And idea of a UK release date here?

My bit is well and truly chomped.

Just installed a USB 2.0 card in readyness. I can't bear the wait.

Minidisc is driving me doolally

The longer the better if the previous 2 threads are anything to go by. I'm happy to wait until they fix those bits.

Hmm, the threads do raise concerns with me.

The cheap plastic finish vs. the sleek metal iPod finish and the thickness and pocket-friendlyness compared to the iPod really worry me and I definately want to see one in the flesh before splashing out on about £400.

As for the software bugs - I'm sure the development team will be right on those, as they have done with the empeg. I would be interested to hear how many real people were in the beta team (by real people I mean people who were distant from the development team, and who haven't been deeply involved in the empeg like Tony, and who are not techy people). How many peoples mums was it given to to find out if they could use it easily?

But the stick and wheel doing the same things sometimes and different things at other times sounds just messy to me. The beauty of the iPod is it's simplicity. Maybe once I've had a chance to play with one it'll be fine.

Just read some more reviews on www.riovolution.com and I have to say my jury is still out. I need to see one and hold one and play with one before buying.

Just think of the US customers as being our beta testers