Apple debuts new, low-priced iPod

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No more restrictive than any other player

---Actually, I think the iPod *is* more limiting than other players---

I don't agree. I think they're all roughly the same.

---The DRM'ed AAC that the iPod uses can't be played on other devices, and it can't be bought from other online services.---

The DRM'ed WMA files that the other players use can't be played on an iPod, can't be played on a Mac, can't be played on a Linux machine, and can't be purchased from either a Linux machine or a Mac.

--- so if you want to buy, you're forced into only buying from Apple iTunes---

Uh, hello? Ever hear of this thing called a cd? You know, where 90%+ of music is purchased? Guess what--you can buy a cd and rip it to an unprotected AAC or MP3 file using iTunes.

---In contrast, if you buy a Rio Karma, you can buy DRM'd WMA files, which give you a much wider selection of online stores.---

A wider selection of stores yes, but a wider selection of songs? How many songs does the iTMS feature? How many unique songs do all of the other stores feature combined? Wanna bet the numbers are pretty close? They're all getting their product from the same source, and other than iTunes getting lots of exclusive tracks, they all carry pretty much the same thing.
But soon your point will be moot, as most of the non-Apple stores don't seem long for this world. You can only hemorrhage cash for so long. And then what good will your protected WMA playing device do for you?

---In principle, no one DRM scheme is better than another.---

I have issues with most of the WMA stores, where the price and priveleges allowed vary from song to song. iTMS is at least uniform as far as allowing rights to the user.

---Personally, I'm waiting for DRM'd MP3's---

Personally, I'm waiting for someone other than Apple to make a player that works with AAC files. It's an open format afterall, and anyone could license it. I also think you'll see Apple eventually licensing FairPlay, once they're a little more established. They're already licensing it to companies like HP and Motorola.

---It's ironic, but in this particular market, I think Microsoft might actually be *preventing* a monopoly---

I don't know, there are plenty of other formats out there that would jump right in. Real to mention one. And would you wanna bet that if MS had its way, music would only be available in the WMA format? Don't read any good intentions into their actions, they're just trying to remain relevant.

---Now, as to the flash player: I don't know why I'd want one.---

I wouldn't really want one either. But apparently there's a market for these things (especially in Asia where flash players dominate over hard drive players).

Posted by: tic swayback   Posted on: 01/11/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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