Well, now Real will be selling songs that will work on the iPod (unless there is an injunction against them but I doubt this)...
The thing about people saying the iPod is an inferior product is interesting. In order to make products cheaper in the states, manufacturers have been putting inferior parts into them...
Example: I recently bought a Canon EOS 300D and it cost about $500 less in the U.S. I could have flown to NYC and back and still picked up a Canon over there (we almost did actually). However, some of the parts in the U.S. version are of lesser quality plus the warranty is only good in the U.S. Why buy a camera with less good parts that doesn't have a warranty where I live? The warranty I have is good worldwide including the U.S. too.
Anyways, what's the point? Well, people in the states want their goods cheap and cheaper. Just like their so-called 'cheap' oil that is soon to bankrupt the nation, it's not necessarily the best policy.
Back to iPods...and...ummm...my forte...these days DESIGN is more important than ever with competition rising up out of the yang. People are buying the best design, not necessarily the best product (although Apple does make pretty darn good products most of the time).
After 5 years or so, I think my Diamond Rio just died - $300 bucks for 5 years...hmmm...not exactly a good purchase I guess afterall...
