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To iPod or not to iPod
Lindsay Lohan
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So - my Shuffle is starting to show it's age. The headphone jack sometimes drops out on one side and frankly the size is starting to becoming limiting to me. I'm looking at buying something new - probably in the next few weeks.
Obviously, the most convenient option for me, given my newfound love of Podcasts and 16gig library already sorted w/ album art in iTunes, would be to continue buying iPods. I started looking at the 8Gig Nano and the 80Gig Classic. However, the temptation is there to jump ship at this point as there are some really nice alternatives.
Specifically - the Zune 8 or 80, the Creative Zen 16 and the SanDisk Sansa View 16 all offer advantages over the traditional iPod. Bigger screens, larger capacity, radio, etc are all really tempting (especially the Zen). So I guess a few questions:
* Are there any other advantages in getting an iPod aside from the convenience of not having to migrate my music library? (I only have one album bought from Apple, everything else is mp3, so at least format is a non-issue)
* Do the other players work directly with Windows Media Player or do they have their own library software?
* Do the other players work well with Podcasts?
Thanks!
Obviously, the most convenient option for me, given my newfound love of Podcasts and 16gig library already sorted w/ album art in iTunes, would be to continue buying iPods. I started looking at the 8Gig Nano and the 80Gig Classic. However, the temptation is there to jump ship at this point as there are some really nice alternatives.
Specifically - the Zune 8 or 80, the Creative Zen 16 and the SanDisk Sansa View 16 all offer advantages over the traditional iPod. Bigger screens, larger capacity, radio, etc are all really tempting (especially the Zen). So I guess a few questions:
* Are there any other advantages in getting an iPod aside from the convenience of not having to migrate my music library? (I only have one album bought from Apple, everything else is mp3, so at least format is a non-issue)
* Do the other players work directly with Windows Media Player or do they have their own library software?
* Do the other players work well with Podcasts?
Thanks!
Lindsay Lohan on
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Now, one thing I'm not sure is how well it works with podcasts, but I believe it is supposed to.
It's hard for me because I LOVE the looks of the Zune 80 with its nice big screen - but realistically given that my Shuffle is primarily used for my commute (approx 45 min each way) - I have no idea how much I'd use it for video. However, I didn't think I'd use the Shuffle much but now it's always with me.
Better accessory options (cases, etc) and the best $/GB ratio around. The 160GB Classic is a monster and I want one. Also free laser engraving if you order online. And I still think iTunes is the best music cataloging program I've ever used. Say what you will about it being used as a media player, but as far as library software goes, it's top notch.
Last I checked the Zune doesn't even do that. You have to use this other program that they developed specifically for it because there's this rule that says MP3 players have to come with the worst software you can imagine. And it pretty much satisfies that requirement with flying fucking colours from what I've seen of it.
I wouldn't know about this. I don't think most of the other players have software on the computer side that do nearly as good a job with Podcasts as iTunes does, but as far as playback is concerned they're really just MP3s. It's the syndication and organization functionality in iTunes that really sets the iPods apart from the pack.
Personally, if you're looking at a large capacity player I don't think you can beat the 160 GB iPod Classic. If you're looking at a flash player maybe you can do better than the Nanos, I don't know because I'm not in that market. I'd probably stick with the iPod brand if I were though, just because the integration with the software I'd want to use to organize my music anyhow is so good and for all of its flaws, the UI is still pretty good. If someone else wants to change the music on my stereo or in my car I never have to explain to them how, even if they've never handled one before. That's kind of nice.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
I have an 80GB iPod video (5.5G) and I felt the same way when I got it a year and a half ago.
Here's the thing: I was about 98% right.
Sometimes when I'm at the gym and I'm having trouble staying motivated to complete a cardio set on the bike I'll put on an episode of Robot Chicken instead of listening to music. That makes the time pass much more neatly. I'd never sit there on a bus trying to watch TV on my iPod though, and I've never found a use for that functionality in any other setting.
I guess some people must, though.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
But otherwise, I've even got a few freebie TV shows and I've never bothered to watch them. I've even got an Archos 420 PMP that has a big fat screen for video. I used it to, uh, sit on the couch and watch videos, with a big ol' TV right there. It eventually became relegated to picture-backup on trips, until we upgraded our CF cards to 2 gigs and never run out of space, and now it sits on a shelf unused. Maybe if I had a long commute, or had to sit at a car repair shop a lot, I'd get some more videos on it. But yeah, 99.9% of the time it's still just used for audio.
Now, having a nice color screen w/ album covers on it is a nice aesthetic touch, but that doesn't have to be super-hi-res on a huge screen.
Got it refurbed from Apple for $169 which I felt was a good price - I got green.
Now I just have to wait for it to show up
On the contrary, I use video on my iPod touch so that I don't have to share. It's great for long train rides where I don't want to deal with anyone. In the last two days I've watched Snatch, Boondock Saints and the first half of Shaun of the Dead while going back and forth from the city.
or Brawl. 4854.6102.3895 Name: NU..
If I do get one, I'll post back how it is, but I won't be able to help you with any of your questions because I don't use any library software and just download mp3's of podcasts anyway.
My point was that having to use a program other than Explorer or Finder or command prompt to move my files is unnecessary.
TBH, a 16gig Nano with Rockbox on it would be about the most perfect music player on god's green earth. But I'm not holding my breath.
I'm curious, where do you primarily use the wifi enabled portions of your Touch? Also if you find wifi pervasive out and about, what city do you live in?
Mainly at home and work (I have my work email keyed into my Touch, so I can check it on the fly, as well as having all my contacts on it.) The fact that it can sync with Outlook makes it very nice.
World of Warcraft - Calbert, Azjol-Nerub (PvE)
Not to flame here, but why do you use the ipod versus your computer or laptop?
I'm not the one who you asked, but I similarly have my work and personal email on my Touch, and I use it a lot at home for web browsing. The reason is that it's usually in my pocket an instantly on. To check if I have any mail, I just press a button and swipe my finger. To check something really quick on a webpage, I either have a WebClip of what I normally read or a bookmark. It's just faster.
And it's easier to use one handed while in the bathroom. Someone had to say it.
Yes, while in the bathroom you sick fucks.
or Brawl. 4854.6102.3895 Name: NU..
Because:
Mainly, it's just really nice to be able to pull my Touch out, pull up Mail, and look over what mail I have. Or look up a contact's information. And I don't have to whip out a heavy, bulky laptop to do so.
That's the exact reason I got mine. Instead of carrying an iPod and a laptop, I can just carry an iPod. Now if it could sync with Thunderbird so I could carry my contacts, I'd be content.
It can do everything.
Seriously, though, I'm surprised at all of the things this thin little sumbitch can do. I just found out yesterday that I can search for types of locations in the map app, and get directions and phone numbers. Turns out there are no coffee shops within 30 miles of my house, but it's a cool thing to have nonetheless. The only thing I wish it had was a word processing app besides the notes app. Well, that and a cell phone, but fuck AT&T.
Well, hopefully once the SDK is out, we'll see one made. I hope the MBU (Mac Business Unit, MS's Mac division) makes a light version of Word.
Seeing as I just tend to use shuffle anyway lack of a screen isn't much of a handicap. Plus seems pretty rugged and hard to damage, useful in a gym/being clumsy.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
First impressions had me focused on the display. It's the exact same size as the iPod classic, but the colors are much more vibrant and video seems at first glance to play a bit more smooth. On the interface and button layout, it could be improved with a few personal pet peaves (not being able to use left and right buttons to navigate forward and backward in menus) but overall it's very iPod-esque. The addition of the shortcut button makes it a transcendent leap past the iPod, imo. I have mine bound to the now playing screen, so I can go from any submenu straight to controlling the volume and/or track. Custom wallpapers are new for me and it's a fun little addition. Other little things like FM tuner, voice recording, track bookmarking and the like seem useful for some, although I doubt I'll use them much. Still nice additions over your traditional iPods.
I got frustrated when I realized that the Zen only supported Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), instead of Media Storage Device (MSC), which would basically make it a flash drive. When I first plugged it in, however, it acted pretty much the same as a flash drive in Explorer except it had no drive letter. This would have been fine, except I went ahead and installed the Creative software to see what it had to offer. Long story short, mostly useless crap with uninstallable offer and registration shit, and it wrecked this default plug-and-play behavior in Windows. When I removed it I couldn't get the thing to show up in Explorer. So I had to reinstall the basic package to get stuff on. I probably could have used another MTP compliant program but I couldn't fine one with a quick search (Windows Media Player works, but it's an Itunes like sync interface). I'm planning to switch to Linux with the April Ubuntu release and take solace in the fact that there's a well-supported library (libmtp) that will allow me to continue to use the thing.
Overall I think I got a good deal and feel like I will enjoy the device for a while to come. To answer some questions posed by the OP and that have popped up in the thread, the Creative software allows for Itunes migration specifically, although I didn't attempt it. It supports media transfer and syncing with anything that supports MTP, notably WMP and Mediamonkey. It had a "Zencast" software which on a cursory glance seemed to offer a very limited number of podcast subscriptions preset, although reviews of the Zen mention other podcast syncing software that is compatible; like I said I just download the mp3 and stick it on, so no firsthand experience there. Hope the review helps those seeking a new media player. I would definitely recommend the Zen for those looking for a smaller capacity device primarily for music, with occasional video viewing.
I highly recommend the 3g Nano - it's a wonderful device.
Coverflow is pretty, but actually pretty useless, especially on an iPod without a touch screen. It's cool to show your friends, but I'd never, ever actually use it to browse my music library.
You know, Cover Flow is even more useless on the iPod touch. It's one of the reasons I say that music playing is actually the weakest function of the touch (it's a little better on the iPhone since it has hardware volume controls). Just the fact that there's no fucking volume control in Cover Flow makes me angry at it. To change the volume I have to pick the damn thing up and turn it.
These days I've taken to placing it in its stand by just one corner the wall way and having it lean to one side (since the headphone jack is on the bottom).
or Brawl. 4854.6102.3895 Name: NU..
:?
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
I need some info on iPods really quick (like, right now) so sorry for not reading the thread.
-Can you use an iPod as a portable harddrive ( http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/windows/tutorial/segment102092b.html ) without iTunes?
-Are there any problems with self-ripped mp3s?
-Does read read the data structure? (as in: can you just copy a bunch of folders onto it and press play on one of the files in them and it will play all the tracks JUST in this folder?)
-Is it easy to NOT use iTunes? (I really don't like it).
I'm specifically looking at an iPod touch 8GB right now, alternatively an iPod Classic 80GB for a similiar price.
You can't double-click the home button to pull up ipod controls?
Woah, Woah, Woah. The touch has wireless internet and whatnot on it? Fuck me. I thought it was just an ipod with a few apps on it. It's basically an iphone without the phone part? Damnit all to hell. I JUST (4 days ago) bought an 80GB 5.5. I suppose it wouldn't really work in my area anyway since there is little to no wireless internet hotspots.
Yes, sorry man. I think you should read the Apple web site a bit more
- Yes, but you have to enable it with iTunes, and it doesn't work with the Touch/iPhone.
- No
- No
- Winamp does it I hear.
You can, actually. It's not necessary to unlock the touch to control music. Some people would still prefer to have hardware controls though.
I have not yet explored the avenues of other software to manage my zune, but with the apparently recent addition to support podcasts and the like, I feel, so far, that this software is far, FAR superior to what I've seen from iTunes.
Now, this doesn't mention the fact that I also feel the zune is a superior piece of hardware because I do, but that's another debate. Me likey.