How has Apple been able to create a portable music device that’s become the “must have” gift this year? And why hasn’t anyone else been able to create much buzz around their player? The Rio Carbon appears to be the only other mp3 player I hear or read anything about. I just can’t believe that the iPod is so much better than anything else available. So why is everyone talking almost exclusively about the iPod? Even Scoble begged Gates to get in the game with a cool player. Here are my thoughts:
The iPod is Sexy – It exudes style and if you’re going to be carrying it around in public you might as well look cool. Even the white earphones (as terrible as they sound) look pretty hip.
iPod ads are Unique – The bold, two color ads are memorable if a little too “in your face” for me. I’ve seen the ads parodied around the web and people remember them.
Tons of Accessories – From designer cases to speakers, nothing comes close to offering the number of add-ons or accessories for your iPod.
Sense of Community – From iPodLounge to the many other websites where iPod owners congregate and discuss their obsession, there’s a sense of belonging to an exclusive club when you purchase an iPod.
Apple Stores – I’ve never owned a Mac but I can’t keep myself out of the Apple stores when I visit the mall. They are so open and bright and I can’t keep my hands off the products. Many retailers keep the mp3 players behind glass or on a leash. Seldom do they have them out to test drive. Apple, on the other hand, has the iPod near the entrance and they make them easy to test drive.
I owned a 2nd generation iPod for a couple of weeks. Maybe my experience with the device would have been more enjoyable had I owned a Mac and been accustomed to iTunes. But as the owner of a PC running Windows XP, I found working with the iPod driver and MusicMatch software an exercise in frustration. I refuse to own an mp3 player that requires extra software just to move files back and forth between the device and my PC.
I eBay’d my iPod and eventually purchased an iRiver H-120 which I just love. It doesn’t have nearly as many accessories and might not look as cool as an iPod, but it’s a fabulous little player. It’s recognized as an additional drive under Windows XP, doesn’t require any special software to transfer files back and forth and had the coolest LCD remote you’ve ever seen. It’s been one of the best items I’ve purchased in years. I’m not sure it’s the device I’d buy for my parents, for for the technically savvy, it rocks.
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