iPod

January 13, 2005 | Filed Under Technology 

I’ve recently been considering getting an iPod. I’m not really too big on MP3s (I’ll certainly never stop buying real records), but in light of the possibility of traveling a lot this year and considering my daily commute to and from work, it doesn’t seem entirely impractical.

I was reading reviews last night of the fourth generation 20GB model, as well as its competitors. What? The iPod has competition? Yes, it does. The iRiver H320, for example, has a bunch more features (including photo support with a full color display, support for Ogg Vorbis, longer battery life, built-in FM tuner, and audio line-in for live recording) at about the same cost of the latest 20GB iPod.

Still, the iPod has yet to be matched, let alone outdone, in terms of its design. The minimal looks, the clickwheel navigation, the intangible “cool” factor, and its seamless integration with iTunes, all make for a pretty package.

I do have several preemptive gripes, though. For one, iPods (and especially 4th generation 20GB models) seem to lack some pretty essential accessories. No cradle/docking station? No remote? No case? These are things which, if you’re shelling out $300, should be included in the standard package. The skins (protective silicon coverings) sell for about $30. The dock sells for about $40, as does the remote/earphones package. And thanks to Apple’s fascist pricing policies, deals are rare or nonexistent. As you can see, it starts to add up:

iPod 4G 20GB: $300
Dock: $40
Remote: $40
Skin: $30
—————
Total: $410

Another, less important problem: they do not offer a choice of colors for the full-size iPods. White only? I don’t buy anything white if I can help it. White gets dirty. White is boring. Where’s the black, the silver, or the periwinkle iPod? U2 Edition? Fuck that. Now, if they made a Negativland iPod, that would be cool.

I’ll probably buy one, though, like a good consumer. I’ll also have to buy a skin and replace those white earbuds with something less conspicuous (and more comfortable). I do hope that you current iPod owners realize that the earbuds sold with iPods are the equivalent of having a “please rob me” sign taped to your back. Luckily, I have good pair of portable headphones already.

Comments

Leave a Reply