Thanks for the feedback. In responding to the suggestions, please remember that I'm not trying to just "shoot down" your ideas (which I ery much appreciate.) The devices suggested so far, however, won't work for the following reasons:
If you need something with a lot of storage, I'd consider something like an Archos (there are a few other brands of similar devices as well).
Unfortunately, the Archos devices don't support audible files, so these are not viable options since I don't want to get caught up the whole issue of converting audible files to regular mp3s. While this can be done, the idea here is to get something that doesn't need so much extra work to get it to work.
If you need only music, I'd consider something more like a Sansa/iPod.
This whole thing started due to the uncertain future of the iPod or other Apple devices with MC (which appears to be code for "don't expect it to keep working in the future.") Third party plugins may help alleviated this issue at some point, but with apple putting so much effort toward preventing this sort of thing from working, along with the fact that the plugin will need to stay on top of JR updates as well, I fear that this could be a potentially tedious situation.
In other words, the iPod or any other apple product is simply not an option.
The Sansas do not offer gapless playback, which is an instant and total deal breaker. I absolutely require gapless playback for many of the bands that I listen to. If the Sansas DO eventually offer gapless playback, they'd be a possibility IF they offered large SD card support -- 64GB in the near future, and 128GB cards next year some time. (128GB cards, by the way, will finally render hard drives necessary in these devices.)
If you want a real multi-function device and this is more important than storage, I'd look at a Smartphone: iPhone, G1, Blackberry. There are a few good Windows Mobile phones too, but if I was going that route I'd consider the G1 strongly
Again, apple products are the CAUSE of this thread, so the iPhone is out. I don't need a multi-function device -- I just want a media playback device. Music-only would be acceptable if all the other conditions are met, but I'd like video and photo capability as well. I really don't need it to be a phone, and I'd actually prefer it not to be since the extra electronics just take space away that would be better used for better amps, more storage, etc. That said, being a phone would not "eliminate" a device from contention.
The iPhone is obviously not a contender due to the reasons already stated. Neither the G1 nor any of the blackberries offer enough storage space. Carrying at least a "very large" portion of my library is a "must-have" feature, so 60GB or more is required. I would be willing to TEMPORARILY settle for 32GB, but only if 64GB or larger support was going to be added in the not-to-distant future.
A final option, if you really want to sacrifice pocket-portability for usability (and fulfill that dream request #5 above):
Asus eeePC 1000H (or Acer Aspire One).
Pocket-portability is mandatory -- I could deal with something a "bit" bigger than an iPod Classic, but even the smallest notebook/laptop is much too big. I've seen some very small "pocket" computers from a company called oqo, but I'm afraid that these might cross the "size" line, and they're really expensive (over $1K.)
I certainly wish they weren't winning the Douchebag Award for their software support side, but that's Apple. And there is something to be said for the fact that the closed ecosystem affords them a singular focus. That focus is a big part of what allows them to really make sure that their products do pass that "Just Works" test.
Unfortunately, this also leads to the incredibly myopic designs of apple devices. If the guy in charge doesn't personally need a feature, this feature simply isn't considered regardless of how many customers ask for it. People desperately pleaded with apple to implement gapless playback in iPods for YEARS before apple finally incorporated it. The REALLY frustrating part is that the hardware was capable of this for years -- Rockbox proved this. Apple, however, decided that regardless of the numerous posts on their forums and online petitions asking for this, they just wouldn't' consider it.
I've looked a LOTS of different handheld devices online, some from companies that I've never heard of before. So far, ALL of them are missing one or more of the features I need OTHER than the iPod Classic, which brings us back to the the issue of potential MC compatibility issues and the reason I started this thread. The thing that attracted me to "pocket PC" or "PDA" units is the fact that you can buy different software for media playback on these devices. This means that you have more choices in finding something that suits your needs, along with the idea that as new software comes out, you can "upgrade" the player simply by upgrading the playback software. Unfortunately, I cannot find a pocket pc type unit with a decent amount of storage.
Larry,
Sorry for hi-jacking your thread. When I figure out what it's about, I'll split the conversation off.
No problem -- I just hope you guys remember to come back to THIS thread after you split the other conversation off.
Thanks again,
Larry