ATTENTION IPOD / ITUNES USER'S

I have found that you can burn a cd and play it in compatible CD players that allow you to play CD-R's or CD-RW's. But as far as trying to actually play any protected AAC file in any other device but the iPod will not work. IE; my IPOD connect via an Apple USB cord to the face plate of my Kenwood stereo. The Ipod becomes a mass storage device (as it is when plugged into your computer) and the Kenwood (or any other media device for that matter) becomes the player for the fileson the mass storage device, there for not allowing protected AAC files to be processed and played.

I came about this nowledge because a friend of mine is a consultant for Apple and tests some of their softwhare. By the way I was also informed and confirmed it on the web site that you have a limited number (like four or five) times that you can "burn" or "share" your purchased product before it will stop allowing you to use your purchase in that manner. I know alot people are un aware of all of this and feel it is B.S. and people should be informed.

Diane, I can not understand why you are being defensive. I am just trying to inform some people of the practices that I have ran into. And the Kenwood stereo is not the Mass Storage Device; your iPod becomes the Mass Storage Device. Any media player that actually becomes the player (your iPod "freezes up" so to say, you can not use any of the functions, it just flashes "DO NOT UNPLUG") you can not desypher the protected song file. It is impossible. Now if you are useing the iPod as the player (menu and scrolling and all functions still work) and the media player you're plugged into acts as a conduit to the sound system (speakers) than yes your iPod will work with the protected AAC files. My point is Apple is not releaseing this information (not even in the end user agreement) and is not releaseing information prior to purchase. Why? There would be less purchases. Oh and did you read the fact that the Kenwood Corporation does not even know this fact yet? Why? Again there would be less purchases. If all this information was in the ready for consummers that he/she could make an informed decision on the media players they are buying. Be it Kenwood or Pioneer, iPod or the Zune. Again not too sure of your deffensiveness here.

I do know what you are talking about Diane. My wife's Ford Truck is that way. But this Kenwood is specifically set up to use with the iPod, and few other mp3 players. It advertises iPod all over the box and the branding of the marketing. Even in the user's manual it has a full disclosure for iPod and the trade marks along with advertisement and support of the Apple Company. I know the exact thing that you are talking about and I am going to return that deck for a deck that is compatible with the way my iPod is set up. I just think that it is un ethical of Apple to protect its AAC format with out full disclosure of what that constitutes. And the fact that there are songs that aren't protected and songs that are, but the only way to determine that is to buy the song. It is discourageing to me, I have always respected and liked Apple and Steve Jobs. I thought they were different from MoneySoft and Billionare Gates.

I did investigate all the iPods and the Zune and a few other no name ones. I believe I choose the best quality. I was actually told in here that the USB connect is the way to go because it is a higher quality connection. I was also told that by the people at Best Buy; and Car Toys. My issue was one of concern and panic with Kenwood. But now it is one of concern for others who really do not know about this. In hind sight I would not have bout that music, and some of the music that I bought was not offered at the 1.29 rate (Trace Atkins was, but Eric church was not). No in hind sight I would have rather paid Napster, bought the whole CD, or simple borrowed a CD from a friend. I believe that the artist should be paid for his art and the gift of their music to us their fans. But when getting paid turns into getting greedy I feel no compation for revenue lost by the artist or Apple. Funny thing is I say this being a semi successful BMI song writer.

Sorry I mis-construed your tone and approach Diane, you have a nice night.