[wallinbl]

Are there any portable AAC players other than the iPod? I'm looking for something small (like the Muvo) for $100 or less. I can't seem to find anything that will play AAC. Maybe I'll just re-rip my CDs and forget about what I've purchased from iTMS.

(Yes, I know you love your iPod, but it's bigger than I want and it costs 3x more than I feel like paying.)

[BasketofPuppies]

I haven't heard of any AAC-compatible music players other than the iPod, but even if they did exist, would they be able to play music from the iTunes Music Store?

As in, will non-iPod music players be able to decode the DRM in iTunes Music Store-bought AAC files?

[LeeG]

I know AAC is an open format, but it will become proprietary in the sense that only iPods can play it. As the crops of WMP devices show up - that will become the de facto standard, as tends to happen in the windows world. Which I can't understand since aren't there M$ licensing fees associated with the WMP format?

Panasonic has a camera that will read AAC, as discussed in this thread.

Lee

[BasketofPuppies]

Yes, I know that AAC is open, but what about the DRM that Apple uses on AAC files sold at the iTunes Music Store? If that's Apple-only, it effectively limits iTunes Music Store purchases to the iPod.

[GORDYmac]

I don't think that fact is hurting iTMS sales or iPod sales. However, there is one other player supporting AAC. I can't recall the name or a link, but there is at least one more that is to be in stores soon. It's one of those tiny MPEG4 camcorder gadgets (Panasonic?).

Here it is.

Here's another.

And another.

Aw heck, see for yourself.