Alternatives to Ipod for MP3 playing and games?

Question

I friends kid is desperate for an IPod for his birthday, as much for the games and apps as for the ability to play MP3s.  However, I make no secret that I am rather displeased with apple as a company.  I don't like that they charge so much for products that are sold far less by other companies; but more to the point I am *very* displeased with their tendency to limit what you can do with the hardware you already purchased, preventing jailbreaking, pushing you to use their software etc etc.  Both for cost savings and to avoid encouraging what I consider to be rather...undesirable practices I would prefer to encourage them to look at cheaper alternatives elsewhere.

Can anyone else suggest an MP3 capable device with similar game playing/app alternatives?  All I can think of is Zune, which I don't know what their apps/games are like, and a smart phone, but he is too young to pay the monthly fee to use it as a phone.  I assume you can't install apps on a smartphone if your not paying for the data plan lol.  Still, I assume there is a viable competitor out there somewhere?

N/A · Accepted Answer

Hi there,

I recommend the AT&T Prepaid Nokia Lumia 520, just $99.99 off-contract.
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/nokia/lumia520-black-prepaid.html?source=ICW8AT00500WP800O&wtExtndSource=lumia520

There's 8GB of storage with expandable memory, for him to store his music collection (compatible with iTunes libraries, including playlists). The device has access to the Windows Phone Store - for 165,000 apps and games, music store and more (so much more content available than Zune). There's also Nokia Music for completely free and unlimited music mixes.

Facebook, Twitter, Xbox, Skype and Office are built in. It has a 5MP camera and a large 4" super sensitive touchscreen - so it has comparable hardware to an iPod touch 4th generation, but for much less.

Since the device is sold off-contract/no-contract, you can just purchase the phone and use it exclusively as a personal media player on airplane mode. With no activation, you won't need to pay for service at all. This does not stop you from installing apps and using the device on WiFi.

Hope this helps!

Rosa · Answer

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? · Answer

Alternatives To Ipod Touch

Anonymous · Answer

I don't like apple either. I am a Microsoft/Samsung guy. For a all around compatible device try the smart phones offered by straight talk. Yes i know it is a phone but no contract or service is required to have internet access, download free games, or music. Simply connect it to a wi-fi hot spot at home or places that offer free wi-fi and surf the web for all the great freebies and you can still access them and enjoy them while not connected, as long as the game or application doesn't require a internet connection. I have a Samsung galaxy s 2 that i got from straight talk for right under 300 dollars and it ia the best device i have ever owned. If i am using my wi-fi or the network data everything runs smoothly. Try it out instead of getting a costly ipod or zune which will just be another device in a drawer when your kid really gets a smart phone. Also service is cheap, i pay 49.15 a month for unlimited calls, texts, and data. I use it all the time and never have been charged extra or had my service suspended for over use. I highly recommend this provider. Also they also have iphone 5 s models for sale with the same plan however the phone for a 64g harddrive is over 800 dollars. Check out straight talks website for any questions or just to look around. They offer a large selection. I hope this helps.

? · Answer

Mp3 Player With Games

Anonymous · Answer

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Alternatives to Ipod for MP3 playing and games?
I friends kid is desperate for an IPod for his birthday, as much for the games and apps as for the ability to play MP3s.  However, I make no secret that I am rather displeased with apple as a company.  I don&#39;t like that they charge so much for products that are sold far less by other companies;...

? · Answer

I agree with your displease-ness with Apple iPods. 
I would prefer a smart device, there are devices like the Samsung Galaxy S Media Player... I've seen them on display in the Mp3 section of Best Buys, definitely give it a hands-on test and see if that fits your need. 

Most kids are not tech fans, and so they look for simplicity, where I applaud Apple. but with that, you sacrifice a lot of the current features and low prices.

Another place to understand better could be CNET.com, they often have good info and reviews to help you better understand. 

Brands like Sony's NWZ series and Archos and Samsung Galaxy S players may be worth looking into.


But if the kid plans to use this device for games more than music, then you have to look into battery life, because it chugs battery quick.

Anyways, find out what amount of music storage you're looking for, what it will primarily be used for, what features you'd like to see and your price range. I suggest using Best Buy and FrysElectronics.com for a place to browse and get hands-on experience. 

But anyways, for starters maybe look into these:

Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/samsung-galaxy-player-4/4505-6490_7-35191695.html

Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/samsung-galaxy-player-5/4505-6490_7-35035019.html

Zune HD Platinum 
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/zune-hd-32gb-platinum/4505-6490_7-33665869.html

Samsung P3
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/samsung-p3-8gb-black/4507-6490_7-33490421.html

Meizu Mini Player
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/meizu-mini-player-2gb/4505-6490_7-32034099.html

iRiver Clix
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/iriver-clix-2gb/4505-6490_7-31861628.html

Cowon X9 http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/cowon-x9-8gb-white/4505-6490_7-35430043.html  (great alternative in my opinion)

Anonymous · Answer

you can buy ipod touch with millions of games

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Alternatives to Ipod for MP3 playing and games?

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