Creative had an mp3 player that was shaped like a portable CD player [1]. I guess the idea was that it was a form factor that people were already comfortable with. If you're looking for a reason why Apple ended up on top of the portable mp3 market, this example always seemed to sum it up for me. Apple has its faults, but (with reference to the fake Henry Ford quote) it's never been the sort of company that sold its customers faster horses.

[1] http://mikeschinkel.com/images/creative-technology.nomad-juk...