At least they're no longer calling it an iPod-killer. It's now an iPod-beater!

is this anything like egg beaters? Not the real thing, but a substitute?

When will they ever learn that by copying the design, you can never 'beat' the real thing.

If someone wants to make the next iWhatever for their company, it's going to have to be quite different and function much better. Until then, it's all a bunch of "me too!" operations that can't get the press or recognition to even think of competing.

microSDHC slot. That would be a really nice addition to the iPod line. Having audio capture is pretty cool as well. I could care less about a radio anymore. The $50 price difference is the interface and iTunes compatibility and is more than worth it.

my .02¢

I care about radio because I listen to NPR a lot, and sometimes sports when I am away from home. I had a Moto phone with a radio built in and I started using it more than my iPod. Unfortunately the radio only worked when the headset was plugged in, and the headset plug broke off in the jack so that phone's radio doesn't work any longer. Guess I'll have to get some kind of radio adapter for my iPod.

Mp3/video player, voice recorder and FM radio?

Plus expandable flash memory! All for less.

Seems to me that could at last give the iPod a run for its money, as long as whatever they use as an iTunes equivalent doesn't suck.

I'd pass though on the PlaySkool colors.

are cool. Too bad it's not an iPod.

I think those are two features that would be great for Apple to add but they stubbornly won't. Just add these features Apple and be done with it.

I can hear the responses already. Well then don't use the FM radio or voice recording.

But they're great small features that should be on every iPod.

is excellent. Room to grow that the iPod doesn't offer.

I happen to work at one of those places that uses filters to block iTunes and Qt downloads. It's done by a simple name filter. The easy solution is to bring the PC version with me on a flash disc from home and install it from there. The issue, however, would be that you can't download updateas through software update, but have to manually pull them down and install from an external drive as you did initially.

If IT is serious about making the iPhone happen, they will adjust filters to be more specific when relating to these two apps. The reason usually cited for filtering is to stop people from streaming music (oddly enough, I can stream music ONLY through iTunes- they haven't caught on yet).

Does anyone know what ports software updates and such use? If it is port specific, it'd be a simple change, or if your filters allow for specific sites to become exceptions to filter rules, then your necessary utilities would get through.

Personally, I see the point as mute. These hold-over measures might help, but when enough people clamor for adoption, especially those with hire/fire power, IT will have to relent.

I sincerely dount Apple will make a "business" iphone, their track record shows that "pro" models are simply more powerful and retain features that still use the same OS/software. The best you can hope for is an external keyboard connect via the dock connector. Look to a 3rd party for that little piece of hardware.

I happen to work at one of those places that uses filters to block iTunes and Qt downloads. It's done by a simple name filter. The easy solution is to bring the PC version with me on a flash disc from home and install it from there. The issue, however, would be that you can't download updateas through software update, but have to manually pull them down and install from an external drive as you did initially.

If IT is serious about making the iPhone happen, they will adjust filters to be more specific when relating to these two apps. The reason usually cited for filtering is to stop people from streaming music (oddly enough, I can stream music ONLY through iTunes- they haven't caught on yet).

Does anyone know what ports software updates and such use? If it is port specific, it'd be a simple change, or if your filters allow for specific sites to become exceptions to filter rules, then your necessary utilities would get through.

Personally, I see the point as mute. These hold-over measures might help, but when enough people clamor for adoption, especially those with hire/fire power, IT will have to relent.

I sincerely dount Apple will make a "business" iphone, their track record shows that "pro" models are simply more powerful and retain features that still use the same OS/software. The best you can hope for is an external keyboard connect via the dock connector. Look to a 3rd party for that little piece of hardware.