[Dodgy One]

Originally Posted by TOOTS

I see lots of Hong Kongers have these little boxes around their necks - then I realised that these are MP3's. I want to be more local, and have the same, but have no idea on how these work....

These are my favourite bits!

[saltwater]

Originally Posted by jimbo

People that go for Ipods fall for the hype, If it was that good in the first place why is there seemingly numerous models superceding the previous coming out every few months?

Because they keep getting better and better?

Got an iPod Nano for $1900 a few months back. 4gb (about 3 days of music) and the thing's so small I don't even notice it in my pocket. Why would you buy anything else?

[mrcheese321]

Originally Posted by mattstewart

ipods have the most elegant and simple designs....

everyother company tries to mimic but usually fails...
do you not want new versions? new designs? new sizes? more options? color? photos? video?

numerous models because they are incorporating newer technology...its how all tech stuff goes...look at mobiles, computers, tv's etc.....

there are some good alternatives if you dont want to pay the apple price tag though.....i just havent seen any with half the class

Yes the design is very simple. That is really my problem with it - I feel like it is made for a 2 year old. I personally wanted a player that seemed a little more grown up.

I think the newer model thing is that it kind of seems that Apple is planning its releases. It releases one ipod with a certain set of features that seems like it is purposlly behind what people want only to release another one three months later that has some of the features but not all of them so that they can come back and release a new one 3 months after that. Also, there is no way that Apple is designing, implementing and creating so many designs in such a short amount of time. Design and implementation takes time let alone production time. Apple has millions of the newest model ready when they release it. That takes time, and it seems that someone at Apple is planning things to their advantage a little too much.

They are taking advantage of the "latest and gratest" syndrome that plagues many people by doing so. I'm not condemming them, I actually like Apple in a "it was the first computer I ever used" nastalgic type of way. But it just makes them look bad in my head.

I actually don't think the Apples are that expensive, my Vaio was on par with a 20 gig Ipod, but you do pay a premium to be a part of the iPod crowd.

c

[mrcheese321]

As to why buy something else:

1) iPods are horribly underamped for good hi-fi heaphones. my Shure e4s sound about 1/10 as good on a iPod as they do on my Vaio

2) iPod only has preset eqs. Some people like to tweak their music and only having preset eqs doesn't work.

3) iTunes

4) Proprietary sound files

5) Status symbolism. I don't like my things to shout "trendy" or "rich guy walking." I like my things nice but understated.

c

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by mrcheese321

As to why buy something else:

1) iPods are horribly underamped for good hi-fi heaphones. my Shure e4s sound about 1/10 as good on a iPod as they do on my Vaio

2) iPod only has preset eqs. Some people like to tweak their music and only having preset eqs doesn't work.

3) iTunes

4) Proprietary sound files

5) Status symbolism. I don't like my things to shout "trendy" or "rich guy walking." I like my things nice but understated.

c

amen to that bro

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by jimbo

Notice that not many locals seem to have ipods, JNC, Wewa, etc are all more popular.

People that go for Ipods fall for the hype, If it was that good in the first place why is there seemingly numerous models superceding the previous coming out every few months?

he he he,

seems to me the same people that say this about iPods, are the same ones that say it about Macs too... hype hype hype... mate, the market talks. very few reliable MP3 players have the storage to price ratio of an iPod. there's good reason they popular.

re Mr Cheese and underpowed iPods and ur cool headphones - the average person doesn't want to use anything but the buds that come with the iPod. thats the consumer. it's always the same with gadgets - if you're fussy, and not happy with "mainstream", everything will have it's ups and downs.

the main thing the average consumer looks for is convenience, ease of use, value for money, and then image. yep, apple wins.

most locals steer away from apple b/c they say it a gwailo symbol - heard it from a few locals. it not b/c the find the local made Mp3's of better value...

re "rich guy walking" stuff... if iPods were that expensive, i'd agree, but they're not. thats rot. they're value for money.

FYI, i dont have an iPod (got one for my wife, and she loves it..). i use my sony-ericsson k750i with 2GB Sony memory stick pro-duo. has equalizer etc. great for walking about, as if fone rings, just press the answer button and talk/listen thru music headset (which u can put ur Shure fones on too ) only prob is size... not as sleek as an iPod, and heavier hanging around ya neck

however, it's when i'm updating playlists that i would like the iPod... the way iTunes synchs the playlists is second to none, IMHO. it a real pain on my fone and most MP3 players, just as well with 2GB i dont need to do it often.

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by mrcheese321

... I feel like it is made for a 2 year old. I personally wanted a player that seemed a little more grown up....

but alas, the constant struggle to reach our nirvana

[penguinsix]

Why don't you start by downloading Itunes:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview/

From there you can start to "rip" your CDs onto your computer (i.e. convert them to mp3) and start subscribing to podcasts. It should give you a good feel for mp3s and whatnot.

Once you get an ipod, it's pretty much plug in and automatic updating / syncing.

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by dropdedfwed

re Mr Cheese and underpowed iPods and ur cool headphones - the average person doesn't want to use anything but the buds that come with the iPod. thats the consumer.

Having those white headphones is a sure fire advert that says hey rob me I have an ipod. Common occurence back in London.

[sylvesterjay]

Why all the hype about Ipod? I have a Creative, had it for almost 2 years and I am very happy with it. It also doubles as a backup hard disk for me for important documents.