Secret 4G iPod Features?

[savar]

www.ipoding.com

Completely useless...unless I missed something. The photos are so low res you can't make out what any of the components on the main logic board are. This is where the interesting stuff is going to be found.

Can somebody post a hi-res pic of the logic board by itself? Or even just a list of the ASICs and MCU on board?

I'm sure the person who referred to plugging the iPod into AirportExpress is on the right track. (well, one of the right tracks, if there are indeed more than one.) Apple is so into wireless streaming lately -- AE is the example -- that I'm sure iPod will interface to some product for wireless streaming of music.

Of course, I'm still holding out that Apple puts in wireless video from the iPod, but I can't imagine that AE supports it. Hooking up an iSight to an iPod would be quite cool though. I haven't seen the new screens but if they're even 4-color grayscale they would be suitable for previewing video from iSight.

 

[frankly]

That is not exactly true; while it appears to be off it is not; the iPod is still using power and if you don't use it for awhile it will run out of power. Granted no one ever leaves their iPod for that long without using it...right?

Update: according to Apple's web site the 4G iPod will last one month in standby. How anyone could last a month without using thier iPod is beyond my comprehension, but that is the stat.

It is the same version of "being turned off" that the person he was replying to was talking about. They said that you couldn't turn off the iPod, you had to wait for it to turn off by itself. Whatever you want to call that particular state (off, standby, etc.) holding the play button down as suggested by the person responding will put it in that exact state (which the first person was referring to as off).

Later, Frank

 

[savar]

main new feature is not wireless, but a wired transfer of tracks/albums/artists between pods.
apple to release accessory to facilitate this within 2 months.

also, custom menus to be utilised by software upgrades via usb/firewire. inc 3rd party ipod custom software (travel guides, games etc.)

thats the word.

HAha! No, not a chance. FairPlay completely contradicts this theory. If you could copy an entire iPod directly, it would short-circuit iTunes requirement of each iPod being linked to a certain computer, so that you can't hook your friends iPod up to your computer and copy all the songs onto it. Don't forget that part of FairPlay is unlimited iPods. Apple would get a bloody nose if they abused that privelege.

 

[zv470]

This is the one thing that annoys the heck out of me ever since the first iPod. That the thing doesn't have an ON/OFF switch. Drains the batteries needlessly (because it takes a while before it goes into standby) and also screws you over big time if your iPod crashes on the road with no Mac/PC nearby to reset it. Never heard of iPod crashing, yes it does that every once in a while, at least for me when it has problems reading a track. Locks up and doesn't react to any input from the buttons anymore, and no ON/OFF switch to reset it!
C'mon Apple, its just a simple button/switch!
Regards,

Ahmed (owner of a 1st Gen iPod)

have you pressed Play for 5 seconds?

 

[Surreal]

...if it were line in....


please be line in

o please....

 

[agreenster]

This is the one thing that annoys the heck out of me ever since the first iPod. That the thing doesn't have an ON/OFF switch. Drains the batteries needlessly (because it takes a while before it goes into standby) and also screws you over big time if your iPod crashes on the road with no Mac/PC nearby to reset it. Never heard of iPod crashing, yes it does that every once in a while, at least for me when it has problems reading a track. Locks up and doesn't react to any input from the buttons anymore, and no ON/OFF switch to reset it!
C'mon Apple, its just a simple button/switch!
Regards,

Ahmed (owner of a 1st Gen iPod)

RTFM.

 

[Phobophobia]

well thats a good idea.. but not really a solution. more of a patch/work around.. I also like the idea of being able to delete the file.. much more practical

If you were to think about this more instead of only worrying about yourself, you would see some of the unnecessary problems that could arise with letting people delete the files on their iPod. Apple made the right choice with not letting you delete the files. There really is no reason to add that feature, especially with smart playlists and whatnot.

 

[instantypo]

iPhoto on iPod

I am guessing you will be able to sync iPhoto and iMovie with the 4G iPod and Apple will release a cable to go from the dock connector to video/audio outs to hook up to a TV/display.

When you think of it, since this would be a Mac-only feature it would make a lot of sense for Apple to not talk about this when releasing the new iPod for Mac AND Windows or else a lot of Windows users would not buy the 4G. But after a while they can "quietly" update this feature for OS X users. Another reason to buy a Mac next time. Sounds great to me.

 

[jbro]

I'm leaning towards a set-top box type of enhancement, which has been a rumored direction for the ipod. Wi-fi would kill the battery, but what about wireless remote for airtunes/line out? There are third-party RF and IR remotes available now.

Also, I'd like to go on record as saying *press play for five seconds!*

 

[mpw]

I agree with a couple of the earlier posts. If there are new features that Apple plans to release it will coincide, or be shortly after, the release of the new iMac in Paris. It'll be Mac only to begin with and draw all those windows iPod users attention to the PC they should have to get the best from their iPods. Likewise I think the iPod will be a must have accesory to the iMac.

I'd bet on Home on your iPod but not wireless unless it's BT headsets which I doubt because the standards are too new for stereo.

That said I wouldn't bet against anything from Apple as I'm expecting BIG things of the iMac G5.

 

[AoWolf]

When you think of it, since this would be a Mac-only feature it would make a lot of sense for Apple to not talk about this when releasing the new iPod for Mac AND Windows or else a lot of Windows users would not buy the 4G. But after a while they can "quietly" update this feature for OS X users. Another reason to buy a Mac next time. Sounds great to me.

No apple could not do that quietly, it would be a big deal. The wifi cradle on the other had seems to make sense. Remember when the AE came out and some one asked steve if there was gonna be a controller and he gave a cryptic smile...

 

[Photorun]

Eh, I'm still going to keep my 3G iPod, no new iPod for me! Unless it's a mini, if I could actually find one in stock somewhere.

The 5G should be the real head turner, just like the transition from 2G to 3G! I'm waiting for that.

The 3G was a mistake... I mean, putting those buttons on there? Was some engineer from Dell hired for that one? I'm glad they went back to the simplicity of just the wheel with buttons around that.

 

[b-randomly]

I doubt they'll be coming out with iPod-to-iPod transfers, not only because of the whole FairPlay thing but also out of consideration of the fact that there are different formats for iPods. I don't know if you'd be able to put a file from a Mac-format to a Windows-format. Obviously it would work vice-versa, Apple wouldn't have it any other way.

But I would like something like a few new games and maybe an accessory so you can use the iPod with AirPort Express. That would be awesome.

 

[Lepton]

Oboy, guesses: 1) Home on iPod ability, waiting for support in OSX. [I think one problem they need to solve is your home already has all your music files and it would be a waste to have them twice on the device.] 2) Show album cover ability. Remember, those album covers are in the MP3 file itself, so the data is already there, and the chips inside can do graphics. 3) Support for a WiFi accessory. This can make it a great remote to go with the Express. 4) Support for a video playback accessory.

 

[rt_brained]

apple invented a anti-gravity feature and tracking device so that you can place your beer/coffee on the back of the ipod and it will follow you around hovering up to 6feet off the ground..

Helllooooo, that was already in the 3G. I use it all the time.

 

[må¥å]

all i have to say is:

booooooooooorrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggggggg.

Now you say this new hidden feature can levitate 6 ft above the ground.

iiiiiiiiinnnnnnnntttttttteeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrreeeeessssssssstttttttiiiiiiinnnnnggg

 

[curmi]

Apparently if you disconnect the remote or headphones the iPod goes in to pause mode. That's something new.

My guess is that one of the secrets is something to do with using your iPod in a car. One of the pains with the <4G iPods is that you stop the car and your radio will turn off, your CD player will turn off, your tape deck will turn off, but the iPod keeps on playing. Would be great if it could somehow turn off, and turn on again when the car was started once more.

Though that might be all there is - when you turn the car off, unplug the jack. Lame.

 

[Porchland]

6 feet? Why would I want to jump to get my beer or coffee? Especially the former which after a few jumping gets increasingly difficult! I hope it has a setting for 3 to 4 feet.

Real is planning to reverse-engineer it to be able to do this.

 

[Mallardx]

WiFi --- iTrip method

Why not release an iTrip type module to give the 4G wireless abilities.

better yet, Bluetooth earbuds

 

[seyo]

The iPod does have an On/Off switch, you hold down the play button for 2 seconds and it turns off.

They are the easy to reset, you just hold down the play and menu button for 10 seconds and it resets. You don't have to plug it into a computer to reset it. You can even run Hard drive diagnostics on an iPod by itself without connecting to a computer. You just hold play menu after resetting it, and you can do a hard drive scan.

This is much safer than an on/off switch. Ever tried just switching the power off on a computer?! It's the same as yanking out the powercord. Not good for the harddrive or any other components, since the Hard Drive needs a second to spin down. You risk damaging a device like that by just yanking the power. That's why iPod has less problems than the iRiver and Jukebox, believe me I've owned both.

You've had iPods since the first generation and have never heard of these features?

Do any of you read the thread before posting? This question has been answered already a dozen times, and actually most intelligently by xtekdiver who pointed out that in fact holding down the play button only puts it to sleep, doesnt cut the power, so it is in fact not the same as an on / off switch.

 

[danr_97070]

the chipset behind the mini can run video, photos and a whole lot more, but it it tied by what apple allows for, so i am guessing it has something to do with photos/video and music, maybe wifi

Yeah, I think this is the arrow through the Apple. With other devices hitting the market that allow for video/music playback, I think Apple has to respond. The major difference is that Apple is so much better at video than competitors. I think Apple can provide video playback with better compression and better results.

 

[Dr. Dastardly]

No doubt that this will have some kind of bluetooth feature, whether it will isynce with all the apps will remain a mystery. I think that the main purpose for this would be to use as a remote for airtunes.

Is it really hard to sync up all your apps and information by plugging it into your computer? Was a wireless connection really necessary for this?

Bah what am I saying, its a completely useless feature except airtunes but it was bound to happen anyway sometime.

 

[iMeowbot]

Why not release an iTrip type module to give the 4G wireless abilities.

better yet, Bluetooth earbuds

TEN Technology (the same ones who make the wireless iPod remote) demonstrated exactly this (a bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the dock, plus a bluetooth receiver that work with any headphones or speakers you like) at January's CES. It hasn't shown up for ordering yet, though.

A somewhat larger solution (but available now) is Bluetake's I-Phono.

 

[dantec]

Lets get this straight...

I didn't read the whole thread yet, but this ON/OFF issue annoyed me enough to elaborate :

If you stop listening to a song and leave the iPod idle for 2 minutes it will go into sleep...

I still have my 1G iPod so I will find out how to make it permanently turn off...

With 3G & 4G models, putting the iPod to sleep and then pushing the hold button and leaving it for more than 6 hours (I believe certainly a day) will make the device TURN OFF... The next time you push a button, the iPod displays the 'Apple' logo and reloads the system software...

iPods can be reset as metnioned by others ... by holding down Play & Menu for several seconds... Since someone said that there iPod froze when reading a song, you should reimport the song or stop downloading illegal ones because this is an iPod problem I have never seen..!

About the 'hidden' features, its probably something like the 3G iPod, when the software wasn't ready (or maybe the accessories). They were a voice recorder & memory card downloading photo attachment... To work they needed an update, which is probably what we have here...

Either...

1. Apple is not ready to release the new software update for the 4G iPods...

2. They are waiting for some more bugs to surface from the initial 4G iPods software so they can remedy them more or less all at once (many 3G problems were fixed with the update...).

3. The 3rd party accessory manufacturer is not ready to ship the 'accessory'...

-or-

4. Apple is not ready to release the 'in-house' accessory (such as an addition to Airport Express, iTunes, iPhoto...) Perhaps this new feature requires iLife 05'... who knows...

Just my 2 cents...

 

[johnpaul191]

Why not release an iTrip type module to give the 4G wireless abilities.

better yet, Bluetooth earbuds

both of those would KILL batteries. even cell phones or PDAs with bluetooth suck battery power, unless the bluetooth is turned off. kinda like older palms and the IR port.
i'm sure bluetooth headphones will be popular soon, but recharging the headphones themselves is another issue. if your headphones die in 2 hours it won't matter if your iPod lasts for 6.
sorry to sound negative, but i'm not sure the power problem has been worked out yet. also there is MUCH better car syncing coming than iTrip-type stuff. the new Alpine stuff is going to be great. yes requires an Alpine stereo, and a $99 device...... but iTrip type stuff broadcasts over FM and FM is crappy sound quality compared to what the iPod is capable of. i think Apple will leave that stuff to the 3rd parties.