New Ipods revealed

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: mchammer187

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: dartworth
iPod/Apple haters make me laugh:beer:


h

I know!

Its hilarious...

meh

lol, see, thats the POINT! their stock is going up! why? they selling a crappy product to an ill-informed market! thats why i hate them, i never said they weren't doing well.

crappy? they are giving people what they want apparently and people aren't disappointed.. Sure they usually "define" what the market "wants," but people eat it up...so blame the people.

The ipod is not crap btw. it may be outclassed via NUMEROUS additional features by the competition, and I think that's what helps its market appeal to the scared-of-technology crowd. it provides them a taste of a tax-bracket-ravishing IPO with just some lame government bond

It gives people a lot upfront.....and people pay for that convenience....

it's like the dollar menu or something I guess..

There it is! See, i don't blame the people, i blame the avalibilty of information about those other features! If people knew this, then they could make an informed decision, and even if they bought the ipod, i'd still be happy with it. But people don't get inf on the competition, and theirn lies the problem.

this is about the inherent repercussions of establishing and maintaining a fruitful capitalist society.

Apparently ,as you seem to be gravitating towards people, this has nothing to do with mp3 players

I think you just hate people.

If you want to discuss the economics of this, using my pathetic level of knowledge on the subject, what LEGITIMATE BARRIERS would you say competitors face in entering the mp3 market beside a little competition. (ignorance on the product is assumed if there is no advertising)

Where are the cowon ads?

I don't hate people =) But, the fact is there is not just a little competition, there is ALOT. First, it would take a huge amount of advertising, (which, btw, i agree other companies have failed miserably in) but the main competition is how far the ipod has worked itself into the culture of todays america. Half the people i know think an iPod is not the same as an mp3 player. It's the kind of thinking the has engulfed those not as technically knowledgable as some of us, that makes it almost impossible for a competitor to edge in.

If a truly superior product came out than I think the masses would adopt it

if you really believe that the Cowon A2 is superior in virtually every way than an ipod touch I've got news for you it isn't

I disagree. It's all about marketing.

frankly, I'll accept my humanity (for a little bit ) and accept that I am a product of my education, and that the engineering parallels in terms of KISS have made me a victim of their marketing. that's brilliant marketing. basically, say something that people agree with, and actualize that agreement with a business transaction.

it's so simple but it works.

"I am like you..no really look"

*looks*

"well actually yeah I CAN identify with that..."

it's incredibly simple....viral...and it works....

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: videogames101
Well, my Cowon A2 STILL beats every crappy ipod in apple's array. Why do these things sell so well? HORRIBLE formats, crappy DRM itunes, and a screen half the size of some competitors. Apple is feeding on a mis-informed market, and should be shot.

iPods are everywhere, I've even seen them for sale in Vending Machines. the Cowon is bad ass, but you can't just buy it anywhere. And iPods have more accessories than every other MP3 player combined, probably 10x the amount. What B&M can an average joe go to today and pick up a Cowon? I like the player a lot mind you, The only thing I really like about iPods are the accessories, I might get a Touch, I might get a Zune I might get a Cowon. At least we have a choice and some of us know you don't have to get an iPod.

Here is another problem, Apple what could almost be seen as a monopoly on the market, but i just find that maddeing when they're ARE, in fact, more, and better, options. Apple is on a popularity sales trend here, people but them because near everyone buys them, and i don't like that sort of market with almost no competition because people are mis-informed. If someone went out and saw and ipod and a cowon next to each other, and still bought the ipod, i'd be happy. But the ridiculaus monopoly-like grip apple has, makes me angry. I was really annoyed at microsoft for not strongarming the zune into stores, because i just wanted to see some real cmpetition and market innovation.

Please, by all means foward that to the Cowon marketing department.

No, you know what, it's on me..I'll pick up the tab.

PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS. PEOPLE ARE SHEEP. PEOPLE ARE SMART. PEOPLE ARE RATIONAL. PEOPLE ARE INDEPENDENT.

All that can be argued.

The fact that Apple is a monopoly is not based on anti-competitive muscle. People are satisfied, and in the end it is the marginal utility that is driving their sales, not Apple's actions towards any other business.

It's weird really...not to try to paint them in a good light, but they really KNOW how to WORK the system....people eat their sh!t up (even me) because they provide us with some Cake RIGHT NOW.

<-likes cake

I didn't say they had anti-competition buisness models, i'm just saying so many people buy ipods, it's almost impossible to for other buisness, even the mighty ms, to get some sort of "real" competition to sell. And , i think, i will write to cowon, they could really bust apple open with the upcoming A3 if they had the marketing power and gave it a little time.

*warning***
RANT:

sorry but that's horsh!t....pardon my russian.

if a company can't compete in a purely competitive market (the only barrier to entry is RIAA/MPAA licensing and pricing agreements which they want to fvk apple for anyway), they don't deserve to survive.

These companies just suck at business.

I would hope most people agree that phones like the Nokia N95 are SICK. Seriously, Nokia has a STELLAR reputation. The damn thing includes the frigeen kitchen sink, and all the nerds all over the world were salivating over it.

The problem is two-fold.

1) they suck at marketing apparently. Plaster celebrities all over with it...put it on tv..radio...commercials...product placement in movies..SOMETHING.

jeeze people....it's liek they expect people to jsut "gravitate"to their products.

that's one thign I give mad props to apple corp.

They don't sit on their ass, and market the SH!t out of what amounts to a hard drive / flash with a fancy LCD on the front and a snazzy interface as if it is solution for all your owes, a necessity for every day and everywhere.


It's the competitors that suck..


oh and on a side note, as if it hasn't been said enough:
seriously MS..WTF..."squirting?!" not wonder their product sales suck. and no wireless downloading...?! They could've beaten apple to market ages ago...

if anything, they fvked them self....apple is just taking all the pie for itself and getting fat off of it while the competitors jsut jack off on the floor out of view...

well, i agree the competition sucks at marketing, but the fact remains if people differentiate an iPod from an mp3 player, our culture is going to take awhile to convert even if a better product is marketed well. I g2g for like 1 hour, but i'll be back to continue this friendly debate. cheers :beer:

 

[keeleysam]

I ordered a black 160GB Classic. It'll be a nice compliment to my 8GB iPhone and 4GB nano. Although it won't hold my entire 400+GB library, it will hold a good chunk, and if I compress it to 320kbps AAC, it should all fit.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: mchammer187

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: dartworth
iPod/Apple haters make me laugh:beer:


h

I know!

Its hilarious...

meh

lol, see, thats the POINT! their stock is going up! why? they selling a crappy product to an ill-informed market! thats why i hate them, i never said they weren't doing well.

crappy? they are giving people what they want apparently and people aren't disappointed.. Sure they usually "define" what the market "wants," but people eat it up...so blame the people.

The ipod is not crap btw. it may be outclassed via NUMEROUS additional features by the competition, and I think that's what helps its market appeal to the scared-of-technology crowd. it provides them a taste of a tax-bracket-ravishing IPO with just some lame government bond

It gives people a lot upfront.....and people pay for that convenience....

it's like the dollar menu or something I guess..

There it is! See, i don't blame the people, i blame the avalibilty of information about those other features! If people knew this, then they could make an informed decision, and even if they bought the ipod, i'd still be happy with it. But people don't get inf on the competition, and theirn lies the problem.

this is about the inherent repercussions of establishing and maintaining a fruitful capitalist society.

Apparently ,as you seem to be gravitating towards people, this has nothing to do with mp3 players

I think you just hate people.

If you want to discuss the economics of this, using my pathetic level of knowledge on the subject, what LEGITIMATE BARRIERS would you say competitors face in entering the mp3 market beside a little competition. (ignorance on the product is assumed if there is no advertising)

Where are the cowon ads?

I don't hate people =) But, the fact is there is not just a little competition, there is ALOT. First, it would take a huge amount of advertising, (which, btw, i agree other companies have failed miserably in) but the main competition is how far the ipod has worked itself into the culture of todays america. Half the people i know think an iPod is not the same as an mp3 player. It's the kind of thinking the has engulfed those not as technically knowledgable as some of us, that makes it almost impossible for a competitor to edge in.

If a truly superior product came out than I think the masses would adopt it

if you really believe that the Cowon A2 is superior in virtually every way than an ipod touch I've got news for you it isn't

the iPod touch loses simply because it's a, in most respects, a DRM only player. why, in your opinion, is the touch superior?

now DRM?

you're looking for avenues while a moped man...I am taking a stroll.....slow the fvk down and stay on topic *sees the irony in that and giggles*

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: videogames101
Well, my Cowon A2 STILL beats every crappy ipod in apple's array. Why do these things sell so well? HORRIBLE formats, crappy DRM itunes, and a screen half the size of some competitors. Apple is feeding on a mis-informed market, and should be shot.

iPods are everywhere, I've even seen them for sale in Vending Machines. the Cowon is bad ass, but you can't just buy it anywhere. And iPods have more accessories than every other MP3 player combined, probably 10x the amount. What B&M can an average joe go to today and pick up a Cowon? I like the player a lot mind you, The only thing I really like about iPods are the accessories, I might get a Touch, I might get a Zune I might get a Cowon. At least we have a choice and some of us know you don't have to get an iPod.

Here is another problem, Apple what could almost be seen as a monopoly on the market, but i just find that maddeing when they're ARE, in fact, more, and better, options. Apple is on a popularity sales trend here, people but them because near everyone buys them, and i don't like that sort of market with almost no competition because people are mis-informed. If someone went out and saw and ipod and a cowon next to each other, and still bought the ipod, i'd be happy. But the ridiculaus monopoly-like grip apple has, makes me angry. I was really annoyed at microsoft for not strongarming the zune into stores, because i just wanted to see some real cmpetition and market innovation.

Please, by all means foward that to the Cowon marketing department.

No, you know what, it's on me..I'll pick up the tab.

PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS. PEOPLE ARE SHEEP. PEOPLE ARE SMART. PEOPLE ARE RATIONAL. PEOPLE ARE INDEPENDENT.

All that can be argued.

The fact that Apple is a monopoly is not based on anti-competitive muscle. People are satisfied, and in the end it is the marginal utility that is driving their sales, not Apple's actions towards any other business.

It's weird really...not to try to paint them in a good light, but they really KNOW how to WORK the system....people eat their sh!t up (even me) because they provide us with some Cake RIGHT NOW.

<-likes cake

I didn't say they had anti-competition buisness models, i'm just saying so many people buy ipods, it's almost impossible to for other buisness, even the mighty ms, to get some sort of "real" competition to sell. And , i think, i will write to cowon, they could really bust apple open with the upcoming A3 if they had the marketing power and gave it a little time.

*warning***
RANT:

sorry but that's horsh!t....pardon my russian.

if a company can't compete in a purely competitive market (the only barrier to entry is RIAA/MPAA licensing and pricing agreements which they want to fvk apple for anyway), they don't deserve to survive.

These companies just suck at business.

I would hope most people agree that phones like the Nokia N95 are SICK. Seriously, Nokia has a STELLAR reputation. The damn thing includes the frigeen kitchen sink, and all the nerds all over the world were salivating over it.

The problem is two-fold.

1) they suck at marketing apparently. Plaster celebrities all over with it...put it on tv..radio...commercials...product placement in movies..SOMETHING.

jeeze people....it's liek they expect people to jsut "gravitate"to their products.

that's one thign I give mad props to apple corp.

They don't sit on their ass, and market the SH!t out of what amounts to a hard drive / flash with a fancy LCD on the front and a snazzy interface as if it is solution for all your owes, a necessity for every day and everywhere.


It's the competitors that suck..


oh and on a side note, as if it hasn't been said enough:
seriously MS..WTF..."squirting?!" not wonder their product sales suck. and no wireless downloading...?! They could've beaten apple to market ages ago...

if anything, they fvked them self....apple is just taking all the pie for itself and getting fat off of it while the competitors jsut jack off on the floor out of view...

well, i agree the competition sucks at marketing, but the fact remains if people differentiate an iPod from an mp3 player, our culture is going to take awhile to convert even if a better product is marketed well. I g2g for like 1 hour, but i'll be back to continue this friendly debate. cheers :beer:

I disagree....people acknowledge better feature sets and comparable solutions. It is due to lackluster marketing and companies expecting to be fed.


Although apple looks like it's calm, it's aggressive as fvk, spreading into many industries....many markets. It is CREATING demand where we were told there was none....all due to the people there that tell us that there is a DEMAND.

sure wall street sees this (look at the #'s today), but the customer base loves the food and keeps on eating...

 

[Goosemaster]

<--shuts the hell up

 

[mchammer187]

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: mchammer187

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: dartworth
iPod/Apple haters make me laugh:beer:


h

I know!

Its hilarious...

meh

lol, see, thats the POINT! their stock is going up! why? they selling a crappy product to an ill-informed market! thats why i hate them, i never said they weren't doing well.

crappy? they are giving people what they want apparently and people aren't disappointed.. Sure they usually "define" what the market "wants," but people eat it up...so blame the people.

The ipod is not crap btw. it may be outclassed via NUMEROUS additional features by the competition, and I think that's what helps its market appeal to the scared-of-technology crowd. it provides them a taste of a tax-bracket-ravishing IPO with just some lame government bond

It gives people a lot upfront.....and people pay for that convenience....

it's like the dollar menu or something I guess..

There it is! See, i don't blame the people, i blame the avalibilty of information about those other features! If people knew this, then they could make an informed decision, and even if they bought the ipod, i'd still be happy with it. But people don't get inf on the competition, and theirn lies the problem.

this is about the inherent repercussions of establishing and maintaining a fruitful capitalist society.

Apparently ,as you seem to be gravitating towards people, this has nothing to do with mp3 players

I think you just hate people.

If you want to discuss the economics of this, using my pathetic level of knowledge on the subject, what LEGITIMATE BARRIERS would you say competitors face in entering the mp3 market beside a little competition. (ignorance on the product is assumed if there is no advertising)

Where are the cowon ads?

I don't hate people =) But, the fact is there is not just a little competition, there is ALOT. First, it would take a huge amount of advertising, (which, btw, i agree other companies have failed miserably in) but the main competition is how far the ipod has worked itself into the culture of todays america. Half the people i know think an iPod is not the same as an mp3 player. It's the kind of thinking the has engulfed those not as technically knowledgable as some of us, that makes it almost impossible for a competitor to edge in.

If a truly superior product came out than I think the masses would adopt it

if you really believe that the Cowon A2 is superior in virtually every way than an ipod touch I've got news for you it isn't

the iPod touch loses simply because it's a, in most respects, a DRM only player. why, in your opinion, is the touch superior?

objective

size alone

Cowan A2
+ plays all formats (touch requires reencoding)
+ 4" TFT vs 3.5"
+ Records voice
+ 30 GB vs. 8 GB

- uses HDD which is a lot less reliable than flash (advantage is its capacity)
- 3x as large (volume)
- 2x as heavy (weight)
- no Wifi ipod is much easier to sync (ie cableless)
- no web browser

= picture capability
= price is a wash when comparing 8 GB ipod touch

subjective

- interface is not half as easy/functional as apples touch screen
- apples device looks much better ie the design

the last two are purely subjective but they are reasons that contribute to why i believe the ipod touch is superior

size to the features is the most important thing to me and the A2 being 3x as large and twice as heavy would probably prevent me from even considering it

 

[michaels]

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: dartworth
iPod/Apple haters make me laugh:beer:


h

I know!

Its hilarious...

meh

lol, see, thats the POINT! their stock is going up! why? they selling a crappy product to an ill-informed market! thats why i hate them, i never said they weren't doing well.

crappy? they are giving people what they want apparently and people aren't disappointed.. Sure they usually "define" what the market "wants," but people eat it up...so blame the people.

The ipod is not crap btw. it may be outclassed via NUMEROUS additional features by the competition, and I think that's what helps its market appeal to the scared-of-technology crowd. it provides them a taste of a tax-bracket-ravishing IPO with just some lame government bond

It gives people a lot upfront.....and people pay for that convenience....

it's like the dollar menu or something I guess..

There it is! See, i don't blame the people, i blame the avalibilty of information about those other features! If people knew this, then they could make an informed decision, and even if they bought the ipod, i'd still be happy with it. But people don't get inf on the competition, and theirn lies the problem.

A lot of us are well aware that there are phones out there that offer more than the iphone. That's not the point. The reason I chose the iphone was the ease of use offered by the Apple UI. It's features are simply a click away, and streamlined. Plus, the web browsing is top notch (better than any phone I've encountered).

I don't think most people know they're are better phones though, and thats what i object to.

Who cares really? You are not the one paying for or using the phone they buy. How is your life affected?

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: videogames101
the iPod touch loses simply because it's a, in most respects, a DRM only player. why, in your opinion, is the touch superior?

how is it a DRM only player exactly? it may promote DRM, but it's not a DRM only player.. that's ridiculous.

Originally posted by: videogames101
I don't think most people know they're are better phones though, and thats what i object to.

You have to define "better." The masses will give up all the snazy features for an easy to use UI. Look at the ipod. It lacks plenty of "extras" but the masses don't care. I don't care, because I love the UI.


But the whole DRM thing is a bit unnerving... that is something I don't think people fully understand, and probably won't for a while.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: videogames101
the iPod touch loses simply because it's a, in most respects, a DRM only player. why, in your opinion, is the touch superior?

how is it a DRM only player exactly? it may promote DRM, but it's not a DRM only player.. that's ridiculous.

Originally posted by: videogames101
I don't think most people know they're are better phones though, and thats what i object to.

You have to define "better." The masses will give up all the snazy features for an easy to use UI. Look at the ipod. It lacks plenty of "extras" but the masses don't care. I don't care, because I love the UI.


But the whole DRM thing is a bit unnerving... that is something I don't think people fully understand, and probably won't for a while.

Usability is a key feature of any consumer electronics device. Apple, quite simply, is the market leader in usability and human-computer interaction. This is why apple products are so popular, not because the "masses are sheep." Ease of use is important, people.

 

[glutenberg]

More features does not always mean better. A simple reference to the Homer-mobile from The Simpsons is all you need to understand this concept.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: mchammer187

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: mchammer187

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: dartworth
iPod/Apple haters make me laugh:beer:


h

I know!

Its hilarious...

meh

lol, see, thats the POINT! their stock is going up! why? they selling a crappy product to an ill-informed market! thats why i hate them, i never said they weren't doing well.

crappy? they are giving people what they want apparently and people aren't disappointed.. Sure they usually "define" what the market "wants," but people eat it up...so blame the people.

The ipod is not crap btw. it may be outclassed via NUMEROUS additional features by the competition, and I think that's what helps its market appeal to the scared-of-technology crowd. it provides them a taste of a tax-bracket-ravishing IPO with just some lame government bond

It gives people a lot upfront.....and people pay for that convenience....

it's like the dollar menu or something I guess..

There it is! See, i don't blame the people, i blame the avalibilty of information about those other features! If people knew this, then they could make an informed decision, and even if they bought the ipod, i'd still be happy with it. But people don't get inf on the competition, and theirn lies the problem.

this is about the inherent repercussions of establishing and maintaining a fruitful capitalist society.

Apparently ,as you seem to be gravitating towards people, this has nothing to do with mp3 players

I think you just hate people.

If you want to discuss the economics of this, using my pathetic level of knowledge on the subject, what LEGITIMATE BARRIERS would you say competitors face in entering the mp3 market beside a little competition. (ignorance on the product is assumed if there is no advertising)

Where are the cowon ads?

I don't hate people =) But, the fact is there is not just a little competition, there is ALOT. First, it would take a huge amount of advertising, (which, btw, i agree other companies have failed miserably in) but the main competition is how far the ipod has worked itself into the culture of todays america. Half the people i know think an iPod is not the same as an mp3 player. It's the kind of thinking the has engulfed those not as technically knowledgable as some of us, that makes it almost impossible for a competitor to edge in.

If a truly superior product came out than I think the masses would adopt it

if you really believe that the Cowon A2 is superior in virtually every way than an ipod touch I've got news for you it isn't

the iPod touch loses simply because it's a, in most respects, a DRM only player. why, in your opinion, is the touch superior?

objective

size alone

Cowan A2
+ plays all formats (touch requires reencoding)
+ 4" TFT vs 3.5"
+ Records voice
+ 30 GB vs. 8 GB

- uses HDD which is a lot less reliable than flash (advantage is its capacity)
- 3x as large (volume)
- 2x as heavy (weight)
- no Wifi ipod is much easier to sync (ie cableless)
- no web browser

= picture capability
= price is a wash when comparing 8 GB ipod touch

subjective

- interface is not half as easy/functional as apples touch screen
- apples device looks much better ie the design

the last two are purely subjective but they are reasons that contribute to why i believe the ipod touch is superior

size to the features is the most important thing to me and the A2 being 3x as large and twice as heavy would probably prevent me from even considering it

First, as i own the cowon, it's not nearly as heavy or thick as it may seems from it's statistics. Second, your forgetting that the A2 has..

+USB hosting to other devices
+Line in recording (Both audio and video!)
+Built in speakers (Of course, they ahve the same quality as every built in speaker set, but what can you do eh?)
+Amount of storage advantage allows playback of many full feature movies, and the A2's battery allows 9 hours of video in my experience.
+The screen is amazing when watching videos!
+Audio enhancements, including a 5-band equalizer with presets, and features like MPenchance(basically just another increase bass and treble thing), BBE, bass boost, 3Dsurround, etc
+Text Viewing
+Video and audio line out! yes, put the A2 interface on your tv!
+Timed video recording, think of it as a DVR sorta thing
+If your in Japan and other countries you can watch TV over the airwaves
+Radio tuner built in (although i've had crappy reception)
+Records radio
+VERY frequent firmware updates
+DivX! (guess thats in format secton...)
+Leather carrying case that i personally love
+Higher wattage output then the iPod for powering portable speakers, etc (don't have exact stats)


All i can think of atm, but i think i got my point across. and it's really not all to hard to use

ALSO, the A3 is coming soon, which will add even more features

EDIT: built in mic, or was that already mentioned?

EDIT: and, tenatively, the A3 can read PDFs!

 

[videogames101]

I should make a commercial for this thing, i do better then the cowon marketing department! lol...

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: videogames101
+USB hosting to other devices

So what? Why does the average joe need that?

+Line in recording (Both audio and video!)

Again, this isn't a very useful feature to me. Only a small, very small, handful of people I know that *might* use that.

+Built in speakers (Of course, they ahve the same quality as every built in speaker set, but what can you do eh?)
+Amount of storage advantage allows playback of many full feature movies, and the A2's battery allows 9 hours of video in my experience.
+The screen is amazing when watching videos!

I'll agree on those.

+Audio enhancements, including a 5-band equalizer with presets, and features like MPenchance(basically just another increase bass and treble thing), BBE, bass boost, 3Dsurround, etc

the vast majority of people don't care about this. If it works, and sounds decent enough, they'll take it. Look at all the people who have HDTV's using standard def sources.. and they go "aahh.. this looks GREAT!".

+Text Viewing

meh

+Video and audio line out! yes, put the A2 interface on your tv!

agree to an extent, mainly because I like this, but still think for the general populous, they will just go "wtf, whatever, where's my DVD"

+Timed video recording, think of it as a DVR sorta thing
+If your in Japan and other countries you can watch TV over the airwaves

cool, but niche markets

+Radio tuner built in (although i've had crappy reception)
+Records radio

People still listen to the radio? heh, I kid. It's still a minority though.

+VERY frequent firmware updates
+DivX! (guess thats in format secton...)
+Leather carrying case that i personally love
+Higher wattage output then the iPod for powering portable speakers, etc (don't have exact stats)

all things no one but geeks care about. Ok, the case (and accessories in general) I'll give ya... Apple started nickling and diming people for that crap.


My point is, we're geeks. Look at the general population. I'm talking about walking into a best buy and THOSE people. not your friends and family. Work at a best buy and you'll see. The iPod/iTunes thing is SIMPLE.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: videogames101
+USB hosting to other devices

So what? Why does the average joe need that?

+Line in recording (Both audio and video!)

Again, this isn't a very useful feature to me. Only a small, very small, handful of people I know that *might* use that.

+Built in speakers (Of course, they ahve the same quality as every built in speaker set, but what can you do eh?)
+Amount of storage advantage allows playback of many full feature movies, and the A2's battery allows 9 hours of video in my experience.
+The screen is amazing when watching videos!

I'll agree on those.

+Audio enhancements, including a 5-band equalizer with presets, and features like MPenchance(basically just another increase bass and treble thing), BBE, bass boost, 3Dsurround, etc

the vast majority of people don't care about this. If it works, and sounds decent enough, they'll take it. Look at all the people who have HDTV's using standard def sources.. and they go "aahh.. this looks GREAT!".

+Text Viewing

meh

+Video and audio line out! yes, put the A2 interface on your tv!

agree to an extent, mainly because I like this, but still think for the general populous, they will just go "wtf, whatever, where's my DVD"

+Timed video recording, think of it as a DVR sorta thing
+If your in Japan and other countries you can watch TV over the airwaves

cool, but niche markets

+Radio tuner built in (although i've had crappy reception)
+Records radio

People still listen to the radio? heh, I kid. It's still a minority though.

+VERY frequent firmware updates
+DivX! (guess thats in format secton...)
+Leather carrying case that i personally love
+Higher wattage output then the iPod for powering portable speakers, etc (don't have exact stats)

all things no one but geeks care about. Ok, the case (and accessories in general) I'll give ya... Apple started nickling and diming people for that crap.


My point is, we're geeks. Look at the general population. I'm talking about walking into a best buy and THOSE people. not your friends and family. Work at a best buy and you'll see. The iPod/iTunes thing is SIMPLE.

To add to the accessories bit, they include all the recording and usb hosting etc wires, which is a huge plus.

and..


*Simple? does not compute! 10110100 self-destruct!*

i think how you described that is an over-exaggeration, most teens in high school could find a use for some of those features you spefified as not simple or important to the average joe. I guess i may just be judging from myself and my own current freshman friends, but then again I'm posting on anadtech and my friends play WoW all day, so i guess that doesn't really count. :brokenheart:

Anyways, sooner or later the general population will begin to become more tech-savy, and we'll see what happens. oh, and...

+It's bad ass! I get turned heads walking down the hallways with that thing! *cheers* :beer:

 

[Pepsi90919]

so um

does this new huge ipod classic support FLAC or just apple's lossless? is there an easy conversion from APE or FLAC to it?

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
so um

does this new huge ipod classic support FLAC or just apple's lossless? is there an easy conversion from APE or FLAC to it?

well, that was a nice change, back to the threads topic huh? but no, i (think) i read in the engadet article it's still just apple lossless

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: videogames101
*Simple? does not compute! 10110100 self-destruct!*

i think how you described that is an over-exaggeration, most teens in high school could find a use for some of those features you spefified as not simple or important to the average joe. I guess i may just be judging from myself and my own current freshman friends, but then again I'm posting on anadtech and my friends play WoW all day, so i guess that doesn't really count. :brokenheart:

Anyways, sooner or later the general population will begin to become more tech-savy, and we'll see what happens. oh, and...

+It's bad ass! I get turned heads walking down the hallways with that thing! *cheers* :beer:

Have you ever worked retail.. or specifically, tech retail? Or done desktop support or the equivalent? I don't have any faith in the general public getting tech savy in the near future. Maybe 15, 20 years. Maybe. People want things to just work. And they don't want to do any work (or do the least possible) to use it. Now there's a lot of personal bias for ya

 

[ponyo]

I think it's about time to short Apple. New ipods are pretty lame and I don't see many people rushing out to upgrade their current iPods. Price drop on iPhone will increase sales but it suggest desperation on Apple's part on iPhone sales and expectation. Price drop will definitely hurt the gross margin which was key to the Apple stock run up after initial reports of 50+% margins on iPhone. I can definitely see why the Street was disappointed with today's announcement.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: videogames101
Well, my Cowon A2 STILL beats every crappy ipod in apple's array. Why do these things sell so well? HORRIBLE formats, crappy DRM itunes, and a screen half the size of some competitors. Apple is feeding on a mis-informed market, and should be shot.

iPods are everywhere, I've even seen them for sale in Vending Machines. the Cowon is bad ass, but you can't just buy it anywhere. And iPods have more accessories than every other MP3 player combined, probably 10x the amount. What B&M can an average joe go to today and pick up a Cowon? I like the player a lot mind you, The only thing I really like about iPods are the accessories, I might get a Touch, I might get a Zune I might get a Cowon. At least we have a choice and some of us know you don't have to get an iPod.

Here is another problem, Apple what could almost be seen as a monopoly on the market, but i just find that maddeing when they're ARE, in fact, more, and better, options. Apple is on a popularity sales trend here, people but them because near everyone buys them, and i don't like that sort of market with almost no competition because people are mis-informed. If someone went out and saw and ipod and a cowon next to each other, and still bought the ipod, i'd be happy. But the ridiculaus monopoly-like grip apple has, makes me angry. I was really annoyed at microsoft for not strongarming the zune into stores, because i just wanted to see some real cmpetition and market innovation.

I don't know, last time I went to BB I was checking out the MP3 section, they had a ton of players from a ton of different companies. Apple, MS, Sony, Sandisk, Samsung, Toshiba just to name some. There is nothing really bad about the iPod, you can do better sure, but people recognize the iPod, people don't even call mp3 players mp3 players, a lot say "iPod" regardless of what you have.

they own the mp3 market because of smart marketing and a product that a dummy can hook up to a PC and copy their music over without knowing shit. Which is ironic because every persons iPod I've hooked to my PC I've seem to have problems getting it to sync, or re-sync go figure

if I end up going with the Touch it'll be because it has the cool factor, I'm not an Apply Fanboy but I am pretty impressed with the iPhone's interface.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: Naustica
I think it's about time to short Apple. New ipods are pretty lame and I don't see many people rushing out to upgrade their current iPods. Price drop on iPhone will increase sales but it suggest desperation on Apple's part on iPhone sales and expectation. Price drop will definitely hurt the gross margin which was key to the Apple stock run up after initial reports of 50+% margins on iPhone. I can definitely see why the Street was disappointed with today's announcement.

pretty lame? it's thinner has 2x the storage (for flash based players) wifi xfer of music and the same interface that made people run out and buy the iPhone. Apple fanboys will eat them up, I'm not even a fan of Apple and I'm almost convienced I will get a Touch the day they come out. It's a cool device that should sell very well.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: videogames101

the iPod touch loses simply because it's a, in most respects, a DRM only player. why, in your opinion, is the touch superior?

I have one DRM track on my iPod mini from the iTunes Music Store. Everything else is MP3's from my CDs. It's certainly not "DRM only".

There's a lot of aspects that are lacking. A voice recorder would be an amazing addition, especially with all the students that use them (plus the microphone could potentially be used for a third-party VOIP application in the ipod touch). A lot of people mention the lack of an FM tuner, but I don't see that as a huge disadvantage personally. Re-encoding my video will be a PITA, and of course there's the whole battery thing.

Also, did anyone else get a really weird display of this page? I had one post that was a huge gray block and a couple massive blank posts in a row.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: videogames101
*Simple? does not compute! 10110100 self-destruct!*

i think how you described that is an over-exaggeration, most teens in high school could find a use for some of those features you spefified as not simple or important to the average joe. I guess i may just be judging from myself and my own current freshman friends, but then again I'm posting on anadtech and my friends play WoW all day, so i guess that doesn't really count. :brokenheart:

Anyways, sooner or later the general population will begin to become more tech-savy, and we'll see what happens. oh, and...

+It's bad ass! I get turned heads walking down the hallways with that thing! *cheers* :beer:

Have you ever worked retail.. or specifically, tech retail? Or done desktop support or the equivalent? I don't have any faith in the general public getting tech savy in the near future. Maybe 15, 20 years. Maybe. People want things to just work. And they don't want to do any work (or do the least possible) to use it. Now there's a lot of personal bias for ya

I have not, hence comment of myself being in my high school frshman year, but i hope to work at best buy or something, maybe compusa, so i'll soon find out =)

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: MrBond

Originally posted by: videogames101

the iPod touch loses simply because it's a, in most respects, a DRM only player. why, in your opinion, is the touch superior?

I have one DRM track on my iPod mini from the iTunes Music Store. Everything else is MP3's from my CDs. It's certainly not "DRM only".

There's a lot of aspects that are lacking. A voice recorder would be an amazing addition, especially with all the students that use them (plus the microphone could potentially be used for a third-party VOIP application in the ipod touch). A lot of people mention the lack of an FM tuner, but I don't see that as a huge disadvantage personally. Re-encoding my video will be a PITA, and of course there's the whole battery thing.

Also, did anyone else get a really weird display of this page? I had one post that was a huge gray block and a couple massive blank posts in a row.

the DRM comment being that most people buying iPods use Itunes

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: Naustica
I think it's about time to short Apple. New ipods are pretty lame and I don't see many people rushing out to upgrade their current iPods. Price drop on iPhone will increase sales but it suggest desperation on Apple's part on iPhone sales and expectation. Price drop will definitely hurt the gross margin which was key to the Apple stock run up after initial reports of 50+% margins on iPhone. I can definitely see why the Street was disappointed with today's announcement.

pretty lame? it's thinner has 2x the storage (for flash based players) wifi xfer of music and the same interface that made people run out and buy the iPhone. Apple fanboys will eat them up, I'm not even a fan of Apple and I'm almost convienced I will get a Touch the day they come out. It's a cool device that should sell very well.

You're right. Touch is pretty cool. I came home and read the AP article on the new ipods and and only saw the mini which didn't impress me. I went to Apple site and saw the Touch. That's nice and will sell. I don't think the mini will. I still think the price drop on the iPhone will hurt them. Shrinking gross margin is never a good thing on Wall St.