Updated: New iPod!

Here it is, the cover of Monday's Newsweek, where Apple is announcing the next version of the iPod. It has a new iPod mini-like scroll wheel as expected, more details to come. [Thanks, Ouro]

Update: Here are some of the changes in the new iPod, which we're calling the 4g model for now. Brushed metal scroll wheel, thinner form, centered headphone jack, no more 4 button nav above the wheel and likely a lower price. We'll add more as we get more info!

UPDATE 2: The Newsweek story is live, but has precious few details about the new iPod.

UPDATE 3: We've got more details, plus another pic of the new iPod, here.

[Zack @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

That screams "I just learned Photoshop!"

[eggie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Looks great!
Hopefully, Apple improved the battery life. I wonder how thin these are and how much they cost.
Can't wait!

[Peter Rojas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

The photo was pulled off of MSNBC's server, which hosts Newsweek's online content.

[justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Here is the address:
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Sections/Newsweek/Components/Photos/mag/040726_issue/040717_COVER.jpg

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Playlists and Browse must be under "Music", allowing shuffle to be added to the top level without adding clutter. Having shuffle at the top level makes a lot of sense, as that's the setting I find myself switching most often.

I want to know: Does it have any new capabilities? How about a better battery life? (And why is it that cheaper players are able to have such a better battery life- do they consume less power?) How about a more capable remote? How about a nice computer voice to speak the name of a song before playing it so I don't constantly have to look at the iPod when I'm driving and listening to my "unplayed" playlist?

I would also like the ability to browse within a playlist. With iTunes I can do this, but not on the iPod. Very useful when you have a playlist of songs that match certain criteria that is very large.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

And here http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Sections/Newsweek/Components/Photos/mag/040726_issue/040717_COVER.jpg is the link to the msn server.

[Jules @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Kind of ironic: iPod picture hosted on MSNBC...
Wow, that's one worthless comment. Anyway, is there any chance at all that Apple will price it, you know, reasonably?
Also, a note to the engadget guys: You guys rock!
Thanks.

[Jacob @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Well, as far as blowing Steve's big surprise 2 days early. I wonder if that's why he went with Newsweek this time? Lot of good it did him.

[pdpfilms @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Check macrumors.com for more information, they're usually pretty good about details. Apparently, according to them, it'll be more reasonably priced. Personally, I could only see Apple dropping the price $50 at most. Also, there are rumors about 60gb drives small enough to fit in an iPod skin. Maybe a new $250-20gb/$350-40gb/$450-60gb lineup???

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Reason the iPod doesn't have as good of battery life is the battery it uses isn't as good as other batterys in other DAP's. The slimer size is the main reason for them chossing the curent battery. Just because it is the most expensive, doesn't mean its the best.

[Brendon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

I agree with the top guy it does look photoshopish, but that most likely is all the airbrushing they do. Does newsweek always date there magazine one week early. July 26th isnt for another week.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

How is a centered headphone jack a "change?" The mini has an off-center jack.. but this isn't the mini we're talking about here, right?

[Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Seriously... it needs gapless playback, and battery life in line with my Karma, before I would even consider trading "up".

[Kelvin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

... would have been nice. Maybe the next generation will have it in 2 years.

[Benjamin Kaplin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Not necessary. It'd ruin the lines and add an external moving part to break/wear out. In other words, stfu.

I just wanted to thank Peter for pointing out the details on the new iPod (unless it's an image stolen from somewhere else). It's the kind of in-depth reporting I've been so happy with from Engadget.

[Peter Rojas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Phillip put together that second pic pointing out the details for us, so I can't take the credit for that one.

[enjoilax @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

the headphone jack has always been censored.

That picture is like a bunny with a pancake on his head.

[g @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

http://users.rcn.com/eglandau/bunny_pancake.jpg

[Billy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Never thought I'd say this about an iPod -- that thing is ugly. Brushed metal on white doesn't work. In fact it's so damn ugly that it leads me to think (hope) that somehow the picture is a fake -- intentionally planted to generate buzz for the story (which is real), but that will appear with a different and real pic on Monday. Please! I want me some iPod with replacable battery, bigger capacity and lower price, but not at the expense of looking cool...otherwise I'd just get a Nitrus!

[Attis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

I surprised that no one has mentioned the iPod + iTunes thing. It doesn�t seem like a coincidence that as soon as the 100 millionth song was given away that new iPods come out. I fairly certain the winners of the iTunes giveaway will be getting the newest iPods. It all seems too perfect in my opinion. And as for the magazine picture, a part of me says that the picture is slightly truthful in that that is the new iPod but that they are showing a combined version (Two variations one metal, one white plastic). The other part says that is the new iPod but it�s not showing all it can do. You can customize the menus and so they may have set it to look just it always does but in fact have added better software and new menu items that they are showing.

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Keep in mind that, unless there is some new technology with electrostatic touch pads, the scroll wheel is not actually metal. It's just colored.

[Kelvin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

"Not necessary. It'd ruin the lines and add an external moving part to break/wear out. In other words, stfu."

You are ridiculous. Never let functionaliy get in the way of style, huh? I often want to switch between playing full albums (in order) and playing an artists' whole catalog (in random order). The ipod is terrible at this because of the number of button presses required to toggle the shuffle mode. If you'd never switch the mode, you wouldn't have to worry about "wearing it out," but if you'd use it often to warrant such a concern, then you'd be thankful for the easy access.

[Chris Silvestro @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5457434/site/newsweek/

[Paradigm Shifter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

WOW. Newsweek's website is now down. Too many hits apparently.
I get this message:
Network Error (gateway_error)
An error occurred attempting to communicate with an HTTP or SOCKS gateway.
The gateway may be temporarily unavailable, or there could be a network problem.
For assistance, contact your network support team.

[David Jeffery @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Another pic of the new iPod

http://www.spymac.com/gallery/show_photo.php?picid=200466

[David Jeffery @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

One final thing... I just want to say that I think Steve Jobs glasses look stupid.

[pkradd @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

I seriously doubt the scroll wheel is "brushed metal". Even though the mini is aluminum, the wheel is plastic. Metal can wear down more readily and I believe that it would interfere with the operation of the touch sensitive aspect. There's a small electrical charge when you touch it. It's probably plastic but until an actual unit is inspected it is only a guess on my part.

[achantra @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

The question is...will the $299 20GB version come with the remote, the dock and the case? Apple always drops those accessories from the cheapest model...

[Sam Asarnow @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Since all of the past iPod scrollwheels have basically been doughnut-shaped laptop touchpads, it seems obvious that the "brushed metal" scrollwheel is probably made out of the same grey material as Apple's laptop touchpads (which might not actually look all that bad).

[Josh Goldberg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

here's to hoping there's a software update with those features for 3G ipods

[iPod sucks @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

I obviously hate iPod, Creative Zen Xtra is cooler and better in all ways than iPod. iPod is so expensive(AU$799 40Gb--what a ripped off; the Zen with AU$799 60Gb--sick man!), look at the Zen-cheap and good. So...think about that, instead of iPod, get the Zen Xtra.

[iPod sucks @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

I obviously hate iPod, Creative Zen Xtra is cooler and better in all ways than iPod. iPod is so expensive(AU$799 40Gb--what a ripped off; the Zen with AU$799 60Gb--sick man!), look at the Zen-cheap and good. So...think about that, instead of iPod, get the Zen Xtra.

[Hugh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

About time!

[Brendan Heussler @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

yea, the new iPod is pretty cool, but the only thing it needs to be EVERYTHING is a built in radio reciver. Of course the next step would be to integrate the sleek camea phones and iPod together and you would have a one stop music player/ camera/ phone/ instant messaging/ games/ etc. I hope APPLE uses this advice wisely. Im not sure if I am going to buy this generation, maybe I need to wait.

P.S. If iPods are involved with radio signal reciving, why dont you just create a radio signal broadcaster too? (built in) I know many of my friends have these broadcasters that enable radios to pick up the signal and play the iPod's music so everyone can hear.

[I dont like apple @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

So, my ipod mini takes a FOOT AND A HALF fall off my bookcase and IT BREAKS. I'm talkn about a nice big crack down the middle of the screen, and now it won't turn on. and what pisses me off: when I went to the apple store, the tech guy walked right up to me and the first thing he siad was "you should just buy another one" I wanted to punch him in the face. What kind of customer service is that? seriously, he could have said it nicer or whatever but no. AND why wont apple accually take responsibility in thier products failures? My friend was jogging with his ipod that was clipped on his hip, and the clip lost its metal piece and sent his ipod falling to the ground. His screen cracked also. Told the apple store people exactly what happend and they told him too bad, BUY ANOTHER. Seriously, Apple, hire more engineers and fire a few designers.

[Eliott D. Janz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

If your thinking to buy an ipod get the 40GB. It just came in the mail Monday and I love it! The guy that does not like ipods, don't listen to him. The creative zen is about double the size. The smaller it is for me the better chances I will buy it. So All i have to say is BUY the IPOD 40GB!!!

[Eva @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

Good luck with your new 40GB ipod. When I got mine it collapsed in a week, the software broke down. I had in that week realised that on top of the possibility of software breakdown the batterie-life was getting shorter by the minute because of the constant recharging when in dock. So in the shop I changed for a 10GB ipod, more toy less back-up harddrive, and a laCie 120GB harddrive. It was about the same price as the 40GB ipod. Since then my ipod has been stolen, the laCie harddrive has broken down and been in repair since february, I bought them in december and now it's september. I'm waiting with my mp3-player shopping untill there's a Mac compatible one that has 10-40GB space and changeable batteries. But good luck with your new ipod Elliot...

[Lindsay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

I purchased one, and it's a total piece of shit. I feel like i was taken advantage of by apple with fancy advertising.

That's one boat I wish i stayed off of.

[disappointed @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

ipod mini is a complete piece of shit! bought it 2 days ago, accidently dropped it only once and it's died. trouble shooting from apple did not work at all, now have been asked to bring it down for repair. am extremely pissed and disappointed!!! ipod mini sucks big time!!! how i regret buying it. ;(

[Luke @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

All those lads and lasses who hate ipods, I'm with you. Ipods have some of the worst sound quality around and the headphones are so shit that they blow when left on full volume.

I personally have a CREATIVE MuVo2 FM, a small sleek player. I have dropped it about 7 times and on to concrete floors but it just keeps on going, also the battery life is 16hrs, that is double that of the crappy ipod.

If you are seriously into sound and mp3 players buy CREATIVE.

[Pikl @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

I don't like iPods due to their total lack of a standard headphone jack.

I am compelled to remember a fellow who said to me, "Give them a month, you'll be a changed man," referring to Apple computers, after I had told him my primary video editing station was a Dell Dimension 8300 with Windows XP running Adobe Premeire. I cordially refused, but what I didn't tell him was I gave Apple computers a full year of function. Or rather, I gave them a year to prove that they could function. They failed, dismally.

Having that been said, I have seen that 20 GB Creative music player on Newegg for about $70 cheaper than it's Apple counterpart. If I ever buy one, count on my purchasing a reliable music player with a standard headphone jack.

Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead, I always say.

[Threefingerdlord @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

ipod's suck. Its a fact. The sound quilty is terrible compared to most CHEAPER mp3 players and personaly i think they look bad. Besides who the hell has 40gb of music? I can understand any players that do up to 10gb because i like to play my music at a hight bit rate but 40gb? The mini ipod's suffer from the same bad sound quality and looks but at least the capacity is more reasonable. ipod's are just a fashon piece. A waste of time. Im not even going to start on the price.....

[nick s. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM]

i am right with you guys! The ipod sucks! so does itunes! okay, so i had a ton of issuses with apple:
Where the hell are my songs located in my computer! where they said they were, were only half the songs! and they were locked off from me and it tried to change that, but the only thing i found is to deney my computer more!
WTF!!!!!!!!! Its my computer, my songs! I Bought Them!
so i tried to search the album title and the search said that it did not come across any such title!WTF again! What is going on? Where are the files from itunes located?

ANYONE WHO HAS ITUNES PLEASE TRY TO LOCATE YOUR SONGS AND TRY TO FIND ALL OF THEM!!! YOU WON'T!!!

so, i switched to creative and got a Zen Micro for only 180.00 with 5 G, a microphone, a radio, ardio recorder, #1 custmer service, and more colors.oh and free noise cancling headphones worth 50 dollers free. but searusly check where your songs are, you won't find them.
and i e-mailed apple all of this, and they never replied!!!! i e-mailed Creative (zen) about how to switch from itunes to zen and they replied withen two days! and they atculy read my e-mail! they are great!!!