Controlled Consumer Devices -- Personal Music Players

[Androgynus]

In summer of '10, I finally came to clearly realize just how critical "take-for-granted" technology options like down-loadable .mp3 audio/music files and podcasts have become...as information delivery methods. Along with being PORTABLE information access---genuine quality-of-life enhancers to me also... Trend-wise, if creeping socialism, or Martial Law eventually manage to completely shut off the now "free" internet--or if selective communications controls and censorship continue increasing...then mp3s and downloaded podcasts become ever more critical (imo).

So I went about looking hi-and-lo for a decent-playing "mp3 player"... Reality requirements (or catches) being that the object/PDA/netbook MUST be truly portable (solid-state with no moving hard-drive memory), powered by standard rechargeable batteries. Allowing for replaceable, standardized memories and USB pc connection also.

I didn't want to be bothered (or tied up) with Itunes, Zune-tunes or any such corporate music rip-offs... thus, wide-scale commercially-encouraged convenience devices such I-Pods, or I-pads became automatic no-nos in my search (a filtering criteria which also affected Zune products also).

As I searched-n-rejected, I also come to discover that many of the "top rated" products function only on non-standard, difficult to recharge, inconvenient to replace battery power sources--worse yet, that in many instances...that replacement could only occur through the original manufacturer... Nice planned obsolescence bundled with increased product control.

Combined with modestly sized, but often irreplaceable limited, built-in memories...the grand notion of personal (and privately anonymous) information portability begins to resemble more a misleading commercial-driven control mirage.

I did eventually (with much internet searching/comparing effort) find a used, refurbished outdated "basic" item which met my reality-portability and real PERSONAL USE CONTROL requirements.

BTW, if anyone reading this, knows of some such consumer product that meets the above-mentioned personal-use control criteria, please post your suggestions!... I'd greatly appreciate the PMP-related feedback!

~~A~~

[Anonymous]

I have quite afew floating around. I think the best mp3 player is one that works as a simple flash disk which you can just dump anything on and the mp3 player will try to read whatever it is able to. With the batteries, most non rechargeable use AAA batteries, I would rather AA size, I did mod a compartment on the mp3 player to accept the AA size and the life lasts longer as the price of battery sizes is the same. Also you can just use rechargeable AA or AAA. You can buy these players under $20.

[Androgynus]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll take your modding experience into consideration.

Another serious issue that I have with corporate-encouraged PMPs such as Ipods and Zunes is that in unpredictable extended emergency situations (like wide-area sporadic blackouts or martial-law restrictive conditions lasting several days or much longer)--what is most easiest to repeatedly recharge are standard batteries such as AA or AAA... Certainly not the built-in obsolescence, or hard to replace delegated fancy batteries in corporate-favored products such I-pods or Zunes.

And, not to mention the "content" control function bundled into such corporate-favored PMPs.  

Mac News: iPod: Zune or iPod? Picking the Right Player:
http://www.macnewsworld.com/rsstory/654 ... 1285900238

~~A~~

[§N9sh2bj]

rockbox.org

if your player isn't listed, throw it out.

there are also development versions for some players which aren't listed, so search the forum before letting it go.

[Androgynus]

Well, my two somewhat out-of-date basic PMPs are not listed--but they do what is critically essential to me information-wise...and they easily interchange standard SD memory cards. They also utilize single NiMH rechargeable AAA batteries--hence usable with emergency small solar chargers, or through 12v regulated DC-power battery chargers.

However, this Open Source Jukebox stuff is yet one more flexibilty/adaptability aspect to be considered (imo). Firmware modifiability is important to me--the less of a technological consumer-corporate slave I can be...the better off I'll be.

Also, I'm curious to see how this Jukebox Open Source stuff applies to portable SSD-drive netops.

Rockbox - Open Source Jukebox Firmware:
http://www.rockbox.org/

~~A~~