 of a market would there really be for a 'high end' iPod with a higher end DAC? How much more would it cost due to smaller scales of economy? About the best I think we can hope for here would be to get some form of digital out- anyway, I digress). What sorts of features can you reasonable imagine being added to what is supposed to be a PMP/Media device. They're not going to add a GPS to it- that's in the iPhone- they'd poach their own territory. They could add something like an e-Book reader, but you'd need a larger screen- which would make it a pretty lousy device to carry in your pocket to listen to music with. And it seems like Apple is working on building a Tablet PC anyway, so there's that. With the exception of the Shuffle- all of the iPods are capable of displaying TV shows and Movies. The iPod Nano now has a built in Radio - I would've liked it if it had HD Radio (then I would definitely buy it). So, reasonably- what more could you add to a portable media device that you can carry easily in your pocket? An digital television tuner?
Personally, I think the iPod Touch is nearly perfect. The only thing I'd add is a FM + HD radio. But depending on the price of the Apple Tablet PCs, I probably won't get one. I'd rather have a 64 GB iPod Nano (or my current iPod Classic) and a 7-10" Mac Tablet.
I hope that the reason for the relatively uninspired iPod updates isn't because Steve Jobs was ill and that things will be back to normal now that he's back- otherwise that doesn't bode very well for Apple's future.
An iPod that output digital without BS software... That's change I can believe in. Maybe next year.
AND what do you want from apple? They have what have same devices like other companies. Touch player: Apple Ipod touch 64 Gb, Microsoft Zune HD(3 years later), Sony X1000, cowon S9, Samsung P3. All of them have +- same functions(sometimes wifi, sometimes bluetooth). Apple also have small, really nice Nano, and they have 160 GB monster player, who have that? Zune?
Well, the AMP3s of the world are interesting niche products but are clearly not in position to challenge the capacity and scale that a company like Apple commands. As for Steve Jobs being back, I truly believe that is an important element in that 'edge' that iPod needs to keep dynamically ahead. It was almost exactly during his absence, it appears, that this most recent round of ho-hum 'upgrades' were conceived and produced.
I could still see a few revolutionary changes like bluetooth or other wireless output, but mostly it will probably be'more for less', i.e., more memory for less money in a smaller form factor. People will always enjoy listening to music on the go, so we could all probably agree that some form of iPod is here to stay, but I guess the question is will it plateau soon? And what will be the next big product to take over? Music/video implants?
I don't think the inclusion of products like the S9, Walkman or the AMP3 will really put a dent into Apple's dominance. Apple has had a great run - wildly unexpected. Just when I thought the iPod line would slow down, they came out with the Touch / iPhone and started the craze all over again ("There's an app for that!").
What they need is another feature that they can market as a "must have". Right now, I don't see anything in the new line that can do that. The video camera on the Nano is interesting, but it's not going to replace the the marketability of the App Store.
I was hoping for a 32 gig Nano this time around. Have no need for the camara, and video on that small a device.
Now the improved internals, and 64gig iPod Touch, I might need to upgrade my iPod Touch 2.0. Would mean one of my kids will be happy. Not adding a camera to the Touch is a bonus for me.
I have an iPod and more or less like it (except iTunes.) But it is certainly not hi-fidelity or what I would consider "cutting-edge." Sure it's popular, but does this mean anything? The Hifiman, on the other hand, is designed to be a true high-fidelity portable device. To me that is far more cutting-edge. Not that I have 600 to throw at portable device right now.
The Zune HD has "optical audio output" - Sounds good to me.
Not to take anyone's side, but that's just it, to YOU it is cutting edge. To regular consumers, you present them with this argument and they tell you "But my iPod already sounds good, besides it is smaller, look better, trendier, cheaper...and so on so on"
To you and me, popular iPod means nothing, just more money for them. To consumers that do not know more, they will think good job steve jobs for creating a product that makes their daily life easier with this small music player.
I am still using my 80GB 5.5G iPod in my car. I'd consider a switch when they come out with a 200+GB model so I can put my entire music collection on it and not have to choose as I do today. 160GB is not enough for me. 250GB or 320GB would be ideal.
I doubt it is ever going to happen soon as there is probably not much investment in R&D for 1.8" hard drives - all the actions is in SSDs nowadays. The Intel X18-M has hit 160GB now, the next generation may hit the mark, but Apple buys NAND Flash directly from Samsung et al, and they would probably just release an expanded capacity iPod Touch than fit Flash emulating a HDD in a Classic case.I previously wrote about Washington expanding its sales tax to cover candy and bottled water. While exemptions might serve a public policy purpose, they tend to make the law more complicated because the exemption must be carefully defined. For example, what is the difference between candy and non-taxable food. In the prior post, I include the Washington definition of "candy." One thing that makes something not be candy is having flour. So, a Kit-Kat bar is not candy!
The oddity of these exemptions is that lawmakers don't realize the amount of time and frustration that accompanies them. The Seattle Times reported that the drafter of a table listing all types of things people might think are candy and whether the particular product is taxable or not, spent two months on it ("Candy man's job can be taxing" by Nicole Brodeur). The table is amazing - you should spend a few minutes scrolling through the numerous tables on different types and manufacturers of these food items.
A better approach is to either tax or exempt an entire category rather than subsets. For example, tax all food or exempt all of it. Or if you want to start taxing some of the exempt item, select a category that is easier to identify and define, such as canned items or liquids (although the rationale for doing so might not otherwise make sense). Washington could have just taxed all food along with lowering the overall rate (due to the base broadening) and adding a refundable income tax credit for low income taxpayers.
The world is changing yet tax systems have been slow to change in the same direction. This can hinder economic progress, lead to a loss in tax revenue, and frustrate taxpayers. Here, I explain some of the problems at the federal, multistate and California levels, offer ideas for reform, and an opportunity to comment on what I post. These views are my own and not necessarily those of my employer or any organization I'm connected with. Thanks for reading and posting comments (this page gets over 14,000 visits per month)! For more on tax reform, please visit http://www.21stcenturytaxation.com. You can reach me at annette.nellen@sjsu.edu.
I am a tax professor and Director of the MS Taxation Program at San Jose State University. I teach courses on tax research, tax accounting methods, taxation of property transactions, state taxation, ethics, and tax policy. I am active in the tax sections of the AICPA, ABA and CA Bar. I currently serve on the AICPA Tax Executive Committee (chair). I am a past chair of the AICPA Individual Taxation Technical Resource Panel and a past vice chair of the Executive Committee of the California Bar Tax Section. At SJSU I chair the Athletics Board and serve on the WASC accreditation steering committee. I welcome your comments to my blog posts.
One point I've seen brought up a bit is that Cal's lightsaber doesn't look that good, that it looks unfinished and needs touching up with the colors. Seen a lot of comments comparing it to a "glowstick".

I too shared this sentiment at first but honestly after watching the gameplay a bit more I got to say I'm really loving the color and look of his saber. Mind you blue sabers have never been my favorite, so that says something for me personally that I really love this color. People are saying the blade should he white with blue glowing around it, or that it should be this way and that way... Honestly I actually really like the way it looks now and don't want it to change. The blue color is unique and doesn't look like most other blue sabers, it's a bit of a dimmer and more subtle blue color. I also like the blade being blue itself, it looks very unique.