For a lot of folks, one very useful thing would be to bump up the buffer space to 96 or even 128MBs. Much better to have 45+ minutes skip free than barely 12-15. This would also greatly help those looking for full fidelity (you can fit barely one full fidelity song in the current 28MBs).

Color screens and photo viewing aren't half as useful as bigger buffer size would be (for most folks who bought Puds to play music).

I don't see the benefit of adding a color screen to the iPod unless it is capable of playing video. Displaying photos can be done just as effectively on a camera's screen. Apple is totally missing the boat by letting M$ get a headstart with their mobile video devices.

Radio would be a really nice addition to the iPod. I enjoy NPR and public radio, in addition to my whole music library, so it would be nice having a device that did all this internally. I realize there are adaptors, but I find them cumbersome when running and such.

I agree keep the "built in" features simple, extend battery life, BUT don't hamstring 3rd parties from making add ons in any area the HARDWARE is capeable of! I was all set to buy iFM from Griffin that would have given me FM radio to my iPod, but some policy or decision at Apple prevented them from releasing it. f*** you Jobs, if I want a Gdamned radio with my iPod, you shouldn't stop me! And CD quality recording with iTalk...no hardware based limitations exist, Apple is simply preventing it. If they worked WITH 3rd parties to ENCOURAGE other capeabilities instead of stopping them because it doesn't fit the Jobs vision, then the obstacles preventing some buyers from buying would be removed and other players could not easily brag abilities iPods don't and never will have.

You mixed up the ifm and the universal remote control that griffin developed and showcased on macworld expo. Apple banned the idea of the universal remote control but it was griffin's decision to halt the ifm production. The reason was because they would need the first generation ipod remote control to function and they were taking too long to develope the product when apple already shipped the third generation ipod.

I think the primary reason Apple stopped Griffin is because they are already working on this themselves. They had an ad for an iPod engineer well-versed in FM -- draw your own conclusions.

82?! Holy c***!

Yeah, so much for the Dell "iPod Killer." Buh bye!

I can't think of Dell ever producing something on their own and doing a good job of marketing it (if you can, post it)... Selling generic PC boxes with Windows pre-loaded is an easy marketing job IMHO.. Everyone knows what a PC is, and even know what specs to look for (if buying a Windows-machine).. Selling an MP3 player is much tougher I think.. You have the newbies who have no clue what to look for (in which case, they've probably heard of an iPod, and nothing else, by name at least) and then you have the folks who know what they want (Either they'll buy an iPod or go with something other than the current Dell DJ)--- Reading the article on the Dell DJ... wow... one press release about it since it's introduction, way to go Dell Marketing!

But, the problem is a) Apple has nowhere to go but down, and (b) I just read on MacNN that Dell's new DJ is going to be an iPod killer.

I also don't think Apple should overload questionable features into the iPod. How many need/want an radio? (OK, I do, but many don't, but only if its got AM/FM, there are times when I wish I could listen to a game and all I got with me is my iPod). high-fidelity recording? I still don't know why people want this. Video? Great! More reasons to squiont and s**** up my sight.

BTW, the Washington Post reviewed the Windows Portable Media Player (or whatever they called it) and they called it great, if it weren't for such things as trees, lampposts, fire hydrants, other people, and anything that you can walk into.

...but let developers make accessories! radios, recorders, vibrators, whatever!

That "Dell DJ Will Be an iPod Killer" article is mistitled. It's only speculation about what Dull is going to do to revamp their DJ music player.

Somehow, I have the feeling that Apple will keep high-quality recording crippled on the iPod to avoid the recording of DRMed tunes straight to the 'Pod.

... These days I see more and more people who don't want an iPod, simply because it seems like everybody else has one. I think it's time Apple extend their market and offer something new, just for the sake of doing something that not an iPod in the music player market.