Just like Steve, I have "one more thing" to say about Apple's product announcements yesterday. In addition to the previously mentioned Mac Mini and iPod Hi-Fi, Apple also unveiled their very own classy leather case for your iPod.

I'm disappointed they didn't announce it a few weeks ago when I was in the market, but I've been shocked to hear how much the big tech commentators hate this product. I'm going to disagree with all of them because I think they're silly and wrong. Here's why.

The first big complaint is that this new case is, at $99, too expensive. This is silly. Of course everyone WANTS to buy things for far less than they're worth, but this product is surely comparable to others in its class. I was all set to spend $75 on a case that I didn't love because it was classy and well made. If this Apple case - which I'm sure is very high quality - was available then, I would have snapped it up.

More frustrating to me is the argument that this case "sucks" because it "makes you take the iPod out of the case to watch a video or use the controls."

This is just idiotic, but so typical of the "more is more" attitude that pervades gadget lovers. The iPod is beautiful. EVERYONE basically agrees with that. Why in God's name WOULDN'T you want to take it out of its case every once in a while? Further, have you SEEN the cases that have all sorts of cut-outs for the controls? UGLY!

I think the Apple case is very classy. I don't mind handling my iPod in order to use it. And I certainly admire the importance of aesthetics, some most techies just don't comprehend. (cf. Last week at work.)

I'm quite certain this will sell very well. I bet I pick one up for my next iPod.