The 6GB iPod mini

The other big disappointment of the day: the iPod mini didn't get a color screen (they did, however, find it in their hearts to kill off the gold-colored version) like everyone had expected. The iPod mini did get a bump up to 6GB, an improved battery life of up to 18 hours, and what look like slightly more vibrant colors (and now the colors on your click wheel match the rest of your mini). They're keeping the 4GB iPod mini around, they're just dropping the price by fifty bucks.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

6 GB is fine with me. I'll probobly be getting it, I'm glad I waited a week. I dont really care about no color screen, its an mp3 player, not a portable video game system.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Ha! Read the first iPod Mini color screen thread from here a while back again - I was right! No color screens.

(Though I did change my mind later as the rumors persisted; I should learn to trust my instincts.)

No color screen revamp throughout the line, either. Man, some of these rumors do take on a life of their own.

I do expect we'll see a full color revamp when the 5G models are released later this year, though.

[Sebhelyesfarku @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

No gapless playback? Paperweight.

[paul shapiro @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Apple Insider's not terribly reliable anyways, when it comes to rumours. They love to get people's hopes up. It keeps 'em coming back.

[Hassan Luwalira @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I told you all there was not gonna be acolour screen on the Mini. We all know apple products are over priced and for apple to put colour screen, more memory and a better battery in the Mini for the same price? Come on guys stop dreaming to much. And bluetoth? I'm not gonna say more.

Although there wasn't no colour screen introduced I'm very happy with the increased battery time. Increased with amazing 150%, cool and 2 extra gig isn't bad either. Still I'm not gonna buy a new mini becasue I'm waiting for the iPod G5=)

[kenneth sundby @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

So, now the 4gb I bought my girlfriend for christmas kinda sucks, and I could have saved $50...bastards..

[Merv @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Come on, seriously you believe that Apple will add bluetooth and color screen without making a big announcement in like, Macworld ?

[Uncle Chachi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

So wait, if I bought my gf a pink mini for Valentine's day, can I get the price difference refunded? Or the (price difference - restocking fee)? Anyone done this?

[Ian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Looks like Apple is following in the footsteps of Creative. They announced 4,5,6 and color versions of their Micro months ago.

[Jack @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

What's up with the gold colored one?

[Clint @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Well...we all know cell phones will eliminate the need for an iPod within the next 2 years. Why pay almost the price of an entire computer when you can just add the mp3 player to your cell phone?

[leon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Bah, I just bought a 40gig for �300 and now they've released a photo for the same price. Apple..grrrr!

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

"Well...we all know cell phones will eliminate the need for an iPod within the next 2 years."

Keep dreaming... this is why I originally thought the Mini in general was a dumb product, but you really think phones are going to have 6GB hard drives with any sort of battery life within 2 years? No friggin' way.

And 60GB, forget it. There will always be a need for dedicated players; my music collection is only growing by the day. Eventually we'll all be storing uncompressed (or losslessly-compressed) music on our drives, and then we'll all be using 200GB drives for our collections. It'll probably be mid-century before any phone approaches that - keeping in mind especially that batteries are a severely limiting factor, and actually talking on the phone uses a lot of power too. We're asking phones to do way too much as it is.

[Russell @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

So ya'll know:

The iPod mini no longer ships with firewire cable or AC adapter. The firewire cable is $19 and the AC adapter is $29.

Also, has anyone noticed new iTunes messages? I recently got 'Your music is vaulable - please back it up in case your computer fails'.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

What I want to know is: did the 4GB version get the battery update as well?

[darx @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Yes the 4gb did get the battery upgrade...and It comes witha usb 2 cable, thats what it uses to charge also.

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

How exactly did creative follow apple? They announced their new zens at ces months ago. This ipod update is so sad, I don't even know what to say. First they bring out the ipod photo, with such a high price that only the stupid and/or the ignorant will buy it, then they lower the price by $70 and everybody thinks it is such a steal now that they are making a fairer profit margin (Yes $70, because of the loss of accessories, do the math)

A joke.

[iceberg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I always wondered about the gold-colored one, it doesn't fit their styling at all.

Now if only they replaced it with a jet-black one, I'd snap it up in a jiffy.

[narrativium @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

"How exactly did creative follow apple? They announced their new zens at ces months ago."

And Apple started selling the iPod mini over a year ago. What's your point?

[aelso @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Damn. They got rid of the gold one. I liked that color.

Anyways, huge battery life and a much lower price. Excellent.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

"...then they lower the price by $70..."

Sorry. I do the math at the cash register, and the Photo is now $150 cheaper at the register. Don't assume that everyone is going to buy the accessories. I don't use my dock or AC adapter and wouldn't buy them if they weren't in the box.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

"...then they lower the price by $70..."

Sorry. I do the math at the cash register, and the Photo is now $150 cheaper at the register. Don't assume that everyone is going to buy the accessories. I don't use my dock or AC adapter and wouldn't buy them if they weren't in the box.

[Martin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Hey, Joey - echoing Napster's boss, eh? Yes, iPod users are stupid/ignorant.

By the way, I don't see any "iPod-killer" (hey, that phrase isn't used much anymore!) doing photos better than the iPod photo. Read Mossberg's review of the iRiver in the WSJ today.

[Flyhen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

So now the gold ipod mini is killed.
Anyone know where to pick it up? you know.. outlets, or the such?

[barek moon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

18 hour battery life... think they use one of these? http://www.danaquarium.com/article.php?story=20050218182306134

[ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Any chance the 5G ipods will return to the 3G-style controls? I just played with my friend's 4G, and I *really* don't like the clicking action.

[narrativium @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Oops, my bad. You were right about Creative's campaign.

[Pete @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Yes, Creative introduced the new Zen Micro Photo at CES...but is it available yet?

I agree that this development is underwhelming, but I wouldn't go bashing Apple with Creative's new products as my main argument. The Zen Micro is a nice product, but IMO the iPod still has a superior interface and better integration with the desktop.

[Shelby @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

"Read Mossberg's review of the iRiver in the WSJ today."

Isn't that the guy with the OTT Apple favortism in his articles? I think I'll read someone with a fairer analysis.

:-)

[narrativium @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

The above comment was not me.

[hap @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

anyone know if the $200 price tag on the minis are going to be in effect at retail stores already like target, circuit city, etc?

[Gi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

good thing i got a Zen Micro for my gf on valentine's day. i was scared that they'd make some substantial upgrades on the mini, but they didn't. so i still got my price worth on it.

[Scottie H @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I thought Apple was all about revolutionary products in the industry. I thought they were trendsetters, not followers.

It's great for their bottom line that they're able to further price discrimination to target more markets, but it's disappointing that all they've done is simply increase their batt. life and capcacity to keep up with their competitors.

I better start writing an epitaph for the iPod, cuz it's going to need a fresh grave at this rate. You can't just rest on your laurels and hope no one notices.

I'm selling my 3G iPod and switching to a Karma instead. Apple just lost one loyal customer.

[Junior @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I like the battery increase to 18 hrs, but can i just drag and drop to a mini? I hate using iTunes and its really the only reason why I've never considered buying an iPod.

[Sammie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Love the new iPods!

Now, that Apple has shown their hand, it'll be interesting to see what the other companies have to offer to counter, whether its price drops, tech improvements, etc.

Considering how far behind the pack the mini wsa for a good year until the update, 2005 looks promising for other mini-sized players.

[Rudy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I bought the "gold" on on Valentine's day for my wife. Well, I guess for $50 bucks more I got a discontinued color, firewire, and AC plug. She picked the color so that's a plus too. And it looks way better live than on pics. The new brighter colors make them even more noticable. But they should have picked different colors, like yellow, orange (brick), charcoal, and ivory. I was personally hoping for a black or midnight blue color. The colors basically look the same, but fewer to choose from. And the backlighting (screen) could have been different colors too (blue, red, green, black & white)- since they couldn't give us color. Finally, I think the center enter key should have been colored too, to mark the gen of mini ipods. Just my opinion.

[nn @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

To all those who are complaining about having just bought an iPod or Mini: what should Apple do? Wait until you're ready to upgrade until they update the line?

These days, you should buy everything with the knowledge that it'll be cheaper and better as soon as you get it home.

[ron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

"I'm selling my 3G iPod and switching to a Karma instead. Apple just lost one loyal customer."

Obviously you aren't much of a loyal customer if you are switching players because a rumor didn't go the way you wanted it to. I think the correct description for you would be "asshat".

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I think there's a difference between a loyal and blindly loyal customer. Ultimately, I think he's trying to be a smart consumer, which is somethimg we should all strive to be.

[Brian McFadden @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Someone *cough Ron* is a smartass. Brand loyalty is overrated these days anyway.

Anyway, I'm more curious to how the EQ settings have changed, if at all.

[Sfumato @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

"I'm selling my 3G iPod and switching to a Karma instead." - you & two other people on the planet. 20gb Karma & 20gb iPod are the same price @ the circuit cities of the world where so many of these things are bought. And you have to imagine a lot of people will splurge the extra $50 to get 30gb, color screen, and photos on the ipod.

Other than having the first mass market flash players back in the dark ages, Rio has been a terrible competitor ever since. Even the best/most distinctive Rio product ever (the Rio Car, nee empeg) was a failure in the marketplace. Creative is only slightly better - think anyone is going to buy a Zen Micro for the same price as a iPod Mini? That's assuming a mere mortal even manages to deciper the 25 different MP3 player product lines Creative currently lists.

Not to say that Apple's competitor's products don't have some advantages, but the notion that Apple is way behind with its offering & pricing, esp. to the mass market, is kinda delusional.

[Marc @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Umm. More like Creative is following in Apple's footsteps. Do you think Creative is "creative" enough to think of colorizing their lineup on their own? Come, now...

[ron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

"I think he's trying to be a smart consumer, which is somethimg we should all strive to be."

Ok so you own mustang, and you heard a rumor on the internet that ford is comming out with a new focus with a bunch of great new features....it comes out minus half of the features. Your so dissapointed by this you decide to sell your mustang and buy something else. How exactly is that smart? You were foolishly lead to believe something from the internet, and decided to cry about it when it didn't come true. Then you claim you were once loyal? Suuuuuuuuuuuuuure.

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I'll admit - this is exactly what I expected. Shuffling the line around, increasing battery life and HD size.

If you were waiting for the rumors to come true, then you have no idea how to watch Apple events. If there was a Macworld or WWDC or an Apple Media Event, then you could have counted on a HUGE announcement.

As for color screens across the line and Bluetooth in higher-end models: I've no doubt they're in the pipe. By September, I think they'll be shipping the color screens. Bluetooth might be sooner. Why? Think about it: Apple has backed away from the $499 price point with these revisions and, frankly, I think that's the first time... and that leaves room for a model at the top. A 60GB iPod photo with Bluetooth streaming for $499? Makes a lot of sense to me. Especially if I don't have to buy a $15-$30 adapter for my Bluetooth-enabled car stereo, etc. (wink, wink).

They're coming. The iPods you all wanted will be here in the next six or seven months. Just be patient.

[Frode @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

With more storage and better battery this is the perfect player for me at a reasonable price. Yay!

What I don't get is the ipod photo, why anyone would want to wiew photes on the go on a 2" screen is way beyond me. If I really want to see tiny photos on the go I can do that with my mobile anyway. Talk about redundant.

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Wow what's with Ron's rants? Columbian coffee not black enough for you today?

That's not a particularly good analogy. Most People don't have the disposable income to "upgrade" their cars as regularly as an MP3 player.

Just my 2 cents.

[becky @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

i'm personally really happy with my carbon. great battery life and the sound is great to boot. wouldn't change it for a new iPod even with the upgraded battery life. call back when you offer a full day's worth of playtime.

[Shayera @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I'm sorry but Apple, but where's the beef?

[allen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

In fairness, $199 for 4GB IPOD Mini is a good deal. That's until other brand starts lowering price for another 10-15% and offers even more features.




and I think it will attract more people to buy them.

[jdepew @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Much better pricing scheme

Previously
Shuffle - 512Mb $99 1Gb $149
iPod Mini - 4Gb $249
iPod - 20GB $299 40GB $399
iPod Photo- 40Gb $499 60Gb $599

New Schema
Shuffle - 512Mb $99 1Gb $149
iPod Mini - 4Gb $199 6Gb $249
iPod - 20GB $299
iPod Photo- 30Gb $349 60Gb $449

Seems like this brings the whole range into better alignment($50 increments) and provides a solution for everyone. Now even the stratospheric 60GB is only 449.