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Apple Hawks Madonna iPods

danamania writes "Apple's latest promotion is a gimmick with Madonna, Tony Hawk or Beck's signature, or a No Doubt logo, on an iPod. It seems Apple's really pushing the iPod as a too-cool fashion accessory as much as a too-cooler MP3 player... is Maddie's signature worth an extra USD49 over the standard iPod?" Instead of $50 for the engraved signature, you can spend $20 to print "Madonna's Signature" in beautiful Helvetica.

349 comments

  1. Increased value? by Nogami_Saeko · · Score: 5, Funny

    Could it not argue that having Madonna's signature on your iPod would decrease the value?

    --
    "Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence." - Charles de Gaulle
    1. Re:Increased value? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If it started arguing with me, it's history, no matter if it were signed 'Hot Grits' by NP herself!

    2. Re:Increased value? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ok i know signatures are bad but how the Fuck is that a M in her signature?

    3. Re:Increased value? by fenix+down · · Score: 1

      Yeah, that's definately an H. Hedonna I think. Whatever, it's her made-up name.

      Tony Hawk's is really the only one that doesn't just look ugly.

    4. Re:Increased value? by tangledweb · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I would not mind an iPod, but this is a stupid idea. Most of the people stupid enough to want a pointless celebrity endorsement on their purchases are too young for an iPod.

      Star Wars lunch boxes sell well to the to young to know any better, but I don't think many in this demographic have the spending power for consumer electonics.

      The only positive side I see is that surely some or all of the people they pick will turn out really unpopular. There has to be an iPod equivalent of the Jar Jar Binks lunch box.

      I picture the price list this way:
      Madonna iPod $349
      Regular iPod $299
      Mariah Carey iPod $149 (with bonus laser/bubblejet printable sticker slightly larger than signature)

    5. Re:Increased value? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Ooopsie, Madonna IS her real name. Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone.

    6. Re:Increased value? by ReTay · · Score: 1

      I couldn't pass up your comment.

      "I don't think many in this demographic have the spending power for consumer electonics."

      I disagree how else would have cell phones and pagers before them become status symbols for the same demographic?
      Children have control of a surprising amount of the liquid income of their families.
      Besides how many kids of the same demographic have cars, cell phones, cutting edge computers with the newest graphics cards, credit cards, the list goes on and on.
      Ask any marketing weasel about that.

  2. Coming soon .... by binaryDigit · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Cowboy Neal autographed iPod (really just a big X marked in crayon).

  3. wow by BarrettAnderson · · Score: 0

    apple definitely knows how to make things look bad.

  4. I would pay an extra $50 by miyako · · Score: 1, Redundant
    ....if I could get one with Cowboy Neals signature.

    --
    Famous Last Words: "hmm...wikipedia says it's edible"
    1. Re:I would pay an extra $50 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who's Cowboy Neal? I'd rather have one with Cher's autograph. No, make that Christina Aguilera. Uhh, no, make that Pat Benatar... Yes, that'll do, a Pat Benatar iPod. Kool.

    2. Re:I would pay an extra $50 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...if I could get to play with Madonna's pods.

  5. At first, the engraved iPOD seemed superfluous.... by User+956 · · Score: 5, Funny

    But then I realized, of course, that we're living in a Material World.

    Does this mean Steve Jobs is a Material Girl?

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  6. I'm waiting for the Hulk Hogan model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    RED AND YELLOW, brutha! Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you! Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and use your Mac.

    1. Re:I'm waiting for the Hulk Hogan model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I pity the fool that buys a Hulk Hogan iPod!

    2. Re:I'm waiting for the Hulk Hogan model by OO7david · · Score: 2
      RED AND YELLOW, brutha! Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you! Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and use your Mac.
      ...and don't forget to dial 10-10-220! There's no committment and I don't have to kill Alf!
    3. Re:I'm waiting for the Hulk Hogan model by jgkastra · · Score: 2, Funny

      And remember: Drink your drugs, don't do school, stay in milk....

      I need work!

  7. i'll say it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Beck's signature makes him look like a total Liberace, but he can jam like CCR.

  8. How Much... by GeneralEmergency · · Score: 3, Funny


    ...for one molested by Madonna's dog?

    No. Seriously.

    --
    "A microprocessor... is a terrible thing to waste." --
    GeneralEmergency
    1. Re:How Much... by sharkey · · Score: 4, Funny

      Madonna's dog

      Sean Penn or Guy Ritchie?

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  9. why? by neo8750 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    why would anyone do this? if they are a die hard fan they will mostlikely try for the real thing not just cheap engraved fake. I don't see why a person would waste 50 dollars more on this.

    1. Re:why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It's actually an extra $30, as the engraving itself costs $20. In fact, the engraving used to cost $50 only a few months ago.

    2. Re:why? by MQBS · · Score: 5, Funny

      Err, the real thing? Since when does Madonna carry around a laser-engraver with her? Maybe Beck has one. I wouldn't put it past him.

      --
      The dream reveals the reality which conception lags behind. That is the horror of life- the terror of art. -Franz Kafka
    3. Re:why? by mshiltonj · · Score: 2

      why would anyone do this?

      Why do they sell "Eddie Bauer" Ford Explorers?

      *shrug* I have no idea why, but they seem popular.

    4. Re:Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A Torvalds signature series Zaurus? Where???

    5. Re:Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      please remind me which one of them is the 'indy group'.

    6. Re:why? by Zebbers · · Score: 2

      or better yet those harley trucks ;)

    7. Re:Why? by pi+radians · · Score: 2

      please remind me which one of them is the 'indy group'.

      I was wondering the same thing myself....

      --

      sin(6cos(r)+5A)
    8. Re:why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Great fucking job you dumb jew; your post basically amounted to you chiming in with "I don't know shit either."

      Go back to Israel and fuck yourself you worthless piece of shit.

    9. Re:Why? by c13v3rm0nk3y · · Score: 2

      The easy answer is that, more than any other device, an iPod is marketed as a "lifestyle device".

      The fact is people identify heavily with their grown-up toys, and the iPod market even more so, it appears.

      My guess is that some money was thrown at researching this idea. I'm also guessing this kind of "indy" endorsement fits right in where Apple wants to position the iPod.

      Heck, the way they market the iPod is almost right out of a book entitles "The Conquest of Cool" by Thomas Frank (of The Baffler fame).

      --
      -- clvrmnky
  10. Devo by jgalun · · Score: 5, Funny

    I am holding out for the limited edition Devo iPod.

    Whip it! Whip it good!

    1. Re:Devo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      yeah! WHIP IT!

    2. Re:Devo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i said.... WHIP IT!

      into shape.

    3. Re:Devo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no time to waste

    4. Re:Devo by AndroidCat · · Score: 1

      Twist away the gates of steel
      Unlock the secret voice
      Give in to ancient noise
      Take a chance a brand new dance
      Twist away the gates of steel

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    5. Re:Devo by Maserati · · Score: 1

      Duty now for the future !

      --
      Veteran, Bermuda Triangle Expeditionary Force, 1992-1951
    6. Re:Devo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      shape it up!

    7. Re:Devo by fenix+down · · Score: 1

      get straight!

      Yeah, sure guys.

    8. Re:Devo by CoderDevo · · Score: 1

      Hey, I will sign your intPod for $127. It's worth it too, you know. Because, if someday in the future, you want to convert it back to unsigned, you'll get another $128.

      That's the bit that makes it such a good deal.

      when a problem comes along
      you must whip it

    9. Re:Devo by shepd · · Score: 1

      >Take a chance a brand new dance

      NO! Your using the words "take a chance" just evoked an ABBA memory in me. HELP! Get it out!

      --
      If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
  11. cool, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    it's a bit too pricy.

  12. Including Music by Fubar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple start shipping iPods with 'special tracks' from artists.

    I bet the RIAA wold love that.

    1. Re:Including Music by zapfie · · Score: 1

      Apple has done the same with their Macs for a while now. I think if the RIAA had an issue with it, they would have stopped it long before now.

      --
      slashdot!=valid HTML
    2. Re:Including Music by Refrag · · Score: 2

      Macs ship with an iTunes Sampler of music from popular artists. I think that Barenaked Ladies is one of the groups. I don't remember the rest.

      --
      I have a website. It's about Macs.
  13. Wow. by mkg · · Score: 2, Insightful

    All I can say is....ewwww! I love my iPod and all, but this is a little too cute for my tastes. I'm sure they'll sell. People are so awestruck by celebrity that they will purchase just about anything to identify themselves in some manner or another.

    1. Re:Wow. by nomadic · · Score: 2

      I don't think so. The cretins might watch Entertainment Tonight and read the National Inquirer, but when was the last time you saw someone wearing a Madonna t-shirt?

    2. Re:Wow. by rocket97 · · Score: 0

      Well think about it in the shoe industry back with the "Air Jordan's" were the big thing people bought them just to be associated with that Mr. Jordan himself. Why do you think that people buy bands stickers to put on their cars? Granted a sticker is nowhere near $50 but still you get the point. Personally I think that these might be a big hit, I think that the Tony Hawk one will do well in its respective target market... The kids already spend $200+ on the decks of their skateboards why not spend an extra $50 to get the Tony Hawk edition of the iPod?

      --
      "The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity." -Harlan Ellison
    3. Re:Wow. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That is a very good point... Mod Parent up.

  14. wtf? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How dare they try and make money!

  15. But by unterderbrucke · · Score: 2, Troll

    "too-cool fashion accessory as much as a too-cooler MP3 player"

    Two years from now, will it still be cool?
    Two years from now, my Nomad Jukebox 5gb (c. 1956) will still nice-looking due to it's timeless design.
    But, soon enough the "clean" look will be "out", and iPod sales will drop. Mark my words.

    1. Re:But by ipjohnson · · Score: 5, Funny

      I don't think the clean look ever really goes out it just becomes less of a fad. Besides I'm sure apple will come out with a "hippie" version soon that comes in a multi colored cases and a roach clip on the back ;-)

    2. Re:But by arson1 · · Score: 1, Troll

      They can never redesign it though, so they'll proabbly just curl up and die.

      --


      --
      Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things.
    3. Re:But by nfotxn · · Score: 3, Insightful

      No, your Nomad will look just as pleebian as ever and Apple will sell new iPods with more features and new avant guarde styling.

      And people will buy them. That's the powerful combination of technology and fashion which Apple's more recent success is almost entirely due to.

      --

      _nfotxn

    4. Re:But by czion3 · · Score: 1

      Your Jukebox will be out of style as soon as cd players are.

    5. Re:But by MrNemesis · · Score: 0

      Already done.

      But it's the Papa Roach clip, and the iPod is done in very angsty colours.

      --
      Moderation Total: -1 Troll, +3 Goat
    6. Re:But by SoupIsGoodFood_42 · · Score: 2

      Hope your joking. A clean design is minimalistic. Minimalistic designs are more likely to last because there is less to out of fasion (duh).
      The clean look will never be "out", because it is part of a funamental design principal.
      The Nomad Jukebox on the other hand, hardly looks like a timeless design.

    7. Re:But by kni52 · · Score: 1

      ...and it will be endoresed by Ellen Feiss!

      --
      My subtext is just a figment of your imagination.
    8. Re:But by frunch · · Score: 1

      Oh dear sweet lord. You just reminded me of the friggin "Flower Power" and "Blue Dalmation" iMacs.

      DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!

    9. Re:But by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      your funny cause you stupid

      your bloatbox will only help you as a floation device incase of an emergency landing of your moron plane to fuck you city!

    10. Re:But by c13v3rm0nk3y · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Two years from now, my Nomad Jukebox 5gb (c. 1956) will still nice-looking due to it's timeless design.

      Industrial design is a funny thing. I'm not sure I agree that the "brushed-metal-look-plastic and primary colour bezel" look is any more valid (in the long run) than any other choice out there. It may depend on how one defines "timeless", but I'm not sure the current Creative or Panasonic designs are necessarily timeless. Of course, only time will tell.

      Both are relatively recent takes on a look that has been around for some time. My first personal cassette player was a tiny Toshiba that was rounded-rectangular, brushed silver with black trim. Very iPod like for the time. That was close to 20 years ago.

      Not to mention the creative also offers the NOMAD Jukebox Zen, which is aimed directly at the value-oriented would-be iPod buyer.

      Creative is doing what most companies do: creating brand-recognition through design and style, while offering enough of a departure (read: copying other successful styles) to pick up the margin customers.

      --
      -- clvrmnky
    11. Re:But by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Umm, I know that was a troll post, but did anyone find that making any sense?

  16. Madonna iPod by binaryDigit · · Score: 3, Funny

    Beware the Madonna iPod, every time you turn around it will shed its outer cover. Plus instead of a blank pause, it will insist on playing "Material Girl" and/or "Like A Virgin" between all your tracks.

  17. Re:FP! by BarrettAnderson · · Score: 0, Funny

    not you apparently.

  18. maybe I'm too old (or cheap) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    But I still don't even get spending to $300+ bucks for an iPod in the first place. Sure there, cool and all, I'm not that addicted to my personal music selection.

    1. Re:maybe I'm too old (or cheap) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Old age hasn't taught you the difference between there and and they're, apparently. Grammar police smack yo bizatch azz d0wn h03.

    2. Re:maybe I'm too old (or cheap) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no, just tolerance for the likes of you :)

  19. OK by Apiakun · · Score: 1

    I love my mac, I like apple, I even like the iPod, but this is just completely fscking stupid. Who the hell would want one of these? I can see why some little kid might want one, IF the signature were real, but it's not... What's the point? *Sigh*

    1. Re:OK by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Because Marketing, two chimps and a wolverine, at Apple went to "focus groups" (the three idiots that thought Performa was a strong name) and they said, "I will buy something with Madonna's scrawl on it."

      And thus there was crap on the shiny back of an iPod to be covered in the thumb prints of day to day use.

      (I have a 20GB iPod - Back gets all printy fast)

    2. Re:OK by jericho4.0 · · Score: 2

      You might be correct, but just watch Apple sell a million of these.

      --
      "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
    3. Re:OK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And what harm does it do? It's not like Apple has to make a bunch of ones with different signatures slapped on it and hope to sell all of them. They can make them as they are needed, like any of the other engravings. So if some people might think it's cool, and nobody else cares, then nothing's changed. Apple isn't even advertising them, the celebrities are.

    4. Re:OK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i think those focus groups were responsible for the standard xbox controller making it past testing too

    5. Re:OK by archeopterix · · Score: 3, Funny
      You might be correct, but just watch Apple sell a million of these.
      I'd love to watch it, but I'm currently on the lookout for The Grand Flying Pig Squadron coming to my town this month.
    6. Re:OK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's too small! And make the logo bigger!

  20. Rumor has it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apple will engrave Anonymous Coward for only $19.95!

    1. Re:Rumor has it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd rather see Anonymous Stoner

  21. I was hopping it came with the music she pirated! by F34nor · · Score: 2, Funny

    I was hopping it came with the music she pirated!

    If it did there'd be some Whilliam Orbit in there it bet!

  22. 50 vs. 20 by EyeSavedLatin · · Score: 1

    So I can pay 50 bucks for one of these people's engraved signatures, or I can get whatever I want engraved for 20 bucks? Also, this deal ends January 8th with a Macworld coming up right after that... Hmmm, maybe I can just save my 50 bucks and put it toward the new iPod model then?

  23. No Doubt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No Doubt logo?? There's a candy/vending machine at the Vons down the street selling that 25 cents. Why pay 50bux? Sounds like another ploy for suckers and 13 year old girls.

    1. Re:No Doubt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Sounds like another ploy for suckers and 13 year old girls."

      I have never seen a more concise definition of the Slashdot editiorial staff. Well done, Ac. Well done.

  24. I don't understand this by sweetooth · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why would anyone want an iPod with a printed signature or logo. I understand branding etc, but with signatures most people don't care unless it is real. Also, for the price you could get it engraved with your own custom item makeing the iPod unique. That seems much more practical to me. Then at a later date when you happen to be at a coffee shop in London and Madonna forgets her purse again you can get her to autograph her iPod when she asks to borrow two pounds for that cake she is buying for her kid.
    http://english.planetarabia.com/content/arti cle.cf m/103366/115819

    1. Re:I don't understand this by bogusbrainbonus · · Score: 1

      Don't underestimate the number of Madonna fans out there. I'm not one of them by far, but my guess is that Apple got these artists to submit their John Hancocks for a very low or zero dollars. Apple has a cutting edge look and feel to it, something that up an artists like the ones mentioned would like to be associated with. So Apple jacks the price on the iPod, sells a couple thousand, and makes 50 bucks more on what cost them only 5$ (me thinks?) to engrave.

    2. Re:I don't understand this by sweetooth · · Score: 2

      I should have been more clear. I understand why Apple and even the artists would do this. I don't understand why anyone would buy it.

    3. Re:I don't understand this by bogusbrainbonus · · Score: 1
      Ah ha... Gotcha. Well, in that case, why would anyone want their desktop laser engraved by Linus Torvalds?

      *grin*

    4. Re:I don't understand this by AndroidCat · · Score: 2
      my guess is that Apple got these artists to submit their John Hancocks for a very low or zero dollars

      Mod the parent up as funny!

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    5. Re:I don't understand this by sweetooth · · Score: 2

      I don't know why anyone would want that either :)
      Hell, at least show up to Linux World and get him to sign your laptop or something, then it's real.

    6. Re:I don't understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is not about what people are willing to bye for themselves, rather what people are willing to bye for others. (Think Xmas.) Hence it can be a lot zanier (is that a word?).

    7. Re:I don't understand this by The+Good+Reverend · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Why does anybody buy Nikes when there are higher quality shoes out there? Why do you buy the "name brand" vegetables in a can when the store brand taste the same? Why do the masses want Clariton when the generic does the same thing?

      People like branded things - people like to think their "version" of an item is somehow better. The fact that Woz signed my IIgs doens't mean it ran any faster, but it was still cool to have. It's just a function of society to want something we view as "unique".

    8. Re:I don't understand this by sweetooth · · Score: 2

      Ok, that's fine, but this isn't even a signature. It's printed on the side of the damn case. This is just like the people that buy Eddie Bauer(sp?) edition Ford Explorers. It has a decal with the guy's name, some extra leather, fake wood paneling and costs several thousand dollars more.

      Now if the guy walked up to your car and signed it in gold pen that might be kinda cool, but I don't understand buying a reprint of someones signature. I thought the whole point of getting a signature/autograph was because you got the persons actual signature. Hence you took the time and effort to go somewhere that the person was and actually asked for a signature.

    9. Re:I don't understand this by The+Good+Reverend · · Score: 2

      None of the items I listed have "authentic" signatures either - my point was that people like something with makes their product stand out from others. I like getting signatures of famous people to remember I met them, not as a "collect and trade" kinda deal. I don't think the authenticity of the signature is the issue here.

  25. Exhibit A: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    She certainly is the mark of a quality movie!

  26. RIAA and such by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't some of Madonna's newest CD's made with one of the new copy protection schemes? Doesn't it seem strange for her to be supporting the ipod while her music can't be played on it?

    1. Re:RIAA and such by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      I don't think Madonna has any copy protected cds, but No Doubt does, check it out: http://www.fatchucks.com/z3.cd.html

      interesting nonetheless

    2. Re:RIAA and such by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The problem with copy protected media isn't that it won't play in CD players, most will play it fine.. the problem is that it won't play on ALL CD players and you don't get your money backif yours is one of the few that doesn't work. I know I sure as hell wouldn't buy a new cd player to listen to Britney Spears or Madonna, and I've not hear of any GOOD music being copyprotected, just teeny bopper tunes that every 14 year old girl is going to buy two copies of anyways.

    3. Re:RIAA and such by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      ipods don't play any CDs, they play from a hard disk. So you just rip the music in your computer's cd-rom drive, mp3 encode it, and then the ipod can play it.

      See, the problem with the copy protection schemes is that they only keep people from playing the CDs, by surprise, sometimes. But you can always rip them if you want to. So you just get the music away from the CD as soon as possible, so that the defect is no longer a problem.

    4. Re:RIAA and such by GutBomb · · Score: 2

      the copy protection keeps the cds from being ripped. that's how it works. it keeps computers from being able to read the disc, so it can not be copied or ripped.

    5. Re:RIAA and such by wdr1 · · Score: 2

      Damn. I saw the subject line & thought you were going to link us to an RIAA version of the iPod!

      -Bill

      --
      SlashSig Karma: Excellent (mostly affected by moderatio
  27. My Opinion by OverlordQ · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Personally, I dont really see what's wrong with this. It's just like having a signed by . Hardcore fans pay good money for 'autographed' items.

    --
    Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    1. Re:My Opinion by elmegil · · Score: 2, Insightful

      If there were no difference between an actual signature and a silkscreened signature, you might have a point.

      --
      7 November 2006: The day Americans realized corruption and incompetence weren't addressing 11 September 2001
  28. Who wants an ipod by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I used to really want an ipod about a year ago, however a lot of new products have come out sense then. The ipod is still really great however I don't think it's worth the money. You can get a 20Gig Mp3 player that plays movies http://archos.com. For a little more than 300. (not from the archos website...) While the ipod is still around 380 for the 10 gig version

    1. Re:Who wants an ipod by gamgee5273 · · Score: 2

      Wait. I think the Apple/DoCoMo announcement about Quicktime on cellphones might have some bearing on where the iPod is going. There's nothing about iPod that specifically says "music," is there? Apple can do whatever it wants to with it - including slapping a color screen in like the Archos is using, increasing the disk space, creating QT & iPhoto capability, AND adding an input method (a scroll wheel-based keyboard?) - without really having to change the form factor. I used to trumpet the Archos because it is cheaper but, dammit, FireWire rulez!

    2. Re:Who wants an ipod by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And the iPod is still better than all of that crap...

  29. Other iPods... by UnixRevolution · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Iron Maiden iPod... The Metallica iPod (just the irony makes it worth $50 more), the Devo iPod, and of course...

    The artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince iPod.

    --
    You like your new Mac more than you like me, don't you, Dave? Dave? I asked...She said Yes.
    1. Re:Other iPods... by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 5, Funny
      .. The Metallica iPod

      As an added bonus, the Metallica iPod play mostly static interspersed with Lars Ulrich screaming "YOU FUCKING MUSIC PIRATES".

      --
      "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
    2. Re:Other iPods... by Dr.+Cody · · Score: 1

      As an added bonus, the Metallica iPod play mostly static interspersed with Lars Ulrich screaming "YOU FUCKING MUSIC PIRATES".


      By George, I think he's got it! You may have just found the solution that the copyright-holders are looking for: DRM stenography. Just insert a few angry words from that dastardly Dane every 15 sec.

    3. Re:Other iPods... by aerojad · · Score: 1

      Could we then have an iPod with a foot and a half tall red hat?

      --

      SecondPageMedia - Wha
    4. Re:Other iPods... by beowulfcluster · · Score: 0

      What the fuck?!?! You've heard our new album?!?! When I find the fucker who leaked it I'll fucking kill him, this new sound was supposed to be kept secret!!! Sincerely, Lars

  30. Should have music pre-loaded by johnkeyes · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This would make more sense if the iPod came preloaded with a bunch of music from the artist whose name is engraved.

    1. Re:Should have music pre-loaded by yroJJory · · Score: 1

      Tony Hawk is a musican?

      --
      Jory
    2. Re:Should have music pre-loaded by alernon · · Score: 1

      Like all that music that Tony Hawk puts out? ;>

    3. Re:Should have music pre-loaded by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      YES! I want 5 gigs of Tony Hawk's music!

    4. Re:Should have music pre-loaded by unicron · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      How about the complete soundtracks to all the Pro Skater games?

      --
      Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
    5. Re:Should have music pre-loaded by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Millencolin's "No Cigar" was the only song that ever got me pumped enough to complete the 900-Airwalk, generally considered the hardest Tony Hawk's Pro Skater move.

    6. Re:Should have music pre-loaded by mph · · Score: 1

      Well, "Sk8er Boi" then.

    7. Re:Should have music pre-loaded by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ummm... yeah like I really wanna iPod with Tony Hawk singin the hits.

    8. Re:Should have music pre-loaded by Jucius+Maximus · · Score: 2
      "Tony Hawk is a musican?"

      No, but he's an apple cover-boy. There's a switch ad featuring him.

  31. I want my own dang signature on my iPod by wbswbs · · Score: 1

    I want my own signature on an iPod, and not with a sharpy marker wiseguy, engraved, juuuuuuust like Madonna's!

  32. Anyone notice this? by Xerithane · · Score: 5, Funny
    From the iPod site:

    Display your favorite contacts and appointments.


    Anybody else find that a bit strange, I'd prefer it to show all of my contacts and appointments.
    --
    Dacels Jewelers can't be trusted.
    1. Re:Anyone notice this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      rate your favorite appoints!

      "Dinner with Girlfriend" *****

      "Office Party" ***

      "Trip to Proctologist" *

      Use our new "playlist" future! Never miss an (important) appointment again!

      Yeah that is kindof a weird thing to say.

    2. Re:Anyone notice this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then do that. What is your damn point?

    3. Re:Anyone notice this? by gl4ss · · Score: 2

      well, remembering sucky things is bad.

      it protects you!

      you know, like a newspaper with only happy news.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    4. Re:Anyone notice this? by KKin8or · · Score: 1

      It's because you have to manually update the contacts and appointments-- it doesn't automatically load them all onto the iPod. You drag each contacts card (or appointment, I assume)into the Contacts folder on your iPod, and then it'll show up.

      I suppose you could only drag over your "favorite" people to show up as contacts on your iPod, and if you drag them all over, everyone gets to be a favorite!

    5. Re:Anyone notice this? by Refrag · · Score: 2

      If all of your contacts and appointments are your favorite it'll show those too. Apple is just illustrating that you can specify that it only synchronize a cross-section of your information.

      --
      I have a website. It's about Macs.
  33. If a tree... by galego · · Score: 5, Funny

    fell on Madonna in the forest and someone recorded the audio, could I get that preloaded on my iPod instead?

    --

    Que Deus te de em dobro o que me desejas

    [May God give you double that which you wish for me]

    1. Re:If a tree... by MonTemplar · · Score: 5, Funny

      It happened already. What, you mean you haven't heard Die Another Day yet? :)

      MT.

      --
      -MT.
  34. sounds like a gimmick but it is interesting.... by smd4985 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    because i'm sure all these artists understand that the iPod is often used to store illegally obtained music files. can this be construed as tacit approval? what would hilary rosen say?

    or perhaps musicians realize that like the VCR the iPod MAY encourage piracy but it has plenty of non-infringing uses. just like gnutella....

    --
    smd4985
    1. Re:sounds like a gimmick but it is interesting.... by esanbock · · Score: 1

      Truth is that most artists don't really care. They download music themselves. This little war against mp3s is being fought mostly by the RIAA, since they realize that if people don't need to buy music on a cd-rom, they're out of business.

  35. iPod my pants after I drank from theBubbler by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    theBubbler.com has frequent visits by Playboy.com, and this has absolutely nothing to do with anything.

  36. So madona switched? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    She advertised Windows XP a year ago with her 'Ray of light'.

    1. Re:So madona switched? by thinkliberty · · Score: 1

      One of beck's song came with Windows Media Player for ME? or was it 98?

      They don't have to use the product to take the money of the company that is using their image or creative work to promote it.

  37. Mac Plus w/ Jobs' name by yroJJory · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've got a slew of Mac Plusses with Steve Jobs' signature engraved inside and it didn't cost me $50 on top of the original $4000.

    --
    Jory
    1. Re:Mac Plus w/ Jobs' name by Daleks · · Score: 2

      Inside the case of my old 8500 are a bunch of signatures by, whom I assume, the designers and engineers. Inside the case of my Quicksilver tower are... no signatures.

    2. Re:Mac Plus w/ Jobs' name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no signatures = no designers and engineers

    3. Re:Mac Plus w/ Jobs' name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Mac Plus had a starting price of $2600, but nevertheless, it didn't cost them a cent to actually engrave those signatures since they were put by the developers right after the mold was made. That's why they're in raised engraving. Also, I believe they only broke that mold after Mac Plusses were out of production, so it was on ALL Mac Pluses.

    4. Re:Mac Plus w/ Jobs' name by yroJJory · · Score: 1

      All of these things are correct. I was going for "Funny", not "Insightful"!

      Better luck next time.

      --
      Jory
  38. And in related Madonna news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Madonna has landed herself in trouble with her designer friend Stella McCartney for wearing a coat made out of lamb foetuses.

    Never a Tornado in a Can when you need one.

  39. Just great... by Yoje · · Score: 3, Funny

    First the RIAA will sue me for attempting to put MP3s on my iPod; then Madonna, No Doubt, and Beck will sue me for attempting to steal their iPods. "Why yes officer, that is my iPod, see, that's my signature right there."

  40. Re:At first, the engraved iPOD seemed superfluous. by F34nor · · Score: 1

    Actually your living it Fritz Lang's Metropolis if you think you are livining in a material world. Does she have to pay royalties for stealing visual styles?

  41. Yes, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You think your Jukebox is timeless? You are a fool.

    I bet you also say "I like my Keds just fine, they don't go out of style like 'fashionable' shoes."

  42. It can be cheaper than that! by fritz_269 · · Score: 1

    Get your Apple engraved for only $29.95!

    --
    -- Heisenberg might have slept here.
    1. Re:It can be cheaper than that! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      a guy in the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow will carve your name in an apple... with a chainsaw... as long as you hold it in your mouth.

  43. Re:FP! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    why was that offtopic?

    Because it had nothing to do with the... topic!

    while others post completely offtopic stuff and get +5, funny mods

    If yours had been funny, maybe someone would have moderated you up for it.

    freeking liberal moderators can suck my balls

    Where do you get "liberal" out of "off-topic?" That's not jumping to conclusions. That's getting a taxi, driving to the airport, boarding a plane, flying across the ocean, taking a land rover into the jungle, switching to donkeys and sherpas, and hiking to conclusions.

  44. Losers by MacGoldstein · · Score: 0

    "I'm a loser baby, so why don't you bill me?"

    You know, $50 or so?

  45. Re:YOU FAIL IT!!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Flame flame.. flame away!!! Who started this whole "you fail it" thing? I kind of like it because it's funky. It's got style. All Macintosh users are faggot Bukakke slurpers.

  46. Re:Gwen and Madonna are HOT!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    freeking single viewed moderators. you're supposed to be neutral! if he said that about microsoft you would have modded it up.

  47. My ipod says: by Sensitive_Clod · · Score: 0, Redundant

    IN SOVIET RUSSIA iPOD engraves YOU! sorry ihad to;)

    --
    Surrender YR pattent!
  48. Re:I was hopping it came with the music she pirate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Really? WOW!

  49. Ok, so how long... by Quixadhal · · Score: 4, Funny

    before we can get our favourite pr0n image engraved on it? No, I'm not nescessarily suggesting that Madonna be involved...

    1. Re:Ok, so how long... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that wasnt even funny

    2. Re:Ok, so how long... by Blondie-Wan · · Score: 1
      I know you were kidding, but since the question came up I thought I'd mention that although Apple will engrave a custom message on your iPod if you want it, they won't engrave profanities. Of course, the solution for this if you want cursing or pr0n on your 'Pod is to get it engraved somewhere yourself after you buy it. :)

      You can go to the online Apple Store and try various phrases you'd like engraved on one; it turns out Apple will engrave the phrase I intend to put on mine (if and when I can scrape together the bucks for the 20 GB model):

      Dear RIAA,
      Bite me.

      ;-)

    3. Re:Ok, so how long... by capmilk · · Score: 1

      There must be some ASCII pr0n that fits in two lines... :)

    4. Re:Ok, so how long... by Jucius+Maximus · · Score: 1
      "before we can get our favourite pr0n image engraved on it? No, I'm not nescessarily suggesting that Madonna be involved..."

      OMG...

      /me thinks of the goatse guy

    5. Re:Ok, so how long... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      )8======D ( o )
      | || ||

  50. Thaths tho fabulouth! by blackmonday · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I understand that a lot of gay men listen to Madonna. That funny because their choice of computer (it's so stylish!) is often a ...

    nevermind.

    1. Re:Thaths tho fabulouth! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh thtop it you thilly goothe!

    2. Re:Thaths tho fabulouth! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Next up... Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Gil Gerrard, and LIZA!

      GAH!

  51. Nerd iPods by binaryDigit · · Score: 4, Funny

    /.Pod - slashdots any computer that you hook up to it. Keeps on wanting to be "beowoulf clustered" with iPods of the opposite gender (but of course is lucky to even get them to acknowledge it).

    K&RPod - Trse UsrIntFace, very flexible though

    GPLPod - If you sing along, you must record your singing and distribute the original song along with your singing.

    M$Pod/SonyPod/RIAAPod - You hate it because you have to.

    CaseModPod - iPod with glear plastic case, neon kit, chipped cpu w/water cooling

    1. Re:Nerd iPods by meringuoid · · Score: 2
      CaseModPod - iPod with glear plastic case, neon kit, chipped cpu w/water cooling

      OK, so you're trolling and all, but I actually think you might have a market niche here... I certainly want one of those!

      --
      Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
    2. Re:Nerd iPods by MonTemplar · · Score: 2

      AdaPod - will only play marching band music, barfs on anything else.

      --
      -MT.
  52. Re:Hawking? by l1gunman · · Score: 4, Informative

    Nope... guess again. The use of "hocking" as you suggest refers to leaving something with a pawn broker in exchange for a "loan". Derived from one of its meanings as "last resort". Hawking means, among other things, peddling, usually accompanied by a loud noise or shouting. Sheesh, don't any of you guys read anything besides slashdot! ;-)

  53. Re:Coming soon .... Bill Gates iPods by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who would buy Bill Gates iPods?

  54. Bah! I knew it all along! by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny

    She's always been one of those Pod People!

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  55. Re:FP! by BarrettAnderson · · Score: 0

    1)offtopic means nothing to do with anything, something they pulled out of their butt. i responded to something.

    2)i'll give you that one, you're right

    3)i happen to know that they are liberal, because i have posted conservatively viewed posts that, if posted in another view, would have been modded up interesting, insightful, and some even funny. liberals also tend not to look at all sides of an issue, only their first impressions.

  56. Think Different, Godammit! by MonTemplar · · Score: 4, Funny
    I'd have one of the following :

    Kevin Mitnick edition iPod (plays music, DOSes your iMac).

    Hillary Rosen edition iPod (plays nothing, shops you to the Feds for file-sharing)

    Nick Cave edition iPod (plays music, but you hear only silence)

    Satan edition iPod (plays music in reverse, you hear voices telling you to 'do it! do it!')

    MT.

    --
    -MT.
    1. Re:Think Different, Godammit! by AndroidCat · · Score: 2

      RIAA edition iPod (you buy it, but it sues you anyway)

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    2. Re:Think Different, Godammit! by flimflam · · Score: 2

      Nick Cave edition iPod (plays music, but you hear only silence)

      I think you meant John Cage.

      By the way, here's his signature, for free no less.

      --
      -- It only takes 20 minutes for a liberal to become a conservative thanks to our new outpatient surgical procedure!
    3. Re:Think Different, Godammit! by TheWizardTim · · Score: 1

      You forgot: - Alan Ralsky edition iPod (play lots of adds for porn, offers from the president of Nigeria, and home loan deals, taking up most of the space on your iPod )

    4. Re:Think Different, Godammit! by user32.ExitWindowsEx · · Score: 0

      The Soviet Russian iPod.
      It makes YOU play music!

      --
      "Evil will always triumph because good is dumb." -- Dark Helmet
    5. Re:Think Different, Godammit! by Some+Dumbass... · · Score: 2

      I'd have one of the following:

      I want the rarest iPod in the world: the one signed by Bill Gates.

      I hear he was drunk at the time.

    6. Re:Think Different, Godammit! by MonTemplar · · Score: 3, Funny

      I want the rarest iPod in the world: the one signed by Bill Gates.

      I hear he was drunk at the time.


      So was Steve Ballmer, that's why your music gets interspersed with whooping, hollering, and chants of "Developer! Developer! Developer!" :)

      MT.

      --
      -MT.
  57. No surprise by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 2

    Eddie Bauer
    Kathy Ireland
    Martha Stweart
    Tommy whatshisname
    Ad infinitum

    Celebrity connection sells. Real signature or just a logo.

    1. Re:No surprise by overunderunderdone · · Score: 2

      Well Eddi Bauer is the designer not so much a celebrity

    2. Re:No surprise by c13v3rm0nk3y · · Score: 2

      Who/what is this "Ad infinitum" you speak of? A new Techno/Trance DJ? A rapper? A nu-metal band?

      Damn, why didn't I hear about them in CMJ magazine?

      --
      -- clvrmnky
  58. Who will do this? by teamhasnoi · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Bland trust-fund kids?

    How about ipods in *different colors*?? It worked for the iMac, and is a better choice than the signature of the 'flavor of the month'. Cmon, THINK DIFFERENT, indeed.

    Better yet, a clear, removable face plate that can cover photos or art of your OWN MAKING.

    That sounds more like Apple to me...

    1. Re:Who will do this? by swb · · Score: 2

      How about ipods in *different colors*?? [...]That sounds more like Apple to me...

      It all sounds like Apple to me -- much of their innovation has been centered around what are really superficial visual design changes.

      Some wags may argue that some of the design changes made the machine easier to work on (some aspects of the B&W G3 case design) or easier to use (the new iMac's screen adjustability) or made them more productive because they made them feel better looking at a "good" design.

      I think overall that the design changes were designed more around grabbing people's attention than material improvements in the basic function of the device.

      I think Apple rather lays bare the superficiality of some of their design motivations and cheapens the actual design ground they laid by doing this with the iPod. But I bought a Tivo instead of an iPod with my mad money, so what do I know..

    2. Re:Who will do this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      How about ipods in *different colors*?? It worked for the iMac, and is a better choice than the signature of the 'flavor of the month'. Cmon, THINK DIFFERENT, indeed.
      Uhhh, that would be not thinking different if they did what was new back in 1998, right??

      I'm guessing you aren't exactly the coolest guy in the world, fashion-wise, and you don't realize that original-colorful-iMac-looking hardware is completely stale.
    3. Re:Who will do this? by teamhasnoi · · Score: 2
      And fake signatures of people you don't know is HOT HOT HOT? I got a middle school Trapper Keeper for you then.

      There are lots of colors and designs other than 'Booberry' and 'Flower Power'.

      Color will always sell. 'You can have it in any color you like, as long as it's black' - Henry Ford

      Ask Ford about that now.

      Your fashion guess could be right. I like early 60's clothes, mid 60's cars, late 50's furniture, and present hardware. What it all means - who knows.

  59. Yet more proof... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...that Macintosh true believers are idiots and will buy any fucking thing that Steve Jobs calls "incredible". This web site used to be about news for nerds, stuff that matters. What a mincing, effete, techno-pretender sporting an iBook thinks, says, fucks, or buys is completely irrelevant.

    1. Re:Yet more proof... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, troll, I read it as a joke...I rather be mincing, effete, techno-pretender sporting an ibook than a raging, rambling fucktard like you.

  60. None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm posting this anonymously to protect my job. Not that they'll fire me or anything, but why risk it?

    For several years, we (Apple) have been working on ways of customizing computers and electronics. It all started back in the Power Mac Cube days, when we were looking into new injection molding processes. That worked okay, but we got a lot of flak from customers who thought the mold lines in the plastic looked like cracks.

    Now we're looking at custom laser engraving, trying to figure out ways to get the cost down to less than a dollar per square inch. The idea is that you will be able to order your laptop with anything at all engraved on the surface: your name, a logo, a picture of your kids, whatever.

    This little promo is just some of the runoff from that work.

    Oh, and incidentally, Apple isn't doing this for the money. I don't want to say anything else too specific, but there's more going on between Apple and these artists than just this. Expect to see more interesting things in the coming months.

    1. Re:None of you understand this by lowlifeboy · · Score: 1

      "Expect to see more interesting things in the coming months."

      Ooooh, is there a 'Britney Spears' signed mp3 player "in the coming months"?... :D

    2. Re:None of you understand this by uucee · · Score: 1
      I don't want to say anything else too specific, but there's more going on between Apple and these artists than just this. Expect to see more interesting things in the coming months.
      Like this? Then why preannounce the platform without any content on it? Couldn't this have waited until MWSF? Or will there be a nice Christmas present coming to all buyers of the signed units?
    3. Re:None of you understand this by Otter · · Score: 2
      Oh, and incidentally, Apple isn't doing this for the money. I don't want to say anything else too specific, but there's more going on between Apple and these artists than just this. Expect to see more interesting things in the coming months.

      There has to be something more to this -- just selling Madonna or No Doubt-branded cases is schlocky, and Jobs would never agree to schlocky to sell a few more units.

    4. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Actually, it's a hell of a lot more interesting than that. And I'm astounded that nobody's guessed it yet.

      See, the deal is that Apple's management-- Steve more than anybody else, really-- sees the record companies kinda dropping the ball. People are happy with MP3-quality music, and they want to be able to buy it over the Internet. Current systems for doing that just suck. Since Apple controls .Mac, the OS, iTunes, the iPod, and QuickTime 6/AAC, they're the only ones who are in a position to make a real end-to-end, easy-to-use digital music distribution system happen.

      In the future, you'll (assuming we can cut a deal with Apple Records on that nasty trademark matter) be able to plug you iPod into your Mac, browse a library of songs via iTunes, and download them directly to your iPod over broadband or AirPort. Micro-payment (well, semi-micro; on the order of a dollar per song) will be handled through the .Mac "one click" system, which Apple licensed from Amazon and already uses in iPhoto for buying photographic prints on line. The only DRM will be the stuff we've already go built into the iPod that makes it inconvenient, though of course not impossible, to copy music off of it once it's been put on.

      When we go live with this-- which we're hoping to do by the end of next year at the latest-- we're going to need some big names. That's why we've been talking to Madonna, No Doubt, Beck, Dave Matthews Band, Moby, and some others.

      Basically Apple is trying to do an end-run around the record companies and the RIAA. It's not done yet, and it may not work, but the foundation is there and all that's really left is to sort out the legal details.

      If anybody finds out I've posted this, I'm out of a job, and I'll probably end up with my ass in court. Hope this "anonymous coward" thing works as advertised.

    5. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm posting this anonymously to protect my karma.

      Everything you mentioned sucks, and only fools will buy it. Once you start letting people engrave whatever they want on macs, the machines will become ugly. Do it yourself designer products don't make any sense.

      And who the hell is going to buy a computer because Beck has a deal with apple?

      I went into a compusa in omaha, nebraska, and I saw a giant think different banner in the mac section with maria callas's picture on it. It didn't even say maria callas. No one knew who it was. It was stupid. It was pretentious.

      I like maria callas, I have 3 cds on my archos jukebox, the one that cost half as much as the iPod. The banner didn't work, I still run PCs.

    6. Re:None of you understand this by MonTemplar · · Score: 3, Funny

      Ooooh, is there a 'Britney Spears' signed mp3 player "in the coming months"?... :D

      More to the point, will it refuse to play in proximity to a Christina Aguialera or Justin Timberlake edition player? :)

      MT.

      --
      -MT.
    7. Re:None of you understand this by Eberlin · · Score: 1

      So this is Madonna's atonement for that deal allowing Microsoft to use "Ray of Light" to promote XP? Gotta jump over to Apple, eh.

      Can't wait 'til she re-shoots the "Express Yourself" video to include a dancing penguin and male models wearing crimson fedoras.

    8. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're close, but not quite right. Read this.

    9. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, like this. It actually is some pretty exciting stuff

    10. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They're trying, but Apple's agent has run into a little trouble getting in touch with her.

    11. Re:None of you understand this by GeneralEmergency · · Score: 2



      Well, now that I do, I still think that this is a stoooooopid product idea specifically designed to troll for morons.

      But I'm sure you're really a nice person in real life.

      --
      "A microprocessor... is a terrible thing to waste." --
      GeneralEmergency
    12. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Loose lips sink ships.

      I'm not going to bother looking up who posted this, but if it comes to my attention I won't ignore it. For the world, please discount this rumor because will lead to false expectations.

      Steve.

    13. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uh...huh. So you're going to include 20gb of skating noises on the Tony Hawk iPod?

    14. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interesting, yes, but hardly innovative in the strict sense of the word.

    15. Re:None of you understand this by usr122122121 · · Score: 2
      Now we're looking at custom laser engraving, trying to figure out ways to get the cost down to less than a dollar per square inch.
      I'm guessing you're not quite there yet... judging by the $30 additional cost...
      --

      -braxton
    16. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And this idea is good/cool for what reason exactly?

    17. Re:None of you understand this by shepd · · Score: 2, Interesting

      >People are happy with MP3-quality music, and they want to be able to buy it over the Internet. Current systems for doing that just suck.

      Not again. Apple is going to re-package emusic? Seriously, in what way does emusic suck? I get the whole album. It's one click. I get all I can download (well, I hear they cut you off at 100 albums a month). I suppose it might be nice for the client to also download the artwork for free, but feh, who cares that much?

      >Micro-payment (well, semi-micro; on the order of a dollar per song) will be handled through the .Mac "one click" system

      Oh, I see. Sorry to say, it's dead before it hits the ground then. I hate micropayment BS, and that easily adds up to more than buying the real CD for me. Emusic has the best idea, IMHO.

      >The only DRM will be the stuff we've already go built into the iPod that makes it inconvenient, though of course not impossible, to copy music off of it once it's been put on.

      So, it's actually _worse_ than emusic, then? :-/

      It feels to me like another "let's take an idea, slap a nicer interface on it, and charge ungodly amounts" Apple standard idea then.

      Just my two cents.

      (For all though that haven't seen it yet, emusic is there. Try it and be amazed. It's totally free, for the first few songs. And, trust me, their 128 kbps is about as good as any 192 kbps I've encoded at home).

      --
      If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
    18. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      That probably isn't the real Steve, but it does seem somewhat like his style (I work for Apple). It really is too bad the post about an end-to-end music solution was posted. This could give Apple a lot more problems/resistance by not being secret. Anyways, I hope it's true, and I hope they can pull it off.

      When you've got inside info it's very tempting to share it with others, but it's just not worth it.

    19. Re:None of you understand this by lunartik · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Funny this should also be posted today:

      Man arrested for leaking Apple documents
      by Jim Dalrymple, jdalrymple@maccentral.com
      December 11, 2002 4:10 pm ET

      Apple on Wednesday filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara against a former contract employee for leaking documents. In addition, according to court documents filed last week, the District Attorney in Sacramento, California is also pressing criminal charges and the man has been arrested.

      Jose Lopez -- who was contracted by Apple through the Volt Services Group -- and an unnamed person referred to as Doe 1 are named in the civil complaint filed by Apple this morning. Lopez worked for Apple as a contractor last summer when schematic drawings and other details about Apple's Power Mac G4 were released on the Internet.

      "Apple has filed a civil complaint against Jose Lopez, previously employed by Apple as a contractor, who we believe stole Apple's trade secrets by posting schematic drawings, images and engineering details of an unannounced Apple product on the Internet," an Apple spokesperson said in a statement to MacCentral today. "Innovation is in Apple's DNA, so the protection of trade secrets is crucial to our success. Our policy is to take legal actions where necessary to preserve the confidentiality of our intellectual property."...(more)
      .

    20. Re:None of you understand this by ottffssent · · Score: 2

      > The idea is that you will be able to order your laptop with anything at all engraved on the surface: your name, a logo, a picture of your kids, whatever.

      Now *that* might push me over the edge and get me to buy a Tibook. I know you all think I'm joking, but how wicked-cool would that be? They'd have to get rid of that stupid glowing apple logo thing, but I'd pay $100 if I could get a magic-eye picture of Tux lounging on an iceberg engraved into the lid. Wouldn't you?

    21. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This would be a good thing if they actually got Madonna on board...why, not because she has any kind of quality music, however she does "own" bands that do, through Maverick Records. Bands like Prodigy and the Deftones (and others i'm sure).

    22. Re:None of you understand this by toothfish · · Score: 1

      so uh what are the chances of vorbis/tremor support finding their way onto ipods? just because, you know, that is what's keeping me from getting one at the moment...

    23. Re:None of you understand this by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 2

      Dude, if you don't work for emusic, you're going to have to present some kind of credentials or something. This is the biggest-- and lamest-- sales pitch I've seen in a Slashdot comment in a long, long time.

      --

      I write in my journal
    24. Re:None of you understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      so uh what are the chances of vorbis/tremor support finding their way onto ipods?

      Zero. AAC is superior in every way, and it's going to be in the iPod Real Soon Now.

    25. Re:None of you understand this by Night+Goat · · Score: 1

      Emusic is really a great service. I agree fully with this guy, the only shortcoming it has is the 128kbps bitrate. I'd prefer at least 160kbps. I think he's just a satisfied customer.

    26. Re:None of you understand this by shepd · · Score: 2, Interesting

      >Dude, if you don't work for emusic, you're going to have to present some kind of credentials or something. This is the biggest-- and lamest-- sales pitch I've seen in a Slashdot comment in a long, long time.

      Honestly, I don't work there. It's just one of the few services I buy that I am truly satisfied with. It was everything I expected, and in this day and age, that sorta surprised me (in a good way).

      Like I say, try it out if you don't believe me. :-) I did on the advice of another random poster on metafilter, and it was well worth it (not many big name bands, though).

      If you've got any questions, fire away.

      --
      If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
  61. Only $20 by mattvd · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually, it looks like you get $30 off at checkout.

  62. "Innovation" at Apple by Codex+The+Sloth · · Score: 2

    This didn't work for Palm and it won't work for apple because it's a stupid idea. I'm just waiting for the clip on colored face plates -- that managed to eek a few extra years out of the Gameboy franchise that way.

    --
    I am not a number! I am a man! And don't you ... oh wait, I'm #93427. Ha ha! In your face #93428!
    1. Re:"Innovation" at Apple by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What the hell are you talking about? Have you touched an iPod?

      I'm serious, if apple sucks at everything else, they do have the best of the best of the best portable mp3 player.

    2. Re:"Innovation" at Apple by byolinux · · Score: 1

      Someone's already doing it... http://www.xtrememac.com/foripod/case_bundles.shtm l

  63. IANAT but... Why is this slashdotworthy? by The+Pi-Guy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It was cool when the iPod was the first easily usable MP3 player with a hard drive that fit in a small space. It was cool when they got linux support. It might've been cool if it was engraved with RMS' signature or CowboyNeal's, or even maybe Steve Jobs'. But remind me one more time why I, a geek/nerd/this/that/whatever, care about this? IANATroll, but this has gone a little too far with the 'slashvertisements'.

    Ah well. I can see my karma dropping now. Mods, do your worst...

    --j

    1. Re:IANAT but... Why is this slashdotworthy? by fastdecade · · Score: 1

      It's slashdotworthy because it shows MP3 has hit the mainstream --- artists don't get much bigger than Madonna, and she's agreed to put her signature on a concept that the music publishers are calling "theft/piracy/etc".

      Similar thing happened a couple of years ago with artists like Courtney Love, Offspring (sort of), Limp Bizkit (for $10M) supported Napster.
      But here it's become more mainstream --- big-name artists signing a big-name company providing MP3 technology.

      I don't know if those so-called Apple Employees are legitimate, but it seems likely there's more to this partnership than a few engraved autographs.

  64. Re:Coming soon .... Bill Gates iPods by MonTemplar · · Score: 2

    The foolish and unwary.

    It lets you download music to it, then presents you with an EULA informing you that you do not own the music, but merely have a limited licence to listen to it. Pressing the Play button constituted agreeing to the EULA, pressing any other button gives you a BSOD. :)

    MT.

    --
    -MT.
  65. Unique iPod-only, artist-specific content? by uucee · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This could be cool (rather, worth the money) if Apple and the artists' labels got together and offered unique and compelling content only available for the signature-series iPods. Instead of pushing this as a logo gimmick, maybe selling "a year-long subscription to content only available to these iPods" would make the offer appealing.

    1. Re:Unique iPod-only, artist-specific content? by redhairedneo · · Score: 1

      You really think they could release something available only to IPod's? No doubt it would just end up on Kazaa like everything else in existance...

  66. iBond or iT2000 edition? by T-Kir · · Score: 2

    Yep, it might reduce the price to nothing... for example would playing "Die Another Day" incite hardware failure? Either by the iPod developing a taste for music (in which case it self destructs) or the listener throws the iPod into a wall? (when users friend has got a waaaay cooler "Q" department issue iPod/iBond with a laser light show or something).

    So in the end it is rather worthless, being in little pieces and all, unless Apple develops a special Terminator edition called the iT2000 (for when the film comes out) that can morph back together?

    --
    Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
  67. Why? by greymond · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I don't want to get flaimed for this - but honestly - this idea of of a Pop-Star, Skater guy, Loner, and Indy group signing an Ipod baffles me.

    I'm all for people who want to get an Ipod - i'm sure it's a cool toy - as well as i'm sure it like all other toys has its +'s and -'s

    But WHY? would you be more incligned to buy a Palm Pilot or a Zaurus if it had any of these signatures on it?

  68. How to make money by Ralph+Wiggam · · Score: 2

    1. Pour plaster or some other softer substance over the signature section of your engraved iPod. Let harden and remove.
    2. Buy all the old Madonna albums from the used section of your local music store.
    3. Put ink on the tip of your plaster mold.
    4. Stamp album covers.
    5. Ebay some autographed Madonna albums.
    (you knew it was coming)
    6. PROFIT!

    -B

    1. Re:How to make money by sconest · · Score: 2

      3. Put ink on the tip of your plaster mold.
      4. Stamp album covers.

      Wouldn't the signature be in reverse ?

      --
      Guvf vf abg n EBG zrffntr
    2. Re:How to make money by Stuart+Gibson · · Score: 2, Funny

      No. Think about it, we'll wait here for you.

      Goblin

      --
      It's all fun and games until a 200' robot dinosaur shows up and trashes Neo-Tokyo... Again
    3. Re:How to make money by Ralph+Wiggam · · Score: 1

      At first I was going to say that you could fill the iPod signature with ink and stamp the albums, but that would indeed make a reverse image. You make a negative image when you create the stamp and a positive image when you use the stamp.

      -B

    4. Re:How to make money by sconest · · Score: 1

      And the two previous comments will again learn me to read *all* lines (i.e. the first one) before writeing a comment.

      --
      Guvf vf abg n EBG zrffntr
  69. Re:FP! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Conservatives tend to make sweeping generalizations about large groups of people.

  70. "Maddie"?! by Wee · · Score: 2
    She has one name all her professional life and now she has a nickname too? What's next, we call her "M"? Isn't that just a little ridiculous?

    Ah... I mean more ridiculous than Madonna as a conceptual whole.

    -B

    --

    Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.

    1. Re:"Maddie"?! by Frymaster · · Score: 3, Funny
      She has one name all her professional life and now she has a nickname too? ...Isn't that just a little ridiculous?


      and your real name is "Wee"?

    2. Re:"Maddie"?! by sconest · · Score: 2

      What's next, we call her "M"?

      Too late, already taken by a French singer

      --
      Guvf vf abg n EBG zrffntr
    3. Re:"Maddie"?! by Wee · · Score: 2
      and your real name is "Wee"?

      No, but that's what everyone calls me. My dad gave me the nickname a long time ago and it stuck. In my signature (the real, on-paper kind), my first name appears as "Wm". Giving Madonna another, shorter name is like calling me "W". That was my point.

      -B

      --

      Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.

    4. Re:"Maddie"?! by Joe+Jordan · · Score: 2

      Actually, her full name is "Madonna Veronica Louise Ciccone". I know this because my g/f is a huuuuuuuuge fan. Car rides with her are NOT what I would call fun.

    5. Re:"Maddie"?! by Wee · · Score: 2
      I thought my wife's Dance Hall Crashers fetish was bad. Oy. I feel for you.

      Be strong, brother.

      -B

      --

      Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.

  71. Makes no sense by zecg · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It seems like a really bad move from a marketing strategy viewpoint. I am just not able to see how people who buy portable hardware for playing digital music (even the user-friendly Mac flavor) are the same people who would enjoy having something signed by a pop-star. But let us say that they are - I still don't see why you need to advertise a solid hi-tech product with a cheap gimmick. It is not just simple endorsement.

    --
    .i lu doi ringos.star. xu do puku'aroroi dunli dopecaku leni virnu li'u
  72. what ever happened... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What ever happened... ...to the times when buying a Mac meant you got more features (standard SCSI, video capture boards & TV tuners, speech recognition...)? ...to the times when Mac was really an alternative platform, not just a piece of art? ...to the days when Apple showed promise (the clones, the Newton...)?

  73. -1, Redundant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Apple: Apple

    -1, Redundant, -1, Redundant.

  74. Case-mod an i-Pod by BSDevil · · Score: 2

    Has anyone ever done it yet? Take off that silvery cover and replace it with, I dunno, a clear case and a blue mini-cold cathode.

    Why? Why the hell not...

    --
    Cue The Sun...
  75. Re:Hawking? by vyse-dogg · · Score: 1

    Nice try, but you are wrong. It is a pun and also a correct usage of the word. While a hawk is a bird, it is also a verb which means to sell something aggressively. If they were to use your word, it would mean to pawn something. ---- from dictionary.com v. hawked, hawking, hawks v. intr. To peddle goods aggressively, especially by calling out.

  76. What about the lawsuit against the contractor? by jbuilder · · Score: 2, Offtopic

    Why is a Madonna/No Doubt/Cowboy Neal - branded iPod Slashdot-worthy, but this article isn't? Apple is filing a lawsuit against a former contactor for theft of trade secrets. It seems that this contractor posted schematics of new apple hardware onto the internet...

    Moderators, punish me if you must, but I think this bears mentioning on /. *way* more than a Madonna iPod does... Especially since I'm more of a KISS fan myself... ;)

    --
    Polymorphism -- It's what you make of it.
    1. Re:What about the lawsuit against the contractor? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ever hear of a Non-Disclosure Agreement?? Get a clue.

  77. Re:FP! by BarrettAnderson · · Score: 0

    nope - that's just me right now because i'm depressed, pissed, and tired. first i'd like to apologize for my few previous posts, and then ask why the posts under mine were not also modded offtopic? they are no more offtopic than my original post... huh? yeah, that's what i thought.

  78. What Really Bothers Me by Pingsmoth · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    about Apple's method of pomoting the iPod is its measure of how many "songs" it will hold. Songs by whose definition? Are we talking 3-minute pop ballads ripped at 128 Kbps? Or long metal anthems pulled at 192 or highter bit rates? What about VBR?

    stupid marketing tactics...

    --
    http://www.walkingtaco.com
    1. Re:What Really Bothers Me by HarveyBirdman · · Score: 1
      about Apple's method of pomoting the iPod is its measure of how many "songs" it will hold. Songs by whose definition? Are we talking 3-minute pop ballads ripped at 128 Kbps? Or long metal anthems pulled at 192 or highter bit rates? What about VBR?

      Then again, there is no one size fits all, so they also tell you how big the hard drive is so you can figure it out for yourself.

      You're a geek. Do the math. Even better: write a Perl script to analyze your MP3 collection and make the estimate for you.

      stupid marketing tactics...

      stupid consumer comments...

      --
      --- Ban humanity.
    2. Re:What Really Bothers Me by Knobby · · Score: 2

      Apple is trying to sell their product to Joe Sixpack. Joe doesn't know or care what a GB is. He does know, roughly how long a CD or a record takes to listen to.

      The default import settings for iTunes is 160kbps MP3 (non-VBR). At those settings, 1000 songs (or roughly 2.6 days worth of music) consumes roughly 4.6GB which leaves enough space for the OS and your calendar, contacts, etc.

      If you take a look at the Tech Specs page you'll find: At a 160Kbps compression rate (the default setting for encoding MP3s in iTunes), 20GB equals approximately 4,000 songs, or about 400 CDs. At 128Kbps -- the most popular compression rate people use for MP3s -- 20GB is equivalent to approximately 5,200 songs, or about 520 CDs.

  79. Re:FP! by BarrettAnderson · · Score: 0

    sorry, that's the american version of pissed. (i don't drink). not so much anymore cus i got a funny mod... then a troll, but i agree with the troll, it was intended to be a troll.

  80. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    that should be: IN SOVIET RUSSIA, Madonna iPod sells APPLE

  81. Re:I was hopping it came with the music she pirate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Madonna hired William Orbit to make music. DUH.

  82. Re:FP! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    Who gives a shit about this gay scoring system anyway?

  83. I must have one with... by GeneralEmergency · · Score: 1, Offtopic


    ...Hilary Rosen's signature on it.

    Oooooooooo baby, baby!

    --
    "A microprocessor... is a terrible thing to waste." --
    GeneralEmergency
  84. Easy answer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well, hmm... if nobody here cared about this, then there wouldn't be so many comments, would there? So you already have your question answered about if this topic is of any interest to people on this site.

    If you personally don't care about this topic, then guess what? You don't have to read it!

    Otherwise, you just sound like a self-centered ass posting a complaint about it.

  85. Re:FP! by BarrettAnderson · · Score: 0

    me, the way i read 500 comments is by searching for ", funny", or ", intersting" depending on what mood i'm in.

  86. No no no! by mao+che+minh · · Score: 4, Funny

    They need an Ellen Fiess edition!

    1. Re:No no no! by chegosaurus · · Score: 2

      I was listening to some techno and it's all, like, "beep beep beep"

  87. Old technology by El · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Wouldn't it a heckova lot cooler to use flexible displays or electronic paper wrapped around the iPod so you could customize the external appearance yourself? Skins for physical devices -- now THAT is cool!

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

  88. MOD PARENT UP (+1 Funny) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    not that i believe a word of it, but it's worth a read

  89. MS ROCKS! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You linuxheads are all nuts. Windows is easy to use, has consistent, well documented APIs and has a huge installed base.... you'd have to be missing a few screws to not want to target such a rich vein of ignorant, gullible customers!

  90. Re:At first, the engraved iPOD seemed superfluous. by SaxMaster · · Score: 1

    Madonna used the look from Metropolis for the "Express Yourself" video, not "Material World"

    --
    "Dancing is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire" --Robert Frost
  91. Nice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Trick people into voting for your theme. Very clever.

  92. A better, more profitable idea by mao+che+minh · · Score: 2

    A better, more profitable idea would be to make a cheap-o, 2 GB iPod for $99. Here is the price list: iPod prices. Customer engraving is $19.95.

    1. Re:A better, more profitable idea by curious.corn · · Score: 1

      That would pitch the ipod against the hordes of cheap muvo et similia crapware, thus tarnishing the "premium" hardware message apple has built around the product. Customers willing to pay for the expensive model would think twice because of the bad press made by the cheaper ones.

      N.B. Don't polemize that linux proves the contrary; it doesn't, these are two different markets altogether. I had a linux server out of a stinky desktop grade PC working for a full year; now that the system disk died causing 24h downtime we're going for an ibm server but linux stays because it has PROVEN reliability and low TCO (even on such poor hardware)

      --
      Mi domando chi à il mandante di tutte le cazzate che faccio - Altan
  93. Signs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Apple Store has promos like buy a mac get a $100 off an iPod. iPod chipmaker CEO quits. Rumors sites all report of new iPods. Talk internally has been of new iPods so this is just more proof :-)

  94. Apple's long history of 'celebrity computers' by redherring22 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Remember the Apple IIgs, which had Steve Wozniak's "WOZ" signature on the box?

    </apple geek nostalgia>

    1. Re:Apple's long history of 'celebrity computers' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How about the iMacs, with the design team's signatures on the inside, in braille?

    2. Re:Apple's long history of 'celebrity computers' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes.

  95. If found, return to this OpenPGP key holder: by MagicFab · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    FE49 C6C0 C5B1 8BAE 1BF2 2D27 EC06 A810 6B4E 6B69

    --
    Notepad specialist & FAT administrator, group training available
  96. in soviet russia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ipod signs YOU

  97. What about by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    a Bob Dobbs IPod the comes with slack

  98. Amusing juxtaposition by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I find it a funny coincidence that this story appears just beneath one that asks: "Has the Quality of Consumer Electronics Declined?"

    Now, I don't think that putting some celebrity signature on an iPod will actually decrease its quality. Indeed, the iPod seems like one of the better-made devices out there, particularly given its switch to the touch sensitive, no-moving-parts jog wheel. But it does seem indicative of the notion that consumer electronics manufacturers are increasingly charging a bunch of extra money for fluffy features which don't actually enhance the function of their respective devices.

  99. ...yeah, but not linked on the site by catdevnull · · Score: 1

    I wouldn't say Apple is "advertising" per se as there doesn't seem to be any linkage to these links.

    ...it's still kinda silly, though. Kinda like the gold trim packages on cars--more ghetto that cool.

    bling-it on, Steve.

    --

    I might know what I'm talkin' about, but then again, this is Slashdot...
    1. Re:...yeah, but not linked on the site by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i think the proper term these days is bling-blingin...

    2. Re:...yeah, but not linked on the site by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think this is a hoax or they are pages waiting to be added to their site... can't find a link from Apple's website TO these... hmmmmm.

  100. Expensive lil PoS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I only took a look at the 5 gig model, well checked the price, and its $60/GIG on that. I got an archos a couple years back and paid way less that $60/GIG...oh wait, its a mac, u people have money to waste

  101. Setting: 2008, Anytown, USA..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Scene: An office in a mid level tower. Two strangers bump their Easy-Office Segway pads into each other.

    Bill: Oh sorry, Steve.
    Steve: No, I'm sorry, Bill.
    Bill: Hey, what's that you're listening to?
    Steve: It's my goatscx brand mp3 player.
    Bill: Shit, I thought that was just a famous work of art - it's an electronics manufacturer, as well?
    Steve: No, but thanks to Apple, we can pretend.
    Bill: ohh.. GOATSCX ON EVERYTHING!!!
    Steve: McMoby's McPlay album brought to you by GOATSCX mp3 player!
    Bill: McCNN's Hourly McNews brought to you by GOATSCX PDA!
    Steve: McMnftiu.cc brought to you by GOATSCX WAP phone!
    Bill: Wooo!

    1. Re:Setting: 2008, Anytown, USA..... by smack_attack · · Score: 2

      Ba hahahaha, please mod this up.

  102. Re:Special KDE edition by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    +5 Informative!

  103. Re:At first, the engraved iPOD seemed superfluous. by dirkdidit · · Score: 2

    I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm sorry that you happen to remember Madonna videos from 15 years ago. :-)

  104. Madonnas IPods? by Snaller · · Score: 2

    How many have she got?!

    And what when they are all sold - how is she going to listen to music?

    And where did she get all those mp3s anyway - did she download them from the net? Eh? Eh? Eh?

    --
    If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
  105. Re:Hawking? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    that, and zipping around in a wheelchair while unravelling the secrets of the universe...

  106. Spielbergs IPod! by Snaller · · Score: 2

    They had to drop that, it had been taken!

    --
    If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
    1. Re:Spielbergs IPod! by SoupIsGoodFood_42 · · Score: 2
      Don't use Style Sheets - it makes web pages unreadable in Microsoft Internet Explorer.

      What's with you sig? Would you prefer designers to embed the style into the HTML via fonts tags and other horrible hacks that's make no sence and can't be overriden? Why no use another browser if it's that much of a problem?

    2. Re:Spielbergs IPod! by Snaller · · Score: 2

      > What's with you sig?

      Well, its a soundbite, your sig can't be very long. Follow: most webmasters (>90%) don't use stylesheets as they were intended, namely as a relative definition. They define all fonts as ABSOLUTE sizes, if you do that the font size can't be adjusted in Microsoft Internet Explorer - ie, if your sight, like mine, isn't 20/20 it can be hard to read a lot of pages. If they had designed them with just a little bit of care, and used relative font sizes instead, they would be scalable and readable. If you tell that to the webmasters they either don't know what you are talking about or tell you to get lost (in varying degrees of politeness)

      >Would you prefer designers to embed the style
      >into the HTML via fonts tags and other horrible
      >hacks that's make no sence

      Actually a lot of people are embedding stylesheet commands into the HTML

      >and can't be overriden?

      The point is that a lot of pages become unredable because their effects can't be overridden (in MSIE)

      >Why no use another browser if it's that much of a problem?

      that much of a problem? That 90% of web pages become hard to read - because most of the web (non linux pages) are designed for MSIE and many of them won't work (and the adage, then don't visit the page hurts me not them)

      --
      If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
    3. Re:Spielbergs IPod! by penguinboy · · Score: 2

      Don't use Style Sheets - it makes web pages unreadable in Microsoft Internet Explorer.

      Are you insane? There are so many things wrong with that statement:

      1. Obsolete: Style sheets and CSS are the current standard. The alternative (font tags and the like) is deprecated (not to mention generally a lot more work to deal with).

      2. False: Internet Explorer does a generally serviceable job of rendering CSS. And while IE might have some quirks, Netscape 4.x is an actual example of a browser that can't deal with style sheets well.

      3. You seem to be forgetting that this is /. - not exactly the best place to go to drum up sympathy for Microsoft products.

    4. Re:Spielbergs IPod! by Snaller · · Score: 2


      >>Don't use Style Sheets - it makes web pages
      >>unreadable in Microsoft Internet Explorer.

      >Are you insane? There are so many things wrong
      >with that statement:

      There is only something wrong with that statement if you are 20 year old "websdesigner" who don't care about the readability of your pages.

      >1. Obsolete: Style sheets and CSS are the
      >current standard.

      Which is used wrongly by about 90% of those who use them.

      >The alternative (font tags and the like) is
      >deprecated (not to mention generally a lot more
      >work to deal with).

      Which is amusing since a lot of sites use inline stylesheet tags.

      >2. False:

      False? False what? Now you are insane - you think i would write about a problem if there wasn't one?

      > Internet Explorer does a generally serviceable
      >job of rendering CSS.

      Except you can't change font size on fonts which has been set to absolute font size in stylesheets. And since most webmasters (>90%) don't use stylesheets as they were intended, namely as a relative definition but define all fonts as ABSOLUTE sizes, you (i) have a problem! You can't adjust the font size in Microsoft Internet Explorer - ie, if your sight, like mine, isn't 20/20 it can be hard to read a lot of pages(fact! Even if you can spot a skaterbabe at 50 miles). If they had designed them with just a little bit of care, and used relative font sizes instead, they would be scalable and readable. If you tell that to the webmasters they either don't know what you are talking about or tell you to get lost (in varying degrees of politeness)

      >3. You seem to be forgetting that this is /. -
      >not exactly the best place to go to drum up
      >sympathy for Microsoft products.

      You mean this is slashdot where people don't care about anyone but themselves? I don't give a shit about sympathy for Microsoft products, I'm just trying to get some sympathy for myself ... no wait, not even that, I'm just trying to get the amateurs to do a proper job when they are making webpages! (Follow the intent of stylesheets, not making a WYSIWYG page!) And if some of the idiots at Microsoft happen to read this so they could change the behavior of their damn browser that's even better ("So use another browser" - except you can't for a lot of websites)

      I got another message along with yours, from a guy who says "You're right! I remember that when i design webpages" - so that's one down, a few millions to go.

      --
      If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
    5. Re:Spielbergs IPod! by penguinboy · · Score: 2

      Which is used wrongly by about 90% of those who use them.

      The fact that people misuse stylesheets does not mean that they are the wrong thing to use. They can be implemented correctly and they are the correct solution to use.

      Except you can't change font size on fonts which has been set to absolute font size in stylesheets. And since most webmasters (>90%) don't use stylesheets as they were intended, namely as a relative definition but define all fonts as ABSOLUTE sizes, you (i) have a problem! You can't adjust the font size in Microsoft Internet Explorer - ie, if your sight, like mine, isn't 20/20 it can be hard to read a lot of pages.

      Now that you mention it specifically, I know what you mean. My sight is far from perfect and I frequently find myself increasing the font size of web pages. However, Internet Explorer only has five size levels: +2, +1, Normal, -1, and -2 - and I find that even the largest setting isn't that much larger than the default, especially when dealing with text that is initially very small. I don't see how a web designer could get around this by using font tags vs. CSS.

      What I do is use Mozilla. It allows an apparently unlimited level of font size adjustment, from microscopic all the way up to massive and it seems to always work, regardless of how the sizes were initially specified. If you don't have any choice but to use Internet Explorer, you have the option to ignore specified font sizes and to specify your own stylesheet.

      While I don't believe in intentionally making an effort to screw users with certain browsers, I think that the standards that exist are usable and some of the browsers out there prove that it is possible to implement the standards effectively. If some browsers don't comply, they are the problem. The solution is to fix the defective browsers, not to revert to using obsolete standards.

      As an aside, do you have some examples of sites that don't work well in IE because of their use of CSS?

    6. Re:Spielbergs IPod! by Snaller · · Score: 2

      Now that you mention it specifically, I know what you mean. My sight is far from perfect and I frequently find myself increasing the font size of web pages. However, Internet Explorer only has five size levels: +2, +1, Normal, -1, and -2 - and I find that even the largest setting isn't that much larger than the default, especially when dealing with text that is initially very small. I don't see how a web designer could get around this by using font tags vs. CSS.

      Well, it would be nice if they added more levels, or no limits at all.

      However there is great difference in the 5, if you don't see much difference it is perhaps because of the font size locking.


      What I do is use Mozilla. It allows an apparently unlimited level of font size adjustment, from microscopic all the way up to massive and it seems to always work, regardless of how the sizes were initially specified.


      Yes i know, this is how i feel it should be done.
      Unfortunately i still need MSIE.
      If you don't have any choice but to use Internet Explorer, you have the option to ignore specified font sizes and to specify your own stylesheet.

      Yes, but as i think i mentioned, there is a bug (or a peculiar feature) in MSIE that causes it to REMEBER the font line spacing, even when you have told it to ignore font sizes. So the letters are big, but the linespacing may still only be 5 points (ie, the letters are on top of each other)
      As for my own stylesheet, not sure how that would help since its one for all sites. If it was one for each site, then perhaps.

      As an aside, do you have some examples of sites that don't work well in IE because of their use of CSS?

      Well of the cuff there is http://www.cnn.com - you can't change the font size since they lock it with stylesheets, or http://www.usatoday.com/
      - http://www.cbs.com/ is an example of where they letters are ontop of each other on some pages, even when you have disabled stylesheets.

      (If you have a version of MSIE where this is not a problem, by all means do tell :)

      --
      If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
    7. Re:Spielbergs IPod! by SoupIsGoodFood_42 · · Score: 2
      ...They define all fonts as ABSOLUTE sizes, if you do that the font size can't be adjusted in Microsoft Internet Explorer...

      I though that might be the case.

      Actually a lot of people are embedding stylesheet commands into the HTML

      Yes, unfortuntaly, 99% of the time, these people are being idiots.

      Maybe you should have something more like: "Don't deffine font sizes in px. Internet Explorer can't re-size them"?

      BTW, it's only the px unit that doesn't re-size. pt is also an absolute measument, and it's re-sizeable. But it's not meant for monitors, dispite being the norm for on the web for years.

    8. Re:Spielbergs IPod! by Snaller · · Score: 2

      Maybe you should have something more like: "Don't deffine font sizes in px. Internet Explorer can't re-size them"?

      Yeah, perhaps. But this one seems to get a the attention of a lot of people - perhaps it might even change something (eventually :)

      --
      If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
  107. slightly OT. ..... by 1lus10n · · Score: 1

    is it just me or would somebody else like a black ipod ? i mean im not asking for much just not white (or anything else bright) for godsakes. something less bright, like gray would be fine.

    --
    "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." --Albert Einstein
  108. I'd pay damn good money for... by MrNemesis · · Score: 0

    ...Hilary Rosen's signature on my iPod.

    --
    Moderation Total: -1 Troll, +3 Goat
  109. The obvious signature... by Megane · · Score: 2

    ...is a Woz signature, of course.

    --
    #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
  110. Hilary Rosen Special Edition iPod by dduardo · · Score: 1

    It's only time before you can purchase a Hilary Rosen RIAA iPod.

  111. One they forgot to add by beefstu01 · · Score: 1

    Where the hell can I get one engraved with Ellen Feiss's sig?

  112. Re:At first, the engraved iPOD seemed superfluous. by User+956 · · Score: 2

    I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm sorry that you happen to remember Madonna videos from 15 years ago

    And I'm sorry if you happen to remember her video from last month.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  113. What I want... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ..is an iPod with all the members of the RIAA's signatures on it. Now that I would pirate!...I mean pay for.

    Also what the heck is with the artist formerly known as "Beck"'s Signature.

  114. Not so strange, but different.. by unorthod0x · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I've got 4 Apple ][gs', two of which are the "Special Woz Edition" - I don't recall them being more expensive when I purchased them; if memory serves well it was first-come-first-serve.

    That said, this iPod/Madonna/Tony Hawk/etc. does seem to be a departure from the above; would you pay extra for a "Steve Jobs iPod"? Would you have paid extra for the Woz edition of the ][gs? I think back then in my early Apple days (read: Apple as a religion) I might have actually considered it, and would certainly be tempted by a Woz edition iPod (LOL) - but non-Apple celebrities? I dunno, it cheapens the allure of this product enhancement if you ask me..

  115. Making Money? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Making Money? That's a paddling. At least, it is to all the damn liberals. Damn liberals. Being liberal? You better believe that's a paddling!

  116. Yeah right by MeanMF · · Score: 1

    Apple wants $50 for a FAKE Madonna autograph? This is the same reason non-Mac people laugh at the idiots who are willing to spend extra $$$ for the privilege of owning a slow, closed system while at the same time proclaiming that they're somehow better or smarter than the rest of us.

  117. I want colors! I want colors! by May+Kasahara · · Score: 1
    A Tony Hawk iPod? w00t!

    ...But I'm still waiting for Apple to release iPods in colors other than white. Or patterns like they did with that one iMac. I know there are iPod case skins and all, but to have an iPod in shiny Apple plastic in maroon, grey, or paisley would be really, really cool. iPods are too homogeneous as they are now-- white. Bo-ring!

  118. madonna is playing both sides by asscroft · · Score: 1

    She recently gave ms rights to use all her songs to hawk windows and now she's giving apple her sig.

    reminds me of other madonna stories.
    ms/apple, men/women, front,back

    she rules!!!!

    --
    because I have been enjoined by this Holy Office to abandon the false opinion which maintains that the Sun is the centre
  119. How about uploading art? by phong3d · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It would be pretty interesting to be able to upload a black-and-white GIF or perhaps some similarly colored vector graphics to have engraved on the back. That sounds like the next obvious step after this pre-made designs and text customization.

    1. Re:How about uploading art? by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 2

      Umm, you did see the previous comment , right?

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
    2. Re:How about uploading art? by phong3d · · Score: 1

      I did now :)

  120. Re:I was hopping it came with the music she pirate by The_dev0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Fuck that, Mirwais has written most of her hits in the last couple of years.

    --
    Never fight naked, unless you're in prison...
  121. iCe Pod by Znonymous+Coward · · Score: 2

    Forget iPod, I want the Vinalla iCe Pod. Preloaded with all my favoriate iCe tunes.

    --

    Karma: The shiznight, mostly because I am the Drizzle.

  122. One iPod to Rule Them All by orpheus2000 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I had a friend who asked Apple if they would take a custom TrueTypeFont to engrave. Namely, a TTF for Quenya, and have it engraved in the language of Mordor:

    Ash iPod durbatulúk, ash iPod gimbatul,
    ash iPod thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul

    Apple said no; a pity. I would have liked to have seen The One iPod

    1. Re:One iPod to Rule Them All by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

      sweet jesus, that's pathetic. your friend should take his own life immediately.

    2. Re:One iPod to Rule Them All by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Says the person spending his time trolling on slashdot

    3. Re:One iPod to Rule Them All by Alex+Thorpe · · Score: 4, Funny

      The Black Tongue of Mordor? Nah, someone might stick it in a fire to see if it glows.

      --
      "Common Sense Ain't" -Unknown
  123. I'd pay extra for Hilary Rosen's signature iPod by Rai · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or a portable DivX player with a picture of Jack Valenti on it.

  124. Re:Hawking? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hawking means, among other things, peddling, usually accompanied by a loud noise or shouting.

    Well, that, or sending a small angry bird after someone, which usually also leads to loud noises and shouting.

    --
    AC

  125. This is not (really) new by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting
    Ever since they introduced the iPod, you were able to pay a few bucks more and have something laser-engraved on the back (your name, whatever you wanted). This appears to just be an application of that with a pre-designed template.

    Now, if they had an iPod where you could get HELLO KITTY etched on the back, they will probably destroy the market for anything else.

  126. Apple might just be on to something here.. by CashCarSTAR · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now I'm no Apple fan, but they may have a good idea here. Forget the scrawls. They are useless and ugly. However, looking at the No Doubt one, that's not a bad idea. They just need more options. I'd love if I could get various band logos of bands I liked scrawled onto an IPod, not just one, but logos of all the bands I like. Apple could have a large database of band logos and let you choose a bunch to throw on it together, make it look sortta raggadly put together.

    1. Re:Apple might just be on to something here.. by Alex+Thorpe · · Score: 2

      THAT would be better; I care nothing for these few celebrities, but if I could get band logos from Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, perhaps Queensryche, that'd be more like it. If I didn't already have an iPod, that is.

      Oh, and I'd need a new iPod case that also has a clear back, so you can see the engravings.

      --
      "Common Sense Ain't" -Unknown
  127. Will it match my purple iMac? by geekee · · Score: 2

    Because if it doesn't match, my friends will think I'm a total dork.

    --
    Vote for Pedro
  128. So how did I do? by wirefarm · · Score: 2

    I predicted pretty much this same scenario in This Post a week or so ago.
    I hope you're for real - I'd really like to see this happen.

    Cheers,
    Jim in Tokyo

    --
    -- My Weblog.
  129. People that don't like... by Refrag · · Score: 2

    People that don't like carrying bricks in their pockets? People that like a good user interface?

    --
    I have a website. It's about Macs.
  130. What if I lost my iPod by Aqua+OS+X · · Score: 3, Funny

    What if I lost my iPod and someone found it and returned it to Tony Hawk?

    --
    "Things are more moderner than before- bigger, and yet smaller- it's computers-- San Dimas High School football RULES!"
  131. The OSDN/Apple Connection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0



    Slashdot is clearly in cahoots with the Apple iPod division. Nowhere else have I heard so much about the iPod. There is a story nearly every week! For christ's sake, there are hundreds of other MP3 players out there (and even some that an average person can afford!) so why not cover some of them?

  132. iPod as Fashion by r00tyroot · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Recently at a motorcycle show I learned that one BMW's newest bikes, the F650CS, comes with an iPod when you purchase the bike: this page has details ...cute

  133. iPods I'd like to see by Ilan+Volow · · Score: 5, Funny
    • Madonna iPod--changes the style of its interface every year and half just for shock value
    • Tony Hawk iPod--comes with wheels and requires elbow pads and helmet
    • No Doubt iPod--plays nothing but funky ska/reggae and constantly inserts references to your ex's in songs
    • Beck iPod--error messages that say "You're a loser baby, so why don't you kill me."
    • Milli Vanilli iPod--claims to be an iPod, but really is only a 32MB Diamond rio.
    • Britney Spears iPod--the sound quality only is only good if you're under twelve, and has buttons so big you'd swear they weren't real.
    • P Diddy iPid--We all know it's really just the Puff Daddy iPod. Who are they trying to fool?
    • J Lo iPod--useful as a wedding gift for a couple you know will last less than a year.
    • George Michael iPod--has special ports for jacking into public restrooms.
    --
    Ergonomica Auctorita Illico!
  134. Re:OpenPGP...bow wow wow / annabella lwin iPod by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    Heh - the string of numbers combined with the topic (iPod - being an MP3 player and MP3 having the unfortunate association to music piracy) Anyway - so that Bow Wow Wow song pops into my head! You know the one: C30, C60, C90 go, off the radio I get a constant flow...and, after all, what was that song about again? ;)

    If they had an Annabella Lwin edition iPod, I would get one of those!

  135. Re:Coming soon .... Bill Gates iPods by binaryDigit · · Score: 2

    informing you that you do not own the music, but merely have a limited licence to listen to it

    But isn't this how most music is currently? Not that you have a EULA, but the copyright holder usually only gives you a limited use license to listen to the music, you at no point actually own the music. Not exactly a M$ specific thing, well at least the license part, the BSOD of course is copyrighted by M$ and it's one they protect (and exercise) rigorously ;)

  136. well by LittleBigLui · · Score: 1

    you know, in soviet russia Britney Spears actually does wear Madonna T-shirts

    --
    Free as in mason.
  137. offtopic but with PB G4 by wizardguy · · Score: 1

    Offtopic forget about Ipod. I am typing this on my new Powebook G4 1GB/1GHz with my Aircard connecting to the net thru the airbase thru my DSL and it took only 20 mins to set up.

    I have used wintel for the last 20 years( yes I programmed m/c language on 8086) and this is a sweet machine.

    I have 3 x86 servers at home and this is my first laptop and this was so easy to setup. I am going to enjoy learning this new OS

  138. Smart Move by Apple by wdr1 · · Score: 2

    is Maddie's signature worth an extra USD49 over the standard iPod?

    Well, considering one can by a pretty run of mill shirt for $15.00 at Target, or $185 at Neiman Marcus, I would say yes, to many consumers it's worth paying more simply for status.

    I think it's a really smart move on Apple's part & plays perfectly into their geek chic motif.

    -Bill

    --
    SlashSig Karma: Excellent (mostly affected by moderatio
  139. Re:Coming soon .... Bill Gates iPods by MonTemplar · · Score: 2

    But isn't this how most music is currently? Not that you have a EULA, but the copyright holder usually only gives you a limited use license to listen to the music, you at no point actually own the music.

    For items that you can physically hold in your hand (tape,CD,vinyl), the above does not apply, for now. Although the music industry is doing its damnedest to try and rectify that. :(

    My original post was more along the lines of 'All your files are belong to Microsoft', only with better wording. :)

    MT.

    --
    -MT.
  140. Hmm... by Bullseye_blam · · Score: 1

    Yeah, I'd fire you. heh.

    You know what you should've done? Instead of posting as an anonymous coward, simply post under your normal account and 'speculate' on what Apple should do. Then you look like some sort of a genius and it's much less dangerous, not to mention the ability to karma whore!

    Oh well. Live and learn. Erm, as long as Steve doesn't kill you first...

    -Bullseye

    1. Re:Hmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > You know what you should've done? Instead of posting as an anonymous coward, simply post under your normal account and 'speculate' on what Apple should do.

      Be hard to get away with that considering that everybody knows who I am and that I work for Apple. "Gee, you know what my employer might oughta do? Here's a lengthy description of the project I've been working on for 18 months, with all the 'wills' changed to 'coulds.'" Yeah, that'd work.

    2. Re:Hmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then do it as AC, but don't tell people that it's exactly what's going to happen.

      As far as Apple is concerned, such a post would just look like someone's smart guess. On top of that, you don't steal your own company's thunder.

      If you work for them, then they're putting food on your table. Is it really all that smart to do anything that could damage their interests while you are their employee? The far smarter idea would be (A) keep your mouth shut or (B) play blabbermouth, but make it seem like mere speculation. Side effect of B is that you get people thinking about how cool the idea is. Of course, that's shilling, so (A) is just plain the smartest option here.

      Now, I have done work for one of Apple's competitors in one particular field (neither company is #1 in this field, btw). Would you like to know what they have lined up? Well, too bad, because I'm not telling.

  141. Re:Hawking? by Chris+Burke · · Score: 2

    Best post recognizing that one has been inappropriately mod'ed up... ever!

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  142. Apple leads by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 2

    Like it or not, Apple leads the consumer electronics industry in terms of design. When they put out the five fruit-flavored iMacs, lots of people said, "so, that's just stupid, can I get beige?" A year or so later, you could get the mini George Forman grill in five fruit flavors.

    If we do get the kids' picture laser-engraved on the powerbook, you can bet in a year everybody will be offering a similar service.

    The brilliant part is, of course, it decimates the used equipment market.

    --
    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  143. Special features of the Madonna version ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    include a vibrate mode and two ports for accessing the goodies. (Sorry my mind is in the gutter (with madonna).

    AC

  144. Waiting in line at the bank, behind Beck by c13v3rm0nk3y · · Score: 2

    What I'd really like to know is if Beck really signs his cheques with this same signature.

    Imagine waiting in line behind Beck at the bank while he endorses all his royalty cheques.

    "Sir, there's quite a line behind you, perhaps you's like to step aside?"

    "Butterfly pecans in my suitcase. Greasy foundlings like a termite, choking on a splinter. Cold brains. A devil's haircut in my mind."

    "Uh...?"

    "Just one more curlicue."

    "Oh."

    --
    -- clvrmnky
  145. Hilary Rosen iPod by metamatic · · Score: 1

    When iPods hit 40GB, I'll probably get one, engraved with a comment about Hilary Rosen or the RIAA.

    My initial thought was "F**k You, Hilary Rosen", but I was wondering if they'd let me get away with "RIAA Approved Music Piracy Device".

    (Yes, I'm serious.)

    --
    GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
  146. Gifts to employees, clients, etc. by AHumbleOpinion · · Score: 2

    Why would anyone want an iPod with a printed signature or logo

    Consider the case where the buyer and the user are not the same person. For instance iPod's engraved with a company logo and presented as gifts to employees, clients, etc.

    1. Re:Gifts to employees, clients, etc. by sweetooth · · Score: 2

      Ok, that's fine, but that's not what this is. These are "celebrity" signatures.

  147. Think Different, Only the Same! by Zhe+Mappel · · Score: 1
    The day Apple hawks millionaire skateboarders' sigs on its stuff is the day it no longer has any business claiming to be culturally unique or different. In fact, you could say that re-selling corporate logos like that belonging to the industry fat cats who own No Doubt isn't merely a sign of Apple's surrender to the blob. It signifies that Apple is the blob.

    Branding yourself with borrowed value was always a part of the Think Different silliness. Somehow, it was a little less tinny (though no less desperate) when the spiel went that buying silicone encased in plastic brought you identification with dead heroes, pioneers and intellectuals. At least then Apple was saying, "Buck the temporal and get in bed with forever." I still laugh whenever I walk by the "Genuis Bar" at our Apple Store and see those luminous personages on the wall -- Emelia, Alfred, etc. It's a nice illusion, at least until you get the needle-across-the-record interjection of reality -- some geek telling a customer that he's got bad SDRAM. And the pantheon looks on, approvingly.

    True, the message has gone somewhat down market, from "Computer to Early 20th Century Cross-Legged Peacemakers" to "Pricey pocket-sized hard drive stamped with the names of today's mega stars!" But it wouldn't matter whether you got Beck's signature or Beethoven's on the back. You'd still be paying for someone to tell you that your consumerism is your grandeur. And if you fall for such stuff, it probably is.

  148. Wow by Zagadka · · Score: 1

    Beck must hate writing checks...

  149. Re:At first, the engraved iPOD seemed superfluous. by tigga · · Score: 1
    Does this mean Steve Jobs is a Material Girl?

    Material Boy he is ;)

  150. Re:At first, the engraved iPOD seemed superfluous. by F34nor · · Score: 1

    The scene with the guys in Tuxes and her on the stairs is knocking them away and then drawing them near again is from Material World. This scene is from Metropolis. It comes in the late middle when the robot goes to the night club district to get naked and drinks with the rich kids (first time I've seen a robot with a nipple.) I can't remeber the 'X-Prs Yo'sef' video so she might have stolen that one too.