There's been much hype and chatter over the new release of iPods. I have to admit I kind of dig the new look. I've had my 4th-gen, non-color-screen, 20-gig iDooDad since fall of 2004. I did not feel compelled to trade it up for a 5th-gen number last year, or the year before that, but this year I'm definitely intrigued by Gen, the 6th. My battery is beginning to show it's age so it might be time for a new music delivery device, only this time I'll be able to venture into the world of video, as well. The 160GB "Classic" is looking mighty fine. Of course, so is the 80GB at $250. Not necessarily pocket change, but certainly much better value than previous models. Apple is actually driving down its own prices by releasing other "cooler" models like the iPod Touch. This is good news for me. The Touch is definitely nifty, and I like the Wi-Fi ability they've integrated into it, but 16GB just doesn't cut it for me. So I can benefit instead from the bigger muscle and smaller price tag of the new Classic models.

The real entertainment in all of this has been the fact that Apple dropped the cost on the 8GB iPhone a whopping $200 from it's initial price in June of $599, which—it's worth pointing out—was just two months ago. This lead many early adopters to protest that they paid too much. Then there was a backlash of articles from people who think these guys should essentially "quit their whining." On the one hand, I agree with this sentiment. As Michael correctly points out, "Bottom line, if you don't want to pay the early adopter premiums, don't buy 1.0 products. From anyone." Right-O! I am most definitely NOT an early adopter, and I'm damn proud of that fact. Give me 2.0 or 3.0 products, please. I like them cheaper and less buggy.

But even though I agree that you have to have an iron stomach to be an early adopter, there's definitely something fishy to me about a $200 price drop in just 67 days. What it tells me is Apple took advantage of their most loyal, dedicated—and let's be honest—wealthy group of customers by inflating the price on a product that was worth less to begin with. They knew these people would buy the thing no matter what it cost. Now, as a sign of goodwill, Apple has given the people who bought the 8GB iPhone a $100 gift card which they can use to buy, you guessed it, more Apple products. Whoa. Apple's really bending over backwards on this one! Meanwhile, the people getting refunds are bending over, too. The other way. For a supposedly media-savvy and cynical generation, we blissfully have our blinders on when it comes to Apple.

Oh, Apple, you know us so well. You know that even when we're angry at you, we're really just angry at ourselves. Because all we really want is ever more of your iGoodness. Thank you for watching over us. Give us this day our daily iTunes. And forgive us of our debts of $200 too much for over-valued products, as we forgive those who give us $100 to spend in their own stores. And lead us not to anything un-hip, but deliver us from Microsoft. For thine is the iKingdom, and the iPower, and the iGlory forever. Amen.

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