is ipod ripping our wallet ?

I don't know why everyone's so crazy about ipod. I think ipod is nice but not THAT nice. Anyways, I bought an ipod nano for my dad cause he wants to listen to something on his journey (cool eh, a 53 year old man wants a nano...hehehe). So, I bought it in a duty free shop at the airport cause he's gonna take it home (to Indonesia) anyway and you can save on the GST which is quite a lot for nanos, around AU$30.

Because I bought it at the airport, I can't really check whether it's working or not, or even put some songs there and test drive it (nanos are famous for their easy-to-break-LCD, apparantly). Then, back in Indonesia, my brother smsed me asking whether the ipod can be charged without a computer. I said (confidently) OF COURSE, why not ? Just find the adaptor inside the box and plug it to the wall. That's a silly question I thought, but it got me thinking, my brother is dumb but not that dumb (hehehe...).

Then, I went to check the apple's website to find the content of the box. Found it, but I can't really understand which one refers to which so I refer to the online manual. I looked for 'Charging your ipod' or something along the line and I found it. "To charge the ipod, plug the cable to the ipod on one side and to your computer on the other side" (I paraphrase a bit..hehehe). OK, fair enough. Moving along, "Optional, you can charge your ipod anywhere by the USB power adapter" (again, paraphrase). I was like WHAT ?? OPTIONAL ?? since when does recharging needs a computer ??

I looked on the website again and went to accessories for the ipod. To my dismay, there it is, a USB power adapter for AU$48 listed as an accessory. I was shocked, 50 bucks for another adapter, which should be included with the ipod in the first place. I think somebody in the US should sue Apple. I don't think that Apple mentioned that you need a computer (mandatory) if you want to buy an ipod. I don't understand why Apple can be so greedy. I think it's a PATHETIC marketing strategy. To think that a big company such as Apple can think of a strategy like that, it's quite REVOLTING. Is Apple competing with Microsoft in who's-the-lousiest-company awards or something ?

And just recently, I read a PC magazine that says Apple is going to introduce an 'ipod tax' as a way to earn more money with ipod. So, basically every other third party company that wants to make an accessory for the ipod must pay Apple a percentage. In return, the company can put a sign on the product, MADE FOR IPOD. What a joke.

Unbelievable. So, I had no choice but to buy the adapter. Which sane person would turn on their computer for 3 hours only to charge their ipods ? Apparantly, the adapter USED to be included in the first generation of ipod but it's not anymore. So people, realise that when you are buying an ipod, the price you pay is not just $299 or $499 but it's more. Don't forget to add $50 for the adapter, another $50 for the stand (or dock or whatever), $50 for the remote, $30 for the skin (or cover), $70 for the FM transmitter, and so on and so on (and don't forget that the battery only lasts for a few years).

I'm not trying to put ipod sales down or anything (hey, I also bought the ipod remember). I just want to say to Apple, COME ON...