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iTunes Announcements?

I know it's all a matter of taste, but I HATE the 3G iPod buttons. I have played with them in the store, and they are fantastically non-ergonomic (for my hands, at least) and way too sensitive.

I am the owner of a 2G, which I think is the best iPod button setup yet. Well that is, until the mini's came along.

THE CLICKWHEEL RULES! So wonderful to hold, touch, navigate. Perfect. I hope the 4G iPods adopt the clickwheel.
 
Trowaman said:
c'mon Syeve-o, impress me.

Bring any of the following to the store: Dave Matthews, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, or Smashing Pumpkins.

Make me happy.
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Led Zeppelin AC/DC and Rammstien

but most of all - itunes in Canada!!
 
Can't say I've heard 96 kHz before, but I have heard 20-bit before. On a standard computer setup, it was definitely an improvement over 16-bit. In any case, I don't think the speakers are the limiting factor here. For compressed audio it is, since low-quality consumer grade speakers usually don't play the frequencies that compression strips out. The limiting factor for higher-quality source audio is the playback hardware. Most sound cards only output 16-bit at 44.1 kHz at best, so what do you really gain from having better than CD quality source audio?

While I did notice a difference between 16- and 20-bit, what I think is really needed is a little bit of a listening test. Anybody out there have an SACD/DVD-Audio player, some hybrid SACDs or audio DVDs, and some average computer speakers? Try the speakers with both the SACD/DVD-Audio player and an old CD player and see if you can tell the difference.

I think if iTMS offered higher quality audio that people would flock to it. Just advertise the almighty bigger numbers and consumers will buy it up like crazy, whether it made any real difference with their hardware or not. I think the key thing is that Apple could do the switch tomorrow and it wouldn't cost consumers a single dime. The files would still be AAC and should already playback with the current version of quicktime. All it would do is give people that care the option of making real use of better playback hardware.

geerlingguy said:
You can quote me on this: iTMS will not have 96 Khz. At least not in this decade. The only people who care enough are audiophiles... probably, at MOST, 1% of iTMS users. Very few consumers even have speakers good enough to hear a difference between 44.1 and 96 Khz audio, especially AAC compressed audio.
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Frisco said:
The controls and scroll wheel on the Mini is way better than 3rd generation iPods. It offers much more tactile feedback.
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Appreciate the feedback.

Was it hard to get used to using?

Scrolling and pushing on the same control?

Thanks!

Sushi
 
m-dogg said:
"I've had a 2nd gen 20gb and now use a 3rd gen 30gb, and my girlfriend has a mini. While I have no problem using the controls on my 30gb without looking at it (I t took me maybe 2 days to adjust from my 2nd gen, tops), I really like the mini's click wheel except for one thing - The wheel is too small for my taste. I guess my big thumb likes to make bigger circles when scrolling.

When it comes down to it though, they're all amazingly easy to use in my opinion...

Also, my guess for tomorrow's call is that Steve will announce ITMS Europe - That seems easier to announce over a phone call to me...
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Appreciate the feedback as well.

To me, the 1G and 3G controls are very different.

I prefer the 1G. Looks like the Mini is easy to use. I have small hands so it should work okay.

Looking forward to trying a Mini. Had one ordered when they were introduced, but decided to wait to see them in person before buying. Not sure when they will get to Japan. Originally it was supposed to be in April. Last I heard was July. Guess I should check up on the date again in case it is sooner.

Sushi
 
hughdogg said:
They added a TON of new music today, it looks like double or triple the normal amount (comparing columns on the "Just Added" page). Steve will probably talk about that tomorrow..."Blah, blah...lots of new music, blah, blah...."
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They probably wanted to jack up the song count to sound as impressive as possible, especially because they're not going to reach their predicted download tally. :p

I'd like a wishlist feature too. I'm forever putting tons of stuff in the shopping cart only to find that I don't want to spend quite that much money at once. One would think that since the purchase system is licensing Amazon's One-Click, they could borrow the wishlist system as well.
 
<--- icon is Baba Booey - Howard Stern Show on iTMS

I'm hoping for a daily download of the Howard Stern show. I suggested it through the iTMS suggest mechanism.

I get it free now through a source, which I'm not naming, but I think iTMS would bring Howard BIG exposure.

Howard would be uncensored through iTMS. F the FCC!
 
1G, 3G, and Mini

I had a 1G that died. Bought a 3G and my wife has a mini. For me I rate the interface for each as follows.

1st Place = 1G

2nd Place = 3G

3rd Place = Mini

The reasons are; 3G too sensitive, don't like the button placement compared to 1G, less tactile feel.

Mini all around bad interface. Wheel too small for my thumb. Display too small to read easily and doesn't hold as many titles visible on the list.

My perfect killer iPod would be; Mini size/style, 1G interface, removable compact memory instead of harddrive, and WiFi built in for transfer / streaming audio
 
sushi said:
how many folks on this rumors list have stereos that cost in excess of 10,000 USD?
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count me in :)

my speaker system alone cost 15000 euros and the electronics about the same. so 30k euros total. take off the tax and convert the currency, you should get around 25k us dollars.

and i might soon get a pair of genelecs just to be able to compare...
 
snahabed said:
I know it's all a matter of taste, but I HATE the 3G iPod buttons.
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me too. they shouldn't be away from the wheel! mini got it right and 2G was also nice. too bad the 3G sucks so much - i have to wait for the next generation or settle for the mini ;)
 
Important question:

Has Apple ever released new products at a "conference call"?
 
sushi said:
Appreciate the feedback.

Was it hard to get used to using?

Scrolling and pushing on the same control?

Thanks!

Sushi
Click to expand...

No, it's not hard to get used to using. It feels so natural that you don't have to think about it. Scrolling and pushing on the same control is great and easy to use. Everything is right there at your fingertip, like the 1st and 2nd generation iPods. I had a 1st generation iPod and I loved the scroll wheel with the button and scrolling on the same control. I always had it in my pocket and had no problem navigating through songs, etc. Then I got a 3rd generation 15GB and I could never navigate while it was in my pocket--I had to take it out to navigate. The buttons were way too sensitive that I would try to fastforward and instead it would skip to the next song.

Thank God for the Mini--it brought a similar feel back to my 1st generation Pod.
 
pkradd said:
Tomorrow is a telephone meeting between Apple's SJ and the analyst and tech reporter community so don't be disappointed if no new products are released. It's possible but really it isn't the reason for the conference call. It is basically going to be a live press release rather then a printed one (which will most likely also be published). Some reports say a color screen iPod with a scroll wheel similar to the mini is next, but release dates are foggy. Makes sense that this would be Gen 4 for the iPod. It has been mentioned over the past few months as well. It's coming but when is the question.
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agreed. don't expect new announcements. it'll just be a 'State of the iTunes address' i.e. how many songs sold, how many songs in the catalogue, how many ipod minis sold, blah blah blah. about the only potentially new announcement will be when they're lauching iTMS europe.
 
JGowan said:
My co-worker has the Mini -- The Mini is super-sweet and out-classes the bigger 3G pod. If capacity is not an issue, get the mini.
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That's kinda bad advice- a bunch of co-workers and friends have the mini- and guess what? They're all dead- after less than 3 months!! There have been so many problems with the 1st mini's I would really wait until they redesign and revamp so the mini will actually be a viable option. I had ordered the mini as a present for my bf- then I started reading/hearing the horror stories and was so happy and relieved when I got the offer to get a 15 for the same price coz Apple couldn't meet the demand.. phew.

On topic: I am hoping for a wish list as well as a new color screen iPod that my digital camera will be able to download directly to (usb port or flash card input slot) and that I can see thumbnails of my pics on....but mostly the wish list...pulease
 
I think a redisigned iTunes with a cool new interface would be great (not that there is anything wrong eith the one now). I guess we will find out tomorow.
 
It would be great if they at least got rights to the musicians in their commercials - no De La Soul, no DJ Q-Bert - sad.

New iPods or Apple branded "slimP3" style streaming device would be nice enough though :D
 
Frisco said:
iTunes 5.
What color do you think the icon will be?
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silver/aluminum? :Q probably not. I still just want some specific information about itms europe tomorrow. will there be a webcast btw?
 
singletrack said:
I just want one thing.... Allowing multiple machines to update a library held on a networked drive. It's a pain in the arse having to delete the library and then re-import the folder just to keep the libraries on two machines in sync.
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I'm sure there are many solutions, but here's one I use....

Store my library on a network drive. Then on all three of my computers I delete my user/music folder and make an alias to the network music folder. The only drawback of this is when I am not connected to the network and itunes get's pissy on startup. But this is nice since I can add to the library from any machine.

Also, curious, I haven't bought any music yet (there's some exclusives I want but I just haven't gotten around to it. Anyone know if I have my setup this way, will it affect playback on any or all of the machines? not sure how fairplay works exactly (since as I said, I haven't bought anything).

I do agree though, there should be a nicer solution to sharing a library on multiple machines.
 
iTunes / iTMS 5

latergator116 said:
I think a redisigned iTunes with a cool new interface would be great (not that there is anything wrong eith the one now). I guess we will find out tomorow.
Click to expand...

The interface is great but I think there are some features that Apple should put into the iTunes in general and more specifically iTunes for Windows. Specifically Apple script support. There is a ton of addins for iTunes that do me jack squat worth of good since it doesn't run on Windows.
Beyond that I would like to see an alarm clock feature built into the properties of a playlist so at X time the playlist would run at X volume. Also it would be cool if they added another rating listing so users that connect to your share can rate your music. On your computer is would show the average rating for each user that attaches. Oh and how about an auto download feature for coverart when importing songs from CD's? OMG was it a PITA importing 300 CD's. I feel for the people that have 500+
Then you have the music store. Love the implementation. Hate the fact that there is no wishlist option. Personally I would like to see a person being able to right click on any title or album and select wishlist with a 5 star rating system that is color coded. 1=Black 2-3=Green 4-5=Blue. (So sue me I like color! :p ) This earmarks the song by changing the (Buy Song) icon on iTMS to whatever color-code you select instead of the normal gray. Up top next to the browse button you would have a Wish List button that would only show up if you have something in your wish list otherwise its not there.
When you click on it, it opens up your wish list. The path on the bar between the now playing display up top and the browser windows would be (little house thing) -> [Username here 's Wishlist]
Oh and you can e-mail your wishlist to anyone. (X-mas/birthday gift? hint, hint.)

Or not. What do I know :)

PS- Add another computer to the total number of machines. 3 is too limiting.
 
Trowaman said:
c'mon Syeve-o, impress me.

Bring any of the following to the store: Dave Matthews, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, or Smashing Pumpkins.

Make me happy.
Click to expand...

Excellent choices in bands. :cool: Turning some radio shows into sellable items on iTunes would be cool, too. (Can't get enough of Adam Corolla and Dr. Drew on Loveline ;) )

For some reason, I doubt there will be anything amazingly big except for maybe some expansions of the current store or to internationalize. I'm not feeling new iPods. Maybe other cool devices, but not iPods.
 
JFreak said:
count me in :)

my speaker system alone cost 15000 euros

.....and i might soon get a pair of genelecs just to be able to compare...
Click to expand...

Er- why? My colleagues and I have found Genelecs to be quite the joke monitor (with the exception of the S30's, which are nothing like their other speakers anyway).

FWIW, I use ATC100a SLs, so I'm not kidding around.
 
What about ...

..is it me or are the Radio Station selections in iTunes getting anorexic?

I've begun listening to more and more classical music at work. But the choices for stations on itunes are abyssmal.

So, I search the net for stations (mostly NPR or other public-funded) and find that many are iTunes capable. Though many are URL cut n paste, some are RAM (Real Audio) or Window Media centric.

Unless I am the only one that is noticing this, is there an unknown source for classical music streams? One with title so I can jot down and BUY the CD? (DG, Telarc...)

Hope new iTunes helps manage easier too. What a mess...I have....to oranize....better!
 
Well, what?

The scheduled conference call time has come and gone. It would have to be over by now. What the crap happened? Need an update!

-Piker
 
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