Smartalyx Computer Musings

While they have been around, I was recently asked by a client what I thought about the iPods. It was not until recently taht I had the chance to use an iPod day to day. I have a Creative Labs Zen Vision M, so there wasn’t a real need to run out and grab an iPod. I now have a iPod Touch, I thought it was a good time to share my thoughts. So client A- thanks for asking and here is my response.

I started using an iPod Touch (2nd Gen) about a month ago. There are a couple things I have disliked about the whole i-whatever line of products. One- the claim that Apple created the whole MP3 product. This is just another example of Apple marketing and it is false. Is the iPod the most successful at this point? No question, they just weren’t the first. This claim may not have been directly claimed by Apple but they are not quick to quell the rumors either. The other problem (and it is the biggest problem for me) is the locked down environment you “must”exist in in order to use the products. You cannot use any service other than iTunes in order to get media on or off the i-whatever.

I find it ironic, and it has been pointed out many times, that when Apple says think different they mean it in a very Orwell-esque fashion. Think no freedom or flexibility. You want music on your i-whatever, get iTunes. Why is this a problem? Well, Apple has some pretty tight rights management. And frankly other media providers have products and business models I prefer. Napster is subscription based- meaning as long as you pay a monthly fee any song you download will play. Granted you cancel the subscription the music goes away, so you are truly renting. But my musical taste changes and I enjoy being able to explore full tracks of artists I have not heard of.

When using Napster, if I explore and I find songs I especially like- I buy the MP3 version that is DRM free which allows me to truly ‘own’ my choices.  I can then burn mix CDs.This means I am enjoying the music the way I like to enjoy. iTunes does not have this ability- you get 30 seconds to decide and if you don’t like it well that’s tough.

Now why did I say I drank some of the Kool-Aid if I seem to have all these problems with iTunes? Well the Touch is elegant in its design. There is just something about it that beckons to you to pick up and touch. It practically begs to be used. The Touch is easy to carry and use, so it quickly becomes part of your “to go” kit. Car keys, phone and Touch. But it is not just part of my to go kit.

I also find I am using it around the house since it has WiFi as well. Connect to my router and bam- I have web access and EMAIL. These are things I normally need to pull out a laptop or hunker down in my office- now I can quickly check EMAIL, put it to the side and hang with the family. The Touch isn’t as burdensome as a laptop, so it comes out does what it needs and quickly goes away. That’s nice.

Another advantage is the app store. I still haven’t paid for an app yet, there are free apps that do exactly what I want. Some social web apps and I am golden. Now I can check Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Quick and easy as you please, thank you maam. Pandora Radio is one of my favorite sites and apps so I now have a whole new world of music available to me wherever I get WiFi.

The advantage of iTunes being the 800 pound gorilla is everything is there. All the podcasts and podiobooks that are otherwise spread out across sites and servers are there for the taking. I subscribe, sync as I need and I am gone. I have discovered some enjoyable works as a result.

The only problem with the sleek and elegant design is it has a feel of fragility. I do not think twice about grabbing my Zen and going. My Zen bounces from pocket to pocket, onto the console to listen through my Aux jack in my car and onto the desk at home. Solid, I would even say tank. The Touch I find myself being a little more careful. This may go away as I use it more, but it is an issue. Yes- I know I can get a case for the Touch, but I am comparing the products as they come out of the box.

And that is why I have drank some of the Kool-Aid. Do I think there are better, more capable devices out there? Yes. Are they as elegant and sleek? Probably not. Do other devices do more and give you more freedom with your media files? Yes, the Zen line of players from Creative Labs comes to mind (our family has multiple devices). The Kool-Aid has affected me- I now grab my keys, phone, wallet, Zen music player and the Touch on my way out the door.

Let me know if you have been an i-whatever user from the start or not and what you have experienced? The iPhone is now called 3G and iPods have changed enough- have you enjoyed one over the other? Have you tried other devices, music services? Chime in.