Why would i Pod ?

[LeftEyeNine]

Opinions please ?

[Lemur]

Here's a decent roundup of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Easy-to-Use Interface - The iPod's combination of simple the clickwheel and clear onscreen software makes it a snap to use out of the box.
• Best Software Integration - The iPod/iTunes connection makes managing the music on both the iPod and your computer almost effortless. No steep leaning curve here.
• Great Hardware - The hardware that is used to make the iPod is high quality, durable, and stylish.
• Best Online Store - The iTunes Store is far and away the best online store for filling your MP3 player to the brim with great music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, games, and audiobooks. No other online store offers as many choices or deals as good.
• Constant Innovation - Apple regularly adds new features to iTunes, the iTunes Store, and the iPod's software, giving you new content and capabilities all the time.
• Selection - With the four different iPod models, there's an iPod for every need and budget.

Cons

• Higher Price - Apple products generally cost more than their competitors. Fans would say that the price is justified by the better hardware, software, and experience. That may not make much difference to your bank account, though.
• Battery Life - This is less of a concern now than it was with the first few generations of iPods, but battery life has not always been as good as it should have been on the iPod.
• Non-Replaceable Battery - Compounding this problem, the customer can't replace the iPod's battery, as it requires taking the iPod apart. This can lead to either dead iPods or needing to pay for a battery replacement.

[LeftEyeNine]

Thanks so much.

How about its "sensitivity" against MP3s ? DRMMMmmmmm...

[Lemur]

Any type of MP3 is supported, and last I checked the iTunes store has gone completely DRM-free. The M4A format does not contain any DRM, either (M4A files that have DRM use the .m4p extension, and I haven't seen it for a while).

The only format-whack I can take against the iPod is that it does not support Ogg Vorbis out of the box, although a one-click download can remedy that.

[Beskar]

There are other cons such as you can't connect your ipod to any other computer other than your own. So even when you own more than one computer, it rewrites your entire collection to the one on that computer. This also makes it a very bad device to actually store/backup your music on, as it cannot be extracted from the iPod.

This used to be the case at least, because this and other reasons are the reason why I never got a new upgraded version, etc. (plus the fact it uses itunes only as well)

[Lemur]

Beskar, even a moment of Googling would show you that there are open-source tweaks for all of these complaints. That's one of the nice things about the iPod's popularity; if you have a gripe, the odds are very good that some enterprising hacker has fixed it.

[Beskar]

Beskar, even a moment of Googling would show you that there are open-source tweaks for all of these complaints. That's one of the nice things about the iPod's popularity; if you have a gripe, the odds are very good that some enterprising hacker has fixed it.

Oh? I would have to, I just know when I had an ipod a few years ago, it had all these limitations, etc.

Know of any yourself, Lemur?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

You can download software which will extract the music from your iPod back onto a computer - I've done that myself. Plugging your iPod into another computer will only overwrite your music if the other computer has iTunes and automatic sync is enabled.

[Lemur]

Know of any yourself, Lemur?

Sure, hundreds, but it all depends on what OS you're running and what you want to do. Searching "ipod" at Sourceforge, for instance, yields 290 hits. And if none of those 290 open-source projects does what you want, there are many other options.

[Thermal]

I pods (with the exception of i pod shuffle) are a lot more expensive than normal mp3, like a lot lot more expensive. I wouldn't spend so much money on a device that only plays music (even though I love music) Depending on what phone you have, I find it much easier to use your mobile for music, well my mobiles actually specifically designed for music, but even if it wasn't I would still use it.

It saves space and the annoyance of finding things by just having your mobile, as well as a mobile being able to do things an I pod can't (i.e: ring or maybe even text people ) The solution to this would be getting the I phone instead even though there like £400. However, I pods are quite cool, so if you want it for bragging purposes I recommend it.

[Beskar]

Thermal, you are in the UK aren't you?

Try to get Spotify. Unfortunately it is invite only and I don't have any invites myself. But if you hear for it, try to get it.

Basically, it is a service which does free music streaming and it has millions of titles. If you got a smart phone or iPhone, or even laptop/PC, you can just use it anytime.

[CrossLOPER]

I've had a 5th gen ipod nano for a couple of months now. It has an acceptable battery life, the sound quality is good, it's very responsive and the software is easy to use. I like it very much.

[Thermal]

Thermal, you are in the UK aren't you?

Try to get Spotify. Unfortunately it is invite only and I don't have any invites myself. But if you hear for it, try to get it.

Basically, it is a service which does free music streaming and it has millions of titles. If you got a smart phone or iPhone, or even laptop/PC, you can just use it anytime.

Hmmm, I've heard of that, though I don't believe in I pods I do use Itunes though and buy Itune cards. If I can't afford one and there is music I want I'll usually make a playlist on youtube to listen to or convert videos on youtube. Which provided it is for personal use is legal. So without the nice suggestion. I'll still survive no doubt.

[Lemur]

TM, how can you not "afford" an iPod? The base model is sixty bucks, and you can find them cheaper if you're clever.

If you can't afford an iPod, you also can't afford computer games.

[Thermal]

I pods (with the exception of i pod shuffle) are a lot more expensive than normal mp3, like a lot lot more expensive.

I did specify mwhaha..ha...

And I don't buy computer games anyone either...