Normally I would agree with this statement ... and it may be true of the iPod Shuffle. But the regular iPod's amazing feature is the iPod wheel. It is truly innovative and allows for one hand operation. As Steve Jobs has been know to say, "it's insanely great".
I think Apple will retain its edge on the regular iPod. Apple will always be a problem for those who just don't want to pay the extra amount of money for innovative features and cutting edge industrial design.
I think you'll agree that even when buying a toaster there are people who set out to buy qualiity and a good looking appliance and others who buy the least expensive toaster that does the job.
Good points. I agree that there are those out there who will pay whatever it costs for neat high quality stuff--and surely that's what this is. To me it seems that this device is like selling a dvd player for $300 when the rest are now going for $50 and the cheap ones for $25. I've invested in companies in the past who were doing similar kinds of things and it didn't work out for me as I had hoped. I have no doubt that there will be decent competitive units with displays for $30 within 2 years from the likes of Sony.