iPod Clickwheels From Synaptics... Again

MacBytes · Dec 5, 2005, 05:07 PM

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Category: 3rd Party Hardware
Link: Synaptics gets the nod to help boost iPod supply

Posted on MacBytes.com
Approved by Mudbug

longofest · Dec 5, 2005, 05:18 PM

The real news in this story might be the fact that Apple will not meet it's estimates of 8-10 million units sold (for the nano), and is having to downgrade its estimates to 7.5 million units. It won't be good news for investors.

thejadedmonkey · Dec 5, 2005, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longofest

The real news in this story might be the fact that Apple will not meet it's estimates of 8-10 million units sold (for the nano), and is having to downgrade its estimates to 7.5 million units. It won't be good news for investors.

I can't say I ever liked the new iPod look...from these numbers, I'd guess I'm not the only one.

mkubal · Dec 5, 2005, 07:11 PM

Somewhere there's a Nano without a clickwheel.

Poor Nano.

EricNau · Dec 5, 2005, 07:17 PM

Apple must be punching themselves for this...
They should have just stuck with Synaptics, unless there was a size issue for the Nano, anybody know?

Do you think anyone will be able to tell the difference between the two; like "Oh, darn, I got one of those from Cypress, I wanted a Synaptics"?

On the other hand, I'm buying a iPod Video, what brand makes that click-wheel for that? And are they any good?

longofest · Dec 5, 2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricNau

Apple must be punching themselves for this...
They should have just stuck with Synaptics, unless there was a size issue for the Nano, anybody know?

Do you think anyone will be able to tell the difference between the two; like "Oh, darn, I got one of those from Cypress, I wanted a Synaptics"?

On the other hand, I'm buying a iPod Video, what brand makes that click-wheel for that? And are they any good?

There wasn't a size issue, as Synaptics is now producing the nano clickwheels. Cypress makes the iPod Video click wheels, so while not a huge concern, you may experience a problem if your GSM phone goes off right next to the iPod's clickwheel.

EricNau · Dec 5, 2005, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longofest

There wasn't a size issue, as Synaptics is now producing the nano clickwheels. Cypress makes the iPod Video click wheels, so while not a huge concern, you may experience a problem if your GSM phone goes off right next to the iPod's clickwheel.

Thanks...
Only time I should be glad I have Verizon

jmsait19 · Dec 5, 2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricNau

... Do you think anyone will be able to tell the difference between the two; like "Oh, darn, I got one of those from Cypress, I wanted a Synaptics"? ...

Just playing with them in the store I can feel a difference in the click wheels...

The Synaptics wheels have a somewhat bulbous center button and a slightly banked click wheel...

The Apple designed wheel is flat across the whole face...

Super Dave · Dec 5, 2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I can't say I ever liked the new iPod look...from these numbers, I'd guess I'm not the only one.

Just a head's up, but the numbers reflect the iPod nanos they think they can make, not how many they can sell. They're selling everyone they make.

David

jholzner · Dec 5, 2005, 05:40 PM

Well, if Amazon.com's listings are any indication, the 30Gb iPod is the #1 and #3 top mp3 player right now. Maybe their nano est. are down but their regular iPod estimates are up.

BornAgainMac · Dec 5, 2005, 05:53 PM

The new 60 GB iPod will make up for any loss nano sales. Video in a portable will take off and secure MPEG-4 video as a real standard.

2nyRiggz · Dec 5, 2005, 09:16 PM

having a nano with the 3G wheel would be sweet...well as long as they can figure a way to put the controls on the wheel again.

Bless

ijimk · Dec 6, 2005, 02:30 PM

thats kinda kool. i still want to be able to burn to a dvd and watch on my tv though.

Jon'sLightBulbs · Dec 5, 2005, 05:27 PM

Give us a no click wheel... like 3g... please!

Super Dave · Dec 5, 2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon'sLightBulbs

Give us a no click wheel... like 3g... please!

lol. I have the 3G and I can't stand it. I miss the 1G to be honest, so I suspect I'd enjoy the clickwheel.

In a winter climate it sucks to not be able to push buttons with gloves on. With the 1G or the clickwheel you can do everything but volume with gloves on. With the 3G you can't do ANYTHING with gloves on.

I guess you can't please everyone.

David

rdowns · Dec 5, 2005, 06:01 PM

mmm, maybe I should have held my 400 shares of SYNA. After taking a beating, I got out when it finally reached my buy in number a few weeks ago.

Ja Di ksw · Dec 5, 2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Dave

lol. I have the 3G and I can't stand it. I miss the 1G to be honest, so I suspect I'd enjoy the clickwheel.

In a winter climate it sucks to not be able to push buttons with gloves on. With the 1G or the clickwheel you can do everything but volume with gloves on. With the 3G you can't do ANYTHING with gloves on.

I guess you can't please everyone.

David

I have both a 1G and 3G, and this is a big complaint for me as well. I dislike taking my gloves off, or having to reach in the pocket, or whatever, to change a song and the like. I miss the actual clicking on the 1G, and also suspect I would like having a clickwheel iPod (anyone in the generous christmas spirit?

)

nagromme · Dec 5, 2005, 06:05 PM

When did Apple announce expected nano sales of 8-10 million?

dongmin · Dec 5, 2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagromme

When did Apple announce expected nano sales of 8-10 million?

Apple announces no such info. It's a made-up number by the 'analysts' and rumor sites.

shamino · Dec 5, 2005, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Dave

In a winter climate it sucks to not be able to push buttons with gloves on. With the 1G or the clickwheel you can do everything but volume with gloves on. With the 3G you can't do ANYTHING with gloves on.

With a 1G, you can do everything with gloves, because the wheel is mechanical.

Unfortunately, that design didn't last very long. It's still one of my favorites.

Super Dave · Dec 5, 2005, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamino

With a 1G, you can do everything with gloves, because the wheel is mechanical.

Unfortunately, that design didn't last very long. It's still one of my favorites.

Oops. That's what I meant. Oh how I miss the 1G. It filled my life with joy. Not to mention that was still when iPods were "what-the-heck-is-that" cool instead of "everyone owns one…of course" cool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickvanr

Eww, the 3G was crap.

Ditto, I went from a 1G to a 3G and almost threw a fit, it was a pain, but then got a 4G and felt happiness run through my body again.

I have renewed hope! Can't wait til my 3G dies. I'm not North American enough to replace it before then, but I look forward to owning a video iPod with a clickwheel.

David

Misplaced Mage · Dec 5, 2005, 07:38 PM

I can't say I blame Apple for trying to reduce the cost of the clickwheel and increase profits (I own Apple stock, BTW

). Do the math for the iPod nano alone using the forecast numbers and estimated teardown costs:

Apple/Cypress clickwheel: 8,000,000 x $0.45 = $3,600,000
Synaptics clickwheel: 8,000,000 x $1.00 = $8,000,000

Difference = $4,400,000

At these production scales, shaving even a tenth of a cent off the price of a part adds up to serious money over the life of a product. Of course you can wind up throwing all that money away in warranty costs if you compromise the quality in the process and end up with a lot of returns, but that's what your quality assurance people are paid to be checking.

SiliconAddict · Dec 5, 2005, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamino

With a 1G, you can do everything with gloves, because the wheel is mechanical.

Unfortunately, that design didn't last very long. It's still one of my favorites.

Moving parts == bad.

SPUY767 · Dec 6, 2005, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiliconAddict

Moving parts == bad.

Agreed, moving parts lend themselves to excessive wear and tear.

shamino · Dec 6, 2005, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiliconAddict

Moving parts == bad.

Only when badly manufactured.

There are plenty of devices (like volume controls on stereo equipment) where mechanical knobs are far better than buttons or touch-pads.

And as has already been pointed out by others, touch-controls don't work in all situations. They don't work when you're wearing gloves, and they sometimes react when you don't want them to.

A well-manufactured mechanical control will not be any less reliable than touch-parts (which have also been known to fail.)

Dec 5, 2005, 05:18 PM	#2
longofest Demi-God (Editor) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Falls Church, VA	The real news The real news in this story might be the fact that Apple will not meet it's estimates of 8-10 million units sold (for the nano), and is having to downgrade its estimates to 7.5 million units. It won't be good news for investors.

Dec 5, 2005, 07:17 PM	#5
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	Apple must be punching themselves for this... They should have just stuck with Synaptics, unless there was a size issue for the Nano, anybody know? Do you think anyone will be able to tell the difference between the two; like "Oh, darn, I got one of those from Cypress, I wanted a Synaptics"? On the other hand, I'm buying a iPod Video, what brand makes that click-wheel for that? And are they any good? __________________ November is Pancreatic Caner Awareness Month www.PanCan.org \| Get Involved

Dec 5, 2005, 05:40 PM	#10
jholzner macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Champaign, IL	Well, if Amazon.com's listings are any indication, the 30Gb iPod is the #1 and #3 top mp3 player right now. Maybe their nano est. are down but their regular iPod estimates are up. __________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." -Terry Pratchett. http://homepage.mac.com/jholzner

Dec 5, 2005, 09:16 PM	#12
2nyRiggz macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Thank you Jah...I'm so Blessed	having a nano with the 3G wheel would be sweet...well as long as they can figure a way to put the controls on the wheel again. Bless __________________ I take everything to Jah in prayer 2ny, do something righteous with your life..

Dec 6, 2005, 02:30 PM	#13
ijimk macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Here	thats kinda kool. i still want to be able to burn to a dvd and watch on my tv though. __________________ ijimk 60 gig iPod 5g; iPod shuffle; dual 1.8 ghz G5 nVidia 6800, 2 gig ram; 20" Cinema display; 1.8 ghz Macbook Pro

Dec 5, 2005, 05:07 PM	#1
MacBytes macrumors bot Join Date: Jul 2003	Synaptics gets the nod to help boost iPod supply http://www.macbytes.com/images/bytessig.gif Category: 3rd Party Hardware Link: Synaptics gets the nod to help boost iPod supply Posted on MacBytes.com Approved by Mudbug

Dec 5, 2005, 07:11 PM	#4
mkubal macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tampa	Somewhere there's a Nano without a clickwheel. Poor Nano.

Dec 5, 2005, 05:53 PM	#11
BornAgainMac macrumors 68030 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Resident	The new 60 GB iPod will make up for any loss nano sales. Video in a portable will take off and secure MPEG-4 video as a real standard.

Dec 5, 2005, 05:27 PM	#14
Jon'sLightBulbs macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	Give us a no click wheel... like 3g... please!

Dec 5, 2005, 06:01 PM	#16
rdowns macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jul 2003	mmm, maybe I should have held my 400 shares of SYNA. After taking a beating, I got out when it finally reached my buy in number a few weeks ago. __________________ I'm Larry David. I happen to enjoy wearing women's panties.

Dec 5, 2005, 06:05 PM	#18
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	When did Apple announce expected nano sales of 8-10 million? __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment?

Dec 5, 2005, 07:38 PM	#22
Misplaced Mage macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Somewhere outside the spacetime continuum…	I can't say I blame Apple for trying to reduce the cost of the clickwheel and increase profits (I own Apple stock, BTW ). Do the math for the iPod nano alone using the forecast numbers and estimated teardown costs: Apple/Cypress clickwheel: 8,000,000 x $0.45 = $3,600,000 Synaptics clickwheel: 8,000,000 x $1.00 = $8,000,000 Difference = $4,400,000 At these production scales, shaving even a tenth of a cent off the price of a part adds up to serious money over the life of a product. Of course you can wind up throwing all that money away in warranty costs if you compromise the quality in the process and end up with a lot of returns, but that's what your quality assurance people are paid to be checking. __________________ "My order takes pride in knowing all that can be known, and most of all the rest..." —Galen

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