macnn/ipodnn
12/13/2007, 7:25pm, EST
Thursday, December 13th
Apple gadgets more difficult for PC users
Thousands of consumers hoping to enjoy music, photos, and movies with Apple gadgets they receive this holiday season may need to learn some basic skills before diving right into the devices. Dave Taylor, a SupportSpace Committee member specializing in Mac as well as handheld technologies says the jump is even more difficult for most PC users. "Apple's iPhone and the latest generation of iPods have delivered enormous power and simplicity to the average consumer, but the technology is still complicated and usability is not 100% intuitive, especially for Windows users," he said.
"The key for holiday shoppers who want to avoid holiday frustration is to gain key bits of knowledge so they can enjoy their fabulous new tech toys."
SupportSpace CEO Yair Grindlinger says consumers need to quickly get the right answers to their questions, and that speedy aid is especially important during the holiday season when people would rather enjoy the technology than becoming frustrated by it.
The company is offering a list of tips for Windows users hoping to receive an Apple iPhone or iPod to help soften the learning curve, focusing specifically on the unseen obstacles most users will face:
- Audio files are in different formats: Apple iPods prefer MP3 formatted music, but Windows systems default to Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. Windows users who have a library of music will need to convert the files from WMA to MP3.
- Windows Media Player and Apple's iTunes compete for digital files: Users manage all content through Apple's Windows software application iTunes. Without it, copying music on to an iPod or iPhone is not possible, and if iTunes and Windows Media player "compete" for the data, users are in for hours of frustration. Once users learn to use iTunes, which they must install on their computer to get the iPod or iPhone to work properly, they can then manage audio and video content on their computer and have it automatically sync with their handheld device.
- Adding movie files is complicated by digital rights management and different formats: The constraining digital rights management policy of iTunes software and different video file formats can be difficult to work around and understand.
- Loading photos is not Plug and Play: For Windows users, managing photos can be difficult because there is no default photo application for Windows that is tightly integrated into iTunes. For Mac OS X users, iPhoto and iMovie functionality is seamlessly integrated into iTunes.
SupportSpace is also offering general tips for iPhone and iPod Windows users:
- Be sure to download the latest iTunes software from Apple: Particularly for Windows Vista users, it is critical to install the latest version of iTunes (Version 7.2 or later).
- Rip audio CDs in the proper format: Use iTunes to burn audio CD's, or if users want to use Windows Media Player, they must change its settings to create MP3 files, not WMA files.
- Understand issues about copying DVD movies to iPods and iPhones: Going to the iTunes Store to repurchase and download movies already owned on DVD is the legal way of getting the content onto iPods and iPhones. Copying DVD movies onto the iPod or iPhone is not legal, but can be done easily by purchasing third-party software that circumvents DVD encoding systems. Users should understand the associated copyright issues and proceed thoughtfully.
- Carefully manage content between multiple computers: iPods and iPhones "pair" to a single computer and will not allow users to copy digital content purchased at the iTunes store between multiple computers. It is important users carefully think through which of their computers should be paired with the device and "de-authorize" computers that won't be used any longer.
Filed under: iPod, iPhone, gadgets
Other story tags: music, Windows, movies, photo, movie, mov
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iTunes is the most popular music player on the market, even when MS try to bundle and shove media player down consumers' throats. There is nothing to learn, because it's the MOST POPULAR PLAYER and people can actually figure it out easily. MANY DJS use iTunes to catalog their library because in addition to its speed, ease of use, it's actually really powerful!
Can movie files with DRM be added via other programs as easily than iTunes? No it's not possible.
Photos not plug and play? That's because the default MS program for photos and graphics is JUNK. A MS shortcoming is in no way a fault of iTunes.
in all seriousness though watching a windows user on their first mac (i've supported dozens of people over the past 10 years) is funny, they actually go to great lengths when the simplest solution is necessary.
So these people either have really low IQ or they are in for it by making false statements.
I rather pay more and have a smaller market then placate to the stupidity of those unable to do what is simple.
Although i think the Mac is by far easier to use then a PC and i support both at the office.
For some reason, people are afraid of the unknown.
Consumers really need to stop listening to geeks! Both before & after purchase.
McD
Think about that for a second. And you will understand the MS philosophy - "Let them think they are geeks, but actually keep them stupid, and they will stay a loyal customer." Just look at our own testudo.
Doofuses.