A few months back, I posted my dilemma about getting a new Ipod or trying Toshiba's new Gigabeat S30. I took a risk, and went with the Gigabeat based on some good preliminary reviews. That was a giant mistake. If you look through the
MyGigbeat.com support forum (which really is the only source online-Toshiba never made an effort to put up anything remotely close). It's really a shame-the product fell a bit short on battery life, but had a great interface and was better than the Ipod to navigate around content. Tomorrow, I will be calling Toshiba to speak to someone that isn't answering the phone looking at "If the customer asks this, then you say...." flowcharts. I urge you not to bother with Toshiba's consumer products anymore. The Gigabeat S was released in May, and the support would make you feel like it was 3 years old and end-of-life.
Yesterday, I heard a story on CNN several times throughout the day about a man who was lost in the Oregon wilderness. I did not realize until I got home last night that the man was James Kim, an editor from CNET.com. James was well respected among technology circles, and his review was the big reason I decided against buying a new IPod and instead opting for Toshiba's Gigabeat. He died trying to get out of the mountains where his family's car had become stranded and get help to his wife and 2 daughters. I sort of found it very odd that such an educated man so engrossed in technology could end up lost in the wilderness with his family. But I don't think thoughts like that will do his family much good now. My condolences go out to his family for this terrible loss.