I think that your discussion of the Kindle missed the chance to make the distinction between the successful iPod strategy and the nowhere-near-successful Sony PSP strategy which has a lot in common with the kindle approach.

The iPod does not lock out ripped CD’s or DVD’s or even Amazon mp3′s.

Sony’s PSP started out at roughly the same time as the iPod-with-video with a far better screen but took a real geek to get video other than Sony’s on board. And the lack of memory complicated attempts use the PSP for non-Sony video.

And being able to play video out from the iPod to a TV has always been possible. Most users may not know about this iPod feature, but those of us who do use it and love it. The PSP didn’t have this ability until 2007. And only in the updated 2007 model.

Likewise, the Zune approach to Wi-Fi has a lot in common with the Kindle system. Does anyone really “Squirt” songs?

The Apple approach to Wi-Fi in the iPod Touch demonstrates a whole different mindset from the Kindle-Zune systems. Safari haters are annoyed with the iPod Touch. What browser does the Zune have?

Apple locked up iTunes purchases to the iPod. That’s all. Apple grants enough freedom to the user to allow the non-geek to do all sorts of things that have no equivalent to the PSP-Zune-Kindle model.

There’s locked down and then there’s really locked down. The Apple approach is far from laissez faire until you compare it to the other systems.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

gojeffery: Listen to the inflections in the way they speak. Ryan is the one that sounds like Christopher Walken. :P

I always liked the Engadget podcast and I think this will be similar.