[orangelobster]

Apple has designed the player to forbid you from playing music in wmp format, the real networks music store and who knows what other restrictions in their software. Apple has forbidden you from even changing the battery when it goes dead.

I'll admit it looks good, and the wheel is great, but there are plenty of other players that don't have these restrictions. MP3 players are just hard drives and a little software. that's it.

[.38sw]

Oh, please. I don't care that I can't play music in wmp format, there are plenty of other formats I CAN play on my iPod. I don't HAVE to buy music from iTunes. And it's simply untrue that you can't change the battery. I didn't buy my iPod because it "looks good". I enjoy it, and when the battery dies, I'll get a new battery installed, because I can.

[RobRoy]

>>Apple has designed the player to forbid you from playing music in wmp format, the real networks music store and who knows what other restrictions in their software. Apple has forbidden you from even changing the battery when it goes dead.<<

And that is why it is a "liberal" product. 8^>

I want versatility and freedom. Also, when one product intentionally limits my choice while the rest of the market offers choice. I sort of rail against the company in general. I don't like when companies are arrogant enough to think they can get away with it.

[rlmorel]

True, but notice how many people are trying to copy the form factor and hardware? That click wheel didn't just pop out of the sand, someone paid engineers and designers a lot of money to figure it out. And they do a nice job. That's why I don't mind giving em my money.

[ThinkDifferent]

Apple has designed the player to forbid you from playing music in wmp format, the real networks music store and who knows what other restrictions in their software.

There's a difference between a "restriction" and a feature that isn't implemented. It's not like the iPod could naturally play WMA and Apple deliberately disabled that ability.

Apple has forbidden you from even changing the battery when it goes dead.

Not at all, there are several third party outfits selling replacement batteries.

[Izzy Dunne]

Apple has designed the player to forbid you from playing music in wmp format, the real networks music store

Can you tell me how they designed it in 2001 to "forbid" you from playing music from a store that came around 3 years later?