Bustikated

A quick screencast I made for the basic handbrake config.

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Mr. Gruber points out that

The whole ringtones racket is predicated on the notion that ringtones are something different than songs. This notion is bullshit. You don’t turn songs into ringtones; you treat them as ringtones. They’re not even a different file format. It’s just a different context for playing the same song on the same device.

I couldn’t agree more. Paying for the same song twice is idiocy.

However, he also states that

Instead of the complicated, confusing mess of a ringtone policy that Apple announced last week, what they should have announced is this: Any song you can play on your iPhone can be used as a ringtone for no additional charge. Want a new ringtone? Just buy it from iTunes or rip it from a CD.

And this is where I disagree. I think, that Apple’s stance is good for everyone. They can have an “official” policy which kisses the ass of the RIAA fuckwads, while anyone with half a brain is going to roll their own anyway. It doesn’t take a genius to realize how easy it is to get their own songs as ringtones, and only those people easily duped out of their money will pay twice. I’m a firm believer that stupidity should be painful.

In this same article, John goes on to point out Apple’s history of doing right by consumers. I will say that this is probably the biggest draw Apple has had on my business. They have maintained, more or less, an personal attitude with their customers. Lately, however, they seem to be acting a little more corporately. And that isn’t a good thing. They run the risk of being associated with Microsoft , AOL, or worse yet: Dell.

If Apple were just another huge corporation that came across as not caring about its customers, why would we pay the Apple Premium? I wouldn’t.

A lot of different iPods. A lot of different combinations. Where do you start?

In order to pick the right iPod(s) for you, you have to think about how you’ll use them. For instance, I purchased the smaller iPhone, since I planned on keeping the majority of my library on my 60 gig iPod + Video Classic.

The key issues are

• Price
• Physical Size
• Storage Capacity
• Connectivity

Price & Physical Size

If price is going to be the deciding factor in your purchase, then the iPhone and iPod Touch are probably out. The Shuffle is a good choice if you’re broke and don’t mind the lack of a screen. The size makes it ideal for listening to audio books, playing podcasts in your car, or rockin out at the gym.

If you’ve gotta have more storage, or a screen then the Nano is the way to stay cheap. Again, its compact design and flash based storage make it incredibly resilient and incredibly portable.

Storage Capacity

The iPod Classic is a clear winner here. 160 gigs? You can’t argue with that. This iPod is for the “I wanna have all of my music with me everywhere I go” people. Like me.

Connectivity

If you’ve been drooling over the iPhone since January, then there is no reason not to get one. Unless you’re stuck in a contract with another carrier. (Or maybe you don’t believe in cell phones?) If either apply to you, the iPod touch is equally amazing, with out the hassle of signing your wireless life away.

Upgrade or Mix & Match

If you’ve already got an iPod (or an iPhone) and you want to get a new device, there are a couple of options for you as well.

Again, you need to look at how you use the devices. I primarily keep podcasts on my iPhone, but I do have a few smart playlists that make sure I’ve got my favorites as well. I have 100% of my music on my iPod, and fill the remaining space with videos.

I use the iPod primarily in the car, or connected to my TV. I carry my the phone with me everywhere.

What I’ve done in the past is to simply upgrade my iPod by selling my current one, and using the money to pay (partially) for the new one. If you’ve kept yours in a case, and taken care of it, you shouldn’t have a problem finding someone who’ll buy it for a reasonable price.

Just mentioning it at work yesterday got me an offer of $100 for the wife’s 30gig photo, and an offer of $200 for my video. Obviously, YMMV.

Far be it for me to oppose the Daring Fireball, but I have to say that The Beatles in iTunes is a big deal. A very big deal. Perhaps it is the biggest news of the day.

Everyone knew there were new iPods coming.

We may have been surprised about the magnitude of the iPhone price cuts, but we all knew that was coming too.

The Beatles are coming innuendo was so thick at this press event it got everyone’s speculative juices flowing. It couldn’t have been an accident. Stevie J knew exactly what he was doing: promising us all exactly what we want. John, Paul, George, & Ringo.

Then he let us down.

What possible reasons could there be for such a blatant teasing of our musical emotions? I think the only possible answer is hype. Look at all of the attention the mere hint of an iTunes debut has gotten. What better way to get Apple Corps to see dollar signs than to get people in line to buy?

And when it does happen, people will buy. No other band has had such a profound affect on the face of modern music. The Fab Four set the stage for more than one generation of musicians and music lovers alike.

So, for now, we are all just pawns in an epic struggle to see our beloved musicians in their rightful place, and an answer to that eternal question: How can you call yourself a music store if you don’t have The Beatles?