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Added side benefit

Maybe I'm seeing something here that doesn't exist, but Im more excited about a potential side benefit to this device. You see, I have 7 Macs on my home network shared by myself, wife, 3 daughters and a son. we all take digital pictures and load them into, at some point, all of the computers. We have photo sharing turned on, but this is still inconvenient as some of the computers may be turned off or sleeping. It also makes it hard to maintain a unified back up of all pictures. THIS SOLVES THAT PROBLEM. All I have to do now is sync each computer with the iPod photo and take it back to my media center Mac mini in the family room and sync back to that machine.

Don't get me wrong, I love the capability of syncing my camera to the iPod Photo and freeing up the memory, but this added ability (I hope) to sync all of my many different libraries on 7 different machines seals the deal for me.
 
Older iPods

I know it says it would work for older ipod photo users but hte killer App would be to make it work with all ipod models and let you store your photos on them when you are on a trip for example to free up your memory card for more pictures....
 
This little device seems to mean that Apple have finally caught up to the rest of the portable photo download market. Good to see.

Edit

Does this little device work with existing ipod photos?
 
macHeaps said:
All I have to do now is sync each computer with the iPod photo and take it back to my media center Mac mini in the family room and sync back to that machine.

Don't get me wrong, I love the capability of syncing my camera to the iPod Photo and freeing up the memory, but this added ability (I hope) to sync all of my many different libraries on 7 different machines seals the deal for me.


I'm not sure if what you are proposing will work. It certainly won't work for music libraries due to copyright concerns. Since photos don't have those same concern, it would be possible. However, if you try to connect your iPod to a new computer, I would think it would try to erase what is already there and just sync with whatever is on that computer. We will see.



To aswitcher: yes, according to the CNet article it will work with the earlier iPod photos.
 
Okay, would anybody care to explain why, after updating to the new firmware released today, my 3G iPod now has a "Photo Import" menu item?
 
Chaszmyr said:
I just checked. You are incorrect. I searched the online Apple Store for 'belkin ipod', both products came up on the first page.

indeed, and with a price drop... at least as compared to what i paid for mine about 4 months ago...

the media reader is now $69 and the camera connector is $49... pretty big price drop... who knows how it will compare to the apple one though

YES, the apple connector will work with the original ipod photos.
 
stcanard said:
Okay, would anybody care to explain why, after updating to the new firmware released today, my 3G iPod now has a "Photo Import" menu item?
Looks like Apple's been good to us :)
PS I updated the Shuffle with the latest firmware, and I couldn't drag and drop files onto it....was really pissing me off...until I restarted cube...had to laugh at myself
 
stcanard said:
better screen immediately, take it back to the hotel and view it on the TV screen right away.

Better screen is relative. Most LCD screens now a days blow away the iPod Photos screen. Even my 3 year old camera's LCD is better then the iPod Photo's but I did spend a grand and a half on the sucker so...*shrugs* And we won't even get into compairing the screen on the iPod to PDA screens. My iPaq 4705 blows away the iPod with a 4" VGA screen. Viewing photos on that sucker is a joy. On the iPod....squinty. But then again I didn't buy the iPod Photo for its photo capabilities. *hugs his 60GB iPod* :)
 
Amazingly Cool!!! ;D

Now lets wait and see how its downloading-speed is.

That you can view your photos on the iPod is badass!

Might be a reason to actually get an iPod Photo before they release iPod HD. (As in hi-def)
 
biederman said:
Photo processing (i.e. multiple image sizes) occurs in iPhoto, not in the iPod. If you bypass iPhoto using direct camera-to-iPod import, then you only get one image size -- no TV viewing. Not sure yet about thumbnail images...

Right. My understanding is that iTunes creates 3 files from each picture--1 for the 25/page view, 1 for fullscreen, and 1 for TV broadcast-- but the original file is not loaded unless you specifically check that box. But, with the new incarnation, we are loading in the full-size, full-resolution photo and somehow we are going to get a version at the resolution to display on the iPod's screen. If I load an 8 MP file, but can only display 220x176, then the file needs to be rescaled, right? If this happens at the time of loading, this could severely slow that process. If it happens on the fly, then I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be able to resize on the fly to fit the TV screen too.

Again, if my digital camera can view 9 images at a time, 1 image at fullscreen, or even zoom in on an image, I don't see why my iPod can't do the same thing.
 
stcanard said:
Okay, would anybody care to explain why, after updating to the new firmware released today, my 3G iPod now has a "Photo Import" menu item?

I also noticed the option for "Photo Import" on my 3G. Also, is it a new option to put "Shuffle Songs" on the main menu?
 
Linksgolfer84 said:
I also noticed the option for "Photo Import" on my 3G. snip
BTW, all 20Gb iPods including the U2 model upwards can do "photo imports with accessory" according to Apple's website, which probably explains the "Photo Import" option :)
 
That's a nice price for such a valuable device. Now I wish I had an iPod Photo. Having the ability to store my photos on the iPod would make my 256mb Memory Stick all I ever need! Oh well, can't afford one. Maybe in a few years (when they play and import quicktime videos - mostly from my digital camera).
 
24C said:
BTW, all 20Gb iPods including the U2 model upwards can do "photo imports with accessory" according to Apple's website, which probably explains the "Photo Import" option :)

So that means I can import the photos onto my 4g 20gb iPod, just not view them? That would be awesome!
 
24C said:
BTW, all 20Gb iPods including the U2 model upwards can do "photo imports with accessory" according to Apple's website, which probably explains the "Photo Import" option :)

Mine's a 10GB and I get the menu option too...

This definitely adds fuel to the idea that the iPod Photo is morphing into an iPod with Colour, if they're backporting some of the photo capabilities to the older models!
 
Linksgolfer84 said:
I also noticed the option for "Photo Import" on my 3G. Also, is it a new option to put "Shuffle Songs" on the main menu?

From Software Update:

iPod software 2.3 (for 3rd Generation iPod with dock connector)
Shuffle Songs selection in Main Menu
Music menu item in Main Menu
Support for iTunes 4.7 and later

iPod software 1.5 (for Touch Wheel and Scroll Wheel iPod)
Shuffle Songs selection in Main Menu
Music menu item in Main Menu
Support for iTunes 4.7 and later

Whoa!! This is a really great attitude from Apple!! Remember when Apple renamed "Library" to "Music" on the 4G iPods? Everybody thought that was a weird thing to do. It seemed obvious why when they released the iPod photo... This makes the iPod interface more coherent between different models. Sure, you won't be able to view photos on older B&W screen iPods. But at least, the menu where your music is will be called... "Music" :rolleyes:

Anyway, I guess this may mean we will be able to use that accessory with dock connector iPods (or at least, I hope so) :D

And by the way, it's nice that they included that "Shuffle Songs" thingy, but that's useless for me, IMHO. AFAIK, that doesn't toggle the "Shuffle" option on the Settings menu, regardless of what playlist you're listening to. It starts playing your whole library on Shuffle... Sure, shuffle is meant to make you lose control, but I don't want to do that. Even if I get myself an iPod Shuffle, I'll still select some smart playlist for it to "Autofill" from...
 
It is described as "a small white plastic device, similar in appearance to a small docking station, that has a cable for connecting to the iPod and a USB port for connecting to a camera. It will work with both the new iPod Photos and with earlier photo player models".

That sucks. I wouldn't exactly call that easily portable. :(
So if I'm understand I have to carry around the docking station sized device along with a cable to connect it to the iPod along with the cable to connect it to the camera. Joy.

Why couldn't they simply have had sleeve type interface that goes around the iPod's lower half that integrates into the iPod's connector. Then have a USB interface on the bottom that allows you to plug in your camera. Maybe it’s just me but that sounds a whole heck of a lot slicker.
 
I sure hope this works with all cameras/cards.

I bought both Belkin devices, and the card reader doesn't support Memory Stick Pro, and the Belkin converter cable doesn't work with my Sony CyberShot. Both were returned. :-(
 
Mainyehc said:
AFAIK, that doesn't toggle the "Shuffle" option on the Settings menu, regardless of what playlist you're listening to. It starts playing your whole library on Shuffle... Sure, shuffle is meant to make you lose control, but I don't want to do that. Even if I get myself an iPod Shuffle, I'll still select some smart playlist for it to "Autofill" from...

Yah that is one of my biggest pet peeves about the iPod too. How is it I can shuffle my entire library but I can't shuffle my playlists. I'd love to know if you can do this otherwise that was a really dumb design on the part of Apple. But I've got a laundry list of grips about the interface on the iPod but that's for another day.

EDIT: Thanks. I'm apparently blind. I thought there was only one shuffle option not song/albums. :eek: Now if only I could move a track up and down a playlist....waits hoping for some miracle solution from the crowd.
 
I just got the older 60 gig iPod Photo for $479, considering you get all the cables, and the dock, I say why get the newer one? Now that I know the camera connector will work with the older iPod photos, my only questions are:

1) Will the new connector support Firewire?

2) Will it support RAW formats?

I only shoot in RAW and my camera uses Firewire. I cant imagine transfering 4 gigs of pictures in RAW format using a USB cable!!!
 
SiliconAddict said:
How is it I can shuffle my entire library but I can't shuffle my playlists. I'd love to know if you can do this otherwise that was a really dumb design on the part of Apple.

Clicking Shuffle in the main menu randomized the whole library. But, the iPod has always had the shuffle option in the settings menu that will shuffle by artist or song so that any playlist will be randomized.
 
SiliconAddict said:
Yah that is one of my biggest pet peeves about the iPod too. How is it I can shuffle my entire library but I can't shuffle my playlists. I'd love to know if you can do this...

You can shuffle your playlists! As long as you have your Shuffle Setting set to Songs, then when you play a playlist, the tracks will play in random order. It's that easy!
 
SiliconAddict said:
How is it I can shuffle my entire library but I can't shuffle my playlists. I'd love to know if you can do this otherwise that was a really dumb design on the part of Apple.

I have a 4g 20gb. I always listen to my playlists on shuffle, except when I am doing my cardio :) . I just go to settings and select shuffle songs. I don't ever listen to my whole library because I have some holiday music and other songs that my wife likes :mad: . Today I picked up a silver 6gb mini for her. So, now I can take Beyonce off my friggin' iPod. Wa-hoo!! :D
 
The only difference with todays 60gb photo over yesterdays is the price i.e. it's still a rev A. Same with the 30gb, it's a rev A. In my opinion the 40gb has been discontinued purely for marketing/pricing reasons.

Does anyone know if this new photo transfer device will support RAW format?
 
phonic pol said:
snip Does anyone know if this new photo transfer device will support RAW format?

Nothing mentioned on the website, existing Photo models do not support this standard as yet, but iPhoto does...curious omission, as IMO RAW is the ideal candidate for film card downloads onto an iPod, as RAW images soon gobble up card space...here's hoping this gets addressed when the device is launched.
 
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