iPod Updated

[bigdz68]

Gapless was the #1 request?? Holy cow! :eek: Then what took them so friggin long?

I've been under the impression that gapless was only desired by 0.000001% of the users, and therefore Apple didn't give a damn about it. I assumed that the other 99.999999% of users only listen to shuffle mode and don't care about traditional albums. Seems pretty reasonable based on what's popular these days. But the #1 request? Surely this should have been fixed in the 2nd generation iPod then, 3rd generation at the latest.

I'm not complaining, this just really, really surprises me. I'm so happy to see that it's fixed, finally, so I can go out and buy a replacement iPod soon, after holding out for over a year. Better days are here to stay. ;)

You would be amazed at the amount of people in the live music trading community that have been waiting for this! Anyone from Deadheads to Jazz Nuts. I for one can now listen to a full Phish or Dead show without all the damn gaps. Plus, it saves me from having to rip an entire live show as one track! Thank you Apple!
;D

[FlyNolJ]

Does anyone else think something more might be coming? With the price drop of both models and the lack of drastic changes ie the rumored full screen, bluetooth, and virtual click wheel?
Could there be a "one more thing..." next week?

I agree with this statement. It better be sooner than later though. Sh¡t.

[MichelleAK]

I ordered the 80G iPod (in black). While I was hoping for a bit more (larger screen, primarily), this is more than enough of an upgrade from my current iPod (2G 10G) to make it worth buying, especially since it appears that the older iPods might not work in iTunes 7 (or at least, not work well).

The 5.5G will be more than enough for my needs for awhile, since I will be using it more for music and music videos than for movies or TV shows. I'm definitely looking forward to the upgrade from my old workhorse 2G.

[rockthecasbah]

Pretty sure Quick Search Is Only On New 5.5G iPods. :(
Blast! Well here's to hoping they add it in the future :o

[Carl Spackler]

Did I also hear new headphones for the iPods. Can anyone comment?

[conradzoo]

Blast! Well here's to hoping they add it in the future :o

It's there already.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/apple-computer-ipod-nano-second-generation-and-accessories/

[rockthecasbah]

It's there already.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/apple-computer-ipod-nano-second-generation-and-accessories/
That's a review of the new Nano, I meant as an update to the "Older" 5th gens. I have a 60GB and would love to have the searching capability :)

[MegaSignal]

iTunes 7.0 reports that my 5G iPod has software version 1.1.2;

Any ideas why I can't upgrade to 1.2?

Woops - on edit - nevermind...after doing a full restore, it's now up to v1.2, no biggie.

[Harthansen]

I agree especially when the Black MacBook you are basically paying $200 for a paint job!!

I personally would never pay $249 for an 8gb nano (Why not just get the iPod and 20GB of space, plus video) but if you are going to pay for it why can't you choose you own color?

You should be able to get whatever color you want at any price!

-Hart

Ps G5's are much more stable then the intel macs are. Rosetta causes a program to end all the time.

Apple's whole new "black is top of the line" trend is thoroughly idiotic. I literally removed my credit card from my wallet when I read on the event stream that Apple had released an 8gb nano, then replaced it when I read on about the 8gb model being black only. I hate black electronics. I want an aluminum 8gb iPod to match my PowerBook. Is that so much to ask?? Fine, if they want to only allow black for 8gb, but why limit us. Stupid stupid stupid.:mad:

[aafuss1]

Harvey Norman had HP's iPod tattos for under A$6.00 (http://tinyurl.com/g4g8r).

Looks quite good on a 5th/5.5th gen iPod-Apple should release a iPod skin/custom tattos-iPhoto 7 project option, in funky colors (less than $50/$10)

[mostman]

picture attached

Edit: Tested on Three iPods now. One bought days after the first 5G was realsed right up to one bought in july... all work with itunes purchase and home encoded content.

How did you get this screen? Is that iTunes?

NM: Got it. Its QuickTime.

[Machead III]

If they'd given the iPod 5G white and black metal casing, this would have just about been an acceptable update, and I'd have probably upgraded.

As it stands this a miniscule amount of what's needed, a vast amount of time too late.

They're just biding time for the next gen.

[Project]

The real Zune wont be out til next year. Apple is biding their time. Wireless streaming of music is a must though. Thats a killer feature of Zune to me. No more scrambling to give your friend an earbud and you the other within the confines of the length of the cable.

[pss3jlh]

Somebody has probs already posted it, but the new iPod is only an update surely. The case will still scratch like hell, Apple will jts get people to buy it cos its new and then bring out a metal widescreen ipod next year (fingers crossed).

[msjr]

ITS ARRIVED!!!!

My new 2G nano has arrived.

I ordered the 2GB silver, it came today at 9:12. Believe me, if you have ordered this, you have made an excellent decision, and you don't realise how good it is untill you see that new clear case it comes in.

Well done apple!!

[Jimmieboy]

ITS ARRIVED!!!!

My new 2G nano has arrived.

I ordered the 2GB silver, it came today at 9:12. Believe me, if you have ordered this, you have made an excellent decision, and you don't realise how good it is untill you see that new clear case it comes in.

Well done apple!!
Pics! Please!

[msjr]

I will upload some pics within 15 mins... they will be on a webcam so will be poor clarity, but will give you the jist!!

More info though:-
The aluminium case feels and is very strong, and completely scratch resistant
The middle button goes in, rather than out (i.e. concave rather than convex)
The headphones are smaller and thinner, for your convenience
There is a patch to download immediately, thats efficiency for you!
The product registration process is now slightly more complicated, although this might just be for me!

[Jimmieboy]

I can't wait! :rolleyes:

[Evangelion]

In the past 2 quarters, for the first time since Apple introduced the iPod, iPod sales have declined.

No they haven't. Sure, they might have declined when you compare them to the previous quarter. But that's NOT how you do sales-comparisons. What you do is that you compare the sales to the same time-period last year. And doing that, I believe you will see that sales of iPods grew by about 30%. Maybe not the 100+% increase we saw in the past, but still very healthy and respectable growth.

[msjr]

I can't wait! :rolleyes:

Believe me, it is much, much better than you could possibly expect! Here are some photos of the green while you are waiting for mine.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2043

[Jimmieboy]

Believe me, it is much, much better than you could possibly expect! Here are some photos of the green while you are waiting for mine.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2043
It's so sexy! If I ever get one it is going to be green. The nanos are the extra fun iPods to have cause they come in so many colours! YAY!

[msjr]

Pics of the new 2GB silver :-

1 (http://mysite.orange.co.uk/fountain/Picture_050.jpg?0.30648466636262894)
2 (http://mysite.orange.co.uk/fountain/Picture_049.jpg?0.8822607548209349)
3 (http://mysite.orange.co.uk/fountain/Picture_048.jpg?0.4656142844283089)
4 (http://mysite.orange.co.uk/fountain/Picture_052.jpg?0.4545982080785864)
5 (http://mysite.orange.co.uk/fountain/Picture_051.jpg?0.18768595551193656)
6 (http://mysite.orange.co.uk/fountain/Picture_053.jpg?0.08532277406911792)

Sorry again for the poor quality, the pics dont do the product justice!

[msjr]

Now, about the case.

It, as advertised is small and clear. You can see your ipod sitting on the top, as you look in, it is securely fastened in to a new type of plastic device for safety, you need to bend the device to get it out.

Underneath there is a small card box, when you unfold it, this contains all of the accompanying pieces, such as headphones USB and instructions, as well as the stickers and other things that come with them.

This site is quite a good review: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/apple-computer-ipod-nano-second-generation-and-accessories/

[Jimmieboy]

Now, about the case.

It, as advertised is small and clear. You can see your ipod sitting on the top, as you look in, it is securely fastened in to a new type of plastic device for safety, you need to bend the device to get it out.

Underneath there is a small card box, when you unfold it, this contains all of the accompanying pieces, such as headphones USB and instructions, as well as the stickers and other things that come with them.

This site is quite a good review: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/apple-computer-ipod-nano-second-generation-and-accessories/
Looks great. Pic quality isn't that good like you said.I just had a thought do you think the new packaging is more environmentally friendly?

[msjr]

The cases are not more environmentaly friendly as far as I know, but they are much safer for the iPods, particularly if you want to store one when you go on holiday for example.

[Ashapalan]

The cases are not more environmentaly friendly as far as I know, but they are much safer for the iPods, particularly if you want to store one when you go on holiday for example.

Dude! so you wouldn't take your new nano on holiday with you :confused:

I don't think apple will have moved to this packaging if it was less enviromentally friendly, and in the keynote presentation Steve did mention they where in fact better for the enviroment.

I'm sure the plastic is recyclable!

[msjr]

Indeed, I am sure the plastic is recyclable, didnt think of that.

Still, the case I think is handy to hang on to.

And I would certainly take my ipod on holiday, but the hard case would be useful protection in transit.

[nemaslov]

I have been waiting for a 80GB version for almost two years and for music people this is a great update. My 60 GB has been full for a year and I hate having to manually change out music. The widescreen versions that will come later are not needed for music people. Yea i might add a few images fo video but I can't imagine sitting around watching TV shows or movies on an iPod. I have a 12" powerbook if I want that for traveling and at home my 50" plasma does just fine thank you.

Music iPods are for the masses while movie watching is literally just a small slice. Especially since you can get DVDs for less and you get so much more.

My 80GB was shipped today with engraving!!! :p ;) :D :)

[APPLENEWBIE]

3" screen, 30gb memory, wireless, ugly.

Edit: I saw some more. It is ugly in white black AND brown. (Brown?)

Edit edit: Here, look for yourself...www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/zune/default.mspx

[nemaslov]

The brown ZUNE reminds me of Mr. Hanky. Maybe he will be the spokesman for the ZUNE...:D

[APPLENEWBIE]

Zune starts with a 30GB digital media player and adds a twist. You can wirelessly share selected full-length sample tracks, playlists, pictures or your home-grown tracks directly from Zune to Zune.1 You can listen to the full-length songs that you receive up to three times in three days, flag the ones you like and easily buy them the next time you sync up. You can discover new music in the Zune Marketplace, and show off your favorite pictures and videos on the big, bright screen. Zune has all that and a built in FM tuner, too. Let your inner DJ run wild.

Features: ? Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing. Zune lets you spontaneously share selected full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device.1 You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later.
• Your own personalized Zune. Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures.
• Large color screen. Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.
• 30GB player. Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video.2 You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display.
• Zune Pass. Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace.
• Built-in FM tuner. With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.3

Accessories: ? You can choose from a full line of accessories to outfit your Zune. Three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available.

Additional
Information: ? Online music store. You can browse the huge selection of music designed to work seamlessly with your Zune in the Zune Marketplace. When you find new music that you love, it’s simple to buy it and sync it on your player. The Zune Marketplace works with the Microsoft® Points program so you can purchase music online without a credit card.
• Import your music. Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media® Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings, as permitted by the online service from which it was purchased.4
• It only gets better. As Zune evolves, your device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC5 will let you know when updates are available for download. And with built-in wireless capability in each player, the future is filled with possibilities.5

EDIT: EMPHASIS ABOVE

[laserone]

Figures it's just 30 or 80 gigs now, when 60 is a perfect size for me. 30 is too little, 80 is more money than I want to spend.

[nemaslov]

"Figures it's just 30 or 80 gigs now, when 60 is a perfect size for me. 30 is too little, 80 is more money than I want to spend."


response: Yes but the 80 is cheaper than what the 60 used to be. Can't be too big!

[weev]

This is not the last release before Christmas, right?

Is Apple waiting for Zune to be released and then trumping??

If these updates are for the Xmas period it doesn't look enticing enough.

[milo]

Now lets see a 30gig ipod that does video decently, with some sorta of gapless playback or a 8gig nano for the same price? Hmm hard choice. Yeah right gapless(even it is software based?) and large space wins all the time. Now if they add more of a eq option and built in fm(with recording) I would for sure get one.

Now can someone confirm if gapless is true gapless or software based? I know with rockbox on the ipod you get true hardware based gapless but with this it is not clear.

Another question how is battery of video improved but not audio? And I am under the impression a brighter screen means worse battery life so in turn it could mean under real life situations video playback is more like 2.5-3 hours?

The new nano has gapless as well as the iPod. Video is probably improved because they made either the screen or the playback method more efficient. The new battery life should be even with the brigher screen.

That's right, the 5G 60Gb was $369 normally, and with the Educational discount it was $349, and the 30Gb was the same way $269 vs. $249. I least I think that's right?

That sounds about right. But the nanos used to have EDU pricing, that's gone now.

[joshwest]

30 & 80 would everyone elsee agree thats a pretty big gap.. i think give them till the begining of the year i think they will come out wiht a 60 & 100 iPod Full Screen thats my prediction.

[Apple Shmapple]

This is not the last release before Christmas, right?

Is Apple waiting for Zune to be released and then trumping??

If these updates are for the Xmas period it doesn't look enticing enough.

No kidding. The updates are garbage. The Zune looks pretty darn interesting though. It looks like everything the iPod update SHOULD have been.

[m-dogg]

30 & 80 would everyone elsee agree thats a pretty big gap.. i think give them till the begining of the year i think they will come out wiht a 60 & 100 iPod Full Screen thats my prediction.

I would have thought they'd bump up both models, and go from 30/60 to 40/80.

I like this update - It did several things I been waiting for as a longtime ipod owner. Higher capacity, longer batter life, lower prices, gapless playback, new iTunes eye candy, better library organization among other things...

I for one am glad they didn't come out a wide-touch-screen-pod and focused on some fine tuning instead. All of the extras Apple rolls out are nice, but the ipod is still first and foremost a music player to me.

My first iPod was a 2nd generation. 20GB, 6 hour battery, $500. Hard drive & battery size have quadrupled and it costs $150 less!

[Apple Shmapple]

Well I just did the deed. I went over to ebay and bought a 4th generation 20 gig iPod for $101. Why pay 2.5X more for 10 extra GB I don't need and useless video playback? If they aren't even going to try to improve that - then I'll just go with their last pure music player.

Plus this way when they do come out with the true next generation, it'll be much easier to unload a 4th generation at the price I paid than it will be to unload a 5th or 5.5 generation after buying it new.

Thanks Apple! Your useless update forced me to save $150!! I would have done it much sooner had I known you'd sit on your thumbs for over a year.

[nemaslov]

The updates are great for the majority of iPod users who really use it for what it was originally intended for...MUSIC. That's why Apple sells so many more Nanos than the video versions. Yes price is one but IT'S THE MUSIC STUPID. These upgrades, along with the new iTunes 7 are amazing. I for one have been waiting for an 80GB version for almost two yesrs. I like all my music with me and my 4th Gen 60 has been full for so long. I skipped the 60 5G since it only was a video upgrade with no storage increase.

This was very smart of Apple. They will release your bigger badder video Gen 6 probably at Maworld in January and it will be GREAT but not needed for us music geeks who don't need the video or want to watch films on something so small.


It is the ZUNE that is a joke..Apple will have wireless when it is killer!!

[HecubusPro]

I was at the Apple store yesterday, and they still had not received the new iPods, though the prices on the shelf reflected their imminent arrival.

I did get a chance to take a look at the new Nano's and I love the new/old (mini) look. I'd really like to have that 8GB, but just can't warrant paying $250 for 8GB when I could pay $250 for a 30GB iPod (even though I already have a 30GB iPod) regardless of size.

[Multimedia]

Just wondering if anyone has noticed if gapless works on the 5G iPods after the 1.2 update install automatically or will we have to re-download all of our gapless albums for it to work? I have almost all gapless albums but haven't yet tested it. Will report back after test if no one else does. :)

Did the test. It works flawlessly with the existing base of songs on the iPod. Amazing! Best update in the history of the iPod. It's a miracle! :eek: :cool: :D :)

[bankshot]

Just wondering if anyone has noticed if gapless works on the 5G iPods after the 1.2 update install automatically or will we have to re-download all of our gapless albums for it to work? I have almost all gapless albums but haven't yet tested it. Will report back after test if no one else does. :)

Works fine for me - no re-download/rip necessary for any of the gapless albums I've tested so far. I can't believe it's taken this long, but I'm finally in musical heaven. ;)

[SBT]

I'm gonna get the 80GB when i'm in Hong Kong. It will give me loads of space for the movies i'm gonna out on it:)

[Apple Shmapple]

It is the ZUNE that is a joke..Apple will have wireless when it is killer!!

I dunno if I'd be so quick to call the Zune a joke, especially in light of the WEAK iPod update Apple is going into the holiday season with. The Zune will offer several features that iPod owners have been drooling for for years. If Microsoft markets the product properly, the Zune's sales could rival the traditional iPods this season. The Zune definitely beats the current iPod on features. Function and quality remain to be seen.

Of course, after iPod releases its long delayed (I don't buy that "it can't be delayed if it isn't announced" garbage, that's just semantics, we all know they wanted the widescreen out this season and couldn't get it done so they slapped together a stopgap update instead) widescreen iPod, the Zune will get left in the dust. But who knows for sure when Apple will have it ready? January?? Seems too soon after the holidays to me. Might alienate the millions that purchase one in November/December.

[Multimedia]

I dunno if I'd be so quick to call the Zune a joke, especially in light of the WEAK iPod update Apple is going into the holiday season with. The Zune will offer several features that iPod owners have been drooling for for years. If Microsoft markets the product properly, the Zune's sales could rival the traditional iPods this season. The Zune definitely beats the current iPod on features. Function and quality remain to be seen.

Of course, after iPod releases its long delayed (I don't buy that "it can't be delayed if it isn't announced" garbage, that's just semantics, we all know they wanted the widescreen out this season and couldn't get it done so they slapped together a stopgap update instead) widescreen iPod, the Zune will get left in the dust. But who knows for sure when Apple will have it ready? January?? Seems too soon after the holidays to me. Might alienate the millions that purchase one in November/December.I don't see the widescreen iPod as a competitor nor a replacement for the existing 30, 60 and 80GB Video capable iPods. The iPod is fundamentally a music player. And in that spirit, you have got to commend Apple for increasing battery life, making the screen brighter, increasing maximum capacity while lowering the price at the same time. I mean - going from 60GB for $399 to 80GB for $349 seems pretty amazing to me.

Also, I don't expect the 640 x 360 Widescreen iPod to replace these models - no Widescreen iPods will be an additional line in the family - not instead of. And they will cost more - probably like $399 minimum for an 80GB model and $499 for a 120GB model.

So I don't think your analysis of this being a WEAK update is accurate at all. I see it as just the opposite and anyone who buys one now is not going to be alienated by the new line of widescreens offered early next year or whenever they are ready.

Your monolithic view of the iPod as needing to be the swiss army knife of all portable media players is pretty strange. iPods come in all sorts of sizes, capacities and functionalities. And the extension and expansion of those capabilities to another model is not going to replace any of the other models that are already for sale.

This Gapless thing is HUGE. Does that new Microshaft Zune have Gapless playback? I doubt it.

[nemaslov]

I totally agree that this was a HUGE update. Great as a music player. and yes the widescreen film version will be an additional different product. I for one don't want or needa bigger wide screen for music (except for storage).

[Apple Shmapple]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but all Apple improved on with the latest iPod is increased storage (keeping up with the joneses after a year), slight price decrease (again, keeping up with the joneses) a better search function and a brighter screen nobody asked for. Everything else can be had with the old 5th generation iPods.

If you guys seriously consider that a major update, your heads must have collectively exploded when the iPod with video was originally introduced.

This was regarded by the general population as a ".....eh" update, and I stand by my claim that this was NOT what Apple wanted to go into this holiday season with, it was a slapped together, stopgap update. Every single person on here though they'd roll out the widescreen along with the movie store. The reason it wasn't was because of manufacturing delays.

And regardless of how Apple rolls out the widescreen iPod, it will cannibalize current 5th gen sales, crushing it. Most people want the latest/greatest iPod and many, many people upgrade their iPod with EVERY version that comes out, just because they want the status of it.

People are on here acting like they'll be perfectly content with their 5th or 5.5th generation iPod - they're just kidding themselves. They'll see the much easier user interface along with the gorgeous screen and the previous apple of their eye will be on ebay faster than you can say "buy it now".

I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that there will be the current 5.5th generation (basically over a year old soon, ancient by MP3 player standards) that will continue production after the widescreen iPod is released.

[nemaslov]

Unlike Microsoft and the ZUNE, Apple for the most part waits for a product to be as close to perfect as possible. If the widescreen version was ready it would have been released but I hope Apple keeps somekind of large storage version 80 or even 100GB for those of us who dont want or need video. I want to have 20,000 or 30,000 songs loaded up without the size of a wide screened thing. If it is the same overall physical size then it won't matter, but a bigger pod is not for me.

Most people hear rumours of the wide screen and can wait until MacWorld or soon thereafter for that version but I have not updated since the 4th Gen 60GB came out. Not everyone went for the Video versions that's why the minis and Nanos were so popular and these new Nanos will be huge this Holiday season.

When Apple releases the widerscreen video thing it will probably have some sort of wifi and make the Zune obsolete (which it already is). Microsoft is promotion that you can share songs, but copyright will get in the way of most of that. iPods tend to be personal anyway. Peopl go to myspace to soicialize.

[Apple Shmapple]

When Apple releases the widerscreen video thing it will probably have some sort of wifi and make the Zune obsolete (which it already is). Microsoft is promotion that you can share songs, but copyright will get in the way of most of that. iPods tend to be personal anyway. Peopl go to myspace to soicialize.

I don't agree that the Zune is obsolete. If that's the case, then the less-featured, smaller screened current iPod must be more than obsolete, right? :D

And I don't get why you're knocking the file sharing ability. I thought that was a really cool, unique idea. Sounds like this idea is suffering from Microsoft-itis. If Apple had come out with it first, it would be the bees knees but since it's evil Microsoft then the idea must be lame. Regardless, I hope Apple takes the idea from Microsoft and incorporates it into future versions.

I just did a google news search on the iPod update and it confirmed what I've been saying. Try finding some great press on this update. Most every story that came up had a dissapointed spin to it as everyone is anticipating the next generation.

[nemaslov]

I don't agree that the Zune is obsolete. If that's the case, then the less-featured, smaller screened current iPod must be more than obsolete, right? :D

I just did a google news search on the iPod update and it confirmed what I've been saying. Try finding some great press on this update. Most every story that came up had a dissapointed spin to it as everyone is anticipating the next generation.

From CNET



Apple's enhanced 5G iPod

At Apple's media event, Steve Jobs jumped right into introducing an updated fifth-generation iPod. Not a tremendous surprise here, as we believed the sixth-generation "true video iPod" would not be announced until later in the year or even early in 2007. But the new "enhanced" iPod looks like a tremendous improvement over the last one, which debuted last October. The iPod has many incremental improvements, including a brighter screen and better battery life, but probably the most appealing aspect is the new price points of $249 for the 30GB version and $349 for the huge 80GB version (available in both white and black). Okay, it's nowhere near as exciting as a potential widescreen version, but these updates should feed the masses through the holidays.
Let's talk about battery life first, since the pre-enhanced iPod has been dogged for its 2-plus hours of video battery life. Now you'll get 75 percent more battery life with both sizes--that means you'll get up to a rated 3.5 hours of video battery life for the 30GB version and up to 6.5 hours for the 80GB. Boosting battery life will always make a product more appealing, and it looks like Apple responded to all the complaints.

The new iPod also has a brighter screen--by up to 60 percent. Not that the iPod had a dim screen in the first place, but brighter is always better, especially when it doesn't come at the cost of battery life. You can even adjust brightness during movie playback. Still, especially with the launch of feature-length movies, the 2.5-inch screen is a bonafide pain to watch for more than 30 minutes. Movies were made for bigger screens (that's why the iTV will be cool).
Gapless playback is probably one of the most requested features in any MP3 player. Those with dance mixes can now rejoice, and the feature works well (it's easy to tag tracks as gapless in the new iTunes).

Just about every reviewer despises the bundled headphones. So Apple responded and will be shipping better-designed headphones--we can't vouch for their comfort level and performance at this point, but any improvement is appreciated. While we are dying to test sound quality, we're pretty sure Apple hasn't improved the iPod's poor EQs. Apple should be able to implement a good one- why don't they?

So that's it--while the 6G "true video" iPod will still be a figment of the tech world's imagination (check back at Macworld 07), the enhanced 5G iPod looks more attractive than ever with its incremental updates. It looks the same as the original (accessory companies breathe a collective sigh), but underneath the hood, you have an iPod that makes the original 5G iPod look very rusty. Pricing is a huge aspect here; $249 for the 30GB iPod, as far as I know, is the best price for a 30GB player I've ever seen. And for another $100, you get 80GB! Nice job there, Apple. [B]For me personally, the gapless playback and better battery life make the iPod the most attractive one to date, and it's certainly a better value than the similarly priced but much smaller 8GB Nano.

.....and you know when Apple does release its widescreen new version it will have muc h more than the Zune. We don't evenm know how much the Zune will cost or when it will be relased. Prtobably within three months after its release the new iPod will come out with some of the same featurtes and more.

BTW most people seem to not want all the bells and whistles. That again is why the nanos are the big big hit. And they don't even play video.

[billl]

Hope this doesn't upset anyone here (noting that an awful lot of you seem to view Apple with almost religious respect), but the 60gb iPod I bought a few months ago was my first Apple purchase, and will certainly be the last.

Although a lovely little gadget, the indecently instant obsoletion has left me feeling more than a little annoyed. Worse, much worse, is Apple's decision to not include the new Search feature on the 1.2 upgrade. I use the iPod exlusively for music, and a Search feature would have made life so much better.

Is this normal Apple practice?

As I said, I am not an Apple accolyte: to me it is just another brand...and one which now sniffs of arrogance towards it customers.

[timmillwood]

Hope this doesn't upset anyone here (noting that an awful lot of you seem to view Apple with almost religious respect), but the 60gb iPod I bought a few months ago was my first Apple purchase, and will certainly be the last.

Although a lovely little gadget, the indecently instant obsoletion has left me feeling more than a little annoyed. Worse, much worse, is Apple's decision to not include the new Search feature on the 1.2 upgrade. I use the iPod exlusively for music, and a Search feature would have made life so much better.

Is this normal Apple practice?

As I said, I am not an Apple accolyte: to me it is just another brand...and one which now sniffs of arrogance towards it customers.

this is common on all products not just Apple, you just need to sell the 60gb iPod then buy the 80gb one

[Warbrain]

Hope this doesn't upset anyone here (noting that an awful lot of you seem to view Apple with almost religious respect), but the 60gb iPod I bought a few months ago was my first Apple purchase, and will certainly be the last.

Although a lovely little gadget, the indecently instant obsoletion has left me feeling more than a little annoyed. Worse, much worse, is Apple's decision to not include the new Search feature on the 1.2 upgrade. I use the iPod exlusively for music, and a Search feature would have made life so much better.

Is this normal Apple practice?

As I said, I am not an Apple accolyte: to me it is just another brand...and one which now sniffs of arrogance towards it customers.

You do need to realize that if you were completely infatuated with any other computer company, the very same issue you have would occur. Becoming obsolete is part of life.

[MegaSignal]

Hope this doesn't upset anyone here (noting that an awful lot of you seem to view Apple with almost religious respect), but the 60gb iPod I bought a few months ago was my first Apple purchase, and will certainly be the last.

Although a lovely little gadget, the indecently instant obsoletion has left me feeling more than a little annoyed. Worse, much worse, is Apple's decision to not include the new Search feature on the 1.2 upgrade. I use the iPod exlusively for music, and a Search feature would have made life so much better.

Is this normal Apple practice?

As I said, I am not an Apple accolyte: to me it is just another brand...and one which now sniffs of arrogance towards it customers.
Welcome to the high-tech industry. Progress and innovation waits for no one - especially in this tightly contested niche.

[jruc4871]

Welcome to the high-tech industry. Progress and innovation waits for no one - especially in this tightly contested niche.

You're being too nice.

Billl, welcome to the WORLD. By no means is your iPod obsolete. Far from it. Was your life so terribly hard before you found out about the search function? Is using your 5G iPod now a miserable experience?

If you're willing to abandon Apple because they had the gall to release a new product only "a few months" after you bought your iPod, how do ever manage the psychological trauma of buying a television or a car?!?

[MegaSignal]

Without innovation we'd still be using one of these to listen to our music:

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=59847&stc=1&d=1160840273

(45 lbs., $635 (1976 dollars))

Despite a legendary tape transport system, TEAC continues to innovate to this day, although they now specialize in optical drives for computers only (if I'm not mistaken).

[jruc4871]

Without innovation we'd still be using one of these to listen to our music:

(45 lbs., $635 (1976 dollars))

Despite a legendary tape transport system, TEAC continues to innovate to this day, although they now specialize in optical drives for computers only (if I'm not mistaken).

Just be sure to get a case - I heard they were designed to scratch ;)

[rtdunham]

the 60gb iPod I bought a few months ago was my first Apple purchase, and will certainly be the last...

Although a lovely little gadget, the indecently instant obsoletion has left me feeling more than a little annoyed. Worse, much worse, is Apple's decision to not include the new Search feature on the 1.2 upgrade. I use the iPod exlusively for music, and a Search feature would have made life so much better.

I felt the same way when Infiniti installed bluetooth on the FX35 the year after i bought mine, and wouldn't add it to my year-before model at no charge. I was disappointed when Microsoft intro'd Windows 2004 with new features and required that I buy the new software, rather than giving me all the new features to add to my old version. I REALLY was upset when i bought my big-screen TV and a year later the manufacturer introduced an HD model. I won't even mention the new Tivo models that broke my heart, or the AC compressor that was introduced the year after i had to replace mine, with lower SEER rating (energy consumption) and they wouldn't modify the one i bought to have the same efficiency. The bastads. :)

[billl]

Not terribly sure why I am replying, other than to say thanks for your witty (especially jruc) and gracious responses...wasn't expecting anything other than a good burning at the stake while the massed ranks of Apple devotees celebrated the destruction of the heretic.

Just a couple of points then I will bugger off and leave you in peace:

1) I think that the majority of people (ie, me, not you lot) are left remarkably unaffected by changes in, for example, Windows software (as highlighted by rtdunham). It makes an impression on your lives because you are enthusiasts, not common users. The difference with the iPod is that it is not a broad application that most people couldn't give a monkey's about (which I assure you is the reaction of the vast majority of computer users to which version of Windows they are running and what it can and cannot do). The iPod is built for a purpose and that purpose is more important to them than something that allows them to knock out the odd letter or play with a spreadsheet. As such, there is a difference in expectation...I expect Windows to come out with new functionality and I expect that it will not bother me in the slightest. I do not expect a product marketed to me for a specific purpose to have such a short shelf life and no allowance for retrospective upgrade.

2) Cars, TVs and all the other examples of obsoletion are not comparable. They are all mature products, with myriad types, styles, features and suppliers. To the average consumer, ie me, there is a sameness about them that both lowers expectation and makes choice very, very easy - no psychological trauma either inspired or required.

3) jruc, to answer specifically, yes, using my 5G iPod had become painfull - as it filled nearer the capacity I could almost see the battery run down as I scrolled through album or artist list to try to find what I wanted to hear. I was a bit too dramatic when I said the search function would make "life" so much better - of course it wouldn't - but it would vastly improve my "life" in the specific context of iPod use (which, given my near obsession with music, is quite an important thing). To then find out that there is a solution to this problem and that I am going to be denied it with no reason at all was and is infuriating. If Apple had said that the search function is not available to current 5G products because the new ones have some hardware changes on them, then in all honesty I probably would not be bothered at all. But they haven't...so my possibly too cynical nature suggests that they know this is important to a lot of their market and will (as timmillwood suggests) force them to buy the new product so shortly after having bought their current one.

4) Finally, Warbrain suggested: "You do need to realize that if you were completely infatuated with any other computer company..." which I think goes to the heart of it. I cannot comprehend any circumstances under which I would become infatuated with a computer company. I simply buy a product, nothing else, and if the makers of that product do something which upsets me, I don't buy again.

Huge apologies for intruding here again as I know that this forum isn't aimed at the general consumer, and thanks again for your courtesy and replies.

Regards

Billl