Software & Firmware Updates

[conceptuweasel]

Where install?

Yeah, so Software Update and I are dumb. It didn't want to do the firmware update until I quit it for some reason. Everything is fine now.

And yes, I meant to write dual 2GHz G5. Which I am very happy with.

 

[t300]

What do you 3rd genner's actually want an update for? You still have a great iPod that plays music. Ta-da! A worthy investment. Sorry, you cannot have improved battery life, or the ability to select playback speed, or the shuffle feature. Why? Because, not only are they entirely different, but because Apple, being a company and all, would like for you to get a new one. Chevy doesn't come back and say "Oh, your 2003 Corvette is lacking just a few small features than the 2005 one so drop off your car and will put a better engine in it and put a satellite radio tuner in it." It just doesn't work that way. Also, Apple's VERY generous in their updates for their hardware. Go get another music player and you will see how there are hardly any updates to them. Apple releases some no matter what, miniscule things or huge things.

Anyway, this is ironic that the Mini update comes out today...I had waited for it SOO long. iPod Photo was announced, sold the mini hours later, and hours later the next day I had a brand new iPod Photo...The rest is history.

 

[Lancetx]

This same old, tired and lame discussion comes up every single time there is an iPod software update. 🙄 It should be no surprise by now that only the current model iPods will ever see feature upgrades. It's been the same now for at least 2 years, it's nothing new and it does no good to complain about it.

Apple is in business to sell new units and make money. If they didn't add new exclusive features to the latest generation iPods, there wouldn't ever be any real incentive for anyone to upgrade. The same will happen when the 5G models come along too, it's not going to ever change. Apple isn't the only company that works that way either, they all do. A 2 year old DVD player for example isn't ever going to have all of the same features as the latest and greatest model. That's just reality. And as a few have so rightly pointed out, the 1G/2G/3G iPods haven't lost one single feature that they've always had from day one when they were purchased either, so nobody is being cheated out of anything.

 

[t300]

This same old, tired and lame discussion comes up every single time there is an iPod software update. 🙄 It should be no surprise by now that only the current model iPods will ever see feature upgrades. It's been the same now for at least 2 years, it's nothing new and it does no good to complain about it.

Apple is in business to sell new units and make money. If they didn't add new exclusive features to the latest generation iPods, there wouldn't ever be any real incentive for anyone to upgrade. The same will happen when the 5G models come along too, it's not going to ever change. Apple isn't the only company that works that way either, they all do. A 2 year old DVD player for example isn't ever going to have all of the same features as the latest and greatest model. That's just reality. And as a few have so rightly pointed out, the 1G/2G/3G iPods haven't lost one single feature that they've always had from day one when they were purchased either, so nobody is being cheated out of anything.

Wow, we were on the same level on thinking in our posts...(See the one above yours). But I obviously can't agree with you anymore..

 

[notkevin]

I dont care if apple releases updates for my iPod g3 or not, when I bought it I knew its feature set.

 

[mojohanna]

Hey criana....
I've had my dual 1.8 a couple of months now and I've always had USB crashing problems too. Very frustrating. I've had more kernel panics with my new G5 in 2 months than I did in a few years with my old G4/400.

Ran the firmware update and it doesn't seem to have fixed much.
Also still having troubles playing DVDs....always get lots of green artifacts all over the screen.

Anyone else getting this problem?

Watch for a logic board problem. I have a DP 1.8 bought in June 2004. I had lots of probs with it. Kernel panics, crashes, freezes. Very frustrating to say the least. Stock everything, hardware test said everything was fine. I also reinatalled the OS. Finally got fed up and took it back to the Apple Store. Had it back a week later with a new logic board. No problems since.

 

[Le Big Mac]

The old versions are not competing with the new versions and I really do not believe that sales will slow if they update older pods. If my 3G gets the menu update I will be happy, sure, but it will not stop me from buying a new one because if I do it will be because of more GBs and photos.
I love everything about Apple - this is just a minor niggle, that's all, and doesn't make much sense.

Yeah, I doubt too many people upgrade just because of a lack of features.

It's just consumer-unfriendly by Apple. Generally they are very friendly, which is why this rankles. I don't really get it--they're clearly not trying to make old ipods non-functional--so it's kind of weird. Are they trying to kill a secondary market, which it won't do anyway, since it will just change the relative price.

Overall a "Booo" to apple on this continued practice--give us upgrades to the extent the old iPods are capable. We understand the rest . . .

 

[Le Big Mac]

If they didn't add new exclusive features to the latest generation iPods, there wouldn't ever be any real incentive for anyone to upgrade.

They break and wear out, don't they? Without upgrades, I'm less likely to buy a new one until I absolutely need it. If I could upgrade, I would have more confidence that I could use it or sell it to finance a new one.

 

[jmsait19]

thanks, apple, for supporting your loyal 3G ipod owners. thanks a lot.

i can't effing afford a new one.

No kidding. Weren't all the people that bought the 3G's the ones that actually made the iPod as huge as it is now? How about showing us a little more love, since we shelled out $300 for your love already.

 

[jcook793]

Ah, The Old Command-Line

Thank God for the command-line. I'm upstairs in the bedroom with the laptop. G5 is all the way down in the office. I'm lazy. So...

[superbrain:~] root# softwareupdate -l
Software Update Tool
Copyright 2002-2003 Apple Computer, Inc.

Software Update found the following new or updated software:
   ! iPod2004-11-15-0
        iPod Updater 2004-11-15, (null), 20600K [required]
   * AirPortSW-4.1
        AirPort Software, 4.1, 13880K [restart]

[superbrain:~] root# softwareupdate -i iPod2004-11-15-0 AirPortSW-4.1
Software Update Tool
Copyright 2002-2003 Apple Computer, Inc.


iPod Updater 2004-11-15: 0...10...20...30...40...
AirPort Software: 0...10...20...30...40...
iPod Updater 2004-11-15: 0...10...20...30...40...50...60...70...80...90...100
AirPort Software: 0...10...20...30...40...50...60...70...80...90...100
Optimizing system performance.  This may take a while...
Done.

You have installed one or more updates that requires that you restart your
computer.  Please restart immediately.

[superbrain:~] root# reboot

Now if I could just get that hooked into apt-get somehow... 🙂

 

[BWhaler]

I have tried to install the firmware update 5 times now and it has done nothing. Software Update keeps thinking that it hasn't been installed and tells me to install it and my System Profiler shows no change. Boot ROM Version is still 5.1.8f3. I've got a June 2004 2.0GHz G5 with bluetooth, ATI Radeon 9600 XT, and Combo Drive. Nothing weird about my computer. Except that it won't install. Haven't tried restarting that because of registering for classes. Any ideas?

Justin

edit: Where are these Apple forums that people have been talking about this? I can't find them.

I had the same problem. I tried a bunch of times to reboot and install, but it never took.

But I was doing it wrong, and the directions could be a little bit more explicit.

What you need to do is push the power button, and really, really hold it down...much longer than you usually do to restart your Mac.

My PM made a sound I had never heard before--not the regular bong--and then instantly went to a new screen and started installing the update. The CD drive opened, the machine appeared to turn off, paused for about 20 seconds, then the machine rebooted and the CD drawer closed.

When OSX was up and loaded, I got a message for the first time that the update had installed properly.

So, I'm assuming your making the same error I did. Hold down that button and keep holding it until the weird squeeking noise comes out of your PowerMac.

 

[maya]

For what it's worth and I have not read ALL the posts, I like the 3G iPod better than the other generations.

My main concern is that once HE-AAC is introduced will it work with all iPod generations and people who have invested in iTMS will they be getting the same music only encoded in HE-AAC, or does one have to burn they AAC copy to optical and then encode to HE-AAC. Wouldn't that mean QUALITY LOSS. iTMS has its downsides to it. 😛

If I had purchased iTMS music (if it were indeed available to Canada) and I were not getting a superior quality version in exchange I would be pissed. 😛

 

[swissmann]

I too am intrigued by this G5 update, due to the vagueness by Apple. I am assuming that my 1st Generation G5 dual 2 won't take this update. Any one had a different experience?

 

[CubaTBird]

I read on ipodlounge or somewhere else that the 3g's have technically faster processors in them than the 4g's. The 3g's having a 90mhz proc vs the 4 g's 80mhz, ill try and find the link if i can...

 

[jimsowden]

Anyone install on a single 1.6 PM? I don't get it in Software update. We did get that uniprocessor update. By the way, those who can't run the update on their mini, you need to authenticate the installer by clicking the little lock button in the bottom left.

 

[nagromme]

lack of new features for 3G iPod

The way I see it, it's pretty simple:

1. It costs Apple something to test and support additional models of iPod with new features--even if they're the same inside (which I don't think they quite are). Adding features to the 3Gs isn't free for Apple.

2. iPods aren't sold or marketed with the promise of future features (unlike a conventional computer platform). An iPod does what it does and keeps on doing it--like an appliance. Sometimes Apple adds something--it's a technical possibility--but they don't promise you that. I have an iPod Photo, and Apple's materials never suggested to me that I'll be getting 5G features next year. I don't count on that happening. The iPod's worth it to me for what it does now.

3. Apple is selling a device to make money. In this case, the device has software and an OS inside, not just physical parts. So new and improved versions might differ largely on the software side. That doesn't mean Apple's not in the business of selling those software features. They're selling iPods and the features thereof, and giving some of that away is not always a good business move.

4. The decision for Minis is different because Minis are still in the currently-selling product line.

5. But OF COURSE I'll want new features when they come out. Anyone would. What's wrong with 3G owners being disappointed, and venting that disappointment? There's something they want, and maybe could have had, and they're not getting it. Nobody's going to like that. Just because Apple's "in the right" to make their business choices doesn't mean 3G owners aren't ALSO "in the right" to complain. I'll complain when my iPod Photo doesn't get new features, even though I CAN see Apple's position.

6. And as always, with anything you wish Apple did differently, don't forget to complain here--in detail, with reasons: http://apple.com/feedback (Possible reason: tell them you really would be MORE likely to buy a new iPod if older ones got more feature updates, because it would show Apple's commitment to great products. But for me, honestly, giving away features to me next year or the year after will make me LESS likely to buy a new iPod--so I can't personally make that case to Apple.)

 

[jesuscandle]

This same old, tired and lame discussion comes up every single time there is an iPod software update. 🙄 It should be no surprise by now that only the current model iPods will ever see feature upgrades. It's been the same now for at least 2 years, it's nothing new and it does no good to complain about it.

Apple is in business to sell new units and make money. If they didn't add new exclusive features to the latest generation iPods, there wouldn't ever be any real incentive for anyone to upgrade. The same will happen when the 5G models come along too, it's not going to ever change. Apple isn't the only company that works that way either, they all do. A 2 year old DVD player for example isn't ever going to have all of the same features as the latest and greatest model. That's just reality. And as a few have so rightly pointed out, the 1G/2G/3G iPods haven't lost one single feature that they've always had from day one when they were purchased either, so nobody is being cheated out of anything.

So I basically agree with this sentiment like a number of other posters. However, you can hardly blame us 3G owners. Who doesn't like something for nothing.

That said - if 3G owners don't "deserve" the upgrades, what makes Mini owners worthy? I mean, the same basic argument holds. People knew what they were getting with the Mini, etc...

 

[AidenShaw]

they all suck - stick with CDs until you can buy lossless

Wouldn't that mean QUALITY LOSS. iTMS has its downsides to it. 😛

If I had purchased iTMS music (if it were indeed available to Canada) and I were not getting a superior quality version in exchange I would be pissed. 😛

Exactly.

I won't buy online *anywhere* unless I can buy lossless (WMA/AAC or whatever).

There's no guarantee that today's "best" compressed format will be supported next year, in 2 years, or 5 years.

However, the original CD bits (or "mathematically lossless" compressions from WMA or Apple) means that I'll be able to convert my *purchases* to the new format without a loss of quality.



I'm more than happy to pay for the several terabytes of disk that I need to store my CD collection in Windows Media Lossless, than I would be to pay roughly the same amount of money for files that will not work on the next generation of devices (unless I do a horrible expand->recompress conversion pass).

Until I can buy the same bits online that I can buy on the CD - I'll be sitting out all of the "music stores".

And if you say "but you can't hear the difference" - listen to some simple unadorned female voice (like Eva Cassidy singing Sting's "Fields of Gold" on her CD "Songbird") or crisp percussion (steel brush on cymbals). If it isn't obvious that lossless (or the original CD) is noticeably better than the compressed version you should recharge the batteries in your hearing aid.

 

[~Shard~]

And if you say "but you can't hear the difference" - listen to some simple unadorned female voice (like Eva Cassidy singing Sting's "Fields of Gold") or crisp percussion (steel brush on cymbals). If it isn't obvious that lossless (or the original CD) is noticeably better than the compressed version you should recharge the batteries in your hearing aid.

I'll back you up on that one Aiden. Being a classic musician and a person who has had professional ear training, you can hear the difference if you know how to listen and what you're listening for. Especially when it comes to certain jazz, funk, orchestral, etc. works with broad ranges, I can always pick out differences. For some people it doesn't matter, but being a true lover of music, it matters to me. 😎

 

[jxyama]

I'll back you up on that one Aiden. Being a classic musician and a person who has had professional ear training, you can hear the difference if you know how to listen and what you're listening for. Especially when it comes to certain jazz, funk, orchestral, etc. works with broad ranges, I can always pick out differences. For some people it doesn't matter, but being a true lover of music, it matters to me. 😎

isn't it a bit conceited to imply that people who can't tell the difference in lossy and lossless music aren't "true music lovers"?

i am a good swimmer. i can swim faster than 99% of the population. does that make it ok for me to claim that people who can't do butterfly aren't "real" swimmers?

 

[BWhaler]

Agreed jxyama. Plus, your average music enthusiast doesn't care about the finer aspects of a song. They'd rather have variety, which means smaller file sizes. And we are in the majority.

But there is no right or wrong. It's a personal choice based on how you to chose to enjoy music. And I think we can all agree that it is the personal enjoyment that matters.

 

[XDream]

Can't update DP2.5GHz

Hi guys,
I had some problems updating my DP2.5GHz - after Installing the frimware updater via Software Update the firmware update dialog appeard, telling me to shut down the computer and press the power button until it's flashing.

So I shut down and pressed the button - nothing happend - no flashing, no sound. After releasing the G5 bootet the normal way. After loggin in the firmware update dialog appeard again...

Is there anything special about pressing the power button or the DP2.5GHz? I really want to install the update. Has anyone experienced similar problems?

Thanks a lot,
Wolfgang

 

[BWhaler]

Re: Apple not supporting older iPods.

My understanding is the mini and the 4th gen iPods are based on new chip sets which allow Apple to build in new features.

I am not saying they couldn't of put in some of the new features, like the shuffle or new menu structure. But it is possible that some features like the new audiobooks option is not technically possible at the chip level.

Yes, Apple is a business, and they want to give people incentive to upgrade. And make a profit.

We all win if Apple makes a ton of money because they consistently prove that they can use the profits to keep innovating. Unlike the people in Redmond who spend $6B on R&D for God knows what. And yes, we all fall behind the curve now and then, but at least the innovation is there to keep us excited, even if we miss a generation or two.

But as Apple proves with OSX, they are better than most companies in supporting old hardware.

 

[whenpaulsparks]

As for those people grousing over no 3G updates: GET OVER IT I've got a 3G. It isn't broken. It does exactly what I was told it would do when I bought it.

the ipod mini was never supposed to have shuffle, or multiple on-the-go playlists, or any of the new features just added. and the ipod mini and 3G are from the same time period.

but along with the people that hold my point of view, the 3G does look a LOT nicer, and feels like it is made better. the click wheel feels like its gonna fall apart. i find it funny how the 3G was so revolutionary because it had no moving controls, then they go back to moving controls. the all-touch-sensitive interface is the reason i'm not upgrading until it dies.

 

[XDream]

Is there anything special about pressing the power button or the DP2.5GHz? I really want to install the update. Has anyone experienced similar problems?

I just solved the problem. I figured out, that you first have to completely unplug the G5 from electricity. After that the firmware update worked as intended 🙂