Stop Making Incomplete Media Player Recommendations
I listen to, and watch, many podcasts, TV shows, and radio shows about technology. Regularly, hosts feel required to throw their hat in the “MP3 Player” ring. For whatever reason, they take sides, pick a device of choice (iPod, Zune, Sansa, etc.), and try to convince the consumer why that particular one is best for them.
The problem is, they miss the whole picture. Rarely is the portable MP3 player the only place a person listens to their digital music (or watch video). They might listen in their car, listen through their home stereo, and often, they listen on their computer. What makes the iPod so popular for many, is not just the device itself, it is the rest of the options around it. They like iTunes, they like the billion accessories and add-ons, and maybe they like the Apple TV.
The same picture is developing for Microsoft’s Zune. The Zune Marketplace is growing, they now have a deal with Ford to offer the “Sync” integration, accessory offerings are increasing, and more. How about the Sansa and other players designed to work with Real Rhapsody?
The point is, these are all integrated solutions. If you are going to step up and make product recommendations, it is important that you actually know what you are talking about, and help the customer understand the impact of the device(s) they are looking to buy. I would rather not have some noob telling a Mac user, using iTunes, that the latest Zune would be a great fit for them. The same goes for a Rhapsody fan. They need a device that matches the overall picture of their digital media life.
All that to say, if you are going to recommend something, great, but please do your homework a little first. This is not to say you have to be the expert on each device, but have a decent high-level understanding of the basics.
