[gamerbyron]

You know, I getting tired of hearing alot of people carrying Ipods. Ipods are everywhere, even at school, at work, in the mall, in the city etc. What's so good about Ipods? I've seen alot of people carrying it.

Whenever I read the school rules, it says " No cd players Ipods in the classrom".

[Dr. Chauncey]

I don't know why people like iPods. I don't. I prefer USB drive mp3 players because they don't require extra software, that usually destabalizes your computer anyway. I suppose your school rules say "no iPods" because so many people have them. My mother has one. It works fine but the iTunes software that is required causes all kinds of problems.

[Jones]

iPods are popular because of a few reasons:

Simplicity - easy to navigate and operate
Integration - Works equally well with Windows and Mac
Compatibillity - iTunes works on both Mac and Windows, and is compatible with EVERY iPod ever made
Form - Elegant design and quality construction
Marketing - Apple has done an incredibly good job marketing the iPod line, ever since it's inception

I have had two iPods so far, a 1st gen Nano, and a new 3rd gen Nano. Both have been problem-free and work beautifully. I have also had experience with other brands of MP3 players, including Sandisk and Samsung.

I can honestly say that Apple's iPod and iTunes combo is the best player/software available on any platform. Microsoft and other MP3 players just can't touch the simplicity and functionality that Apple has developed.

[gamerbyron]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...c-players.html

There's an article about antitrust.

[Jones]

Originally Posted by gamerbyron

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...c-players.html

There's an article about antitrust.

Interesting. Apple has a so-called monopoly on the online music industry because they realized early on the potential, and have developed software and hardware that works better than that of the competition. I find the position presented in that article hard to swallow, but in the North American 'sue everyone' environment, it seems that companies must strive for mediocrity in order to avoid litigation.

Bottom line is, Apple's iPod players are the most popular type because they just work.

Also, to the previous poster that mentions 'stability issues' arising from the usage of iTunes software, I would suggest that the problem lies elsewhere. As a user who has experience running iTunes on numerous machines, both Windows and Mac, it is the one piece of software that has generated the least amount of problems I've ever had the pleasure of using.

[gamerbyron]

Yeah, That is interesting, I been supprised that they have 177 billion dollars market share, last year was less than a 100 billion.

The only con about Ipod is the hard drive, if you drop the ipod on the floor, your hard drive is fried.

[Jones]

Originally Posted by gamerbyron

The only con about Ipod is the hard drive, if you drop the ipod on the floor, your hard drive is fried.

While I agree that the 'shock resistance' isn't as great as it should be with the large-capacity iPods, I think you'd find most players on the market wont stand up to that kind of accidental abuse. Of course, this is an unfortunate problem with pretty much every kind of electronic device.

[Dr. Chauncey]

I've got a USB drive mp3 player that you can chuck at the wall.

The stability issues with iTunes aren't guaranteed, they don't exist with every system. The way iTunes integrates with Windows causes problems with some people, and not necessarily with iTunes itself. I know a lot of people who run iTunes flawlessly. I also know a few who have had major problems. For example, one person uninstalled iTunes, using the iTunes uninstaller and it removed Windows system files needed for the computer to boot. I don't remember which files were missing but it was a registry problem. Out of the people I know and have heard of having problems, iTunes is not safe enough for me to recommend.

I prefer mp3 players that don't require any software because I require more versatility.

[gamerbyron]

Originally Posted by Dr. Chauncey

I've got a USB drive mp3 player that you can chuck at the wall.

The stability issues with iTunes aren't guaranteed, they don't exist with every system. The way iTunes integrates with Windows causes problems with some people, and not necessarily with iTunes itself. I know a lot of people who run iTunes flawlessly. I also know a few who have had major problems. For example, one person uninstalled iTunes, using the iTunes uninstaller and it removed Windows system files needed for the computer to boot. I don't remember which files were missing but it was a registry problem. Out of the people I know and have heard of having problems, iTunes is not safe enough for me to recommend.

I prefer mp3 players that don't require any software because I require more versatility.

I agree with you, its better to transfer files without the software and its easier, I been having problems with my MPIO and it requires a software to transfer files.

[Trogador]

I think, the way iPods have been marketed, that the idea sort of hangs in your head the next time you decide to get a portable music player. iPods are so popular that they've become a household name. The only problem I have with the iPod is the "faulty" lithium ion battery, in which you must pay $50 to send your iPod back to Apple to get a replacement battery. So far it hasn't affected me, but over time the battery power will start to dwindle in iPods.

[gamerbyron]

I see tragador, if they have so much money in their market, they should have a free replacement battery.

[DarqueMist]

iPods aren't the only mp3 players using non user replaceable lithium ion batteries. They are becoming common in most flash based players (probably because of the diminishing physical sizes). These batteries, like all batteries, will fail over time. However with typical use you should easily get 3 years out of it before its charge capacity diminishes enough for you to notice it (I'm using a first gen nano that I've owned since it first came out and am not noticing any issues yet ... and it gets used every day).

As for a $50 battery replacement charge ... lets be honest here how many people are using 3 year old mp3 players? Most have moved on by then because they want the latest toy on the block or they have lost / broken what they had. Manufacturers aren't bothering to design that feature in because they see no return for doing it.

[Dr.Mario]

I honestly dont know, i think there garbage and ill never buy one. I know lots of people with them and everyone of them tell me there junk and everyone cant get them to play video. Ill stick with my Very easy to use Mp3 player that is drag n Drop and only cost me 20 bucks. If i really wanted portable video ide just spend the money to get more ram in my Pocket Pc.



BTW, Zune is much better from what ive heard and seen

[mclarenvj]

at my school its a fashion

[DarqueMist]

Originally Posted by Dr.Mario

....
BTW, Zune is much better from what ive heard and seen

Then you need to open your eyes and start listening to more informed people. I can understand people dissin the iPod it does its job OK but is way over priced, over hyped and there are equally good alternatives out there for cheaper. THE ZUNE ISN'T ONE, it is also over priced and M$ has it so tightly bound to their version of DRM that the device can be a major pain to use