X5, ID3, and larger repercussions...

doniago · 02-27-2006, 18:57

I've just heard it from iAudio_God that plans to support ID3 browsing on the X5 may have been abandoned...though ID3 browsing isn't integral to my enjoyment of the player, I think if the X5 ends up not supporting ID3 browsing my opinion of Cowon will be damaged. Just wondering how other people feel about this?

bitaram · 02-27-2006, 22:00

gr........ it's been such a long wait and they decide to abandon it?

i'll probably never buy cowon again... their best player (X5) doesn't have the promised support behind it...

NoComp · 02-28-2006, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitaram

gr......their best player (X5) doesn't have the promised support behind it...

I feel kind of ashamed to own a X5 since all this useless beta-firmware-stuff. If COWON won't show up with a fully functional X5-successor at 2006 CeBIT the last excusable explanation for all this firmware-delay will be gone. Then I'll be sure they just abandoned the X5 more or less.

My assumption from last week maybe an explanation for this beta-conspiracy:

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoComp

Trust me - COWON's X5-dapartment surely concentrated on the X5-successor so they can unveil a fully functional device at CeBIT in two weeks.

Come on, otherwise it would make no sense at all that they neglect their most important device firmware-wise for sooooo long. Now with the release of the U3-id3-firmware it gets even more frustrating.

However, if COWON won't unveil anything new and X5-like at CeBIT I'll be really dissapointed.

madcow · 02-28-2006, 19:46

I would be a shame.
Still hoping *fingers crossed*

Ant · 03-01-2006, 11:09

Well, as i have said before, they really don't have to release another update - they have never posted such things officially on their website. However, they should at least sort out DRM. So long on a beta is getting quite ridiculous now. If the Rockbox port does get finished, then i'll deffinitely be switching to that.

doniago · 03-01-2006, 13:34

I'm still wondering where CNet originally got its information that the X5 would ultimately support ID3 browsing via a firmware upgrade, because I _know_ that the lack of it right out of the box was a concern for me.

nwbrown · 03-01-2006, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant

Well, as i have said before, they really don't have to release another update - they have never posted such things officially on their website.

There is much more to customer relations than what is posted officially on one's website. Thats why companies are very careful as to what they release to the media or public about upcoming products. They don't want to end up in the situation that Cowon has landed themselves in in which you have promised (officially or not, it really doesn't matter) more than you can deliver.

afruff23 · 03-02-2006, 17:39

If they just add ID3 database to the 2.08 firmware, then I will be content as there is no DRM on that.

nwbrown · 03-02-2006, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by afruff23

If they just add ID3 database to the 2.08 firmware, then I will be content as there is no DRM on that.

Cowon has already stated they will not support an ID3 database on the x5.

And you do know that just because the firmware supports DRM doesn't mean you have to use it, right?

doniago · 03-02-2006, 18:51

Do you have a source for them saying they _definitely_ won't support ID3 databasing? The strongest source I had was iaudio_god, who I think said they _might_ abandon it.

nwbrown · 03-03-2006, 07:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by doniago

Do you have a source for them saying they _definitely_ won't support ID3 databasing? The strongest source I had was iaudio_god, who I think said they _might_ abandon it.

Generally speaking, companies are not going to go public regarding a decision if it is still in the "might" phase. Of course then again, it does seem Cowon's public relations has made this mistake in the past...

tigger · 03-08-2006, 20:19

You know I think it really stinks that Cowon hasn't released a firmware update for so long. The biggest draw for me was that Cowon cared about it's customers enough to frequently (or at least relatively frequently) update it's firmware. These are some basic things that shouldn't be that hard to implement - and I'm a s/w guy! I mean who makes a player without proper DRM or ID3?? Online music is a key driver for purchasing toys like this! I've been so proud of my player, but getting quite disappointed...

COWON may not care about it's X5 users, and those without an X5 may be excited that they are getting all the firmware they want, but guess what? Just like we were "ditched" guess what? When the next version is out, the other users will be ditched too. Guess what else? People that buy iaudios do a lot of research on forums such as this (as opposed to an iPod sheep), and they'll certainly pick up on these things.

COWON folks!!!!! You have a loyal following...that seems to be dwindling...you are not so strong in the market that you'll have our undying loyalty forever...PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CUSTOMERS... that way when we look for another version of player, we won't make it a point to NEVER consider iaudio again.

Geesh, why is this such a hard message to hear?
And loyal followers that may flame me, please...ask and ye shall receive??

Allen · 03-08-2006, 20:40

IMO they are working on new stuff.. and kinda busy so of course we wont see much in the way of new firmware because they are working on new playes..

doniago · 03-09-2006, 08:11

^In regards to that, it's nice that they're working on new players...but without ID3 browsing support for my X5 I won't be purchasing any of them. My X5 does everything I need in a DAP anyway, and I'm frankly not impressed by Cowon's support at this point, so why endorse them by buying another Cowon product?

MrMEC · 03-10-2006, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger

You know I think it really stinks that Cowon hasn't released a firmware update for so long. The biggest draw for me was that Cowon cared about it's customers enough to frequently (or at least relatively frequently) update it's firmware. These are some basic things that shouldn't be that hard to implement - and I'm a s/w guy! I mean who makes a player without proper DRM or ID3?? Online music is a key driver for purchasing toys like this! I've been so proud of my player, but getting quite disappointed...

COWON may not care about it's X5 users, and those without an X5 may be excited that they are getting all the firmware they want, but guess what? Just like we were "ditched" guess what? When the next version is out, the other users will be ditched too. Guess what else? People that buy iaudios do a lot of research on forums such as this (as opposed to an iPod sheep), and they'll certainly pick up on these things.

COWON folks!!!!! You have a loyal following...that seems to be dwindling...you are not so strong in the market that you'll have our undying loyalty forever...PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CUSTOMERS... that way when we look for another version of player, we won't make it a point to NEVER consider iaudio again.

Geesh, why is this such a hard message to hear?
And loyal followers that may flame me, please...ask and ye shall receive??

I feel EXACTLY the same way. I am extremely disappointed in Cowon and have already decided that I will no longer purchase any future products from them. I'd been looking forward to the X5 successor, but their treatment of their X5 customer base speaks volumes towards whether their future products will be worth the investment.

I'm generally happy with my X5L, but hate that there likely won't be any future firmware. That was a MAJOR factor in my purchase, and in addition to that I feel deceived for thinking there'd be an ID3 firmware when it's now pretty likely there will never be one. Right now I'm really wishing I'd waited and gotten the Vision M. At least Creative looks to have their act together, certainly much more so than Cowon.

View Poll Results: Cowon decides not to release ID 3 browsing support for the X5. What do you do?
Never buy another Cowon product.	3	4.41%
Check out competitors products first in the future. Avoid buying Cowon.	13	19.12%
Keep it in mind, but probably not avoid Cowon products.	18	26.47%
Nothing. I don't care whether Cowon releases ID3 browsing support for the X5.	34	50.00%
Voters: 68. You may not vote on this poll

02-27-2006, 18:57	#1
doniago I, Like, Do Stuff Here. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 4,651	X5, ID3, and larger repercussions... I've just heard it from iAudio_God that plans to support ID3 browsing on the X5 may have been abandoned...though ID3 browsing isn't integral to my enjoyment of the player, I think if the X5 ends up not supporting ID3 browsing my opinion of Cowon will be damaged. Just wondering how other people feel about this?

03-01-2006, 11:09	#5
Ant Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 337	Well, as i have said before, they really don't have to release another update - they have never posted such things officially on their website. However, they should at least sort out DRM. So long on a beta is getting quite ridiculous now. If the Rockbox port does get finished, then i'll deffinitely be switching to that. __________________ iAudio X5L 20GB Black zCover Creative EP-630 Dynatron SP-3 (Retro, lol)

03-08-2006, 20:19	#12
tigger Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5	It hurts me to say this... You know I think it really stinks that Cowon hasn't released a firmware update for so long. The biggest draw for me was that Cowon cared about it's customers enough to frequently (or at least relatively frequently) update it's firmware. These are some basic things that shouldn't be that hard to implement - and I'm a s/w guy! I mean who makes a player without proper DRM or ID3?? Online music is a key driver for purchasing toys like this! I've been so proud of my player, but getting quite disappointed... COWON may not care about it's X5 users, and those without an X5 may be excited that they are getting all the firmware they want, but guess what? Just like we were "ditched" guess what? When the next version is out, the other users will be ditched too. Guess what else? People that buy iaudios do a lot of research on forums such as this (as opposed to an iPod sheep), and they'll certainly pick up on these things. COWON folks!!!!! You have a loyal following...that seems to be dwindling...you are not so strong in the market that you'll have our undying loyalty forever...PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CUSTOMERS... that way when we look for another version of player, we won't make it a point to NEVER consider iaudio again. Geesh, why is this such a hard message to hear? And loyal followers that may flame me, please...ask and ye shall receive??

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02-27-2006, 22:00	#2
bitaram Rocker Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 34	gr........ it's been such a long wait and they decide to abandon it? i'll probably never buy cowon again... their best player (X5) doesn't have the promised support behind it...

02-28-2006, 19:46	#4
madcow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 492	I would be a shame. Still hoping fingers crossed

03-01-2006, 13:34	#6
doniago I, Like, Do Stuff Here. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 4,651	I'm still wondering where CNet originally got its information that the X5 would ultimately support ID3 browsing via a firmware upgrade, because I _know_ that the lack of it right out of the box was a concern for me.

03-02-2006, 17:39	#8
afruff23 Hater of Epithets Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,062	If they just add ID3 database to the 2.08 firmware, then I will be content as there is no DRM on that.

03-02-2006, 18:51	#10
doniago I, Like, Do Stuff Here. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 4,651	Do you have a source for them saying they _definitely_ won't support ID3 databasing? The strongest source I had was iaudio_god, who I think said they _might_ abandon it.

03-08-2006, 20:40	#13
Allen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 387	IMO they are working on new stuff.. and kinda busy so of course we wont see much in the way of new firmware because they are working on new playes..

03-09-2006, 08:11	#14
doniago I, Like, Do Stuff Here. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 4,651	^In regards to that, it's nice that they're working on new players...but without ID3 browsing support for my X5 I won't be purchasing any of them. My X5 does everything I need in a DAP anyway, and I'm frankly not impressed by Cowon's support at this point, so why endorse them by buying another Cowon product?