Hoping to make a mark in the Apple iPod-dominated MP3 player market, Samsung will be releasing the YP-Z5 2GB and 4GB flash players, thanks to the leadership of Paul Mercer, a veteran Apple Macintosh software designer. Mercer says, "My whole vision has been to take Macintosh-class technology and to move it into new places."

The YP-Z5 supports "PlayForSure" WMA subscription music services, such as Napster and Rhapsody, and its 4GB version is the first player to support these subscription services.

The YP-Z5 features:

• 1.8" Color TFT-LCD display
• 35-hour playback time
• 25,000-picture storage
• Comes with earphones, USB cable, and install CD
• Touchpad navigation
• Photo Viewer
• Customizable player background with JPEG images
• Choice of black or silver

Expect the YP-Z5 on store shelves March 5th, priced at $199 to $249, which will surely compete with the iPod Nano ($232 to $270).

[Found via NYTimes]