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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Thursday, July 24, 2003

So why the hubbub about portable audio players?
I have a 5 GB iPod, which was the first model Apple offered. Indeed, Apple gave me the device in November 2001, so I've never actually paid for a portable audio player. Now, however, I'm in the market for a new one, as 5 GB doesn't even come close to handling the amount of digital audio I own. Naturally, given my good luck with the iPod, I've looked at the new iPod. However, you may be surprised to hear that they stink, and it has nothing to do with battery life. No, the new iPods are lousy because they're designed poorly and each of the models is of varying thicknesses, requiring different bases. That's weird, but the new "no moving parts" scroll wheel is the worst. Because it's touch-sensitive, I often inadvertantly clicked the middle button while scrolling, causing it to select whatever happened to be highlighted as I moved down a list of music. That would drive me insane. And the new row of control buttons is one half dozen/six to me: I think the old scheme worked just fine, thank you very much. So what are the options? I could try to find a previous generation model, which topped out at 20 GB. But then I'd be left out of the market for new add-ons, necessitated because Apple changed the ports and layout of the device when it went to the new generation (nothing like making something obsolete 18 months after it was released). Or I could look at the competition. Not coincidentally, I was just looking at the Creative Zen, which is mentioned in the post below. Problems? Sure. It doesn't work with iTunes, which I prefer for managing music. I could get around that easily, however, because all of my music is on Windows too, of course. But it's not an obvious choice. I will say this: Apple needs to wake up to the pricing problem quick, or it can kiss its last popular niche market goodbye. And I might be leaving with it.

[ Posted at 10:38 AM | Permalink ]