News
AnandTech: Apple’s New iPod - Evolutionary, not Revolutionary
AnandTech has posted a long (15 webpages) and comprehensive review of the iPod. MusicMatch, XPlay and iTunes 4 as well as taking the iPod apart are covered in the review.
For current iPod owners, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to upgrade to the new iPod, although the small size of the player is definitely tempting. The functionality of the player remains virtually unchanged, which means you’ll still probably want to hold on to your expensive investment.”
Boston Globe: New iPod is not necessarily improved
Globe staff writer, Michael Prager doesn’t share Apple’s view that the new iPods are as ‘improved’ as they say they are.
I Lost My iPod
Two nights ago I left my iPod in a cab. I hailed it at 3:00 AM after working an 18 hour day of lifting and moving. I put the iPod down to take my wallet out and forgot to pick it up. I didn’t take notice of the cab company (there are at least 12 companies in Toronto). I called a few of the majors up and left a description, but I am not optimistic.
I just want people to understand that they need to label their iPods. I had looked into various services of pre-made stickers with serial numbers or having it engraved but I never got around to it. Even if someone found it and wanted to return it they couldn’t.
I bought the 10GB model in August 2002 and I can honestly say that I have used it almost every single day. My next paycheque is going to be dedicated to buying a new 10GB model, but I wish it didn’t have to come to that. I can’t afford the 15 or 30GB models, but I eventually plan on buying the dock and remote.
Please people, even if it’s an ugly sticker with your email address on it, please label your iPod.
Apple Store for Education promo features iPod
A new Apple Store for Education ‘Buy a bundle’ promotion is offering a $200 rebate when you buy a qualifying portable and iPod. If you add a Canon printer you’ll get an additional $100 rebate. The promo excludes the iBook with CD-only configuration. Offer good for qualifying products purchased between May 30, 2003 and Sept. 27, 2003. “Products must be purchased by from the Apple Education Store for Individuals or a participating Apple Authorized Campus Reseller”
“The iPod As A Digital Wallet Gateway Drug”
AppleMatters writer, Hadley Stern writes about iPod becoming a digital wallet - not just for music storage, but also photos and video.
iPADD: Text Input-On-The-Go for iPod
Free iPADD for Apple iPod (docking connector iPods only). Want a quick and easy way to input basic text into an iPod? Look no further. iPADD is a set of 78 “blank” mp3’s (they’re each 4k in size). Each mp3 file is labeled with a unique character or word ("Palm-like" information, days of the week, months, spaces for contacts and an alpha-numeric set).
KBase Document: How to Install Dock Cover
Apple has posted a KBase document on iPod (with Dock Connector): How to Install Dock Cover M9130G/A:
If you buy an iPod that does not include a dock, or if you buy an extra dock, you must install the cover that fits your iPod model. The 10 GB and 15 GB models are slightly thinner than the 30 GB model, and they use a dock cover that has a thinner opening. This cover is labeled “10/15GB Dock cover’. The cover for the 30 GB model has a slightly deeper opening. It is labeled ‘30GB Dock cover’.”
Burton AMP Jacket and New iPod Solution
iLounger Travis Stratford submitted a news item detailing his frustration about the initial incompatibility of new iPods and the Burton Amp Jacket. For anyone with new iPod and Amp Jacket, there is a solution: the Amp Jacket Interface by Dr Bott.
A few weeks ago, I purchased the Burton AMP jacket from the Apple Store. I knew Apple would soon release new iPods, so I waited a few weeks before buying my iPod that would accompany the jacket. As soon as the new iPods were released, I purchased a 30 GB version at the NYC Apple Store (the first day they went on sale). That same night, I took the iPod home and “installed” it into my jacket. To my astonishment and horror, the new iPod did not work properly in my jacket (the ear-plug cord did not sit firmly in the new iPod and the jacket’s sleeve “controls” did not operate correctly.) ...
Oprah Gives iPod
Yesterday on Oprah’s “Favorite Things” episode she gave every audience member a brand new 15GB iPod. Oprah described the iPod to the audience as, “This itty-bitty gadget, no bigger than a deck of cards, holds 3,700 songs!”
Knowledge Base Documents for iPod
Apple has posted several Knowledge Base documents on the following iPod related subjects:
iPod (with Dock Connector): About the Dock Connector and Cables
iPod Dock: Specifications
iPod for Windows 2.0: How to Install
iSync 1.0: Cannot Sync To Do List With iPod (with Dock Connector)
NY Post: iPod Therefore I Am
Mary Huhn and Maxine Shen write about iPod and how it’s changing the face of the New York social scene.
There are iPod parties, jackets, fan clubs and Web sites galore. People are using the portable MP3 players as alarm clocks, address books and surrogate pets. ”
NY Post: It’s A Party In A Pocket
Sarah Gilbert writes how iPod is changing the face of DJ’ing. Also mentioned in the article is that Apple may be releasing a professional iPod featuring pitch control to change the speed of tracks.
Andrew & Andrew, a DJ duo who wear horn-rimmed specs and lab coats, host “iParty” at Apt. every Tuesday night. ”
Updated: Is the backlight supposed to be blue?
A new photo has been submitted by the same reader that started us on the blue backlight journey. This new photo shows a direct comparison of a new 30GB and a 15GB iPod. Click “Read more” for photo.
Your Mac Live show talking iPods
Tonight on Your Mac Life internet show, host Shawn King interviews Stan Ng, iPod line manager. King and Ng will talk about the new iPods and iTunes Music Store. YML is also giving away a new iPod. You must listen to the show for details on how to win. Show time is 5:30pm to 8pm PT or from 8:30pm to 11pm ET.
iTrip used with iBook
A few months ago, I was in a forum where someone realized Apple had put the same headphone jack that is on the old iPod into the 800MHz iBook. It is not a standard flush jack, but a one with a small outer ring around it. Just out of curiosity, I plugged the iTrip into my 800MHz iBook and noticed the power LED lit up. I started an iTunes song, turned on the home stereo and was getting sound from my iBook transmitted with the iTrip. Way cool.
eCoustics.com has huge list of iPod reviews
The eCoustics.com MP3 category has links to just about every iPod review published online. View the iPod search results at this link.
Editor’s Note: There are 39 reviews listed, including 20 consumer reviews.
Baseball Stats on the iPod
For all you baseball junkies out there, I’ve updated my site containing Major League Baseball stats for the iPod: There are now links to the latest standings, player statistics, team rosters, and box scores. All the links are updated daily. The links are .vcf files, which you can just save to your iPod for viewing on the go. Hope it’s useful, Peter
iPods.com For Sale
Ebay auctioneer, “morning-view” has posted iPods.com for sale. Starting bid is $1,000. Why does Apple not own this domain? The auction’s description is as follows:
The domain will be transfered to the winning bidder free of charge. Payment will be accepted in the form of certified check or electronic transfer, and is expected within five (5) days of end of auction.”
CNET 30GB iPod Review
CNET’s Eliot Van Buskirk reviews the 30GB iPod.
Online Petition for Firmware Updates for Classic iPods
An online petition requesting that Apple port the 2.0 iPod software to a format supported by Classic iPods is now up.
The recent release of the new, third generation iPod has brought a new level to this dissatisfaction. Unlike rivals Creative Labs, Apple have jettisoned owners of the ?old? iPod and refused to update them to a new firmware version, which contains features such as on-the-fly playlists, new games, and customisable menus. Version 2.0 firmware is for use with the newest iPods only. ”