iPod

[graeco_celt]

This would be a poll if I had a paid account but I haven't, so...

Do you guys think it's still worth getting an iPod?

Bear the following in mind, when you answer:

* I know they're going out of fashion and I hear they're not going to make any new models now but I'm not a 'gotta have all the latest bells and whistles' kind of person anyway. I'm

Comments

[gorkabear]

My opinion is that, in your case, you should forget about the iPod and buy another mp3 player. You can get a really good Creative 8GB for 40 euros.

Everything you can get via the iTunes store can be stored as a "standard" mp3 file and move it into such a player (You need to set iTunes first). Moreover, the podcasts and other materials are likely to be possibly downloaded via other means.

iTunes/iPod will make your life just a little easier, at expenses of tripling the price. To me, it's not worth it

[graeco_celt]

Hmm, well, my main reason for even contemplating an iPod (which, as you say, is expensive) was the software issue.

But even if files can be converted, I'd still have to have iTunes software on my machine, right?

The other thing is, yes there are lots of other brands now but Apple is a known and fairly trustworthy brand, so I was hoping that'd be a better guarantee of quality/duration than X brand I've never heard of. However, the Wiki general page on iPods doesn't support that idea.

Hummmm.
Anyway, thank you for your opinion, this is the kind of thing I want, in order to help me make a decision. :)

[gorkabear]

That's why I suggested a Creative. It's a well known brand. There's also good results from Sony's "Walkman", although these are a little overpriced too.

You can have a glimpse about cheap computer products, including mp3 players at the PCgreen website. If you happen to be downtown, we can have a coffee and take a look.

[graeco_celt]

I'll have a look at that website, thanks.

I'm assuming you mean Barcelona when you say "downtown"?

That'd be a good idea, though I'm not exactly sure when would be the best time to do it - technically, I have the mornigns free but something has happened every day this week, to frustrate all of my plans!

Maybe one day next week? (probably Monday, Wednesday or Friday, as I teach midday classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays).

[nonsex_elijah]

so i caved and got my first ipod ever this summer because my job became extremely boring. i got an ipod nano with 8 gigs, and i got one of the refurbished ones so it cost less money.

i got tired of my music in about 2 days, and then went on to podcasts ... and i am hooked. i download new ones every week and i'm subscribed to about 10 or so (NPR stuff, this american life, short stories, the moth). i only really use it for the podcasts during work, but it's been really, really worth it. i also looked into other mp3 players, but i think i didn't want to deal with the inconveniences that were involved; i knew that i would be downloading podcasts and i liked the easy transfer.

so, i recommend it, though if you're just getting it to listen to music/put language tutorials on there, it might be a smarter idea to get a cheaper mp3 player.

[graeco_celt]

Well, the thing is, I've heard that there are a lot of podcasts for language practice, so that's why I was thinking in terms of getting an iPod. But I hear there are also plenty of other awesome types of podcasts out there. :)

Anyway, thanks!

[eniastoa]

Hmm. Since podcasts for language practice are your main focus, and since you will of course be thinking about specific languages, it makes sense to me to find out for those languages where and how those podcasts are available, first. It would be annoying to buy an iPod to be able to to get podcasts via iTunes only to find out that the people making podcasts for the languages you are interested in don't (prefer to) sell via iTunes.

For some, the hassles of DRM compared to plain usable-anywhere-anytime mp3s and the honour system are not worth it, even within the framework of the predominant DRM system.

On the one hand, while gorkabear is right to say that it's always possible to buy something via iTunes and use it on a device other than an iPod by taking another step, those who sell "locked" files via iTunes are betting that most won't take that step. On the other hand, those who sell locked files are forgoing the market of those who don't want to spend the extra money on an iPod, don't like the iPod, don't like DRM, prefer another player,

[quabazaa]

I have an iPod cuz it was the cheapest model I could get in NZ at the time, with enough of a hard drive to house all of my music and Podcasts. Basically I think it's not necessary to get an iPod specifically, any MP3 player which meets your requirements will be good. It's quite easy to convert files, and everything takes MP3 (which won't go away for some time I'm sure!) so I doubt you'll have software issues no matter what you choose :) I'm v happy with my iPod I must say, but for example my brother's MP3 Player which isn't an iPod seems just the same really!

[graeco_celt]

Okay, good to know, thank you. :)

I was getting a bit worried reading on the Wiki page about batteries burning out etc - have you had any issues with this?
Also, am I right in assuming that the battery recharges when you hook it up to the computer? Or what?

[quabazaa]

No worries :)
I have an iPod classic 160 gig and my batteries last for something like 80 hours (?) and yes they do charge when you plug into your computer :) You can also get a car charger or one you plug into the wall.
If I watch video on my iPod it does burn it up more. Oh but not burning out completely, mine is still in good working order even after being dropped XD I have it in a super thick protective case, knowing my own clumsiness lol!!
Btw one of the bad things about apple and ipods is that if you want such a car charger or whatever, you need to use their branded ones.

[pecholobo]

The only reason I got an iPod is that back when I got my first one it was either the only mp3 player or the only decent one that offered loads of space and a fantastic way of organising music. A few years later I bought another iPod not because the first one stopped working or anything like that, but simply because I wanted to be able to watch videos on it too.

You mention you want the cheapest iPod, so I assume you mean the 8 GB nano. If that's all you need, there's probably many other options. However, as you said elsewhere, Apple is usually a brand that you can trust.

Regarding the different kinds of iPods... There's three right now - Nano, Classic and Touch. The Nano and Classic are similar, but the Classic has more memory and the Nano has a video camera (how good it is, I don't know). The Touch is an iPhone minus the phone part!

[pecholobo]

By the way -

I'm still irritated by the fact that I can't find a mobile phone that only makes/receives calls and texts and stores phone numbers.

REALLY? I bought not one but two recently, when my family visited for my wedding in May, so we could communicate easily and cheaply. In the UK you can get very good phones with excellent calling and Internet plans that you could only dream of in Spain, but you also have the option of buying simple handsets too for 10 to 20 pounds.

[graeco_celt]

Dude, which part of "keep your bells and whistles (and stupid bloody internet addiciton) away from my damned phone!!!" did you not understand?! :D

Seriously, I want a phone that makes/receives calls and sms' and NOTHING ELSE. I hate having to navigate around ten different places just to do one simple thing.
I also hate my phone service provider nagging me to get internetted every damned week but I doubt they're going to stop that, no matter what kind of phone I have.
I had a great one a few years ago. I wish I still had it. *sigh*

[pecholobo]

But that's what I mean - you can get phones that only do "phone stuff" very easily in the UK. I'm surprised you can't get them there - every time I visit I feel like I'm back in the Stone Age.

[naatz]

If you can avoid it, avoid it. Not enough functions, user interface not as nice as claimed. . . . Podcasts can be played by other players, too. Go get a sane{r} player.

|Meduza|

[graeco_celt]

Hmmm, I'll keep that in mind, when making my decision. Thanks. :9

[naatz]

Oh, to add: It can survive a fall. My old player {I forget how it's called} died when it hit the ground.

|Meduza|