What's the BEST MP3 player?

[craddock 0]

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Wait, I am mistaken, no music is available for Verizon phones

Mabey not through the provider, but
My motorola for Verizon has an MP3 player built in. Although currently I believe 512 mb is the largest external memory card available.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[Thanatos340 1]

Windows Explorer is an integrated part of my chosen operating system. It is also a simple and effective method of moving and deleting files. I do all my other file manipulation with that tool, why do I need yet another application to simply copy/move/delete files??

My Point…. Once again.. is I DONT WANT TO USE ANY "Music Management" software. I just want to copy files from my hard drive to the MP3 Player and occasionally delete (Or copy to another PC) songs from my MP3 player. With other MP3 Players.. This no problem. Very simple and doesn’t not require any 3rd party software. With the iPod it is difficult, cumbersome and generally requires 3rd party software.

Also If I bring my MP3 Player to work and want to offload a few songs on my work PC to have something to listen to at work, I cant do it with an iPod without installing additional software. I can with my other players.

Now can ANYONE PLEASE... tell me a Single Reason an iPod is BETTER than other MP3 players??

I can give you (and have many times in this thread) several reasons why they are not as good as others.

The iPod is a very limited product that has just been marketed very well. Better products are available for less money. Unfortunately the sheep keep lining up to get sheared and with Rev Jobs holding the shears... Old Clay might just have some competition before its over!!

[GTAVercetti 0]

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Windows Explorer is an integrated part of my chosen operating system. It is also a simple and effective method of moving and deleting files. I do all my other file manipulation with that tool, why do I need yet another application to simply copy/move/delete files??

My Point…. Once again.. is I DONT WANT TO USE ANY "Music Management" software. I just want to copy files from my hard drive to the MP3 Player and occasionally delete (Or copy to another PC) songs from my MP3 player. With other MP3 Players.. This no problem. Very simple and doesn’t not require any 3rd party software. With the iPod it is difficult, cumbersome and generally requires 3rd party software.

Also If I bring my MP3 Player to work and want to offload a few songs on my work PC to have something to listen to at work, I cant do it with an iPod without installing additional software. I can with my other players.

Now can ANYONE PLEASE... tell me a Single Reason an iPod is BETTER than other MP3 players??

I can give you (and have many times in this thread) several reasons why they are not as good as others.

The iPod is a very limited product that has just been marketed very well. Better products are available for less money. Unfortunately the sheep keep lining up to get sheared and with Rev Jobs holding the shears... Old Clay might just have some competition before its over!!

man, you are really angry.

Did apple kill your family like clowns did mine?

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[Thanatos340 1]

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man, you are really angry.

Did apple kill your family like clowns did mine?

Naaaa. I just happened to be one of the sheep once and bought an iPod. It still hurts when I sit down.

I just cant beleive how many people are completely sold on these things and cant back it up with any solid reasoning. I mean some of them are almost sort of semi-intellegent people too yet cant tell me why the iPod is better.

(Oh.. and I get to argue without having to go into Speakers Corner!! Woo Hoo!!)

[tso-d_chris 0]

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I just cant beleive how many people are completely sold on these things and cant back it up with any solid reasoning. I mean some of them are almost sort of semi-intellegent people too yet cant tell me why the iPod is better

Ford v Chevy
Bud v Miller
Javelin v Vector
etc.

It is personal preference. Most people who have iPods like them, and most people that use iTunes like it. It doesn't make them sheep simply because you do not share their preferences.

[craddock 0]

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I can give you (and have many times in this thread) several reasons why they are not as good as others.

In your opinion. I was directed to this thread as I am interested in purchasing an Ipod of other MP3 player. I know little of the Ipod other than this thread. You have not given me ANY compelling reasons not to buy one. Your main gripe seems to be that you prefer different software that you already use to manage your music. Most everyone else really likes the itunes or other available software. Whether I open WE instead Itunes is not an issue for me.

You mention not being able to offload songs on to a PC at work. Others say they can. I have ZERO need for this but you may have a point. Not very convincing though.

Price- Now we are getting somewhere but you fail to mention models that you prefer or their coresponding price? I am not sold on an Ipod yet and if their is something better for less I am all ears. But just because I can use Explorer does not make it better. Itunes sounds pretty cool to me.

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Now can ANYONE PLEASE... tell me a Single Reason an iPod is BETTER than other MP3 players??

This is a fair question and was what I was looking for in the first place. You don't seem to be listening to the answers though. Durability, ease of interface, very stable, ect. have all been given.

Your are stuck on the fact that you can't transfer files with your prefered software and that it takes a bit longer to change batteries every couple of years?

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[Casurf1978 0]

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ipod nano... DUH!

x2

Agreed. I looked at a lot of players and found the nano the best one for me. One thing though I would upgrade the headphones. They sell Shure E2s at the Apple store but you can find them online for half the price.

[Thanatos340 1]

Ok..

Limitations:
Integrated Battery (Requires special Kit to replace or send back to factory for replacement) - Poor Design (Actually Good design if you are in Sales). Not true of many other MP3 Players.

Will not Play WMA files - For people who Purchased music from Napster or sites other than iTunes, The music you bought and legally paid for may be in WMA format and cannot be easily converted to a format that will play on an iPod. (Almost all other MP3 players will play WMA files just fine.)

Dependence on 3rd party software to do even the most simple things with the devise. (Again not true of other MP3 Players)

Costs – Costs more, does less.

These are all facts, Not opinions.

Opinions such as "Durability, ease of interface, very stable" are just that. Other players I have have proven to be just as Durable and Stable and has in my OPINION a easy interface. So I still cant see where anyone has pointed out a single valid reason the iPod is any better than the others other than it has been marketed better and is therefore more popular.


Besides.. It does seem like it is me against the rest of the world on this one.. I like the odds.

[craddock 0]

First off realize that I am not Pro Ipod YET but do not see your facts as conclusive that the Ipod is at a disadvantage. Let's just use your first Fact.

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Limitations:
Integrated Battery (Requires special Kit to replace or send back to factory for replacement) - Poor Design (Actually Good design if you are in Sales). Not true of many other MP3 Players.

Apparentely these kits that you call a limitation are available for around $20. Now you claim a fact but do a poor job in selling how it is a limitation. This is like marketing a new feature without explaining the benifit.
I do not know if your problem with these kits are that they are not available at Walmart or that they cost $20. I don't shop at Walmart and $20 every couple of years seems reasonable to me. Furthermore you have yet to tell me what kind of batteries your preferred Mp3 players uses. Is it available at Walmart? Does is cost much less than $20? Others have claimed that the Ipod has much better battery life than other Mp3 players. Do you dispute this? Do you think the other Mp3 players that do not require a "kit" have longer battery life. I feel, along with many others, that battery life is much more important than where you have to buy a new battery every couple of years. You are proud of you facts and I mean no offence, but I do not know what is your problem with the Integrated battery. You are not clear in that regard and from the battery life others claim it sounds like an advantage.

I have to disregard the WMA files because I don't have any. If this is true and I had a bunch of files that were of a format the Ipod would not play then I would not buy the Ipod. If I had a bunch of software for mac I would not buy a PC and then be pissed because it would not run them. I simply do not know how much of an issue this is as this will be my first mp3 player(other than my cell phone). I am not sure what the advantage is to playing WMA files if I do not have any yet.

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Costs – Costs more, does less.

Than What? Let me ask that again. Than What?

If this is at the Core of your argument than this is a poorly convied fact. I am trying to find out what is better than the Ipod and all you can do is tell me how bad and overpriced the ipod is. What is out there that does more and cost less? How is it's battery life? service issues?

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[murrays 0]

With regards to playing WMA files...iTunes 4.5 and later for Windows will import them (if they are unprotected WMA files) and convert them to the format selected for imports in iTunes preferences.

I've had an iPod (2nd generation) for 3 years now and just replaced the battery with a replacement from Newer technologies. It took me about 4-5 minutes and resulted in an iPod that plays for over 20 hours. $35 for the battery.

I've used some shareware/freeware to copy music from my iPod to my work computer. That wasn't an issue for me.

I can appreciate why some people would rather directly control what is and isn't on their mp3 player but I can understand why Apple makes it easier for the far larger group of people that don't have a clue about files and directories, etc. They designed their system of software, store and iPod to make life as easy as possible for the masses of people that I'd say not only don't want to do what Thanatos does...but are incapable of doing so. I worked at an accounting firm a few years ago where about half of the people working there would call our IT people to move a file from one directory to another....sad but true.

Are iPods better? I don't know as I have no experience with anything else but I have been completely satisfied with my iPod, the iTunes store and iTunes software. I think that if you buy an iPod you will be very pleased with your purchase.

--
Murray

"No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

[Thanatos340 1]

Here is how I came to my conclusions:
1. I went out and bought an iPod.
2. I tried to use it.
3. I got very frustrated because it was a pain in the ass to deal with iTunes to do very simple things like move files to and from the devise.
4. I got even more frustrated when I discovered the Files that I had just downloaded and PAID for from napster would not play.
5. Eventually I got so fed up with not being able to easily move files back and forth, Play songs I legally bought, I went and bought an generic $99 MP3 Player.
6. I discovered this devise did a hell of alot more than my $300 ipod mini. Plug it into any Windows XP PC and just started moving files (No software needed). It had an FM tuner, You could recorded from the radio if you want, It had a Voice recorder and it played all my legally purchased music.

hmmmm... based on this I say the iPod sucks and other MP3 players are better and cost less.

Features: iPod Others
Play MP3 files - Yes Yes
Work with iTunes - Yes Yes
Play Pod Casts - Yes Yes
Play WMA files - No Yes
No aditional software - No Yes
Comes with FM tuner - No Yes
Comes with Voice recorder - No Yes
Easily replaceable Battery - No Yes

Is there a single thing that the iPod does that the others dont?? Not that I am aware of. (If I am wrong... SOMEONE PLEASE SAY SO AND TELL ME WHAT)
Is it more reliable, durable and easier to use?? Not that I noticed.

Sooo.. Uhhh.. Here, have some Kool-aid while Mr. Jobs gets the Shears.

[tso-d_chris 0]

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Is there a single thing that the iPod does that the others dont?? Not that I am aware of. (If I am wrong... SOMEONE PLEASE SAY SO AND TELL ME WHAT)

Video.

[shropshire 0]

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[Thanatos340 1]

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Video.

You might want to look at:
Lyra RD2780
iRiver PMP120
Archos AV4100 (100gb even!!)
Creative Zen Vision

All are superior to the iPod in my opinion.

Now does anyone have anything the Ipod does that the others dont??

[kelpdiver 2]

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I went and bought an generic $99 MP3 Player.

again, you don't mention the model.

How butt ugly is it?

[Thanatos340 1]

Honestly.. Butt Ugly never factored into the equation for me. But since you ask, I have attached a Picture of the two 1gb that I have bought. they are about the same size as iPod Shuffle but actually have a display and do a hell of alot more than the Shuffle and/or the Mini put together.

[GTAVercetti 0]

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I went and bought an generic $99 MP3 Player.

again, you don't mention the model.

How butt ugly is it?

my mp3 player goes in my pocket. If you are relying on an mp3 player to be cool, you have bigger things to worry about.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[Chrissay 0]

Just in case you were all dying of curiosity as to what I decided to get .
I decided to get the Rio Forge (Sport). So far it does exactly what I want it to do...play music and I can add and delete my music files quite simply. One detail I really liked was the expandable memory option. I got the 512mb model, but it is nice to know I can upgrade it all the way up to 1.5gb.

[craddock 0]

How is the battery life? Can you give an est. of how many hours on a charge.

My cell phone has a built in mp3 player with expandable memory of 512(I think they are working on a 1 gig trans flash card) but the battery life is not near what an Ipod is.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[Chrissay 0]

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How is the battery life? Can you give an est. of how many hours on a charge.

My cell phone has a built in mp3 player with expandable memory of 512(I think they are working on a 1 gig trans flash card) but the battery life is not near what an Ipod is.

20 hours. It uses a AAA battery. So far so good...but I have only used it for about 3 hours so far.

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[kelpdiver 2]

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my mp3 player goes in my pocket. If you are relying on an mp3 player to be cool, you have bigger things to worry about.

He has been bitching about ipod misfeatures that are common to many other models (see non serviceable battery, proprietary software), and never mentions which one(s) he thinks were better, so I was curious why he always used words like 'generic.'

Style could be irrelevent to use, or quite, if the form factor makes putting it in the pocket difficult. And obviously it's silly to compare 1gb flash models to 20gb HD models.

The crux of his claims - that ipod is a triumph of marketing over substance - is ridiculous. You don't get this sort of market domination by doing anything but giving people what they want. Meanwhile Archos remains a bit player, despite being one of the very first.

There are a lot of $200 players out there, most seem pretty inferior to Apple's offerings. With the m:robe being discounted to 199 with it's huge VGA screen, it looked like another way to go, but apparently just about everything about it underdelivers, including a pathetic battery life. And still requires it's own software, just not nearly as well done as itunes.