Slashdot Mirror


iRiver Announces 40G Player & Previews 2004 Line

slavitos writes: "Just as we've finished our discussions of OGG support in iRiver players, the company has announced it will soon release a 40G HD player. According to this source, the new model will differ slightly from the previous 20G one - for example, the 40G player will be 3 mm thicker and 12 grams heavier. The cost of the device has not yet been determined." While we're on the topic of iRiver, thopo notes: "iRiver presented their new products coming spring 2004, here are pictures from the show, including pictures (and specs) of all new models. Especially noteworthy is the IHP-300 which comes with a 2" color TFT LCD and a very classy design. This thing got 'iPod Killer' written all over it." The page is in Korean, but most of the product descriptions in the pictures are in English.

427 comments

  1. Ipod killer by stanmann · · Score: 5, Interesting

    How will this kill the Ipod without Itunes... IIRC Itunes only supports the Ipod.. Or does the Iriver have RTunes?

    --
    Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    1. Re:Ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You, uh, are aware of Napster and MusicMatch and BuyMusic... right?

    2. Re:Ipod killer by stanmann · · Score: 1

      Yes, you are aware that Itunes has 10+ times as many songs as those 3 combined.

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    3. Re:Ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are those anything like Kazaa, eMule and Bit Torrent?

    4. Re:Ipod killer by cens0r · · Score: 1

      I don't think that's a fact. It has some exclusive content. But so do all the services. For 99% of all music they are going to be identical.

      --
      Jack Valenti and Orrin Hatch will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.
    5. Re:Ipod killer by haystor · · Score: 5, Interesting

      My wife was looking through iTunes and on first glance everything seemed pretty cool. But then she started pulling up old albums and I started hearing complaints:

      xxx isn't on here. Ok, I can understand they haven't signed everything in the world.

      Then she found someone she liked that had a bunch of albums on there. Except for the good song from each album. She cited several examples after looking for a mere 30 minutes where the popular song from an album was the only song not available from it.

      Is this a common experience with iTunes?

      $1 a song isn't bad unless it's $1 for each of the crappy songs in which case it's worse than buying the whole cd.

      --
      t
    6. Re:Ipod killer by anthony_philipp · · Score: 1

      actually it only has 500,000 songs whereas napster 2 has over 700,000. and if you look at the other ones the each have well over 300,000. so itunes may have more songs than some, but it certainly does not have the most.

    7. Re:Ipod killer by stanmann · · Score: 1

      I heard about what napster did to get that high too. 7 different remixes of polka beatles and joes garage band does elvis.... whereas itunes doesn't have that crud.

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    8. Re:Ipod killer by aflat362 · · Score: 2, Informative

      I haven't run into that problem. Usually the partial albums have only the good songs from what I've seen.

      --

      Conserve Oil, Recycle, Boycott Walmart

    9. Re:Ipod killer by stanmann · · Score: 1

      And of course the other real question is when will it support FLAC?

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    10. Re:Ipod killer by rskrishnan · · Score: 1

      Size might be a factor - and perhaps eventually cost

    11. Re:Ipod killer by Skuld-Chan · · Score: 2, Informative

      Most of my mp3's are not itunes files (actually I lied - none of them are) - a lot of them I made myself.

      Plus this device just acts like a usb hdd when connected to your mac/pc - if you could figure out how to get your itunes files into mp3 format you're set.

    12. Re:Ipod killer by cens0r · · Score: 1

      I don't believe the other iRiver HD player supported FLAC, so I doubt this one would either. If it did it would be perfect. I want an HD player that supports FLAC and has an FM tuner... i need to combine the iRiver and the Rio Karma.

      --
      Jack Valenti and Orrin Hatch will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.
    13. Re:Ipod killer by nakedsource · · Score: 1

      Dont need itunes. Use MusicMatch and their new service which has more titles than itunes and uses wma files. Download, then copy directly to the iriver. That easy. Thats what I do with my iriver ihp-120. And like my iriver ihp-120, it will have a built in mp3 encoder for field recording (up to 320kbs at 16/44 stereo). And like my iriver ihp-120 it will have optical/analog input and output connections. And have a built in FM tuner. Unlike an ipod.

    14. Re:Ipod killer by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      Thing is...I pretty much ALL the music I like in my possession now on CD. I don't need an iTunes to download pre-compressed songs, that I might possibly have to re-encode to other formats, and lose even more information.

      I'd rather take my songs in best possible format I can get, and then encode them as I please for portable, car or whatever listening. I'm looking for the best player only...I'd have to guess many people don't buy the player for the service....the service is just a nice luxury for some who might not care for original quality of the song(s), but, I'm just looking for the best player/features for the price.

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    15. Re:Ipod killer by mekkab · · Score: 1

      yeah, finding a free audio converter is some HARD stuff! And the AAC audio codecs! Impossible! Especially with google!

      --
      In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.
    16. Re:Ipod killer by discstickers · · Score: 1

      Use MusicMatch and their new service which has more titles than itunes

      Negative. Apple has over 500,000 songs, the most downloadable songs of any service.

      and uses wma files.

      You're kidding, right?

      Download, then copy directly to the iriver.

      Songs are automatically copied to the iPod with iTunes.

      Finally, I don't think original poster meant the iTunes Music Store, he meant iTunes as a jukebox.

      --
      I have a shitty sig!
    17. Re:Ipod killer by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      your wife is a weirdo since Apple makes sure the popular songs are on there and the crappy songs are not(for the REALLY bad songs)

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    18. Re:Ipod killer by Aqua+OS+X · · Score: 2, Insightful

      True. Apple doesn't have access to everyone yet. A lot of musicians don't want to sell their music on a per track basis. They want to be able to sell whole albums. (buy the good track, and be forced to by the crappy ones) However, although those musicians don't have their music on the ITMS, they also don't have their music on any of the other music services.

      Supposedly Apple has the largest collection of purchasable popular music. Some music stores beef up there numbers by posting music from unknowns, or only allowing certain albums to be accessible via a subscription. But Apple doesn't do that.

      All in all, if the ITMS keeps growing like it does, and iPods keep selling like they do, other musicians will be forced to sell their music on the ITMS whether they want to or not. I'm already being to find popular artists and labels that wanted nothing to do with the service 6 months ago.

      But hey, download iTunes and browse the music store for yourself. It's free. If you don't see anything you like, screw it ;)

      --
      "Things are more moderner than before- bigger, and yet smaller- it's computers-- San Dimas High School football RULES!"
    19. Re:Ipod killer by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      eh? itunes files? itunes supports MP3 you dork as does the iPod...and there are transcoders from AAC to MP3.

      and there are also soon to be tools thanks to DVDjon that will remove fairplay from the AAC file.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    20. Re:Ipod killer by evilviper · · Score: 1, Interesting
      How will this kill the Ipod without Itunes... IIRC Itunes only supports the Ipod..

      All the more reason to support the DRM cracking efforts. Once you've stripped the DRM, you've got a file that will work on any device.

      Of course, you don't really need to break the DRM, just get iTunes to think you are recording to a (virtual) CD, and then encode those wav files to whatever you want (Ogg, MP3). But it'll need to be easy to do for it to catch-on.
      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    21. Re:Ipod killer by SideshowBob · · Score: 1

      Its usually due to a guest appearance by an artist with a contract with a publisher that doesn't do online publishing yet. Check the liner notes, I bet the missing particular track is a duet, or has an extra musician, or was remixed by a DJ, etc.

      The other possibility was that it was a cover of a song under copyright by a different publisher, or whatever.

      Obviously this is going to a be a situational problem. There are plenty of complete albums, and at least iTMS makes it clear when only the partial album is available.

    22. Re:Ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple's music contract is pretty clear: if a label or musician won't allow Apple to sell a particular track on an a la carte basis (not Apple's choice, but the musician/label's choice), then that particular track cannot be sold on an a la carte basis anywhere else online. Essentially, you get eveything with iTMS and more. Apple's selection is the best available and they have made more progress in getting musicians/labels to allow for single song purchase than any other reseller in history.

      Look at this way: if the band/musician/label does not allow you to buy the individual track, then you have a moral imperative to download that song from any preferred online source. The copyright bargain says that if a copy of the work is not made available, then the citizen is entitled to make his own copy. Copyright does not confer Disney-like hoarding capabilities to copyright-holders. If they choose to hoard, we can choose to copy, since they have nullified the part of the bargain which allows them to limit others from copying their work.

    23. Re:Ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      hey, nice troll. glad to see i'm not the only one shilling for apple with blatant disregard for the truth

    24. Re:Ipod killer by skiflyer · · Score: 1

      I want the RIO Karma with the ability to be mounted as a filesystem when I plug it in.... if it just had that one little feature, I think I could look over the FM Turner and recording and whatnot. Instead, looks like I'll shell out the extra 100 dollars and get the iRiver.

    25. Re:Ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You got a single example? Perhaps your wife just has poor taste?

    26. Re:Ipod killer by cens0r · · Score: 1

      mounting as a filesystem would be nice, but the ethernet/java stuff the rio has makes up for it. The FM tuner and FLAC are the deal breakers for me.

      --
      Jack Valenti and Orrin Hatch will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.
    27. Re:Ipod killer by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      Yeah.

      As Jobs pointed out about their Mini iPod, the feature of the iPod that people want isn't size, price, or OGG support. If that was what they cared about, they'd go elsewhere. What they care about is the user interface and industrial design.

      This thing's got "iPod Killer" written all over its beaten ass.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    28. Re:Ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >> Is this a common experience with iTunes?

      No, this is a common experience with women!

    29. Re:Ipod killer by irc.goatse.cx+troll · · Score: 1

      Why all of the effort? If the windows version of itunes can play them, you can just play it while recording from the output device. You're stuck only getting 1:1 ripping, but youu could batch the job and run it overnight (or while listening to the cd in whole)

      --
      Pain lasts, kid. Its how you know you're alive. Sometimes I think this growing up thing is just pain management-TheMaxx
    30. Re:Ipod killer by timeOday · · Score: 1
      As Jobs pointed out about their Mini iPod, the feature of the iPod that people want isn't size, price, or OGG support. If that was what they cared about, they'd go elsewhere.
      You should know that 89% of buyers don't choose the iPod. That still gives Apple's iPod 27% market share (because it's expensive), which is very good, but any talk of Apple "owning the market" is wrong.
    31. Re:Ipod killer by djroute66 · · Score: 1

      Then she found someone she liked that had a bunch of albums on there. Except for the good song from each album.

      I noticed a few times, but then I noticed that said good songs were on the Best Of cd. Apparently if a song is on two CDs they remove it from one album but keep in on the other.

    32. Re:Ipod killer by jshare · · Score: 1
      The iHP-140 supports wav files. What, FLAC's ~50% compression is just too much to give up? Just pretend it's a 20Gig device which supports FLAC.

      In-place conversion from FLAC to WAV should be pretty easy to script, so it's not like that'd be an issue.

    33. Re:Ipod killer by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Very out of date figures. According to the MacWorld keynote November sales figures gave MP3 player market share as 31% iPod. 6% other HD Jukeboxes. 63% flash players. In other words iPod sells five times as many HD Jukeboxes as all the other manufacturers added together.

    34. Re:Ipod killer by evilviper · · Score: 1
      Why all of the effort?

      A stitch in time, my dear troll. It would be effort up-front, but after ripping a few hundred songs, it quickly pays off.

      Besides that, recording from the output looses a lot of quality in the process. Everything from sample rates, to volume settings causes more and more quality to be lost.
      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    35. Re:Ipod killer by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Napster claims 500,000 too, not 700,000. Says it on their front page. www.napster.com

    36. Re:Ipod killer by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      iTunes and iPod is a great combination for just ripping songs from CD too. They are still incredibly popular in the world outside America where you can't buy songs from iTMS.

    37. Re:Ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Problem with Itunes is that you have to pay, and paying for music you can get for free sucks. I'll start using Itunes the second someone finds out how to bypass the paying bug.

    38. Re:Ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wma can die.

      it's really hard to tell...do i want Real Player and it's format to die a slow tortured death...or do I want WMA to fucking die die die?

      The Ayes have it. WMA must fucking die die die.

      nakedsource would imply source that is open (naked) for all to see....like a proponent of OSS...yet you have the guts to mention WMA?

      fucking die.

      die.

    39. Re:Ipod killer by BitGeek · · Score: 1


      Except peopel have used exactly that same false logic to claim that Widnows owns the market for years here on slashdot. And not a peep of complaint, either.

      Now that the shoes on the other foot, though....

      --
      Yeah, and you guys panned the ipod too: http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/10/23/ 1816257
    40. Re:Ipod killer by stanmann · · Score: 1

      Actually I meant iTunes+Ipod as a complete integrated tool.

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    41. Re:Ipod killer by stanmann · · Score: 1

      OK, no posting before coffee.

      I meant Itunes as a complete music tool, Ripping, Burning, autodownloading to ipod, and playing music locally on my 4+1 system.

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    42. Re:Ipod killer by stanmann · · Score: 1

      Itunes plays and catalogs all the MP3s I already have on my computers.

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    43. Re:Ipod killer by Lars+T. · · Score: 1

      Yup. 9 months ago. According to the latest numbers given in the keynote, 69% didn't choose the iPod. Apple is doomed!

      --

      Lars T.

      To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck

    44. Re:Ipod killer by renderhead · · Score: 1

      It took me a couple of days to notice a particular pattern with iTunes' "partial albums". In many cases, I would look up an artist, let's use Lenny Kravitz as an example, and up would come 3 or 4 albums. One of the albums is complete, the rest are partial. After this happened with a few more artists, I realized the truth. They really only had one album from that artist: the "Best Of" collection. For convenience, however, they'd also split the component tracks into their respective original albums to make searching for them easier. That way, even if I don't know that Kravitz's version of "American Woman" is on his "Greatest Hits" album, I can still find it by browsing to the album it was originally on, "5".

      Once I figured that out, the whole situation seemed a lot less misleading.

      --
      I wish that my inferiority complex were as good as yours.

      -RenderHead

    45. Re:Ipod killer by cens0r · · Score: 1

      I know that I can do that with WAV. But we're talking about trasnferring 40gig of files. FLAC makes me able to do that half as often. I'm not sure how fast 40 gig transfers over USB 2, but it can't be real quick.

      --
      Jack Valenti and Orrin Hatch will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.
  2. English description of 40-GB model by hankwang · · Score: 4, Informative

    The 40 GB iHP-140 is described in English on their Northern Europe website. You have to click on the English flag in the upper right corner.

    1. Re:English description of 40-GB model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > You have to click on the English flag in the upper right corner.

      I don't have to do anything.

    2. Re:English description of 40-GB model by Dr_LHA · · Score: 1

      I see a British flag but no English one. Am I missing something?

    3. Re:English description of 40-GB model by Hilleh · · Score: 1

      Way to be a jackass, jackass. Just shut up. (Before you mod me down, think about modding me up 'cause I'm right.)

    4. Re:English description of 40-GB model by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      I just luurve that old confederate flag. You know the one with the stars up in a box top left and the horizontal stripes. Hate that poxy Union flag with the nasty cross on it.

  3. I'm looking very closely... by xerxesVII · · Score: 5, Funny

    and I don't see "i-pod killer" written anywhere on it, much less all over it.

    --
    "We shall grapple with the ineffable, and see if we may not eff it after all." - Douglas Adams
    1. Re:I'm looking very closely... by normal_guy · · Score: 1

      I was thinking that it had 'l33t h4X0r' written all over it. Perhaps it was the graphic.

      --

      Linux: Free if your time is worthless.
    2. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Fortunato_NC · · Score: 1

      I know this was meant to be funny, but you're right. When you buy an iPod, you get (for better or worse) the support from Apple, in the form of iTunes, warranty support, and technical support. Who is iRiver, and does anyone have any idea what their support is going to be like?

      I know everyone's going to hit me with the "iPod's non-replaceable battery dies after 18 months", but the fact of the matter is that both Apple and the aftermarket have addressed this. You can get the battery in your iPod replaced. Granted, it's a bit of a PITA, but you can do it.

      And, for the love of Bob, is Ogg support or the lack thereof really a deal-breaker to you people? The open source community's fascination with creating "open source replacements" for applications and file formats strikes me as little less than plagarism - I'd like to see open source programmers use their talents to create new categories of software altogether. THAT would be more impressive than Yet Another Audio Codec...

      --
      Blogging Weight Loss, Distance Education, and more at verlin.com
    3. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, can't live without Apple support. My battery is dead. Buy a new battery and don't forget to shop at iTunes..

    4. Re:I'm looking very closely... by arkanes · · Score: 2, Insightful
      iRiver is a huge player in the portable audio market - go to any computer store in the US and you'll probably find a selection of thier stuff. The iPod has more mind share, but that doesn't mean all the companies competing with Apple are fly-by-night nobodies.

      As for creating "new categories of software"... well, when you get around to doing that let me know. Open source is largely driven by "This doesn't work for me, so I'll make something that does" feeling, and if you don't get that then you aren't really going to be able to judge it reasonably.

    5. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Do you have any idea about the history of Ogg? MP3 is patented in countries which allow such silliness. When people started getting nasty letters about paying for an MP3 encoder they wrote from scratch, somebody noticed and decided to build something completely free.

      Formats such as Ogg prevent the big companies from charging extortionate licensing fees, since everyone would just follow Epic's lead and go to Ogg if Microsoft and the MPEG group started charging through the roof.

      Oh, and how's this for a deal breaker; Ogg support, twice the battery life, a better remote control, an FM radio and a built-in microphone? Ogg support alone was what swung me to get an iRiver, since I'm not going to re-encode all my Oggs just so I can use an iPod, especially since, being a Linux user, I don't get the benefit of iTunes.

    6. Re:I'm looking very closely... by p4ul13 · · Score: 1
      I think he made some good points. What would you say put him or his statements "out of his league"? I haven't seen the price for this player (which at first glance DOES look to be a pretty good product), but if my purchase decision came down to a $499 40GB iPod and a $449 40GB iRiver player, I'd have a hard time making that call.

      That isn't zealotism or anything like that, it's knowing a company and their products will be around and supported should anything go wrong. Until I hear more from or about iRiver, I'd probably want to go with the iPod. Still a close call. Anybody have any pricing info for this or one of the previous models?

      --
      Paul Lenhart writes words!
    7. Re:I'm looking very closely... by calc · · Score: 0, Troll

      So you haven't heard of iRiver?

      Perhaps you have heard of Rio?

      The Rio RioVolt line of cd players were simply rebadged iRiver iMP cd players. At the stores where I live there are more iRiver units for sale than any other mp3 player, especially Apple iPods. Perhaps that is because the Apple iPods are so overpriced...

    8. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Fortunato_NC · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yes, actually, I'm moderately familiar with the history of Ogg, if that means following it since it was covered in Linux Journal a few years back (I think it was the November or December 200 issue).

      And yes, I understand the patent controversy surrounding MP3. But why exactly is it a patent uproar? Shouldn't people expect to be compensated for their work in creating something? Even if you reverse-engineered the file format to create your encoders and players, the desire to do so wouldn't exist without the original work.

      And if by charging through the roof, you mean $0.75/unit for decoders, yes, I can see where Fraunhofer was being so harsh. In a $250-$500 player, that royalty can make or break a company. Besides, of the royalty free nature of Ogg is so great, then why does every Ogg player on the market also support MP3 (presumably paying Fraunhofer to do so)?

      The fact of the matter is that 0.01% of Ogg users use it because they're convinced it's superior way to encode music. The rest of them do because they are contrary, self-important egomaniacs. Ogg as a technology is unimportant, no matter how many soon-to-be out of business Korean electronics manufacturers support it, because (almost) NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT!

      Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. As soon as I hit Submit on my previous, I thought of Perl as my personal favorite piece of open source software, and Perl definitely fits in the "original" category of software. But that's the beauty of Slashdot - you can shoot off at the mouth in front of the whole world!

      --
      Blogging Weight Loss, Distance Education, and more at verlin.com
    9. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Zirtix · · Score: 1
      Ogg support alone was what swung me to get an iRiver

      Hear Hear. I wish they would call it 'vorbis' support though, since Ogg is just a file format. Xiph are in a bit of a mess with the use of their branding. I wonder if it would be possible to add Speex support too.

      I too have several gigs of Ogg Vorbis files. I use Linux and Rhythmbox to play them. Now I have an iRiver player on order from Amazon (UKP250, what a price).

      All I want now is rhythmbox/iRiver integration - building on iripdb perhaps.

    10. Re:I'm looking very closely... by tigris · · Score: 1


      I just got the 20 GB IHP-120 in November. Price was $349 at ecost.com, and I think a lot of online vendors are selling it at that price or lower by by now. Given that the list price was $399 and I preordered it, a similar discount for the 40 GB version is more likely than not.
      I'm sort of kicking myself for not waiting though. You can never get too big. ;D

    11. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 1, Interesting

      "And yes, I understand the patent controversy surrounding MP3. But why exactly is it a patent uproar? Shouldn't people expect to be compensated for their work in creating something?"
      I just don't think you should be allowed to to patent maths.

      "Even if you reverse-engineered the file format to create your encoders and players, the desire to do so wouldn't exist without the original work."
      How do you know? Lossy audio encoding's not something that sprang up because of MP3.

      "And if by charging through the roof, you mean $0.75/unit for decoders, yes, I can see where Fraunhofer was being so harsh. In a $250-$500 player, that royalty can make or break a company. "
      And now suppose Faunhofer had decided to charge through the roof? Let's see, without Ogg Vorbis, what would the options be? WMA, which currently has to be decoded using Windows DLLs on Linux. Or, perhaps, AAC? Oh, wait, that's even more expensive.

      "Besides, of the royalty free nature of Ogg is so great, then why does every Ogg player on the market also support MP3 (presumably paying Fraunhofer to do so)?"
      You are aware that MP3 got its foothold when people could get free MP3 encoders and decoders here, there and everywhere, aren't you? I doubt I would have gone for MP3 if I had to pay for an encoder.

      "The fact of the matter is that 0.01% of Ogg users use it because they're convinced it's superior way to encode music. The rest of them do because they are contrary, self-important egomaniacs."
      And there we have it, Fortunato_NC demonstrating that tolerance of the opinions of others is not something he holds in high regard.

      "Ogg as a technology is unimportant, no matter how many soon-to-be out of business Korean electronics manufacturers support it, because (almost) NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT!"
      Tell that to Epic. Tell that to iRiver. Tell that to Rio. Tell that to Neuros. If "(almost) NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT", then why do manufacturers support it?

    12. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Jucius+Maximus · · Score: 1
      "The fact of the matter is that 0.01% of Ogg users use it because they're convinced it's superior way to encode music. The rest of them do because they are contrary, self-important egomaniacs. Ogg as a technology is unimportant, no matter how many soon-to-be out of business Korean electronics manufacturers support it, because (almost) NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT!"

      Are you implying that apple is not going out of business?

      Jeez, get with the program! ;-)

    13. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "You can never get too big. ;D"
      That's what she said last night!

    14. Re:I'm looking very closely... by calc · · Score: 0, Troll

      So I get marked as a troll for stating the fact that Apple products are overpriced. Or alternatively... you are paying a premium for Apple design, whichever makes you feel better. I happen to have an iPod myself but I don't delude myself into thinking Apple isn't overpriced.

      I suppose I should back that up my statements wrt price.

      (All Prices USD)

      Apple iPod 40GB $500
      Apple iPod 20GB $400
      Apple iPod 15GB $300

      Creative Zen Xtra 60GB $390
      Creative Zen Xtra 40GB $300
      Creative Zen Xtra 30GB $270

      iRiver iHP-140 40GB $XXX - Not for sale yet.
      iRiver iHP-120 20GB $340
      iRiver iHP-10 10GB $300

      Philips HDD100 15GB $270

      Rio Karma 20GB $290

    15. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      > Yes, actually, I'm moderately familiar with the history of Ogg, if that means following it since it was covered in Linux Journal a few years back (I think it was the November or December 200 issue).

      That *is* quite a few years back, isn't it?

    16. Re:I'm looking very closely... by otprof · · Score: 1
      "You can never get too big. ;D"
      That's what she said last night!

      "You can never get too big... sigh..."

    17. Re:I'm looking very closely... by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      open source community's fascination with creating "open source replacements" for applications and file formats strikes me as little less than plagarism

      Malda: pandering to these Mac people is dangerous. If you want us nerds to stick around you'd better do something about it.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    18. Re:I'm looking very closely... by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      Are people crazy? I paid $500 for my Yamaha Integrated Amp, with 100 watts of pure clean sound per channel, and it's going to be a beautiful, well-engineered piece of music playback technology for the next several decades. People pay $500 for a little pack-of-cigarettes portable player that they're guaranteed to be spending $100 every few years just to keep it operating??

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    19. Re:I'm looking very closely... by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 4, Funny

      The fact of the matter is that 0.01% of Ogg users use it because they're convinced it's superior way to encode music.

      It's a well-known fact that 79.4337 percent of slashdot moderators wish that there was a "-1, pulled some statistics out of his butt" moderation.

      --

      How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
    20. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Findus+Krispy · · Score: 2, Informative

      You are a either a troll, or you are serious, but have never done a blind A-B on Ogg, WMA, RealAudio, AAC, MP3, MusePak, etc and haven't heard from anyone that has. Let me inform you of my own experience.

      About a year ago I decided to encode my entire CD collection (yes, a bit late to the game!) to my computer. I didn't know which codec to use and heard different things from different people, so I set up my own blind test. I encoded with each of the above codecs at five different quality settings (where this was possible) on some sample material, taking care to get the bit-rates very close to each other for fairness, and then un-encoded them all to wav again, so there could be no doubts.

      Then I wrote a script to play every wav file in a given folder (one per bitrate/song part) in a random order, but recording it in a log. This is what I found:

      Ogg Vorbis was the best at very-low, low, and medium bitrates, and was equal with MusePak at high bitrates. MusePak was the best at very-high bitrates (~185K), although the difference was marginal.

      AAC was very good (second best) at all but very-low bitrates, but sounded a little lifeless (the sheen was removed). BTW: Worked very well with cinematic effects where had a greater clarity - the slight lifenesses that I perceived for musical material.

      RealAudio was the second best at very-low bitrates, and had a beautiful, signature, analogue valve sound to it. Highly coloured, but very pleasing to listen to.

      WMA pretended to be very good, but used trickery to do it (equalisation and compression), and the result was often painful on the ears (scratchy), and never melodius. This might actually be good with cheap equipment, though I didn't test this.

      MP3 was the worst of the bunch. It is actually a very good codec provided that you give it enough bits; it only lost out in each round because it was noticeably inferior to the competition, but is really very good if you give it a bitrate handicap (~70K).

      The result of this is that I encoded my entire CD collection with Ogg, but would also strongly reccomend MusePak (very-high bitrates), AAC (cinematic), RealAudio (Internet radio - for the cosy feeling), and MP3 (compatibility, with very high quality if you spend enough bits).

      -- Make of that what you will.

    21. Re:I'm looking very closely... by myc · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I dunno, dude. "Self-important egomanic" is pretty harsh. Take me for example. I can't hear the difference between a 160 kbps and 128 kbps encoded file, much less the difference between ogg and mp3. Yet I encode everything to ogg (except for the time when I had my ripper set up wrong by mistake, and too lazy to re-rip :P). I think supporting Free (as in speech) Software ala RMS is a noble cause. Am I a strict adherent to the gospel according to St. Stallman? Hardly. sheeit, I use winXP :P But if a nice, Free, alternative (ogg) to proprietary/non-Free software (mp3) exists, operates seamlessly with my existing setup (Winamp + cheap ass computer speakers), then why not support it by using it? It's not like I don't try to force other ppl to use ogg, or anything like that. it simply fits my needs. I'd hardly classify myself as a self-important egomanic, as you so bluntly put.

      I think ogg is a great example of Free Software. Aside from the file extension, to me (the end user) it really is no different than mp3. If only other Free Software were so easy to use (operating systems, productivity software, etc.), I would support it by using it as well.

      --
      NO CARRIER
    22. Re:I'm looking very closely... by myc · · Score: 1

      AHH shit, should read "It's not like I try to force other ppl to use ogg, or anything like that." should f-ing preview :P

      --
      NO CARRIER
    23. Re:I'm looking very closely... by firewrought · · Score: 1
      Shouldn't people expect to be compensated for their work in creating something?

      Knowledge artifacts, as we all know, are costly to produce but cheap to duplicate. What's more, information is very "leaky", and it impossible to prevent information from being replicated once you start selling it. There's an inherent contradiciton between this natural abundance and the scarcity of the marketplace. So we have kludges: copyright, patents, DRM, EULA's, NDA's, advertisments, etc.

      While I agree with your premise ("people should be compensated for their work"), this is just one of many ideals that a society must manage. Here are a few more: the right to think. The right to think w/the assistance of a device. The right to compute. The right to share thoughts with others. This where patents become particularly grevious in my opinion: they give people a monopoly on an idea.

      One of the original motivations of patents was to encourage the disclosure of how a new technology works so that others my learn from it. If the patent system wasn't so out of whack, perhaps this tradeoff (plus the reward to the inventors of the work) would make it worth the loss in individual freedom.

      The MP3 patent is particularly bothersome: not only is it a patent that inhibits pure computation, it's something that would have been invented anyways, with or without a patent system. The economic motivation for wanting to compress music would have payed the way, even if we didn't have an army of information theorists, academians, and open source programmers working on the problem.

      I use Ogg because Debian has packages that encode to it. I've been waiting for an ogg-equipped mp3 player, and I think 2004 will the year I finally get one. The new iRivers look pretty sweet...

      --
      -1, Too Many Layers Of Abstraction
    24. Re:I'm looking very closely... by LocoSpitz · · Score: 1

      Yeah, because a home sound system and a portable music player are totally comparable.

    25. Re:I'm looking very closely... by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      My point is that historically a portable music player has an established price-point of about $30. People have to be insane to pay as much as a 'medium-end' stereo component.

      This is becoming Rolex snobbery.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    26. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Nucleon500 · · Score: 1

      I'm really tired of that attitude. No issue will ever be so important that everyone cares about it. Especially technical issues. Duh. So is it really necessary, whenever someone expresses an opinion, to say, "I don't care, nobody else cares, and anyone who does is a contrary, self-important egomaniac."? Apathy is fine, but it's nothing to be proud of.

    27. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 1

      There has never been a portable music player that could store all of my music at a price point anywhere near $30.

    28. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Shouldn't people expect to be compensated for their work in creating something?

      In a free market, only if someone else isn't willing to produce an equivalent product cheaper. Free is far cheaper than $0.75/unit, so no, they should not expect to be compensated.

      Personally, I'd say the ability to decrease bitrate without reencoding is more valuable, but then I don't have 40GB of storage in my portable player...

    29. Re:I'm looking very closely... by evilviper · · Score: 1
      But why exactly is it a patent uproar? Shouldn't people expect to be compensated for their work in creating something?

      It's not the charging for use, it's the fact that they didn't charge for use until it was vastly popular, then, when people had tied themselves to it, they started charging.

      And if by charging through the roof, you mean $0.75/unit for decoders, yes, I can see where Fraunhofer was being so harsh.

      Obviously you chose an example where it's not relatively that harsh. However, you should talk to all the companies that were previously allowing free downloads of MP3 players/encoders, that got screwed-over on the deal.

      royalty can make or break a company. Besides, of the royalty free nature of Ogg is so great, then why does every Ogg player on the market also support MP3

      You can't just put your foot down and say everything must instantly switch to Ogg... First you give people the Ogg alternative to MP3, then as Ogg gets popular, you can get rid of MP3.

      I know a great many software makers have gotten rid of MP3 and replaced it with Ogg.

      The fact of the matter is that 0.01% of Ogg users use it because they're convinced it's superior way to encode music.

      No, I'd say a great many people use Ogg because it has superior quality to MP3 at smaller sizes/bitrates.

      Ogg as a technology is unimportant, [...] because (almost) NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT!

      You could have said the same thing when MP3s were new... They didn't exactly catch-on like wildfire; it took time.

      no matter how many soon-to-be out of business Korean electronics manufacturers support it,

      I'm pretty sure Rio isn't Korean, nor are they going out of business soon. Yet, they have support for Ogg Vorbis and FLAC. Yes, Ogg is rising in popularity, despite the competition by WMA, AAC/MP4, MP3+, etc.
      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    30. Re:I'm looking very closely... by CmdrGravy · · Score: 1

      So far as I can see IRiver provide excellent support for their players. Back when I bought my flash player a year or so ago there was nothing offering support for OGG but IRiver said on their website that they would be looking to support OGG soon. Sure enough we now have OGG support for the players which does prove that they are company who take their commitments seriously and do listen to what their users are asking for - there is a very active forum on their website. Also they are a proper multinational company and not some fly by night operation. When I have 90% of my music collection in OGG format it is nice to have a portable player to play them on !

    31. Re:I'm looking very closely... by AnyNoMouse · · Score: 1
      Ogg as a technology is unimportant, no matter how many soon-to-be out of business Korean electronics manufacturers support it, because (almost) NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT!

      Because 1) until (somewhat) recently, you needed a floating point processor to decode OGG. Most portable MP3 players do not have such a beast. 2) There have been quite a few dedicated MP3 decoding chips available on the market that allow the use of cheap, low powered processors that would normally not be able to decode MP3. 3) Even with Integer OGG support, the processing requirements of OGG are much higher than an MP3 player. Many MP3 players don't have the power to do OGG.

      The fact of the matter is that 0.01% of Ogg users use it because they're convinced it's superior way to encode music.

      Actually, I think that this is incorrect. There are *LOTS* of reasons to not use MP3 (sounds crappy until you hit 192k or so, hack id support, widely varying quality of encoders, patent laden, etc.). Of the alternatives, I like OGG the best. Part of which is that it's Free and open, part of which is that it sounds better. I also like FLAC and APE, but I normally wouldn't use those on a portable player. Anecdotal evidence, I know, but most of the people I speak with either can't hear the difference in audio, so use MP3 or do hear the difference in audio and use OGG/FLAC.

      --
      -Redundancy Man strikes again!
    32. Re:I'm looking very closely... by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      Most of my music is on vinyl.

      There still isn't a portable music player that could store all of my recordings of music.

      All of my 'music' is an even more distant goal, as that's a lot of sheet music.

      But I can carry with me as much of my recordings of music, in portable format, as I want to listen to on any day, on a CDR or two with my Genica Tavaria player.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    33. Re:I'm looking very closely... by Mod+Me+God · · Score: 1

      Missed the point again???

      --
      --

      FreeNET user? Comfortable with the adverse selection?
  4. Too bad... by NeoGeo64 · · Score: 1

    It sucks that I still won't be able to sync it to my iTunes music library.

    I wonder how the price will compete with the iPod Mini.

    1. Re:Too bad... by after · · Score: 1
      Why would you care how the price compares with the mini? You are comparing a 40 GB mp3 player with a 4 GB one.

      Even if the price is higher, it does not mean anything. I will feel a bit angry if the Apple folks decide to price the mini the same way they price the full blown one.

      hmm:
      $250 MP3 player with a 4GB hard drive that comes in several colors.


      Damn!
    2. Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      " It sucks that I still won't be able to sync it to my iTunes music library. "

      Maybe you shouldn't be buying music in an obscure format that no one but Apple supports. Did it occur to you that that was Apple's strategy to lock in customers?

    3. Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We're talking about syncing to the library, not playing iTMS files. The music inside is whatever the user encoded it in, usually either MP3 or non-protected AAC depending on end-user preference.
      My, oh so locked in.

  5. Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If Apple is so pro-open source, when are they going to add Ogg Vorbis to the iPod?

    1. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Apple is also pro-profit, so they'll do it when more than five people will buy iPods as a result.

    2. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by anthony_philipp · · Score: 1

      actually probably not even then, because they are pushing aac really hard. they only support mp3 because they have to.

    3. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by overbyj · · Score: 1, Insightful

      You know when they will add Ogg Vorbis....when it supports DRM. I hate DRM as much as the next guy but until it does, then Apple won't touch it.

      I would like to believe that Apple thinks the whole DRM is a joke but they play along because they wouldn't get any music company to support iTunes selling songs without it.

      I like Ogg format but I am not going to hold my breath on this one.

      --
      No trees were harmed in the composition of this; however, numerous electrons were inconvenienced.
    4. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple is not "pro open source". Apple is "pro Apple" and anything they do is related directly to selling things to Mac zealots who only buy Apple. Claiming to support open source was just Apple's way of giving lip service to an internet trend. Notice that not a single piece of software Apple has ever supported or released as open source has any kind of significant user base outside of OS X. That is no accident.

    5. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      Really? The rendering libraries that Apple worked on, as well as the zeroconf work have no user base huh?

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    6. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Exactly. That's why they don't support MP3 or AIFF either.

      Oh, wait.

      I guess you don't have a point, after all. Never mind.

    7. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right, because nobody is using the enhancements they added to the Konquerer code base. Please die. Thanks.

    8. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Scalli0n · · Score: 1

      Apple claimed they liked open source so that they could wean a few more customers over from microsoft, which is the 'anti-open source'.

      Apple does everything it can to *not* look like Microsoft, hence, open source.

      --
      Sig & Below
      Yuck Fou
    9. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by DeltaSigma · · Score: 1

      Further, thanks to Ogg Vorbis' open-source nature, there is a DRM'd version of Ogg Vorbis available. However I don't feel like doing the small amount of work required to fetch the link for that rediculous crap.

    10. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      what? MP3 does not support it, WAV does not support it...AAC does not even support it, all Apple did was MAKE A LAYER OF ENCRYPTION. and QT must decoded the encryption in order to get access to the music.

      support for OGG has nothing to do with DRM you twit. besides that, AAC encoding on iTunes does not force encryption or even have an encryption option. morons like you should die.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    11. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "If Apple is so pro-open source, when are they going to add Ogg Vorbis to the iPod? "

      Does the iPod have the processing power to do it? It is my understanding that OGG requires more operations to decode. Corrections invited.

      In any case, what's the point of cramming it in there if the general populace isn't even aware of its existence? It's one more thing to support, and doesn't guarantee a whole lot more people are going to buy iPods. From a business point of view, it's pretty cleary why they're not jumping on it.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    12. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Quite some time ago, when Linux was first put onto the iPod, an early version of Tremor (An integer-only Vorbis decoder) was running at around 80% realtime. Seeing as there have been various performance and memory optimisations during that time, it's possible they may be able to get it to work.

      Oh, the general populace isn't aware of AAC's existance either and there's still plenty of room on the iPod's firmware, so why not?

    13. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by abigor · · Score: 1

      I had heard a rumour that Apple was planning on opening up the iPod a bit to 3rd parties who want to write add-on software. Presumably Vorbis support would be there for motivated developers.

      But that's just a rumour. I do realise that historically Apple has been pretty closed. However, if it's true that the iPod is sort of migrating towards PDA-land, maybe there is something to it after all, who knows.

      Personally, I think the Rio Karma looks good.

    14. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They support mp3 because they'd be laughed off the market if they didn't. Seriously, who would buy a $300+ music player that couldn't play 99% of their music collection? Even Jobs isn't that stupid.

    15. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Unregistered · · Score: 1

      once ogg can be decoded by the low-power (both speed and batterywise) processor on the ipod.

    16. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by DavidinAla · · Score: 1

      This question has been answered SO many times. Can we retire it? Apple doesn't see any need to support your favorite codec. Fine. Buy something that does. The end.

      Whether you think Apple should support Ogg Vorbis or (like me) you don't think it matters, the issue has been beaten to death. Asking the same old thing again isn't even vaguely interesting. It's only modded that way because some people agree with you -- and that's not the purpose of moderation.

    17. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by evilviper · · Score: 1

      There are plenty of pro-profit companies that have put Ogg into their players... The Rio Karma is perhaps the best example, it has Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC, in addition to MP3 and WMA.

      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    18. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by GlassHeart · · Score: 1
      the general populace isn't aware of AAC's existance either and there's still plenty of room on the iPod's firmware, so why not?

      Commercial engineering ventures are not driven by "why not" questions, but "why" questions. Everything you put in an iPod gets an Apple brand name, and therefore requires costly testing lest you embarrass yourself. You also give your user one more potentially confusing option. It's much more than just a question of code space.

    19. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And if the Rio Karma came with a monkey, would that make free monkeys a good idea?

    20. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      You also give your user one more potentially confusing option.

      So it's another instance of 'one button mouse' stubbornness, and they'll throw out the same lame excuse?

      This site is getting severely PACKED with Apple astroturfers these days.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    21. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I know it was a joke, but Vorbis support is one of many things I'm using to evaluate players I'm planning on buying. Not because "it's Vorbis", but because at lower bitrates I find it to be better than MP3.

      Of course there are other factors, such as drive size, but Vorbis is in my mind.

    22. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by GlassHeart · · Score: 1
      So it's another instance of 'one button mouse' stubbornness

      The two issues aren't nearly of the same scale. I would expect more than 95% of the mice out there to have 2 or more buttons, so it's a good bet that most computer users have at least seen them. Ogg Vorbis is the reverse case. I would expect much less than 5% of users have even heard of it, and even fewer who actually demand it (in the actually buying something else sense). Thus, even if the one-button mouse is "a lame excuse", it doesn't necessarily apply to Ogg Vorbis on iPods.

      More importantly, you snipped away the first and more important reason I cited: increased development and testing costs. Perhaps you would address why Apple should incur significant additional costs for little or no demand, before you accuse me of bias.

      Let me put it simply. The only thing that matters to Apple is how many people would buy an iPod and not a competitor (or just not buy) if they add feature X. No sane company is going to throw in features just because somebody on Slashdot asked "why not", even if they have oodles of space left over.

    23. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by buddydawgofdavis · · Score: 1

      If Apple is so pro-open source, when are they going to add Ogg Vorbis to the iPod?


      I was never under the impression that Apple is pro-open source. If anything, I simply thought of them as opportunistic. I might be wrong, does anyone know of any open source contributions from Apple to the community? If they are supportive of open source, then yeah, ipod will some day support ogg. But in all likelihood, Apple will continue to act like a Microsoft wannabe(not that there's anything wrong with that).

    24. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 1

      OK, I can buy the cost of testing argument, but I don't get the confusion one. After all, any decent media player treats Ogg and MP3 files identically interface-wise, the only difference being the file extension.

    25. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by GlassHeart · · Score: 1
      I don't get the confusion one. After all, any decent media player treats Ogg and MP3 files identically interface-wise

      I wasn't referring to the playing interface. I was referring to the "preferences" option where one selects the default format to rip a CD into, for example. It typically already wants you to select a bit-rate (huh?) and a format (acronyms!), which are trade-offs that novice users may not easily grasp.

      Let me be clear: it's not an important issue at all. After all, Apple added AACs to the list. The point is that the small possibility of confusion is still bigger than the number of people who really care about Ogg Vorbis. Thus, Ogg Vorbis may not even be worth the potential confusion, and is almost certainly not worth the development and testing costs.

    26. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Durandal64 · · Score: 1
      No, the AAC spec includes DRM. MP3 essentially had a leg up because the majority of everyone's music collections are MP3's. In order to sell a portable player, companies simply have to support it, no matter how much pissing and whining the record labels do about it.

      Support for Ogg Vorbis (or lack thereof) has to do with several factors.
      1. Apple are pushing AAC. Do you think that Apple fought tooth and nail to drag the MPEG group back to reality with their licensing terms so consumers could encode and stream MPEG-4 for free just to risk undermining it with another codec? Certainly not. Apple threw its hat in with MPEG.
      2. Not a lot of people use Vorbis for their encoding. I know a few people who rip exclusively to Ogg Vorbis, but I'm a computer geek, and I work with computer geeks. Ask some college girl with a Christmas list for mommy and daddy if she gives a rat's ass that the iPod she wants doesn't support Ogg Vorbis.
      3. The Ogg Vorbis spec does not include DRM. Apple are treading a very fine line with respect to DRM. Jobs managed to RDF the shit out of the record companies to get them to agree to the almost comically weak (compared to what we all know the RIAA would really rather have) DRM restrictions. The record companies want to see Apple supporting DRM, or else they're going to pull the plug. Apple can get away with supporting MP3 because it's only the most popular music format in the fucking world, but Vorbis doesn't have that excuse. You have to support MP3 if you want any chance of success. WAV has the excuse that no person in his right mind would listen to uncompressed audio on his iPod, since it defeats the whole "x,000 songs in your pocket," {x | x = 1, 2, 3, ...} mantra. Also, unless you like loading the equivalent of 10 MP3's into the player's RAM to play the WAV and thus reducing battery life, then who's going to put WAV on their iPod?
      Ogg Vorbis is relegated to a small, niche market. Well, Apple have their fill of niche markets with the Mac line. The iPod appeals to regular people who have lots of MP3's on their computers. And those regular people think more along the lines of, "Can it do what I want," meaning "play MP3's." Well, yes, the iPod can. "Okay," they say, "But is it easy to use? I'm not good with computers." Well yes, the iPod is. "Wow!" They say upon seeing and holding one. "This thing is fucking cool as Hell!" Hence the 70% marketshare.
    27. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by numpins · · Score: 1

      This past summer at MacHack, I asked this question to one of the main developers working on the iPod. (He and his buddy created the notes system for the iPod because they thought it would be cool.)

      (Think back to where Ogg was at that time.)

      He said that Ogg was still a maturing codec and that it needed to prove itself code-wise. Once more companies started using it, Apple would know it was "safe," and didn't have anyone's copyrighted code in there. (Visions of SCO.)

      I don't remember hearing about any technical difficulties stopping it, so other companies using Ogg could bring it closer to the iPod.

      Sometimes Apple listens if enough people yell so keep contacting them (not just bitching here). Point out that you're interested in Ogg and you want to buy an iPod. If Ogg is do-able and it's stopping enough people from getting an iPod, they might change their minds.

    28. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by evilviper · · Score: 1

      If it's sales (with the free monkey) were kicking ass, I'd seriously consider it.

      In other words, the Karma is selling quite well... Not at the iPod level, but Rio has just recently come out of their rutt.

      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    29. Re:Ogg is nice on iRiver, but what about my iPod? by Kiryat+Malachi · · Score: 1

      Because Apple isn't selling Ogg-encoded music on iTMS?

      --

      ---
      Mod me down, you fucking twits. Go ahead. I dare you.
      (I read with sigs off.)
  6. Different by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 3, Funny

    the new model will differ slightly from the previous 20G one - for example, the 40G player will be 3 mm thicker and 12 grams heavier.

    and have a 40G drive instead of a 20G?

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
    1. Re:Different by n3k5 · · Score: 1
      ...
      the new model will differ slightly from the previous 20G one - for example, the 40G player will be 3 mm thicker and 12 grams heavier
      ... you mean I'll have to lug around no less that 12 grams, all for a mere 20GB? thanks for the warning, i'd have almost bought it if i hadn't known there's such a big difference to the previous model.
      --
      but what do i know, i'm just a model.
    2. Re:Different by rcharbon · · Score: 1

      Now we can calculate the weight of a GB of music!

  7. No by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who are they?

  8. If this thing is a portable 40GB... by SexyKellyOsbourne · · Score: 1, Insightful

    At 40GB, why the heck doesn't this thing not only have ogg and mp3 support, but also a few RCA jacks and support a few video codecs? They're licensing WMA anyways, so they could at least use WMV, in addition to all the open MPEG and OGM formats.

    40GB is roughly three weeks worth of MP3s, and most people outside of hardcore music enthusiasts will never accumulate nearly that many, and no one but semi-truckers would need to take that much with them. Video would be a very necessary complement to justify that much of an increase in storage space.

    1. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by grub · · Score: 5, Informative


      Decoding video requires a lot more horsepower than audio. My Egoman MP3/VCD player will only play VCD when plugged into the wall. RCA jacks take up a lot of room on the board, it's easier to use a minijack -> RCA adapter cable (they're cheap)

      --
      Trolling is a art,
    2. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by stanmann · · Score: 1

      Well it already has a color LCD capable of displaying up to 8 lines of text... seems reasonable that they could add that at a future point.

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    3. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by phorm · · Score: 1

      no one but semi-truckers would need to take that much with them

      And for $50 you can have a portable that plays Mp3-CD's (about 150+ songs/disc at 128kbps), another $20 for a decent CD-wallet. Of course, still a lot of CD's to reach 40GB, but you don't really need *that* much and you could categorize them, etc.

    4. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by Toxygen · · Score: 1

      If you want something with video playback to go with your music, I believe there was a product announced a few days ago that needs you in it's market - the portable media center

    5. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by DynamiteNeon · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I wouldn't really need all that space for music either, but you could always use it as a portable harddrive also. It supports transfer of any type of file.

    6. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by Cpt_Kirks · · Score: 1

      no one but semi-truckers would need to take that much with them

      My Dad and a lot of other truckers use satellite radio now.

      He toasted his FM radio/Cassette that he uses as an amp for it and had me soldering new plugs for him at 8:30 xmas morning...

    7. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by Some+Clown · · Score: 1

      As regards the size of music collections... I'm sitting at approximately 97.3 Gigs currently... and I don't even have a lot of the albums I need (complete artist collections, etc). I like having most of it with me simply because I never know what I'll want to listen to at any given time. That's the beauty of the MP3 (or whichever format you prefer) format is portability. Invariably if I leave some music at home, that's the stuff I'll be in the mood for. It's also handy at parties to have a large collection to cycle through. I have an ARCHOS that I hacked to 80GB so I can take *most* of my collection with me. Everything is organized and I can just pick random genres or go with prebuilt playlists.

      I'll admit that the IPOD is sexy looking, and the interface is nice from what I've seen... but why someone would pay twice as much for a proprietary system is beyond me (lol... then again I'm writing this on my Compaq TabletPC with... yup, you know). The beauty of the ARCHOS is that it is just a hard drive with an interface. I can partition, format, etc and store music, data, whatever. Drivers are built in (for Winblows anyhow) and with USB 2 I can move data fairly painlessly.

      Just my .02

      --
      "...The mice will see you now..."
    8. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "The player shows as an external harddrive directly under Explorer on your PC."
      i guess that might justify the extra space

    9. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by skiflyer · · Score: 1

      You know, that's what I thought. My MP3 CD Player is now relegated to car duty only because I can only get through two, maybe three, hours of music before my batteries die. Spinning that big disk is bad news.

      And then there's the issue of new music. I get one new CD, or download 3 new songs. No simple way to add them to my collection.

      I dunno, I'm seriously considering one of the hard disk players... the 20 gig iRiver is my current front-runner, though alot of these are looking pretty amazing.

    10. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by evilviper · · Score: 1
      40GB is roughly three weeks worth of MP3s, and most people outside of hardcore music enthusiasts will never accumulate nearly that many,

      You've got to be kidding... I know plenty of people with hundreds of CDs. Encode them at 192k or so, and you'll run over the 20GB limit pretty quick.

      Video would be a very necessary complement to justify that much of an increase in storage space.

      Well, I hope you'd be willing to pay twice as much for the device then, because video decoding is not easy, and 99.99% of video decoding chips only support MPEG1/2 anyhow.

      If you want video decoding, just get a freaking notebook... Harddrives as large as you want, lots of battery power, much larger screen, and any codec you want.
      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    11. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by Osagie · · Score: 1

      It's not just an audio player anymore. It's a highly portable 40GB hard drive.

    12. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by JonathanBoyd · · Score: 1
      I'll admit that the IPOD is sexy looking, and the interface is nice from what I've seen... but why someone would pay twice as much for a proprietary system is beyond me

      The iPod isn't twice the price of the Archos is it? And it plays mp3s fine, so in what way is it more proprietary?

      The beauty of the ARCHOS is that it is just a hard drive with an interface. I can partition, format, etc and store music, data, whatever. Drivers are built in (for Winblows anyhow) and with USB 2 I can move data fairly painlessly.

      And the iPod can be used in Firewire disk mode, allowing you to store data, connect to other computers as a Firewire hard drive, moves data faster than USB2.0 and can be used to boot your computer (which the Archos may be able to do. I'm not sure).

    13. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      40GB is roughly three weeks worth of MP3s, and most people outside of hardcore music enthusiasts will never accumulate nearly that many, and no one but semi-truckers would need to take that much with them.

      It's not just an MP3 player, it's a portable USB 2.0 hard drive.

      Maybe people won't completely fill this up with music, but they can take care of the rest by dragging their entire "My Documents" folder onto it.

      I just got my iHP-120 last night and this thing rocks. Sure I don't have it completely full of music, but I use the rest of the space for other types of files. I just wish I had this thing back when I was in college. I could have carried all my coursework with me to any lab I ended up at. No messing around FTPing things back and forth, just plug it in and drag and drop.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    14. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by Some+Clown · · Score: 1

      The iPod isn't twice the price of the Archos is it? And it plays mp3s fine, so in what way is it more proprietary?

      When I bought my Recorder-20, it cost me $259 (U.S.) and the 20GB IPod was, last I checked, going for almost twice that amount. Now the latest Archos models with video, etc are getting ridiculously expensive (like $800) but Apple hasn't got anything similiar so who knows what they'd charge.

      As for the ability of the IPod to be used as a regular old hard drive, my bad, I wasn't aware it had that capability. The proprietary comment came because I was under the impression that you had to use Apple's software to move music to the unit. Is that not correct? On my Archos I just drag and drop text playlists and whole directories to the unit via Winblows, Linux, whatever.

      As for booting from the Archos... I haven't tried that, though I may have to now! :)

      --
      "...The mice will see you now..."
    15. Re:If this thing is a portable 40GB... by JonathanBoyd · · Score: 1
      When I bought my Recorder-20, it cost me $259 (U.S.) and the 20GB IPod was, last I checked, going for almost twice that amount.

      $399 - about 50% more.

      As for the ability of the IPod to be used as a regular old hard drive, my bad, I wasn't aware it had that capability. The proprietary comment came because I was under the impression that you had to use Apple's software to move music to the unit. Is that not correct? On my Archos I just drag and drop text playlists and whole directories to the unit via Winblows, Linux, whatever.

      The official software is iTunes or MusicMatch. Though a few shareware/freeware programs also exist. You can't just drop music and playlists straight into folders, no, so if that's something you really need, then I guess it's a disadvantage. Personally I use iTunes to manage all my music and it syncs very nicely with the iPod so I guess I've never considered it a problem. Sure, it's a proprietary piece of software, but it's pretty good.

      As for booting from the Archos... I haven't tried that, though I may have to now! :)

      It's great being able to carry a backup OS and disk repair software. Used to boot from it to do a proper defrag of the main drive. Hope it works for you.

  9. Classy design? by Patik · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I don't know, I thought the PMP-100 and the PMC-100 looked much cooler. The first appears to have a bigger screen and less wasted space than the IHP-300.

    1. Re:Classy design? by worst_name_ever · · Score: 1
      don't know, I thought the PMP-100 and the PMC-100 looked much cooler.

      Plus, you gotta love a name like Pimp 100.

      --

      In Soviet Rush, today's Tom Sawyer gets high on you.
    2. Re:Classy design? by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 1

      You might also notice that those are video players. With the latter being based on MS portable media crap. So considering MS excellent track record with mobile software it is the pmp-100 I be intrestted in. Better come up with an new name for it though.

      --

      MMO Quests are like orgasms:

      You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

  10. too bad they're both ugly as sin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Get some real hardware designers!

  11. iPod killer??? by acey72 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "This thing got 'iPod Killer' written all over it." - nope, it's got iPod rip-off written all over it! I know imitation is flattery and all that, but wrap an iPod in carbon fibre and make the buttons square.....

    ACey

  12. ipod killer? by highwaytohell · · Score: 1, Insightful

    maybe when they have the marketing power of Apple, this thing will become an Ipod Killer. Until then, i wouldnt hold my breath.

    1. Re:ipod killer? by Cpt_Kirks · · Score: 1

      The marketing power of Apple?

      Isn't that kind of like the charisma of Al Gore?

    2. Re:ipod killer? by Fjord · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Isn't that kind of like the charisma of Al Gore?

      No, it's much worse. Al Gore was at least able to get more that half the voting populace to vote for him (even if the electoral division made this moot).

      --
      -no broken link
    3. Re:ipod killer? by Cpt_Kirks · · Score: 1

      Oh, that's bull.

      As the creator of the internet, Al was able to use the web to change the numbers in the tally computers.

      He's an EE-VIL genius, you see. EE-VIL, but no charisma. Not a bit.

      And he's backing Dean. So Howard is just his puppet. Controlled by the internet. Which Al created.

      See?

    4. Re:ipod killer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who cares if it's an iPod killer? I bought myself an iRiver because of the battery life, the superior output stage and the fact that not every muppet has one, the iPod is so common it's silly.

      Personally I'd rather have something that every Tom, Dick and Harry hasn't got, the market share of the iPod was a big negative when I was choosing an HD MP3 player. Just a shame it's so ugly, then again it lives in my pocket anyway.

  13. Neuros still the better by Philosinfinity · · Score: 1

    I think the ability to upgrade by tossing new backpacks (which granted they have been slow to release) onto a player as an ability to upgrade storage makes the Neuros much more attractive than the iRiver.

    1. Re:Neuros still the better by Philosinfinity · · Score: 1

      Wow, that was a horrible post. Let me detail this a bit more. When I am looking for an MP3 player, I am looking for just that. I think the ability to upgrade storage is paramount to a good portable music player. In other words, I would rather spend more upfront for cheaper storage upgrade alternatives that keep the life cycle of the unit longer. Now, I can see the objections already. Look at how sleek and sexy the ne iRiver is. Look at the color display. However, these things are neither necessary nor components of a good portable music player. How does a color display either give us better quality audo or a better lifecycle for our product? In fact, it does neither. It is basically frivilous, and only should be considered in the purchase when 2 models are otherwise equal. In this case, it can be shown that models without such flashy features provide useful benefits over the iRiver.

    2. Re:Neuros still the better by nytes · · Score: 1

      I agree. About a week ago, I believe they mentioned they have started pre-production runs of the USB 2.0 interface backpack. Let's see one of the other players change to a new interface.

      What I've been really using is the built-in FM broadcast feature (MyFi), which I don't think any other player has. It's great 'cause I can bring it along in any vehicle and play it through the FM radio.

      --
      -- I have monkeys in my pants.
    3. Re:Neuros still the better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      iPods have many different aftermarket options for FM broadcast to your car (or home) stereo. In fact, that is exactly where I use my iPod -- in the car through the stereo using a sleek, color-matched Griffen Technology FM adapter.

    4. Re:Neuros still the better by juhaz · · Score: 1

      "Sexyness" may or may not be necessary in a portable mp3 player depending on who you ask, but sleekness damn certainly is.

      Have you seen that 20GB backpack they have for Neuros? It's enormous. No, I don't mean the disk space, I mean the physical size. And probably weights a ton as well. If I want something the size of dinosaur and expandable, I'll buy a laptop thank you very much.

      If, on the other hand, I want portable mp3 player, I'll take something small and lightweight.

    5. Re:Neuros still the better by Philosinfinity · · Score: 1

      I agree, the 20GB backpack is very bulky for "hiptop" or "pocket" portability. However, the potential for smaller backpacks exists as it is always a modular upgrade from the base. So while DI has a crappy design for their 20GB backpack, they can always change the design on the 40GB backpack as its only constraint is proper attachment to the base.

    6. Re:Neuros still the better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "which I don't think any other player has."

      The Samsung YP-910GS is a 20GB iPod size player with USB 2.0 and a built-in FM tuner/transmitter. It even comes with a (optional) small external antennae. I'd never buy one but they beat DI with a better Neuros by 6 months. That's how long you are going to have to wait for their next product design. Until then the only thing DI customers have to look forward to is the "new" USB 2.0 backpack and more firmware/software updates.

    7. Re:Neuros still the better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The YP-910GS doesn't do OGG. I win! :p

  14. 0GB version? by magarity · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Be nice if there was a no-HDD included version; standard size 2.5 inch disks can be had mailorder for cheaper than the difference in the various models' prices. All mp3 makers are guilty of this. Of course, that would cut into their nice margins on the high capacity models so we won't see it. sigh

    1. Re:0GB version? by Frac · · Score: 2, Funny

      Be nice if there was a no-HDD included version; standard size 2.5 inch disks can be had mailorder for cheaper than the difference in the various models' prices. All mp3 makers are guilty of this. Of course, that would cut into their nice margins on the high capacity models so we won't see it. sigh

      All product manufacturers are guilty of this. We need companies that will ship out nothing but a huge thick manual, so they can teach us where to mine the metal, cast the metal cover, etch out the circuit boards, etc etc.

      Damn these companies that try to charge us for the extra work!

    2. Re:0GB version? by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      the iPod and iPod mini use a 1.8 and a 1 inch HDD respectively...so no, they are not all guilty.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    3. Re:0GB version? by frooddude · · Score: 1

      Well no Ogg support :( but here you go: X-Drive Pro and it has flash card reading support so that you can move pictures off your camera while you're on vacation.

    4. Re:0GB version? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except, perhaps, the iPod, the hard drive for which is significantly more expensive retail than the difference in price, and possibly on par with the entire iPod itself.

    5. Re:0GB version? by ErroneousBee · · Score: 1

      Just been researching ogg players, and there is indeed a 0Gb player - the NEX ia plus, appears to be compactflash based, so 100quid for the player, then 100quid for a 1Gb microdrive. I already have 2 microdrives + 1 256Mb card for my camera so they are effectivly free for me.

      Has radio, Ogg, USB2 and recording abilities too, so it really is an alternative to the iRiver HP120. Oh, and its takes 2xAA batts, so battery life is less important, cos you can carry spares.

      --
      **TODO** Steal someone elses sig.
  15. Different Class of device than iPod by piznut · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Its cheaper, but not quite as good looking or easy to use as the iPod...as an mp3 player

    The killer feature for the new iRiver devices is the recording ability. iPod and a handful of other devices can record voice at a low bitrate.

    The iRiver (IHP-120 and i am assuming the new models) can record from a digital input or microphone into a high quality mp3 or wav file.

    So in addition to being a decent mp3 platform, it could also stand to replace portable MD and DAT recorders. This is a great thing for musicians and bootleggers. While the onboard mic-preamp isn't the best in the world, it appears to be from what Ive read, suitable for most applications.

    1. Re:Different Class of device than iPod by Kizeh · · Score: 1

      I second that. The only reason I'm still diddling around with my minidisk player is that it has microphone, line and TOSlink inputs and lets me record in very good quality in addition to playing. This is the first MP3 player I've seen offering anything remotely as useful. Now, the question is, does it also allow for automatic voice-operated control, and does it automatically preserve tracks when recording from TOSlink?

    2. Re:Different Class of device than iPod by evvk · · Score: 1

      > Its cheaper, but not quite as good looking or easy to use as the iPod...as an mp3 player

      I prefer the looks of the iRiver players. I don't like the "trendy" teenage hell Apple designs at all.

    3. Re:Different Class of device than iPod by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 1

      It's not a "new" feature, iRiver have had record-to-MP3 for quite some time now. IIRC it started with their iFP-300 series, which is getting on a bit now.

    4. Re:Different Class of device than iPod by karnifex · · Score: 1

      If a company wants to make a profit, it would be wise to market to customers with money to spend - i.e., not musicians or bootleggers.

    5. Re:Different Class of device than iPod by theLOUDroom · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Its cheaper, but not quite as good looking or easy to use as the iPod...as an mp3 player

      I disagree. I think this thing is better looking than the ipod and much easier to use. One thing that really bothers me about the ipod is the lack of tactile feedback. To me, this is just another example of Apple's "form over function" mentality...like the "hockey puck" mouse. Maybe some people thought those looked good, but I think my logitech mouse is both nicer looking, AND it actually fits my hand.

      I agree the the recording ability is great though. Another thing the iriver has is the nicest wired remote I've seen on any portable music player, period. I was also shocked by the number of extras that came in the box: line in cable, external mic, headphone extension, leather case and of course earbuds, usb cable and power supply.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    6. Re:Different Class of device than iPod by Splunge · · Score: 1

      While the iPod may not give tactile feedback, it can give significant amounts of auditory feedback. By default, 'keyclick' is on so while you scroll you'll hear a slight ticking sound to let you know it's working.

      Presumably, most people who'd buy an iPod can hear.

      --
      "Brown University? We have one of those in Providence!" -- Outside Providence
    7. Re:Different Class of device than iPod by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      Presumably, most people who'd buy an iPod can hear.

      Not only can they hear, but the also want to listen to music. So much so that they're willing to spend hundreds on a player. Do you really want to listen to key beeps/clicks while you're queuing up that next song?

      "We're Sergeant Pepper's CLICK lonely hearts CLICK CLICK band. We hope CLICK will CLICK...."

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    8. Re:Different Class of device than iPod by OrbNobz · · Score: 1

      I just finished performing some rather subjective research on portable/micro MP3 players that record voice well in a non-proprietary format and under $200. As a word of warning, I was restricted to purchasing players that I could return for a full refund at local stores. This pretty much amounted to Best Buy, and Sears.

      The best I found was iRiver 380t w/ UMS firmware installed. It encodes directly to MP3 at 44KHz / CBR 160Kbps max. External line-in jack (Are there lapel mic's that do this?) $140
      I was highly dubious at first due to the "iRiver Manager" software, and the disclaimer that "transferring MP3 files to your computer is illegal" when trying to upload MP3s to my PC. Also, the recordings were named with .REC. I transferred the recording to my PC via the manager software, and it renamed to .MP3. I compared the two files, and the only difference was the extension. I searched the website and found the UMS firmware. This obviated the need for the manager software, and made the default extension of the recorded files .MP3. Nice. The Auto Gain Control feature is terrific. I recorded in a gymnasium and could hear everyone clearly during a lecture.

      The others I actually tested were:
      Creative MuVo NX 128 - Crap quality for recording. Max 4-bit 8KHz WAV.
      Samsung VY-H200 - Proprietary format on device, converted to MP3 with Windoze software, "SHQ" (Max)setting = 89Kbps 11KHz.
      MPIO FY-200 - Proprietary format on device, converted to MP3, Max 128Kbps, extremely sensitive mic (forget shirt-pocket recording).

      Others I would have liked to try:
      iAudio CW300
      RipFlash Pro
      JMTek MelodiStick
      Dyne Telecom Clue
      MPIO 4

      - OrbNobz
      Flag not moving. Wind not moving. Mind moving. -A Zen Master whose name I forgot (Goedel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid)

  16. Alpine/iPod integration by burgburgburg · · Score: 5, Informative

    Alpine has announced that they will demonstrating at CES the first solution that allows users to connect/control their iPod through their in-car system. They'll be able to view playlist, artists, songs, etc. through the Alpine's receiver buttons. And the connector will also charge the iPod. To get more info, write to ipodready@alpine-usa.com.

    1. Re:Alpine/iPod integration by imkonen · · Score: 1
      That's pretty cool, but seems a little over-specialized. I could give up the integrated control and charging although I'd admit both are useful and convenient (I can see the news stories in the next few years about distracted drivers causing crashes while picking the next song on their mp3 player...) I just want my next car stereo to have a normal stereo jack input. No matter how much the technology advances in protables, people are still always going to want to use them with headphones, and there hasn't been much change in headphone jacks over the last 20 years. Sound quality may suffer a little compared to digital, but come on...I'm listening to it with my engine running 99% of the time.

      I haven't looked into it yet (but am now wishing I'd bought a tape player with adapter years ago instead of the CD player that now can't play my iPod) but I'm curious how hard it is to find a car stereo with this option. It's so easy to implement, and could be so useful, I would expect this to be a standard feature now or in the near future.

    2. Re:Alpine/iPod integration by mekkab · · Score: 1

      I just want my next car stereo to have a normal stereo jack input.
      So you'll be getting the Aiwa then.
      (although I'm sure some others have 'em).

      The rest have RCA inputs in the back. On install, you can connect an RCA to 1/8 inch adapter, and have it exposed on the passenger side. Then, connect, select AUX in, and there you go.

      --
      In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.
    3. Re:Alpine/iPod integration by ntobias · · Score: 1

      I hooked up my iPod to my stock Honda car stereo through the CD changer port on the back of the stereo. Adaptors for many OEM and aftermarket stereos can be found here:
      http://www.logjamelectronics.com/auxinpconv.html

      It basically provides RCA jack inputs to the stereo.

    4. Re:Alpine/iPod integration by Verminator · · Score: 1
      Or, if you have a Rev. B or newer iPod with a dock connector, you can broadcast to your current car stereo over FM.

      A couple of options here: http://www.apple.com/ipod/accessories.html.

      --
      "The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates." - Tacitus
    5. Re:Alpine/iPod integration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Most of the aftermarket stereos now can have an aux-input with a fairly cheap (~$20) adaptor. Sony, Kenwood, Alpine, Pioneer, Blaupunkt etc all offer these - usually they hook into the inputs that a CD changer would use, if you already have one then some offer boxes to let you switch between changer and aux.

      Some JVC and Clarion models I've seen just put a 3.5mm jack on the front panel.

      The manufacturers seem to be getting into this as well - some of the new-model BMWs and Saabs have roughly ipod-sized cubbyholes with 3.5mm jacks that hook into the stereo.

    6. Re:Alpine/iPod integration by DavidinAla · · Score: 1

      I don't know whether this is what you're thinking of, but there are numerous cheap casette adapters you can use to plug an iPod (or other MP3 player) into your car's stereo system. I bought one at Radio Shack and it's worked fine for me with my iPod.

    7. Re:Alpine/iPod integration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or, if you have a Rev. B or newer iPod with a dock connector, you can broadcast to your current car stereo over FM.

      FYI:

      Just in case, anyone's interested: FM transmitter/receiver combos are not allowed in the EU.

      Seems to be because of the high density of radio stations in that area of the world.

  17. They're all potential iPod killers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Heck, anything that mounts a drive on a USB 2.0 connection is an iPod killer as far as I'm concerned. I don't want any imposition of software for me to run my mp3 player. What iPod has that I'm willing to wait for from others is a jog dial and decent display.

  18. slashdot and pictures by bdigit · · Score: 4, Funny

    the words "here are the pictures" and slashdot should never go together. We all know it never works out in the end.

    1. Re:slashdot and pictures by frodo+from+middle+ea · · Score: 1

      I think this is /.'s way of giving back the koreans a taste of their own medecine. I mean think of all that spam arising from korea, it's a sweet poetic justice that we carpet bomb their servers.

      --
      for the last time people, I am "frodo from middle eaRTH", not "middle eaST".
    2. Re:slashdot and pictures by thopo · · Score: 1

      let's see if the iriver server can handle a good slashdotting: http://club.iriver.co.kr/column/view.asp?Page=1&Sr %20chItem=&SrchString=&idx=370

      all the pictures (and more actually) are also there.

      --
      keep it simple.
    3. Re:slashdot and pictures by thopo · · Score: 1

      oops, here is the clickable link for more pictures: http://club.iriver.co.kr/column/view.asp?Page=1&Sr chItem=&SrchString=&idx=370

      lets see if they can handle it.

      --
      keep it simple.
    4. Re:slashdot and pictures by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Did somebody say `carpet'? sweet, sweet asian carpet? oh, yes!

  19. New Math? by LocoSpitz · · Score: 2, Insightful

    iTunes claims "over" 500000 songs. Napster claims the same, MusicMatch advertises 360000, and BuyMusic says 327000. How this gives iTunes 10x as many songs as the other three combined is a mystery to me.

    1. Re:New Math? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And the peer to peer programs have 40 million, with no copy protection issues. Nyah nyah

      And the quality is a helluva lot better than iToonz.

      Itoonz, like Saturday morning cartoonz, is for kids.

    2. Re:New Math? by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Yeah right. But 39 million of them are poorly ripped versions of the other 1 million. And of those 500,000 are copies of Madonna's "What the fuck do you think you're doing!"

    3. Re:New Math? by BitGeek · · Score: 1

      Because most of the songs on those services are ones you cna't buy... ones you can just rent.

      On iTunes all the music is music you can buy.

      Do you know the difference between buy and rent?

      Do you care to keep your music even after you leave the service?

      That's why iTunes is so much more popular.

      --
      Yeah, and you guys panned the ipod too: http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/10/23/ 1816257
  20. I'm looking very closely by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I see visible screws on the bottom.

    How elegant.

    1. Re:I'm looking very closely by Keeper · · Score: 0, Troll

      Wow, you mean I might actually be able to replace the battery without sending it in for service?!?

    2. Re:I'm looking very closely by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      I see visible screws on the bottom.

      Yes, god forbid I ever want to change the battery in my ihp-120, I will be able to do it myself, without damaging the case. Besides, they're nice-looking, recessed, torx screws.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
  21. Require ID3 Tags? by Robert+Hayden · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Does it require ID3 tags to play and navigate directories of MP3s like the iPOD? Or can I just copy over an artist/album/tracks sorted directory structure and navigate it that way?

    1. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The 20Gig version requires no tags. It leaves your complete directory structure intact and looks like a generic HD to your computer.

    2. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by ejdmoo · · Score: 1

      Some people (like myself) use tags for navigation, but there is a file tree system that works very well for people that organize their music that way.

    3. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by thopo · · Score: 1

      It works both ways, it is detected as an external HD via USB mass storage protocol (also works in linux), you just move the files over. Then you can index them and access via ID3 database, or not, whatever floats your boat.

      --
      keep it simple.
    4. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by Keeper · · Score: 2, Informative

      If it works anything like their cd based mp3 players, it will use the id3 tags if present, and fall back to filenames if not present.

      High level organization of files is done through the directory structure.

      IE:

      root\
      --> album1
      --> album2
      --> my favorites

      You can navigate through the directories and see the files in each subdirectory. I haven't noticed a way to see all of the files on the unit regardless of what directory they are in (but I've never really cared either...). You can have the player play all files, or files in just a particular directory. You can also have the player play files randomly on the disc, or randomly in a particular directory.

      I think there is also a way to create playlists, but I've never messed with it.

    5. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by Patik · · Score: 1

      You need Tag & Rename. It's easily the best ID3 tag editor out there. You can very easily generate tags for all your mp3s based on filenames or directory structures as well as doing group edits and renaming files based on the tags. Since it sounds like your collection is already ripped and organized, I'm sure the 30-day trial would be plenty for you to update your whole collection.

    6. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by Robert+Hayden · · Score: 1

      My collection is a little over 240GB in a nice RAID5 linux server on my LAN all sorted subdirectories by:

      Genre:Artist:Album:Track# - SongName.mp3

      99% of it ripped from my CDs too.

      I currently use an Archos 20GB MP3 player in the car, but that is only USB 1 and the Nicads last about an hour at best, so it's time to evolve to the NextGen models.

    7. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by fiendo · · Score: 1

      You might want to try switching out the AA nicads and go for NiMH--you can pick up a set of 2200maH and let the music play for 8-10 hours on a full charge. Works for my Archos anyway... That was one of the nice things about the old Archos--user replaceable batteries (not to mention harddrive and open source firmware).

      --
      I went to the city because I wished to live without deliberation.
    8. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by _|()|\| · · Score: 1
      Does it require ID3 tags to play and navigate directories of MP3s

      The bundled software populates a database from ID3 tags in MP3s. There is at least one freeware tool that will do the same for Ogg Vorbis files. You can also navigate a folder hierarchy.

    9. Re:Require ID3 Tags? by abischof · · Score: 1

      When you say "index them", are you referring to creating an internal database like the iHP-120 uses? That's the only thing that concerns me -- whether these new iRiver players fully support Macs (since I'm not sure whether the database-updater app exists for OS X).

      --

      Alex Bischoff
      HTML/CSS coder for hire

  22. But will it support .mp3? by IWantMoreSpamPlease · · Score: 1

    Or is it the other way around, I always get confused over stuff like this.

    --
    So rise up, all ye lost ones, as one, we'll claw the clouds.
    1. Re:But will it support .mp3? by DeltaSigma · · Score: 1

      Yes to the first... ...and the second.

  23. May be an iPod killer but... by TrippTDF · · Score: 1

    ... /. killed their server.

    1. Re:May be an iPod killer but... by DeltaSigma · · Score: 1

      That's why the IPod made it. Apple survived the slashdotting...

      Tech marketing groups should really start considering the slashdot effect. I mean, a good quarter of our articles are basically ripped out of an electronics catalog anyways... a lot of people come here to see new techy-s***.

  24. Just what I always wanted by use_compress · · Score: 1

    An imitations walkman that plays excerpts from oog the open source cage man.

  25. Good price but bad design. Me no like. by after · · Score: 1

    What's next? I can see Apple including a color LCD in Ipod2 -- and all will be well again.

    I, myself do not own an IPod, but I am a man of style and money -- I like style but am low on money ;) I would like to see a vendor incorporate the same style mechanisms that Apple used (like the minimalist design that offers a lot of functionality at m fingertips) along with a nice $150 - $250 price tag. That would be cool. So until Apple decides to lower their prices, or a vendor think of an attractive design - this puppy rolls with his CD player.

    Good day.

    1. Re:Good price but bad design. Me no like. by oscast · · Score: 1

      > I would like to see a vendor incorporate the same style mechanisms that Apple used (like the minimalist design that offers a lot of functionality at m fingertips) along with a nice $150 - $250 price tag." Sounds like you're in the market for an iPod mini. "That would be cool. So until Apple decides to lower their prices, or a vendor think of an attractive design - this puppy rolls with his CD player." Yep... you are indeed in the market for an iPod mini

    2. Re:Good price but bad design. Me no like. by after · · Score: 1

      I would never pay $250 for an Ipod mini with 4 GB. It is just not worth it. If I was to buy a mini, then splenind $100 more for the 10 GB ipod makes more sence. The prices still suck.

    3. Re:Good price but bad design. Me no like. by Euphonious+Coward · · Score: 1
      You've gotta be kidding. An iPodJr? What kind of sucker pays over $200 for a glorified Walkman?

      (Evidently Apple has found plenty of them, but Apple's not selling music players, they're selling status symbol/fashion accessories. In a status symbol, the higher the price, the better it sells. There's no need to actually load any music on an iPod, you can just wear it for show.)

      Me, I'm holding out for an under-$100 unit.

  26. Can someone... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...please change "here are pictures" to "here's where pictures will be tomorrow after slashdotting is over".

  27. How do you figure that it's cheaper? by Warlock7 · · Score: 1

    There's no mention of the price that it will hit...

    1. Re:How do you figure that it's cheaper? by piznut · · Score: 1

      Yes, I was making an assumption. I should have said "will be cheaper" rather than "is cheaper".

      Of all the assumptions you can make about unreleased hardware, I think it is safe to say that Apple devices will cost more than (Any comparable device from mfgr X)...perceived value aside.

      This is also based on my previous knowlege of iRiver and Apple pricing schemes. The 20gb Ihp-120 runs about $349 vs $399 for a 20gb iPod.

  28. Re:SECRET ASIAN MAN ON TEH SPOKE by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 1

    Off topic, but I just have to ask:

    So far, I've understood most Slashdot trolls, being about gay people of different ethnies, any of the Slashdot crew supposedly doing perverted things or exercising censorship, nazis, fecal matter-related statements of various kinds, things happening to you in soviet russia, ascii drawings, leet talk and even purposedly broken english. Meaning, I understand there nothing to understand beyond the fact that it comes from teenagers, but at least I comprehend the words.

    So could someone enlighten me : what the hell is that "on teh spoke" thing ?

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  29. It's got to make up a lot of ground by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 4, Insightful

    One of the things that Steve Jobs mentioned in his keynote yesterday before announcing the entirely overpriced iPod Mini is that about 60% of the market is flash players that cost up to $200. 31% of the market is iPods. Approximately 7% of the market is all other non-iPod hard-drive based MP3 players. Nobody knows what an iRiver is. Most people don't CARE what an iRiver is. The iPod name has mindshare right now, and it'll take a lot more than even a massively superior product to dethrone the iPod. If someone wants to make an iPod killer, they have to have iPod killing marketing. Right now, people are using the word 'iPod' like they use 'Xerox' or 'Kleenex', as in "I hear iRiver makes a pretty cool iPod."

    It doesn't matter what it costs, either. The only people following non-iPod HD-based MP3 players are the people here on /. :P

    1. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by NaugaHunter · · Score: 2, Funny

      it'll take a lot more than even a massively superior product to dethrone the iPod.

      If there's one thing Apple should have learned over the years, it's that extensive marketing will overcome virtually any technologically superior product. It'd be nice to see them on the winning side of this arrangement for a change.

      --
      R: That voice. Where have I heard that voice before? B: In about 365 other episodes. But I don't know who it is either.
    2. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by Keeper · · Score: 1

      If anyone can compete with Apple in this market it is iRiver. I own one of their cd based mp3 players, and it is a very nice unit.

    3. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by cens0r · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Nobody knows what an iRiver is. Most people don't CARE what an iRiver is.

      At one time you could have said the same thing about Honda, Toyota, Nissan, or even Dell. But if/when you start selling a superior product and a better price you often times will gain mind share and market share.

      --
      Jack Valenti and Orrin Hatch will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.
    4. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      how is that thing massively superior? the iPod is all about vertical integration.

      sure, it could use some more codecs, but the iPod does what it does better than anything else.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    5. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 1

      I'm not actually claiming it's massively superior. My wording is a bit clumsy, but all I'm trying to say is IF a massively superior product were being released, it would STILL have a hard time competing with the iPod at this point.

    6. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by SuuSt · · Score: 1

      I'm not entirely sure that you should be rooting for Apple to succeed with a technologically inferior product and a superior marketing strategy.

      Now if the iPod is a better product than the iRiver (it certainly seems like the button configuration of the iPod is better) and has a better price/performance ratio then sure, go Apple. But quite frankly if they hope to push overpriced and undergood products then I hope the fail dramatically.

    7. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "It doesn't matter what it costs, either. The only people following non-iPod HD-based MP3 players are the people here on /. :P"

      Aple's biggest mistake has always been their inability to compete in terms of cost. Dell will eventually flatten Apple by undercutting their prices for the same product. They did well in the pc market that way, and they'll do the same here.

    8. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If there's one thing Apple should have learned over the years, it's that extensive marketing will overcome virtually any technologically superior product.

      They sure didn't learn that "lesson" with the G4 SUPAR computers or the G5 FA57357 1n 73H W0RlD!1! uberblitzes, and they were advertising far more than most of their technologically superior competitors.

    9. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      there is very little that is "undergood" as you put it about the iPod. the interface is great, and it plays music...it could use more codecs, but eh...I use MP3 and want to start using AAC.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    10. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by merikus · · Score: 1

      First, the competitor must be selling a product which is superior in some way. Remember, with MP3 players, Apple hit the key strategy that Less Is More. With all these other companies adding "features" to their MP3 devices, they end up just confusing the user. Simplicity is the key in this market. Second, the competitor will need to supplant the "cool factor" of the iPod in some way. Right now, it is simply uncool to have a non-iPod MP3 player. iPods are stylish, and I don't think the iRiver is (at least, though, the iRiver is a hell of a lot better looking than the hideously ugly Dell DJ). I personally think the key to its style is the scroll wheel; it's just so perfect.

    11. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by rowanxmas · · Score: 1

      So that means that if the ~1,000,000 /.ers buy one it will have sold half as many as the iPod....

    12. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by cens0r · · Score: 1

      I think you're discounting the most important thing: Price. Honda and Toyota weren't making more stylish cars than the big 3, they were making cars that had better features at a better price. Dell didn't become the largest computer maker by making pretty computers, they did it buy offering the most for the least. No one will ever come out and say that you're stylish or cool if you shop at Wal-Mart, but more people shop there than anywhere else.

      The amount of people that care about style over substance/price and want an MP3 player are a minute % of all consumers out there. When MP3 players start becoming commodity items it will be the people like iRiver and Creative that are selling the majority of players and Apple will sell MP3 players just like they sell computers, to a minority of people.

      --
      Jack Valenti and Orrin Hatch will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.
    13. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by GlassHeart · · Score: 1
      you could have said the same thing about Honda, Toyota, Nissan, or even Dell. But if/when you start selling a superior product and a better price you often times will gain mind share and market share.

      Wonderfully optimistic, but this is not reality. The small guys almost never make it, despite stellar examples like Apple itself. Consider Netscape, for instance, which could not be cheaper and was technically superior to IE. How many contemporaries of Apple from the budding personal computer market of 1979 are still around in a meaningful form today?

    14. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is market outside good ol' USA, where NOBODY cares about apple or there latest iToy.

    15. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by merikus · · Score: 1

      When it comes to price, comparing a car to a MP3 player is apples and oranges. If you have to chose between a Mercedes and a Toyota, price (upwards of $20,000) is a big factor. When you're buying an MP3 player, which is in many ways a "splurge" item, you're going to go for the best rather then a slightly less priced, more clunky alternative.

      People want iPods. Hell, the name iRiver is proof people want iPods. I really think Apple has its roots down in this market and it will take a truly revolutionary product to unseat them. And it's more likely than not that that product will come from Apple itself.

    16. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by imaginate · · Score: 1

      The interface on the iPod is better, but the vastly superior battery life of the iRiver will change some people's minds.

      And the high quality recording ability of the iRiver is indeed massively superior in that it even exists - for some people, like me, it's not even worth getting a portable player unless they can use it for a/d recording.

    17. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by i_should_be_working · · Score: 1

      actually,

      Iriver is the #2 selling mp3 maker, with about 25% of world sales. or so i heard.
      so they already have substantial name recognition from their solid state players

    18. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      thats good...for many others, they just want to listen to music. the killer feature of the iPod is iTunes...none of the other players have that kind of integration with such a great tool.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    19. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 1

      Netscape 4 was a disaster for both developers (Because its standards support was so poor/inconsistent and IE4 had much better CSS support) and users (Because it crashed too much), it's no surprise Netscape lost their leadership position. The sad thing is now that better stuff than IE is available, IE still rules the roost and looks set to for years yet.

    20. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by raga · · Score: 1

      Correct. iPod is "cool". iRiver is unknown.

      Besides, after having tried out the iPod competitions, I have to admit that much as I like to fiddle with "mini joysticks" for fun, the iPod wheel thingy has them joysticks beat.

      cheers- raga

    21. Re:It's got to make up a lot of ground by DWIM · · Score: 1
      When it comes to price, comparing a car to a MP3 player is apples and oranges. If you have to chose between a Mercedes and a Toyota, price (upwards of $20,000) is a big factor. When you're buying an MP3 player, which is in many ways a "splurge" item, you're going to go for the best rather then a slightly less priced, more clunky alternative.
      I disagree. At every level of the consumer market, price does matter. Whether you are shopping for bread, CDs, video cards, MP3 players, or cars, price will be an important factor in decision making for most buyers. I currently do not own an MP3 player, but am in the market for one. There is a definite set of features I am looking for, but not at any price. The iPod, for me, misses on two counts: 1.)does not have all the features I want, and 2.) costs too much for what it offers. The iRiver does meet my feature requirements, but is still too pricey. Perhaps in time its price will come down or I can find a deal on eBay. Just like every buyer, this is a personal decision. Others clearly find the iPod is worth the money. But I think the majority of buyers would not consider a $250 - $350 MP3 player a "splurge item". Not if they are spending their own money and have other, very real financial obligations (car, mortgage, kids, etc).
  30. Image mirror by markclong · · Score: 4, Informative
    1. Re:Image mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Do you have any more pictures of this asian hotty standing in the middle?

      I want to feel her ruby lips wrapped tightly around my man-meat when I look down to see her beautiful slanty-eyes looking up at me for approval.

      Then, I want to dive into her muff and make her scream for my cock. But I won't give up so easily! NO! I will continue to clean her tight asian pussy with my tongue until she can take it no more, and then, and only then, will I proceed to slip my giant American cock into her small box of joy.

      Oooohhh! Yesssss!uuuuhh.uhhhhhhhhh..uuuhhhgh!...uhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhh.....

      I'm spent. Here's your $500 escort fee babe. I'll be back to see you later, sweet thing!

      The end.

    2. Re:Image mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your erotic story sucks, but I've seen even worse on usenet.

    3. Re:Image mirror by thopo · · Score: 1

      http://photo.hankooki.com/gisaphoto/20040106/watch 200401060216410.jpg

      not sure it's here, but i think it's the left one ;)

      --
      keep it simple.
    4. Re:Image mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You might want to check that link again.

    5. Re:Image mirror by thopo · · Score: 1

      you must remove the space between watch and 2004. http://photo.hankooki.com/gisaphoto/20040106/watch 200401060216410.jpg

      --
      keep it simple.
    6. Re:Image mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not your link you tool. I didn't reply to you. The parent linked to Captain Faggo! Well, he did after I changed the image on him

    7. Re:Image mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      what's a tool?

    8. Re:Image mirror by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      dude...that thing is the size of a brick!!! no way that is a portable music player.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    9. Re:Image mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Captain Faggo makes Sung Hi Lee look like Janet Reno. sexy maaaan

    10. Re:Image mirror by CvD · · Score: 1

      Damn... iRiver sure has some sexy toys lined up for us in the future. Most of these seem like prototypes, to be released in the distant future (iMP-1100, for example). Very nice though. I'm listening to an iMP-400 right now... and I love it. iRiver is a very cool company with cool stuff...

    11. Re:Image mirror by Refrag · · Score: 1

      Does iRiver make anything that doesn't look like ass with a large iRiver logo that is about half the size of the object it brands?

      --
      I have a website. It's about Macs.
  31. Pimping by shut_up_man · · Score: 1

    You can't see it right now because of the Slashdot effect, but the PMP-100 is the unit I like. Not just because of the name, it just looks sweeeet. Good-sized display screen, and a 20GB drive, which is easily enough for a decent number of TV episodes / movies.

    It does scream out "Portable Porn Device" though.

    1. Re:Pimping by skiflyer · · Score: 1

      I completely agree with this -if- they provide a way to all-but turn the screen off and get some decent battery life when all I want is music.

  32. Nah by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    IIRC, the iPod and the iRiver both use some special 1.5" drives developed by IBM (but not MicroDrive) and you can't find em in stores.

    1. Re:Nah by Cpt_Kirks · · Score: 1

      A 40GB, 1.5" drive?

      Damn, I'm getting a chub...

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

      The Neuros has an interesting following, one company He offers services to replace the 2.5 drives in the stock enclosures. I'm not sure, but I would bet that if you wanted an empty enclosure he'd sell you one.

  33. iPod killer... where have I heard that before? by freerangegeek · · Score: 3, Funny

    If I had a dollar for every "iPod killer" that's been announced, I could buy a nice new iPod mini!

    1. Re:iPod killer... where have I heard that before? by smart.id · · Score: 3, Funny

      And by next month, you'll have enough to get more than 3 times the space!

      --
      blog & fiction: jd87
    2. Re:iPod killer... where have I heard that before? by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      if I had every iPod killer I could build a house because they are all the size of BRICKS!!!

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    3. Re:iPod killer... where have I heard that before? by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 1

      That's interesting, seeing as my iHP-120 is roughly the same size as my friend's iPod...

    4. Re:iPod killer... where have I heard that before? by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      about....that is the key phrase...the thing with tiny players is that 2 mm means the difference between feeling good in your hand and feeling to big, or fitting in a pocket and not.

      when I said brick, I did not mean literally.

      oh, and the thing with your player is that it lacks the killer feature.......a vertically integrated award winning jukebox.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    5. Re:iPod killer... where have I heard that before? by Darren+Winsper · · Score: 1

      Actually, my killer feature was Ogg support, but never mind. As for the jukebox, Rhythmbox does the job nicely. It does lack integration with my iRiver, but I intend to rectify that when I get the time.

      As for "about" the same size, let's look at the features:
      iPod: 61(W) X 104(L) X 16(D)mm, weight 159 grams
      iHP-120: 60(W) X 105(L) X 19(D)mm, weight 160 grams

      That's nothing. It's 3mm thicker, but still less than 2cm, that'll easily fit in any pocket that'll fit an iPod and there is essentially no weight difference.

    6. Re:iPod killer... where have I heard that before? by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      well, if you nicely rectify the iriver integration with rythmbox, and perhaps add some GUI piping to connect it to come rippers/encoders, I bet the iriver will be a hit wit the Linux crowd. (I might even get one.)

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    7. Re:iPod killer... where have I heard that before? by mikis · · Score: 1

      You mean like Winamp? ;)

      Maybe iTunes it is "award winning" but it is nothing special. And who needs a jukebox software when you can organize your music if folders and then just drag & drop it to MP3 player (which looks like just another drive letter to your OS).

  34. Disappearing article? by jargoone · · Score: 1

    I swear I saw this article earlier today, maybe noon EST or so. It was a "mysterious future" article. Then it disappeared. Is there a reason this happens?

    1. Re:Disappearing article? by Fjord · · Score: 1

      I've seen this happen many times. Not sure why it occurs tho.

      --
      -no broken link
  35. MEXICAN FLYER ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Everybody ready? Let's shoot!

    Du-dun-da-da!
    Da-da-da-da!
    Du-dun-da-d a!

    CHU-CHU-CHU!

    1. Re:MEXICAN FLYER ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I dunno. I think the rhythm is wrong.

  36. Can I run Linux on it? by after · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can run Linux on Ipod but will one have the support to house my distro?

  37. mp3 supports drm? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ???

  38. Beginning of the revolution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is really the beginning of the changes in how music is going to be delivered to the masses. The artists are going to have to come up with a damn good reason why we should buy their overpriced cd instead of just ripping them off of the net. For example, the new Primus CD/DVD combo, now I love Primus, and I support the bands I like, but for something new, i prefer to sample the music before purchasing. The fact that for a few more bucks the cd also came with a dvd with footage of the band performing and background info, helped me decide to purchase it without even hearing the tunes. The musicians and record companies need to adapt to these new environs.

  39. people who don't properly tag their mp3s by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    make baby jesus cry.

  40. iTunes != iTMS by nosferatu-man · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I like the way the iTMS works, but I don't buy much music there, as most of what I want is not on the Big Five. To me, the biggest iPod win is not .m4p (FairPlay burdened AAC) from the Music Store. The big win is the integration between iTunes the music jukebox/ripper/&c. and the iPod. It's seamless; they are really two parts of the same tool.

    'jfb

    --
    To spur "enterprise Linux," Big Bang, the distributed two-phase commit.
    1. Re:iTunes != iTMS by haystor · · Score: 1

      Even when just using MusicMatch the iPod was well worth it.

      Their music store left much to be desired upon first glance. She had a specific list of songs to finish off a couple desired play lists and the store when something like 1 out of 5 on them.

      We'll look into it further I'm sure but our first impression is it's the bargain bin quality at full price.

      --
      t
    2. Re:iTunes != iTMS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I apologize on behalf of Apple that they only have 500,000 out of 60,000,000 (or whatever) possible songs. They have been up, what, 10 months now? It is too bad they don't already have every song ever written, isn't it?

      If it really that bad, why don't you try Napster or, hell, even BuyMusic. I'm sure they'll have all the songs you are looking for. Plus, you'll enjoy the yummy WMA music.

      Give them a break. I have found lots of music I like on there.

    3. Re:iTunes != iTMS by haystor · · Score: 1

      When I say they went 1 for 5, I mean for *the* major song off albums that are represented on iTMS.

      To put it in classic rock terms that I can understand (I can't remember the exact details of my wife's horrible taste in music) it's like they claimed to have Led Zepplin IV but left off Stairway to Heaven. Now, when that happens 4 out of our first 5 searches we get suspicious and I asked if this was what it was like for others out there.

      I'll give them a break if it's some strange coincidence that they just aren't doing the songs my wife wants. I won't give them a break if they're intentionally hiding the good songs on otherwise crap albums (note that LZ4 does not fit the comparison in that respect).

      --
      t
    4. Re:iTunes != iTMS by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 2, Interesting

      which is what makes the iPod so much better than the competitors....it transcends hardware and software.....it is sof-rdware, one cohesive tool that works like magic where as the other players out there require crappy organizer software or only use explorer.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    5. Re:iTunes != iTMS by FuzzyBad-Mofo · · Score: 2, Funny

      Bleh, who can still listen all the way through _Stairway to Heaven_ anymore, anyway? :p

    6. Re:iTunes != iTMS by dr.badass · · Score: 2, Informative

      I won't give them a break if they're intentionally hiding the good songs on otherwise crap albums

      Blame the record company. They decide what makes it onto the store and what doesn't much more than Apple does. In this case, and many others, the particular song is probably missing because the record company knows that it would cut into album sales to have that track available by itself.

      Other times, it's because the (or one of the) songwriters hasn't given permission for that kind of distribution.

      Other times, it's because the (or one of the) copyright holder of a sample used in the song hasn't given permission of that kind of distribution.

      So, there are lots of reasons that certain songs might be missing. But it's extremely doubtful that Apple is doing such a thing intentionally.

      --
      Don't become a regular here -- you will become retarded.
    7. Re:iTunes != iTMS by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      You must not have heard Dolly Parton's cover of the song yet.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    8. Re:iTunes != iTMS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They've had most of what I've looked for. Maybe certain genres get screwed, but I haven't seen anything like what you're saying.

    9. Re:iTunes != iTMS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So, do you masturbate to that piece of iShit every night, or what? Get your head out of the clouds.

    10. Re:iTunes != iTMS by haystor · · Score: 1

      I'm not looking to pin blame on anyone. I'm sure there are a zillion reasons why songs can't get distributed thorugh iTMS.

      I don't care.

      It is the store that is responsible for whether or not it sells what I want to buy. It is also my choice whether to patronize the store.

      Near the top of this thread I was merely asking if others had experienced this same thing. We had only looked at a few songs and we either had a really bad run of luck or it is a very common occurence with their music store. If 15 other people confirmed our experience I might blow them off for another year or two. Since that doesn't appear to be the case, we'll try it out again, perhaps in a different genre and definitely with different artists.

      It is not too critical. The iPod was worth the money even if all we could manage is Musicmatch and playlists.

      --
      t
    11. Re:iTunes != iTMS by jovlinger · · Score: 1

      that, hotel california, and knocking on heaven's door. I HATE those songs.

      There I'd be, chatting to some fine filly, when the cool guy pulls out the guitar, and starts playing those songs. ALWAYS those songs. Conversation a thing of the past, and the girl has eyes only for the three-song guitar stud.

      bleh.

      But I'm not bitter.

    12. Re:iTunes != iTMS by Red+Pointy+Tail · · Score: 1


      Pull out your iPod then :)

    13. Re:iTunes != iTMS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      his head is not in the clouds...it is in your mother's twat.

    14. Re:iTunes != iTMS by usama88 · · Score: 1

      Near the top of this thread I was merely asking if others had experienced this same thing. We had only looked at a few songs and we either had a really bad run of luck or it is a very common occurence with their music store. If 15 other people confirmed our experience I might blow them off for another year or two. Since that doesn't appear to be the case, we'll try it out again, perhaps in a different genre and definitely with different artists.

    15. Re:iTunes != iTMS by FuzzyBad-Mofo · · Score: 1

      I guess I'll have to imaging her singing it, because there are no players for this Liquid Audio shite on my platform. Still, what a thought! /shivers/

  41. That is a Very Classy Design? by boojmatic · · Score: 1

    Maybe I just need to see it in person, but the photos make it look poorly constructed and cheesy.

  42. Re:SECRET ASIAN MAN ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It means unless you have a maid who picks up the mail on Sunday, you shouldn't try and drive your Tractor across a frozen lake unless you have access to a large plane and a parachute. You should also realize that frost does not occur where you think it does unless you have swamp ass in a titty bar.

    Asian man on teh spoke.

    -Norm

  43. Re:SECRET ASIAN MAN ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    From what I understand it comes from some overly enthusiastic comment about a Halo 2 preview. They used to post whole comment...I thought it was pretty amusing.

  44. Re:A FILTHY POST by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Previews. What is it all about... is it good, or is it whack?

  45. Re:SECRET ASIAN MAN ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    shutup assfuck

  46. Re: Korean site by lh0628 · · Score: 0

    This is what the koreans get for wanting free itamz:)

  47. fanning the flames by Triv · · Score: 1

    The page is in Korean, but most of the product descriptions in the pictures are in English.

    Funny, looks like smoke signals from over here.

  48. It won't by swordboy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How will this kill the Ipod without Itunes...

    Itunes or not, even Apple have realized that the average Joe doesn't have anywhere near 40 gigs of music.

    --

    Life is the leading cause of death in America.
    1. Re:It won't by mikis · · Score: 1

      Heh, you would be surpsised how many people _wants_ a 60GB Creative Jukebox Zen and don't even ask for the price.

    2. Re:It won't by standard+method · · Score: 1

      I have just over 15 GB worth of wma files on my PC at home. And I'm on dial-up.

      --
      "I'll be a killer whale, when I grow up"
      -Wintersleep
    3. Re:It won't by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Itunes or not, even Apple have realized that the average Joe doesn't have anywhere near 40 gigs of music.

      I can't be the only one that took my CD collection of several hundred and ripped them. Besides, no one's collection is getting smaller.

  49. [ot] STUPID FOREIGNER QUESTION by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can some explain what "being on teh spoke" means?

  50. MORE LIKE RIO KARMA ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    am i rite?

  51. looks ugly by oohp · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Why are they so ugly? The flash memory based models from iRiver look way better. As does the iPod but that's another story.

  52. nice, but where's the firmware for iHP120? by PeterChenoweth · · Score: 5, Informative
    A nice improvement to the existing iHP line, but iRiver should be concentrating on fixing the *numerous* bugs in the current firmware of the iHP-100/120 series. Such as ....

    1. Shuffle still isn't random (just all your tracks in a different order - but always the same order)

    2. Doesn't support any type of secure files.

    3. DB application can't handle OGG or WMA file tags, so you can only search by Artist/Album/Genre if it's an mp3 file.

    4. No on-the-fly playlist ability, and very limited playlist ability at all (only when using the Beta firmware that's been out since November).

    1. Re:nice, but where's the firmware for iHP120? by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      2. Doesn't support any type of secure files.

      I conside this a plus. In order to support secure formats, you must agree to their rules (no copying the file back off the drive, etc.) This means trashing its true usb HDD status. I would much rather just remove whatever silly security measues are on any files I get and do as I please with them.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
  53. Who's hiding AC? by Warlock7 · · Score: 1

    It seems that it is you that's hiding... Geez, you've really got some issues, don't you?

  54. i hope you can run with this one UNLIKE the iPod by solosaint · · Score: 1

    I hope they make this one more shock proof, if you wear your ipod on your belt and run with it, it skips after 14 min or so...

  55. Support for Monkey's Audio? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have seen no mention of Monkey's Audio support - this would seem like a rather convenient way of storing more lossless audio on the device.

  56. What... I like it. It's hacker-friendly. by Ayanami+Rei · · Score: 1

    Seriously, whats wrong with screws? At least they match the color/finish.

    --
    THIS THING CAN TURN ON A DIME, MACROSSZERO STYLE ALSO FUCK BETA, ~NYORON
    1. Re:What... I like it. It's hacker-friendly. by tenman · · Score: 1

      I think the AC is implying that the common user could open it, and thus make various unapproved upgrades attempts?

    2. Re:What... I like it. It's hacker-friendly. by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      Apple traditionally has hated screws. On products that they forbid customers to open, like the original Macintoshes (up to the SE/30) and these playback devices, they make it as difficult as possible for regular folks to open it.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
  57. MORE PICTURES! by thopo · · Score: 1

    It appears the first link is dead, here is another one: http://club.iriver.co.kr/column/view.asp?Page=1&Sr chItem=&SrchString=&idx=370

    Notice that the IHP-300 supports USB OnTheGo, which probably means you can transfer pics from your cam directly to it via USB cable (no computer involved), that makes also sense considering it has a color TFT screen.

    --
    keep it simple.
    1. Re:MORE PICTURES! by thopo · · Score: 2, Informative
      --
      keep it simple.
  58. When... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    When can I get an iGirl to suck my iKnob?

  59. It _CAN_ support DRM, dumbass. by Ayanami+Rei · · Score: 2, Informative

    In fact, AAC doesn't really support DRM either. It's a hack using a special stream entity to mark it as encrypted so the player knows to fetch a decryption key (hidden from the user by the firmware/iTunes)

    OGG is a container format that has tons of ways to add in custom markings (including arbitrary attribute strings...) one of those could be used in a similar fashion to mark the bitstream as encrypted.

    Plus it already plays unencrypted files (the only kind it DOES support is AAC).
    So... not a good reason.

    --
    THIS THING CAN TURN ON A DIME, MACROSSZERO STYLE ALSO FUCK BETA, ~NYORON
  60. Two Words... by Robert+Hayden · · Score: 1

    WOOO!

  61. I need a big screen to watch movies. by Ayanami+Rei · · Score: 1

    So I'll be sitting in front of a laptop or desktop, probably. And since the drive is like a USB 2.0 removable hard-drive, well, you know, not really an issue. You could even store the Nimo Codec pack, mplayer, or a bootable Movix distro on the drive.

    I mean, if it's 40GB, that better be HDTV quality video on there. Otherwise it's a waste.

    --
    THIS THING CAN TURN ON A DIME, MACROSSZERO STYLE ALSO FUCK BETA, ~NYORON
  62. No disk, no flash, just a CF slot. by Euphonious+Coward · · Score: 1
    All I want is a player with no disk drive, no built-in flash, just a Compact Flash slot. It doesn't need USB, Firewire, FM transceiver, microphone, or x-ray laser. It could be light and cheap. Why doesn't it exist?

    Of course it needs to support Ogg...

    1. Re:No disk, no flash, just a CF slot. by frooddude · · Score: 2, Informative

      Frontier Labs. There's your answer... although there's no support for Ogg.. they claim there will be at some point. Frontier Labs And here's a place that sells it pretty cheap... Inside Computer

    2. Re:No disk, no flash, just a CF slot. by Euphonious+Coward · · Score: 1
      I'll buy a Frontier NexIA or NexIIe with CF slot the moment Ogg support is really there.

      Of course it would be stupid to buy before they actually deliver; somebody else might get there first, and Frontier might never come through.

    3. Re:No disk, no flash, just a CF slot. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      And all I want is a woman who's creative, well-educated, interesting, and emotionally well-adjusted.

      Of course, she needs to be gorgeous and rich, too...

      (Face it, dude, you can't always have everything.)

    4. Re:No disk, no flash, just a CF slot. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You aren't the only one who wants a player w/o the built in memory. I would also like to see more flash based players without LCDs.

    5. Re:No disk, no flash, just a CF slot. by N0decam · · Score: 1

      Well, the NEX IIe fits the bill, except for OGG support. According to the Vorbis Hardware wiki though, Frontier Labs is looking into it.

      It's got a crappy UI though.

    6. Re:No disk, no flash, just a CF slot. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And all I want is the same
      thing in a pair of "big can"
      headphones.

      Is that too much to ask?

      A pair of nice sounding big cans,
      that can play Ogg files from a
      CompactFlash card? Too much?

    7. Re:No disk, no flash, just a CF slot. by slim · · Score: 1

      All I want is a player with no disk drive, no built-in flash, just a Compact Flash slot. It doesn't need USB, Firewire, FM transceiver, microphone, or x-ray laser. It could be light and cheap. Why doesn't it exist?

      I've got one. It's so generic I can't even remember its name...

      It's not perfect: no screen, the only controls are stop/play/pause/fwd/back ... but if you're happy to make a playlist you can fit an album and a half onto a 128Mb card; that lasts long enough for my bike ride to work (must get back in the saddle one day) and the battery lasts ages.

  63. Re:Can't hide. by jeffgeno · · Score: 1

    Steve Jobs's semen is pretty colors? Wacky.

  64. Re:i hope you can run with this one UNLIKE the iPo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bullshit.

    The iPod has 32MB memory which it uses to buffer the music it's playing, so the hard drive is hardly even spinning. Unless your MP3 files are larger than 32MB, it should never skip.

  65. Re:SECRET ASIAN MAN ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you promise?

  66. Video support in other model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    PMP-100 has it.

  67. Best features in iRiver by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is the optical output. Now you can plug your MP3-player in stereo without loss in quality.

    Hopefully other manufactures will also add this feature.

  68. FM tuner by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    it is an Ipod killer in one area. FM-tuner

  69. I just bought one by VividU · · Score: 4, Informative

    The 20GB player. Here is super-quick review from a professional audio engineer (me).

    Pros:
    - The output sound is tight, crisp and full-bodied. The level is clean and hot, just the way I like it.
    - Plug-N-Play. No drivers, no nothing. Plug the USB cable and it shows up as a HD. Organize files however you like. By ID or standard directory structure.
    - The remote has its own tiny LCD dispay. Very cool.
    - USB 2.0 file transfer if very fast. I did 12GB while I ate a bowl of cereal.
    - Transfer & store any type of file
    - Its supports more codecs than I'll ever use.
    - OGG support. No DRM
    - Digital In and Out!
    - Analog In and Out!
    - Records to WAV and MP3
    - FM Radio!
    - Internal Microphone
    - External Mic jack (mic included)
    - Firmware upgradable
    - Quiet and fast
    - Its packaged with a real leather case and all the cables and adapters you'll ever need.

    Cons:
    - The GUI could use some work
    - The Joystick can be a pain
    - Navigation can be rough
    - Issues with Recording time limitations

    Its looks like the software faults can and will be upgraded through the firmware.

    Overall a great little package. Its not as slick as the iPod. But for less than the 20GB iPod I get a ton of more features.

    1. Re:I just bought one by kindbud · · Score: 1

      The output sound is tight, crisp and full-bodied. The level is clean and hot, just the way I like it.

      I'm sorry, Mr. Audio Engineer, but I don't understand all those technical audio terms. Could you tell me what is the meaning of "tight, crisp and full-bodied" and also "clean and hot" in terms of S/N ratio, frequency response, and dB?

      Thanks.

      --
      Edith Keeler Must Die
    2. Re:I just bought one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sorry, Mr. Audio Engineer, but I don't understand all those technical audio terms. Could you tell me what is the meaning of "tight, crisp and full-bodied" and also "clean and hot" in terms of S/N ratio, frequency response, and dB?

      Ha ha. Superlative burn!

    3. Re:I just bought one by VividU · · Score: 1

      I'm laughing because my description could just as well describe a nice dinner.

      Regardless, audio engineers will know exactly what I'm talking about. I've yet to meet a audio pro who talks in pure technical terms. Instead we lean towards words that describe a "feeling" or paint a picture.

      I'll translate my terms. I'm sure you can find all those tech specs at the iRiver site.

      "tight, crips and full-bodied"
      The high frequencies have good detail without harshness. The mid and low range are clear and transparent.

      level is clean and hot
      The output level can achieve high volumes without distorting.

    4. Re:I just bought one by BigKato · · Score: 1

      My dad recently showed me an ad for an MP3 player he was interested in. I can't remember which company it was but the player had the ability to use FM radio to play the MP3s on the player through his FM receiver in his home stereo system.

      He was willing to purchase it just because of this feature. I wonder if a lot of non-tech people know about this because it seems like a very practical feature that eliminates a lot of connector/compatibility issues. No need to hook up cables, just tune in to the right frequency and you can listen to your music on the home stereo.

      Is this a feature that would add a lot to the price of a player? Doesn't this seem like a feature that would be nice for the masses?

      --
      So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
    5. Re:I just bought one by Jesus+IS+the+Devil · · Score: 2, Informative

      That's called a FM modulator. Many devices have this capability. For example, some CD changers are hooked up this way. iPod also has a plugin which allows you to do this.

      HOWEVER, watch out! There are some downsides to this technology:

      1) Loss of quality - Because it's being converted to radio frequency there's a bit of quality loss. For audiophiles this is enough to say, "no thanks".

      2) Bad reception - I don't have first hand experience, but from what I've heard from others, if you are travelling under power lines the music will warp. If you come across an area where there's a radio frequency in or around that band you'll get static.

      So, overall, while it appears to be an easy solution, I'd skip it just because I don't want to give up that much sound quality. I mean, an install might involve some hassle, but you only have to do it once. :)

      --

      eTrade SUCKS
    6. Re:I just bought one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      what quality wavs does it record? does it do cd+ quality wav files?

      and how long can you record for? will it record over an hour without stopping or will it only record up to a certain length per file?

    7. Re:I just bought one by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      what quality wavs does it record? does it do cd+ quality wav files?

      Line-in 44khz 16bit
      Optical-in 48khz 16bit

      Don't know about the record time. I used it for about an hour continuously today, no problems.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    8. Re:I just bought one by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      I agree 100%. I just got my ihp-120 and I'm super-impressed with it. While the audio output isn't quite as badassed as my Sharp Zaurus, it's great for anything but ear-destroying volumes on low-impedance headphones. (My Sennheiser HD495's work well at all but the highest volumes then, the iriver just can't put out enough bass.)

      I only have 2 gripes so far:
      -It should be able to charge from the USB port
      -You should be able to record from the radio

      So far I haven't hit any recording time limitations. Did you hit the 4GB FAT32 fiel size limit?

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    9. Re:I just bought one by entrigant · · Score: 1

      Somehow I doubt fm modulation is the only method of audio output that player that the parent post was referring to. I know it requires some complicated thinking to realize this but.. try. Now for your two points.

      1) If that's a problem then uses cords sheesh. Even for an audiophile there would probably be circumstances where using the fm modulator would be just too convenient to pass up. Even if it's just listening to music from your player in your buddies crappy car.

      2) Interferance is a fact of life with wireless technologies this is no surprise, and if the area you are in has a used frequency then fortunately most products with modulators have the sense of mind to support several different frequencies.

      You act as if buying a player with this feature would require some sort of loss... For most goo dplayers like the Neuros that supports it it's an extra feature, not a replacement method of output. You lose nothing and gain fm modulation.

    10. Re:I just bought one by mikis · · Score: 1

      Well, if you believe only in technical specifications, I have nice 1500W (PMPO) Class AAA amp to sell you ;)

    11. Re:I just bought one by sapbasisnerd · · Score: 1
      Lack of ability to record from the radio was a showstopper for me. Funny because their flash players with FM radios DO permit recording from the radio (somewhat sub optimally, it records to REC format file that has to be converted to WAV on a computer).

      What I would really like is this device with record from FM and a timer function like in the PoGo! RADIOYourWay. Heck for that matter I ca't figure out why the PoGo! folks don't put a timer function in the RipDrive products.

      If it had that AND the ability to use it as a mass storage for my Digicam either through USB or with an add on card reader like the Belkin one that you can get for the iPod) I'd be on the way to the store now.

    12. Re:I just bought one by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      Lack of ability to record from the radio was a showstopper for me.

      I have a feeling that the hardware actually supports recording from the radio, but the software does not. One of original spec sheets for the device (which I found on iriver's website) says that it would support recording from the radio. This means it might be possible for a firmware upgrade to add radio recording support. I doubt there's a clock inside the device though, so you're SOL if you want it to tape something at 6pm on tuesday.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    13. Re:I just bought one by sapbasisnerd · · Score: 1

      I'd be suprised if there wasn't an RTC in there somewhere, it has to figure out what timestamps to put on files it creates when recording.

    14. Re:I just bought one by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      I'd be suprised if there wasn't an RTC in there somewhere, it has to figure out what timestamps to put on files it creates when recording

      That's an interesting thought. I'll take a look at the time/date on the files I've recorded so far.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
  70. Not that common... by SuperKendall · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I've noticed that problem with a few bands, but most of the music I've looked at is complete. One artist I like (Barenaked Ladies) you could even buy the full CD of songs a week before the real CD was released in stores!

    I would submit a request for that particular song to the iTunes request section, they really do pay attention to that as whole artists and songs I've asked for have appeared.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  71. No it doesn't by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    I run with mine sometimes, and hike, and keep it in a bumpy car. It has never skipped, not after 14 minutes, not after four hours.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:No it doesn't by solosaint · · Score: 1

      yeah, i didnt say hike, i said run, and you either dont run that fast, or that hard, or for that long, but its all over the net about how bad the ipod sucks as a running mate mp3 player...

  72. flash player alternative by Ossadagowah · · Score: 1

    I have heard that the cost of flash memory will soon rapidly decline -- where are the 2 GB flash players? I don't want to carry around a hard disk as it has too many moving parts.

    --
    anata sekai o kakumei surush ga nai deshou? Anata no susumu michi wa yoi shite arimasu.
  73. Obligatory Ogg comment by fsterman · · Score: 1

    While everyone wants an Ogg playing alternative, why doesn't anyone help out the Linux on iPod team who is poting Linux to the iPod?
    http://ipodlinux.sourceforge.net/
    http://s ourceforge.net/projects/ipodlinux/

    Or if you think it is stupid to do Linux, do NetBSD or something. It is a high quality piece of hard ware, made to deliver decent sound (no audiophile but...) and the fact is they pay of an OS, VERY small HD, and more.

    --
    Is there anything better than clicking through Microsoft ads on Slashdot?
  74. Re:SECRET ASIAN MAN ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Here:

    OMFG have you seen the Halo 2 trailer it's like slow and it's telling you all the stuff you did in the first one then the music kicks in and and the chief comes out and gets a gun the earf is on fire and chief is like fuck this im jumping and HE JUMPS PUT OF TEH SPACESHIP with angels singing and he lands on the bad guys and that annoying ai lady is like GO GET EM TIGER! WILDCAT IS ON TEH SPOKE!!!~`1 and theres less polys but rawkin bumb mappings you can view this on a special MICROSOFT xbox disk that comes with EB games store.

  75. As a result of what? by mrcparker · · Score: 1

    How can people buy ipods as a result when there is no ability to play the Ogg format?

    1. Re:As a result of what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You might take note of the future tense verb "will" near the end of that sentence.

  76. Re:Different Class of device ... - CHEAPER? Not by BlackStar · · Score: 2, Informative
    Wandering through the link of iRiver nordic, and looking at the Swedish site, the 20 GB player (no colour screen, 20 GB, older generation) is 5.495 Kr, which translates into $985.90 Canadian Loonies at today's exchange rate, or $765 US bucks for our southern neighbours.

    I may not have a math degree, but if the low end iRiver is more than the 40 Gig iPod, I really don't understand "cheaper".

    Of course, the Swedish price may not hold and may be artificially high at this point, but that's the only info I have to go on to gauge price. The built-in FM tuner is kind of cool. Looks like a freaking gadget hell though. The iPod is designed a lot nicer IMHO.

  77. Creatives can record! by fremen · · Score: 1

    Umm, sorry. The Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 has been able to record with high quality line-in for quite some time. In fact, the Nomad Jukebox has the added feature of being able to record straight to WAV files without being degraded by an MP3 encoder. The iRiver, and most other devices, seem to lack this feature. THIS feature is what audio snobs demand, and anything that would replace a DAT recorder is going to have to do at least 44kHz lossless recording.

    However, the iRiver has a sweet form factor, and it looks like it has more intelligent features like the ability to act as an external hard drive, something the Nomad lacks.

    1. Re:Creatives can record! by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      The iriver will record direct to a .wav file.
      44.1 KHz from the line-in or 48KHz from the optical in.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    2. Re:Creatives can record! by mikis · · Score: 1

      I think that you CAN use Nomad as external hard drive. Specifications say something like "Transfer music and data files with lightning-fast SB1394/FireWire connectivity". And I am shure that you can use Creative Jukebox (Nomad) Zen as external hard drive.

  78. Bad buttons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is it just me, or do those silver buttons look particularly cheap? It looks suspiciously like stuff where the buttons wiggle just a bit before they fall off and you have to glue them back on, and then the silver plastic starts to clip off.

  79. Re:Different Class of device ... - CHEAPER? Not by skiflyer · · Score: 2, Informative

    I see it for $359 by searching on Amazon, I'd say the swedish price is completely goofed at this point.

  80. Record live concerts - bootlegger's dream? by mccrew · · Score: 1
    From the article:
    • ...
    • Record From Microphone/Dictaphone to MP3
    • Real Time MP3 Encoding
    Sounds like this would be very useful for high quality recording of live events, such as concerts. It is small enough to bring (or sneak) into the venue, and able to record high-quality .mp3 tracks on the fly.

    "The new iHP-140 - bringing bootlegging to a higher level!"

    --
    Hey, Windows users, there is no such thing as "forward" slash, there is only slash and backslash.
    1. Re:Record live concerts - bootlegger's dream? by gkuz · · Score: 1
      and able to record high-quality .mp3

      Those are mutually contradictory terms. The people who seriously record live music events, whether from "taper-friendly" bands such as The Dead or Phish, or those who engage in "stealth" recording are adamantly opposed to any lossy encoding. Record in full bitrate, please, and share them that way. That's why SHN and FLAC are used as compression schemes, and why shared recordings almost invariably bear the admonition "do not encode to MP3".

    2. Re:Record live concerts - bootlegger's dream? by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      The people who seriously record live music events, whether from "taper-friendly" bands such as The Dead or Phish, or those who engage in "stealth" recording are adamantly opposed to any lossy encoding.

      Actually a great many of these people use minidisc, a lossy format. The really crappy thing about minidisc is the (deliberate) difficulty of making a digital copy of the disc. This means people just dub cia the analog outputs, adding a decompression=>compression+noise+aritfacts cycle with each link in the distribution. I've heard the obvious negative results of this in a Phish recording.

      Besides, the device can record to .wav files anyways. You get to choose.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
  81. Okay, what about the battery? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "internal lithium ion rechargeable battery"???

    i got a bad feeling about this.

  82. Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    that iRiver support SUCKS ASS as bad as LinkSys.

    Fuck them. I hope their building burns down and they all die a horrible death.

  83. Creative Muvo and Zen Players? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's interesting that with all these "iPod killer" stories no one ever mentions the Creative Muvo and Zen players. The largest Zen player has a 60Gb driver and is very iPod like in style, plus the benefit of supporting WMA format files. The new Muvo 4GB model is an excellent competitor to the new little iPod, again with WMA support. They are rugged, very good interfaces, include replaceable and USB rechargeable batteries, come from a highly known and dependable company, and quite frankly, are a better deal than Apple's products. I own one of the small USB Muvo 128Mb sticks (the ones that apparently make up 70% of the market) and love it. Next on my list is the larger, 4GB model.

  84. To kill or not to kill is really not the point. by Johnathon_Dough · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Why does everything have to be a "killer", especially in the techno/geek world?

    I am no huge propenant of "why can't we all get along", but whenever i see another compnay come out with any sort of decent product, my first thought is not "oh this will knock xyz product from the top spot" but "oh good, now xyz product is also going to have to improve".

    This is how our market works (overly simplified, yes). If there was no competition, you would have no reason to improve your product, whatever you came out with would be the only choice.

    So instead of constantly assuming something is going to "kill" another product. Just buy the one you like, that has the features you need, make the trade off for the features the other has that the one you are buying doesn't. Most importantly, realize, that once a product has a significant market share, and backing by the company that makes it (a nod to netscape here) it is not going away.

    Just keep hoping that there IS someone to compete with apple for the hard drive mp3 market, because if not, then Apple will truly become the "microsoft of music" with all the problems attached to that.

    --
    If you are one in a million, then there are six thousand people who are just like you.
  85. image slashdotted by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    images seem to be slashdotted, here they are:
    ~M^M~C-aAoM^Be0&| //9&g%a+/-A~Lwtg~E~_{Y~UeNi-vA;EF^FO~Naa;Eai~Ke~QV p^QiE^Z~W7%~TEId(C)P~ROp!~B^Dr4]eU^O~\ZE~JP-.iAAJ~ E
    ^Mx5OpEIOd^V;o^FoU4O!#qik:AA~TU^P{~UNNUv~_YdU3/ 4| 8-oUfF^A^@asu.FP^L^_AcE^_~P^UmqOy^@rw^_
    y^M~VE^S^ F^W;{no*2ZZy^@OA~]NUD^]cE~HoyCe/CH^UKb^]) .3~Z5^GoaAw!NI~X5O;~D^R'UUsU7l^C~S~]OVo^K\^d^M/Zar eaO(ia|~A^O v~AoYiUExFAei^BI+Vj^[~Gi2^FAe:eOU^\[9~IW~W=(C):#,^ O^Do^@^ZI~R^@$AEe3/4~K~H~QAe@k~S~Q>v~E~L]i^L^TeoY6 Ii'-^Y$-}*| TIG!eQ(R)^ECUi~Rae~XOBxo{^[~P^Z ^O^K^U4Y.^Qy^@OAm=aO'^[^@U~[^@_ q^\Z~PU/V=AE1L~C~U~Ukhx ia_VE5i~L~O%s(R)1/4~;i~B^\a~\AY4e6@^B^UaeUA~Q~C~E^ W[~I n~E^[I]Jl^G^O| o^@{K^Hsf z4A~Hc~_~IYW^VP^V^^o~M~HQ(C)U1/4~Ra1/LO;^C*DOM~@1/ 4~CYu ^L^YRykA~G^WwoA~AY~]~Sou)^G8CLoJ1/2U^PA;Ex)~IAEXC~ HIU^O^Xc~DvE^S^_)Oc;^^u\;}w_R~X'~CAAEq,^^~X1af3/4~ SUUjv~]Ap^ZEqB13/4k-^UaUi!Ac~Be]OIiEu;Io| U~CaAIiU^BB~IO9UIa~K(C)O8R]1/25^Z6O^]I~IQm(C).i?UU On(3/4]Iao^A:Z}IS>~[~Z~C~Za^@Id^ACOxY]~Nd^^i~^V,3/ 4&{a^XTO^N?/VT^FF|~E~Cu|aa#oS?MlAE3/4~]Uw~CiM>~I(R )c=|^KW%JAv~WI]i5(R)^NAi^YEI)bdES3/4(C)e~_e^E1/4-O ~S~Mocxr~^~UiaRE~Wi^@uaEO1~X!F~[;1~BNnCaO^U@0af^WB IOb^O~EEo~]JyIq~@oaO(R)^A^RLp^WO?/n|~^g%| ~Nx^B[aeyQ^]$~L ^Qe~_&"TK_^\~Q%z>nC^SidN7~UUALe^?kcoU]YO~WT^BL~AEc /o~WO^E~[4i=~W^O~Wc~\z~N~_^_AyVfQ^T~M^@\aey^@Qv^W? Zq`.~R|~\~ESkw:gsaH~]OHAEw^^N_%a{{xdaA#W^Q^@^Xo+/- A^EaagOm*I'e~B^XBI}.^D^]~V:xxIT$4~Na^CEAECU$^CaUdI 8ae| ^S~\~UUJ-K~CA~Oy!\g+/-^_EA^X$ceS]R~T^RUYD Eu*ici~Lr~SE2^]LE~G^^
    ~U"e,-9^S xT~RC^Soiu^\iD^@Ee:~G`~F~A~U~NY^[ava~G&^A^Daj~U~PL ~AaAaiNiaI$3W~_O3/4T~RB+E~GO^X;(1O^YUI$^XNkB^@`i^H ^D~Ju&FA^V~SU/~PAi3/43d(R)m&Oy^M si^NkIT~_~Uk~^Oli{,i-e,k~@`-"vA~KEpiIrL^G^H d^QyOCUa^R$ay^@UO,x*ov ^M~@PxUxfE=~EC^\i^T(C)/R3YU[I!XOAAu~P$^P2-UUa^C+/- i^FGtH;~RS+/-~O~NT^Ze6F~_NBUdm^K.~U^?R~Xi ^Vo^KZU~Sx^K"~\8~G^\IA
    ^x~Mi3/4&~]&O^X~R_qH~VEauo N~EJ^U-C@~G^FaAE%bOcEV~M AIW;y=>~Y^G9i>aQQai^BrB S ;.SO^\gaXY+/-~YEph~C

  86. Re:SECRET ASIAN MAN ON TEH SPOKE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://iniaes.org/

    homepage of the fine reader who claims to be the
    mother of all "teh spoke" comments :)

    He claims so himself, but the page seems to be under reconstruction for the moment.

    and yes, I did discover this as I was seaching for what "teh spoke" actually meant.
    Browsing at -1 can be a challenge at times.

    google no longer gives this url in relation to "teh spoke" but teoma still has it.

  87. Why? How is that better? by Gorphrim · · Score: 1

    It "lets" you use the Alpine stereo interface instead of the highly-praised iPod interface.

    It 'lets' you control your music by reaching over to the car stereo instead of tapping buttons on the handheld ergonomic iPod.

    It lets you connect a hardwire instead of transmitting wirelessly.

    Hmmmm....

    I dunno, just seems like more marketing than utility coming from Alpine. Good for Apple probably.

    --

    Queens of the Stone Age - they rule
  88. How's the battery by Unregistered · · Score: 1

    Since it can play ogg and even encoude audio, it must have more powerful hardware than the iPod. How does this affect the battery, and does the player get hot?

    And why can't they hire a competant deigner. it's so damn ugly. As much as i love Apple, they would make even better players if they had competition.

    1. Re:How's the battery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The battery life on the iRiver is 16 hours, I think that's tiwce as much as the iPod, and from what I can gather it doesn't get hot.

      The output is of such higher quality than the iPod's too, we had an iHP 120 and a 20GB iPod out together last night and the sound quality is incomparable, the iRiver kills it.

      It's so ugly compared to the Apple though, but then Apple did the wise thing of employing a Brit as head of design and everyone knows the Europeans rule matters of taste.

  89. how many lines? by stagl · · Score: 1

    their own website says that it has a 4-line display...then later says that you can read .txt files on it's 8-line display. so, how many is it? you would think that they could get the specs right on their own page.

    otherwise, looks pretty spiffy.

    --

    R.I.P.
    1. Re:how many lines? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      4 lines on the remote, 8 on the main display. You can read text files on the main display, but not on the 4-line remote.

  90. 0gg by Deraj+DeZine · · Score: 2, Informative

    "OGG" is incorrect. The correct capitalization is "Ogg." More info at the official Vorbis news page and the associated Ogg Traffic:

    With an ever-increasing adoption of Ogg Vorbis, I'm seeing an increasing number of new users refer to it as OGG. This is a trend that I would like to counter with this piece of authoritative information: It's not OGG, it is Ogg! You may think that this is an insignificant difference, but I don't think so...It is a word, not an acronym, and it's pronounced like Dog without the letter D.
    --
    True story.
  91. Why not DVDR support by Cyborg00_ · · Score: 1

    Why do all manufacturers stick to cd-only ? Ihave been looking for ages for a portable mp3 player that supports dvdr as playback media, without all the extras as movie playback/lcd screen. I currently own a Rio sp-250 mp3 cd player, and i'm just waiting for that to upgrade to something newer. Cds simply are too small t fit all I want to listen to. Anyway just my 2 cents.

  92. 40GB + Vorbis = sold by tuffy · · Score: 1
    I don't give a rat's ass about iPod killing and whatnot. I just want a portable that plays my mp3s/oggs, and my collection of both is quite large. This one does it, so iRiver gets my cash.

    Gimme.

    --

    Ita erat quando hic adveni.

  93. Re:Why? How is that better? by brunes69 · · Score: 1

    Are you trying to imply its easier to pick up an iPod and operate it's tiny buttons without looking at the screen, than it is to reach over to a deck that is positioned *for the purpose* of the driver to operate it?

    Or are you saying you'd pick up the iPod and look at it while driving?

    I'd guess the latter. It's you people that are the cause of most accidents nowadays.

  94. 2" screen? by TheKidWho · · Score: 1

    believe you me, watching DivX movies on my palm with its 480x320 screen is annoyingly small, but on a 2" screen, your just asking for it.

  95. 40G = 40,000 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Let's learn the lingo shall we ?

    G is short for Thousand.

    Gb is short for GigaBit.

    GB is short for GigaByte.

    An editor would, of course, bother to correct this laziness, but here we have no such luxuries.

  96. My take on 'missing tracks' at iTMS... by ErnstKompressor · · Score: 1

    First off, let me say I have really enjoyed iTMS and have bought a few hundred songs (to add to our collection of ~400CDs I ripped a few years back) since it began -- a mix of full albums (great old blues artists for example) and singles and one-hit wonders from albums I once owned but *lost/had stolen* many years ago in college. GRRRRR

    Anyways, I was thinking recently that the reason there are missing tracks on many available albums might be an attempt to discourage the distribution of purchased music through unsavoury channels...

    Rather, we all know that CDDB uses a rather arcane method of identifying a CD -- there is no mechanism for ID'ing a CD built into the disc itself -- CDDB looks at the 'fingerprint' of the disc(the order and length of the tracks) to divine the identity of the disc...

    We also know that iTMS allows purchased music to be shared only as a redbook-type CD -- and that CD can then be re-imported as an MP3/MP4 etc...but it loses the id3 info that way because without the original albums 'fingerprint' CDDB cannot identify the newly burned album with the *missing* track(s).

    In essence, by witholding a track here and a track there, they are able to limit the ease of distributing purchased iTMS music.

    --
    We apologise for the fault in this post. Those responsible have been sacked. -- Signed RICHARD M. NIXON
    1. Re:My take on 'missing tracks' at iTMS... by mikis · · Score: 1

      It doesn't make sense. They could alter lenght of the tracks by few (milli)seconds and thus change the CDDB fingerprint, if that was the intention. But I don't think that anyone cares that much about ID3 tags that lack of them would stop them from getting the pirated songs.

      And you can restore missing ID3 tags in few seconds with MoodLogic.

  97. ...and Jobs is an objective observer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think the iPod UI is atrocious. The actual buttons are too. Battery life sucks and the self-discharge rate has got to be the worst ever.

    1. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      Then you explain why they own the high end of the MP3 player market.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    2. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      Marketing.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    3. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      1) Their online store/retail chain is easy to navigate.

      2) Their product works well and looks nice.

      3) Their product's software interface works well and looks nice.

      4) Their jukebox software works well and looks nice.

      I think their competitors (Archos, Rio, iRiver, and Nomad?) all fail on 1. Nomad passes 2. Archos passes 3. None of their competitors pass on 4.

      Name a competitor that people should be confident will fulfill all these goals, with this caveat: You're not allowed to do any research.

      See, that's proof that their marketting is good. But I really honestly feel like they're the only ones with a decent product in this market segment, even after doing some research. It must be all the TV I'm not watching.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    4. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by IM6100 · · Score: 1


      I don't feel that I have to name a competitor.

      A competitor will name itself sometime in the next year. It might be iRiver, it might be somebody else. Hell, it might be Sony. They have the manufacturing capacity to eat Apple's lunch if they want to. And in spite of all the hype and hoo-ah, there isn't that much to the 'design' or 'interface' that a cloner can't pump out pretty fast. There are definitely multiple teams working on it.

      'this market segment' itself might wither and die. It certainly will if they expect Joe Sixpack to pay $200-400 for a basic playback device. Right now the early-adopter elite are 'the market' and that can't last.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    5. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by BasilBrush · · Score: 1
      You don't believe that Apple actually manufactures it's own hardware do you? Few companies do these days. They are contracted out to far eastern companies to produce. Apple can scale manufacture just as anyone else can. No better, no worse.

      You were probably probably thinking of the supply problems at Xmas. That was because no one predicted that iPod would be *the* present of Xmas '03. Supply problems hit any company that becomes the must have Xmas gift. Still it's a nice problem to have!

    6. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      And in spite of all the hype and hoo-ah, there isn't that much to the 'design' or 'interface' that a cloner can't pump out pretty fast.

      I agree completely. It's still not accurate to say that the reason they're winning with the iPod is "marketing" right now.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    7. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by BitGeek · · Score: 0, Flamebait


      Tells me you've never used one.

      Or you're the typical slashdot idiot who thinks "Good ui" is a fullsized keyboard and unix shell commands.

      The amazing thing is Apple has just released an iPod based on a 4G microdrive for $250. Nobody has noticed that just buying a 4G microdrive from Amazon.com costs $500!

      So the player is half the cost of the drive.

      They've driven down prices for that form factor....

      But you guys are apparently terminally incapable of noticing that the form factor is different.

      A player based on a 3.5 inch drive is a better deal according to you guys because even though it weighs 2 pounds, its got more storage for less money.

      --
      Yeah, and you guys panned the ipod too: http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/10/23/ 1816257
    8. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      Apple doesn't have anything even close to the distribution channels that a company like Sony has.

      Or even Samsung.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
    9. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Make your mind up. It was manufacture you were talking about. If you are going for the full picture, the major difference between Sony and Apple is that Apple is currently a rising star, and Sony is a falling one.

    10. Re:...and Jobs is an objective observer by IM6100 · · Score: 1

      Apple is a midget who is reaching up.

      Sony is a giant bending down.

      Or whatever, maan.

      --
      A Good Intro to NetBS
  98. Killer? How about throwing in some ease of use? by TreeKnot · · Score: 0

    These devices don't integrate into any software, be it iTunes, Musicmatch, RealOne, Windows Media Player, or whatever. The interface to load music is using only it's proprietary software and the filesystem. For the majority that means that it will most likely end up on the shelf collecting dust. Because of this, I just can't recommened anything from iRiver to any mainstream Windows/Mac users. Anyone seen different?

  99. Your s is the only post I've seen saying otherwise by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    I guess you've never been on a real hike then, which can be far more brutal than running as far as shocks to equipment. And I'm quite sure your worst jogging is far less worse than a spors car with a stiff suspension on washboard gravel road for two hours straight. At least I know the CD player cannot handle the first few seconds of that before giving up.

    Please do feel free to provide us all with a link about how it sucks for jogging, since it is "All over the web".

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  100. Re:Your s is the only post I've seen saying otherw by solosaint · · Score: 1

    i am sorry, perhaps you are unfamiliar with how the hard drive works, you see, if you had constant shaking, something where the buffer didnt have time to be filled back up it skips. this prolly wont happen on a hike, or in a car, or even hitting it with a baseball bat (provided it doesn't break) because there are small pauses. where as when you have a giant athlete like me sprinting down the road, its a constant force shaking the ipod. here is ONE link, but you can see others like it on epinions, and ipodlounge.com http://www.epinions.com/content_107354689156/show_ ~allcom/pp_~2 hope this helps, and look, im not putting apple down, i love apple, i have a mac, and it was the best mp3 player at the time to buy, but it needs major improvement, and has no room in a serious sprinters gym bag.

  101. It works for me by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    I'm telling you that in well over two hours of very constant and rough shaking on rought dirt roads I've not had it skip. Yes I know how HD's work, but with smaller HD's you also need more force for the head to actually hit the platter. And the iPod is not often going to the HD having quite a bit of temporary RAM.

    I don't believe it's actually possible for it to skip unless the HD hits the platter, which would destroy the device - it would re-try if it didn't get the sector it wanted. If the user can still play those songs then no skipping is at work. I would tend to believe the other posters in the link you posted to that it was either the original user was trying to play something beyond the capacity of the computing power onboard the the iPod. Frankly though the poster on that link you gave sounded rather like a troll.

    Have you really tried it yourself? I am pretty sure it would work from past experience.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  102. Re:Why? How is that better? by puto · · Score: 1

    Hmmm,

    I have an Alpine CD deck that does MP3/WMA. I have an Ipod.

    I also have a little remote that sits on the side of me when I drive that lets me tune through the controls without the eyes leaving the road. Only a few buttons, and one I can see whats on the screen.

    I could reach over and use the Ipod controls. But wait, why not just use the IR remote that Alpine has been including with all systems for the past two years?

    Puto

    --
    The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
  103. And I christen thee "YAiK" by Durandal64 · · Score: 1

    YAiK = Yet Another iPod Killer

    Seems to me that we get another iPod killer once every couple of weeks, so I figure that we needed an acronym for it.

  104. the cycle is on! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    we have to get use to it, every time a company will release a hard-drive mp3 player most people will now refer to it as the iPod killer...
    whatever it is...

    and when the market share of the iPod will drop 1% CNET will do a coverage of the demise of Apple,
    most other site will just mention the incessant fall of Apple, which, if it would have fallen as much as anyone says, would be at the point of receiving back computer they have never produced...

  105. Sexiest Man Alive? by shendart · · Score: 1

    sexy
    adj. sexier, sexiest
    Arousing or tending to arouse sexual desire or interest.


    Thank you for reminding me to never, EVER, click through .sig links.

  106. the real ipod killer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    anyone who buys a mp3 player is wasting their money now. Sony announched Hi-MD.

    http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200401/0 4- 001E/
    http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/4270

    Start saving...

    1. Re:the real ipod killer by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      anyone who buys a mp3 player is wasting their money now. Sony announched Hi-MD.

      MD was awesome technology years ago.....except Sony crippled it.
      Sony still cripples their NetMD devices (no high-speed transfer from the device).
      Enjoy your wait for Sony's newest crippled MD product.
      I'll be enjoying my ability to copy both to and FROM my ihp-120 as a standard USB mass storage device.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    2. Re:the real ipod killer by maest · · Score: 1

      MD was good technology. What crippled it was just bad marketing in the US. (Replacement for CDs ... uh no) Anyone who owned MD players would not call the actual hardware crippled by any means, it just got bad vibes from advertising it as something it obviously was not. But in Asia, MDs took off. I agree, NetMD is blah. Hi-MD will allow copying both to and from using USB. .doc, .jpeg, etc. files will be able to be burned to a disc. Some pluses for Hi-MD: 1. recording--whether it be concerts or lectures 2. lack of dependence on PC--you can modernize your entire vinyl, tape etc. collection bypassing the PC middleman 3. Battery life--I don't care if you can hold 10,000 mp3s if your battery dies before you play 50 of them 4. Multiple sources--leave a third of your Hi-MDs in your home unit, a third with your portable and a third in your car 5. Dependable--hard drives crash, I've never seen a MD crash 6. Price--you will be able to get an introductory model for $200, that price will only go down with time that's all I can think of atm

    3. Re:the real ipod killer by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      Anyone who owned MD players would not call the actual hardware crippled by any means, it just got bad vibes from advertising it as something it obviously was not.

      I have owned MD hardware. It is crippled, deliberately by Sony. Try making a digital copy of an MD created from a digtal source to see what I mean.

      1. recording--whether it be concerts or lectures
      just recorded a lecture with my ihp-120 today

      2. lack of dependence on PC

      I have line-in, line-out, fiber-in, fiber-out. A PC makes management much easier, which is something the orignal md players desperately needed. Titleing things was a nightmare.

      3. Battery life

      16 hours

      Your other points are somewhat valid, but I think Sony's missed the boat. Minidisc could have been awesome, *should* have been awesome. Sony killed it. They have internal conflicts of interest being both a hardware company and a record label. I think Minidisc would have made a great replacement for floppy disc drives years ago. Now, between cornice drives, flash ram, dvd-r's and laptop drives, there's not much room for Sony's proprietary format.
      I'm sure MD will be around for quite a while as it's developed quite a loyal following, but I don't expect it's market to expand at all.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
    4. Re:the real ipod killer by maest · · Score: 1

      I have owned MD hardware. It is crippled, deliberately by Sony. Try making a digital copy of an MD created from a digtal source to see what I mean. You have to stop it somewhere. It really isn't to much to ask that you own the original digital source if you are making copies (or at least, can getyour hands on it ;)) just recorded a lecture with my ihp-120 today I haven't read much about your player... does it have a mic in or built in mic? A lot of people will want to use a good mic. Does it record in mp3? Again, most people will want their original source to be of a higher quality. I have line-in, line-out, fiber-in, fiber-out. A PC makes management much easier, which is something the orignal md players desperately needed. Titleing things was a nightmare. I was considering getting into the harddrive mp3 player market. Those a definitely nice features. But I'm going to wait till April now :) The last time I looked at mp3 players, you couldn't delete/rename/divide tracks easily on the unit itself. I think the true test for these Hi-MDs is how well you will be able to negotiate the tracks on the actual unit. Hopefully it will allow some sort of grouping system. 16 hours I haven't seen any numbers for the new portables but old MD recorders were about 3 times that. Players even more-- topping out over 100hours. This Hi-MD is a big jump. Way bigger then MDLP or NetMD was. IMHO, Sony has given it a second chance, personally I think they will learn from their mistakes from the first round.

    5. Re:the real ipod killer by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

      You have to stop it somewhere. It really isn't to much to ask that you own the original digital source if you are making copies (or at least, can getyour hands on it ;)

      Minidisc doesn't know if you "own" the source or not. It just assumes that if it's digital, you shouldn't be able to copy it. That is stupid, and a real pain is the ass for musicians.

      My iriver will record from line-in, mic-in, internal mic, or fiber-in to either mp3 or wav.

      iI haven't seen any numbers for the new portables but old MD recorders were about 3 times that. Players even more-- topping out over 100hours.

      Neither my minidisc, nor my gf's have ever gotten anywhere near that amount of time, especially when recording. Does yours run off D batteries or something?
      As far as the delete/rename/divide tracks things, that's true at least for my unit. Minidisc did get that right. It's not something I'm too worried about it though. I wouldn't be suprised if a firmware upgrade makes that possible.

      --
      Life is too short to proofread.
  107. Re:Killer? How about throwing in some ease of use? by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

    These devices don't integrate into any software, be it iTunes, Musicmatch, RealOne, Windows Media Player, or whatever. ....These devices don't integrate into any software, be it iTunes, Musicmatch, RealOne, Windows Media Player, or whatever.

    Oh come on. You plug it in. It shows up as a drive. You drag files to it. You unplug it. You press play. The filesystem is not proprietary. I'm am connected to it (ihp-120) right now with my Linux box.

    You're telling that's harder than setting up Musicmatch or Realone?

    --
    Life is too short to proofread.
  108. Real Mac support by abischof · · Score: 1

    This looks really tempting, especially with the Ogg support, but I just hope they'll support Macs. Currently, the iHP-120 only has limited Mac support:

    After loading new music, you can right-click the Database file in the player's root directory to start a scanning process that harvests song information for use in browsing by artist, album, genre, or song title. If you fail to do this, you'll be able to browse only by directory. Since the software is currently Windows-only, browsing by artist, album, and genre is disabled when songs are loaded from a Mac [...]

    --

    Alex Bischoff
    HTML/CSS coder for hire

  109. Re:i hope you can run with this one UNLIKE the iPo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Assuming it's even true, does walking ten seconds every 15 minutes REALLY ruin your day that badly?

  110. Thus how much does a byte wheighs? by tetrode · · Score: 1

    40 Gb - 20 Gb = 20 Gb = 21474836480 bytes
    12 gr / 21474836480 bytes = 55,88 pico grammes

    amazing...

    Mark

  111. More noteworthy by Mr_Silver · · Score: 1
    ... is the IMP-1000 which is a CD player that can play DivX's.

    Pity it's not a DVD player as I stack 8 odd movies onto one disk - but if it works, it's quite some piece of kit.

    --
    Avantslash - View Slashdot cleanly on your mobile phone.
  112. Re:Killer? How about throwing in some ease of use? by TreeKnot · · Score: 0

    Their Windows Software for "managment" is proprietary, not the device itself. Most people already had a way to manage their music collection, to include playlists. Why can't iRiver work with 3rd party music management software to make it easier to move music via playlists directly inside of this software? Remember, not everyone that uses these things are Linux freaks like us in the Slashdot community. Try teaching your parents how to aquire digital music and then transfer it over to an iRiver device, then report back your findings regarding ease of use.

  113. If I had a dollar by Lars+T. · · Score: 1

    for every device that was declared an iPod killer and didn't sell remotely as much as the iPod, I could handily buy an iPod. If only the overpriced iPod jr. that probably will outsell this killer.

    --

    Lars T.

    To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck

  114. MOP PARENT UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No spelling mistake there. ;)

  115. iRiver is a lot better known than you think... by mykepredko · · Score: 1

    Best Buy sells iRiver products - it's amazing because I've never seen one on the shelf there. They get sold basically as soon as they are received at the stores.

    I have had a '395 for a year now and I'm amazed at how many people recognize it (it was a bitch to get, by the way). It is by far the best of the three MP3 players I've ever owned.

    I've always felt that iRiver's biggest problem was production; it would be interesting to see how popular they would be if they had the manufacturing resources of Apple.

    myke

  116. Re:Different Class of device ... - CHEAPER? Not by Walterk · · Score: 1

    Europe has sales tax, usually around 19%. 20GB iPod is EUR 449,00. The 20GB iRiver is EUR 448,00. (Comparing the 20GB versions, since most online stores don't have the 40GB iRiver yet.)

    5.495 Kr = 603.02 EUR, the 40GB iPod is EUR 548,99.

  117. Re:Killer? How about throwing in some ease of use? by theLOUDroom · · Score: 1

    Try teaching your parents how to aquire digital music and then transfer it over to an iRiver device, then report back your findings regarding ease of use.

    If someone's spending $400 on an mp3 player, they already have some mp3's or a good idea where to get them. It's a given.
    Then all they need to do is drag the files to the drive.


    If someone want's to copy a playlist to it, they just drag a winamp playlist onto it.
    Perhaps you're asking about support for copying a playlist AND it's assosciated files?
    These things are 20GB+! You just copy all your files onto it and leave them there.

    --
    Life is too short to proofread.