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People are very interested. I'm not an apple person, but I'd very much like device that is dedicated to music, works well, and the iPod with the wheel has got t

People are very interested. I'm not an apple person, but I'd very much like device that is dedicated to music, works well, and the iPod with the wheel has got to be the best UX for an mp3 player I've ever seen. "Like" is very different from "want to buy". It just so happens, I've got a device in my pocket (well right now, my hands) that does that job adequately enough. And it does video. And it does interpersonal communication. And I can read documents on it. I remember before smartphones that the market was so saturated with cell phones that companies were basically just throwing out strange form factors to set themselves apart. The entire market was hype. People bought phones based on what their carrier had available, and they picked their carrier based on the plans available, and they picked a plan based on their needs. 10 free ringtones, unlimited email for $30 a month. All the manufacturers knew what people wanted, one device to rule them all, a general purpose computer in their pocket, but none of them could either pull it off or bring themselves to destroy the rest of their consumer electronics business. As soon as apple did it, the demand for everything else evaporated. You buy one device and you no longer need a TomTom, a DVD player in your car headrest, an mp3 player, you name it, its gone. The only things that survived are things that hook up to a big screen in front of your couch, and the screen itself. Gaming computers are a thing, but besides that they're workstations. There's only one personal media device now, and everyone has one. So yes, there's interest in this stuff. I'm personally pretty interested in a little device that just plays sound through a 3.5mm jack that takes a micro SD card and doesn't need daily charging. I'd also be interested in such a device for books (that runs koreader and absolutely nothing else). No networking, no multipurpose, nothing, just that. But admittedly, what I'd pay for those things is low, because I already have something adequate for those purposes, and it's a niche market, there aren't a lot of people that see the benefit to an eBook reader that at least can't google something real quick over WiFi.

sandreas 3y ago
> But admittedly, what I'd pay for those things is low Thanks for you opinion :-) That may be it... was the same for me for a long time, but I also admit that my mind changed a bit. I already thought about paying a whole lot of money for a device that either exactly fitted my needs or even may pay someone to CUSTOM BUILD it for me (fiveerr, etc.). The only thing that is blocking my is my absolutely limited amount of time. Although I already put a lot of effort in this topic, I'd bet developing my own device would take all my free time and more - and also huge amounts of money. That is a risk I can't take, even if people would be willing to pay for such a device. Furthermore I'm an open source enthusiast. It's not my style to develop something and try to earn money with it :-) I understand that a portable audio player is a niche product and everyone I talk to has a bit different requirements and wishes for it. I think the combination of the niche aspect together with the "there is no general purpose product for everyone" aspect will make it impossible. I think I'll stick with my iPod as long as possible and hope for the best, that in a few years Lilygo, raspberry and friends are far enough to put my effort into the software, not the hardware :-)

sandreas 3y ago

> But admittedly, what I'd pay for those things is low Thanks for you opinion :-) That may be it... was the same for me for a long time, but I also admit that my mind changed a bit. I already thought about paying a whole lot of money for a device that either exactly fitted my needs or even may pay someone to CUSTOM BUILD it for me (fiveerr, etc.). The only thing that is blocking my is my absolutely limited amount of time. Although I already put a lot of effort in this topic, I'd bet developing my own device would take all my free time and more - and also huge amounts of money. That is a risk I can't take, even if people would be willing to pay for such a device. Furthermore I'm an open source enthusiast. It's not my style to develop something and try to earn money with it :-) I understand that a portable audio player is a niche product and everyone I talk to has a bit different requirements and wishes for it. I think the combination of the niche aspect together with the "there is no general purpose product for everyone" aspect will make it impossible. I think I'll stick with my iPod as long as possible and hope for the best, that in a few years Lilygo, raspberry and friends are far enough to put my effort into the software, not the hardware :-)