I don't know if anyone from DNNA (I'm assuming they do product development not Empeg) looks at this forum but I've used the iPod (mk1 & mk2) & the Karma, and this is what I think the Karma MkII should be like:

The scroll weel should be replaced with a touch sensitive pad around the Rio Stick

Power button should be combined with either the Rio Stick or Menu buttons

The hold button should be on the top edge (near earphone socket) and more solid

Volume controls should be face mounted

There should be more rubber around the edges, maybe both sides should be 100% rubber.

The plastic used for the screen should be scratch resistant

Eliminating the wheel should make the product more durable and along with removing the buttons from the side should make it easier to make a case. The rubber would act as crash protection and enhance the chunky/industrial look of the original and take it even further from the shiny prettiness of the iPod. And I'm sure all users would appreciate a less scratch prone screen.

Some good suggestions.

I've not used my wheel once yet - what's it for???

I use it a lot cos I listen to a lot of spoken word, it's like fast forward button

I use the wheel to navigate the menus.

I've not used my wheel once yet - what's it for???

Oh, you're going to love this.

Okay, play a playlist. Press the red button a couple of times until you reach the "Now Playing" screen, which is essentially the same thing as the Now and Next screen on the Empeg, the list of songs that are currently playing.

Okay, now roll the wheel up and down to reach a song, then push in on the wheel (it has a button just like a mouse wheel does). You'll get a menu that lets you re-order and edit the current song running order. With wheel pushes and rolls, you can fiddle around and re-order songs, moving them up and down in the list, deleting, adding, etc.

Then, if you want, you can use this screen to save it as an actual playlist.

That's just one of the cool things you can do with the wheel, there's others.

Okay, now roll the wheel up and down to reach a song, then push in on the wheel (it has a button just like a mouse wheel does). You'll get a menu that lets you re-order and edit the current song running order. With wheel pushes and rolls, you can fiddle around and re-order songs, moving them up and down in the list, deleting, adding, etc.

By which time I'll have crashed my car

roll the wheel up and down to reach a song, then push in on the wheel (it has a button just like a mouse wheel does).

My touch sensitive pad would need some work then...

Hmm. I just have it on shuffle and play everything on it randomly, so no real need for the wheel

I sure am happy my wheel broke and the support weasels didn't support me.