Is That All There Is?
Some thought it would be a rack-mount home entertainment device.
Others, a PDA, or a web tablet. Instead, Apple today introduced a
run-of-the-mill MP3 jukebox.
Called the iPod, the device can hold up to 10 hours of MP3 music.
For the same price, $399, Creative Technology offers a jukebox
player that holds at least four times as much music. Even
hardcore Mac fans won't get much utility out of the iPod, because
the the vast majority of file-sharing services don't work with
Macs.
Apple isn't responsible for media speculation. But the company
should try to live up to its reputation for developing innovative
products that engage consumers (read: iMac). The iPod will sell,
but with so many other options out there, the device will get
lost in the shuffle.
