My thoughts on What makes the perfect mp3 unit (what i'd like to see)whats wrong with what i see

Question

FIRMWARE/SOFTWARE & FEATURES
Touchpads should be velocity sensiti've and have a click to select button. so slowly is 3 items a stroke, fast is 0 or more. helping to resolve the "selected item, instead of moved to next item" complaints.</LI>
Dri've letter mass storage access: backups and scripted functions require dri've letter access</LI>
ability to play files on the PC DIRECTLY from the unit. (like any other dri've letter)</LI>
Records to MP3 format up to minimum 28kbps</LI>
Fully built in FM tuner with no special headphone requirements/limitations</LI>
Able to function as a USB host to transfer files from cameras and card readers without a PC (like the Samsung yh-925gs)</LI>
Records FM tuner or with built in mic or mic/line input (manual & auto level. Zen Micro has no adjustable level; the Zen Touch doesn't record) </LI>
Minidisc like features: (Singers, musicians, students, and actors use these alot)</LI>
Ability to place multiple trackmarks in a track
Ability to split files or delete marked sections.
Ability to change a file tags; ie trackname, ratings, so they can be removed from the library on the PC later, perhaps the sync could prompt if the info has been changed to update the file on the PC, duplicate it , or delete it .. (a delete from PC tag would be great)</LI>
user configurable hold function, where users can leave some buttons acti've when in hold mode. (Like the Rio Carbon. volume and pause/play, or just volume,, or just pause/play etc.)</LI>
An auto bookmarking type of function; that remembers only the last playback position of EVERY file. (if it powers off and the user switches tracks, it would be great to resume all AUDIOBOOKS from where they were last left off. (could be written to a DB file whenever a track is skipped from one to another, paused or when the unit powers off the last thing it should do is record this entry into the DB file.) </LI>
Touch pads are a usless gimmick,, especially if there is no separate select/OK button.. Trying to move one item either selects the current item or moves past the intended one. AAAARRRRRGG! It also means you absolutely must use the hold button to lock the keys. Buttons are harder to press accidentally.
PHYSICAL
30-40 gig capacity </LI>
Small raised bumps on the front (like on the back of the zen touch) that protects finish of the body off the table if placed face down.</LI>
smallish size</LI>
A separated and dedicated sliding record button (like the Samsung YH-925gs)</LI>
Backlit buttons</LI>
Rounded edges like the Rio Carbon. (more like the ZenTouch less like ZenMicro )</LI>
A common standard USB port that charges the unit with a regular cable (but also has an external power jack. </LI>
Button layout/placement that relates to GUI navigation: Look at Samsung YH-925gs sub menus are indicated by arrows to the right after an item. the select button IS the Right button the menu/previous menu button is the left button... like forward and back it physically follows the logic and graphical interface does too.</LI>
Separate volume buttons (location side) with a different shape than any other side buttons so they are easy to locate and distinguish from others.</LI>
Some buttons need to be larger others distintly shaped or separated.. Play/pause/power ON/OFF can all be on one button. RW, FF, play should be larger and separate. </LI>
internal mic, & mic/line in</LI>
either 20hr playback or AA nimh batteries (with reduced brightness backlight option)</LI>
Remote with vol play pause FF & RW /hold w/ standard phone jack</LI>
ISSUES: Suggestions /what were they thinking,, or were they thinking ?
The zen touch has a menu button ever notice that pressing it again does nothing? why does it need a separate upmenu button. when it could just be the same button again?
a find function that can either used more than the first letter of the first word (two perhaps) AND / OR be able to search all tag info or at least more of it.
as most of up know, it is hard to tell how file tags will appear on a mp3 player's screen ; wouldn't it be great if someone would design a way to edit the displayed info ON the unit, and ALSO design a system to make sure the original files can OPTIONALLY be updated. (Simple DB file and sync software) include a way to delete files onboard with the option of removal from the PC TOO. (or change the tag ,then update the pc's tags so they can be later searched and deleted.)
NO bogus DRM schemes or "protecti've" or difficult software.. I'm a musician and performer and own 400+ cd's and will never buy DRM mp3's so i don't want it my device crippled in some way to just because some record exec guys in private jets want to make more money that they won't pass on to any artists anyway. ...make it simple... it's a hardri've, keep it as such.. no sync required, just drag and drop it all, everything. back and forth.
support aac, if they without compromising the above,
support wma without compromising the above.
DoNOT support MP3pro DRM schemes.
if they don't like it. don't support DRM files at all. there's plenty of ways for users to loose the DRM anyway
forgive the rant
eric
<SPAN class=time_text>
<SPAN class=time_text>
Message Edited by crazeee on <SPAN class=date_text>0-02-2006 <SPAN class=time_text>0:40 AM
Message Edited by crazeee on 0-02-2006 03:27 AM

Answer 1

FIRMWARE/SOFTWARE & FEATURES
Touchpads should be velocity sensiti've and have a click to select button. so slowly is 3 items a stroke, fast is 0 or more. helping to resolve the "selected item, instead of moved to next item" complaints.</LI>
Dri've letter mass storage access: backups and scripted functions require dri've letter access</LI>
ability to play files on the PC DIRECTLY from the unit. (like any other dri've letter)</LI>
Records to MP3 format up to minimum 28kbps</LI>
Fully built in FM tuner with no special headphone requirements/limitations</LI>
Able to function as a USB host to transfer files from cameras and card readers without a PC (like the Samsung yh-925gs)</LI>
Records FM tuner or with built in mic or mic/line input (manual & auto level. Zen Micro has no adjustable level; the Zen Touch doesn't record) </LI>
Minidisc like features: (Singers, musicians, students, and actors use these alot)</LI>
Ability to place multiple trackmarks in a track
Ability to split files or delete marked sections.
Ability to change a file tags; ie trackname, ratings, so they can be removed from the library on the PC later, perhaps the sync could prompt if the info has been changed to update the file on the PC, duplicate it , or delete it .. (a delete from PC tag would be great)</LI>
user configurable hold function, where users can leave some buttons acti've when in hold mode. (Like the Rio Carbon. volume and pause/play, or just volume,, or just pause/play etc.)</LI>
An auto bookmarking type of function; that remembers only the last playback position of EVERY file. (if it powers off and the user switches tracks, it would be great to resume all AUDIOBOOKS from where they were last left off. (could be written to a DB file whenever a track is skipped from one to another, paused or when the unit powers off the last thing it should do is record this entry into the DB file.) </LI>
Touch pads are a usless gimmick,, especially if there is no separate select/OK button.. Trying to move one item either selects the current item or moves past the intended one. AAAARRRRRGG! It also means you absolutely must use the hold button to lock the keys. Buttons are harder to press accidentally.
PHYSICAL
30-40 gig capacity </LI>
Small raised bumps on the front (like on the back of the zen touch) that protects finish of the body off the table if placed face down.</LI>
smallish size</LI>
A separated and dedicated sliding record button (like the Samsung YH-925gs)</LI>
Backlit buttons</LI>
Rounded edges like the Rio Carbon. (more like the ZenTouch less like ZenMicro )</LI>
A common standard USB port that charges the unit with a regular cable (but also has an external power jack. </LI>
Button layout/placement that relates to GUI navigation: Look at Samsung YH-925gs sub menus are indicated by arrows to the right after an item. the select button IS the Right button the menu/previous menu button is the left button... like forward and back it physically follows the logic and graphical interface does too.</LI>
Separate volume buttons (location side) with a different shape than any other side buttons so they are easy to locate and distinguish from others.</LI>
Some buttons need to be larger others distintly shaped or separated.. Play/pause/power ON/OFF can all be on one button. RW, FF, play should be larger and separate. </LI>
internal mic, & mic/line in</LI>
either 20hr playback or AA nimh batteries (with reduced brightness backlight option)</LI>
Remote with vol play pause FF & RW /hold w/ standard phone jack</LI>
ISSUES: Suggestions /what were they thinking,, or were they thinking ?
The zen touch has a menu button ever notice that pressing it again does nothing? why does it need a separate upmenu button. when it could just be the same button again?
a find function that can either used more than the first letter of the first word (two perhaps) AND / OR be able to search all tag info or at least more of it.
as most of up know, it is hard to tell how file tags will appear on a mp3 player's screen ; wouldn't it be great if someone would design a way to edit the displayed info ON the unit, and ALSO design a system to make sure the original files can OPTIONALLY be updated. (Simple DB file and sync software) include a way to delete files onboard with the option of removal from the PC TOO. (or change the tag ,then update the pc's tags so they can be later searched and deleted.)
NO bogus DRM schemes or "protecti've" or difficult software.. I'm a musician and performer and own 400+ cd's and will never buy DRM mp3's so i don't want it my device crippled in some way to just because some record exec guys in private jets want to make more money that they won't pass on to any artists anyway. ...make it simple... it's a hardri've, keep it as such.. no sync required, just drag and drop it all, everything. back and forth.
support aac, if they without compromising the above,
support wma without compromising the above.
DoNOT support MP3pro DRM schemes.
if they don't like it. don't support DRM files at all. there's plenty of ways for users to loose the DRM anyway
forgive the rant
eric
<SPAN class=time_text>
<SPAN class=time_text>
Message Edited by crazeee on <SPAN class=date_text>0-02-2006 <SPAN class=time_text>0:40 AM
Message Edited by crazeee on 0-02-2006 03:27 AM