"Did you believe somebody who told you that, or is that lie original with you? "
I love it. Now I'm being called a liar. Here's the latest news about the new "think different" scheme to not include the adapter with new i-pods.
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/ipod/2g-ipod-mini-reviewed-verdict-insanely-okay-034157.php
I pointed you to the Apple Store to prove that claim is false. I asked if you were just passing on that false info from someone else, or if you were originating it yourself. I did not accuse you of being a liar. Telling a lie doesn't not make a person a liar. Telling a lot of lies can be a strong sign that a person is a liar.
I am now challenging you to prove your original claim. You claimed that it is no longer possible to buy an iPod and an adapter unless you buy the adapter separately. Prove it. Note that your claim was concerning an iPod, not an iPod mini. Prove it.
You are not a liar, you are just confused.
The new iPods include all of the accessories needed.
What has been discontinued is that Apple used to include both a firewire and a USB-2 cable with their iPods. They have discontinued including the firewire cable.
Since all PCs and all Macs made in the last 2 years have USB-2, the iPods work just fine. Some Mac owners are disgruntled because their machines also have firewire and they are used to using firewire with their iPods.
Years ago firewire was significantly better than USB and firewire was included with the iPods. Today, very few PCs have firewire and USB-2 is about 85% as fast as firewire (real world tests, not specs).
Therefore, they have decided to include a "universal" cable and make the firewire connector an extra cost option. No big deal.
Orangelobster is right, the latest minis do not come with the adapter. Go to Apple.com store and read what's "in the box".
I just received the U2 edition for Christmas and it DID come with the adapter, however!
Perhaps Apple is trying to keep the prices on the mini down so they are not including it. It's about $100 less than the basic iPod, although it holds far less songs. The value on the larger ones is much better, although you don't get the adorable color choices!
I received the Bose Sound Dock for the iPod for my birthday and it is outstanding!
The article you linked to claims "not everyone has powered USB ports on their PCs". That is a load of crap... the USB standard REQUIRES 500 milliamps of power be available on every USB port.