On Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:07:21 -0700, Rod Speed wrote
(in article <5ebi1oF374pu6U1@mid.individual.net>):

> Michelle Steiner <michelle@michelle.org> wrote
>> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>
>>>>>> Most have a lousy UI.
>
>>>>> Yep. But the ipod UI still leaves quite a bit to be desired anyway.
>
>>>> Only because nothing is perfect and everything can be improved.
>
>>> Nope, iTunes particularly has a pretty poor UI,
>
>> OK, exactly what are iTunes' failings?
>
> Its not very intuitive when loading the ipod with mp3
> you already have on the computer for example.

Yeah, that is really difficult. Plug the iPod into the computer (it
automatically launches iTunes, that's a daunting task) when iTunes launches
pull down the file menu and select "Sync iPod". Boy that's sure hard and
non-intuitive, yessir. I don't see how anybody ever figures it out!
>
>> And what applications do those things better?
>
> Its rather more intuitive to just drag and drop those mp3s
> etc you already have to a drive which is the media player.

Yeah, I can see where that might be easier in some cases. But with works with
lots of related cuts, that could be a disadvantage.

>> And how do they do them better?
>
> See just above.
>
>>>> But the iPod has the best UI of any portable
>>>> media player extant--until Friday, that is.
>
>>> Nope, plenty of cellphones leave it for dead, essentially because
>>> they integrate the media player with other capability.
>
>> The iPod isn't a cell phone; how can you compare the two?
>
> Those others combined those functions long before the iphone ever showed up.
>
> Apple was very slow to see the need for that.
>
>>>> Why do you think that the iPod has that recognition factor?
>
>>> Essentially because its an Apple product.
>
>> And all those Windows users flocked to the iPod because it's an Apple
>> product?
>
> Nope, because of the brand recognition, they recognised
> the brand when they decided they needed a media player
> and a superficial look showed that its a viable product.

It's more than just superficially viable. Every test of players that's ever
come down the pike has placed the iPod above all others. Many have cited the
GUI as one reason.