Yes your kids will hate you if you buy them anything different

iTunes will load up the Podcasts if you copy and paste the URL into it; you can also download regular MP3s and add them to your collection, then just copy them over.

I have a Creative Zen Extra 30Gb which I bought when they first came out. It's bigger and chunkier than an iPod but it does what it says on the tin. IMO there is too much storage; I have about 600 albums on there, it's not full and some stuff I have never listened to. Keeping it smaller is better as you'll be more selective with your choices.

I like mine because I can play it through any radio (via Belkin FM transmitter) and also via a cable through my sound system. No looking for CD's one room or t'other.

Thanks, didn't realize BBC was on the podcast bandwagon

Something to watch out for with the iPods are the accessories that really you *need* to buy with it.

Such as:

A case - for protection
A regular plug recharger - my Nano only recharges when plugged into a computer or in the car.

etc..

These tend to be expensive.

In fact, that URL I posted on the other thread was a Podcast URL, just copy and paste it into iTunes; it's very slick.

Also I-tunes FM transmitter for the car. I agree, these accessories are way overpriced, they know they have you by the b**** in a hot market

I can gather 2 things about Apple:

1) They have excellent designers and make cool looking stuff.
2) They use the above to sell their stuff at prices way above anyone elses even though the hardware underneath is the same.

Ergo...Technically a half the price Creative or similar will do exactly what an iPod will do. Tell your kids to buy their own if they simply must have an iPod but you will get them something if what they really want is an MP3 player that does a good job but doesnt cost the earth.

PS When anyone mentions Apple I have a mental image of the orignal Apple computer that turned up in our school, er a number of years ago....it looked anything but cool.. more like a pile of bricks with a tiny green screen stuck ontop.

I have the Creative Zen Touch - it claims 24 hour battery life. I haven't timed it but I usually go a few weeks between charges the amount I use it.

It really depends on what sort of size you want. Others have given some good recommendations and information on the different types so that will probably point you in the right direction more than I can.

We bought our son the iPod 20GB PC+Mac for his birthday in August. We spent weeks and weeks trying to figure out which one to buy and in the end I think we made the right decision as our son absolutely loves it and has the earphones in most of the time.

I have just been to look for it to check which one he has and the little sod has taken it to school when he knows full well he isn't supposed to.

Apple's iPods are the best selling MP3 players worldwide - the larger hard drive based ones now have video playback capability, while the smaller Nano 2GB and 4GB have colour screens but no video capability. The iPod Shuffle has no screen (and is a dreadful player, IMO).

For all the talk of Apple players being more expensive, you'll actually find that nothing much can compete with the iPod Nano for value - Apple are selling their 2GB and 4GB flash-memory based players for less than almost any other company right now. Combine that with excellent industrial design (the Nano gets scrached very easily apparently, but a little Brasso fixes that right up!) and the best user interface on the market, and you reall can't beat Apple's current generation of players.

We've purchased a Creative Zen Micro 5 GB MP3 Player for hubby's daughter as a Christmas pressie, simply because it comes in green (her request!) Bought thru amazon...however, the 6gb was on sale cheaper thru bestbuy.com, but sold out before I hit the purchase button (grrrr).

Thanks everyone - you've certainly given me a lot to think about and research a bit further.

Karma to everyone except where prohibited by local ordinance spreading laws [Lionheart and dbj - will you take a rain check? ]

Check out the Iriver too, if u want something small, cheaper, exc battery life........mine is a 1gb, which will hold some 250 songs or so.........flash memory

highy recommended!

IRIVER

Karma doesn't even seem to matter after the 13 th box anyway??? JUst tell me why Elvira and why are you Don Giovanni's girl? I've been curious for a while now