Interesting Column from cooltechzone.com written by Gundeep Hora:

Seriously, I think we’ve all heard enough about Apple’s iPod! It was somewhat revolutionary back when it first launched, but there are far more competent MP3 players that deserve our attention nowadays. For the Apple fans reading this, let me clarify that I am not against Apple or its products. Apparently, as I have found after publishing previous articles, a number of you can’t take it when someone gives Apple a hard time. Now that we are clear on that, I must say that the iPod is more or less an epidemic these days. I can understand why it’s a fashion accessory for teenagers, but when an entire business model, a plethora of similar product designs and ridiculous number of accessories are made for the iPod exclusively, I believe it’s crossing the fine line of supporting a particular product and insanity.

It’s all Hype, Anyway:
As the subheading reads, Apple’s iPod isn’t what it used to be; it’s completely surviving on its past reputation and the fact that every teenager seems to want one, all thanks to his/her equally “tech savvy” group of friends. Back when Apple first introduced it, it was something special that generated a lot of well-deserved buzz. Not anymore, though. From a technical standpoint and from the looks of the player, it’s pretty decent but there are far better alternatives out there than the iPod. Whenever Apple makes an announcement related to the iPod, the media is all over the story, as if Apple is the soothsayer of all portable audio players. But how come the same media doesn’t give well-deserved attention to the likes of Samsung, Rio, iRiver or Creative. After all, these companies have produced products that can literally kill the iPod family of MP3 players from a technical and features standpoint. The only thing saving the iPod is its clientele of teenagers and the once innovative appearance. Read more