[adamtki]

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...98&loc=111

At $299 for Windows, I think it'll affect Apple's effort to sell iPod for WIndows. That's almost half the price of the iPod 20GB. Granted, it's not as nice, but it has the essential features: lots of space, small size, and firewire.

I think this'll force Apple to lower thier iPod prices for the upcoming holiday season and even offer rebates on top of that.

[fulmer]

if someone can afford an ipod and wants a portable mp3 player, then they're going to get an ipod. I don't think apple is worried.

[DigitalEl]

This item is hardly new, but you may have a point about it being competition for Windoze users looking for an MP3 solution. We all know they don't care much about what something looks like. "It only comes in beige? I'll take it!"

However, I don't see Apple lowering its price or rebating to match. History shows Cupertino doesn't much care about whether its products are unaffordable for the masses.

Think of it this way. Apple iPod = BMW 5 Series. Competing MP3 Players = Dodge Neon.

[OldManMac]

Originally posted by DigitalEl:
This item is hardly new, but you may have a point about it being competition for Windoze users looking for an MP3 solution. We all know they don't care much about what something looks like. "It only comes in beige? I'll take it!"

However, I don't see Apple lowering its price or rebating to match. History shows Cupertino doesn't much care about whether its products are unaffordable for the masses.

Think of it this way. Apple iPod = BMW 5 Series. Competing MP3 Players = Dodge Neon.

Excellent analogy!

[G4ME]

that can be said for any apple and PC product

[slider]

The iPod is actually smaller and lighter than the Creative. You're right, this is going to provide competition and unlike the odyssey, which was really a rip-off, Creative has been in the business of quality mp3 players for a couple of years. I actually believe that Apple will provide support for this in iTunes, this is good competition and we should all benefit from it. The most interesting thing about this is that they chose to use Firewire as opposed to usb2, this is a good thing.

[Justin W. Williams]

Originally posted by DigitalEl:
Think of it this way. Apple iPod = BMW 5 Series. Competing MP3 Players = Dodge Neon.

yeah, but then people like ca$h are gonna get the competition

[CIA]

I don't think apple is too concerned....

[DigitalEl]

Originally posted by Justin W. Williams
yeah, but then people like ca$h are gonna get the competition

Who?

[adamtki]

The other feature about this that will make it popular with Windows is that it has a USB interface. Most people have PCs without a firewire interface. I'm sure it'll be painful when trying to make it work with a USB interface the first time they try to sync up 2000 songs, but they may tolerate it by just syncing overnight or something.

I'd like Apple to add more features to the iPod, such as support for AAC and even WMP. I have a whole list of nice features I'd like to see. Apple can continue to improve the whole package (hardware and software) to make it stand apart from the rest of the imitators.

[Deal]

That dial looks like it sux.

Not in stock either. Could be a day late and a dollar short.