iPod Shuffle is stupid

[C_ntua]

This is not a topic to blame the product. I just one as a present (good g/f). It was nice, small and handy, just lacked one feature. To be able to change albums. And I am thinking from the programmer point of view.
1) Every song is stored in the memory of the iPod
2) I suppose there is a table which holds the memory address of the beginning and ending of the song
3) So, couldn't there be a table that holds the memory address of the beginning of each album? It seems very simple
4) If I am completely wrong about the whole changing song/album system and for some unknown reason it is hard to change an album, couldn't there be a table that says how many songs there are to skip ahead, to change an album?
5) The main problem is the buttons. Well, pause + >> could change an album or something, in order not to ruin the +-<<>> iPod style with extra buttons
6) I am sure that "buy a more expensive one" is the answer, it just makes me furious when a really simple option is not implemented in hardware.
Another example. My mobile phone has 3 options for vibration. On, off, off when on silence. Would it hurt put "on when on silence"?
OK, I feel better now :P

[Mario F.]

>> I am sure that "buy a more expensive one" is the answer,

Actually I find the least expensive ones the best. They don't try to be anything more than a mp3 player.

[FillYourBrain]

my phone is an erickson walkman. I think it does everything that an MP3 player needs to do. And yes, you can choose an album. Also has FM tuner. Best part? Got it free with the plan. So I don't know how that figures into the whole "buy a more expensive one" answer!

[cyberfish]

What if you have > 10 albums? I imagine choosing an album without a display would still be a hassle? Perhaps that's why they skipped it altogether. Of course, could've been done as an incentive to buy a more expensive version, too .

The problem is the iPod firmware is closed source, so there is nothing you can do.

For anything except the shuffle, there is ipodlinux and rockbox, both of which you can modify yourself.

*edit*
Apparently they don't work on the latest iPods

"Nano2G, Nano3G, Nano4G, and Classic 6G will not be supported anytime soon due to encryption and copy protection issues."

I have a Nano 1st Generation, so it works fine, but my next mp3 won't be an ipod. Good job, Apple.
*/edit*

[Raigne]

Personally I think that putting a little more money in to get the additional features is worth.

I bought a iPod touch last year, and upgraded to the iPhone this year, and all the features work beautifully.

[Elysia]

I don't like mp3 players and I don't like iPods...
I want a portable computer :|
No hassle with unsupported formats, missing features such as no selecting albums or skipping ahead a number of songs

[robwhit]

also weighs a ton.

[Elysia]

Yeah, and takes forever to boot
I wish there was a small laptop that weights little or nothing and starts up in an instant.
But there are ultra portables weighting about a kg now. Not too shabby.

[maxorator]

Yeah, and takes forever to boot
I wish there was a small laptop that weights little or nothing and starts up in an instant.
But there are ultra portables weighting about a kg now. Not too shabby.

Linux that starts instantly after turning the machine on but also allows to "continue booting" to Windows. So you can access the basic apps from that Linux or you could click the "boot to Windows" button.

http://www.splashtop.com/

[zacs7]

I bought a Gigabeat F20 for $150 a while ago, they were like $500 when they first came mout.

Get this, it has a 2" screen and can't play videos -- the slogan is "Music is better in colour". So I chucked rockbox on it. Now it's the best player ever invented . Videos, games, text editors, file manager, etc. It's basically like a computer.

[Elysia]

Doesn't work on Archos Wifi devices though, according to information. 'Tis a shame.