New iPods vs. the Rest: Two Players Enter, One Leaves

Everyone oohed and aahed at the new iPods during their recent unveiling in San Francisco, but make no mistake—there are some formidable iPod competitors out there, and they've been quietly gaining ground on Apple's iconic players. Is it time to stray from the pack and grab a non-iPod MP3 player?

I recently had a chance to review the latest iPods (save the iPod Touch, which is set to arrive in a few weeks), and I came away pretty impressed. That said, Apple isn't alone when it comes to making great MP3 players—and in some cases, it's slipping behind the times. Sure, the iPod has one of the best user interfaces I've ever seen for a consumer tech device, but such devices like the touch-screen Samsung Yepp YP-P2 (see below) aren't far behind. And while iTunes may have the biggest online music store out there, it doesn't offer the all-you-can-eat music subscription services available to its competitors. (Just mention that to a cocky iPod owner, and watch him/her turn green-eyed with envy.)

I've matched the new iPods against some of their toughest rivals (or at least, these are my non-iPod picks—feel free to flame me in the comments below), compared them spec-for-spec, and tipped the player that I think has the advantage. I haven't tested all these players in person, so I'm not declaring any winners just yet.

So, without further ado...let the competition begin!

iPod Touch vs. Samsung Yepp YP-P2

• Screen & Interface: The Touch reportedly shares the iPhone's razor-sharp 3.5-inch display, compared to the somewhat duller 3-inch QVGA screen on the YP-P2 (which I've seen up close). Both the Touch and the Yepp YP-P2 have touch-screen interfaces, but while the Yepp's menus certainly look snazzy, they can't hold a candle to the Touch's dynamic UI, which it borrows from the ground-breaking iPhone. Advantage: Touch.
• Music & Video: Both the Touch and the Yepp perform plenty of music and video duties; of course, the Touch can only play DRM'd tunes and videos from iTunes, while the Yepp handles Windows Media DRM, a great choice for those looking for subscription services from the likes of Napster and Rhapsody. Videos are a weak spot for the Yepp, although the iTunes video store has shown signs of vulnerability with NBC's recent defection to Amazon Unbox. Advantage: Deuce.
• Wireless: The Yepp comes with Bluetooth 2.0, good for listening to tunes over stereo Bluetooth headsets; it'll also connect to your phone and alert you to incoming calls. The Touch lacks the Yepp's Bluetooth abilities but comes with Wi-Fi, and you'll be able to buy music from iTunes over the air, surf the Web, and more. Huge plus. Advantage: Touch.
• Price: The Touch goes for $400 (16GB) or $300 (8GB)—ouch. Samsung hasn't coughed up pricing for the YP-P2 (due in stores later this month, with 4GB and 8GB versions), but I'll wager that it'll be considerably cheaper. Advantage: Deuce (until Yepp details arrive).

 Overall advantage: iPod Touch

iPod Nano vs. Sansa View

• Screen & Interface: The Nano's sharp, vivid 2-inch LCD boasts a sweet, revamped interface, but the View ups the ante with its 2.4-inch, 320 x 240-pixel display—much better for watching video. Advantage: Sansa View.
• Music & Video: The Nano, of course, now does video, which means access to iTunes catalog of TV shows and movies, plus six million music tracks available to buy. But the View counters with support for subscription music services like Napster and Rhapsody, and it also comes with an FM tuner and voice recording. The View does MPEG-4 and Windows Media video, and with its Plays for Sure DRM support, you should be able to grab movies and video from online stores like Amazon Unbox (now home to NBC shows like "The Office" and "Heroes"). Advantage: Sansa View.
• Wireless: Nothing to say here; neither player does Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Advantage: Deuce.
• Price: The Nano has a $200 sticker price for the 8GB model, $150 for the 4GB. Not bad, but check this out: you can get a 16GB Sansa View for the same price as the 8GB Nano ($200), and an 8GB is only $150. This one isn't even close. Advantage: Sansa View.

  Overall advantage: Sansa View

iPod Classic vs. Zune

• Screen & Interface: The iPod's famed display and interface got the same upgrade as the Nano, and it's an impressive sight and easy to use. But while the Zune's sleek interface (designed by the crack Xbox team) isn't quite as intuitive, it's nothing to sniff at, and the Zune's 3-inch display edges the Classic's 2.5-inch screen-at least in terms of size. Advantage: Deuce.
• Music & Video: Both players are pretty strong here, with the Classic taking advantage of the zillions of songs and videos on the iTunes Store, while the Zune supports subscription services (like Napster and Rhapsody), plus an FM radio to boot. The selection of videos available on the Zune Marketplace pales in comparison to the collection on iTunes, but (as noted above), the online video market is morphing and shifting as we speak. Advantage: Classic (for now).
• Wireless: The Zune wins by default with its Wi-Fi abilities (nada for the Classic). However, you still can't buy music over-the-air, a puzzling omission (there have been rumors of Wi-Fi music downloads for the Zune, but nothing concrete). Advantage: Zune.
• Price: The 30GB Zune benefits from a recent $50 price drop, bringing its sticker price down to $200. But while the cheapest iPod Classic is pricier at $250, it packs in a monster 80GB hard drive (a $350 160GB Classic is also available. In other words, the Classic gives you much more storage bang for the buck. Advantage: Classic.

Overall advantage: iPod Classic

Post-game analysis: It looks like the new iPods edged their rivals in two of our three matches, but these weren't routs by any means—indeed, as more and better would-be iPod killers come to market, the battle for MP3 champion may well get blown wide open. So while the iPod may have the upper hand for now, I wouldn't feel too superior the next time you see someone grooving to tunes on a Yepp.

So, let's hear it: who still wants an iPod, and who's ready to jump ship (or who already has, for that matter)?

Note: I've updated this post to include the new Sansa View and add details from my hands-on review of the new iPods.