5th-generation iPods to get in-house scroll-wheel, replaceable batteries?
AppleInsider has some news on what we might expect from the forthcoming fifth-generation iPod, expected later this year. Look for an Apple-developed scroll wheel to replace the currently-used Synaptics version — Apple has been severing ties with Synaptics since earlier in the year when they dropped them as supplier of trackpads for the PowerBook and iBook lines. It's also part of a broader strategy on reducing component outsourcing in order to maintain tighter control over the company's intellectual property (and why does that not surprise us). The other salient bit is that Apple appears to be considering making the iPod battery user-replaceable. They'd market a replacement battery in the $49 to $69 range, which would presumably save them from getting embroiled in further nasty class-action suits.
Filed under: Portable Audio
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jayarr_superstar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
why does apple keep making the ipod better AFTER everybody has bought one?
Chris Kalan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Because lots of people will buy more iPods!
What is all this synaptics stuff? I know it means the wheel works by touch and everything, but I am not sure what they are switching to? It will be the same wheel but not outsourced, just to be manufactured by Apple?
Ed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Because no one would buy them if they stopped improving them. Besides, only 11% of Americans own a digital music player - that's a HUGE untapped market for Apple. http://news.com.com/Whos%20buying%20iPods/2100-1041_3-5577396.html?part=rss&tag=5575731&subj=news.1041.20
Topmounter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
A wheel of their own design and manufacture.
I wonder if they will fix the bass problem in the 5G Ipod?
Version 1.0 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
>why does apple keep making the ipod better AFTER everybody has bought one?
Agreed! I just got mine last year and their releasing a new one!
Ed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
To Chris:
"It will be the same wheel but not outsourced, just to be manufactured by Apple?"
Yes.
nolan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
What is all this synaptics stuff?
synaptics are a company. They make the touchpads in most laptops including (until recently it seems..) the apple ones. Every laptop will have a synaptics driver installed somewhere on it! As well as that, they make the ipod trackpads as well as the creative and I'm guessing.... iriver trackpads.
Apple are making their own one now instead of letting synaptics do it.
mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
#34, you mean the bass problem with the 4th gen iPods right - it needs to big fixed...
mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
meant to say #4, not #34...
JK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
So what's going to be different in usage terms? New features etc? I mean, a replaceable battery's all well and good, but some feature innovation would be nice too. For the average consumer, the change of manufacturer of the click wheel's inconsequential.
Cheers,
Jamie
christine @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
>>For the average consumer, the change of manufacturer of the click wheel's inconsequential.
agreed. i don't care about a click-wheel. i want better performance!
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
"you mean the bass problem with the 4th gen iPods right - it needs to big fixed..."
What bass problem? I don't have any bass problem with my iPod...
All the tests I've seen show an almost perfectly flat frequency response from the iPod.
dcwirtz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
User-replaceable batteries. Once again, Apple is at the forefront of technology! Watch for other manufacturers to copy Apple and add this new feature.
JK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
So what's going to be different in usage terms? New features etc? I mean, a replaceable battery's all well and good, but some feature innovation would be nice too. For the average consumer, the change of manufacturer of the click wheel's inconsequential.
Cheers,
Jamie
Nathan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Wonder if the first Apple-manufactured scroll wheels will be as much of a disaster as newly Apple-manufactured trackpads were.
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=948
encosion @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Arrrgh! Stop using the word "wheel", it's far too misleading and ambivalent... If the new wheel physically moves - fair enough but...
S H Fawaz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Isn't the whole point behing advancing technology to improve on past and current designs and ideas so they evolve into more improved and enhanced products? You would be still driving a 1962 chevy today if it wasn't for design enhancements, innovations, and advances in technology. You buy today, trade tomorrow. Just because a new model came out doesn't mean you have to ditch what you have and run and buy the new one, especially when your existing unit works just fine!
khalil amar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
as an improvement I would like to see the option of crossfading on/off in the software.
And if you have bass problem, easy: buy Sony headphones (me i have the streetsyler, so when I am biking I don't have any 'fffffffrrr' noise because of the wind)
Also,
If you own dell speakers ( harman kardon ) for 29 $, It's really powerful and you can notice that it's not your ipod.
(I have the 3rd gen. ipod)
fischziege @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
#13: your kidding, right? i mean, im just not shure with all this apple hype lately, if some peple are kidding or not...
i mean, my creative jukebox 3 had replaceable batteries, what, 2 years ago?
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Whassallthisaboutthen? I Think McGregor & company manufactures the eyelets in my Emerica trainers therefore the lace twangyness and elasticity might be more or less round in it's parabola than the hi tec tecs of the 80's whose lace eyelets were well known to be manufactured by Loop Industries, a former branch of McGregor and Co. although trading under a different name but using very similar manufacturing technologies. Ergo the parabola argument may be seen as almost redundant.
Galley @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
The 4G iPods definitely lack bass response.
Travis Bickle @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Once again Matt is correct (if slightly rotund), though it is worth pointing out it is MacGregor, McGregor. A common mistake, and one made easily when one spends too much time in the company of the Irish.
tino @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
I wish they just get rip off the damn mirror back.
Maybe it will forcast Macintel design elements? :p
dcwirtz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
#17 OF COURSE I'm kidding. Almost ALL electronic devices have replaceable batteries. The guys on here who praise and worship everything Apple creates don't brag too much about the non-replaceable iPod batteries...but I'm sure they'll praise it when it's FINALLY available.
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
MY old man's a aphid, he wears an aphid's hat, he wears gor blimey traaasers an e lives in a crusty cowpat!
Dave Pratt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Anyone would have to be retarded to pay 49 to 69 dollars for a replacement battery for an ipod when 49.00 will buy a 3 year best buy in store warantee which includes a free annual battery replacement as well as full coverage on the screen, buttons, and other components.
The Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Maybe so, dcwirtz, but it'll make Slashdot news if Apple finally adds OGG and FLAC compatibility (via software update) to the iPods giving the trolls there two less reasons not to buy an iPod.
Of course, there will still be some complaining there's no official release of iTunes for Linux so they still can't please everyone...
rocky @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
#15
1G iPods had a wheel that moved. I doubt they'll be going back to that.
Kamil Mytnik @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
This is good news for TRENDWHORE HIPSTERS!
YAY!
Trixie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Replaceable batteries? Wow, that's great news. I still have a #G ipod and it's kinda going out. Unfortunately my warranty is good until next year tho.
Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
#28 (Kamil),
I'm a trendwhore hipster. And I don't appreciate your sarcasm. But yes it's good news for us.
Suresh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
So, how come it took Apple this long to come up with the idea of making their own in house track/mouse pad? And why isn't being outsourced (meaning utilizing cheaper manufacturing laborers and methods overseas)?
hashashin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
encosion: I think you mean "ambiguous." Ambivalent means a mix of simultaneous opposite feelings, as when you love something and hate it at the same time. Perhaps apt for people's feelings toward the iPod, but not for the word "wheel."
Abbi Vakil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
Do you think they will offer the TruePower batteries? You know, the ones that are supposed to last much longer than regular batteries? If you read the original article, it sure sounds like it... in which case, Dave Pratt, $49 to $69 is not bad price.
JC @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM
As someone who is just about to buy one for my son's birthday, does anybody know when the 5th generation will be released. Battery life seems to be really important to me.