Better sound...perhaps. Use? What do you mean? Archos is FAR more functional and versatile. My 601 Wifi is also a DVR, audio recorder, and extra hard drive, as well as the mp3 player, video player, internet wifi, and photo wallet. And the audio/video player has worked for over 90% of the various formats and codecs I have loaded into it. How do I load it? By just plugging it in, which the computer recognizes as an external hard drive, and dropping whatever files I want into the drive. No iTunes, virtually no conversion necessary (with the exception of a couple of codecs), no restrictions on what I can load or unload to the device or any other computer. Most of the audio files I tried to put on my iPod, it wouldn't recognize and I'd have to convert, then change all the tags, and then I might be able to listen to them, but only if iTunes was working properly and didn't need to be updated or reinstalled.
The only thing an iPhone adds is the phone feature (and only a fractio nof the drive space, but I'm sure that will boosted on the next generation, which will be paid for from the throngs of consumers who "needed" to have the first iPhone EVER), which may be a bonus for those who already use AT&T and have been longing for their iPod to double as a phone for only twice the price (or more). I wonder how many people who bought the iPhone already had contracts with other cell phone companies they will either have to continue or pay a fee to break. Oh yeah, and it looks prettier. And costs about $250 more.
I haven't poo-poo'd anything of yours, Dame. My comments are all based on my own personal experience. I'm not saying this "to show how different I am" or to be "a rebel" and has nothing at all to do with you personally. I see nothing wrong or particularly rebellious or different in educating others on an excellent product that has been overshadowed by a monster mogul. It's no different than a discussion about, say, Julius Meinl vs Starbucks. Or Shipley's vs Dunkin Donuts.
I'm glad you love your Apple products. My disdain for Apple is equally as valid. And as much right as anyone has to rave about iwhatevers, I have the exact same right to voice my own opinion, based on personal experience (I'm not just raging against the corporate machine or any other idealistic nonsense), and rave another brand I have found superior. Unless Apple has purchased the rights to that as well, packaged it in a cute fun color and shape, with a million accessories (sold separately, unless they came with the unit, then not sold at all), and atrociously overpriced.
Believe me, I have problems with Dell and Microsoft as well. When it comes to computers, there is no flawless system out there. I've just had fewer flaws and more versatility at less cost to me with PCs.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
