Does Apple's iPod Touch Have Any Competitors?

As you would probably know, Microsoft has made a decision to kill it's line of Zune products. The Zune was an MP3 player produced by Microsoft to compete and rival Apple's iPod. However, most people speculate Microsoft took a little too long to release a competitor to the iPod, and with a lack of marketing, the Zune failed. The Zune did, however, have a great operating system and UI, in which appealed to many, including myself. Although the Zune itself was a great product, it sadly did not succeed nearly as much as they expected, and Microsoft has recently chosen to kill the line. The iPod has always been known to dominate the MP3 market, but at the time, Microsoft's Zune was it's one and only competitor. Now that the Zune is gone, are there any products that have a shot to stand up to the iPod? I honestly cant think of one. However, Samsung may have a product that could compete to Apple's hit-product the iPod Touch. Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy Player, an Android media player. This device will run 2.2, upgradeable to 2.3, and seems to be targeting Apple's iPod Touch. Samsung is making the player in both 4" and 5" screens, and is really focused on consuming media. I have to say, I do like what Samsung is doing with the Galaxy Player, but the true question is: Will Samsung be able to market this device enough to compete against the iPod? I know that most consumers prefer iOS over Android and other mobile OSs, due to iOS's simplicity and ease of use. Samsung will truly need to show consumers why their device is better than an iPod touch or other iPod. The main thing Samsung needs to focus on with the player, is marketing. I believe that the only reason the Zune failed, is due to a lack of marketing. If Samsung doesn't step it up with the marketing, I wouldn't be surprised if the Galaxy Player crashes and burns along with the Zune.

So, does the iPod have any competitors? Not at the moment, but competitors may be coming very soon.

-Andrew