iPod

[Beirut]

p.s. I've written a letter to Mr. Jobs at Apple, explaining that some of us can't afford to keep both ears tied up (for safety reasons) when outdoors - and could he think about somehow pumping both channels of sound thru a single earpiece. That was about a month ago - no response yet. :)

I use a stereo-2-mono adapter because I'm deaf in one ear. Not sure the adapter always works, though. There are still times I'm sure I'm missing some of the music.

I'd be happy to find a program that would convert music from stereo to mono and run all the stuff I stick in my MP3 player through it.

[Ramses II CP]

A touch screen for a device that is frequently stuck in a pocket or otherwise pressed and abraded against surfaces doesn't seem like a good idea. Just my two cents.

As far as iPods, they're very high utility tech devices IMHO. We've just bought a portable DVD player that will dock an iPod, which opens up a vast amount of free podcast type content to entertain the little one on trips. Of course it's also a portable HD, photo album, etc. iTunes just rates acceptable, but they've got more music and other content than any other service by a long way. Quite frankly even if the iPod were an inferior device I would probably compromise on it in order to have the broader selection of their library.

[Bijo]

I use a stereo-2-mono adapter because I'm deaf in one ear. Not sure the adapter always works, though. There are still times I'm sure I'm missing some of the music.

I'd be happy to find a program that would convert music from stereo to mono and run all the stuff I stick in my MP3 player through it.

If you use a stereo-to-mono adapter I would have to assume the whole signal would become mono, as in both channels (stereo left and right) become one.

If you need a program to convert the stereo files to mono I think there are some free ones around, but I don't really know for certain and where if they exist. Then again.... I'm not certain, but perhaps you could use any free desktop media player. For instance I remember that Winamp is able to write audio files to the disk if you want, and it should be possible to have it write them to mono.

I would not recommend however to convert them: (1) suppose you give a file to another person he or she would have mono forced; (2) you are already using an adapter which should function just fine; (3) in some cases mono would squeeze the signals too much together possibly creating conflicting signals (generally the audio quality would be decreased).

[edyzmedieval]

Momentarily I am using the phone memory to store all my music but 7 hours of music already filled a 512MB card, so it's clearly the time to get myself an MP3 player. Momentarily I saved enough to get myself a more expensive one, especially with Christmas coming up and me being totally clueless on what I want. (the first time it happens! )

So, Beirut's option is clearly one on my shortlist, along with a Touch and a Nano. Any other suggestions folks?

[Husar]

especially with Christmas coming up

What? Didn't we have that about a year ago already?

As to your problem, I guess it depends on how much music you want, I have a 1GB card for my cellphone and it's not even full IIRC.

[Mikeus Caesar]

I have the one on the right - the Creative Zen Vision:m. A 60GB monster with amazing screen quality and very easy to use controls. Best thing i've bought in years, despite it's rather hefty price tag. It will last me for quite a long time, and it's rather resilient - i've struggled to cause much damage. A few scratches to the screen through my own error, but nothing else. Much better than iPod's, which my friends are always complaining about having broken.

[Lorenzo_H]

I've got a Nano, not the newest edition, the second newest. The really thin one.

Its ok...

I'm thinking of getting an iPhone, though the iCliche is getting on my nerves too.

[Ramses II CP]

Don't you mean your inerves?