@Arne: Looks like you weren't able to wait for HP's version of the iPod. :-)

I tried it and it really sounds great. The earphones thoush they look really simple works wonders.  Nice warm tone and deep bass.

BTW, I wonder how the iPod will compare with the Windows Mobile Portable Media Centers?

Have fun in Seattle!

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

Should I be honest? The apple logo on a device gives me a much better feeling than a HP logo... ;-) Apple is Apple, it's like driving an Audi, not a VW - even if both are mostly the same...

The sound is sweet - they really developed a masterpiece for mobile music but you are right - the Portable Media Center might be the next I will buy but it's not available today. I've played with a couple of Portable Media Centers at CeBIT and it's also a great piece of hardware but might be too close to the Pocket PC with its large and damageable screens. So not sure if it can compare with "just a 'MP3' player".

For example I don't think it's a good idea to carry a Portable Media Center while skiing but the iPod should be fine.

Will have fun here (if I could kill my jetlag I could have even more fun) and I'm surely miss you! :-(

The best part of the iPod is the [url=http://www.apple.com/ipod/a...]Accessories[/url] that expand the device. Arne, you might be interested in the [url=http://store.apple.com/1-80...]Media Reader[/url] to allow the 'upload' stored images from a Digital Camera's memory card to the iPod for retrieval later, thus allowing you to re-use the memory card while out and about. It supports CompactFlash (Type 1 and 2), SmartMedia, Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick, or MultiMediaCard (MMC).

BrianG

hi there,

let me start saying there are three amazing things. the first one, obviously, is the ipod itself the second one is that i received this item today by email asking me: hey Julio, any comments about that? but the third is indeed I was the other mvp who bought it

don't be afraid, we are not at the dark side. we're just having a look to see if we would like it

cheers from seattle!

@Julio: So you're the other MVP with the iPod... well that makes three I know of... Jenneth too has an iPod. You might want to check out the protective skins for the iPod too...

Have fun in Seattle. 

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

Like you, Arne, I'm attracted to the iTunes model where you pay a little bit per song or even a set monthly fee for unlimited downloads.  However, I'm opposed to the proprietary formats that these services demand you adopt.  I wouldn't mind paying for music, but I won't be dictated to about where and how I should use the music I've paid for.  WMA and the iPod format both carry with them that kind of baggage.

Especially, given that you're an MVP, I would think you'd have a tough time justifying paying for tunes that you can't use on your Windows-family PCs and/or devices.  For me, I'm fairly satisfied with purchasing CDs and then ripping them to MP3 format so I can use them on any of my PCs at home or work, my wife's Dell Axim PPC, or my old Nex II MP3 player (which doesn't support WMA).

Rob O.

http://www.2dolphins.com

Check out http://mclub.te.net.ua/ for any music downloads. According to the information given on the website it's legal.

@Carlo, don't forget Janak. Or me.

@RobO: iTunes for Windows supports the AAC format as well, so you can play the bought music on your Windows-family PCs. The Pocket PCs don't support the AAC format (but with an iPod, there's not much need for playing music through your Pocket PC), but if you want you can burn a music CD from your AAC files, and then rerip this in any format you want. So in the end, you can use it in any way or form you choose to do. Then again, first we Europeans have to be allowed to buy in the ITMS.

I think the main reason for not getting an iPod would be having to carry it around. I use my XDA2 as my MP3 player in the car constantly. The great thing is.. it also dictates directions on the stereo (at the same time as playing music) while connected to the GPS... AND the music will pause automatically when a call is recieved.  Usually I only put good music on the SD card, so.. I don't really need 40Gb.  Plus I've got a couple other SD cards with WMV movies on them for those long trips.  As far as user interface, the Pocket Windows Media Player could certainly use a redesign for song navigation and organization.  But after configuring some hardware buttons as Media Player functions, most things are quite easy to use without the screen even on.  Also, the iPod doesn't have Voice Command support for creating playlists on the fly. 

I love it when I'm sitting on a train resting my head against the window while listening to music through my XDA II when the phone rings... I slightly move my thumb to the answer button and begin talking to the caller... when the call is ended, I continue listening music.  Ever see an iPod user try to answer the phone while listening to music?

I got my 40 Gig iPod right after Christmas and I agree as good as the Windows Mobile devices are have all my music with me is the way to go. If you have not found this site already the best source for iPod news and forums is http://www.ipodlounge.com. Enjoy and be sure to post so news about your meeting in Redmond, what you can anyway

Arne,

Welcome aboard! I used Macs exclusively between 1984 and 1995, then went to Windows PCs because my employer forced me to. I bought a Newton the first day they were available in August 1993, and became VERY upset with Apple when they killed the Newton platform in 1998. The iPod sucked me back in - I bought one of the first Windows units (10GB) in 2002 and enjoyed it so much that I sold my HP Tablet PC last year and bought an Apple PowerBook G4.

Let's face it, Apple does good hardware AND software. If they could ever do a 2004 version of a Newton MessagePad, it would probably be a killer product!

Well, I was there with them, didn't by the Ipod, but it was fun to see the big smiles at Arne's and Julio's faces ;-)

@Helio Diamant: And you didn't feel tempted to try it out???

Carlo

@Helio: lol I also know some kids who are going to have really funny faces when you arrive home with your presents ;-)

@Carlo: it's a bit off topic but hey guy, you looked pretty good at your own MVP Poster ;-) we really do missed you at the summit. maybe the next time? :-)

@Julio: Thanks! Arne gave me a glimpse of the actual poster. ;-)

I hope to meet you guys next time though...  :-)

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo