[chinatown]

Check this out.. http://www.chinatownconnection.com/m...est-review.htm. My question is why can't Apple fit all of this stuff into an iPod. I'm sure they have the know how.

[hickey]

see how much bigger that is compared to one of the biggest ipods, who the hell would want to carry that around.

yeah Apple could fit that into one device, but why?

[chinatown]

Yeah that machine is kinda big, but again, its like an all-in-one type of machine and I would assume it would be better to not have to carry 3 different devices than just one. Anyways, I would like apple to somehow design something similar, even if it is a little bigger because I feel iPods skimp on alot of features.

[icruise]

What a piece of crap. If you want something with lots of features, there are much better alternatives.

But in general, the iPod does a few things very well. It doesn't try to do everything the way many devices do, and I personally like that.

By the way, since you seem to be selling the device on the same page as the "review" I would say this qualifies as spam.

[Trouters]

Historically "all in one" machines or devices do nothing exclusively well, but everything just ok. I personally have issues with my ipod but it works great for what I use it for.

[chinatown]

Originally Posted by Icruise

What a piece of crap. If you want something with lots of features, there are much better alternatives.

But in general, the iPod does a few things very well. It doesn't try to do everything the way many devices do, and I personally like that.

By the way, since you seem to be selling the device on the same page as the "review" I would say this qualifies as spam.

You are right, the iPod does one thing very well and that is sucking all the money out of a person. I own an iPod and you have to be crazy to not think that all the accessories you have to buy for this machine to make it work properly (ie, charger, case, cable, etc..)
So basically I just bought myself a nice looking shell with a hard drive inside. Heck I cannot even play wma files. Also, I have to use their software, iTunes (its a good software but I would like other alternatives too) and buy music from their store. Talk about a monopoly. And all of this at a huge premium.

I am not here to criticize as I own a couple of iPods. But the fact that it is so stripped down and lack of features and at such a high price is tough to swallow. I just wish they could fit more features in (it is only a chip for crying out loud) and make it more openly accessible.

[chinatown]

Originally Posted by Icruise

What a piece of crap. If you want something with lots of features, there are much better alternatives.

But in general, the iPod does a few things very well. It doesn't try to do everything the way many devices do, and I personally like that.

By the way, since you seem to be selling the device on the same page as the "review" I would say this qualifies as spam.

You are right, the iPod does one thing very well and that is sucking all the money out of a person. I own an iPod and you have to be crazy to not think that all the accessories you have to buy for this machine to make it work properly (ie, charger, case, cable, etc..)
So basically I just bought myself a nice looking shell with a hard drive inside. Heck I cannot even play wma files. Also, I have to use their software, iTunes (its a good software but I would like other alternatives too) and buy music from their store. Talk about a monopoly. And all of this at a huge premium.

I am not here to criticize as I own a couple of iPods. But the fact that it is so stripped down and lack of features and at such a high price is tough to swallow. I just wish they could fit more features in (it is only a chip for crying out loud) and make it more openly accessible.

Note: No one ask you to buy it. I was just pointing out the features of this machine and how I would like it to be incorporated in an iPod.

[hickey]

Originally Posted by chinatown

Also, I have to use their software, iTunes (its a good software but I would like other alternatives too) and buy music from their store.

Apple doesnt make you buy music from their store, they simply out it out there for purchase. I hate it when people complain about having to spend thousands of dollars just to fill theire ipod with music. BS.

and Im pretty sure you dont need a case to make it work properly. Everything you get with the ipod is what it needs to run properly.

[chinatown]

Originally Posted by hickey

Apple doesnt make you buy music from their store, they simply out it out there for purchase. I hate it when people complain about having to spend thousands of dollars just to fill theire ipod with music. BS.

and Im pretty sure you dont need a case to make it work properly. Everything you get with the ipod is what it needs to run properly.

I have to disagree one aspect with running properly. If I don't have the big firewire port on my laptop (not an Apple laptop), then I cannot recharge the iPod without some special cable. Come on, you cannot honestly tell me that this is not awkward. Just include a usb cable or a charger. For an overpriced machine, that should be nothing to them.

[DCapple]

just a question..(pls dont get mad ) i just ordered a nano and can i use it on my car?

[icruise]

Originally Posted by chinatown

I have to disagree one aspect with running properly. If I don't have the big firewire port on my laptop (not an Apple laptop), then I cannot recharge the iPod without some special cable. Come on, you cannot honestly tell me that this is not awkward. Just include a usb cable or a charger. For an overpriced machine, that should be nothing to them.

You do realize that iPods have charged from USB for quite some time now, right? You don't have to buy a single accessory to use the iPod. Sure, having an extra charger would be convenient, but it's not required and in fact having it charge from your computer is quite nice. Does your machine charge from USB?

[rparke1]

here you go DCapple

http://monstercables.com/MP3/product...%20iPod%20Nano
or
http://monstercables.com/MP3/product...%20iPod%20Nano
or
http://www.monstercable.com/icruze/

[dampeoples]

Originally Posted by chinatown

I have to disagree one aspect with running properly. If I don't have the big firewire port on my laptop (not an Apple laptop), then I cannot recharge the iPod without some special cable. Come on, you cannot honestly tell me that this is not awkward. Just include a usb cable or a charger. For an overpriced machine, that should be nothing to them.

You're in luck then, since they come with USB


Edit, just saw iCruise

[hickey]

yeah they charge through USB just fine. try it out!

[atc ben]

Originally Posted by chinatown

Check this out.. http://www.chinatownconnection.com/m...est-review.htm. My question is why can't Apple fit all of this stuff into an iPod. I'm sure they have the know how.

[chinatown]

Originally Posted by atc ben

Haha your so funny!!!

Anyways, yes I figured out a way to do it. Just bought a usb/ 8pin firewire hub, since I need the extra usb ports anyways, and hooked it up that way.

[DCapple]

here you go DCapple

http://monstercables.com/MP3/product...%20iPod%20Nano
or
http://monstercables.com/MP3/product...%20iPod%20Nano
or
http://www.monstercable.com/icruze/

Thank you very much it really helps!!!

[JoshuaZ]

I've found that when people combine different technologies together on the consumer level they usually suck. Like camera and cell phones. Kind of useful, but the camera function really sucks. A co-worker complained that the photos she took on her cell phone printed out looked horrible. Well duh. Its not a good camera, and she'd been using it for all her photo taking on this little trip she took.

[analogika]

Have you noticed that the iPod w/ video's screen is only minimally smaller than that of that hideous plastic monstrosity, while the new iPod is exactly the same size as the original iPod (except 4mm thinner)?

So one reason why the iPod can't do everything might be because iPod is as tall as that thing is wide.

Also, Apple's motto has always been that it ain't worth doing if it ain't done WELL.

[chinatown]

Both of yall make good points that one Apple has a niche, small niche focus. What I don't quite understand is why not at least add an FM-tuner or play more types of files, or like the video iPod, make the screen bigger. You said that the screen size difference is minimal, but 2.5" and 3.5" is not that minimal. It is pretty hard to watch a movie on a 2.5" screen.

The biggest thing going for the iPod is looks. Compare it to any other player out there, iPod loses in functionality straight out of the box. It can't even act as a voice recorder. Just put some of these standard options nowadays in the iPod and it will be the best player out there. I like to compare the iPod with a Ferrari without an engine. Beautiful on the outside but empty on the inside.

[jam8]

That's not a good analogy. A proper one would be a Ferrari with an engine but without a navigation system and a surround sound stereo. In other words, extras that aren't necessary to the purpose of the product, be it racing on a track, or playing music.


The iPod lets me store all of my music collection and listen to it. That's all that I want, and as a consumer, i'm satisfied. If you aren't, there are other products. It's your money; spend it as you please.

[PookJP]

iPod's great, but I genuinely fail to understand why it doesn't have an FM tuner. Apple demonstrated their understanding for the demand with the FM Remote, but I'd like to have it fully integrated. I've said it once and I'll say it again: I like my music, but there are also radio programs I'd like to listen to. It'd be nice if the iPod would accommodate that listening need instead of forcing me to carry an entirely separate device, or buy a relatively cumbersome add-on.

I don't believe this steps outside iPod's mission, which is to provide consumers with a portable, elegant, and versatile way of listening to what they want, when they want, where they want. Unlike things like GPS or even voice recording, listening to the radio is perfectly inline with this mission, would not confuse consumers, and is a feature common in the competition's products.

[raymond]

What you must remember is that Apple like to drip feed development as they have developed a culture who are willing to upgrade every year.

If they developed the ultimate Ipod then its game over ....

[analogika]

Originally Posted by chinatown

Both of yall make good points that one Apple has a niche, small niche focus. What I don't quite understand is why not at least add an FM-tuner or play more types of files, or like the video iPod, make the screen bigger. You said that the screen size difference is minimal, but 2.5" and 3.5" is not that minimal. It is pretty hard to watch a movie on a 2.5" screen.

It's not substantially harder than on a 3.5" screen - don't kid yourself.

And Apple just added an FM tuner to the iPod - in form of a remote-control accessory.

Which is magnificent, since I - and MANY others I know - have an iPod to get the HELL away from radio, and I sure as hell ain't paying extra for them to include a feature that is contrary to what I want.

I also didn't need another power adapter, since I still have the one from my 1st-generation iPod.

And no, the iPod is not a niche market. The niche market is one that needs a crap camera and a crap cellphone integrated into a music player that doubles as a file manager, media player, and toaster oven, AND is geeky enough not only to be able to operate it despite a crap interface and haphazard and half-hearted feature bloat, but to actually WANT TO operate it.

Originally Posted by chinatown

The biggest thing going for the iPod is looks. Compare it to any other player out there, iPod loses in functionality straight out of the box. It can't even act as a voice recorder. Just put some of these standard options nowadays in the iPod and it will be the best player out there. I like to compare the iPod with a Ferrari without an engine. Beautiful on the outside but empty on the inside.

No, the biggest thing about the iPod is the fact that I can give people a fifteen-second introduction to the interface, and they figure out the rest by themselves.

And I mean people, not programmers. Ordinary, non-technoid human beings. Of the type that DON'T hang out on online geek forums. Like my dad. Like the MASS market. Not the niche you appear to belong to.


The next-biggest thing about the iPod is iTunes, which ties into the above - the iPod simply has absolutely no competition in terms of ease of integration.


The third-biggest thing about iPod is that it's ****ing TINY. I don't WANT a brick that won't fit in my coat pocket along with my gloved hand in winter. You talk about functionality? A player that won't fit into my pocket in winter is COMPLETELY non-functional. Out of the box.



BTW, please do your research a little better before you continue making claims about what the iPod cannot do.

There is an FM tuner.

There has been voice-recorder functionality for AT LEAST a year (4th gen; not sure if the 3rd generation had it as well - over two years, in that case), and it has not cost a single soul extra who doesn't want or need it. My mobile phone already has a voice recorder, you know.

Haven't ever used it.

I *will* be getting an add-on recording input for my 5th-gen iPod, though, since this one can finally record at 16-bit/44.1kHz stereo.

[chinatown]

You keep using the phrase "add-on". There are decent players out there (most excepty iPods that don't need these add-ons because they are built in. Don't kid yourself when you make these statements that iPod is this coolest little player, when you know there are even smaller music players that are just as "nice looking" with all the built in functions apple decided not to put in.

There are a few things you said in your post I am confused about. I made the statement that the iPod does not have FM-radio built in, but you keep saying "And Apple just added an FM tuner to the iPod - in form of a remote-control accessory."
and then you tell me to do a little research...
"BTW, please do your research a little better before you continue making claims about what the iPod cannot do.
There is an FM tuner."
You see my confusion? I talking about putting it inside so we dont have to shell out another $30 or so bucks for another "Add-on"..

Then you make another statement .."I also didn't need another power adapter, since I still have the one from my 1st-generation iPod. "

That is great for you. I wish I have enough money to buy more than 1 iPod and use the power adapter for more than one machine.

I have a first gen iPod also so I know what I am talking about. I have used the nano's too. I just would like more features built into the iPod and it is not that difficult. You feel whatever you want to, it all part of the oh I spent $200+ dollars on my iPod so I feel good and no one can talk me out of it mentality.

Bottom line is add more features and the iPod will take out every other player on the market. And it definitely can be done by not making it into a brick. You criticize on cell phones having built in camera, camcorder and stuff. But if you think about it, if it is such a big mistake and failure, why do they keep doing it? Why add even more functions to these cell phones? It is called convienence. Who carries a camera around everywhere they go? People, however, do carry cell phones everywhere, and iPods..

It is ok to feel good about spending x amount of dollars for a machine you feel you have to like and justify. But you should be open-minded and not criticize for their opinons at the same time. Also, maybe understand the topic before you tell others to do "some research".

[icruise]

Originally Posted by chinatown

Bottom line is add more features and the iPod will take out every other player on the market.

Great idea! Send it to Apple and maybe someday the iPod will be the #1 MP3 player out there. Wait a minute...

[analogika]

Originally Posted by chinatown

You keep using the phrase "add-on". There are decent players out there (most excepty iPods that don't need these add-ons because they are built in. Don't kid yourself when you make these statements that iPod is this coolest little player, when you know there are even smaller music players that are just as "nice looking" with all the built in functions apple decided not to put in.

If you are willing to pay extra for functionality you neither want nor need, go ahead.

In the meantime, show me ONE "even smaller music player that is just as 'nice looking' with all the built in functions apple decided not to put in" that actually works, that my dad can operate.

And has an integrated software package.

And *doesn't* look like complete arse and/or is the size of a filofax.

[f1000]

Which device would you rather have in a moment like this?




The iPod...




...or chinatown's Swiss Army MP3 player?

[chinatown]

I take the tiger. It take more than stabs to kill my tiger with the puny knife or the boy scout knife. Just like on this message board and attacking me. You guys can talk all you want. The topic here is about adding more functionality to the iPod. Just like you guys speaking about your opinions, I am too.

All I wanted was a bit more functions added. Everyone would like more for their money. Don't bs for one second that you don't. Analogika, I have done my research and I think you can do some research yourself. I can give you a handful of small, functional, beautiful mp3 players out on the market. (ie. MPIO, iRiver, Cowon). There you go, go do some research and get back with me. And don't worry, even a baby can operate these machines. Just press power and then play, just like an iPod.

So lets try to stick on topic and quit attacking each other. Just wait for the newer iPods to come out and you will see that they add more functionality to it in the future. It is only a matter of time. Why did Apple Powerbooks go with intel chips? Now you can put windows on these machines. Remember the nay-sayers like you guys dispel the idea? So why would apple do this? It all about the public. You have the die-hard, I am always right, apple fans, and then you have the mainstream public. Just wait, in the near future, there will be an iPod with built in tuner, maybe a camera, and extras.

Heck, wifi Ipods are coming. So why do yall need it right? According to a couple of yall, why do we need that extra functionality.

So in the future, when these extra stuff gets added in the iPod, we will start this conversation again from a different perspective.

[atc ben]

double post**

[atc ben]

Originally Posted by chinatown

I take the tiger. It take more than stabs to kill my tiger with the puny knife or the boy scout knife.

I don't think you get the point. The tiger wasn't a choice. You could either cut it's head off with that badass first knife, or you could use the cork screw on the second knife, and open a bottle of wine for you both.

I can't believe you said that the iPod is filling a niche market. Apple has sold something like 23.6 million of these things! That doesn't sound like a niche to me. You must not understand the idea of the free market. These things sell because they're what millions of people want, period. To the oint that iPods have become part of pop culture. When was the last time you watched a TV show and the characters started talking about an iRiver or the MP4 Star? Hmmm. If everyone wanted a big swiss army MP3 player like that monstrosity you linked to, you'd see millions of these other gadgets being sold. I don't want a iPod voice recorder/camera/walkie-talkie/GPS/radio tuner. I want a small, sleek gadget to store my music, so I can listen to it on the go. I mean come on, when was the last time you listened to the radio?!?! You know they have lots of commercials, right?

Fortunately for the small group of people who do want an all in one multimedia center, they are available for purchase from other manufacturers. So stop bitching about why Apple doesn't make it the same, and go buy one already.

[f1000]

Originally Posted by chinatown

So in the future, when these extra stuff gets added in the iPod, we will start this conversation again from a different perspective.

Take your pathetic spam elsewhere. Have you no shame?

Mods, it's time to lock this one.

[chinatown]

Originally Posted by f1000

Take your pathetic spam elsewhere. Have you no shame?

Mods, it's time to lock this one.

What in the world are you talking about? You know you have lost when you say stuff like that.

I dont care if I can or cannot choose the tiger. The analogy is doesn't make sense anyways. Of course people like you will keep yapping away cuz this is an iPod forum for iPod die-hards. I have an iPod and I am in no way dissing the product. I just would like more functions added. What is the problem with that????

Just as you keep saying everything is gosh and goody, I am glad that you feel that way. Dont' force your opinion down peoples throat though.

Also, apple does have a niche. It is the "beauty and uniquess niche". So don't go blasting away like I don't know what I am talking about. It is like coffee, where you have starbucks $3.00 coffee and the regular 50 cent coffees from the gas station.

There is the MP3 player scene and then there is the iPod scene.

lastly, I am not lobbying for a big bulky player. I think that machine is ugly as hell. I just wanted to those functions in an iPod and I know for a fact the iPod engineers can fit all of those into a iPod Video player out on the market now. So next time get your facts straight.

I am on topic and you guys keep attacking. The only people that should be locked out is those who can't stay on topic.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by atc ben

I can't believe you said that the iPod is filling a niche market. Apple has sold something like 23.6 million of these things! That doesn't sound like a niche to me. You must not understand the idea of the free market. These things sell because they're what millions of people want, period. To the oint that iPods have become part of pop culture. When was the last time you watched a TV show and the characters started talking about an iRiver? Hmmm. If everyone wanted a big swiss army MP3 player like that monstrosity you linked to, you'd see millions of these other gadgets being sold. I don't want a iPod voice recorder/camera/walkie-talkie/GPS/radio tuner.

Apple has sold close to 45 million iPods.


Did you know that the original Walkman was a niche market thing?

Portable music is on the way out, man.

[f1000]

Originally Posted by chinatown

Just as you keep saying everything is gosh and goody, I am glad that you feel that way. Dont' force your opinion down peoples throat though.

Nobody is forcing their opinions down your throat. You stated your opinions, many of which were based on false assumptions, and others corrected you and added their own opinions. Instead of accepting their opinions, you continued to reiterate your opinions more forcefully in a vain attempt to get others to "see the light." We heard you the first time and we don't agree with you, so why don't YOU stop forcing your opinions down our throats.

As for staying on topic, your thread broke the rules in the first place since spamming the forums isn't allowed. Any idiot can see that you are slandering the iPod for personal gain, so if you keep it up the mods are going to ban you.

[typoon]

UGH. I hate these why can't the iPod do all these things threads. I don't know about others but I don't want a device that does everything but not one thing very well. I'd rather buy a device that does one thing well and buy a device for each thing I need done well. It's like asking how come my digital camera doesn't come with a cell phone and MP3 player built in?

When people ask why doesn't the iPod come with an FM transciever I usually roll my eyes. I for one am sick of listening to FM radio or pretty much all radio and would rather listen to music or audiobook I have on my iPod. I would never use the FM. So for me it would be a waste. let it be an accessory and people who want it can buy it.

[hickey]

so chinatown, what exactly would you put in your ultimate mp3 player device thing? Cell phone, camera, music storage, wifi, hifi, blender, 12 extra pounds, and a crappy interface with even worse syncing software?

[atc ben]

Originally Posted by analogika

Apple has sold close to 45 million iPods.


Did you know that the original Walkman was a niche market thing?

Portable music is on the way out, man.

Thanks, I just did a quick google on sales figures to prove a point. Portable music is on the way out, just like television will never catch on. I mean, no one wants to sit and watch TV !

[f1000]

Originally Posted by jam8

That's not a good analogy. A proper one would be a Ferrari with an engine but without a navigation system and a surround sound stereo.

Speaking of Ferraris, Ferrari launches iPod-ready supercar.

The iPod™ even wins in the luxury supercar market!