iPods also play mpP3 format which standard now. mp4 and aac are available not required.

I see how the battery replacement can be an issue for someone.

The iRiver is supposed to be good. I haven't been impressed with Creative's products or support but I know a lot of people like them.

If you will be running or using it during a lot of high impact activities I recommend getting a flash memory based player versus a hard drive based player. The hard drive can be damaged with enough impact (my iPod will shut off when I am running because of the movement).

I am stunned that MicroSoft chose to call the Zune's wireless file-sharing feature "squirting." Wow.

Actually, iTunes converts your mp3s into AAC so they'll play on your iPod, and getting them back into mp3 format involves digging up some software to crack Apple's code. I know many people are unhappy iTunes converted their libraries.

If I were going to purchase an mp3 player now without any prior iPod use, I would definitely consider another player. Many others are available with FM tuners, the ability to download files from your player to your computer, and many other features, often for less than what Apple charges.

Hummm. I've been dragging my mp3s to my iPod and removing them without a problem. My set-up may be unique though since my music is generally stored on an external drive and played (but not stored) via iTunes (without conversion). I'm pretty sure there is an option to prevent the conversion.

I just double checked, and sure enough, most all of my music is in MP3 format. Some of it is in AAC (mostly the stuff I purchased from the iTunes store), but if it came in as an MP3, it remains an MP3.

Besides, AAC is a better format than MP3 (less loss and audio artifacts). However, there are better formats than AAC.

I could never get iTunes to work so I knew I'd never buy an iPod (and heard too many horror stories of people losing all the work they'd put into the effort to load their 'Pods, only to have them crash miserably). As far as I'm concerned, regarding platforms and proprietariness...a Jobs is as bad as a Gates. I'm trying to avoid both of those guys as much a possible. [/waits for flames]

I find it funny that on the Amazon Top 100 list, the iPod USB Power Adapter is outselling the Zune.

That's pretty sad.

What kind of lame-ass name is Zune, anyway ???

That's their fault for not backing up their data (though, after witnessing the death of CP's iPod, I will never buy any disk-based mp-3 player. No moving parts, thank you very much).

I'd have to agree with that proviso.

So what are the candidates of that type? I'm looking to be the late entry into the portable MP3 unit (actually I had a prehistoric one many years ago) and I'd like some other options besides the Nano.

Any recommendations???