Add-Ons for iPod?

Notice, Mr. "None", that apple usually doesn't get products right on the first try. The first Mac didn't have enough Ram, or OSX wasn't comatible with anything at first, for example. But iPod was a huge success right from the beginning, which means that Apple doesn't see much point in updating it right away. Right now their focasing more on completely new devices. Don't expect anything new for iPod until summer.

 

NO iPOD2 BUT.......

I think Apple will update there iPOD software
to version 1.1 and it will include quicktime player 5 and itunes visualisations and maybe an equalizer
And hopefully a price drop to $299 or $199

Now I'd Buy that

 

iPod is too new to already be replaced by an iPod 2... they're great as they are... sure they dont record, but who knows for someday? its a new player that has a firewire port at the top, which hopefully will be used for more things than plugging in to the computer, like maybe one day, a recorder.

 

iPod add-on idea

How about this...
<a href="http://homepage.mac.com/flatpainter/imagine_illustration1.htm">iPodCam</a>

 

iPod2

It is silly to say there will be an iPod2 being put out already. The only thing that they would do i is increase the size of the HD. The iPod is a computer and so it will be updated many times soon through software and hardware accesories. They will also not come out with an iPod2 so soon because that would be really bad buisness strategy, you need to wait and make all of the money you can from the first product before introducing the next.

 

remote and software updates for ipod

i have the ipod and it is almost perfect, things it needs, is a remote, which probably come out, better head phones, the current ones hurt alot after a long wear, so new ear buds with the new remote i would buy, and an equalizer, which would be part of the updated os for the ipod, would be simple, the wheel would control the setting of the bar and you switch between bars with the next and previous buttons,and i dont thing a visualizer is needed, it would be dumb and eat the battery. So i see an updated os for ipod to make the sleep problem work out with an equalizer and hopefully another game on it, and a remote for it. No ipod 2, ipod 2 will be released for a more powerful os for it and the ipod 2 will be exacly the same except a bigger hard drive and it would be tweaked for the new os, and the old ipod would have the old os updates.

ok i went to ipoding.com and they say that an auto adapter is coming out for the ipod, and an addon to turn your ipod into a remote for the tv, stereo, dvd, and other devices. thats what i heard, so that seems cool enough. but the auto adapter seems useless.

[Edited by tw9876z on 01-07-2002 at 12:34 AM]

 

Recording I-Pod

If Apple wants to hook radio producers, they need to produce a I-Pod with high quality recording capability. Such a device would win over a lot of people. Currently mini-disks and dat recorders are widely used, but the problem is to transfer the recording to a computer for editing requires real time transfer, or in the case of minidisk a very expensive ($5000) machine. A recording i-pod would simplify the transfer process and if sufficiently stable be a big hit. Obviously such a device would be somewhat bigger because of additional circuitry, but I don't think it would need to be much bigger

 

Area 51

Chances are Apple has concept versions of iPod that take pictures, have iTunes visualizers, play DVDs, 60GB Hard Drives, and brush your teeth, all while playing your favorite beats. Just like Area 51 these are all locked up in some big wharehouse somewhere waiting to be release next time Apple wants to wow the world and mlk this innovation cash-cow. If we want to see an iPod2, the best strategy would be to tell all your friends NOT to buy an iPod. Applewill see sales slipping, and will release bigger and better to boost sales.

 

If the iPod could recor 70% of the problems of my life would be resolved. I work with audio and would be excellent to record bands, live show, inteviews, my friends CD's, etx. Right now there are not any good piece of hardware that record to hard drive directly, at list I haven't see any.

 

Re: NO iPOD2 BUT.......

And how are you supposed to add a visualizer to a black and white screen?

The only way they could do that is to release a coclor iPod.. which would be iPod2.




irmongoose

 

iPod 1.1

I would like to see either an equalizer, or base/treble controlls on the iPod (via software update). That would make it 10-100x better. I like to pump the base up on my music while listening to it. Either through presets (iTunes rock set) or through a multi-speaker set up that has a volume control on the subwoofer (woof).

I picked up an iPod over the weekend, after talking with someone that has one at an Apple retail store. I value real world use feedback a lot more then stuff posted online. I was able to get her real impression of it, and picked one off the shelf before leaving (along with updates to Illustrator 10 and Bryce 5 ). Not a cheap afternoon, but very nice anyway.

I already had a cassett adapter for the portable cd player that I have been using in my truck. I no longer use it, I just plug the iPod into it. I have already transferred a good sized chunck of my cd collection onto it (almost 400 songs so far).

Now that I have one, I am very glad that I didn't wait any longer to get it. Now I need to pick up one of the leather cases with the belt clip for it. That way, I can take it anywhere and use it. The 20 minute skip protection is a ear saver. I frequently travel down a few roads that could make any cd player skip. The iPod didn't miss a note..

Apple gets the way cool award for this one... Just makes me wonder what is the next digital hub device.

 

I just discovered a fix for the low base level of the ear buds... use good headphones . I just plugged in a pair of Koss headphones that I purchased about 2 years ago (thin ear pieces) and the base it right where I like it .

Go figure, Apple got it right the first time, I just needed to put different headphones onto it.

Long live Apple!!

 

Alternative to recording Ipod?

I checked the web site of Archos out. The Jukebox Recorder MP3 Encoder & Player (PC or Mac)looks neat. If these recorders work well they may be what we are looking for. It records to an mp3 file and has a 6-20 gig hard drive. USB 2 transfer protocol. Variable bit recording and takes a powered mike.(as well as a built in one)

http://www.archos.com/us/products/product_500201.html

Anyone have any exprience with these devices? It is twice as heavy as an Ipod but if you want to record and edit this may do the trick.

 

It's also larger then the iPod is. USB 2 is only good if you pick up an USB 2 PCI card for your Mac and run it under OS X (OS 9.x doesn't support USB 2, only 1.1).

Either way, it's a personal choice.. but I am glad that I went and spent the money to get the iPod since I have imported my entire cd collection and still have room for more.

 

What would it take to really record onto an ipod? If all you wanted to do was capture the audio file to the disc and then dump it onto your system a firewire add on could be developed to do that. Probably wouldn't be ale to play back instantly without a firmware rev, but it would be a start.
Right now if you use the Archos, what options do you have for the encode quality? Can you make aiff files? MP3 probably wouldn't cut it for the pros.
Paging Dr Bott...

 

Archos Specs

The Specs on the Archos unit look good. You can check them out on their web site. They have 3 models. I don't know if the sound is as good as the specs indicate but MP3 formates at 30 for Mono and 60 for stereo should be fine for radio. Mini disks record in a compressed format as well. But I have no experience with the unit. It seems promising, but the devil is in the details. Obviously it is heavier than a i-Pod, but lighter than a 2 lb. Marantze mono cassette recorder.

One other point, the question of quality is use specific. Words vs music. Interviews should record just fine.


MP3 (30 to 320 Kbps) Variable Bit Rate - VBR
MP3 (selectable 30 to 160 Kbps) Real-Time Encoding
Display:
Graphic Backlit LCD (Up to 8 lines of characters)
Audio Specifications:
Stereo Digital / Analog Line In, Stereo Line Out, and Earphone Jack.
Signal to noise ratio > 90dB.
Max Output Power: 100mW Freq.
Response 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Harmonic Distortion: < 0.1%

http://www.archos.com/us/products/product_500201.html

 

how expensie would it be for them to simply change the hard drive to an 80 gig? then that iPod Cam would definitely kick. keep the same price for the iPod though.
i AM about to buy an archos recorder though. as soon as i get things straightened up