iPod Shuffle VS. Creative Zen Stone

Technology has a natural system of marketing that is unchanging as the laws of physics. The first law is that when a technology comes out, the first forays into the market are expensive, so that only the rich can afford them. The second law is that once the technology becomes increasingly popular, other companies begin to get in the act and start making the product for a lower price. The competition is both unhealthy and healthy as products drop in price drastically. Remember when VCRs and DVD players used to be several hundred dollars? Now you can easily purchase them for under $100. In fact, you could probably get a VCR and a DVD player for less than $100, provided you can find anyone who sells VCRs anymore. This is the third law, when the technology goes out of style or becomes replaced by something better.

MP3 Players are still living in this second law stage. The recent introduction of the iPod Shuffle has had a profound effect on MP3 sales, because it was the first PMP (Portable Media Player) to be under the hundred-dollar mark. That is, the first PMP by a major market player to be under $100. There is no doubt that Apple has nearly cornered the marketplace as far as the MP3 Player is concerned, some even equating iPod as the synonym for MP3 Player.

The Shuffle is nothing more than the barebones of an iPod. In other words, the now iconic screen and clicker wheel have been removed to make way for a device that does precisely what it needs to do: just play songs. What was left is a small (1.62 inch) device that can only Play, Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, Volume Up, and Volume Down. Of course, there is also that tiny "Shuffle" key that befits its name as well as it plays your MP3s in random order.

The iPod Shuffle can hold up to 240 songs. It charges via USB adaptor, or with an AC adaptor (sold separately), for about 12 hours worth of battery life per charge. Apple made certain to market this guy fashionably, too, as it comes in many colors including silver, pink, green, blue, and orange.

The iPod Shuffle has been on the market since September of 2006, but the Creative Zen Stone has just been released. While it may not be as small as the iPod Shuffle (dimensions are 2.1" x 1.4" x 0.5") it does have a distinct look of its own. Unfortunately, the iPod Shuffle may have the market on portability, though. The clip is a part of it, and it cannot be separated from it. I don't really see a place to clip the Zen Stone, but I don't see a clip on most of the regular iPods.

The Zen Stone definitely has the iPod Shuffle beat as far as price is concerned. While the iPod Shuffle retails for $79 USD, the Creative Zen Stone has been catalogued for as low as $39. Even though Apple and iPod have that reputation, prices don't lie. If you are opting for two minimalist MP3 players, it's clear the Zen Stone would be your choice.

After all, the Zen Stone can hold more songs. It has about 1GB, which is enough for 250, so it really is about the same amount. As for the controls, they are virtually identical, even to the point of the circular setup. There is a "shuffle" key, and it comes in black, white, red, blue, pink, and green.

It is clear that the consumer will go for the Creative Zen Stone, which does everything that the iPod Shuffle does as nearly half the price. However, this is an age of advertising and marketing, and I wouldn't be surprised if Apple's reputation with the iPod is enough to take away from Creative Zen Stone sales.