Huh? I didn't know mp3 was an Apple proprietary format ;-)

Instead, there are firmware updates that everyone here warns will "brick" your player. There are projects out there to modify the iPod. But really, why change it?

As for FM tuners, both mine stink. And I think the logic goes something along the lines of "they are carrying xxGB of personally chosen music, why would they want to listen to static ridden radio?"

The ipod plays mp3's because it has to, but the real purpose of the ipod is to lock users into iTunes and it's DRM scheme, and not all FM radios are crap and full of static, the one on my mp4 player and most of the other players I own is very good.

http://erantech.en.ec21.com/product_detail.jsp?group_id=GC01561699&product_id= CA01821402

Now with a video camera and SD card slot. Is Apple ever going to catch up?

Here in China, MP4 players much larger selling than real iPod. In other country, Apple advertising is what the consumer appeal to, and term "MP4" not well known. But here is exact opposite. Also Macintosh computer sell less (we have PC laptops the look like Macbook)

The question is not about whether Apple is ever going to catch up with clones. But whether Apple wants to catch up or not.

Besides the limitations of using itunes and locking users with DRM, the ipod i could frankly say is very much better than typical clones in terms of build quality and reliability. Needless to say the 12 month warranty.

If i had the choice of choosing between being free from the limitations mentioned above, and having good build quality and reliability. My answer would definitely be to chose the good build quality and reliability.

Most of the forum regulars in here have gone from AMV players to Rockchip or Telechip players, i'm one of them too. The reason is basically Rockchip or Telechip is able to provide more reliability than typical AMV players.

Frankly speaking, Apple does not need to "catch up" with the clones. Apple is the creator of nanos, the clones are simply lower-quality copies.

Besides, Apple had already developed the iPhone for sale since like last year. It has a camera, touch screen, wifi, bluetooth, GSM, etc. Everything that any PMP could possibly have. I've not yet seen any clones with these features. The closest is the Teclast T59, but it is still in a conceptual stage.

CECT P168. Released several weeks before real iPhone, and currently sell very popular in China.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_8wuVEYMZ8

lolita , this discussion is pointless. You have your views and i have mine.

Everyone in the world knows that the nano clones are copied ipod nanos. Fact.

Everyone in the world knows that CECT P168 is again a copied iphone. Fact. Just google for CECT P168 if you haven't done that.

The reason why people buy clones is not because they are "more advanced" than apple's range, but simply because it is cheap, and it does the job. That's all.

There will still be people whom are apple fans, and there will still be people whom are mpx fans. For sure, i'm no apple fan nor mpx fan. But whichever offers the better value-for-money factor would definitely earn my dollar.

Excellent point.
My kids each had one 'til they broke them.
In my very limited experience with itunes, I found it to be, very simply, bloatware.
Add to that, the restrictions of how many times you can copy (?), and to what device, only being able to play on another Apple device, and, guessing here : Popup ads, and intrusive personal data collection or spyware, I'd have to pass.
I made them use itunes on their mother's 'puter.
I would never put that junk on my box.
The only thing I ever liked about Apple was the hardware. Touch wheels are still cool.

The ipods are definetly nice...but
the simple fact that I cannot easily take my Ipod to a friends comp, plug it in and share is a total dealbreaker for me.
Some people show up to a party with chips and dip or a bottle of wine, I like to give my freinds good music that I think they will like.

Re: Bash me all you want
 

Personally I find the Cowon D2 far greater value for money and more versitile with ......
2,4 & 8 onboard memory, Unlimited expandability with SDHC memory cards up to 8GB in size.
2.5 inch, 16 million colour, 24bit touch control LCD.
52 hours audio\10 hours video on a single charge.
WMA, MP3, Ogg, Flac, Wav audio.
WMV, AVI video.
Fully customizable Audio\Video Audio, EQ and Enhancements plus presets.
Flash Player for Games and Apps.
Text Reader.
Picture viewer with dragable zoom.
Notepad\Paint Utility
TV-Out, Line-in, Mic, Fm Radio Record. You can set it to start recording FM at any given time\daily\weekly.
Alarm clock function Radio\Music.
Hold\Lock mode programmable buttons for blind use in pocket or bag.
No Proprietry software needed.
MTP or MSC connection.
And its fully skinable so you can even give it an iPod Touch facelift if you feel the need.
My 4GB only cost me $160 USD.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4681/cimg2672jh8.jpg

Probably it was so in the beginning...
"Everyone in the world knows that the nano clones WAS copied ipod nanos. Fact."

But the "clones" have overpassed the expectancies created by Apple iPod. Cheap machines are delivering extra functionalities in a level of quality that is constantly growing. It's just a matter of time to reach the levels of quality that iPod still have... without their restrictive habits.

On the other hand, to say "more advanced" is not so wrong as you think, I invite you to take a look to brands like Ainol, Archos, Oppo to mention some. You just take a look to Archos AV700 and you'll see that the highest product of Apple get pale with this marvel. Anyway is not a bargain... it cost twice than an Apple iPod, but technologically is lots of steps ahead.

Concerning this overrated "phenomenon" which is iPhone... gosh!!... by the way cell phones and PDAs where developing... the guys of Apple just give a small step and take advantage of their name to create this product. In this aspect Apple have not invented anything... they just put the logo to something that sooner or later would appear.

Again... it's just a matter of time... as Apple knows themselves... reducing their prices by US$ 200.- making thousands of fans wear the hat of a donkey.