Lately, I've been feeling a lot like Carrie Bradshaw. I've finally found true love with my Mr. Big - the iPod with Video. After two years of using the cheapo, but compact and functional, iRock digital audio player, I recently received my very first iPod as a birthday present. I wish I knew how to quit it! My iPod brings me classic episodes of Beavis and Butt-head and South Park. If I miss a new episode of Desperate Housewives or the razor-sharp cartoon parody Drawn Together , I can watch it on my iPod the very next day. At some point this year, my iPod will even be able to retransmit whatever programming I have recorded from my TiVo. Not to mention the fact that I can finally use iTunes as my central library for all the music I wish to make portable. As The Governator might say, "Hasta la Vista, Windows Media Player!"
Right now, I'm in the early throes of love - the infatuation stage. But once the butterflies wear off, what will I be left with? A three-pound, sleek white machine that plays movies, TV shows, and songs in the palm of my hand. And with a battery lasting less than three hours. This begs the question - ultimately, why is it so great that I can do on a small little screen exactly the same things I can do on a large screen? Lugging one's music library around on an iPod at all times makes sense, since music permeates our daily commute, our time at work, our time working out, and our leisure time. But does the advent of the video iPod mean that we will now watch movies while driving to work and TV shows while we jog? Is the video iPod a novelty item or the catalyst which will ultimately transform the manner in which we consume filmed entertainment content?
I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on this issue. Meanwhile, it's only 10 days until Valentine's Day. Time to buy my wee electronic boyfriend some cool new iPod threads. Seriously!