Yeah, if it were that easy to fool the site, everybody would have one by now. But since everybody doesn't, I'll assume it isn't. Well, the gmini is ok... but i'd have to say it kinda rips its stuff off the ipod. I mean, I really haven't seen a rival product in the same category that is as innovative. If you can find one, then please, tell me. I'd be glad to spend less.
Wait, I just discovered that I was actually looking at the wrong Archos Gmini model. The 402 huh? Wow, I can't believe people can actually compare it to the iPod. The design is... Ok here, see for yourself: Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Apparently you guys have been sucked into the ipod hype. Archos is the original the the best PERSONAL MEDIA PLAYER. Archos have been making PMP's for years now, much longer than the newly arrived Ipod Gen 5's which play video. In short, no Archos is not ripping any features off of the Ipod. What is the only thing the Ipod has that this doesnt? A touch wheel, which quite frankly, annoys the fuck out of me. And like I said, the sound quality doesnt hold a candle. The Archos is much better. Oh and did I mention this thing is much smaller than the Ipod? Listen, the only reason Ipods have sold so well is because A.) they are made by Apple, B.) They look cool and C.) They are advertised this shit out of. Oh and did i mention D. Nope D.) You can buy every useless accessory known to man including a vibrator to attach to it. And just because something looks cool, doesnt mean it works well. One of the oldest tricks in the book.... Cnet says: Ipod 5g "The bad: No extras included, such as a dock, A/V cables, or a power adapter; poor battery life for video; slight delay when playing video; no guarantee that your non-iTunes Music Store video will play on an iPod, even after using converted third-party software." Archos gmini 402: "The bad: Player is heavy for its size; no video recording; no built-in speaker; so-so viewing angles; highest volume setting could be louder; no sound equalizer; no background music for photo slide shows; subpar battery life, especially for audio." Ill refute all of these: Player really is not heavy, who is going to record videos on this thing anyway?, any built in speaker isnt going to be loud enough or it will sound like shit.... its a one person device, not a group, highest volume setting could be louder if you want to go deaf, there is a primative equalizer, but not a decked out one, so what about music with slide shows lol, and yeah, the battery life is not THAT great (very close to an ipod). archos gmini 402: "the good: Sleek, compact design; sharp LCD resolution; slick video interface and controls; support for DRM-protected media; music and video syncing with Windows Media Player; photo viewer and direct image transfers from digital cameras; voice and in-line recording; Mophun game-engine support." Did i mention it has a USB port on it? Yeah, so you can just hook up your thumb drive to it and transfer files or anything that registers as a Mass Storage Device
You don't want an Ipod. There is a warehouse in WA full of returns, under warranty. What you want is an MP3 player with hard drive storage. Get one which will do the job, not the one which everyone else is getting because it's the "in thing" to do. I reccommend Toshiba.
I'm don't want an iPod because its an "in thing" to do. In fact I've wanted one ever since it first came out, the first gen that is. Toshiba sounds ok though. Their designs may not be stellar but I think their products are pretty much top notch.