Sorry Mike but that is woefully inaccurate.

HP was a reseller for Apple iPods from Jan 2004 to July 2005 when they released their own digital music player (which like many others failed miserably).

For the 18 month period however, Apple iPods were available from the HP retail and online channels in the US with a laser engraving with the HP logo. Obviously it had absolutely NO HP hardware.

I think it's quite remarkable how ubiquitous the iPod has become in five short years. George Bush has one, The Pope has one. I won't be suprised if Osama listens to podcasts too...

The thing that comes to mind when looking at the first-gen and the present iPods is how similar the original design is to the present one. They got most things right from the outset. Did not have to change all that much at all. In fact, they probably made it even simpler to use.

I've no doubt the widescreen iPod is on the way. Looking at the patent diagrams however suggest a completely new user interface with the controls on the side of the device. Lets hope it is usable as the clickwheel. They've got a tough act to follow up to.

I'm really reluctant to flame Mike but you've got a talent for overstating the obvious...

The U2 and Apple deal is a good case-study into the difference between Advertising and Public Relations. Using the power of Google; do a search on these keywords:

Advertising Public Relations U2 iPod

And you will come up with this article: http://education.independent.co.uk/magazin...icle1204379.ece

Its a good read an explains the advantages of celebrity endorsement of a product and how both the product and the celebrity gain benefit from the "halo effect" of endorsement. Of course you can't overdo the endorsement relationship by having too many celebrity versions. For example I am certain we will not see a "Mawi iPod" anytime soon....