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iPod Direct CD Player/MP3 Converter for Ipod

N

needthephone

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 4, 2006
813
0
sydney
Why don't apple bring out something like a walkman which you dock your ipod into so that you can transfer CD's directly to it without the need for a computer? The CD player could also be used, wait for it, as a walkman if you just wanted to, it could also charge the ipod too.

OK it sounds lame but there are lots of people out there who are bamboozeled about how to get music into an ipod and probaly don't even own a computer. We brought an ipod as a birthday present for someone (after they hinted at one) but when they received it they had to wait about a month before they found someone to show how to use itunes etc etc-we sent it overseas so couldn't help.

Its arrogant to think that everyone feels comfortable with this brave new world of downloading software and being conversant with a computer-a lot of people hate them, my wife for example just uses email and word for word processing and just can't be bothered.

So why not help the millions out by giving them a way to use an ipod without the need for a computer? I thought technology was about including people not excluding them. Or is an ipod just another tool designed to force people to buy computers or buy stuff off itunes? Why make people use computers when they don't want to-they probably have better things to do. There are an awful lot of people who just feel left behind by this ipod craze as they simply don't understand how to put music on the things and hate computers. I am being devils advocate here but I'm sure most people will know many people, young and old, male and female who are just turned off computers and by default ipods.

Why not even combine a cd reader into an ipod, there must be a way surely?
 
I think the only way Apple could make the process of getting music onto an iPod any easier is if they pre-installed the tracks, like on the U2 iPod. :p

Also, the CD reader would need internet access to get the appropriate details for the tracks. :(
 
OK I think it's extremely easy and you find it easy but there are lots of people who just don't know where to start. The track think could be got around in other ways, I know there are other mp3 converters who don't name songs and albums etc.

To simply point and laugh at the poor souls who don't know how to use a computer is not the way to go about it-make technolgy easy for everyone.
 
I know. Sorry, I'm being facetious. I spent an entire morning teaching my granddad how to simply import CDs and that's not even starting on the transfer to iPod so I understand where you're coming from. I'm a bit surprised nobody's capitalised on this though. Sorry for being a wanker. :eek:
 
I know exactly what you mean, no worries, its a good to debate and you made a good point. I also find it very hard to understand why some people are so frightened by computers but there is REAL fear out there. A lot of people are feeling alienated and left behind and it shouldn't be like this. I was speaking to someone today (not that much older than me) who said .. and soon I won't be able to listen to my own music without having to have a degree in computing.

On the tack recognition-think outside the box. People liked home taping and writing the songs on the casette liner so why not have a hand writing recognition pad built into the CD convertor unit so people can write out the tracks by hand or a keypad?

I'm just arguing for the millions feeling left behind!!
 
needthephone said:
On the tack recognition-think outside the box. People liked home taping and writing the songs on the casette liner so why not have a hand writing recognition pad built into the CD convertor unit so people can write out the tracks by hand or a keypad?
Click to expand...

Because at that point you might as well have a computer!
 
to be honest, itunes really is simple.
IMPORTING:

1. take cd
2. put cd into cd slot

*everything loads up, track names are found etc*

3. click 'import' (can also set itunes do import automatically)

SYNCING IPOD:

1. Connect Ipod

All finished, this really is simplicity
 
mad jew said:
I think the only way Apple could make the process of getting music onto an iPod any easier is if they pre-installed the tracks, like on the U2 iPod. :p

Also, the CD reader would need internet access to get the appropriate details for the tracks. :(
Click to expand...

Just an FYI: The U2 iPod did not come with pre-installed tracks. It came with a coupon for $50 off "The Complete U2". To date, no iPod has been sold with pre-installed DRM'd tracks (unless perhaps via some third party). I believe the issue is that it's too tricky to add the iTMS account to the tracks after they're on the iPod plus the potential to have those tracks wiped out accidentally from an auto-sync. :)
 
There are lots of peole who don't own a computer and have no interest in them.

The printer manufacturers have done a similar thing by allowing you to print directly from the camera without the need for a computer.

It is very easy to use itunes but it does take a while first to import the songs from the CD and then copy them on, I'd love to just be able to by pass the computer stage.

I was listening to an interview by David Gray (UK musician) and he said that the thought of having to transfer his 1000's of CD's first to a computer and tehn to an ipod put him off getting one.

There is a real need for something like this. Outside of work i would say I know as many people who loathe (with a passion) computers and would not know how an ipod works as I do who know how they work.
 
Then they shouldn't be buying iPods. I am infinitely amazed at the amount of people who don't understand how an iPod works. It is built for and meant to sync music off of your computer! Then they complain that they can't edit the track names or will lose their music if their iPod dies, gets lost, or has to be exchanged or fixed.

The side of the box says "Requires Mac or PC...".

One guy I was talking to the other day was telling me that "well, the batteries will die in a year but you can just send the iPod in and they send you a new one... only problem is you lose all your music." What???

and then... "It'd be cool if they made a way that you could keep your music on your computer instead of just having it rip CDs straight to the iPod, cuz then I'd have a backup..." ?? ???? ? ?!!!?!??!????!??!!?

So many things wrong with what was coming out of this guy's mouth I didn't know where to start. The concept is not hard. iTunes is the control room of the iPod user experience. Without it (and a computer, obviously, or apparently not so obviously), you're pretty much crippling your use of your shiny new gadget.
 
Why not make the ipod independant of a PC with a small cd transfer device? What if you went on holiday with a wallet full of CD's and you wanted to change songs on your ipod so you just pop in a CD into your doo dah thingy and transfer without the need for a PC?

I would guarantee this gadget would make money and sell shed loads. It's such a pain having to fire up a computert to do everything and as I said lots of people still don't own one.
 
I think it would be a cool gadget, but i won't really expect it to sell so much.
Usually people that "don't bother" using computers wouldn't probably bother using anything else than a regular cd player to listen to their music anyway.
People that don't have a computer and are not afraid of them, instead, should simply go and buy one. If you have the money to buy an iPod, you are very likely to have the money to buy a cheap computer to use as your "docking station".
For everybody who already meets the minium requirement (owning a computer, like the box says), the iTunes software makes it a simple 3 steps job to load music on the iPod, it really can't be easier than that.

Bottom line: you can give an iPod to your grandma as a gift, but she will continue to listen to FM radio when you are not around.
 
needthephone said:
Why don't apple bring out something like a walkman which you dock your ipod into so that you can transfer CD's directly to it without the need for a computer? The CD player could also be used, wait for it, as a walkman if you just wanted to, it could also charge the ipod too.

OK it sounds lame but there are lots of people out there who are bamboozeled about how to get music into an ipod and probaly don't even own a computer. We brought an ipod as a birthday present for someone (after they hinted at one) but when they received it they had to wait about a month before they found someone to show how to use itunes etc etc-we sent it overseas so couldn't help.

Its arrogant to think that everyone feels comfortable with this brave new world of downloading software and being conversant with a computer-a lot of people hate them, my wife for example just uses email and word for word processing and just can't be bothered.

So why not help the millions out by giving them a way to use an ipod without the need for a computer? I thought technology was about including people not excluding them. Or is an ipod just another tool designed to force people to buy computers or buy stuff off itunes? Why make people use computers when they don't want to-they probably have better things to do. There are an awful lot of people who just feel left behind by this ipod craze as they simply don't understand how to put music on the things and hate computers. I am being devils advocate here but I'm sure most people will know many people, young and old, male and female who are just turned off computers and by default ipods.

Why not even combine a cd reader into an ipod, there must be a way surely?
Click to expand...

When is it coming out?
 
If all you're interested in is music from CD,why not stick to a simple CD player? They are a great deal cheaper than an iPod. "Combine a CD reader into an iPod" that would be the size of a current CD player and wouldn't be something you could stick in your shirt pocket. CD players are cheap, work with headphones, you can replace the batteries yourself, and play music fine. If all you want is to listen to music easily, stick with a cd player. An iPod is a computer anyway and takes time to learn.
 
CD direct to Ipod- certified compatibility-check

Hi I just found the device, I can get you one, it's standalone and portable just a little larger then an external CD drive, comes complete with integrated software to rip and convert a CD and export it directly to an Ipod or most MP3 players.

Portable-meaning small size, but its AC power operated, not battery.

Send me an email to my profile I will hook you up with the details.

Less then $150.00 USD
 
needthephone said:
Why not even combine a cd reader into an ipod, there must be a way surely?
Click to expand...
Not enough benefit

needthephone said:
I was listening to an interview by David Gray (UK musician) and he said that the thought of having to transfer his 1000's of CD's first to a computer and tehn to an ipod put him off getting one.
Click to expand...
Then he doesn't have to get one, as with all purchases you have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages, sure you may have to transfer 1000's of CDs but picking which CDs to take with you on a car trip would be a lot easier with an organized library/playlists then picking and choosing out of the thousands of CDs or even carrying all those thousands of CDs

needthephone said:
What if you went on holiday with a wallet full of CD's and you wanted to change songs on your ipod so you just pop in a CD into your doo dah thingy and transfer without the need for a PC?
Click to expand...

If you're going to be carrying around the CDs anyway why not just use a CD player? I have an iPod so I don't have to carry around 1400 songs worth of CDs.

But the main reason Apple will not do this, it would not help the iTunes store and would promote illegally copying a friends CD, they aren't exactly hurting when it comes to iPod sales so why should they marginally increase the number of iPods sold while not getting the benefit of the owners to use the iTunes store and create more friction between Apple and the music labels?

Afterthought: Also it would require a more complicated iPod interface which Steve Jobs does not want.
 
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