Not since the days of the Walkman in the 80s has a consumer electronics device had such a broad impact on youth lifestyle. Of course, I am referring to the iPod for today's generation of techno savvy tweens, teeens and young adults. Although there has been a few competitors to step up and offer alternative devices (and downloading services) none to date have really made a dent in the market. Nationally, I believe, but don't quote me on it, that iPods have about a 75% share of the portable digital music player market. Among tweens, teens and college students that number is even higher at 88%. So, if you were a device maker or corresponding downloading service, you'd better come up with something pretty compelling, right? Well, I don't believe that is even the case anymore. With what I would consider to be rave reviews, the SanDisk Sansa is out on the market but even with its great capabilities compared to its cost (it actually does a few things an iPod cannot) it hasn't (and probably never will) caught on with the youth market. Why, simply put, it could be the greatest thing next to slice bread, but it doesn't have an Apple logo on it. Apple's overall perception among the youth market right now puts it right up there with perennial leader Nike and the maker of the Razr, Motorola. Compare that to five or so years ago before the iPod craze...Apple wasn't even on the list. The takeaway: no matter how great a competitive offering might be, the perception always comes back to the market, and based on the current environment, no one will be swaying their perceptions anytime soon.