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New iPod introduced: Slimmer, larger screen, video capabilities (including video-out), new accessories
Apple has unveiled new versions of its full-sized iPod. The new devices are available in either 20 GB or 60 GB flavors, and sport a new 2.5 inch screen with a 320x240 video resolution for playing music videos, short films, and television shows available through the iTunes music store.
The new devices are also 30% slimmer than their predecessors. Prices stand at US$ 299 for the 30 GB model and US$ 399 for the 60 GB model.
The 30GB model features up to 14 hours of battery life for music playback and the 60GB model features up to 20 hours of battery life for music playback.
The revised iPod is also accompanied by a bevy of new accessories. Apple's press release reads:
"Optional accessories designed for the new iPod include: Universal Dock for $39 (US), giving users easy access to a USB port for syncing, IR support to work with the Apple Remote and a variable line out and S-video connections for integration within the living room; Apple Remote for $29 (US), providing wireless integration to the Universal Dock and quick and easy access to controls from across the room; Apple iPod AV cable for $19 (US), enabling television viewing of video content in full-screen; the iPod Camera Connector for $29 (US); and Apple Socks for $29 (US) providing six vibrant color socks to dress up and protect your iPod."
The new units are available for immediate purchase through the online Apple Store, though they won't be available for shipping for a few days.
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Why reduce the functionality?
Looks like Apple has abandoned FireWire on the iPod. First the nano now this. I currently have four Macintosh systems (the most recent being a 12" PB G4/867) which I use for various purposes and not one of them has USB 2.0. So does this mean I have to buy a new computer to take advantage of the higher speed USB 2.0 spec for syncing the new iPod or keep the systems I have and suffer the looong waits of transferring data via USB 1.x.
Good thing I recently picked up a new iPod U2 Special Edition with a color screen as it still supports FireWire. I also looked at the nano and did not get one specifically due to the lack of FireWire support. As nice as the new iPod looks I think I will also have to pass on it too for the same reason.
Can you use a firewire cable from a 4G iPod? Would that work at all?
I don't know what the good idea behind dropping firewire would be. Firewire is all I use for my iPod, downloads nice and fast.
I agree.
Cannot buy the video iPod because of the lack of FireWire.
I would love to use it for presentations from Keynote or PowerPoint slide shows.
A shame!
Nothing on the new ipod info pages state that it can't use firewire, just that it
doesn't come with a fireiwire cable. I strongly suspect that if you bought a
firewire<->dockconnector cable, it would work just fine. I currently have a
60GB ipod, and it came with no firewire cable, but I bought one, and it works
just fine with it.
Nano will charge via Firewire but will not sync. I'm pretty sure it would require a different chipset to sync (i.e. more cost and space).
As much as I prefer Firewire over USB 2.0, I just bought a $10 PCI card to get USB 2.0. Was worth it to be able to use Nano. On the plus side of USB: Car and AC adapters can be found for $5 that accept any standard USB cable and put out the 5V (?) needed to charge iPods, cell phones, etc. And there's really no significant speed difference between USB2 and FW when using an iPod.
The potential problem with adding a PCI USB 2.0 port card is that Apple's site shows, under "System requirements" for the new iPods, "Built-in USB port (USB 2.0 recommended)". So, adding ports via PCI-card may not work.
What about this Universal Dock thing Apple have released.
The specs don't say whether it connects via USB 2 or Firewire, but if it is
Universal for all iPod models, it should cover both??
Read the Tech Specs, the new iPods DO NOT SUPPORT FIREWIRE. The list of
accessories no longer lists the optional iPod to FireWire cable, therefore, you will
not be able to transfer data with FireWire.
The specs mention USB (USB 2.0 recommended). Therefore, your data will take
60 days on the 60 GB iPod with a USB 1.1 port. Wouldn't have been a problem if
Apple had adopted USB 2.0 years ago with the rest of the industry. Many people
continue to use their Macs much longer than 2 years!
- by Hillstones October 12, 2005 10:47 PM PDT
- The iPod may be slimmer, but it is unfortunately WIDER! Now you have to wait
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(11 Comments)months for a new case, new car cradle, etc. I don't want a wider iPod, it won't fit
in my pocket...as the slogan goes!