Apple iPod and U2 Event

[MacRumors]

MacCentral reports (http://www.macworld.com/news/2004/10/18/event/index.php) that Apple has sent out invitations for a special Apple music event on October 26th 2004. The invitation reads:

Steve Jobs, Bono and The Edge invite you to attend a special event

ThinkSecret claims (http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0410briefly.html) that Apple will be releasing a U2-edition of the iPod to be launched alongside U2's new album on November 21st.

[Chaszmyr]

What could this be? The new 60gb iPod announcement maybe?

[jxyama]

dang, that album isn't coming out until thanksgiving..?

guess i'm gonna buy that single in the mean time...

[johnnyjibbs]

They're going a bit overboard with this U2 album aren't they? So it got nicked but... first the iTunes ad - now this? :p

[PlaceofDis]

interesting, im not a huge U2 fan, but whatever works right?

[jimsowden]

U2 edition iPod, 60gb color iPod, and maybe something else is my guess!

[the_mole1314]

I bet..

a.) U2 iPod
b.) 60 gig iPod
c.) Pan-Euro Store

[Chaszmyr]

They're going a bit overboard with this U2 album aren't they? So it got nicked but... first the iTunes ad - now this? :p

I'm betting Steve Jobs is just a huge U2 fan.
A little overboard, I agree.. But it's not like it's hurting anything.

[Chaszmyr]

Think it's possible that Apple would release a U2 iPod preloaded with U2's new album a month before the album comes out?

[DavidLeblond]

Meh, release a cheaper flash-based iPod so I can afford it, then I'll be excited.

[jxyama]

Meh, release a cheaper flash-based iPod so I can afford it, then I'll be excited.

goodness, not this again... :rolleyes:

[SiliconAddict]

My guess?

1. iTMS Canada.
2. 60GB Color iPod (At which time I'm on Apple's website purchasing one like a bat out of hell.) http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/clap.gif

Mmmm my first iPod. I can't wait! :D :D :D :D

[Zaty]

I bet..

a.) U2 iPod
b.) 60 gig iPod
c.) Pan-Euro Store

c is a safe bet, b seems likely, too. As for a, I don't know if TS is right about this one.

[DavidLeblond]

goodness, not this again... :rolleyes:

I don't see what the problem is. I don't have $250 nor do I have the need to carry my entire music collection with me. I have a cheap flash-based MP3 player that does me no good because half of my songs are iTunes protected.

Surely I'm not the only person in this boat. :p

[Steven1621]

I bet..

a.) U2 iPod
b.) 60 gig iPod
c.) Pan-Euro Store

Canada also possibly

[Macmaniac]

Guess what thats a tuesday:) Oh Boy I can't wait.

[jxyama]

I don't see what the problem is. I don't have $250 nor do I have the need to carry my entire music collection with me. I have a cheap flash-based MP3 player that does me no good because half of my songs are iTunes protected.

Surely I'm not the only person in this boat. :p

the problem is, it's one of those things some people talk about all the time without giving much thought to apple's protective nature of their brand and their target market. just like headless iMac, flash-based iPod is one of those things that has been discussed and brought up over and over again, without any thought to how they fit into apple's corporate philosophy.

it gets a bit old, that's all i'm saying. maybe they will make it, who knows. but i personally doubt it - if i'm proven wrong, then i'll offer my apologies for my ignorance/stupidity.

[Chaszmyr]

I don't see what the problem is. I don't have $250 nor do I have the need to carry my entire music collection with me. I have a cheap flash-based MP3 player that does me no good because half of my songs are iTunes protected.

Surely I'm not the only person in this boat. :p

The problem is a flash based iPod wouldn't really be cheap. I could see Apple selling it for $149 with only 512mb of memory. Sure $100 less than the iPod mini, but only 512mb isn't much storage. Most flash-based MP3 players only have 256mb to start with, and extra CF cards aren't very cheap.

[Porchland]

Think it's possible that Apple would release a U2 iPod preloaded with U2's new album a month before the album comes out?

I would think that preloading an iPod would cause issues with the library, but Apple has smart people to work through that sort of thing.

U2 provides great differentiation for iTunes/iTMS/iPod. A company that can get John Mayer to come out and demo Garageband at MWSF and get Bono to do TV ads can generate a lot of mindshare. (One of the few things Sony has done right with its portable strategy is get Macy Gray to pitch.)

[Steamboatwillie]

A U2 branded iPod? Hmmf! I recently watched the new "Vertigo" iPod commercial. All I can say is that Bono sure is in love with himself. The de-facto standard of 99% blacked out silhouettes was obviously thrown to the wind so we can clearly see the bands faces. <shakes head> Don't get me wrong, I like U2, I even think the new tune is kinda catchy but really. Also it's kind of strange that the commercial seems more geared to promoting U2's single than selling iPods.

Now if they could come out with a Radiohead branded iPod... Maybe, just maybe...

[Chaszmyr]

A U2 branded iPod? Hmmf! I recently watched the new "Vertigo" iPod commercial. All I can say is that Bono sure is in love with himself. The de-facto standard of 99% blacked out silhouettes was obviously thrown to the wind so we can clearly see the bands faces. <shakes head>

That was my original reaction, but then I realized that the video really served as much or more as a U2 music video than as an Apple commercial. I think Apple was just lucky enough to get to advertise with it (by funding it, no doubt, but still).

[nagromme]

Any or all of...

* 5 GB Mini (new colors?)

* 60 GB iPod (photos/color screen?)

* New Apple-brand iPod accessories

* EU store

* New version of iTunes (and maybe for Linux?)

* U2 iPod (DRM-free AACs pre-loaded maybe, with a backup on the data portion of the drive?)

* Top-secret U2 album made with GarageBand, all vocals recorded on an iBook's internal mic

[Chaszmyr]

* 5 GB Mini (new colors?)

For some reason this had never even really occurred to me. I'd love to see them add more colors to the iPod mini lineup.

[mpw]

Does anyone know who's buying all these iPods?
I was just wondering have Apple's marketing team figured out that there's a specific group of music fans that haven't yet fallen for the iPod?
Has anyone been surveyed with questions like;
Do you own an iPod/mp3 player?
What music do you own?
I can see an oppourtunity to snare some 'older' music fans with special edition iPods like a U2 iPod which comes preloaded with U2's latest album and say a greatest hits collection or some exclusive tracks.

What pre-loaded selection would make you buy an iPod if you didn't already own an mp3 player.?

[Porchland]

October is definitely the time to get the marketing started for Christmas. iBook and iPod refreshes would market well for Christmas, so hopefully that's what's in the works.

Personally, I would love to see the iBook get some sort of iPod mini-ish color highlights.

[Lancetx]

Any or all of...

* 5 GB Mini (new colors?)


I was thinking the same thing, especially after the recent announcements from Dell and Creative. Plus it would be perfect timing considering the Christmas shopping season is almost upon us. I guess we'll just see what next Tuesday brings. :)

[Zaty]

Any or all of...

* 5 GB Mini (new colors?)



It's too early for a new minis because they only started to ship worldwide 3 months ago with many people who didn't order within the first hours having to wait another four weeks or so. The mini will get a refresh but only at MWSF.

[Zaty]

October is definitely the time to get the marketing started for Christmas. iBook and iPod refreshes would market well for Christmas, so hopefully that's what's in the works.

Personally, I would love to see the iBook get some sort of iPod mini-ish color highlights.

One thing is clear, if the iBook rumour is true, the iBooks will be updated tomorrow because Apple want to get as much attention for whatever they're going to announce next Tuesday as they get.

[Chaszmyr]

One thing is clear, if the iBook rumour is true, the iBooks will be updated tomorrow because Apple want to get as much attention for whatever they're going to announce next Tuesday as they get.

Agreed. I'm expecting an iBook update tomorrow.

[DavidLeblond]

The problem is a flash based iPod wouldn't really be cheap. I could see Apple selling it for $149 with only 512mb of memory. Sure $100 less than the iPod mini, but only 512mb isn't much storage. Most flash-based MP3 players only have 256mb to start with, and extra CF cards aren't very cheap.

My flash based cost me $120 a few years ago and shipped with 64mb. That ain't much memory, but its enough to get me one lap around the lake and thats all I care about because thats all I use it for.

I'd probably consider a $150 ipod with 512mb of memory if it had the same functionality of its big brother, which knowing Apple it would.

[jared_kipe]

I could see new mini's and maybe a color ipod. I don't really like the idea of having only the top line 60GB ipod being color though. I would probably go and replace my 3G ipod with a 20 or 40GB color ipod. But I see NO real reason for me to upgrade without color.

Also, I think apple droped the ball with the shuffle songs thing, what I had imagined was the control for turning on/off shuffle songs from the main menue. What they did was basically turn on shuffle and press the play button.

Here we go mini's and color ipod. I will just eat all the color up.

[James.Paul]

Am i in heaven at the moment, my favourite computer maker and my favourite music group in partnership. Superb.

[Windowlicker]

Think it's possible that Apple would release a U2 iPod preloaded with U2's new album a month before the album comes out?

sounds like a pretty good idea.. dunno how it would work though, because the iPod has to be formatted before use (MAC/PC) or am I wrong here? They could give an itms gift certificate for the album though or something like that.

a new ipod is my guess anyway.

[strider42]

A U2 branded iPod? Hmmf! I recently watched the new "Vertigo" iPod commercial. All I can say is that Bono sure is in love with himself. The de-facto standard of 99% blacked out silhouettes was obviously thrown to the wind so we can clearly see the bands faces. <shakes head> Don't get me wrong, I like U2, I even think the new tune is kinda catchy but really. Also it's kind of strange that the commercial seems more geared to promoting U2's single than selling iPods.

Now if they could come out with a Radiohead branded iPod... Maybe, just maybe...

Well, i was listening to the radio yesterday, and the DJ introduced the new U@ song as the song from the iPod commercial. So there's some free advertising that goes along with really tying the iPod to a band who has a major release coming out.

[jxyama]

Also, I think apple droped the ball with the shuffle songs thing, what I had imagined was the control for turning on/off shuffle songs from the main menue.

can't you add a shuffle to the main menu already?

[Zaty]

Probably no new minis but perhaps the release of the elusive iPod mini software update?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85339

[Yvan256]

Meh, release a cheaper flash-based iPod so I can afford it, then I'll be excited.

If only Apple had released the iPod mini using a standard CompactFlash hard disk (instead of "built-in"), there'd be people buying the iPod mini for the 4GB CompactFlash drive and selling the "empty shell" for about 50-100$ on eBay (like Creative's 4GB MuVo).

[wjdennen]

My guess:

Apple will sponsor U2's upcoming tour.

[parkds]

The really interesting thing about this whole Apple / U2 thing is that about one year about Bono bought Steve Jobs apartment in NYC. Guess it shows that sometimes some of the most interesting business pairings come from relationships from outside the boardroom.

[Yvan256]

* U2 iPod (DRM-free AACs pre-loaded maybe, with a backup on the data portion of the drive?)

What about DRM'ed AACs on both the "audio" and "data" portions? (so you can listen to the music if you don't have a computer and can also retrieve the songs to add to iTunes (since they'll be wiped by auto-sync).

[Porchland]

I could see new mini's and maybe a color ipod. I don't really like the idea of having only the top line 60GB ipod being color though. I would probably go and replace my 3G ipod with a 20 or 40GB color ipod. But I see NO real reason for me to upgrade without color.

The 4Gs 20s and 40s haven't been out long enough to expect that 20/40/60 will all have color displays, but I think the 20s and 40s could go color after Christmas.

Will we call the color 60-gigger a 4G? 4.5G? 5G?

[hughdogg]

I can see an oppourtunity to snare some 'older' music fans with special edition iPods like a U2 iPod which comes preloaded with U2's latest album and say a greatest hits collection or some exclusive tracks.

What pre-loaded selection would make you buy an iPod if you didn't already own an mp3 player.?

Two things.
First, what U2 (insert your favoite band here) fan doesn't already have their collection ripped into their iPod? I'm one of those 'older' fans, and I already have everything (including some b-sides and imports) in my 30gb iPod, so I'm thinking that's not such a big insentive to us 'older' fans.

Second, I'm thinking the iPod demographics are older than most folks think. Here why, I'm an adjunct business professor at a local college, we got to talking about the iPod as an example in class. I did a quick show of hands, mostly all the kids knew about the iPod, thought it was cool. Then we had a show of hands as to who owned one....only one, ME. $300 is a LOT of money to most kids in college. I'm thinking the demographic #'s are closer to late twentys/early thirty's that actually own them.

hughdogg

[Porchland]

* New version of iTunes (and maybe for Linux?)

I sort of expected this would come with the iLife update in January, but I think I recall Apple updating iTunes for previous iPod announcements.

What sort of new iTunes features should we be expecting?

[SiliconAddict]

What about DRM'ed AACs on both the "audio" and "data" portions? (so you can listen to the music if you don't have a computer and can also retrieve the songs to add to iTunes (since they'll be wiped by auto-sync).

The problem with that situation is how does iTunes tie the Fairplay (DRM) track to you? I was under the impression, and correct me if I’m wrong here, that it was the process of purchasing or downloading from iTMS that added the hash into the song to tie it to your account. Unless Apple has a way of remotely doing this I don’t see how this would work. What I do think is more likely if they tried this would be to script a download off of iTMS from a hidden location. I can’t imagine Apple doesn’t have the capabilities to setup a new iTMS “page” for an album that isn’t release yet. If it simply allows you to download the songs without needing to go to that page??? *shrugs* whatever.

[~Shard~]

I think this is getting a little excessive - the HP iPod is nothing more than an iPod with an HP logo on it, and is less than impressive - now a U2 iPod? I don't really see the allure of a U2 iPod (whatever that would even entail), and I don't see a mass apeeal for something like that. Ah well, if Apple announces a new 60 GB iPod at the event or iTMS Canada then that will be cool, but otherwise, I'm not getting too excited over this. Of course, this announcement will be on a Tuesday, so hopefully we can expect something fairly significant from Apple. :cool:

[SiliconAddict]

What sort of new iTunes features should we be expecting?

Hopefully Apple gets their collective heads out of their ***es and gets seamless transitions up an running on iTunes and the iPod. Hasn’t this been the #1 requested feature since the iPod came out??? :confused:

[johnnyjibbs]

Hopefully Apple gets their collective heads out of their ***es and gets seamless transitions up an running on iTunes and the iPod. Hasn’t this been the #1 requested feature since the iPod came out??? :confused:
Am I the only person who actually likes the crossfade feature then? :D

[formatc]

A flash based iPod and U2's album on a flash card!

Macrovision awhile back seemed to have licensed DRM from Apple:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/23/macrovision_fairplay/

The above story mentions Q4. But the article also assumes the format is CD.

I believe the format is flash.

A flash based iPod and U2's album on a flash card, it's all coming together for me.

See if I'm right on the 26th!

Stangely enough, Gizmodo has a story about Robbie Williams' new album being available on MMC:
http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/next-robbie-williams-album-on-mmc-023594.php

[nagromme]

For some reason this had never even really occurred to me. I'd love to see them add more colors to the iPod mini lineup.
I'd love to see them subtract :D

Pastels? I think they'd have a wider appeal with deep/jewel colors, as I have seen on Maglites, for instance:

Silver - Red - Green - Blue.

Black would be cool--or even white: just use a plastic shell.

What about DRM'ed AACs on both the "audio" and "data" portions? (so you can listen to the music if you don't have a computer and can also retrieve the songs to add to iTunes (since they'll be wiped by auto-sync).

Sure, but DRM'ed files would need to know your AppleID, so I'd guess non-DRM for this promo. CDs are non-DRM after all.

Am I the only person who actually likes the crossfade feature then? :D

Crossfade all the way! Much less jarring when shuffling. That's one of my Top Two iPod feature requests.

The other is support for custom equalizer settings from iTunes.

[technocoy]

my favorite BAND and my favorite BRAND

coming together for a promotion... not looking good for me. maybe it will be the iPod with color screen and preloaded with all U2's albums and quicktimes of all the bands videos and album art! then they announce that all of the music videos and trailers on iTunes are now downloadable to your iPod when you purchase that bands album and will play in the visualizer on iTunes as the song plays (of course the movie trailers will be free)

well, i can dream.

:-)

[nagromme]

Also likely: an updated number of songs in Apple's library--a counter to MS "matching" Apple's million. (And misc. other stats no doubt--maybe sales vs. MS.)

(I do not expect iPhoto for Windows, because it's not a direct revenue source like iTunes and because Windows users could just drag photos over by hand the same as Notes--if the photo iPod's real.)

[swissmann]

Steve Jobs, Bono and The Edge...

Is it just me or do these names sound funny together.

I don't care much about the announcement - I like my 4G 20 GB iPod a lot already.

[MiquelCo]

It could be the announce of the launch of the iTMS Europe. October is ending and there is the rumour that it will lanch this month. The event is sheduled at 10 AM Pacific Time, thats 7.00 PM CET, good time for Europe.

[MCCFR]

'Stealth' launch of iTMS in several new markets: Spain, Italy, Canada amongst others - no big deal now as iTMS is established on both sides of the Atlantic, everything else is considered 'incremental' growth. These could be launched at 10:00 (Europe) and at 09:00 (Eastern, for Canada) and therefore be open by the time Steve and chums take the stage in San Jose.

The launch of iTMS in several new markets would barely make jaded media hacks rise from their beds, and certainly not in California for markets that have nothing to do with USA, so why the hoopla?

U2's new album - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb - launches 'physically' on 11/23, exactly 28 days after this event: I'll give dollars to doughnuts that they are going to announce that (for the first time with a 'major' album release) the virtual product is going to precede the physical product EXCLUSIVELY on all iTMS sites for four weeks as an album-only release.

It's what I'd do if my mix tapes had been stolen whilst I was mixing (U2), and it's what I'd do if I were SPJ trying to grind Napster et al into the dirt before Xmas whilst creating more column inches for the product that is making my market cap reach dizzying levels for the first time in five years.

[corywoolf]

check it out, i posted this a few days ago in the ibook thread.

* #74
corywoolf

macrumors newbie

i look into the crystal ball.... and see a new line of ibooks with a new casing and no price drop. maybe a superdrive in the 12 in" model too (available). the ibook will incorporate color changing led lights that can be blinked to the music or can tell battery life, time of day, etc.I think the led lighting technology that apple patented is going to play a roll and everyone forgot about it by now. so maybe they will make the ipods more flashy and the ibooks more flashy too.
The ipod will most likely have a commercial premiere with U2 or some other band. The ipod will probably just have a color screen with the option to browse by artwork. the ipod and ibook will be getting commercials to try to boost holiday sales. I would think the ibook would be resembling the dramatic change of the new imac. they want to target the youth by making the ibook as cool to own as the ipod. maybe they could bundle a ipod mini with a ibook?????

but check out the pic i made, my first mach add, i know its pathetic compared to the experienced people's


well i was close at least!? :confused: ;) :D

[crakly]

consider the evidence:

1. U2 are Irish
2. Ireland doesn't have an iTMS
3. Apple has a strong presence in Ireland (UK Apple Store is run from there)
4. Ireland has more internet users (by percentage) than the UK, France or Germany

I reckon we're going to see iTunes Ireland as well as the hardware announcements...

[mdetry]

consider the evidence:

1. U2 are Irish
2. Ireland doesn't have an iTMS
3. Apple has a strong presence in Ireland (UK Apple Store is run from there)
4. Ireland has more internet users (by percentage) than the UK, France or Germany

I reckon we're going to see iTunes Ireland as well as the hardware announcements...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
For sure this is a big event of Itunes Store for the rest of Europe and U2 is a big band to get all the press talking about Itunes/ipod again. For sure there will be some Limited edition something also...

[wjdennen]

I think a new iPod would be great. But, those who are expecting it at this U2/Apple announcement might be disappointed.

I still go back to my original thought:

Apple will sponsor U2's next tour, which will kick off in early 2005.

They're going to announce this at the event. Of course, it's likely they will announce other stuff too...

[JGowan]

Think it's possible that Apple would release a U2 iPod preloaded with U2's new album a month before the album comes out?uh... no. Considering that thieves have stolen a copy of songs from the very album you're talking about back in July with a major investigation launched by French police. It wouldn't make any sense to put the album out a month ahead of time on the IPOD or otherwise,... it would just make it that much easier to get out on peer-to-peers early.

[JGowan]

I still go back to my original thought:

Apple will sponsor U2's next tour, which will kick off in early 2005.Are you seriou? Apple sponsor U2? Apple is all about holding ON to the money, not giving it away. It is a MUSIC EVENT. Apple is all about Music if it benefits them (MUSIC STORE & THE IPOD) -- this is definitely a kickoff of a NEW 60GB IPOD. Apple helped U2 by helping them produce the video and giving them prelease status on their homepage and store -- and U2 is helping Apple by helping them launch an all-new color ipod.

U2 will become today's equivalent of the 90's Jeff Goldblum. The "spokepeople for the rest of us".

[MiquelCo]

I reckon we're going to see iTunes Ireland as well as the hardware announcements...

Only ITunes Ireland?,
I think the most of EU countries will enter this time in, as announced Apple a few weeks ago. Of course nobody knows in how many countries are they launching this time.

[rt_brained]

Yeah, Steve Jobs in one room and Bono and The Edge on the big screen from overseas.

[rt_brained]

A U2 branded iPod? Hmmf! I recently watched the new "Vertigo" iPod commercial. All I can say is that Bono sure is in love with himself.
Hmm, I've watched that video several times and I don't get what you're talking about. Bono IS the lead singer of U2 and they usually get most of the attention on-camera and off. However, most lead singers do have a strong desire for attention.


The de-facto standard of 99% blacked out silhouettes was obviously thrown to the wind so we can clearly see the bands faces. <shakes head> Don't get me wrong, I like U2, I even think the new tune is kinda catchy but really. Also it's kind of strange that the commercial seems more geared to promoting U2's single than selling iPods.
Seriously, from a marketing point of view, could you even imagine negotiating that commercial with U2's agent and trying to convince them that the whole thing would still have to be shot in silhouette? One reason the silhouette concept works is because the viewer (man or woman) is supposed to imagine themself as that person dancing around in the commercial.

The same trick has been employed in car commercials and print ads for years. Show the product, but don't let the viewer see someone else using the product. It's subliminal, but it works. If U2 were in complete silhouette, then they wouldn't need U2...they could just use actors...and the spot would have much less visual impact.


Now if they could come out with a Radiohead branded iPod... Maybe, just maybe...
Well, if Radiohead is still around in 20 years and maintains the same consistent level of success as U2, perhaps we'll be graced with out first Radiohead iPod video. Perhaps Thom Yorke will have grown as tired of his whining lyrics as I already have.

[applekid]

I haven't read any posts, so excuse my ignorance ;)

Anyways, I think we could see an iPod Mini refresh or an addition of a few colors, but the iPod Minis are popular as is, so it probably won't be happening. Unless they wanto create a 4 GB line and say an 8 GB line. The hypothetical 8 GB replaces the 4 GB for prices and the 4 GB goes down another $50. The only problem in that I see is we've had no HD rumors and I don't think the mini's target audience needs that much more space.

That color iPod would be nice right now. I was thinking it'd be sweet if the color iPod was to have an iTunes-like interface. That would create some more familiarity. And as I've said in the 60 GB Color iPod, I'll say it here again, I think what we see in a color iPod will be a taste of the 5G iPod.

A U2 iPod would be interesting, if ThinkSecret is right. I'd like to see other bands do something similar where they load it with their music and design the casing of the iPod. I do miss those signature iPods. I wouldn't have bought one since I wasn't in need of an iPod, but it was an interesting concept that could bring back for the holidays.

[killmoms]

Hopefully Apple gets their collective heads out of their ***es and gets seamless transitions up an running on iTunes and the iPod. Hasn’t this been the #1 requested feature since the iPod came out??? :confused:
Gapless playback for MP3 is a hack, something I believe Apple is loathe to implement. MP3 has a fixed frame size for audio, so if a song ends in the middle of a frame, it pads the frame with silence. Since this is the case, encoders have to add a flag to show when the song actually ends which a player can then interpret (non-standard), and/or the player has to do some fancy interpretation to eliminate that silence on its own. Other lossy formats like OGG do not have a fixed frame size, so they can achieve truly gapless playback with a player that buffers the next track immediately after the first. This buffering can be done with MP3s, but you'll still almost always get a split second of frame padding silence without code like I mentioned above. I'm not sure if AAC has a fixed or non-fixed frame size, I'd have to look into that.

[Poff]

If only Apple had released the iPod mini using a standard CompactFlash hard disk (instead of "built-in"), there'd be people buying the iPod mini for the 4GB CompactFlash drive and selling the "empty shell" for about 50-100$ on eBay (like Creative's 4GB MuVo).

It used to work with both the iPod mini and Creative 4GB MuVo, now it works with neither of them unless you can get your hands on an old one. When people noticed this, the flash-compatability was removed from those cards. They prolly get them cheaper than the "normal" CF-cards, which they'll only get for close-to-retail price.

[Poff]

Gapless playback for MP3 is a hack, something I believe Apple is loathe to implement. MP3 has a fixed frame size for audio, so if a song ends in the middle of a frame, it pads the frame with silence. Since this is the case, encoders have to add a flag to show when the song actually ends which a player can then interpret (non-standard), and/or the player has to do some fancy interpretation to eliminate that silence on its own. Other lossy formats like OGG do not have a fixed frame size, so they can achieve truly gapless playback with a player that buffers the next track immediately after the first. This buffering can be done with MP3s, but you'll still almost always get a split second of frame padding silence without code like I mentioned above. I'm not sure if AAC has a fixed or non-fixed frame size, I'd have to look into that.

iTunes has a gap on AAC aswell, and it's making me go crazy when listening to live-albums!
Almost every mp3-program I tried on the pc had gapless playback. Even winamp!

[sethypoo]

Apple's facination with U2 is a little weird. Oh well, whatever gets that 60GB iPod out!

[U2Rules!]

Finally something worth posting about! I'm very excited to see what this turns out to be.

[neier]

The problem with that situation is how does iTunes tie the Fairplay (DRM) track to you? I was under the impression, and correct me if I’m wrong here, that it was the process of purchasing or downloading from iTMS that added the hash into the song to tie it to your account. Unless Apple has a way of remotely doing this I don’t see how this would work. What I do think is more likely if they tried this would be to script a download off of iTMS from a hidden location. I can’t imagine Apple doesn’t have the capabilities to setup a new iTMS “page” for an album that isn’t release yet. If it simply allows you to download the songs without needing to go to that page??? *shrugs* whatever.

Apple could probably hack the firmware to write-protect the U2 songs, so that they are not ever deleted by a sync. That would take care of the disappearing music problem. In fact, the firmware may have some of that already. Does anyone know how Duke's freshman iPods handled the pre-loaded material?

To counteract the disk-mode copying of the songs, if I remember correctly, the "hard" part is getting the songs ONTO the iPod. You can't take an iPod and copy protected songs off of it into another copy of iTunes anyway, so these U2 songs would be no different, and Apple wouldn't be extremely worried about people copying the songs from the iPod, because nothing would be able to play them.

If this is correct, then the only thing I wonder about is how to make backups for disc crashes, etc.....

[jmelrose]

My guess is that U2 are going to perhaps announce they will offer exclusive live content via iTunes from their upcoming tour. A REALLY cool move would be offering a highlight show from each of their major tours throughout their career, much as the Dead have put all their stuff out.

I don't see them releasing content actually ON an ipod. They would have no way to DRM it, and I think most people who would buy a U2 ipod would already have most of their catalog already.

Or, even cooler technology (although admittedly unlikely)... some bands have technology where CDs can be bought of a concert immediately after the show. What if instead the show was mastered on-the-fly and then customers could bring an ipod to an Apple iTunes kiosk (where you can buy the new U2-edition iPod!) after the show and d'load the show to their ipod. Transferring the AACs would take just a minute or two for the whole show. Lots of options there in using the ipod as a media distribution option. The only question would be how to get the music from the ipod onto the computer. Saving it to the data folder seems the best option, although it could be problematic if people try to buy with a full ipod. Maybe too many headaches after all...

[kiwi-in-uk]

My pick ...

iPod flash (for the kids for Xmas)
iPod 60 Gb colour (for the parents for Xmas)

The U2 stuff is "symbiotic" if U2 track(s) are bundled.

[rlw]

The holiday season is coming, so I think that Apple will release a new mass market type of product - not just minor updates, new iTunes countries, or a niche product (like a U2 iPod). Maybe one of these:

Car
Better solutions for using an iPod in your car. Apple already has stated that they will be focusing in this area.

Remote
Some type of remote for controlling iTunes/Airport Express? I have to believe that Airport Express is only part of the bigger picture. Again, Apple stated that the "living room" is part of the music focus.

[rlw]

Perhaps instead of preloading the songs, the iPod could come with a certificate for free U2 downloads. This would be one way to get around the Snyc issues.

[~Shard~]

The holiday season is coming, so I think that Apple will release a new mass market type of product ... Maybe one of these:

Car

Sweet, an Applemobile! Why didn't I see this before, it's such a logical progression for Apple to move into the automotive industry! They can release a car called the "G5" and it can have dual engines. (Of course, with Pontiac releasing the new G6, that could cause confusion....) And who needs airbags, because if it's running OS X, it'll never crash!

[SiliconAddict]

Am I the only person who actually likes the crossfade feature then? :D


Oh I love that feature. But not in a CD that was designed to be seamless.

[iMeowbot]

mini capacity boost: this could happen, especially if the upgraded components cost about the same to Apple. It's not as though they have excess inventory to worry about, an not many people are going to complain about getting more capacity than they thought they were going to pay for :)

Bundled songs: they could do this with an iTMS access code and not have to worry about the trademark suit.

EU store: Apple have already stated this is coming.

Canada store: my current thinking is that Steve is enjoying watching you all squirm too much to bring it on too quickly :D

[rendezvouscp]

Perhaps instead of preloading the songs, the iPod could come with a certificate for free U2 downloads. This would be one way to get around the Snyc issues.

That would also get people to go onto the iTMS, encouraging other purchases. Good idea.
–Chase