I know there are plenty of folks that have innumerable ideas about how to improve what is already a wildly poplular device in the iPod/iPod Mini and a very nice MP3 manager in iTunes. However, I need to air my grievences too...
First, why can't iTunes just figure out that I want it to fill up my iPod Mini with as much music as it can hold. If the lists I have selected are too large for the Mini, then fill it up as far as possible and move on. Instead, it yells at me that the size won't fit and I have to wrangle my lists until it fits. Uugh. Just do it!
Second, while I like the different types of lists that are available (static and smart lists), the smart lists could be smarter. Take a page from Red Chair Software and incorporate the incredible SQL-like search and list building functionality of Anapod.
Third, why don't I see some kind of visual when I shop at the iTunes store (which is only accessible via iTunes) on which music I already have as part of my library? I don't know for sure, but would it allow me to purchase something I already own? I would love to go to an Artist page and see little “You own this” icons next to albums I already have, etc.
Finally, I only have one fairly major complaint (in my opinion) about the actual device (be it iPod or Mini). Currently, there is no way to rate songs from the device. You can only rate songs by the computer-based iTunes app. Playcount transfers between the device and the computer, why can't ratings? Since I listen to my music library mostly via my Mini, it's the only real time I care to rate songs. As it stands now, the ratings system is virtually worthless to me.
Just some thoughts from an actual user. ...but what do I know?
Later.