I hate to sound esoteric, but I think the iPod might be stupid because it's too smart. I don't think most people will understand the price tag for this "fancy MP3 player." This is not unlike the Newton: too much money for a product too far ahead of its time - look how many people now pine for the Newton but weren't willing to shell out the money when it was available (including me). <br><br>I think if Apple did a better job to the general populace of making it clear that this thing is also a DATA storage unit for transporting files that aren't MP3s, they might raise a few more eyebrows and justify its price a little more. So far the commercial for it does not exploit this fact, nor does it drive home the incredible storage space to phyical size ratio. These are things I think that could help justify the $400 price tag. <br><br>For the record. I'd LOVE one of these things but for about $50-100 less. Even with all of the great achievements it's made, it's just a little bit too pricey for my blood.<br><br>

I have heard from WAYYY to many people already that the iPod is overpriced. There is no way. First of all we're talking about breakthrough technology. As far as I can tell, this is one of the first few devices using this size Toshiba hard drive. Any time anything this new comes out you can expect to pay a little more for it. Isn't the Firefly firewire external drive coming out at $400? Now throw in a 20 minute memory cache to prevent skips, firewire speeds, long battery like,.... I will be in line at the Apple store when this thing comes out.<br> But it is absolutely true this thing needs to be marketed a ton before the holidays. I swear I have seen more apple commercials on the quicktime website then I have on TV! I can't imagine every iBook owner wouldn't want one of these, or every non-iBook owner wouldn't want an iBook so they COULD have one of these!!!!<br><br>

Yeah, Bosco. You're pretty much supporting what I'm saying. I think the technology is really, really cool - but as you said, too many people think it's overpriced. They simply don't understand it's technological acheivements and can't understand the price. It's too much too soon in some ways (as was the Newton). I hope it survives, because I'm definately willing to buy one months down the road when the price on the current model drops significantly with the release of the 10GB Toshiba drive (and probably a newer, better iPod) - I'm just not willing to part with $400 bucks to make my MP3s portable.<br><br>

I think the iPod sounds awesome - I haven't actually fondled one yet of course. It could do with a different name though, a friend of mine had a sty and it was very painful apparently. <br><br>The key points are:<br><br>1. Mp3 players are crap generally.<br>2. Mp3 software i.e. the transfer program - are crapola.<br>3. Mp3 headphones (even the sony ones) are garbage-arooney.<br>4. 64Megs is just not as big as it used to be.<br>5. Creative sucks.<br>6. There are no OS level music management programs for removable media (don't dare mention iomega)<br>7. USB connections only really transfer data into an Mp3 player at 2Mbps tops.<br>8. The iPod is a bargain for what it is - a 5GB firewire HD.<br>9. Lithium Polymer batteries last forever.<br>10. Quick charging.<br>11. Firewire interface - decently quick.<br><br>The product is definitely an object of desire, but here is where Apple will screw up.<br><br>1. No PC Compatibility reduces market.<br>2. No USB Option - reduces market.<br>3. High Price (relative to competition) reduces market.<br>4. 1st generation - reduces market.<br>5. Headphones are probably crap. How do I know this? Apple are crap at interfaces. The Computers are awesome, the OS's are great, but the actual ergonomic considerations are wanting. iMac screen, puck mouse, new mouse, small keyboard, new lcd's at a slant (they actually threw out their height adjustment).<br><br>I'd be lying if I said I don't want one, it's everything an Mp3 player should be. However, small market will hurt it. I don't think people will buy a Mac just because of the iPod. Other technologies might displace it e.g. Mp3 decoding minidisc players. <br><br>Overall - wicked product, well done Apple. Creative and all those other Mp3 player bozos should be prostrate before you. But it will either be phased out, develop a serious problem or be rendered redundant. I hope it does none of these things.<br><br>That was a real rant! I've got issues!<br><br>

And now we know.<br><br>

Wow, it's amazing looking back. Hindsight is such a wonderful thing!<br><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>THOMAS FITZGERALD:DIGITAL ARTIST&MAC BLOGGER

Very cool Michael. <br>Cutting edge is cutting edge.<br><br>