I first saw the mp3mobile (and Hugo!) on a news item on (UK's) ITV Central region TV. The wireless networking, not to mention the in-car display was the start of the 'wow' factor for me. At the time I was also an avid reader of #linuxwarez on efnet and I may well have been influenced there too.
Fast forward to sometime later; I remember getting my queue email from Rob (I really do want to see if I can resurrect my old .pst files). ISTR that at that time I was merely showing interest rather than committing to buy (I hope I didn't misunderstand that!).
A while later I aquired one via a private deal then shortly afterwards the firesale started.