Apple has done a brilliant job at marketing this box.
The sound quality is mediocre
iTunes, is horrible,
- can't upload any file music format, (no OGG, or Flac support)
- stores files in any place in incomprehensible names directories.
- on many pc's it does not work and you have to go and get Floola or buy Anapod (which is great).
- it does not allow you to download files from the device etc..
You have to buy new headphones as they are too pretty poor.
The firmware on the device is also buggy, on an iPod video you could not adjust the brightness for 6 months after they released it. It crashes and you have to wait until it runs out of battery to use it again.
If all of this has not made you put your iPod in a drawer and forget about it you must be very patient. At least the GB/$ ratio is not bad.
The Rockbox has been around for a long time and replacement firmware is now viable.
What these guys have done is install an extra firmware fileand book up its own software.
The system supports a lot more file formats, allows you to have themes {see them here}, customize the ipod, change fonts, allows to install a ver large number of plug ins. Including voice support (for blind people), even games like Doom., graphic equalizer, crossfader etc. You name it, its there.
overall it blows Apples iPod firmware out of the water.
Installing the firwarware seems a bit daunting but it is pretty easy. It takes about 5-10mins to do so, after that you unzip a load of files in a .rockbox directory. To add more features/themes/fonts unzip more files into the :\ root of your iPod drive and enjoy.
Reboot the iPod with the "HOLD" button on and it will load the Apple firmware.
The two major down sides.
1. You can't read the titles of the files you have installed with iTunes (thank you apple), the "database" function can scan the device and build from the ID3 tags. There is tool to convert also the itunesDB to Rockbox Database format (but have not tried it yet).
2. They say battery life is not as efficient, but it will get better.
3. Whilst the backlinght is not on 100% I've not found where to adjust it.