[josh @ Jan 16th 2006 1:51PM]

The new gigabeat actually looks pretty slick. There are more sources to get videos, its thinner than the ipod, and it isnt that bad looking. Granted it doesn't have the slick aluminum-white/black of the ipod, but I also suspect it doesn't smudge or scratch anywhere near as easy.



I have nothing overly personal against iPod but I think apple may just repeat mac history. They design a good product but control the entire platform. Enter MS who only provides part of the platform but generates 8 million options, and eventually ends up with the majority market share. I own an iPod now, but I will never buy music off of itunes because I am fairly certain I won't use the iPod forever (well that, and I hate the iTunes app with a passsion so I won't buy any music that requires I use it to listen to said music). I'd rather have options and ultimately I think MS will be the one to offer them.



That being said, I think all of the WMA/WMV players out there need to adopt a universal accessory adapter if they plan on eventually capturing any market share. The ipod certainly has the accessories market and it isn't in the financial interest of any third party (like griffin) to create accessories for a particular non-ipod player. Creating accessories for all non-ipod players at once may be a different story though.