iPod Hi-Fi Introduced

[chukronos]

How many more of these useless events can they pull off before the media stops showing up. (Except for die hard fans and trekies.) I wonder if at the next event they'll introduce the iToothbrush as part of their new iSoap line. I get excited about these anouncements. Now, they are deflating. I wish they would create iSTD and give the first version to steve.
-Chuck

 

[~Shard~]

BOSE speakers are inaccurate in repoducing instruments frequency response properly. They poorly color sound through their intestines to give so called "bigger sound".

Thanks for the back-up and specifics regarding my point - this is absolutely correct. Bose = crap.

 

[FaasNat]

how hard would it have been to include an FM radio?

Heh, was thinking that too. They make FM tuners really small these days... I wonder how hard it would've been to fit one in that huge thing.

 

[ArcaneDevice]

I think this is a ballsy move by apple. bose and other speaker manufacturing outfits won't be happy. might not matter if apple isn't getting a backend from them.

do i think this is ugly? no. looks like a centre channel of a home theatre - how can you make something like that look good?

this would look half decent if it didn't have to have an iPod stuck out of the top. It could also be placed like a center speaker (i.e. under the TV on a rack) if it didn't. There's no reason they could not have designed the iPod to have slotted completely inside and out of harms way, dropped a small LCD panel on the front and an IR receiver.

And how could they have made it look and sound better?

The Yamaha YSP-1.

Admittedly it's 4x the price.

 

[alamar]

runs on batteries

anyone want to photoshop john cusak holding this over his head like in say anything?

 

[pseudobrit]

So, half the people hate it because they say it will sound like crap because it's too small. But, as so many have pointed out, the songs on your iPod are so compressed there's no point in playing them through anything better. So, who cares? College students will buy it. No space, gotta out-blast the neighbor.

As I pointed out in a previous post (like 1.72 seconds ago; it's now 411 pages back), you can get a Sony boombox with an aux input for your iPod (or Mac -- or anything, really) that is Fully Guaranteed To Collapse At Least One Lung if turned up to half volume.

And, like the HiFi, it also won't sound as good as a true audiophile setup.

It doesn't look as trendy and it only costs $100. Which I suppose is the only substantial difference.

 

[mainstreetmark]

I wish they could have stuck a wireless in that thing, so you could play it via "Airtunes". THAT would be something totally new.

 

[alamar]

last thought on this

My last thought on this thing is that it will mainly sell to people who bought an Ipod just because its an ipod and knew nothing else about it.

oh, and why just avalible in white? why not a black one too?

this thing is silly if you ask me.

 

[ilmiacs]

Well, maybe...

If $350 too much for any of you, you are really no audiophile...

I have seen some small devices with incredible sound the last years. (The Tivoli system sounds incredible for that size and prize. And if put on those legendary Koss Porta Pro, you are wondering, where all the bass comes from.) If Steve was clever enough to let some world-class sound designers do the job, then I believe todays iPod HiFi is able to produce pretty good sound for $350. I would trust Steve more, if I would know that he really loves great sound. But the only thing I know is that he loves U2... not neccessarily promising. I have to hear it with my own ears.

 

[ArcaneDevice]

You apparently agree with me that the market for this item is only people who don't own stereos already or who have older generation iPods. It's a rather small market. You're the only person I've ever heard of who doesn't own a stereo. I mean seriously, and I'm asking this respectfully, do you really care about music?

I do not own a stereo system.

However when I want to listen to the iPod in the living room I use a $5 cable to hook it up to my receiver and 5.1 speakers.

In the office I slot it into the dock and that's connected to my desktop Z-5500 5.1 system.

For use in the living room the Tune Center from Griffin sounds more like something that dedicated HT and audiophiles would use and something I would likely buy. It's $200 cheaper and offers mor functionality. Pity it doesn't have optical out.

The only people I can see using the iFi are those who want a quick bedroom setup, like teenagers and dorm students.

 

[javiercr]

HiFi: ungly, uninspired, not a classic timeless design like most of the apple stuff.

Macmini: cool, expensive, too expensive, not tuner, elgato tuners still don't work with Intel.

 

[xli_ne]

It has an Apple Logo...

~The Red Wolf~

It all sounded half way intelligent till you said that. Everyone should bow down to it because it has an Apple logo on it. please

 

[forumBuddy]

Looks like Apple spends too much R&D on accessories market and they are not an accessories company - someone needs to remind that to Apple. I guess it's time for iPod division to split away from Apple - so that they start making kick ass computers like PowerMac G4 and Clear Cinema Displays again.

And for crying out loud - customers scream for TV enabled MacMini - slap a S-Vidio and HDMI out on that sucker - write a simple DVR app and rip the market, gain market share -

Apple STOP screwing yourself like it's 1995!

 

[Eaon]

No I won't. I still don't have speakers but I'm leaning towards JBL Creature IIs.

My apologies. "Some college students, but not mackeeper, will buy it." Better?

 

[e-clipse]

A college student will definately spend $2000+ for a powerbook or macbook pro.
A college student will not invest in a over glorified boombox.
A college student probably already has a system that can smoke it!
The iPod was a great invention for its sleekness and portability.
iPods rule the college campus outdoors.
If I was even going to bring that iPod HiFi Boombox on campus, it would need to have iShock theft protection.

 

[pcp_ip]

HiFi

This is the big announcement? An ugly speaker with a poorly integrated iPod dock? Apple has all of the components available to build a multi-room expandable Sonos type system. Why not?

I don’t understand why this thing doesn’t at least have an AirPort Express built into it to stream music wirelessly. Wouldn’t be simple to also allow iTunes streaming— and open the market up to include those without an iPod?!? What about multiple Hi-Fis in different rooms all playing the same thing from your iPod?

Home stereo. Reinvented. Not. This type of item is better left to the hundreds of companies already making this product.

 

[zanevlc]

Come On!!!

Cannot understand why everyone feels SO LET DOWN!!! when Apple do not make something, people complain and when the dedicate time and money to make something that SOME OF us actually like, people get all S***** and take the easy way out and complain. Some Mac users should really try to understand that mac users ARE ALL DIFFERENT, tastes requirements etc. etc. I LOVE this thing, and its 359 Euros ($428) price is perfect. and to top it all off, has fiber optic, compatible with Airport Ex, and can use batteries (great for taking to the beach) will get 2 when they arrive here in Spain. one for the bathroom. (although guess my neighbors will not like it )..and one for the Kitchen....

Now everyone DEEP BREATH and lets get on to the subject, WHAT WILL COME ON 1 April

 

[innhitman]

stock dipped too

This announcement was so sunderwhelming the stock maket even revolted.... aapl dropped at least 2 points after the meeting....

I am assuming that his promises of high end sound, etc are all lies.... $349 gets you high end sound? Yeah, right! I am expecting something that sounds like the Bose or B&O... which are both garbage... but they look nicer....

Tivo DVR killer and Video ipods are what people want to see..

yeah, a few kids might buy it for their dorm rooms... that's it

 

[PlayUltimate]

too true...

Look at the negative votes.... all because rumors, and rumors alone, gave people ideas that this particular event would bring something else?

iPod Hi-Fi would have been more "fun" without rumors to spoil it I think

It may be time to break out the dreaded Thread 500:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=500

Negative votes today often mean massive sales tomorrow... weird!

I remember the day. Same thing after the iPod Mini and Shuffle. It seems that "everyone" is disappointed after every event.

Needless to say, Apple is a multi-billion dollar business and has a lot more to lose if it releases a crappy product than you or I do.

Moving on...I see the BoomBox going in the dorm room and teen bedroom. And with so many homes having entertainment rooms, this could be used in another room in the house. For example, my wife and I currently have our stereo and tv in the living room. We want it downstairs in the family room but we spend so much time in the living room, which is next to the kitchen (funky design), that we hesitate to move it and lose our music. This product, assuming the sound is good, fills that niche. In addition, we can take it outside when we have outside parties without having to buy outdoor speakers.
I do wish it had built in Wi-Fi so I could have used my computer's playlist.

 

[mackeeper]

A college student will definately spend $2000+ for a powerbook or macbook pro.
A college student will not invest in a over glorified boombox.
A college student probably already has a system that can smoke it!
The iPod was a great invention for its sleekness and portability.
iPods rule the college campus outdoors.
If I was even going to bring that iPod HiFi Boombox on campus, it would need to have iShock theft protection.

Very true. One question, why is it called an iPod? It isn't an iPod!!!!!!

 

[puuukeey]

Apple follows

Apple is rapidly writing a history of trying to kill competition be including developers ideas into a product and this is totally ridiculous.

if your such an innovator, how come you won't let the followers follow? just innovate already, its been so so so long since we've seen anything good and creative from apple.

everything is just shady business moves

I'm really unhappy with apple right now. I hope it goes the way of the newton in half the time.

someone should get fired.

ARGARGARG

 

[MrCrowbar]

My opinion:

Mac Mini: Nice update. Core Duo version is nice, remote is cool and the IR-Sensor is well placed. Just buy the cable to hook it up to your TV and you have a nice media centre.

iPod sock: 99$ ? Again: 99$ !? I want to see the sales numbers for this thing in a year. I like the grey pouch that comes with new iPods, it only gets dirty fast. It would be ok if the black sock came free with every new iPod, but 99$ is way too expensive. And i still have to pull the iPod out to see the screen...

iPod HIFI: No tweeters, no HIFI, got it? Frequency response looks bad to me but I think it's ok for beach or dorm use. They should have called it Boombox, HIFI need tweeters and seperated speakers for stereo. The price would be ok if there was an apple logo on it, but I can't see any... I'd love to see a real Jukebox for the iPod. One of these tall things where you can see the iPod behind a window lighted by rhythmic disco lights and an extra clickwheel on the jukebox itself. Add WIFI and additional speaker output and you really had a "fun" product.

 

[sartinsauce]

apple is hetting lame....
but there is a reason, just wait.

I agree.

I really have to think that these are new products that are part of an all new Apple line up. A year from now, the landscape of the Apple product line (and website) will be completely different. These products are jumping off points.

Remember, the Mac Mini is the bottom of the line. It's in the stages of becoming a digital media hub, but it's not ready yet. Similarly, I think (hope) maybe this boombox is going to expand into a wicked product over the next couple of years.

Maybe not, maybe this is the beginning of the end for Apple. They have to crash, burn and die someday. As an old man I'm sure I'll be telling little kids about a groovy, innovative computer company called Apple that went down in flames.

Oh, and I have to agree that $99 is out of control. That leather sleeve should be included at no extra cost with your Nano.

 

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

anyone want to photoshop john cusak holding this over his head like in say anything?

What was that?

 

[Laser47]

This was very disappointing. How cool would it be to have a battery powered airtunes speaker with built in tuner? Unfortunately we got this square thing.

Where did the stereo go?

Are you serious?