that everything with a docking station is proprietary

[the_std]

But see, docks like iPod docks that are truly universal (would have to connect through the headphone jack) would not be nearly as stable or attractive as an iPod dock. The iPod dock connector is enough to hold an iPod up, and iPods are shaped to go along with this. With off-brand mp3 players, headphone jacks can be nearly anywhere on the player, and that is not nearly as neat, attractive or simple as the dock connector on an iPod. Plus, as I had previously mentioned, most iPod docks will connect an off-brand mp3 player. You just need the auxiliary cable. I know that 90% of the ones we sell have an auxiliary in, and therefore can be used with any mp3 player.

Also, iPods having an insane number like 70% of the market share means it makes perfect sense for nearly all docks to be iPod compatible. They're going to make products for what people like to buy! That's so shocking.

Plus, one of the major reasons to buy an iPod is that almost any accessory you want is available for them. It's a bit of a catch-22, but people are buying iPods because you can get accessories for them, and accessories for them are available because people are buying iPods. This is how commercialism is. Some day, the bubble will break and something else will be popular. But fear not - you can still get almost any accessory for an off-brand mp3 player, including docks! All it takes is a bit of knowledge and, some times, a bit of a workaround. It might not be as easy or as pretty, but that's because off-brand mp3 players are not constructed with these things in mind.

[Dreamstalker]

For awhile I had a Rio Karma player; that used mini-USB and had a perfectly serviceable dock that held it upright...I can't use it for my Zen though because the cradle is specific to the player.

You're right about connectors being anywhere; my Rio had it ideally positioned on the bottom of the player, the Zen has it on one side.

[BlaqueKatt]

Plus, one of the major reasons to buy an iPod is that almost any accessory you want is available for them.

no it's because Apple spent an insane amount of money to promote them as the be-all end all of mp3 players(when they don't even play mp3s they play AAC files), and the public rather than research products-went for the hype(why do you think they charge more for having less features?)

[the_std]

no it's because Apple spent an insane amount of money to promote them as the be-all end all of mp3 players(when they don't even play mp3s they play AAC files), and the public rather than research products-went for the hype(why do you think they charge more for having less features?)

First of all, I said one of the reasons, and having a myriad accessories available to you at any given times is definitely a contributing factor. Good marketing (the promoting you're talking about) is part of any successful ad campaign. Almost all of the popular things out there have ads that make larger than life claims to be "the best of the best". And I don't know where you're getting that iPods don't play mp3 files. They definitely aren't limited to AAC files. Any file format that works with iTunes will play on an iPod. I suggest you do some research before you go for the hype.

[Dreamstalker]

But if iTunes is used as the default program and converts it to AAC (it will try), you can't really play/put it on anything else.

[HYHYBT]

iTunes only converts to AAC if you tell it to convert or import them, and changing the setting once in Preferences fixes it. IPods do not play every format iTunes will; for instance, iTunes will play MIDIs directly, but iPods do not, unless they've added that feature recently.

[Boozy]

What is this "attitude" that Apple users supposedly have, and why have I not run into it in my everyday life at all?

I have friends who use Apple products, friends who don't, and friends who use some of both (as I do). Other than a brief discussion immediately after the original purchase (new toys are exciting), the topic of our electronics branding never comes up. Ever. I can truly say that no one in my life gives a damn about what kind of mp3 player or computer I have.

So where do these snobby Apple people live?

[AdminAssistant]

So where do these snobby Apple people live?

Apparently in the greater Kansas City Metro area, because that's where I've run into it the most. "Oh, you have a PC? I don't understand why anyone uses a PC. I have a Mac. Macs are just so user-friendly. Bill Gates is a wanna-be crook. Windows is for stupid people. I can't believe you didn't get an IPod!" blah blah blah

Yes, I have been openly mocked many times for using and liking my PC, my Sanza Fuze, and Microsoft products (by both Apple and Linux users, btw). Actually, if I turned off the cynicism and got down to reality, the main reason why I don't by Apple products? They're more expensive. Always. I actually did use a Mac, back when I was working for a freelance reporter in 2000-2001. And I hated that damn thing with the fire of 1000 burning suns. I understand that it was an old OS, but yes, I have tried a Mac. Did not like it.

[Fashion Lad!]

What is this "attitude" that Apple users supposedly have, and why have I not run into it in my everyday life at all?

I'd like to know that too...

I have a Mac and two iPods. Have I ever degraded anyone for not owning the same as me? I run Windows 7 on my Macbook, as well as Windows Server 2008 (for class) I have a laptop running Vista. I have a desktop running XP and I just built a desktop that's running Windows 7 Professional.

People know the market when they're buying an mp3 player anymore. If I'm going to make docking stations for mp3 players, I'm going with 70% of the market. What's nice about the iPod is that no matter which one I own (for the most part) one docking station is going to take care of them all. Beautiful!

In my class, I get hassled everyday for my MacBook by Windows users. Ugh! Windows users attitude is just snobby.

[jackfaire]

Meh I get attitude from people that hated Vista when I love it people give crud.

[Boozy]

I have a feeling that people who like Vista are those that learned how to use it properly and take advantage of all the features. I never did that, so I don't like it much.

[jackfaire]

I have a feeling that people who like Vista are those that learned how to use it properly and take advantage of all the features. I never did that, so I don't like it much.

*shrugs* I don't know. Honestly computers have always been intuitive for me. Which is great because I work in a call center and most of my work is on the computer.

But on topic I can understand the docking station frustration me I just put a pair of computer speakers in my bathroom for people to hook their MP3s in to.

[Cat]

I converted to the church of mac when I started dating my bf. Never had a major issue with my lappy, my 2 iPods, or iTunes. My PC crashed regularly (what do you expect from Dell??)

And yea, I've noticed more attitude from Windows peeps....and I am dreading when we get Windows 7 at work.

The only time my mac give me attitude is when I try to run a Windows emulator (for when I work from home.)

[BlaqueKatt]

I suggest you do some research before you go for the hype.

I had one-apple "bricked it " with a firmware update-and because it wasn't working(due to their update), I could only get 10% off a new one in trade. I'm not limited to using one specific "store" or program to transfer music-I like that. I didn't have to install anything on my computer-it "just worked" right out of the box with WMP which was already on my computer-it did come with software, which I eventually installed-but wasn't forced to.


where is the "attitude" of mac users?

Try here

and here

"I’m one of those “smug” people. So what? Why should I apologize for having a better system than the schlubs out there too cheap and ignorant to get anything better? Was the virus thing a PR goof.. only if it was false… which it wasn’t. Windows is an open sore. I know it, you know it, we all scream. There is no ice cream. Here’s a parable: I went to France for the first time a few years ago and after hearing story upon story how they were arrogant, I found them to be nice people who are just really into their culture and want to keep it from being diluted. The same thing can be said for Apple. But some people will just complain and complain about not having a cheeseburger on the Eiffel Tower. Nice tangent huh.. My point is this: I love my Macbook. It’s just plain better. Apple.. stay the course. Microsoft’s lack of quality control (not to mention a new OS) will have people coming your way soon enough.

This was in reference to Apple's shipping ipods with a windows virus(small amout but they blamed MS not themselves.

Apple's PR reply to shipping ipods with windows viruses:

“As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses,” said Apple, “and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it.” Even to fans of Apple and the Mac OS, the sub-text was obvious: ‘it’s only because we accommodate PC users that we have to deal with these sorts of Windows-only problems,’ Apple seemed to be saying, ‘but yeah, it’s partially our fault, too.’

[HYHYBT]

I'm sorry to hear that the residents of Kansas City are so rude

How does a firmware update kill a computer?

Mostly I don't care what anyone else uses so long as they let me use mine. The closest I'll get to "snobby" is for the few people who've asked me what they should get, then gotten something else and wanted my help when they had trouble with it. Yes, I'm sure it's just as easy to (whatever) in Windows, but since I don't *use* Windows it will take me longer to find where and how to do it.

Though I was particularly annoyed with Dad's laptop; couldn't get the wireless going for anything. Turns out it has a tiny, unmarked, physical switch that you'd never notice, hidden on the bottom corner. It never occurred to me that there would be such a thing because I'm used to the on-off "switch" being in the menu bar. But I'm sure that someone going the other direction would turn my Macbook every which direction looking for the switch and be confused at its turning out to be the windshield-wiper-symbol-looking thing next to the clock, so we're even.