Rex, Thanks for the thoughtful comment. "what you've described is basically what I already do with my iPod/iTunes" Sort of. You described a setup that includes $300 in additional accessories (at least!) and some pretty good technical savvy. I'm talking about making it even easier - modifying the form factor to the point where its a no-brainer. The iPod is really an urban device (from the standpoint that it caters to people that have a lot of mobility time on their hands). I'm describing a device more appropriate for the worker/commuter - the stereotypical suburbanite that spends waaay too much time driving and has just enough kids on their hands that dealing with iTrips and Airports is one layer of complexity too many. "...the continuous innovation Apple is doing ..." My point is that there isn't much innovation here. Its all line-extension - subtle refinements designed to make it easier for existing markets to consume. This holds true across the board for most of Steve's undertakings - Pixar, Apple, the iMac, the iPod, etc. All very revolutionary out of the gate, but very ho-hum when viewed over time. Pixar simply continues to render more believable animation, the iMac continues to get more stylish and the iPod continues to get tweaked here and there. Nothing terribly innovative in all of that. There's nothing *wrong* with any of this, I'm just pointing out that there are other market problems for competing firms to deal with. Ultimately, the solution to one of these problems will unseat the iPod - a day I'm looking forward to because I can't bear the crazy high-prices on this gear! :)