Networking: iPod dominance a mirage?

UPI ^ | January 9, 2005 | UPI

[2Jim_Brown]

CHICAGO, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Though Apple Computer has reported remarkable success with its iPod -- sales rose by 250 percent during the last fiscal year -- there is some competition coming this week for the developer of the world's most famous, legitimate music downloading network, experts tell United Press International's Networking.

The rivalry, moreover, is not approaching from Asian consumer electronics pioneers Sony or Samsung. Rather, it is emerging from Apple's oldest American nemesis, Microsoft Corp., which has teamed with Verizon Wireless, a project of Verizon Communications and the U.K.'s telecom whiz Vodafone. By Gene Koprowski

[itsahoot]

I asked if it is merely an mp3 player, which it appears is all it is.

Then I would say you are woefully ignorant of the iPods purpose and features. A Rolls Royce is merely a car after all.

[xp38]

Maybe I missed one that equals the current top ipod capacity of 60 gb but I did go looking for them and couldn't find any. If there are ones out there let me know. The rumour I heard is the next generation ipod will produce an 80 gb version.

[Rhiannon]

Ipod has an excellant interface. The regular unit can hold more date, music etc, has many functions , address book, calendar. A PDa with a hard drive. Large memory. 5000 songs is nothing to sneeze at. It was the first to break out the emarket for minaturization. Easy download abilities.

Now all that said ,there are new mp3 players that are competive , good interface and similar capilities. I got the Toshiba 40 gigabeat for a lot less that comparable IPod cost and is is a really nice small music player.

[ccmay]

I have Verizon for one reason only-- they have the only reception where I live. I absolutely hate the money-grubbing pirates.

They took what should have been a decent phone-- the Motorola v710 -- and crippled it so you could only buy music, ring tones, etc. from Verizon and could only get photos off your phone by attaching them to a text message. They have crippled every decent phone they have offered as part of some @$$hole marketing major's vision of how to squeeze the last penny out of their subscribers. They are one of the most evil companies in the country.

I abuse their reps every time I interact with them, and tell them I can't wait to get rid of their $#!tty overpriced crippled phones. The minute, nay, the very second, I can get a dial tone at my house with any other company, they have lost me as a client forever.

To think that I might buy music from them and from Mr. Blue Screen of Death is positively comical. I would quit listening to music altogether before buying anything from the scum.

-ccm

[mpop]

When a GSM based service is available where you live you should go for it. Unlike Verizon and sprint (CDMA) the phone does not have to be approved by the carrier, with a GSM system (T-Mobile, Cingulare) your account is tracked on your sim card that goes in the phone instead of the ESN on the phone. So if you get an unlocked phone you can put the SIM card from any GSM carrier in it and it will work, if that SIM card is attached to an account.

[Huck]

Then I would say you are woefully ignorant of the iPods purpose and features.

Other than the woefully part, I agree. That's why I'm asking. Duh. But I'm not filled with woe.

A Rolls Royce is merely a car after all.

You say that as if it weren't true.

[Huck]

I don't submit to peer pressure, because none of my friends do.

[mosquitobite]

Mine is the 1GB YP-T7JZ. (How's that name for marketing? LOL)

http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/ProductM.jsp?nxtg=1ce70a1c0530-850463E8E9A018A0&page=1&pdir=0&lgnode=&display_mode=0&node=&lgsearch=samsung_yp_t7&ptitle=83552732&core=&kw=Samsung_YP_T7JZ_1GB

[Zeppelin]

rock on! =P

[RockyTop4GOP]

I got my first ipod for Christmas and I'm wondering how I survived life without it.

I've had a variety of mp3 players and admit to being a downloader. (My freshman year of college was the height of the Napster craze!)

Ipods are special because it's a functional one-stop shop. Not only can buy music from itunes, but you can upload all your cds on the player and then put them on your ipod. Apple has done an excellent job of designing their software. It's infinitely better than my last Sony mp3 player. With a simple drag and click, suddenly all my favorite cds are loaded onto one portable appliance.

The extra docking appliances are awesome. How often have you wanted to play something on your mp3 player through your stereo or play your favorite tunes while driving on a long trip? An ipod is the only player that does that.

I'm sure that in the coming years, other companies will create similar products to the ipod, but Apple really found a niche and has perfected it.