Invasion of the Pod People

Apple just introduced it's smallest and cheapest iPod, the Shuffle. It's smaller than a pack of gum, holds up to 240 songs and starts at $99. More people than ever will now become Pod People.

I didn't really notice the Pod People all that much until I became one myself a month ago. But once you become one, you can easily spot others. It's the ubiquitous white headphones that give them away. You really notice them once you have one. I heard reports that muggers would look out for them and target their wearers- with some iPods getting up to a few hundred dollars, it could be a nice quick score for a common thug.

I also heard reports of something else that I didn't know whether to believe or not. That sound on the white headphones isn't very good, and that they should be replaced by the user with a better pair.

I'm not one of these audiophiles that require monster cables, high-end equipment, etc.- my musical budget is generally 90% software (music) and 10% hardware (stuff to play it on.) I'm even accustomed to the earbud-style headphone that come with the iPod- I've been using the Sony version with various Walkmen for years. Yet after two weeks of use, I noticed that a drum sound on the standard-issue white headphones sounded a bit tinny- as though a speaker had blown.

I tried my Sony earbuds on the same song. Not tinny at all- and generally a wider range of sound.

So if you see me walking down the street now, you wouldn't know I was a Pod Person. That's just fine with me- I know who I am.

Other Pod-itudes:

• In addition to the headphones, I also read that the aesthetically pleasing white and chrome iPod picked up more scratches than the common lottery ticket. This is quite true, especially on the screen and the shiny chrome back. I'm looking to get myself a case, further separating myself from the all-white iPod nation.
• I've had the iPod for about a month- I'm currently at 2,017 songs. I'm torn between continuing to load my vast collection onto it and holding off until after the Timmy Awards for 2004 are complete. I'm trying to systematically review all of the candidates- I have a number of them to determine a ranking for, and a few who are on the borderline for inclusion. Thankfully, I have all but maybe two of these albums on the iPod, so it'll be considerably easier to review them than in years past. I'll probably continue to load music on, but my 2004 playlist will garner much of my attention until the Timmys are complete.