see.. this is exactly what pisses me off about Apple and Apple zealots. they have this notion that Apple is the first at everything. that they revolutionize the marketplace. the iPod was NOT the first HD-based mp3 player. they weren't the 2nd or 3rd. revolutionary? let's take a walk down memory lane..

(mind you, i'm not even listing all of them)
- Compaq Personal Jukebox - 6GB, avail. Oct. 99
- Creative Nomad Jukebox - 6GB, avail. Jan. 00
- Archos Jukebox 6000 - 6GB, avail. Jun. 00
- Archos Jukebox Recorder - 6GB, avail. Mar. 01
- Apple iPod - 5GB, avail. Oct. 01
and not even a month later..
- Archos Jukebox Multimedia - 10GB, avail. Nov. 01

let's not even talk about price. i specifically remember when these things were around that they were much cheaper than the iPod. what's unfortunate is that the success of it has forced competitors to push up the prices of their mp3 players.

it's same thing with the iShuffle. USB thumbdrive mp3 players are nothing new. there are countless available with screens so you can actually see what's playing! even the very first portable mp3 player had a freakin' track and time display. i know, because i owned it. and don't even get me started on that MiniMac.

i'll give Apple one thing, they have a phenomenal marketing department. these marketing campaigns of theirs manage to repeatedly convince people that what they're buying is indeed revolutionary, and worth the premium price tag.