Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Secret 4G iPod Features?

Why would Apple hide features in their iPods or make them only accessible through a firmware upgrade? How many people that have an iPod on the windows side will actually upgrade the firmware?
And besides, why didn't they make these "secrets" available upon release?
I'd say this writer has too big of an imagination and too much time on his hands. :D
 
Diatribe said:
Why would Apple hide features in their iPods or make them only accessible through a firmware upgrade? How many people that have an iPod on the windows side will actually upgrade the firmware?
And besides, why didn't they make these "secrets" available upon release?
I'd say this writer has too big of an imagination and too much time on his hands. :D
Click to expand...

Perhaps because the hardware has the capabilities, but the software isn't finished yet?

Because people were hampering for a new iPod update, and it'd been a long time since it'd been updated, Apple had to rush this update out, while still developing the software for the "extra" features, whatever they may be.

Any, they decided to "announce" the inclusion of some secret features a couple of days ago, because the vast majority of Apple-supports and iPod'ers were very dissapointed by this minor "4G" update, so they were just letting everyone know that this is just the beginning.

At least, I hope that's the case! I just got my 4G 40GB today, and it's great (just upgraded from a broken 1G). But I can't wait to find out what these new features are!!
 
MarkW19 said:
Perhaps because the hardware has the capabilities, but the software isn't finished yet?

Because people were hampering for a new iPod update, and it'd been a long time since it'd been updated, Apple had to rush this update out, while still developing the software for the "extra" features, whatever they may be.

Any, they decided to "announce" the inclusion of some secret features a couple of days ago, because the vast majority of Apple-supports and iPod'ers were very dissapointed by this minor "4G" update, so they were just letting everyone know that this is just the beginning.

At least, I hope that's the case! I just got my 4G 40GB today, and it's great (just upgraded from a broken 1G). But I can't wait to find out what these new features are!!
Click to expand...

I love how Apple usually "announces stuff". Read this for further information: :D http://www.misterbg.org/AppleProductCycle/ As also posted here:

But if it is indeed true it would definitely be nice and interesting to see what the hell is in there, because from pictures of disassembled 4G iPods they don't look all that different.
 
Arcady said:
I thought the whole point was that you weren't locked into the 6 radio stations (controlled by 2 companies) that play the same 12 songs all day. If you really want to listen to that crap, buy headphones with an FM tuner built in.
Click to expand...

You missed the fact that the parent poster was referring to listening to NPR... it doesn't really fit the "same 12 songs all day" mold.
 
Home on iPod means that you can take your Home folder (containing all your preferences, documents etc.) on your iPod. and plug it into any Mac, and use it as if it was yours. Your desktop picture, email and prefs would be recalled etc.

This has been a much-anticipated feature - I'm hoping that Apple have more up their sleeves than that!
 
MarkW19 said:
Home on iPod means that you can take your Home folder (containing all your preferences, documents etc.) on your iPod. and plug it into any Mac, and use it as if it was yours. Your desktop picture, email and prefs would be recalled etc.
Click to expand...

Remembering that one university deal with students to be supplied with iPods, this makes perfect sense. Provide Apple intrastructure but have them carry the personal stuff along on their own iPods. No home directories on the servers any more...
 
secret things

the ipod is first of all a music gadget... i would like to see cool things like videos and photos on a color screen but i gave up my idea of an allround gadget... so i think it's more a hidden thing on itunes, itms and airport express and airtunes... why can't there be a (surely low energy) wifi-adapter (just like the itrip or so..)?!? Wireless Firewire and Bluetooth doesn't make sense when you see the used range of wifi in apples products... would even make sense to put your ipod at home in the dock so wifi isn't burning down the battery...

hope it will be unveiled at apple expo paris on august 31 ;-) (hopefully via internet live-stream)...

cyberrob
 
All that Apple is saying is that there's more to this than what's being publicized.

so it DOES have a G5 inside!!! WELCOME G6 POWERBOOKS!
 
ScotRobson said:
There are all "bluer" (is that right?) now
Click to expand...

Consistent with the blue-packaging look we've been seeing lately. That would tend to make me agree that the hidden feature has something to do with AE.
 
perhaps a PDF reader?
Oh, that would be so awesome, reading all your pdfs in the subway or bus. I mean, it works with notes, why not with PDFs, even thought that would eat some CPU..
 
Arcady said:
I thought the whole point was that you weren't locked into the 6 radio stations (controlled by 2 companies) that play the same 12 songs all day. If you really want to listen to that crap, buy headphones with an FM tuner built in.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I don't think for a minute that this is a technology choice for Apple. If Steve Jobs wanted an FM tuner, it would be there already. That's not to say that Apple wouldn't give into market pressure at some point and add the FM feature, but at this point it's an omission by choice.

Now if you could get XM.....
 
CoreForce said:
Remembering that one university deal with students to be supplied with iPods, this makes perfect sense. Provide Apple intrastructure but have them carry the personal stuff along on their own iPods. No home directories on the servers any more...
Click to expand...

never thought of it that way.. wow! now the only problem: when attaching the pod, would it instantly detect a new user on the computer? because rebooting the computer every time someone needs it takes time.

also, are they gonna have a dock next to every computer? they would come handy :)
 
Diatribe said:
Why would Apple hide features in their iPods or make them only accessible through a firmware upgrade? How many people that have an iPod on the windows side will actually upgrade the firmware?
And besides, why didn't they make these "secrets" available upon release?
I'd say this writer has too big of an imagination and too much time on his hands. :D
Click to expand...
Everyone should have learned by now that Apple does not build one dimensional devices. The iPod is not just a music player and Macs are not "just computers". Compare the OS X to Windows and iLife to... well whatever.

Apple's products have legs... and they last. So the iPod is not like a Dell DJ that is sold as is, with all of its features plastered al over the place and accessible through a bunch of awkward buttons. There is subtlty to the iPod and to Apple computers.

So, while some may see hidden features, Apple sees upgradability. It means the device has value.
 
Don't hold your breath

New peripherals someday, maybe, and maybe new software features. But I seriously doubt any hardware features are hidden inside!

The internal redesign is probably to make a more efficient, cheaper, lower-power design. Not to add anything.
 
I'm not so sure about the ipod/AE remote ideas... It seems that this is a very expensive option for providing the functionality airport express needs. You have to buy (assuming you don't already own one) an ipod AND an adapter. Other points for consideration are:

The ipod is not a convenient size when compared to an average remote handset and its going to have an adapter of some sorts plugged into it as well
Do you really want your friends/children to be using a £300 ipod when they are changing tunes on your hi fi? As opposed to a (cheaper) remote?
Wi-Fi and batteries

Personally, I don't own an ipod (at the moment) but I am very interested in the idea of using a powermac and a couple of AE bricks to stream my music from one convenient location to all the stereos in my house. I don't think I will bother if I am going to have to spend another £200-300 for a remote (per room!)?

Plugging into the port on the AE hub sort of makes sense. However, surely you would have your computer synced with your ipod and available on express already? Like I say, I don't have one so I'm not sure whether this is how people tend to use them... I thought that the ipod typically held a subset of the music that was stored on your computer.

Home on ipod is the only thing I have seen on this thread that I feel confident about it. I am certain it will turn up at some point. The idea of syncing imovie and iphoto plays along with this and are the kind of application developments that this "hint"may be referring to - although photo and video playback on the ipods own screen would not be the aim of these enhancements.

Just some thoughts... ;)
 
swissmann said:
...and I got it for $70 because a buddy was buying an iBook through education store and didn't want the iPod.
Click to expand...

wow, you really scored. when it comes in, hand him the $70, snatch it out of his hand while saying "YOINK!" and then proceed to tell him how much of a dumbass he is (make sure you have the ipod in hand first).


so how random of a comment is this from Apple? "we have features, we're just not telling you." damn, i may have to go buy one after all...
 
snpl8tiger said:
People are too stuck on the whole Bluetooth/WiFi iPod concept. The Hidden Features are going to tap into the newly approved Wireless Firewire Standards.

Remember that Steve Jobs hinted that Apple was already working on the whole "remote control thing" for the Airport Extreme? Well the 4G iPod and the Airport Extreme are a package but work differently than some expect. The 4G iPod, when connected to iTunes on a Mac or PC with a Wireless Firewire adapter, turns into a Wireless Remote that can control the iTunes library residing on the Mac/PC and stream music out over AirTunes. The music is streamed from the computer and not the iPod. The iPod is simply a user interface to control the entire system.

The iPod is an extension of the Digital Hub and not the central unit...
Click to expand...

why would you need wireless firewire to act as a remote? a bit of overkill, no? besides, no apple system has wireless firewire. they all have 802.11g pretty much. the AE remote will use this standard. No need for huge throughput for a simple task.

wouldn't a $300-$400 remote be a bit expensive?

i still fail to see how an iPod has anything to do with AE. if apple makes a remote, i am sure it will be like an iPod, but it would lack the hard drive. how many times do you drop your remote control per day? think hard drives like that?

i also do not believe the ipod will interface directly with the AE via USB. There is no point for that, when you could simply connect the iPod to the stereo and save yourself $150. Why have the AE sit between the two? Maybe the new iPod will support digital out for direct connection to a stereo...
 
It's right in front of your face

On the 4G screen, what is the first new thing you see?

indexipod_20040719a.gif


Answer: The "Music" menu.

Music is a "media type".

It is absolutely obvious to me that Apple will be adding new "media types" to the iPod.

Imagine the menu:

Music
Photos
Movies

Of course Photos and Movies would require a dock or cable with video & sound outputs.

Does anyone here have a "pinout" of the 4G connector?
 
hi,

i dont know if this has been mentioned in this thread before, and it might be completely stupid, but:

suppose time magazine is just a bit pissed off that newsweek got the article- they could just be 'making' the secret features up? just to get back at apple/steve...?

asif
 
Stating the obvious and other ramblings

dontmatter said:
hmm.... kinda sounds like microsoft's legal defense, a while back "OK, we're a monopoly, but look at all the innovating we've done, look at how much we're the best- so our market share is actually good for computers!"

That is, assuming I remember it correctly. But really, just remember that your opinion about real is your opinion.
Click to expand...

I won't really get into talking about Microsoft, but those who are already cognizant of their past actions know that this is not similar. Netscape did not try to reverse engineer IE code for their own benefit. Real is likely committing a few illegal actions by doing this and it reeks of corruption.

And also, of course it's my perspective. That's plainly obvious. However, I did not forget Real's behavior toward the mac over the seven years or so. Remember that they took their sweet time in developing mac os x software.

Chickens are coming home to roost.
 
Using an iPod as a remote for Airport Express would be beyond cool...

As an owner of an Airport Express, I have found its only two flaws are its lack of a remote control and its lack of volume control. I hate being at my computer to pick my songs, and then walking over to the reciever to adjust the volume. If my iPod could be used to play songs and control the volume of the Airport Express I would probably cry tears of joy. I can just imagine walking into my dorm room, connecting my wireless firewire adaptor to my iPod, and letting the tunes roll.

Of all the ideas presented in this thread, the remote for AE (wireless or wired) and the home feature have been the most interesting/most feasable sounding. Ive followed this thread since the first post, so Ive kept track of everything.

P.S. If I hear about holding down the play button for 5 seconds one more time I might puke.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back