well it's macworld week, and this time al the fuss is about the iPod mini

[Zech Marquis]

the main sticking point is the current $249 pricetag. $200 would be sweet, but I've looked at some of the competing mp3 players in the same price range--for $200 you usually get a flash based player, with only about 256 MB of memory space, and some of the most godwaful controls and displays around :puke: the iPod is already small--I have the original 5Gb model, and it fits nicely in my pocket. The $300 and up models are smaller and thinner--plus you can use that handy dock. The Ipod mini will also have a dock, 5 color choices, and it appears to be the same size as a cellphone--like business card size! :wow:

I'm buying my iBook G4 first--thankfuly it uses the same motherroad as the Mni me Powerbook 12 inch model. I would buy the iPod mni laster int he spring or early summer--I'm going for Airport Extreme WiFi and get rid of the damn wires I have snaking around! And knowing Uncle Steve, he'll probably knock the price down to $200 once the iPod mini production line kicks in full gear.

Judging from the photos, I bet these will sell like hotcakes in Japan and Europe--aha! The worldwide launchs should coincide with iTunes Music Store going international :d

[cprise]

1. Rio Karma...

20GB for only $269. Has a powerful battery, plays formats that are open and hi-definition (OGG, FLAC) in addition to MP3, WMA. It can be accessed from any platform with Java and an ethernet port. And it's just a bit smaller than iPod.

It's also made by Denon-Marantz, and the sound quality is exceptional (over 95dB)!