Culture Clash

There are a lot of people out there who respond to Connie and I like we're crazy when we rave about the iPod.

Folks sometimes don't get it. Occasionally, a product is so ahead of its time that people don't see how transforming it is. They nay-say, denying their unconscious desire to be caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment, afraid to somehow get burned.

Let me assure you out there still thinking about purchasing a music device of any kind: the iPod really is all that, and a bag of chips. Here are just a few reasons why:

-It's $100 cheaper to get in to the game than it was just a little bit ago, and the 4th generation is a whole lot better than even the very nice 3rd generation iPods. Now is the time!

- People talk about competitors catching up, but every single one of the competition's products has serious flaws. Take for example Sony's New Walkman, which is $100 dollars more for a 20GB starter machine with a knock-off control (look at that tiny wheel) and software with a poor interface.

-the iTunes interface is clean and transparent. There are those who value complexity for complexity's sake, and many of these type gravitate towards computing. I am NOT one of those types. I like being able to learn a piece of software on my own, almost instantly. If an application is too arcane, it makes the learning curve steep enough to drive me away, particularly if there is a simple alternative. I don't think you could make a digital music application much simpler than iTunes.

-The iPods, and in particular the Minis, are cute. I have to keep coming back to this point because it really makes a difference. If a device looks like a 80's cell phone, I have to admit it loses cool points with me.

In conclusion, I must say this: both my wife and I are listening to music more since we got iPods. I think that fact speaks volumes to the value of these little musical miracles.