Ok Creative, you got me

http://sg.creative.com/corporate/pressroom/releases/welcome.asp?pid=12591

I had previously questioned the existence of Creative’s balls.  Well, today they finally answered.

60GB? Check.
Video formats for the common man? Check.
Memory card reader? Check.
Widescreen? Check.
Radio/Music store compatibility? Check.
Pretty?  Check.
Price to make sure you look at their other models first?  Check.

Damn.  If I were in the market right now, I’d run over my 5G60GB and buy the hell out of this player.  Seriously.  I’m known for hating Creative players, but so far it looks like they got this one right.  Now, lesse where that price ends up for black friday.  So far I’m not seeing this as an ipod killer, being as the price takes many out of the game, but def as a Zune killer.  Well, it’s shaping up that anything could be a Zune killer.

Zune?

Microsoft has a new product to pull out of its ass, and one that will drop like a rock like the rest of its buddies.  Zune, the apparent name, seems original enough, even though the promo website (is it really official?) needs to be shot.

The only way I can see them beating the iPod is with accessories and price.  The Vision:M is doing well because you can get it crazy cheaper than the iPod 5G, plus it isn’t as picky abut video formats (.avi like whoa).  Right now you are kind of really boned if you want to integrate a non-ipod into your car.  Granted you can use an Aux port connection to connect anything with a headphone jack, but that is a sound only method leaving the controls to the device.  I’ve used this method on my previous car and liked it, but trying to poke at the ipod while going 80mph doesn’t exactly compute.

Engadget has a good run down of the specs so far.

Things that might help them along: 

-Microsoft with comp you the music you purchased from iTunes.  This, my friends, is how you get people to switch.  Seriously.  If they can pull it off the iPod might just be in trouble.
-There will be decent accessories available at the release date.  Good for Microsoft, great for retailers.
-in theory a Christmas release.  Thank god I won’t be in retail anymore in two weeks.  Thank god.

Things they better be able to pull off:

-Wifi.  I can only imagine this killing your battery life.  It would be nice to see music recommendations on the player and downloading them directly.  However, if they can’t pull off WPA I see this feature as completely useless.  P.S. Microsoft, I’m not buying a dedicated wifi stick just for your flipping player.
-Decent freaking battery life.  Samsung has been able to make neat looking players, usable, but with the worst average battery life I’ve seen. 
-The Zune version of playsforsure.  Hopefully existing users can easily switch over their purchased music or subscriptions over, else they’re going to lose the only people willing to not get an iPod and still pay for your crap.

Good luck Microsoft.