Mysterious Minijacks on iPod AND iBook...

[G4scott]

Well, I'm back from over a week in the Michigan wilderness. So far from home... I did get to visit the Apple store in Plano on my way back, and I noticed something odd...

It has been noted that the minijack plug for the audio-out on the iPod has the connections around it for a remote. If you haven't noticed it, take a look at an iPod, and you'll see what I mean. Now, look at the miniplug on the NEW iBooks. It has the same three contacts around the miniplug jack. I asked a guy at the Apple store, and he didn't know why they were there.

Mysterious...

[j763]

i can see what you mean... very interesting!

[billiam0878]

That's very interesting... what do you think it could be used for?

Bill

[Grokgod]

I dont know what your talking about.

Yea! baby... half way there!

[Hemingray]

Yup, there's been a lot of speculation about that mysterious "outer ring". Most people think it's for a remote. But as far as anyone actually sacrificing their iPod to dissect the minijack to find out for sure, well that's another story.

[G4scott]

I find it very odd that Apple would put in such a thing and not use it. Besides, all of their other computers use regular miniplug jacks...

[Skandranon]

Are there similar plugs in the new PowerBooks? If so, we've got an interesting pattern developing here....:)

[szark]

Nope.

Just looked at my new 800 MHz TiBook and it has a standard plug.

[Mr_Sqeeb]

very interesting indeed!!!

check it out
iPod
http://www.apple.com/hardware/gallery/ipod_nov2001_480.html

iBook
http://www.apple.com/hardware/gallery/ibook_may2002_480.html
(hard to make out)


perhaps apple will offer a remote and allow you to listen to music on their laptops with the screen closed (a feature of peecees that i envy)

[sprescott1974]

I'm having a hard time seeing this on my 14" iBook. Is it there?

[ponyboy]

If you put your ipod in diagnostic test mode, press and hold the forward, back and center buttons at the same time, you will see that one of the diagnostic tests it runs, among many, is a test on a remote, of course the result comes back fail, because there is no remote connected, but I am pretty sure that is what the jack is, and it is just a feature they didnt have totally ready by the time they wanted to release it and so we were left in the dark.

[G4scott]

I noticed it only on the new 700/600 mhz iBooks without the external reset button. That's the only computer that I've seen it on. I checked the PowerBooks, PowerMacs, eMacs, and iMacs and I didn't find the different plugs.

[firewire2001]

yea.. i totally think its a remote..

jus look at some of the other mp3 and cd players out there with similar plugs...

i think that this would be the way to go because a lotta ppl like to keep their ipods in their pockets, and it would be useful to be able to skip forward sometimes...

[sprescott1974]

Originally posted by G4scott
I noticed it only on the new 700/600 mhz iBooks without the external reset button. That's the only computer that I've seen it on. I checked the PowerBooks, PowerMacs, eMacs, and iMacs and I didn't find the different plugs.


so it is not on the 14" 600 iBooks then?

[G4scott]

Originally posted by sprescott1974



so it is not on the 14" 600 iBooks then?

Nope, just their current line.

[digitalrampage]

Yes, I can confirm it has the same connector as the ipod on the 700 Mhz 14"

I sold a new one to my customer yesterday and noticed this,

ALSO!!!

There is no longer a reset button on the side of the iBook

We have too many complaints about customers date and time resetting, because they press this button and the date and time resets itself.. there is no longer and hasn't been since 1999 a battery backup in iBook...

Cheers

DigitalRampage

AppleCentre Service Australia

[G5orbust]

Hmmm, interesting captain, very interesting.....

[AlphaTech]

Alright, what the F are you guys talking about?? There is only a single jack for headphones on the iPod. I just checked out the iPod gallery image (http://www.apple.com/hardware/gallery/ipod_nov2001_480.html) and see the same thing as for my 5GB iPod. There are not additional ports on the iPod, just the one. Yes, it looks a little bit different then most headphone jacks, but that could be for any number of reasons.

[King Cobra]

I have the 5GB iPod and all that I can see is the phone jack for my music satisfication and the Firewire port.

BTW, Alpha, does this mean your station is back up? :D

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by King Cobra
BTW, Alpha, does this mean your station is back up? :D

Nope, all ground based, so you are still on your own Bubba. :D :p

[chmorley]

The jack looks like a "normal" jack at first, but it's got extra stuff. That extra stuff probably enables some additional functionality. It has been the source of speculation since day 1 or the iPod introduction. A few devices have been discussed, but I only know of one that might take advantage of the "strange" connection.

This post from ipodhacks.com (http://www.ipodhacks.com/article.php?sid=84) discusses something called the Podmate. It would turn the iPod into a Universal IR Remote. There are a few things about it that make me skeptical (e.g., this post was from January, and there is no reference to it at the Griffin web site; it is the only Griffin announcement that doesn't have a link; the photos would not have been difficult to fake). However, I don't think it's far-fetched that the iPod could have this kind of functionality. The connection may allow for this.

I am attaching a photo of the PodMate.

Interested to see people's reactions to this.

Chris

[chmorley]

Here's the other photo of the PodMate from iPodhacks.com.

Chris

[AlphaTech]

From what I remember, they were waiting for Apple to give them the green light on that. Which has either not happened, or never will.

IF they do get the green light to do that, then it would be a nice OPTION. Options are for those that want them. I can't see it doing me any good here, since I have a remote for my tv/cable box (the one from the tv) and the remote for the dvd player is more complicated then the iPod could handle. Too many features to be included inside a universal type remote.

Maybe it would work out for a stereo system that has a remote already. Then again, why would you replace one remote with another (doesn't make much logical sense to me).

[chmorley]

The post was simply to demonstrate what the port might be used for. I don't think I would buy one, either.

Still, very cool that the nature of this connector might allow for multiple functions. Given that it's been impossible to inspect this thing, there's no way to know if it is possible because of the connector type, but others have alleged this.

Chris

[tjwett]

Why would the iPod need a remote? It IS a remote! It's got a very easy to use menu and interface right on it. Why on earth would anyone need ANOTHER remote on it? I think that's silly. I think the PodMate thing is kewl though.

[G4scott]

Originally posted by AlphaTech
Alright, what the F are you guys talking about?? There is only a single jack for headphones on the iPod. I just checked out the iPod gallery image (http://www.apple.com/hardware/gallery/ipod_nov2001_480.html) and see the same thing as for my 5GB iPod. There are not additional ports on the iPod, just the one. Yes, it looks a little bit different then most headphone jacks, but that could be for any number of reasons.

Look around the outside ring of the mini-jack plug. You will see three little metal prongs around the outside... Or at least, I think you should. I'll try looking for a picture...

[Nipsy]

Originally posted by AlphaTech
I can't see it doing me any good here, since I have a remote for my tv/cable box (the one from the tv) and the remote for the dvd player is more complicated then the iPod could handle. Too many features to be included inside a universal type remote.

Then again, why would you replace one remote with another (doesn't make much logical sense to me).

The question isn't why replace one remote with another, the question is why replace 12 remotes with one?

I have a Sony Universal which after 2 hours of programming controls my TV, my DVD player, my Mac, my PC, all components of my stereo, my lighting, my cable box, my VCR, and my clock radio. It is a glorious thing.

I think the iPod would be a wonderful replacement for the Sony, and even with a limited number of buttons, could easily handle even the most complex tasks. I don't mind going thrugh an extra step or to to access seldom used functions (how many of you need a button to turn on second language closed captions?).

It has a jog/shuttle, as well as directional buttons. This handles most tasks very well.

For channel selection, one could list channels numbers relevant to thier area, and spin the dial to send the whole number, rather than keying it.

Then again, as we've had similar debates over PDA/phone/mp3 player functionality in the past, it is clear you prefer to have many devices, while I prefer to have few. The reason I would like to see Apple doing this, is that the have the talent to do it well (both the remote, or the über MP3DAphone), whereas smaller 3rd parties will often create something that works, but does not work well.

[AlphaTech]

I would prefer to have a few devices that do what they were designed to do perfectly, then one device that does not do any of them better then mediocre at best.

Same with the scanner/printer/fax machines... they don't do any one of those things all that well. Having seperate devices do all of them very well. You also get the benefit that if one device goes down, you still have the others to use. If your multi-function device has one aspect fail, you are without all of the features while it is repaired (can you say dumb-a$$?? I think you can :p).

[Nipsy]

Originally posted by AlphaTech
I would prefer to have a few devices that do what they were designed to do perfectly, then one device that does not do any of them better then mediocre at best.

Same with the scanner/printer/fax machines... they don't do any one of those things all that well. Having seperate devices do all of them very well. You also get the benefit that if one device goes down, you still have the others to use. If your multi-function device has one aspect fail, you are without all of the features while it is repaired (can you say dumb-a$$?? I think you can :p).

I totaly agree with you about those scanner/printer/fax things that are aimed at the SoHo market. I even think the TV/VCR or TV/DVD player is generally a failure.

The point I'm really trying to convey is that if anyone can pull of the effective merge of disimilar devices, while maintaining usability, and functionality, its Apple. The iMac (and even the original compact Macs) combined the computer and the monitor VERY effectively. The Newton was also a very versatile device that was just a bit too early. The PowerCD is another good example of an Apple product that does distinctly different things, all of them well.

And since Apple hardware tends to be a bit better built than most, I wouldn't worry as much about being without a device, especially because if it were a remote enabled iPod, I could always dig out the original remote from a drawer somewhere.

Plus, my PDA and my phone are so intertwined, I'm lost when either fails. The phone holds 99 numbers, so I need the rest from the PDA. The PDA has every number, but I can't effectively use commute time if I'm at a payphone, etc.

[G4scott]

And the reason that Apple does so well, is because the don't aim for a price range, like most companies do, but they aim for a usability goal. They make their products to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, these days people are more concerned with price than quality, especially when buying a computer, since they're used to the routine of buying a new one every year, or two years. My G4 is more than 2 1/2 years old, and it runs fine! It even has a GB of RAM... PC companies make cheap crap computers now, and are expecting for consumers to buy new ones every year. Not only does this hurt Apple, but it hurts consumers... A pristine example of what happens when the budget and marketing people take over computer companies...

[Liamcow]

I think Since the iPod AND iBook have the plug, the PodMate or watever might be for remotely transferring songs to your iPod so you don't need any firewire cable; like the new gameboys! i would bet that it would be VERY slow, so that might be why it wasn't released with the iPod and iBook, maybe Jobs is diveloping a faster model and waiting till everyone has an iPod. You all know he's very smart about that.

[swahilibill]

Here is something mysterious, Ha, I had some fun

[Cappy]

I wouldn't read too much into the the whole plug thing. Computer developers do that routinely where they run extra lines so to speak to expansion slots and such. Remember the original imac being able to take a specially developed voodoo card? Commodore also did this with their Amiga systems back in the day. They do this many times for various reasons ranging from debugging tools to requests from 3rd party developers to the most common we might want that there someday for something but we don't know what.

[Cappy]

Originally posted by G4scott
And the reason that Apple does so well, is because the don't aim for a price range, like most companies do, but they aim for a usability goal. They make their products to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, these days people are more concerned with price than quality, especially when buying a computer, since they're used to the routine of buying a new one every year, or two years. My G4 is more than 2 1/2 years old, and it runs fine! It even has a GB of RAM... PC companies make cheap crap computers now, and are expecting for consumers to buy new ones every year. Not only does this hurt Apple, but it hurts consumers... A pristine example of what happens when the budget and marketing people take over computer companies...

Don't go believing that for one second in the extreme. Apple watches price points *very* carefully just as the successful PC manufacturers do. Marketing sells computers(as with any product), not quality.

[Buggy]

one thing that could be cool about turning the iPod into a universal remote would be that you wouldn't have to spend as much time programing it.

Just download the configs of your equipment from the net.

[sturm375]

Is it possible for this mysterious port to be Digital Audio (coax) out?

[edesignuk]

Originally posted by sturm375
Is it possible for this mysterious port to be Digital Audio (coax) out?
I very much doubt it, but who know's, it could be just about possible.
I think it's much more likely to be for something like an in-line remote control for the iPod istelf, so you don't have to use the buttons on the front of the iPod to skip tracks etc, I would love that feature in the iPod, for me that's the only thing lacking.

[G4scott]

Very true Cappy. Apple does watch prices, but they also watch the quality of their products more than most other companies.

My opinion on the PodMate- it's a bad idea. I believe the way that it works, is that you tell it to play a certain "song" that is just a sound file with a certain frequency, and the connector that you put on just translates the sound into an infrared signal that is sent do the device of your choice. I don't see it using the pins around the outside of the connector. That's just my idea of how it works. I may be wrong, but I don't think that it uses the special connections.

[chmorley]

Originally posted by G4scott
My opinion on the PodMate- it's a bad idea. I believe the way that it works, is that you tell it to play a certain "song" that is just a sound file with a certain frequency, and the connector that you put on just translates the sound into an infrared signal that is sent do the device of your choice. I don't see it using the pins around the outside of the connector. That's just my idea of how it works. I may be wrong, but I don't think that it uses the special connections.
Could be. Without the real thing in front of us, it's only a WAG. Only one way to know for sure, though...

Perhaps Griffin will release it someday.

Chris

[TheT]

Okay, here is my guess: You can hook up some bluetooth-device up to it which can transfer wirelessly... think about it, why would an iBook need a remote? The device you'd hook up would get power from the additional connections around the headphone-plug. How about that? Or maybe Apple just built it like that and it has no function at all... besides making Apple-Freaks taklk about it ;)

[chmorley]

As much as I like the Bluetooth idea, it's just too slow. Apple has worked so hard to make the transfer fast (with Firewire), I have a hard time imagining they would go with such a slow transfer.

I remember this one time I was wrong, though...

Chris

[gambit]

The ring is exactly what you see on the Flat iMac! ITS a APPLE PRO SPEAKER PORT! Just Look!!! Look at the Pro speakers and what you will see is a perfect fit!(I think)
Beware of the X-MAN gambit!

[G4scott]

Originally posted by gambit
The ring is exactly what you see on the Flat iMac! ITS a APPLE PRO SPEAKER PORT! Just Look!!! Look at the Pro speakers and what you will see is a perfect fit!(I think)
Beware of the X-MAN gambit!

I thought they connected through USB, or was that the iSub? I don't know. I could be wrong. But... The TiBook doesn't have the 3 pins on the outside, unless I was looking at an older model in the Apple store... Never know, but I could be wrong...

[shadowfax0]

Everyone remember the Rendezvous software from Jaguar? What was there main ploy? You remember..."I could listen to yada yada's playlist from upstairs..." Perhaps it's a jack for the upcoming ::drumroll:: bluetooth output device, or Airport, or whatever, so you can simply, ummmm, save space on your HD! There you go! No seriosuly though, I think it might have something to do with that :D Perhaps turn on the HD functionality, and there you ahve it, portable file server!

[shadowfax0]

...oops, just read that thing on the Pro Speakers, I'll shut up now... :rolleyes:

[Royal Pineapple]

Originally posted by shadowfax0
...oops, just read that thing on the Pro Speakers, I'll shut up now... :rolleyes:
smooth one shadow:D :D
but the speakers seems to be the best idea so far, i was just complaining today how i couldnt hook my iSub up to an ipod, so the pro speakers would be a good bet.

[Mr_Sqeeb]

who ever said about the port being for pro speakers, i think the are right on the money.
www.apple.com/speakers
Third paragraph on the right
'Apple's proprietary speaker minijack'

the only thing left to say is why hasn't apple told us already???

[TheT]

Well, the actual pro speakers don't fit in the iPod, the plug itself is too small... but I have a new iMac and an iPod right here, and the technology is defenetly the same, meaning this 'outer ring' is meant as a power-supply. On Apple's homepage it says the G4 has an internal 20-Watt amplifier for the speakers... doesn't the iPod have a 16-Watt one?
With the iBook having the same kind of plug, this can only mean one thing: There will be new Pro Speakers, featuring great sound for the portable devices.
Now I'm happy, but i don't get why Apple waits so long to realease that, I mean the iPod is not that new anymore... but better later than never. Hurry up Apple!