linh811

i can't stand my ****ing ipod nano......... I've had it for ~4 months and used it exactly twice. The proprietary iTunes interface bugs me to no end...

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

First, there should be a question mark in there somewhere.

Secondly, if a single stereo plug is how you rate the quality and desire of an automobile, you definately need to buy something else.

Turkoman

It's there. It is a pop-up wiindow and in there it is the top choice. If you have a pop-up blocker you may not see it. There is also a video that demos how it works. Fairly impressive.

Gojirra99

rominl

iTrader: (4)

usb is just an interface, how every company do their mp3 players with usb port that's different. if you talk about just usb memory stick then yes it's just memory, that would work. but for example the ipod also uses usb interface, but obviously if you get that cable and connect the ipod to a car with usb port, it won't do anything

ntran18

iTrader: (27)

When you run an update on iTunes/IPod, like Windows update, you really don't know what they are sending you until you complete the update. It's well in their power to change the software to import AAC only and cease support for all other formats, though unlikely. You can always fallback to the previous version, but at some point it will get dated. What's to keep Apple from getting a list of your collection and handing over to RIAA?

LexFather

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I see lots of the kiddies toting these things around. My life isn't so entrenched that I have to have some form of entertanment on hand. This may be a nice option for a generation who DL's music in this manner. For me, it's not an area that would sway me.

Turkoman

True and some say that is better than the new interface. But there are many who do not want aftermarket solutions at all due to concerns about problems you can't take to the dealer, voiding warranty etc. I personally would prefer an official dealer install of an official product but that is me.

One thing BMW gets high marks for is the fact that owners of 2002+ models can retrofit this in their cars. Lexus has always disaapointed me by not allowing retrofit of even the simplest upgrades in their new models (based on my RX experience)

Turkoman

For those who have not been able to reach the link:

The link to the new BMW interface is there in www.ipodyourbmw.com. I noticed however that some browsers will not see the text associated with the link. Move your mouse around the top of the pop-up window where the links appear. When your cursor turns to a clickable item without text click on it and it should take you there.

I guess they are stil updating it and perhaps the sat radio thing is an error (at least most BMW onwers hope so).

akhbhaat

I beg to differ. Oh, yes, I certainly do.

I received an iPod this Christmas as an unexpected gift from a family member. I say unexpected because I already had an MP3 player - a now 18 month old Rio Carbon which, while perhaps not the absolute best product on the market (even at the time I bought it), is/was perfectly serviceable and has a number of very positive traits and design features.

Let's see what the iPod does well:
-Sound quality. Probably among the best mass market MP3 devices in terms of sound quality.

-Software/menu design/layout. Perhaps the best feature of the iPod and the only truly exemplary trait. Navigating the menus is simple, quick, and intuitive.

-Pleasant aesthetic design. Goes without saying.

Here's what the iPod doesn't do well:
-Atrocious battery life (8-10 hours at best!)...and it doesn't charge very quickly, either.

-Fragile construction: the touchpad is a liability, and it's irritating to have to carry the thing in a damn case to prevent damage. Not nearly as durable and worry free as other products.

-Annoying/unintuitive hardware interface. Though some like the touchpad (who knows why), I find it more for show than actual function.

-Must use iTunes to load song files. Why can't I just drag and drop MP3 files onto the unit through the Windows explorer interface?

Speaking of iTunes, once you put files onto the iPod, you can't transfer them back onto your computer. No doubt this is part of some "anti-piracy" measure. I had to get iPod Access (a third party program) to do this.

Another gripe: Apple does not include a wall charging unit. Also, the Apple adapter you can buy seperately is badly overpriced. You can get a basic USB-AC adapter with the same specifications which works perfectly well for about $6.

I'm disappointed with the iPod. The numerous flaws (particularly the mediocre battery life and fragile design) detract from what otherwise has the potential to be a brilliant product. I could live with iTunes, but toting the thing around in a solid plastic case and finding the battery dead a day or two after I recharged it is really starting to drive me up the wall.

Turkoman

Hardly atrocious and I get over 12 hours with mine. I will give you that there are other devices with longer battery life

That is a very subjective comment. Other than surface scratches, they are no more prone to damage than any other hard drive based MP3 player.

I think great majority of users would disagree with you on this. So would Apple's sales figures.

This is so that you can keep our music organized. Have you tried a Dell DJ, which lets you drop songs through Windows Explorer? If you have more than 100 songs, it is a mess. And of course you know you can drag and drop you music into our iPod from ITunes if you don't like automation.


If you are backing up your tunes as you should, there is never any legit reason to transfer songs from your iPod to your PC. You should spend time listening to your music not looking for ways to defeat the anti-piracy measures.

It used to be included but most people do not use it since it charges from the USB port of a computer. My earlier one came with it and I never used it. Also, if you have a $6 third-party solution, you do because iPod is so popular that it has so many companies making products for it. .