What would it take for you to buy an iPod?

[Beethovenian]

I saw this thread on a minidisc forum and thought it was an interesting question. We all know the iPod has the best software/player integration, reportedly very good sound and an absurd amount of accessories. It now has even quite cheap versions (if they can be considered so). So for those who don't currently own an iPod, what is it that's preventing you from joining the cult?

My reasons:
- The crucial one: lack of gapless playback. I'll simply never buy a player that's uncapable of correctly playing an album.
- The very important one: size. The iPod is certainly not a brick, but it could be more pocketable. At least considering Sony has something like the NW-HD1.
- The important one: battery life. I could live with the 12 hours of the iPod, but obviously the more, the better.
- The "it makes a difference" one: interface. Granted, the iPod is easy to use. But Apple could make artist and album's names scroll through the screen when you're browsing your lists. Sometimes you need more than the information that fits the screen, especially when looking for classical music, when albums can have names like Piano Sonata Op. 10 No. 1 or Piano Sonata Op. 10 No. 2.
- The "it's not important but I'd consider" one: design. The iPod is reasonably cute, but it's getting old. A rejuvenation (and the addition of some colors) would be nice. (I'm talking here about 20GB-plus players. The mini looks very nice, but it's just too small in terms of capacity.)

I have to admit the iPod's absurd popularity could still be an obstacle, since I really don't like to feel like a lemming. But if those issues listed were addressed I wouldn't have any real reason to not buy one.

 

[kloan]

I agree with every one of your points, but I still own an iPod. In fact, this is my third. First was a 3G 15GB, second a 3G 40GB, and now a 4G 40GB.

Reason? There's nothing better (IMO). If I had the capability to produce a product I designed, I have no doubt I could create something far superior to the iPod. I think a lot of people could. It's unfortunate there isn't a way for people like us to be able to design and build a product like these big companies seem to do with relative ease.

I need to win the lottery...

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kloan Reason? There's nothing better (IMO). If I had the capability to produce a product I designed, I have no doubt I could create something far superior to the iPod. I think a lot of people could. It's unfortunate there isn't a way for people like us to be able to design and build a product like these big companies seem to do with relative ease. I need to win the lottery...

must not be that easy...there's a difference between thinking up the best stuff and actually implementing/producing it. i can think of dozens of features that would make the ipod better, but that doesn't mean it could actually be done. moreover, if this product could actually be produced, would it be cheap enough that people would/could buy it?

 

[lan]

I used to have a 15GB 3rd generation. I sold it after a few months. Coming from minidisc since the mid 90s and a small flash player, the size was too large, it was too heavy, the battery life wasn't that good, and the bass was a little weak. I would need all those points taken care of before I buy any harddrive player. I might be able to give up a few of those if the sound quality is great.

 

[necropimp]

for me to buy an ipod it would have to come with a free iriver

 

[kloan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino must not be that easy...there's a difference between thinking up the best stuff and actually implementing/producing it. i can think of dozens of features that would make the ipod better, but that doesn't mean it could actually be done. moreover, if this product could actually be produced, would it be cheap enough that people would/could buy it?

thats what the engineers are for.. to take the ideas and make them a reality.. with apple you just have a bunch of people who'd rather tell us what features we want, instead of giving us what we want..

anything's possible.. i think apple just chooses not to implement certain features for whatever reasons..

i think the archos gmini 400 comes close, in terms of features.. they just fall short in the design and interface category..

here's what id like to see in a media player:

- nice, small design
- good battery life (replaceable battery)
- firmware updates
- gapless playback
- nice interface, customizable (skins, etc)
- multiple codec support
- video support w/ s-video out
- 3" color screen (lengthwize)
- optical in
- optical out (for new 5.1 mp3)
- built-in mic or stereo mic input w/ raw & compressed recording

is that too much to ask?

 

[Kirosia]

I would probably trade my IHP for an ipod. But going through the hassle of selling it and adding extra money is not worth it. I'll just wait for the 5th gen to come out and get the 4th at a good deal or something.

 

[scorpian007]

It would take me a lot to buy an iPod, since there are far superior products out there, which are also cheaper.

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kloan - optical out (for new 5.1 mp3)

I totally forgot about this! If I could have optical out, i'd run a full decked system. Set aside size and battery life and all and make it a backpack system

 

[mrkangpae]

I'm not getting one because my wallet hurts right now. One of the big problems I have with the iPod is that it demands serious accessorization. As in, expect up to $40 for a case and $40 for the dock for the lineout. With tax, that's a solid $90 in additional money. $90 is an SR-80.

 

[Seijang]

-optional drag and drop
-optional itunes
-gapless
-better firmware support than freaking iriver
-cheaper prices (competitive to iRiver, perhaps?)


That's about it. When I bought my first DAP, I skipped the iPod because the retards were forcing me to use software I didnt want nor need. I hate having software I don't want to use on my computer..

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beethovenian But Apple could make artist and album's names scroll through the screen when you're browsing your lists. Sometimes you need more than the information that fits the screen, especially when looking for classical music, when albums can have names like Piano Sonata Op. 10 No. 1 or Piano Sonata Op. 10 No. 2.

iPod Photo does this, both while selecting media and on when on display during playback. Does it much more elegantly than my iRiver iHP-140.

Dunno if other iPod models do as well.

Best regards,

-Jason

 

[kloan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpian007 It would take me a lot to buy an iPod, since there are far superior products out there, which are also cheaper.

such as...
Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcha iPod Photo does this, both while selecting media and on when on display during playback. Does it much more elegantly than my iRiver iHP-140. Dunno if other iPod models do as well.

nope, just the photo.. so far.. im sure the next model will have it too..

 

[Sebhelyesfarku]

Gapless playback, parametric equalizer.

 

[ricola_pak]

The main reason I didn't buy an iPod is because I don't wanna look like "everyone else".

I don't wanna appear "trendy", if anyone gets what I mean