iPods..

[haGGard]

...suck! LOL

But its true. People just buy them because they cant be bothered to search around for anything else. They are the most expensive, least compatible, shortest battery-life, MP3 player around.

iPods are a rip off

[neato]

Mummy not buying you one for Christmas? A shame. Or are you from the sandal-wearing iRiver school? :P
This particular ex-Creative (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=9019), iRiver (http://www.iriver.com/product/info.asp?p_name=H120), iAudio (http://eng.iaudio.com/zeroboard/product_M3_feature.php?bmenu=p&id=cw5001) (and current Sony (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=NWHD1KIT&Dept=pa&CategoryName=pa_DigitalMusicPlayers_Network)) owner still uses an iPod every day.

[llbbl]

Ipods are and were very innovative use of design and technology. They do not suck.

[haGGard]

you all being sucked into it! LOL, there are much better things around than an iPod.

iPod is at the bottom of my list of good mp3 players...

[neato]

Kids, eh? :smack :P

[haGGard]

bet im older than most of you on here..,.


so dont go and say "kids" when you havent got a clue...

[Ioman]

Well you spell like a 6-year old. hehe just teasing ya Haggard!

I am not a big fan of iPods either and will never buy one. I think the Archos Gmini 400 looks pretty cool though. Same with that new Sony Network walkman (whats the storage on that?).

[neato]

20Gb on the Sony. Only a third bigger than the iPod Mini. Much smarter to look at. uses nearly all of existing Sony display remotes. Cool piece of kit. Overall hardware wise about 200% better than the iPod(s). Firmware and software, about 800% worse than the iPod. Gmini looks good on paper, in real life leaves a lot to be desired.

[Ioman]

20Gb on the Sony. Only a third bigger than the iPod Mini. Much smarter to look at. uses nearly all of existing Sony display remotes. Cool piece of kit. Overall hardware wise about 200% better than the iPod(s). Firmware and software, about 800% worse than the iPod. Gmini looks good on paper, in real life leaves a lot to be desired.

What is wrong with the firmware on the Sony? Also is it compatible with regular MP3's or do they need to be converted?

My guess is that since Apple has so few product lines, they can invest more time into the software development of their iPods.

[neato]

What is wrong with the firmware on the Sony? Also is it compatible with regular MP3's or do they need to be converted?

My guess is that since Apple has so few product lines, they can invest more time into the software development of their iPods.


No playlisting facilities to speak of. ATRAC only. A cumbersome heirarchical menu system on the lines of the iRiver, which works well for low-capacity devices but not on one capable of storing thousands of tracks. In fact I use the HD1 like a Discman. When I only want to listen to a more limited selection like new music I bought, I'll stick it on the HD1. To have a varied range of music I'll go back to the iPod.
I don't have any guesses about how Apple spends it's money. But although their hardware isn't the hottest around, it is well (if somewhat for the feminine side of us all) designed, performs well and they know exactly what they're doing in terms of said hardware's usability, software and firmware. I've not seen a better combination of the three than the way it's implemented on the iPod. The Sony's a good alternative for those with a sense of style and looks more male. Even the pink NW-HD2 contrives to look more macho than the pink Mini. But the usability and software doesn't make the grade.
Since all I want to do is to listen with the best quality and in the easiest most versatile way possible, I'll live with the gay looking hardware and concentrate on the music.

[llbbl]

Don't buy sony you only support the RIAA regieme

[vinsm]

hey staunch manly neato, whats wrong with the gmini in real life? I'm kinda predicting the probs I'm going to encounter but I think it'll meet my expectations. +buying it from amazon works out to be cheaper than 4th gen ipod bought her in NZ.

[ipodcity]

ipods are not a rip off...have you ever even used them. i wonder y else ipods make up most of the mp3 market