New iPod Features: 12 Hour Battery, Lower Prices; Goodbye 15GB
TMO Reports - New iPod Features: 12 Hour Battery, Lower Prices; Goodbye 15GB
by , 8:00 AM EDT, July 18th, 2004
Further details of the new white iPod, to be officially announced by Apple Monday, have surfaced through a sidebar story accompanying Newsweek magazines feature article on Apple CEO Steve Jobs and the iPod phenomenon.
Key features of the new iPod are:
- 50% improvement in battery life to 12 hours from the current eight through better power conservation.
- A click wheel identical in design and functionality to that of the iPod mini.
- A thinner iPod by one millimeter.
- More efficient menus, so there's less thumbing through to get to content.
- New ability to create multiple playlists and delete songs from them.
- Variable speed control to listen to content faster or slower.
- No new hard drive sizes, but lower prices. The 20GB will now cost US$299 from $399 and the 40GB model will cost $399 from $499. The 15GB is being phased out.
At the time of this writing, access to the sidebar story was unavailable due to a "Network Error".
Observer Comments
Sun Jul 18, 2004 9:43 am Subject: No Lower Price - Cheapest iPod Is Still $299
Sun Jul 18, 2004 11:17 am Subject: RC bought a Dell DJ?
I don't usually respond to trolls' but when their fact are just wrong I thin k it is important to set the record straight.
According to the C-Net web site the Dell dJ (all versions) scores an editors choice award and an editors rating of 8.0. This is "very good."
The iPod (all versions) on the other hand is also an editors choice. And the editors rating of 8.7 is higher then the DJ's. The 40GB iPod scores a 9.0.
The poor DJ not only gets spanked by the iPod but by al least 4 other players.
Someone needs to check their reality. What I did find interesting is that on list "Editors' Top Portable audio" the 9.0 40GB iPod is left off, but not the 8.0 DJ. Why would a site leave a higher scoring product off its "Top" list?
Oh and if you want to verify my facts just link over tho http://reviews.cnet.com
Update:
If you get a listing of all MP3 players sorted by editor's rating the dell DJ does not show up until #13 (the second page for the default viewing settings). And 6 of the top 10 spots (including #1 and #2) are held by the iPod and iPod mini.
The Dell DJ also gets beat by 6 non-iPod players as well. Including, interestingly enough, 2 that do not have an "Editor's Choice" despite their higher "Editor's Rating."
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Wow get excited about 12 hour battery life, the Dell DJ 15 has 20 hour battery life and costs only $199. The Dell DJ 15 holds over 3700 songs at 128 kbps. You don't need a 20 GB player, it's Apple's way of extracting an extra $100 out of Apple iLemmings and locking them into the overpriced iTunes store.
Too bad the iPod didn't win CNET Editor's Choice like the Dell DJ.
Overpriced itunes store? 99 cents is a bargain for one song. You go back to your dell loyalists friend. Oh wait dell loyalists has no friends because they think they are always right. I heard the dell Dj has 2 batteries in it and they are not replaceable and dell has no program up. I really doubt the Dell dj is 128kbps. The only reason dell dj hold 7000 songs is because dell is a flat out liar more then apple. The dell dj plays the el crappo WMAs. Smaller then mp3s but, horable sound quality. Cnet editors choice was bought out by Dell(yeah that will be the day).
Sun Jul 18, 2004 2:42 pm Subject: Re: New iPod Features: 12 Hour Battery, Lower Prices; Goodby
Quoteadmin wrote:
Further details of the new white iPod have surfaced, including longer battery life, thinner design, mutliple playlists, variable listening speeds and a US$100 price cut to boot.
Does anyone know if this still has the mirror-style back or whether the entire enclosure is white now? How about the carrying case -- is it "clip in" like the mini or "drop in" (and subsequently drop out, for those of use who are still trying to diet) like the previous generation iPods?
iPod is still THE MOST EXPENSIVE 20gb music player on the market.
It's underpowered, overpriced, and is missing a slew of features available in other, less expensive players.
Where's my USB? Where's my built-in voice recorder? Where's my built-in radio tuner?
And don't give me any nonsense about intuitive user interface. I had a hard time using an iPod at an Apple store (not to mention the salesman was condescending when I told him I owned a PC.) I found the Dell Jukebox to be much easier to use.
I can't believe that people are getting sucked into this Apple nonsense.
QuoteGuest wrote:
iPod is still THE MOST EXPENSIVE 20gb music player on the market.
It's underpowered, overpriced, and is missing a slew of features available in other, less expensive players.
Where's my USB? Where's my built-in voice recorder? Where's my built-in radio tuner?
And don't give me any nonsense about intuitive user interface. I had a hard time using an iPod at an Apple store (not to mention the salesman was condescending when I told him I owned a PC.) I found the Dell Jukebox to be much easier to use.
I can't believe that people are getting sucked into this Apple nonsense.
As I said to rc. You can go back to your dell loyalists friends. Oh wait dell loyalists have no friends because they are to iggnorant. I am sick of tired of hearing ipod expensive. Then you can track down all of 5 million+ people and kiss there ass because the ipod is the best mp3 player. If you have nothing good to say don't say it. I bet you that you are Michael Dell. Or at least works for him. Underpowered? Please explain. The dell dy has 2 bateries nim wad thats is why it gets 20 hours.
No different than people getting sucked into Microsofts nonsense.. I guess it is somewhat different, Apples products do as promised... Last time I checked the iPod worked with USB... If you want a radio and voice recorder options the 10 lb Dell jukebox is for you.. As for me I want a small compact iPod...
[quote="Guest"]
QuoteGuest wrote:
iPod is still THE MOST EXPENSIVE 20gb music player on the market.
It's underpowered, overpriced, and is missing a slew of features available in other, less expensive players.
Where's my USB? Where's my built-in voice recorder? Where's my built-in radio tuner?
And don't give me any nonsense about intuitive user interface. I had a hard time using an iPod at an Apple store (not to mention the salesman was condescending when I told him I owned a PC.) I found the Dell Jukebox to be much easier to use.
I can't believe that people are getting sucked into this Apple nonsense.
The answer for RC and the other Dell DJ lovers was wonderfully put by Nitrozac http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/385.html
What there are no Dell fan groups. Gee I wonder why?
Sun Jul 18, 2004 5:31 pm Subject: Some musings...
Do Dell still make this DJ thing? - I haven't ever seen one here in NZ -
Oh but strangely enough I've seen hundreds of overpriced, underpowered, underspec'd iPods....mmmmm iLemmings everywhere here too!
Could it be that the iPod is just a great product?
- no surely it is just that Apple's incredibly good marketing hype has sucked us all in.
Yet that same marketing hasn't sucked in 50% of the computer market......I'm confused -
I really must buy one of those Dell DJ Bricks then I'll feel better - phew its good not to be part of the herd.....
Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:17 pm Subject: Re: No Lower Price - Cheapest iPod Is Still $299
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Wow get excited about 12 hour battery life, the Dell DJ 15 has 20 hour battery life and costs only $199. The Dell DJ 15 holds over 3700 songs at 128 kbps. You don't need a 20 GB player, it's Apple's way of extracting an extra $100 out of Apple iLemmings and locking them into the overpriced iTunes store.
Too bad the iPod didn't win CNET Editor's Choice like the Dell DJ.
Too bad nothing
My original 10 GB iPod is still going strong. The problem with the Dell DJ is that one is locked into using an unpopular music format. With the iPod I can use the award-winning iTunes Music Store and purchase my music in the AAC format used by most people who choose to legally obtain music over the 'Net.
Sun Jul 18, 2004 11:00 pm Subject:
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Wow get excited about 12 hour battery life, the Dell DJ 15 has 20 hour battery life and costs only $199. The Dell DJ 15 holds over 3700 songs at 128 kbps. You don't need a 20 GB player, it's Apple's way of extracting an extra $100 out of Apple iLemmings and locking them into the overpriced iTunes store.
Too bad the iPod didn't win CNET Editor's Choice like the Dell DJ.
Ummm... You either get 3700 songs at 128kbps OR 20 hours of battery life. Not both (quite possibly not EITHER, but that can be debated later), since Dell calculates the battery life based on using 64kbps WMA format songs of 4 minute length, allowing it to load more music into RAM and saving power by not running the hard drive. And the only way to get 3700 is if you use WMA, which some have determined is an inferior codec (only ATRAC came in lower).
And give the "overpriced iTunes store" junk a rest. It is very competitive with the rest of the industry. If it was so overpriced, it would not be selling more songs than all the rest (likely all the rest combined).
Nice attempt at a troll, but facts kinda get in the way, don't they?
Sun Jul 18, 2004 11:39 pm Subject: You silly Dell people
Wow, you Dell Jukebox people are either really jealous or really rude...probably both. Is this a Dell Jukebox nation? No...it's an iPod Nation
Mon Jul 19, 2004 1:02 am Subject:
QuoteIntruder wrote:
Ummm... You either get 3700 songs at 128kbps OR 20 hours of battery life. Not both (quite possibly not EITHER, but that can be debated later), since Dell calculates the battery life based on using 64kbps WMA format songs of 4 minute length, allowing it to load more music into RAM and saving power by not running the hard drive. And the only way to get 3700 is if you use WMA, which some have determined is an inferior codec (only ATRAC came in lower).
And give the "overpriced iTunes store" junk a rest. It is very competitive with the rest of the industry. If it was so overpriced, it would not be selling more songs than all the rest (likely all the rest combined).
Nice attempt at a troll, but facts kinda get in the way, don't they?
We'll know more in the a.m., but I think the barrier to entry in the digital music player market has just been raised.
It will be very difficult for other manufacturers to compete on price with Apple. The indirect winner on the PC side is HP. The Hpod deal looks sweeter by the minute.
The Dell paradigm has now been turned on its head. Dell is stuck with a minority-format product and no longer a real price advantage as iPod prices come down.
Further, the various WMA-only music download sites lack iTMS ease-of-use, appeal and in many cases selection as well.
I amazed how quickly Apple has cemented its leadership in this market.
Dell should have jumped at a deal similar to HP's but now it may be too late. The thin-margin, make a buck on everyone else's technology will cost Dell dearly this time as the company struggles to gain traction in this emerging market.
Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:15 am Subject: Too bad the the Dell DJ isn't ...
Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:19 am Subject: 50 bucks between 4 and 20 gigs
Considering the top end price drop, I sense an Ipod-Mini price price drop in the offing. Unless they upgrade the thing too.
Come what may, be prepared for the usual can't make them fast enough situation with the new player. Seems Apple loves to drive up demand by keeping early stocks low.
Mon Jul 19, 2004 6:54 am Subject: Will be getting my son a new iPod! / Booganosefunk
I wonder why Reaity Check keeps trolling around the message boards.
Maybe he's trying to be a devils advocate or something, just can't figure it out. It would be nice if Reality Check would be a bit more objective.
After all, how can apple be doing everything wrong?
My guess is that Reality Check is Michael Dell.
Booganosefunk
Quoteronito6 wrote:
Considering the top end price drop, I sense an Ipod-Mini price price drop in the offing. Unless they upgrade the thing too.
I suppose it's all in how you look at it...Either the price was dropped and capacity remained the same, or price remained the same and capacity increased. The latter is basically what we've seen in the past, and frankly, I think is what we're seeing now. I expect a 60-GB iPod to be released shortly after today's two models. I also think that the delay of the 60-GB model is an ATI-style slap on Toshiba's wrist.
But either way you look at it, it's a great deal, and now might be the time I finally break down and buy my first iPod.
Mike Dell, Reality Check, Paul Thurrott (if he's different from RC), and the CNET reviews editor (face it, 90% of CNET ads are Dell ads). This is compared to the millions of people (probably nearing 2 million) who own an iPod and the countless others waiting for a pay raise, Christmas or birthday gift, or random impulse to get an iPod. Face it RC, Dell actually got spanked for making a crappy product for once. Maybe soon you will see the light (but I really doubt RC has that much in the way of being humble).
And the pathetic arguments to prop up the iPod versus the Dell DJ are even more flimsy than that crappy click wheel.
Before we begin, please learn to spell. What's wrong, your $15,000 eMac not come with a spell checker? If english is not your native language, get off the english board and don't come back until you've mastered it. mkthx.
It's really too bad nobody bothered to address the criticisms put forward earlier. So, let's bring them up again: where's the FM tuner? Or even an FM transmitter? Where's the voice recorder? Line-in, line-out? Built-in USB? Now you know why the iPod is generally smaller and lighter: BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY DAMNED FEATURES! Oops.
But, wait, what's this? The Rio Karma 20gb player is 5.5 oz??? HOW CAN THIS BE??? HOW CAN ANOTHER COMPANY MAKE A PLAYER THAT'S LIGHTER THAN THE iPOD???? OMGTHEWORLDISCOMINGTOANEND!!!!!! Oops.
What audio formats does the iPod support? Well, instead of WMA, you get AAC. I guess it's the devil you know. Oh, and you get several Apple-proprietary formats, instead of other industry-wide formats. Oops.
Now we get to the big stuff. Why is the iPod so popular? Because they're the ONLY ONES ADVERTISING! Makes me wish other player manufacturers would get off their asses and market their units. When the iPod isn't selling in a vacuum anymore, then we'll see how well it sells at $100 MORE EXPENSIVE than the Dell Jukebox. Oops.
Sorry Apple zombies. In reality, the iPod just doesn't hold up to scrutiny. It's too bad the general public doesn't know that other players exist. If they did, you'd see the iPod market share crumble to 5%, just like it's computer market share. Oops.
But, don't be so down. Here - I'll play my pity violin for all of you...
Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:40 pm Subject: Re: Even bigger joke
QuoteAnonymous Coward wrote:
And the pathetic arguments to prop up the iPod versus the Dell DJ are even more flimsy than that crappy click wheel.
This is a personal opinion so I will not reply.
QuoteAnonymous Coward wrote:
Before we begin, please learn to spell. What's wrong, your $15,000 eMac not come with a spell checker? If english is not your native language, get off the english board and don't come back until you've mastered it. mkthx.
Perhaps you should learn to tolerate others or else you just come across as racist, its the world-wide web not the "Speak English or Die" web.
QuoteAnonymous Coward wrote:
It's really too bad nobody bothered to address the criticisms put forward earlier. So, let's bring them up again: where's the FM tuner? Or even an FM transmitter? Where's the voice recorder? Line-in, line-out? Built-in USB? Now you know why the iPod is generally smaller and lighter: BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY DAMNED FEATURES! Oops.
The whole reason I have a hard drive based music player is so I can pick my own songs and not listen to comericals so the lack of an FM tuner doesn't even show on my radar. What is great about the iPod is Apple's willingness to give other companies the ability to create add-ons such as FM transmitters, voice recorders, battery extending devices, media readers, and much much more.
QuoteAnonymous Coward wrote:
But, wait, what's this? The Rio Karma 20gb player is 5.5 oz??? HOW CAN THIS BE??? HOW CAN ANOTHER COMPANY MAKE A PLAYER THAT'S LIGHTER THAN THE iPOD???? OMGTHEWORLDISCOMINGTOANEND!!!!!! Oops.
How many accessories are available for the Rio?
QuoteAnonymous Coward wrote:
What audio formats does the iPod support? Well, instead of WMA, you get AAC. I guess it's the devil you know. Oh, and you get several Apple-proprietary formats, instead of other industry-wide formats. Oops.
AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 (32 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible, AIFF, Apple Lossless and WAV. Only AAC and Apple Lossless are Apple proprietary formats, Audible is also proprietary but they license their codecs from other companies such as Sony the rest are indeed "industry-wide formats".
QuoteAnonymous Coward wrote:
Now we get to the big stuff. Why is the iPod so popular? Because they're the ONLY ONES ADVERTISING! Makes me wish other player manufacturers would get off their asses and market their units. When the iPod isn't selling in a vacuum anymore, then we'll see how well it sells at $100 MORE EXPENSIVE than the Dell Jukebox. Oops.
The ease of use, the award winning iTunes Music Store, and all the positive reviews have nothing to do with the iPod's popularity? If it was advertising alone don't you think other companies would do it?
QuoteAnonymous Coward wrote:
Sorry Apple zombies. In reality, the iPod just doesn't hold up to scrutiny. It's too bad the general public doesn't know that other players exist. If they did, you'd see the iPod market share crumble to 5%, just like it's computer market share. Oops.
Who's scrutiny yours, I guess it doesn't. To the hundreds of reviewers who disagree with you I guess it does. I can't help but wonder why you have this personal resentment towards any company. It must be rough to live in such a frustrated state of mind. Did Steve Jobs run over your puppy when you were 12?
QuoteAnonymous Coward wrote:
But, don't be so down. Here - I'll play my pity violin for all of you...
Good thing I have my iPod to drown out the noise.
"Guest,"
Get used to the fact that you have no right to tell anyone where they should and should not go on the Web and especially this site. I'd rather have 50 civilized non-English speaking people here than one arrogant blowhard like yourself.
QuoteOh, and you get several Apple-proprietary formats, instead of other industry-wide formats. Oops.
Alert the media. Some anonymous coward just proclaimed that mp3 isn't the most popular audio format on the planet. Oh, and if you're talking about the music download industry, AAC *is* the most widely used format, not WMA. Open your eyes to the fact that the iPod is burying WMA for digital music.
-Dan
Sat Jul 24, 2004 12:34 am Subject: Dell will pay you to buy el crapo deviceo
Why would a company pay you to buy their product??? It's only so they can recoop the money they lost and come out with DJ 2 (el shito grande). I can get a DJ by turning in a 15 ipod (so they can sell it on ebay for face value) and pay 99 for an inferior product...........Yes sign me up
-AJ-
(aside note: once again, if you can't speak English, don't come to an English speaking board. I don't speak Italian. You don't see me going to an Italian board. Give me the courtesy I give you, and stick to your native language.)
I see the iPod Apologists are out in force. Sadly, you STILL HAVEN'T ANSWERED THE CRITICISMS. Let's go down it ONE MORE TIME, shall we?
1. Why is my iPod more expensive than a competitive unit with features? Okay, you don't want the FM tuner, or the other bells & whistles. Why am I still forced to pay $100 too much for the iPod? Why can't Apple get their prices under control?
2. iPod is (kind of) the smallest, lightest player available. At least, until you add the feature plug-ins which make it entirely unwiedly to handle. Why do iPod people insist on claiming iPod is the smallest & lightest player (when compared to other units with comparable featuers), when it simply isn't true?
3. iPod's popularity. Why do you think iPod is getting the attention of reviewers? Because of the advertising. The Dell DJ is as easy to use as the iPod (in several reviewers opinions), and it isn't tethered to an unusable music store. Why doesn't the DJ get more attention? Because Dell doesn't advertise. That's the only reason.
4. Now, once again, let's count the number of Apple proprietary formats (or, if you prefer to say, the formats ONLY Apple is using): AAC, Audible, AIFF and Apple Lossless. Yes, I think that counts as "several." Who uses these formats? Apple people, and no one else. Where's my OGG, FLAC, or WMA standards? Oh that's right, they're on all of the OTHER players in the industry.
It's amazing how well you iLemmings turn on the blinders. The iPod is an overpriced, average-at-best product whose sole advantage is retail exposure. There just isn't a single technical achievement of the iPod that justifies it's praise. I can get an equivalent player for $100 cheaper, or a better player for $60 less. That right there should tell you everything you need to know about the iPod: don't buy one.
Tue Aug 03, 2004 1:53 am Subject: Re: still doesn't stand up to scrutiny
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
(aside note: once again, if you can't speak English, don't come to an English speaking board. I don't speak Italian. You don't see me going to an Italian board. Give me the courtesy I give you, and stick to your native language.)
I see the iPod Apologists are out in force. Sadly, you STILL HAVEN'T ANSWERED THE CRITICISMS. Let's go down it ONE MORE TIME, shall we?
1. Why is my iPod more expensive than a competitive unit with features? Okay, you don't want the FM tuner, or the other bells & whistles. Why am I still forced to pay $100 too much for the iPod? Why can't Apple get their prices under control?
2. iPod is (kind of) the smallest, lightest player available. At least, until you add the feature plug-ins which make it entirely unwiedly to handle. Why do iPod people insist on claiming iPod is the smallest & lightest player (when compared to other units with comparable featuers), when it simply isn't true?
3. iPod's popularity. Why do you think iPod is getting the attention of reviewers? Because of the advertising. The Dell DJ is as easy to use as the iPod (in several reviewers opinions), and it isn't tethered to an unusable music store. Why doesn't the DJ get more attention? Because Dell doesn't advertise. That's the only reason.
4. Now, once again, let's count the number of Apple proprietary formats (or, if you prefer to say, the formats ONLY Apple is using): AAC, Audible, AIFF and Apple Lossless. Yes, I think that counts as "several." Who uses these formats? Apple people, and no one else. Where's my OGG, FLAC, or WMA standards? Oh that's right, they're on all of the OTHER players in the industry.
It's amazing how well you iLemmings turn on the blinders. The iPod is an overpriced, average-at-best product whose sole advantage is retail exposure. There just isn't a single technical achievement of the iPod that justifies it's praise. I can get an equivalent player for $100 cheaper, or a better player for $60 less. That right there should tell you everything you need to know about the iPod: don't buy one.
Then DON'T!
Tell the guy that is holding a gun to your head making you buy an iPod to go away!
BTW...Audible is available to anybody. Apple did not invent it, Audible did. And WMA is not a standard. Just because Microsoft invented it does not make it a standard. AAC is an open standard, not invented by Apple. It also is available to anybody.
Dell doesn't advertise? Dude! Where have you been? Ask Steven when he gets out of jail for marijuana about Dell advertising. Not advertising the DJ is their choice.
I see RC can't (or won't) sign in.
I see the Apple people still can't answer the critical questions posed earlier.
Why is the iPod $100 too expensive? Where are the missing features? Why do you claim iPod is the smallest & lightest player around when, as soon as you add on comparible features via modules, it becomes just as large and heavy as other players?
And I love how people are skirting the codec issues. AAC is an industry format? No, it's Audible's format, and Apple is the only one using it via their mangled fairplay implementation. So, not only is it not a standard, it's a proprietary implementation of a non-standard. Way to go, Apple. Only you could figure out how to mangle a codec even worse than Microsoft.
I can stand the baseless accusations that claim I'm RC (whoever that is), and the pointless insults. They bother me about as much as a five year old sticking his tongue out. But what truly irks me is the absolute denial Apple apologists live in about the sad state of their technology.
Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:55 pm Subject:
AAC has absolutely nothing to do with Audible.
The AAC used in the iPod is the audio portion of the MPEG-4 standard ISO/IEC 13818-7:2003. It is, by definition, an ISO standard. The only thing proprietary is the FairPlay DRM implementation. Just as Microsoft's Janus is a proprietary DRM implementation.
BTW, Apple is NOT the only company that has ever supported AAC in their players. Compaq (iPaq PA1), Panasonic (SV-SD85) and Iomega (HipZip) have all made players that support iterations of AAC.
As for being too expensive, the market decides that. If it was $100 overpriced, it would not be selling well, and Apple would either have to lower the price or kill the product. Sales figure show differently. Evidently the buying public does not think it is overpriced. Expensive, yes. Overpriced, no.
The mini, in its base configuration, is possibly (I don't know ALL of the competitors, so I cannot say for certain) the smallest and lightest of its kind. Talking about the add-ons is a specious argument. If you add a brick to it, it is also no longer light. Not everybody uses these add-ons. Don't assume that just because you want all of these items that everybody else does. If you do want all of that stuff, then buy a unit that meets your needs. Nobody is forcing you to buy an iPod. If you want one, then you have to accept its "limitations."
One thing that dooms many products is trying to be all things to all people. The iPod does primarily one thing (play music) and does it very well. If this is not sufficient for you, then seek a different product.
QuoteGuest wrote:
and it isn't tethered to an unusable music store.
I usually don't post in these flamestrings, but had to point out the fact that Target (yes that big nationwide store that is #2 behind WalMart...and sells much better/classier items) has iTMS gift cards you can buy and use at the store. In fact in the stores around here they are at every single check out line and in the Electronics section. In one store I even saw them in the Toys section. I haven't seen any other online music stores offering gift cards at major retailers. Maybe I'm just missing them...who knows, but a music store that restricts you to a credit card seems more UNUSABLE. Especially for all the millions of people who don't/can't have one.
Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:00 am Subject:
Thought I'd check back to see if anyone posted anything lucid or intelligent.
Oh well, hope springs eternal.
Still no explanation why the iPod, with less features, is far more expensive than any other player.
Still no rebuttal for Apple's proprietary formats. (And, yes, their implementation of AAC with that Fairplay crap IS a proprietary codec. Take one of their AAC files and try to play it on another player. Ooops, won't work!)
Still no explanation for why iPod doesn't have a built-in firewire or USB port. Or built-in FM tuner, or voice recorder, etc. etc. etc.
Still claiming iPod is the lightest player available when it actually isn't.
---
Well, at least the non-english speaking idiots have gone. I guess any small victory is good when you're preaching to the deaf with a loudspeaker.
Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:41 pm Subject: Re: Any new arguments? Nope.
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
Still no explanation why the iPod, with less features, is far more expensive than any other player.
The iRiver 20GB player is $329 at Best Buy
Link.
While it has FM and voice recording, it also lacks mac and firewire support.
Sony's 20GB HD player is $400
Link.
Additionaly, while it "supports" mp3 and others, they must all first be converted to ATRAC3
Thu Aug 19, 2004 12:36 am Subject: Re: Any new arguments? Nope.
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
Thought I'd check back to see if anyone posted anything lucid or intelligent.
Oh well, hope springs eternal.
Still no explanation why the iPod, with less features, is far more expensive than any other player.
Still no rebuttal for Apple's proprietary formats. (And, yes, their implementation of AAC with that Fairplay crap IS a proprietary codec. Take one of their AAC files and try to play it on another player. Ooops, won't work!)
Still no explanation for why iPod doesn't have a built-in firewire or USB port. Or built-in FM tuner, or voice recorder, etc. etc. etc.
Still claiming iPod is the lightest player available when it actually isn't.
---
Well, at least the non-english speaking idiots have gone. I guess any small victory is good when you're preaching to the deaf with a loudspeaker.
It does not matter how anybody replies to your posts. You will not "listen" to any responses anyway.
Oh, this is just getting sad. You iLemmings are putting more spin on your iPod than a presidential campaign. (POLITICAL HUMOR - HA!)
First off, let's look at those prices posted. Here's what I was able to find for pricing:
iRiver 20gb - $275 online:
http://www.shopharmony.com/product.asp?file=cnet&i=IHP120
Built-in USB port. On-the-fly encoding (no PC or *MAC* required). Oh, and boo-hoo for no Mac support on it's software. What's that? I lost 5% of the computer market that's locked into the iPod anyway? OH NOES!!!!! Such pain at the failure ... to capture the overpriced niche market.
iPod 20gb - $299 online:
http://store.apple.com/
No built-in port whatsoever. USB and Fireware available through the docking base. No on-the-fly encoding.
Sony's 20gb player doesn't count because it's not actually an MP3 player. It's crap. It's total crap. It's unbelievably crappy. If you have to resort to comparing the iPod to the crappiest portable music player on the planet to make your iPod look good, you know you're in trouble, buddy.
---
So, once again, completely idiotic replies that fail to defend the iPod as a competitive product. I'm sorry guys, but everytime you open your mouths, you instantly insert your feet. The iPod is a piece of crap over-priced player, and there's nothing you can do to defend it.
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- Free on iTunes - Musée du Louvre, Art Lite, SketchBook Mobile X and More.
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The Mac Observer Reader Specials
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