iLounge

1

This thing is almost perfect. Now what they need to do is flattern one side (or just part of one side near the dock connector) and add the line out connector there. They’ll probably need to lengthen the pocketdock to fit it, but it could probably be done with a half cm increase in length, or 1 cm at the most. This makes it a little larger, but still very portable and ready for any connection you might want to make. It would also be nice if the USB port was wired to trickle charge 3G ipods as well as minis. Also, sell as add-ons a USB B-mini B adapter and firewire to universal power adapter. Of course at this point they may have to licence the SwissArmy name.

Posted by tinaa on June 21, 2004 at 8:29 AM (PST)

2

The PocketDock with line-out is perfect as it is.  Why would you want the line-out jack on the side?

This is what I’ve been hoping for ever since the original PocketDock was introduced, so it’s good to see a company listen to its customers.

Posted by turbora on June 21, 2004 at 3:14 PM (PST)

3

Because I’d like an all-in-one and that was the only way I could invision it without adding a lot of bulk. Or you could just widen it at the bottom to fit an extra connector. I agree, these 2 new combos are great additions. If the USB version had been out when I got my iPod I wouldn’t have wasted my money on the USB/firewire cable which is far from elegant or portable. But IMHO a three in one would be even better. These don’t have to be exclusive. The three in one would likely cost a little extra and the 2 in ones a little less, with the firewire only version even less. On the other hand, a cleverly designed three in one could lower manufacturing costs if the other 3 are retired.

Of course, all this would be moot if Apple had just put the 3 relevant connectors at the bottom of the iPod instead of a dock connector which has no advantage I can see except forcing users to spend more on accessories.

Posted by tinaa on June 21, 2004 at 5:10 PM (PST)

4

Well, not exactly.  Having the wide proprietary dock connector allowed the Apple engineers to make the 3rd generation thinner than its predecessors.  To replace it with a standard (6-pin) firewire port and a USB port, the iPod would have to be thicker.

It sounds like you are using your iPod with a PC via USB, so we are looking at things from different perspectives, as I use mine with a firewire-equipped Mac.

Posted by turbora on June 21, 2004 at 6:53 PM (PST)

5

The proprietary 30 pin connector of the iPod is just future proof. It leaves plenty of room for features which might come with future generations of iPods (like Video out for example). It also features the remote signals.

Posted by podLover on June 21, 2004 at 10:03 PM (PST)

6

Another excellent point, podLover.

Posted by turbora on June 22, 2004 at 6:24 AM (PST)

7

if they made one with USB and a line-out, they would sell like those proverbial hotcakes i keep hearing about.

Posted by Harrison in Melbourne, Australia on June 22, 2004 at 12:09 PM (PST)

8

not that perfect. USB + line out or original ipod connector + lin out could be much better.

Posted by cc on June 22, 2004 at 2:12 PM (PST)

9

Hello? ‘original iPod connector + Line out’? Complete non-sense. The original (1G & 2G) iPod doesn’t provide line-level audio. It only has pure FireWire.

Posted by podLover on June 22, 2004 at 3:39 PM (PST)

10

I’m not convinced the iPod would have to be thicker if they included standard ports. For USB a 5-pin mini-B connector could be used and a B to mini-B adapter could be included in the box. The mini-B ports are small and designed for portable devices. The 6-pin firewire is the one that’s quite large, but I believe 2G iPods are as thin as my 30 GB 3G, so I think it could be accomplished. Or you could use the smaller 4 pin connector with an additional universal power socket next to it, so power could come from any universal or proprietary power adapter. Standard firewire could also provide power through a 6-pin to 4-pin+power adapter, probably built into the cable in the box, in place of the dock connector end. I could see, though, where the dock connector would save space in the iPod mini design where things are considerably more tight.

As for future proof, history has shown us Apple is unlikely to add features to older iPod models in most cases. I believe 2G users still don’t have on the go playlists. Hardware upgrades are even less likely. My 3G iPod will never have a video out. Why not just add the applicable ports when they become necessary. Any digital function can be adequately handled by firewire and/or usb 2.0. Power and analogue are the only exceptions. line-out can double as line/mic in.

If all multimedia/portable device manufacturers agree on a standard, compact port with various pins reserved for specific functions, and a number of pins reserved for custom or priorietary uses, I think it would be a useful technology, as cables could be multifunction and they’d also be ubiquitous. I don’t like have to buy different accessories for each proprietary design… But that’s just me.

Posted by tinaa on June 23, 2004 at 7:37 AM (PST)

11

But you are wrong

Posted by CHANKY LANCELOT on June 24, 2004 at 1:34 PM (PST)