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***Please note that this is intended to be humorous, but offer insight into C3 (convenience, control and choice) ruling the marketplace!
 As I write this post I am having to come to the silly realization that I, Erik Hauser, being of sound mind (kinda) and sound body have had a destructive and abusive relationship with IPODS for the last several years.
It all started out so innocently. The IPOD changed the way that I thought about how and where I could take my entire music collection. Over the years it completely changed the way that I consumed digital content. IPOD, in some sense, changed my life. I will always cherish the good times that we had. IPOD, it is safe to say, will be my first digital love. :)
In hindsight, I should have seen the signs early. Batteries were dying, and my first IPOD became unable to hold a charge in the battery It was time to move on - to IPOD generation II BABY!!!!!!! WOOOOHOOOOO!!!! It was slick, and brought my music back to me with promises of a 12 hour battery life. Therefore, I didn¹t even think twice about letting IPOD back into my life. :) The thought that I would be forced to go the gym without my IPOD was terrifying. All fears were put to rest with another $400.
Catastrophic disc failure wasn¹t too far ahead, and neither was my 3rd IPOD. I made sure to spring for a few extra bucks at Best Buy to purchase the replacement plan. The 3rd then became the 4th, 5th and finally the 6th IPOD. I was one of the lucky ones. Best Buy cancelled the replacement program only weeks after I had bought my 3rd IPOD. I can¹t believe that program lasted for that long.
 It is safe to say that I am a huge music fan. I am also THE biggest fan of C3 when it comes to my music consumption. My car is a perfect example. I have everything right at my fingertips : Radio, DVD, CD, IPOD, Sirius etc. I can get what I want when I want it. It is the reason that I love to go for car rides.
Enter Saturday. I go to get on another flight and my IPOD once again dies while indicating that it has 1/2 of a battery life left. It was the beginning of the end. Instead of simply running out to the store to buy another one I paused. I paused first, and got very angry second. I thought to myself at what point in my life did I deem it acceptable to be forced to spend thousands of dollars over the years for what I now feel are disposable MP3 devices the love is gone. I will not buy another IPOD.
It is poetic that during the "break" in our relationship I ran across this news this morning. SIRIUS Satellite Radio Introduces the Stiletto 2, Taking Portable Audio Entertainment to the Next Level. Portable Stiletto 2 receives live SIRIUS Satellite Radio, SIRIUS Internet Radio and includes capabilities that surpass the leading MP3 players Enhanced WiFi capability, internal flash memory stores up to 100 hours of live SIRIUS programming, stores and manages MP3/WMA files. Removable flash card allows expanded memory.
 This to me sounds more appealing, and offers more C3. Goodbye IPOD Hello Sirius Stiletto 2. My new digital love. The bigger question is. How many others consumers are ready to say ENOUGH!? Based on my conversations on the plane there are a lot, and that may signal the next digital revolution .
Watching and waiting...
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