While reading through the Audion story (the article is, like Panics software, great), I stumbled into the first mention of the iPod on Slashdot. I can’t help but wallow in the irony of the end remark.
“At an invitation only event Apple has released their new MP3 player called the iPod.” […] No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame.” #
Too bad he’s comparing it too the wrong machine.
iRiver’s H-series (the H140, or the bad-ass H340 with colourscreen) iPod just can’t beat on quality or features.
The iPod has marketing, Apple vibe and scrollwheel going for it though :)
Ehm, this is from 2001…
Regardless, I haven’t tried a single mp3 player that comes near the iPod. And 95% of the market says I’m right ;)
I’ve tried iRivers variations. Actually almost bought one until my friend ordered one. Very happy with my ipod choice though.
Quote is incredibly funny, especially considering it is being compared to a nomad, and in 2001 weren’t the newest nomads those big CD-Player shaped ones? The 5 pounders :)
Best quote I’ve ever read comparing the iriver to the ipod is, “people with style buy an ipod, people with sense buy an iriver”. Kinda tells me a lot about you and the other 95% of people who buy mp3 players :)
That’s rubbish, khaled. But way to oversimplify things so that you can feel better about your purchase. ;)
95% percent of the market also say Windows XP is the best operating system and IE the best browser.
Not disagreeing, merely pointing out some questionable logic.
Cheers Bjørn.
Khaled:
Features do not make one thing better then another in all cases. I do not listen to the radio, so I feel no need in sacrificing quality and friendly UI for a shoddy receiver.
I would probly add “lame” when refering to the initial price tag on the ipod. The old prices were quite high and hard to justify for most people.
Just to clarify so that those who have an ipod (and obviously pretty passionate about it) I do not own an ipod and don’t own an iriver. However I’m a gadget junkie. I read enought about these things, and I’ve played with both bits of kit. To discard one for the other is a stupid thing in both cases, but that’s MY opinion, just like YOUR opinion is that MY opinion is rubbish.
Mark: I never said anything about features, so obviously you feel that might be something that people might find more appealing in the iriver over the ipod (otherwise you wouldn’t have brought it up yourself). I wouldn’t say that the iriver has got shoddy quality. Unfriendly UI maybe but the quality is very high on the iriver.
I know loads of people that can’t live without their ipod, and I can understand that, thing is I was never caught into the fever of buying one, and haven’t bought an iriver either.
One thing I will say is that in terms of features and technology, the iriver is definitely ONE step ahead of the ipod in general releases. So the iriver came out with a colour version a while ago to the only recently announced ipod (5G, can’t remember what generation they’re on). It’s one example.
Also just to be clear I’m not here to cause an arguement or have anyone get upset that I don’t think the ipod is the greatest thing since sliced cheese :)
Bjørn, you should know me well enough by now that when I do this: ;) — Then I probably wouldn’t take it to court. Regardlessly, and I’m wondering if continuing this ‘my shit is better than your shit’ discussion is a good idea, I think that 95% is a pretty high number for Windows XP. Though I would actually like to see some numbers on that.
Regardlessly, the thing that really separated Windows and IE from being proper participants in this particular thread, is the fact that in many cases, they aren’t choices. When I go to work, I don’t choose to use Windows. When I go to the library, I don’t choose to use IE. When I go out to buy myself a personal music device, I do choose.
So the correct thing to say would be: In active decisions, the 95% majority might have a point.
As for the ‘my shit, your shit’ discussion, I have this every other day at work. Be it the iPod vs. the Argos, the PS2 controller vs. the Xbox and so on and so forth. My personal philosophy is this: If I have to sacrifice the ‘mega-bass’, ‘voice recorder with alien distortion’ and built in police scanner to get a device with the iPod simplicity and sensibility, then I most definitely will.
If you would choose the Argos over the iPod, then chances are you will never quite understand what drives me :)
Khaled, you’re right that Apple aren’t the first with the color screen. But Apple are hardly ever the first, but they are the best.
Michael, I second you on every point but one: “But Apple are hardly ever the first, but they are the best.” That’s not completely true. Admittedly, the colour screen was just to keep up. But I name a few things: mouse interface? Desktop metaphore? Best native browser ever? I can go on with this for a while, but you are right on the other bit of your comment ;)
Anyone have any experiences with the new Muvo Micro N200? The Ipod is nice, but still a bit too big for my taste, considering my pockets are already too filed with a phone, pack of cigarettes and my camera. Its seems really nice and small, not too good looking, but since its gonna be in a pocket most of the time, i don’t really care about it.
I have an iPod and I love it but I by no means bought it on a whim. I mean, unless you’re rolling in dough, how could you? I made a choice to buy it because it met my needs, was incredibly usable and sleek and very versatile.
One thing that really sold me was watching the making of Lord of the Rings and finding out they had used iPods to transport the digital effects of the films from one studio to another. It was like getting an endorsement from Peter Jackson, which aint bad. ;)
On the other hand, I waited a while to get my iPod because of the whole battery debacle. Once that cleared up, I knew I would be getting one. So, is one better than another? Ultimately, it depends on your needs. Though, I must admit that despite my obvious bias I truly do believe that the iPod’s perfect balance of form and function make it leagues above the competition.
Hm… I haven’t tried iPod. But I had tried some flash memory players and I own a Philips 8cm CD MP3 player. It owns any other players! :D
LOL i read the audion piece the other day, and checked out that slashdot article too. I ended up reading nearly every comment there it was so fascinating to see just how wrong everyone was! :-p