TIME looks at iPod's faults, iPod "killers"

A Time article looks at iPod alternatives, many of which claim to offer more features and better reliability than Apple's iPod. On the "iPod-killer" list are Sony's NW-HD3 Network Walkman, Toshiba's Gigabeat MEG F20, the iRiver H10, and the Zen Micro. The article claims consumer interest in iPod alternatives stems from the iPod's "notorious lack of endurance" between recharges and sealed case that means you may have to "scrap the thing" if the internal battery dies. Moreover, the article suggests the iPod's "proprietary digital-music format" joins users "at the hip to Apple's iTunes online store." The article says competitors are "delivering fetching new digital-music players that adopt some of the benchmark's strengths while offering more flexibility and features."

Filed under: iPod