Samsung and the art of MP3 players: YH 925

Sometimes Crave feels like there's only one way of writing about an MP3 player. We say that it could be an iPod killer, and tease you with the possibility that it's the non-Apple holy-grail of MP3 players you've been looking for. We work you into a frenzy. You are forced to read on.

You follow helplessly like an alcoholic behind a leaking Fuller's lorry. But then, just before you scream "God! This is it, they've finally killed the iPod!" we throw back the curtain -- and reveal that it's just another perfectly handsome but slightly less-able iPod imitation.

Since Crave has now revealed one of gadget writing's dirty little secrets, we'll just admit to you straight away that Samsung's new range of MP3 players, while bulging with features, don't look as cool as the iPod and aren't as easy to use. We've been playing with the YH-925, and though there's some neat recording features, and it has an impressive battery life, where's Samsung's Jonathan Ives? It seems strange that these unimaginably wealthy electronics companies don't just buy in some great designers. Do you know why? Let us know. -CS