Apple Releases 4th Gen iPod

[nina]

New iPods aren't THAT much cheaper...

Old iPods:

20GB w headphones, dock, remote, and case = $399
40GB w headphones, dock, remote, and case = $499

New iPods:

20GB w headphones = $299 + dock ($39) + case ($39) + remote ($39) = $416
40GB w headphones, dock = $399 + case ($39) + remote ($39) = $477

When you look at it this way, these new iPods are unimpressive. The new 20GB actually costs more than the old one (if you get all the accessories), and the 40GB is just slightly cheaper. This is dissapointing - when I heard that the prices had dropped by $100, I thought "lower prices! Apple is doing something right for a change!". I'm surprised they would accomplish lower prices by removing stuff they previously bundled - seems like a very non-Appleish thing to do. 😡

So, I'll keep my 2G 10GB until a ~10GB iPod mini is released.

 

[iMook]

Hehe, the iPodYourBMW site hasn't been updated with the new iPod design yet.

 

[seelab]

It still reads Don't Buy - Updates soon but should read Buy Now! - Product just updated and have its Days Since Update: changed from 195 to 0

Or maybe you should say: Don't Buy - Nothing new with this update

 

[croooow]

If there is no remote and case, STOP advertising they are cheaper !

It still is cheaper. 🙄

40GB 3G=$499 (At The Apple retail Store it's $399 now, so actually, that IS cheaper the way you'd like!)

40GB 4G=$399 +$39 +$39 = so it's still $22 cheaper and you get better battery life and a thinner iPod and a second set of Earphones. So it's still cheaper, and those who don't want the case because they prefer a skin or better case save $61

So IT IS CHEAPER! Now, shut up, please. 😀

 

[trox_355]

Just got finished speaking with a "supervisor" and after a good ten minute conversation, I now have a cancelled order for an iPod 😡
After trying everything I could think of to get my accessories (noting that the picture of the G4 iPod on the specs page contained a link that took you to a picture of a G4 iPod on the store), I ultimately decided to cancel my order and wait for the 60GB model (which hopefully will be including these accessories 🙄 ). In any case, good luck to the others. In the meantime, I may be waiting for the G3 iPods to come down in price, or wait for the G4 60GB models to eventually come out. Good luck to the others.

-Pete

 

[Trekkie]

Well, I'd like to take this opportunity to say that my 5G (which I bought the first month the iPod was introduced) is still running great. I used it daily for 2 years, then gave it to my mother, who does the same.

I moved up to a gen 2 iPod.

Most importantly, the original button pattern is back. This was something that would have stopped me from getting a new one. That said, 10 gigs is fine for me (just use moderately smart playlists).

I was very happy to see the 2G like layout of buttons on this one. I upgraded from my 20GB primarily for the support of the belkin CF reader so I can avoid carrying my powerbook to download pictures off my 1GB Microdrives when going photo happy with nature. Saves about 5 -6 lbs.

 

[Trekkie]

Because Pink Floyd is hardly Pink Floyd on shuffle 😛

Come now, We know you love shuffling from 'Happiest Days of our Lives' to 'My Heart Will Go On'

Something satisfying about the primal scream at the end of that to the mellow entry of Celine Dion... 😀 😱


Sometimes shuffle is fun, other times, it'll make you wreck your car laughing at the combination. Not that I have 'My heart will go on' anywhere near my iPod.

 

[blybug]

Docks & Other Peripherals not compatible?

Browsing through the Apple Store iPod peripherals section I noticed that several items, including the Dock, do not support the new "click-wheel" iPod. Hard to believe since it's only 1mm thinner.

This is frustrating since I have 3 docks for my 3rd gen 40Gigger, one at my computer, one in the kitchen attached to speakers, and one outside with the poolside stereo. I've been waiting to buy a new model so I could hand down mine to replace my wife's now full (but still working!) 1st generation 5GB iPod, and we could both just plop them into whatever dock around the house. But it appears I'd have to get new docks to accomodate the new iPod...not very appealing for those who have obtained these accessories to make the iPod ubiquitous in their homes...

Looks like anything that has a "cord" like the Belkin battery pack, still works suggesting the actual connector is the same. But dock-like accessories will not fit or work at all with the new ever-so-slightly smaller form factor? I've got a DLO Transpod in my car too...will I need a new one of those?

Not cool. Hardly seems worth making the iPod is a physically negligble 1mm thinner if the only noticeable effect it has is creating incompatible accessories. Hoping that maybe like the slight difference in size between the old 3rd gen 15GB and 40GB there might be just a different plastic casing that "snaps" over top of the exact same dock depending on its thickness, or that the old dock will still work, just with the iPod slightly "loose" which would be OK, even in the car. 🙁

 

[croooow]

When you look at it this way, these new iPods are unimpressive.

To all those people posting they didn't care about anything but better battery life, it's a good change/update.

And to people like me who don't care about the remote (since it's not an LCD remote, I would like something more than a few buttons to blindly navigate my 1000s of songs!) or the cheap apple case, the new iPods are cheaper. I'm saving $20 on the USB2.0 cable

 

[romerom]

just ordered a 40gb 4th gen 🙂

weehee! 40gb 4th gen set to ship on the 21st 🙂

wife wont let me open it until my b-day in about a month tho!! at least i got something to look forward to 🙂

 

[croooow]

In the meantime, I may be waiting for the G3 iPods to come down in price, or wait for the G4 60GB models to eventually come out.

if 40GB is big enough for you you might want to go to an Apple Retail store. The person I spoke to at my local one referred to a memo sent out to all the stores with new prices of 3rd Gen ipods. The 20 and 40 come with the accessories and cost $100 less than they did yesterday. 😀

 

[seelab]

It still is cheaper. 🙄

40GB 3G=$499 (At The Apple retail Store it's $399 now, so actually, that IS cheaper the way you'd like!)

40GB 4G=$399 +$39 +$39 = so it's still $22 cheaper and you get better battery life and a thinner iPod and a second set of Earphones. So it's still cheaper, and those who don't want the case because they prefer a skin or better case save $61

So IT IS CHEAPER! Now, shut up, please. 😀

"Apple is trying to create a much more compelling lineup with two models for 20 and 40 gigabytes at extremely compelling prices."
yeah right but i hate false advertising. 22$ cheaper, is not what i call extremely compelling prices and after 6 months they could have done better. Two models instead of three is not a more compelling lineup.

And sorry if i'm giving my opinion.

 

[sebisworld]

So... I just got my order cancelled b/c I only chose the 40 GB due the remote and the case. I tried to downgrade the order but was told that it can't order anything with a German credit card. I basically want to order an iPod and have it sent to Alaska (a friend of mine is currently over there and could get it to me). I put the right name for the credit card, but the Alaskan address and it verified without a problem. So, would it really be a problem if I decided to order the 20 GB one with a German credit card? Or is it just that Apple does not like it because they can?

 

[nina]

To all those people posting they didn't care about anything but better battery life, it's a good change/update.

And to people like me who don't care about the remote (since it's not an LCD remote, I would like something more than a few buttons to blindly navigate my 1000s of songs!) or the cheap apple case, the new iPods are cheaper. I'm saving $20 on the USB2.0 cable

Good point. I meant the new iPods were unimpressive from a "lower price" standpoint. You're right - if I were to buy one, I'd stay far away from the Apple-made case. We have 2 iPods in our family, and the hinges on both of them broke - the tiny plastic rings holding the spring pin split open. And they want $39 for another one? No WAY! 😱

I now use a third-party case for my iPod. But I need the remote - don't always want to pull the iPod out to change songs.... sometimes it's better if the iPod stays out of sight. 😉

 

[utah_boy2]

Why would apple not let you pre order a 60GB, Havnt they realsed things in the past but had a delyed shipping?

Is the 60GB going to have some feature that the current 4th Gen's dont have?

I mean why not take the orders & the money and then ship them as they become available?

Jordan

 

[croooow]

Browsing through the Apple Store iPod peripherals section I noticed that several items, including the Dock, do not support the new "click-wheel" iPod. Hard to believe since it's only 1mm thinner.

I think there is more different about the dock that supports USB charing, like the Mini Dock.

The 3rd Gen 10/15/20 iPod is thicker than the 4th Gen 20 but thinner than the 4th Gen 40. The 3rd Gen 30/40 is thicker than the 4th gen 20 and 40. But the same dock fit the 3rd Gen 40 and 10?

 

[SeanMcg]

Damned if you do....

Ok, so they are not included. I hate Apple.

I just bought a 3G 40GB on the 10th knowing full well something was around the corner. (Accurate or not with the specs, the timing is usually right on these rumor sites) So I can only kick myself for my impatience to use a nice gift card I got for my birthday, when I already had a 1G 5GB, with failing battery.

I was reminded of the fact, while I was opening up the box, that Apple takes EVERY part of the design to the nth degree. I almost didn't want to open up the packaging. For those of you who haven't purchased a 40GB iPod, the case itself comes in a little bag. My point is that this is obviously not cheap, and if Apple is positioning the 40 as the mid-range, something has to give in order to drop the price.

One of the new features, multiple on-the-go playlists, seem to be a function of iTunes already, unless it is being handled a different way with the new 'pods. I noticed that the playlist I created had gotten copied into iTunes as "On-The-Go 1" and then copied back to the iPod with the same name, clearing out the previous "On-The-Go" list. Do the new iPods actually allow you to create multiple playlists without syncing?

 

[croooow]

I now use a third-party case for my iPod. But I need the remote - don't always want to pull the iPod out to change songs.... sometimes it's better if the iPod stays out of sight. 😉

So it's $81 cheaper for you to get a 4g than a 3g, if you needed a USB2.0 cable for the 3g, $61 if you use Firewire.

$61 will buy several cases (or one Vaja)

 

[croooow]

For those of you who haven't purchased a 40GB iPod, the case itself comes in a little bag.

You mean the cardboard box the iPod comes in comes with a bag? The 40 GB iPods I've seen at retail stores looked to come in the same box the 15 and 20s came with.

 

[Trekkie]

Bummer.

Since it doesn't come with a case now I'm a bit concerned. Not that I was a fan of the case that Apple has but I used it is a 'scratch protector' in my laptop bag. The remote isn't that big of a deal for me because it made me feel like I was getting nuked with EM radiation because of the 10' of wire you seemed to have.

Though I might buy a remote when my ear buds (apple version) wear out one day. Having multiple sets of headphones just to get the wireless remote doesn't appeal to me.

 

[croooow]

"Apple is trying to create a much more compelling lineup with two models for 20 and 40 gigabytes at extremely compelling prices."
yeah right but i hate false advertising. 22$ cheaper, is not what i call extremely compelling prices and after 6 months they could have done better. Two models instead of three is not a more compelling lineup.

And sorry if i'm giving my opinion.

I am sorry for being harsh like I was. Shut up was not called for.

I do see your point. For people who want those items it's only $22 cheaper (which isn't much) For people in my case it's actually $119 cheaper ($100 + $19 usb 2.0 cable I don't need to buy seperatly) When I called Apple about the items they mentioned they didn't want to "force" people to buy their cases and remotes. It's not totally honest. Sorry for the "shut up" comment. 🙁

 

[dguisinger]

In another note, Playboy's Miss August is wearing nothing but an iPod mini.... just an interesting observation, I guess the iPod really is making it as a cultural statement, its even making it into porn.

(Either that or Apple gave them some nice cash)

 

[croooow]

I mean why not take the orders & the money and then ship them as they become available?

I don't think they were in a rush to get the 60 GB iPods out there, I don't think they will sell as well as the 20/40 and they probably have been busy making those to keep up with demand so they don't repeat the Mini iPod shortage.

They also might want to make the 60 GB release extra special.

 

[autmusic]

Apple UK store is still listing new iPod with remote and case

and I got a screenshot... its a long shot, but I just put an order through, so will ring them tommorrow to see if they will live up to advertised site.

 

[croooow]

...but I just put an order through, so will ring them tommorrow to see if they will live up to advertised site.

I'd call them NOW, get it settled ASAP!