Slacker G2 goes head-to-head with iPod?
First, let's show you where I'm coming from when it comes to electronics, computers, software. I like free, I like open source, I like Linux. I put up with Windows. I do not like "cheap stuff", iPhones, iPods or Apple computers because they are too expensive in my opinion (ok so are decent cell phones when not accompanied by a cellular service commitment, but that's for another time).
Tonight I read Fans to build own radio as Slacker takes on iPod but I must throw in my opinion that Slacker is losing to iPod right out of the gate if you compare by price and storage size. I'm no expert but here are prices I found tonight for the Slacker G2's and iPods:
- iPod Shuffle, 1GB - $49 (ADDED 10/4)
- iPod nano, 4GB - $160
- Slacker G2, 4GB - $199
- iPod touch, 8GB - $209
- Slacker G2, 8GB - $249
- iPod Classic, 80GB - $249 (this could really be listed before the Slacker G2, 8GB due to more storage)
Remember I said I like free, open source, and Linux? Well, if I can get an MP3 player for less, I will unless there's a good reason like low quality, or strings attached. I won't buy a Zune because I already have enough Microsoft, thanks (that's strings attached to me). I won't buy an iPod because I think they are overpriced, and as of tonight Slacker's G2 falls in that category. But, there is something slacker has that iPod doesn't and that's free music on their website. The Slacker website home page is an online radio station that I've been listening to while writing this post. Unlike some Internet radio stations I've listened to you can skip songs, though that feature is limigted unless you pay and sign up. At any rate, that's something you won't find on the iTunes website, I couldn't play a single song since I don't have iTunes software. In that measure Slacker wins.
I guess we'll see how it all pans out in time.
It seems that the other thing the Slacker G2 has is that it has free music on the player too. I'm not if the $50 difference (or whatever it is) between the Nano and the Slacker sorts out straight away but getting free music on a portable seems like a good option.
One thing to keep in mind when comparing these is that you never have to pay for music with the Slacker G2. With an iPod, you need more storage because all you are doing is storing songs that you purchased or ripped from CDs. With Slacker, you don't need as much storage because you are just playing radio stations that are either programmed by their music experts or that you created on your own. So, it's not really oranges to oranges if you consider that you never have to buy a single song with the Slacker G2. Add in the cost of music and time with an iPod and I think it's quite a bit more expensive than the Slacker player.
I recently purchased the Slacker G2 and couldn't be happier. I haven't touched my MP3 player since and don't think I ever will again.
Good points, Fred & Justin, I have a SanDisk Sansa Clip MP3 Player I picked up for under $40 with 37 songs I got from Amazon for $.99 per song ($36.63), so I completely missed the free music deal from Slacker. Don't you have to join/pay to download from Slacker.com onto the G2?
It would be nice to be fair to iPod lovers to have someone chime in with how much iTunes cost for iPods.