After years of denial and abstinence, the Merino family has finally succumbed to the pressure and fully converted to the dark side… yes, we are now iPodders.
When Apple first came to market with the iPod and iTunes, I refused to give in to the hype. I forged ahead with various mp3 players and smart phones while tirelessly converting my Napster downloads (legal, of course) to unprotected mp3′s that could be played on any player I threw them in. I tried getting the kids excited about music with Sansa’s and Sandisk’s mp3 players, while I used my Windows Smartphones to play my tunes. Sure, they worked- they played music. But that’s about it. When Apple introduced the iPhone and iPod Touch to the market, they finally got my attention. Not just music players, these devices are full blown entertainment systems with gaming, movies, podcasts, GPS, photos, internet, not to mention music.
I was the first convert in the family. With the new job allowing me to commute via train and bus, I wanted to have the option of drowning out the ambient noise (some of which was quite colorful) with my choice of sights and sounds. As effective as a good book is, it simply can’t drown out the noises. I ponied up for an iPhone and never looked back. It’s been 3 months now, and I am still playing with it as if it were a new toy.
David was the second convert. He used some of his Bar Mitzvah money to buy his 8GB iPod Touch, and has been flaunting it in front of his brothers ever since.
For ChrismaHanuKwanzikah, we decided to get Steven his own 16GB iPod Touch, which made Mark the odd-man out. So with Bar Mitzvah money burning a hole in his pocket, Mark bit the bullet and bought himself an 8GB iPod touch this weekend.
The only thing we have to worry about now is how to keep the music organized, and the four iPods charged without the inevitable “Power” struggle (pun intended).
The Merino iPod Family Portrait:
