Poor Man's ipod

bkbroil · #1 02-20-2004, 11:38 AM

If you have been wanting to buy an iPod but you convince your significant other that you NEED to shell out the extra cash, then Starbrite Solutions Limited has created pPod for Pocket PCs just for you!

No need to waste money on an expensive player and carry two items. Buy the pPod today!
Features include:
3 day fully functional demo
A great quality MP3 player for your Pocket PC
Browse your whole Pocket PC including the storage card for MP3's
No need to use the stylus. Designed to be fully operational with your thumbs.
Last Played option to quickly browse to the folder last played
Supports MP3 tags to display track name, artist, and album information
Play music in the background while you work on your Pocket PC
Supports loud speaker and headphones
Supports shells to change the look and feel of your pPod
Supports shuffle and repeat options
Free updates

knelson · #2 02-20-2004, 12:20 PM

I use the free real player and it seems to do everything I need... am I missing some core features?

bkbroil · #3 02-20-2004, 12:26 PM

Quote:

I use the free real player and it seems to do everything I need... am I missing some core features?

No...in fact I use the built in Windows Media player just for the fact that I can turn the screen off while I'm playing music. This adds probably an extra 2 hours to playtime by conserving the power that normally is sucked up by the screen.

Brad Isaac · #4 02-20-2004, 01:16 PM

The first thing I noticed when I went to the product description page is the price. $35.00?

Wow! Considering Pocket Music has OWNED the MP3 player category for 2 years or so, and theirs is just $20 it seems to be a bit of a high price to swallow.
Other than that, it does look like it would be cool if you are into IPODs.

nigeljedi · #5 02-20-2004, 08:41 PM

...if I hadn't just bought an actual iPod...

bkbroil · #6 02-20-2004, 08:48 PM

Wait a minute....You just bought an iPod and a Dell Axim?

You must not be married or have kids! :P

nigeljedi · #7 02-20-2004, 08:49 PM

Nope. Tax time. If it weren't for that, I'd still be music-less and PPC-less!
I bought my wife an iPod, too. Uncle Sam was nice this year.
That's pretty much all the spending of that type for the rest of the year!

Brad Isaac · #8 02-21-2004, 01:57 PM

Nigel,
I'd be interested to know why you would by an iPOD as opposed to getting memory cards and using your PPC? Even though using a PPC probably isn't as elegant as an iPOD, personally, I am not sure I'd use the iPOD all that much. My PPC is always with me, and yes - it's sort of a pain to get music to it. But still, it's hard for me to justify an MP3 player that costs about as much as my iPaq when the iPAQ plays music just fine.
I'm not saying you are wrong. I am just sort of curious. Maybe you'll convince me I need to run right out and get one.

nigeljedi · #9 02-21-2004, 08:14 PM

Well, it's funny that I'd read your post at this particular time. I was just throwing around the idea of taking my iPod back and getting something else. I've had the iPod for about a week, and I've used it a total of ONE time! How's that for non-use!
I thought I'd use it every minute of every day, but alas, I didn't. I absolutely live for music, but I find that I'm either around my PC (with MUCH better speakers) or at work (where listening to music might not be possible). So, if you really love music, travel a lot or have an old portable CD player you need to replace, then by all means buy an iPod. They're ultra-cool and very tech-savvy. But, if you're like me and really don't listen to music "on the go", then I wouldn't bother.
There. That's my "mini-review" of the iPod!

bkbroil · #10 03-09-2004, 02:00 PM

This pPod has been rebranded so that people don't get confused with the Apple iPod.
Notice the disclaimer is a Warning that they are not associated with Apple. I don't understand... were people ordering this software for their iPod and asking "How do I install this?"

You can get it here at Handango.
This superb MP3 player is an essential addition to your Pocket PC! No need to waste money on an expensive player and carry two items. Buy the pBop today!
Features include:
Download 3-day fully functional demo now
A great quality MP3 player for your Pocket PC
Browse your whole Pocket PC including the storage card for MP3's
No need to use the stylus, designed to be fully operational with your thumbs
Last Played option to quickly browse to the folder last played
Supports MP3 tags to display track name, artist, and album information
Play music in the background while you work on your Pocket PC
Supports loud speaker and headphones
Supports shells to change the look and feel of your pBop
Supports shuffle and repeat options
Updated to play tracks in sorted order
Free updates
WARNING - Please be aware that this Windows powered Pocket PC software application has NO connection with and is NOT authorised or supported by Apple Computer Inc. If you wish to purchase the Apple Computer Inc "iPod" device please visit their website at www.apple.com

bkbroil · #11 03-09-2004, 03:29 PM

Pocket PC iPod imitator gets Apple's attention
Ahhh...now we get to the root of the problem. :?
From an article on Yahoo News.
"Apple felt pPod was being 'passed off' as an Apple iPod," Starbrite spokesman Ryan Kelly told MacCentral. "We were surprised to hear this as we have heard of no one buying a Windows powered Pocket PC application, being confused they are buying a hardware device."
While no one would mistake a Pocket PC-based PDA for an iPod, the diminutive device can run a variety of software and store a variety of files, including MP3 audio files. Starbrite developed pBop to give Pocket PC PDA users a "functional, easy to use MP3 player" that Ryan Kelly said is inspired by some of the most popular MP3 players on the market, including the iPod.
Yeah Apple felt the software was being passed off as a hardware device for $20.

Sorry Apple! We're pocket pc users not Apple customers, we're a bit smarter than that!

Brad Isaac · #12 03-09-2004, 11:39 PM

"Apple felt pPod was being 'passed off' as an Apple iPod,"
I'd have to look at the original marketing, but it seems rather silly to use that excuse to go after some guy who has basically made an mp3 player skin that looks like an iPod. Many MP3 player skins serve as free marketing for other products. Look at all the XBox skins, and Matix skins, guess Apple didnt want the free publicity.

jkendrick · #13 03-10-2004, 12:14 PM

I would guess that Apple's position is more along the lines of not doing anything to promote non-ipod mp3 players. While it's silly to me it's no accident that itunes and the ipod are the only devices that can play their DRM protected music files.
While I think it's a marketing mistake on their part they seem to actively avoid any inference that Apple music files can be played on the PPC (MS) platform.
Just my 2c.

Whoosh · #14 03-12-2004, 06:18 PM

It seems like the demo of pPod or pBod has completely disappeared from the face of the earth!

Anybody still have it?
Can someone send me the demo or working link?
Thanks in advance.
whoosh25@yahoo.com

bkbroil · #15 03-12-2004, 06:27 PM

I suddenly can't find it either.....Talk about bullying the little guy....First we have Juni's skins and now this.

bkbroil · #16 03-12-2004, 06:33 PM

I just emailed StarbriteLtd.com about this...we'll see if they respond.

Whoosh · #17 03-12-2004, 06:40 PM

Do ya think Apple flexed it's muscles and threatened a lawsuit?

Whoosh · #18 03-12-2004, 06:57 PM

Found a legit link to the demo. It's a european site ...lol
Email me if you want it. Act soon or else Apple will make it disappear!

bkbroil · #19 03-13-2004, 11:04 AM

I recieved a reply back from StarBrite Solutions Ltd:
============================================
Due to considerable legal pressure from Apple we are no longer able to distribute the pPod / pBop application. Although some of their claims were legally flawed we do not have the funds to fight such as case.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Regards

StarBrite Solutions Ltd

gtr · #20 03-16-2004, 01:25 AM

So does anyone think this demo can be hacked?

bkbroil · #21 03-16-2004, 02:20 AM

Quote:

So does anyone think this demo can be hacked?

Are you asking if we think that someone else can hack it? or are you asking in regards to do we thnk that YOU can hack it? (Like...do you think I can do it?)
The answer is yes to both. If it was created once..it can done again and probably better.

Brad Isaac · #22 03-16-2004, 12:25 PM

If you mean, can someone hack the interface to allow you to change the colors and shapes of buttons, well, might be interesting.
If you are asking about a warez hack or serial number, we aren't a warez site - so please don't.

greekgodchaos · #23 11-12-2005, 01:36 AM

what happens if you dont regester version 1.02? does it expire after a few days? can i use the 1st vrsion of it and not hav to worry about expiration?? someone plz help me out

Brad Isaac · #24 11-12-2005, 10:03 AM

dunno..sorry

greekgodchaos · #25 11-12-2005, 02:39 PM

.......does anyone else know? i assume 1.04 stops working after 3 days, god i hope it keeps going, i just wanna use it 4ever, its such an awesome prgram, and like the cracks im using rnt working, can someone help me?

greekgodchaos · #26 11-12-2005, 07:58 PM

YES!!!!!!! I GOT MINE TO WORK!!!!!! MAKE SURE YOUR PDA HAS YOUR NAME IN THE USER INFO!!!!!!!!!!!!!