Quote Originally Posted by Corey_R View Post
For example. My cassette walkman had an "inline" remote control. The walkman itself would go into a pocket or your bag etc, and your headphones would plug into the top of the remote (hence why sony used to sell earphones with a "SP" and "LP" model, for different cable lengths. So unlike iPod users who have to carry their iPods around in their HANDS to operate them and adjust the volume or pause etc when someone talks to them or whatever, we used to have FULL CONTROL of the device clipped to your shirt or sleeve and not need to hold it.
I have the same function with the ipods that I have - has been available for a couple of years or so now - built into the earphone cabling. For the record, I've never carried an ipod whilst listening to it and always been able to FF, RW, skip tracks, pause, stop and adjust volume - all with the ipod in my pocket or clipped to a suitable place.

Don't disagree with your other points though - to me, the ipod offers convenience but it absolutely isn't the ducks nuts in all aspects.