The New IPOD!

[Unregistered]

So there's this new MP3 player out from Apple, and it's called the Ipod. Glow in the dark buttons, .6" thick, all-touch interface, comes in 10, 15, and 30 gb sizes. Weighs virtually nothing and still looks really, really slick.

Any thoughts? I think that Apple has almost got it right, along with their new music store (which is going to send all the major Music distributors into an uproar) that caters to the new generation of computer-addicted, mp3 loving youth. All they need to add now is audio recording ability, and I think they'll have the portable music device of the century.

Off topic - does anyone realize that to download a complete album may cost as much or more than a retail CD itself? Also, when you pay 99cents for a song, you're not paying for the same uncompressed 48khz studio-quality piece that you get from a CD - you're getting a smaller, download-friendly version with quality reduction due to the audio compression.

[questionlp]

Apple is the one that approached the major record labels (and are being approached by indies as well) regarding the service. IIRC, Apple is paying the labels $0.65/song, so the labels are getting paid alright. The only way that the labels would react is, "why didn't we think of this in the first place?"

I also think Apple has done almost a near perfect job in executing their online music plan along with the new iPod. For me, I liked the look of the 2nd revision iPod (which looks the same as the original, but touch scroll wheel rather than the rotating one) over the look of the new layout. Being able to view notes and play some games are nice for those without PDAs, but I probably wouldn't use it much myself.

Right now, I have the Nomad Jukebox 3 20GB and love it. Sure, it's bigger but it has some features that the Nomad Zen the iPod do not have: optical-in recording! I have used it quite a bit already and love it. It's a perfect mate with my several MiniDisc portable recorders.

The only true thing missing with iTunes 4 and the new iPod... Ogg Vorbis support. AAC's okay and was decided upon because they needed some form of DRM (which they decided to make it somewhat restricted to make the labels happy and loose enough to meet the needs of fair-use).

That's my take.

[Archon]

isnt iTunes mac only? kind of silly if you ask me.

[neuroking]

Originally posted by Unregistered
So there's this new MP3 player out from Apple, and it's called the Ipod. Glow in the dark buttons, .6" thick, all-touch interface, comes in 10, 15, and 30 gb sizes. Weighs virtually nothing and still looks really, really slick.

Any thoughts? I think that Apple has almost got it right, along with their new music store (which is going to send all the major Music distributors into an uproar) that caters to the new generation of computer-addicted, mp3 loving youth. All they need to add now is audio recording ability, and I think they'll have the portable music device of the century.

Off topic - does anyone realize that to download a complete album may cost as much or more than a retail CD itself? Also, when you pay 99cents for a song, you're not paying for the same uncompressed 48khz studio-quality piece that you get from a CD - you're getting a smaller, download-friendly version with quality reduction due to the audio compression.

I love the whole idea. I really was ambivilent about the Ipod until I saw one. I figured it was way overpriced, but man, it really is tiny. I think the added cost is worth it, if you can afford it.

As for the service, i think they got it pretty much right on. Some DRM, but not much. But you can burn CDs, which i thought for sure they would ahve disallowed (you can always rip the CDs back to MP3s). $.99 is a great price. Why? Because who the hell actually listens to a whole album? And if you do, they want to make it worth your time to go buy the CD, rather than dl it. THis is aimed directly at everyone that says "I don't want to pay $16 for 3 songs I listen to and 8 songs that stink." Now you don't. You pay $2.97. Sure, they're not the same quality, but good MP3s are damn close. If you're that picky about quality, you'll probably buy the CD and wouldn't download it from itunes OR Kazaa.

As for Ogg, I like Ogg, but all my files are mp3s, and i really don't care to convert 50 GB of mp3s or start swapping around file formats. I would bet that eventually they'll add Ogg. it jsut isn't that popular.

Nice work all around. Hopefully they will add some way for other artists to join with a very nominal fee.

Brandon

[Unregistered]

There have been some news that Apple is going to be making iTunes for windows. There is no info on if it's a full fledged port or one to just allow use of the ipod and their now online music store.

I for one just want a mac if I could afford one. I have a powermac g4 at work and love it.

[Twobztwop]

I got one of the New 15gig Apple Ipods today. PC user, Not really interested in itunes/purchasing music online or whatnot. So that’s not a big deal to me. The Ipod itself, it’s real nice. It is much thinner than the older version but it is still heavy/dense. The new backlighting looks real slick and the touch sense buttons aren’t too bad. The exterior of the player is pretty smooth/rounded, heh heh, don’t try to hold onto it with sweaty hands.

I haven't had time to really use it (ie @ the gym) but here are my initial impressions,

Pros:
Slimmer
Backlit buttons look slick
Easy PC install
Firewire = Fast (no usb2 till June i guess)
The docking station is kinda nice
You can create a “playlist on the go” (on the player)

Cons:
- It charges in the cradle, but if you want to use the wall charger you have to unplug the cable on the cradle and plug it into a dc wall plug. For how expensive these are you would think they would give you an ac plug with a cable attached. Lame.
- It comes with a case, but you can't see the screen when it is in the case. (you can't access the buttons as well)
- Musicmatch (at least it isn't real one player)

I've had quite a number of mp3 players over the years, (Rio 1, Rio 500, Intel Pocket Concert, Rio 900, and a couple others that I returned to the store shortly after purchasing) and I would have to say that this is one of the best designed players I've come across. Appears to be very well engineered, hell, even the packaging it came in was well designed. (btw, worst player ever was the RCA lyra2, brought that back after an hour of use. The rio 900 sucked as well... I'll never buy another sonic blue product after that. ever.)

If anyone is interested in more info let me know. (I haven't found any reviews of this player on the internet yet. I ordered it "unseen" on monday)

[Ioman]

When you say touch sensitive buttons, are you referring to buttons that sense your fingers "heat" rather than a button that actually pushes in? I know that some of the Samsung monitors use buttons like this and they are pretty cool in my opinion. They function well and there are no moving parts that can wear out.

I am glad that Apple is starting to move over to the PC side, even if it is only with their MP3 Players for now. It is a smart move and I think it will give their company some longevity.

I still think that $299+ is too much for an MP3 Player even if it is a jukebox. I like the idea, but I just do not think I would use it that much.

Way to go Apple!

[IronSerif]

I'm in love with the new iPods. They are very sexy.

This girl I'm talking to has one of the older ones, still jealous of her. And she also has an Aibo....ugh....

CompUSA has also discounted the older iPod models...still kinda expensive, especially when compared to the JukeBox Zen.

the new Odessey 1000 looks interesting as well

[Ioman]

Originally posted by IronSerif
I'm in love with the new iPods. They are very sexy.

This girl I'm talking to has one of the older ones, still jealous of her. And she also has an Aibo....ugh....

CompUSA has also discounted the older iPod models...still kinda expensive, especially when compared to the JukeBox Zen.

the new Odessey 1000 looks interesting as well

Who makes the Odessey 1000? Can you send me a link?

[Twobztwop]

Originally posted by Ioman
When you say touch sensitive buttons, are you referring to buttons that sense your fingers "heat" rather than a button that actually pushes in? I know that some of the Samsung monitors use buttons like this and they are pretty cool in my opinion. They function well and there are no moving parts that can wear out.


I am not sure how they work, heat/slight pressure/etc, but they are not mechanical. Pretty much the same as the scroll wheel on the older 10-20g ipods.

399 is a bit much for an mp3 player but, if you think about it, the "good" compact flash players are still about 200. I paid 250 for the intel pocket concert when it first came out (only 126mb of ram). Side note -- Actually its too bad intel stopped making consumer electronics, especially mp3 players, because that was one of the best compact flash mp3 players that i've ever used (the rio500 was 2nd).

You know its been 4 years since the first mp3 player came out, and there really hasn't been much inovation since then, they have gotten smaller and have a bit more memory but come on, in 4 years you would think they would have gotten alot better. You would think 512mb of memory would be standard and cost less than $200 by now. Instead it seems like all the compact flash players are stuck at 128mb.

[sonoronos]

Another good thing about IPODs is that you can use them for portable data storage, PDA, etc. Which is good, since they already look a lot like a PDA.

I still have my one-time credit for ADC on my account. I'm still figuring out what I want to use it on. Perhaps the IPOD?

[dang]

I actually like realone player of musicmatch, btw.

You think the rca lyra 2 was bad...did you ever use the original rca lyra? That thing was horrid.

[IronSerif]

Found a computer to use real quick ;)

Anyways, got to hold/play with one of those new iPods....and man they are awesome. I know I use the word "sexy" a lot...but the newer iPods really are sexy. I really like the touch sensitive controls.

Ian - Here is a link to the Odyssey 1000 (http://www.edigital-store.com/odyssey1000.html)

[IronSerif]

Originally posted by Ioman
When you say touch sensitive buttons, are you referring to buttons that sense your fingers "heat" rather than a button that actually pushes in? I know that some of the Samsung monitors use buttons like this and they are pretty cool in my opinion. They function well and there are no moving parts that can wear out.
...

It sorta reminds you of a circular touchpad.

[Twobztwop]

Originally posted by IronSerif
[B]Found a computer to use real quick ;)

Anyways, got to hold/play with one of those new iPods....and man they are awesome. I know I use the word "sexy" a lot...but the newer iPods really are sexy. I really like the touch sensitive controls.


Yes they are "sexy," even though that isn't quite the term I’d like my electronics to invoke. Maybe they need some titanium on them or whatever and less chrome (then call it big bertha or war bird etc...). Actually that is the problem with apple, when I think of apple I think of stuck up fairies prancing around San Francisco in shiny shirts. Be that as it may, they make a good mp3 player.

[Funky-Robot]

e.ditigal make the Odessey 1000

www.edig.com

[IronSerif]

Originally posted by Twobztwop


Yes they are "sexy," even though that isn't quite the term I’d like my electronics to invoke. Maybe they need some titanium on them or whatever and less chrome (then call it big bertha or war bird etc...). Actually that is the problem with apple, when I think of apple I think of stuck up fairies prancing around San Francisco in shiny shirts. Be that as it may, they make a good mp3 player.

haha...yeah, I have a tendency to describe gadgets that tickle me that way...

Do you really have that image in your head when you are discussing Apple? Interesting...

[Jebus]

the ipod has been around for 1 and a half years now. i got mine when the windows version first came out last september. the touch sensitive wheel is heat sensitive...cuz i tried using the wheel with a pencil..it didn't work. the first gen had the physical scroll wheel. the third gen has an all touch sensitive interface..there isn't a button in the middle like the first or second one. its a step in the right direction to keep dust out. i also like the docking station. one of the best investments that i made imho. i wouldn't mind just buying the new one...and giving the one i have now to my bro..haha. also a good program for windows is ephpod...almost as good as itunes from what i've heard. i love my ipod ::pats it on it's head::

[IronSerif]

Heck yeah...I like the lil docking station. And it's not clunky or unaesthetically pleaseing either :)

[vladmin]

apple's site says that they have no moving parts now. does anyone know if it's still using the toshiba 1.8" drives? if this is still the case then it indeed has moving parts. if they replaced it all with flash memory then that would be impressive, but i doubt it (30gb seems like an awful lot of flash).

[sonoronos]

The Ipod's wheel and buttons are similar to a synaptics touchpad - that is, a fine wire mesh covered with a thin dielectric, that is tuned to react only to the conductivity and dielectric constant of skin.

Pennies can also be used to activate the buttons, as long as you're holding them.

by the way, IOman, I have a new Ipod coming...can I write a review for the site?

[Jebus]

Originally posted by vladmin
apple's site says that they have no moving parts now. does anyone know if it's still using the toshiba 1.8" drives? if this is still the case then it indeed has moving parts. if they replaced it all with flash memory then that would be impressive, but i doubt it (30gb seems like an awful lot of flash).

what they meant is probably no moving exterior parts. they did away with the buttons and scroll wheel and is all touch sensitive. and it makes sense with what sonoronos said about the pad being reactive to the conductivity of the skin and not to heat.

[Ioman]

I was at CompUSA last night and although they did not have the new iPod in for me to look at, they did have the Samsung monitors which use the same technology. I tried his theory with a penny and it worked. I am sure it has something to do with the conductivity the body puts out. Cool idea.

[Archon]

http://bbspot.com/News/2003/05/itunes.html

ahaha

[nick]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jebus


what they meant is probably no moving exterior parts. they did away with the buttons and scroll wheel and is all touch sensitive. and it makes sense with what sonoronos said about the pad being reactive to the conductivity of the skin and not to heat. [/QUOTE

in fact the lock-slides (at the ipod and the remote) are still moving exterior part. so are all other buttons on the remote.

i think the lock-slide has to be hard to toggle (and therefor be mechanical) since preventing unwanted actions is its purpose.

and the buttons on the remote are way too small to make them touch-sensitive (i think that's why apple changed the four slim buttons surrounding the wheel: they where too small).

i got mine for three days now and i really like each detail about it but i had to buy some other headphones as the ones apple sells with the ipod are too big for my ears.