Err, third party? You need to brush up on your iPod knowledge. Genius isn't third party it's built right into iTunes. Genius has been out for at least 2 years. But you are right it's not quite the same. Genius is much better.
iTunes stores all this data about the type of music it is anyway because it is tagged inside the mp3 it doesn't need to be played and analyzed it's there all ready.
Personal choice may make you think these Sony ones are better but 2.5million people would disagree with you and I think that says something about which actually is better
Yeah, third party... As over 90% of computers aren't running OSX iTunes is a third party piece of software. With most other mp3 players you just need to plug it in, no software (other than a driver downloaded automatically). As for genius, sorry, the date on the website showd june 2009, my assumption was it came out then, which made sense as none of my iPod owning friends knew something like that existed. Having said that you mention metadata, in which case it's not the same thing, metadata will just group "rock" songs together etc. the senseme channel brings all sorts of things together, sticking rock, pop and even classical into the same playlist if they have a similar beat rythm.
I have to say the forcing of iTunes and the closed nature of the iPod is one of the major reasons I won't buy one, yes they are quite good, and one of the top players, but their closed system is a massive downer for me. 1. iTunes is terrible on windows machines for the most part, 2. iTunes makes your library so complicated in file structure it's almost impossible to then use folder views in windows explorer to find anything meaning moving from iTunes is very difficult, same with the DRM that used to be on their music, 3. It's very difficult to get music back off the iPod, 4. you can't just connect it up to any computer and share/take stuff off/on. I almost bought an iPod Touch when they first came out, then realised my folly! This is the same reason I would never buy an iPhone (the first two were terrible but the 3Gs is now starting to look like a decent phone as long as they build on it for the next release). The iPad is now looking to go down the same route, closed system making it almost impossible to do what you want on your own device.
Maybe a lot of people don't think that, but that is why am very unlikely to buy any of the products listed above and I also know a number of people who think the same, including those that are forced to use iTunes because they have an iPod.
In a windows vs osx decision it also comes down to cost. Many people choose windows because osx is way more expensive.
With iPods is the opposite, even though they are way more expensive than other mp3players people buy them instead. Which goes a long way to say how much better they are.
Reviews also always put iPods top. It's a no brainer they are the best mp3 player it's a no-contest
They aren't more expensive. They are more expensive than the cheap players yes but against the top end machines they are similarly priced.
So there are more reviews saying that is the best are there?
I know Sony had the most awful software in earlier versions, where as Itunes is regarded as a great easy to use bit of software. The fact remains almost all independent reviews rate the iPod higher, the Ui's generally copy the iPod, it just seems like you are arguing for the sake of it.
As I said before I am sure it will be quite funny to look back on this thread in a year or so, when the full abilities have been out there for a while, as all now is based on it is a big iPod touch. Think you will see a little bit more coming out than that.
Just to remind you some of the comments made on the first generation of other devices
iPod: Too expensive, toy, only firewire, not future.
iPhone: Not enough connectivity, too expensive, toy, no good for business, has to be synced to a computer to update.
See a pattern?
Interestingly the reviews I have read (and I read a few before getting my mp3) stated that the Sony was the better player but the integration with iTunes meant the iPod just pipped it, not because it was a better player. As I dislike iTunes that gave me reason enough to buy the one I did.
The thing is there are a dozen (see other posts above) android devices around exactly the same size and ability being released now and in the near future, not to mention the W7 devices. Apple carved a niche with the iPhone (the iPod was due to the content delivery service, of which there wasn't anything like it before, unlike now), the iPad will have none of these luxuarys.
Anyway, there are my reasons for not getting the iPad myself and hopefully reasons for others not getting them as well, you never know in a couple of years Apple may have caught up with the competition, but at the moment it's an unfinished device in my eyes.
