I love my iPod but ...

No question, Apple Computer’s iPod is the world’s coolest MP3 player. I love my iPod from my first day of ownership, some time late in 2002. However, as much as I love my iPod and admire the design, I get upset about two separate issues: the first is that Apple requires me to buy the latest model in order to be able to use the recently released docking station and the second is the fact that my iPod’s battery is about to die. Of course, Apple will replace my battery but they would charge $99 for the service. I wonder if these two issues together are designed to force early adaptors such as myself to go and buy a new iPod.