Don't want an iPod? Lots of choices available

By Franklin Paul

NEW YORK (Reuters) - When Marybeth Miller decided she wanted a digital player to carry around music from her massive collection, she had one important rule: no iPod.

"Everyone has an iPod. For some reason, I would rather find and purchase the 'hidden gem' MP3 player that is less popular," said Miller, a Wilmington, Delaware-based musician. "I don't like the idea that nearly everyone has an iPod. I feel this way about other things, too. I appreciate obscurity."

The good news is that for those wanting to steer clear of the legion of white headphones, there are several solid alternatives, from names such as SanDisk Corp (SNDK.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Creative Technology Ltd (CREA.SI: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Like "Livestrong" bracelets or Beanie Babies before them, iPods are everywhere -- Apple Inc (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has sold more than 100 million. But its just that ubiquity that makes some people want to avoid its digital bandwagon.

What is more, three out of four households still do not own a portable media player, studies show. That is why Apple rivals plan to take a bite out of the company's 70 percent market share.

"Apple will continue to hold a leading position during and beyond this holiday season, but you can't sell other vendors short," said IDC analyst Susan Kerkorian.

As the holidays approach, four brands likely to gain prominence are Sony's once-mighty Walkman; Sandisk's Sansa line; Zune, the new-kid-on-the-block from Microsoft; and the underdog, the Creative Zen line.

"We are now going to offer something that many people would love to have in their hands, an alternative (to the iPod)," said Steve Haber, a vice president at Sony Electronics."