The new iPods

Today, Apple announced an update to it's line of iPods. I am proud owner of a Mac and and iPod, but I think the new iPod touch is misguided. It's important to keep in mind that iPods are, first and foremost, mp3 players.

Let's start by considering the options presented by the new iPod nanos and iPod classics (which both look awesome!):

1. The nano: An inexpensive, physically small way to carry a modest amount of music, for many users, not enough storage to carry their whole library.

2. The classic: A more expensive, moderately sized device in which you can now carry a massive amount of music.

Now lets see what the brand spankin' new iPod touch has to offer AS AN MP3 PLAYER:
An expensive, physically large device in which you'll only be able to carry part of your music library. The high end model, at $400 for only 16 gigs, only offers half the storage of the low end iPod photo released well over 2 years ago!

Now, apple has an iPod for 3 groups of people. Those who don't want to pay much, want a small device, and don't mind small storage, those who don't mind paying a little more for a larger device with a massive amount of storage, and those who want to pay a ton for a large device that can't hold all their music. I think the last group only contains idiots.

Sure, you can use it can browse the net over Wi-Fi, watch videos (not many if you want to have any kind of decent music collection) on a bigger screen, and amuse yourself with the cool interface. But as an MP3 player, I don't see how you can rationalize paying that much for such a physically large device that can't even hold your whole catalog.

Count me out.