Why iPods aren’t for all
I like my iPod. Some might even go as far as to say that I love my iPod, and that just might be the truth. After I got my 1st generation iPod Nano 4GB, my life has taken a turn for the better. Sounds drastic? Sure, but it’s true nevertheless. Today I can’t imagine what sitting on the bus, trying to sleep, or driving would be like without a reasonable size of my music library easily available in my pocket would be like. Though I’m almost certain it would be less enjoyable!
I’ve had other MP3-players before, but none of them managed to bring music into my life to the extent that my iPod has. I can’t really explain why, but fortunately that’s really irrelevant at this point. What I want to talk about is how when something makes you feel happy, you want to share it with others, so that they can feel the same joy. Similar to how when you eat food you like, and would like others to taste it as well, I have reccomended the iPod to family and friends, because of the impact it had on myself. And guess what, this fall and holiday season it seems that my reccomendations have gone through, because all of a sudden practically everyone in my social circle has gotten an iPod one way or the other.
Unfortunately, as I will explain, this isn’t all good. Because it seems that the iPod, like I previously thought, isn’t the ideal music-device for everyone. As a result of this I have become the friendly neighbourhood iPod support and guy to go to if you have any complaints, and quite frankly it’s annoying! For all the same reasons I love the iPod, other people are complaining at it, and I’ll outline those reasons now.
iTunes. Most people who haven’t owned an iPod aren’t familiar with iTunes and how it works. The typical first-time-Windows-iTunes-user seems to find iTunes very hard to work with, and they don’t understand that an iPod isn’t just a standalone device, but a part of a package from Apple that requires the use of iTunes to function at all. All they want to do is to open Windows Explorer and cut-and-paste their songs on to their music player, and as everybody knows, that’s not a part of the iTunes experience.
To me, iTunes is the ideal tool for all the needs I have when it comes to managing my music library, and obviously the iPod as a result of this rises in the ranks for me personally. But imagine iTunes being the shoes that don’t fit, but you have to wear it to complete your outfit. It doesn’t feel great, but you use them still, mainly because you’re forced to. Unless you want to buy a new outfit with a pair of shoes that fit better to go along with it. I imagine that’s the feeling iPod owners who are uncomfortable with iTunes have, but they don’t really want to buy a new player, since this most often costs money.
Tags. This point has to do with the way Apple sets up their software, and hardware for that matter. Most of the people I know aren’t aware that the iPod doesn’t support a hierarchical system of folders like they are used to from Windows, but rather the same system of tags that iTunes sports, and it’s definately something that’s hard to adjust to for many.
Now this might make me sound like I’m the center of an organized crime syndicate, but the fact of the matter is that most people I know adds to their musical collection by using various illegal channels of acquiring it. The problem with this in relation to iTunes and the iPod is that more often than not, songs are not properly tagged. This of course makes the iPod more or less useless, since you have no way of navigating through your music unless it is tagged with the proper tags. Of course you can always spend the time necessary to rectify this, but needless to say it’s a daunting task. Or you can improvise like my sister did, who just listen to the songs, and puts them in a playlist which she transfers to her iPod. That way, she can still find the songs she wants to listen to, but it’s not an ideal solution to say the least.
Other Reasons. Those aren’t the only problems people have complained about to me when it comes to the iPod, there are a multitude of things people don’t seem to like about it, some more viable than others. For instance, some people somehow finds the iPod interface difficult to navigate with the click-wheel. I don’t really consider this a valid complaint, since for most people it takes a minute and a half to get familiar with, and after that it is only pure joy.
Also, with the first generation Nano, a few people I know had problems with scratching. As I mentioned before I have one of those myself (am I the only who who thinks it looks better than it’s younger and slightly slimmer brother?), but thanks to a marvellous silicon skin, there isn’t a single scratch in it. I like to take care of my stuff, especially the things that I use and value.
Some have also had a bad experience with the iPod, and encountered the pleasures of dealing with Apple’s support. It’s really not my place to comment on this, since I have been lucky enough to never have to make as much as a phone call to Apple, despite owning a MacBook, the most bug plagued laptop ever, I heard someone say, and an iPod which has been labelled the least durable electronic device ever made, by the same people who don’t like the MacBook. From what I’ve heard though, Apple could profit from changing the policy of their support and take a more customer-friendly approach.
Those are the main complaints I’ve been getting over the past few months about the iPod, and quite frankly, in this Windows-dominated word of ours, despite the fact that it is perfect for my own needs, I am having a hard time seeing how the iPod became one of the most successful commercial products since sliced bread. And I will also think twice before reccomending the iPod to anyone in the future, and I’ll definately have them give iTunes a go before they decide on purchasing an iPod. Because like I mentioned before, if you’re not comfortable with iTunes, there are most likely better alternatives for you out there.
December 29th, 2006 at 8:24 am
I have a sansa and i love it. The Sansa works perfectly with windows and macs alike. People who are interested should check out my review at http://thesansa.com
December 29th, 2006 at 10:21 pm
Well there you go, the Sandisk Sansa seems to be one of the alternatives that people are very pleased with. For me, the iPod is everything I need, but for those looking for an alternative, I’m sure the Sansa is a good option.
December 30th, 2006 at 7:23 am
True, If you want a radio, the Sansa is the way to go. The iPod is a great player, but I can’t live without the extra features.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Don’t try any alternatives to iTunes, I Did and my iPod keeps resetting, personally I think, now, it was a big mistake to go with the iPod, because of iTunes. It is so big, and has really killed my computer. I will certianly try the Sansa. Is it avalable in Australia though, if anyone could find out that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
June 19th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
The Sansa was available in Australia Q4 of 2006. I own one and am very pleased with it. Music, Radio, Video, Recorder, FM Recorder, it has everything you could ever want! You would need to buy a hundred dollars worth of extras to get that functionality on the Ipod.
June 20th, 2007 at 1:35 am
Yeah, but if you don’t need all of that extra functionality, you don’t need to pay a dollar extra for the iPod to do the job as good as anything else. That’s part of why I myself like my Nano. It’s no-nonsense, and just lets me connect with my music within a click.
June 20th, 2007 at 11:56 am
It’s up to the person. Like you said LARS, some people don’t particularly care to listen to the radio, which makes the Nano a great choice for them. One thing that turned me away from a Nano was the battery. When it dies, you have to send it back to Apple and wait for them to fix it which can take at least a week. You lose all your songs and stuff, and if it was engraved by another company, you lose it. Worst of all it costs a whopping $60 plus around $7 shipping! I know for some people that’s not a lot, but i personally think that is way to much for a replacement battery. Then I’m stuck without my player for over a week. With the Sansa you go to the store, buy the kit for $20 and replace it yourself. If Apple didn’t have to resort to this to get a new battery I would probably have a Nano right now. But personally, I like what I’m with right now.
July 18th, 2007 at 4:34 am
Okay, so I’m not “experienced” enough to speak on iPod’s behalf, having just received it in the mail today, and playing with it for only a couple hours. But,
1. We just installed iTunes and its easy to use, navigate, etc. My girls (7,6 & 4) we’re having a blast searching around.
2. Hubby is making fun of me saying ‘now, I bet you’re gonna’ want a Mac next too…” my reply “don’t discount the idea”….they are really so intriguing!
3. The turn wheel is SO easy. My 6 and 7 yr-olds were fighting over playing battle ship!
I’m glad HUNTER brought up about the battery…b/c I didn’t see any literature about it and how, where, what to do if anything happened…yikes. LARS, any thoughts to HUNTER’s experiences?
Hubby is insisting…don’t get too hooked on it, just re-package it and sell it on eBay…you don’t need it.
Like– no way!
August 6th, 2007 at 1:08 am
I’m a little late on this, but I’ll respond anyways
As far as the battery goes, here in Norway there’s a guy who’s made a business out of exchanging batteries for the iPods. You simply send him your iPod, and he replaces the battery for you. He does it for less than half the price that Apple does, and he installs longer lasting batteries as well. (The price he charges is around $30.
I’m not sure whether or not there’s anything similar elsewhere, but I’d be surprised if it isn’t, because there’s definitely a market for it!