what i meant was that apple have sort of monopolised the portable music industry, shutting out any competitors they may offer a better alternative...
and i wasn't having a go at anyone just to be clear! i also love a good argument and sorry if i came across as personally attacking you nick, it was far from my intentions.
re the compressed vs uncompressed audio i have to disagree. being an audio engineer i would have to say on any half decent hi-fi equipment or headphones it would be possible to pickup compressed music over an original just as you can tell a (brand new) vinyl recording over a cd. it all comes down to dynamic range. now i understand that an ipod is for listening to music on the go but who hasn't seen someone running a dock into a stereo at a party etc!?
i guess i do live in my own little world sometimes in regards to audio... last post in here as im way off topic!