iPods have changed the music scene forever. They are much more portable than the walkman or boom boxes, and you can hold a lot more music with them, iPods also provide a better music quality compared to their predecessors.

The iPod offers it all: music, movies, games, and more! Every generation sees numerous radical and incremental improvements and future version are expected to have video-recording/editing, ambulatory motion sensing, and cut/copy/and paste features. The iPod has revolutionized the portable music industry and continues to set the standard with its variety of offerings such as the Touch, Nano, and Classic. It simple to use and extremely durable and as the prices continue to drop the value proposition continues to increase every day.

No more scratched CD's

Music addiction, iPod = reliever

Possibly the best invention ever! I'm too attached to my pc to say its the best, but best when it comes to music players, they are awesome, just the whole idea of mp3's and mp3 players are the best!

love it

Definitely 5. Definitely 5. Definitely 5.

ugh

Great  because it is an easy to use mp3 player.  Not so great because it doesn't play well with others.  My only complaint would be about Itunes.  I'm anti DRM, (I don't think it should be such a hassle to put music on any device I choose after I pay for it without jumping through hoops)  so I try to limit the amount of music I buy through the itunes store and purchase DRM free tracks from other providers.  However, itunes makes it more cumbersome to add those tracks into my library than if I had purchased through them, and does not automatically detect updates and new files added to my music folder.  
Other than that little hang-up, I absolutely love my ipod and take it with me everywhere!

I'm one of the people who thought the iPod was pretty stupid when it came out. I wondered why you wouldn't just buy a Creative Nomad and get more storage for less money. Yeah, I was an idiot. Others may have done it earlier and cheaper, but the iPod made portable digital music ubiquitous and easy (enough) to use.

The idea is great. You can carry as much music as you'd ever want in one small device. My problem with iPods is that people who have them are in their own little world. They'll cross busy streets without so much as looking up and they don't talk to or look at anyone.

I used to carry LPs and 45s to my DJ gigs.  My load was lightened when CDs became listenable.

Now, all I need is a tiny MP3 player that fits in a shirt pocket.

Indispensable!

I have lived without one all this time, and I can honestly say this would not be something that would take top priority on my list.

Nothing beats having a soundtrack when I'm wandering around the city. There's something magical about a device that automatically shuffles through a playlist of songs that you actually like sans commercials or obnoxious djs. Additionally, all the radio I actually like to listen to (npr) is generally available on demand because of podcasts. Brilliant. Apple FTW as per usual.

I remember seeing a prototype "ipod" that Digital Equipment Corporation was working on in 1999. But it was the size of a lunchbox and had a bunch of buttons on it. Miniaturizing a music library so you can put it in your pocket is something that the iPod did first.

One of my must have items.

yeah!

Along with ITunes, this is a wonderful invention and allows the owner easily to  have access to his music collection. It really is a blessing not to have to haul all those cds around and constantly change them in the player. Also being able to make custom playlists  allows the owner to get the ultimate out of his collection of music.

I'm sorry but I've worked with these things and I'm not a fan. I can get the same features out of other mp3 and video players.