iPods- Not Music to a Professor's ears

There is an interesting article in today's NYT about schools giving iPods to entering freshmen. Jonathan D. Glater writes that "Taking a step that professors may view as a bit counterproductive, some universities are doling out Apple iPhones and Internet-capable iPods to students." Schools are apparently "emphasizing" that the iPods can help in doing online research and in instant polling of students.
There are enough distractions for students already. Many of the students work more than 20 hours a week and are tired and short of sleep when they are in class. It is tough for even the most capable professor to engage students, and adding a major distraction like the iPods does not help. Being able to search the Internet for information is not a particularly distinguishing skill- it is easily acquired. Being able to think, and being able to think independently and logically, is a skill that is higher, harder, and broader in applicability. I try to get students to think first, and then to formulate actions based on the thinking. iPods in the classroom? Simply irrestible, in the words of Robert Palmer.