designed the interface for the first-gen iPod), and the player features (gasp) dedicated volume and track control buttons. It's competetively priced, but unless I start seeing Samsung billboards plastered all around town, they're going to have a hard time eating into Apple's sales. So, what do you think: Killer or No Killer?