Obviously we're all a little underwhelmed that the
5.5G iPod isn't the true
video iPod we thought would be debuted with the movie store, but the screen is definitely brighter, those hard drives are definitely bigger, and you really just can't argue with a $50 drop in price. Or games, which cost a small chunk of change. But at least it's nice to know what you're getting yourself into here, and that's a 5G iPod with a 60% brighter screen.
Pac Man! Haww yeah.
Ok, so it was a little out of focus, but this is the new 30GB model. Unfortunately the 80GB wasn't around for size comparison, but we doubt it's any larger than yesterday's 60GB device.
This one's a personal favorite of our spammers.
posted Sep 12th 2006 3:30PM
Talk about instant updates.
mmmmmm iPoo....
I wonder if Apple will warranty a worn out click pad due to Zuma.
Oh so close.....it needs to play ALL or AS MANY POSSIBLE video formats as it can.
Already got my 80GB ordered and 2 day shipping.
I'll wait and see what the Zune has to offer. Incremental changes do not a revolution make.
So now the ipod video's screen is finally comparable to Creative's Zen Vision:M, and Creative is coming out with a new Zen Vision that is able to play more video formats and it is widescreen. Meh, expected much more.
Anyone know where i can watch the keynote?
The games are amazing!!!
I have downloaded Tetris, PacMan, Bejeweled and Mini Golf. I was completely blown away by the graphics and game play.
I have a BlackBerry 8700 and a V3i and the iPod game play was better than the V3i and as good as (if not better) that the BlackBerry.
I know everyone wanted the "widesreen video iPod" today but I am happy. I don't feel the urge to buy a new Video iPod (so I am saving some cash) and for free 5G owners get all the new features (except bright screens and longer life).
Not very exciting apple. You make a few minor tweaks to something that has been out for a year already. Price drops aside, this is not how you keep market share or interested fanboys.
*yawn* it all a remake of the same old same old. Nanos with colours? Been there. Bigger storage space: expected. Games? Trivial. and the ipod shuffle is just the same thing that looks different and different is better. Until Steve ALLOWS us to have the video ipod obviously everyone wants, he's just playing with our wallets. I still haven't bought an iPod because I don't buy what isn't 1) what I want and 2) isn't what it could be. Touchscreens and bluetooth and four inch screens and lets-get-rid-of-all-the-gizmos-and-put-it-all-into-one-device-kind-of-thinking is thinking different and is techonologically possible. Sadly Steve is only catering to one consumer type, those under 25. Sure I want all the media stuff he is currently giving, but as a 30 year old, I also want and need some other stuff too, and small screens and no quickly Apple-smart integration with other aspects of my life just makes the iPod another thing to make me carry around. Sorry Steve, you're just reinventing what you've already done. That sounds to me like: Thinking Same.
THE QUESTION NOBODY HAS YET ANSWERED IS WHETHER OR NOT GAPLESS PLAYBACK IS A HARWARE-BASED FEATURE
I'm waiting for the real video iPod, I think.
A little disappointing Apple.
Damn it, this is total weak sauce! That's great about the games and brighter screen... but still. It AIN'T a widescreen video iPod with a touch pad, is it?
They Suck!
Well seeing that the "widescreen video iPod" got delayed(Been known since before the summer), these little bumps to keep people happy till X-mas are pretty nice....That is if you don't give a flying fig about "widescreen video iPods"
And if you are, if you look at the new prices: 250, 350....the "widescreen video iPod" will be under 400.
"THE QUESTION NOBODY HAS YET ANSWERED IS WHETHER OR NOT GAPLESS PLAYBACK IS A HARWARE-BASED FEATURE"
Chill out dude, if you paid attention you'd know that it's an iTunes 7 feature, not an iPod feature. It was answered.
What format are the games in? I want to make one, but would probably leave it half-finished...
I just plugged my 60GB 5G into iTunes 7 and it said my software was up-to-date. SO if we can update our current iPods to take advantage of gapless play back it hasn't been released yet
I take that back, what I said was confusing. I believe it will still be an "iPod feature" but it should only be a firmware update, nothing to do with the hardware. iTunes 7 activates it all then once your iPod is updated it will be able to read it.
iTunes 7: Consumes 33% of CPU resources WHILE IDLE!!
When will Apple get called out on this crap hog of a media manager?
Anyone else having a problem getting their 5G iPod up-to-date? I downloaded some of the games but can't play them yet because it says my current 1.1.2 iPod software is the most recent version.
That, and Apple appears to have gotten rid of their stand-alone iPod Software Updated executables - everything is contained within iTunes now, soI guess I just have to wait for them to figure this out and update iTunes :-(
Hey, I've been having the same problem. If you figure anything out email me. I will do the same if I figure anything out.
I assume the updated firmware will be released shortly through the new Apple Software Update and iTunes.
My 80 GB is on the way too! I've been wanting a 5G iPod for some time now, but I'm glad I waited. My wife and I have a 3G and 4G, and her 4G just died (though my 3G is going strong, go figure). So for us, this is more than an incremental upgrade.
I for one am pleasantly surprised at the announcements today. We all already knew that the "true video ipod" was next year, so I was figuring today would be a Nano upgrade only, plus the movie store. The 5G bump was totally unexpected. Nothing is better than a brighter screen and more battery!! Nice going Apple!
I assume the updated firmware will be released shortly through the new Apple Software Update and iTunes.
I hope so i don't think apple would expect me to pay 250 bucks for a new ipod for things i know could be fixed by a simple firmware upgrade.
As enticing as iTunes 7 looks, I think I'll wait a bit until any "OMG it erased all my playlists and ratings!" have surfaced and fixed.
Meanwhile, why not come to the internet's biggest Texas Hold'em tourney and prove your skillz!!!! LOL
Check this out:
Search and enjoy
Finding what you want to hear among 20,000 songs could be quite a chore — unless you have an iPod. A new interface lets you search your iPod using the patented Click Wheel. And if you’re a fan of live albums, classical works, or anything that sounds best when it’s continuous, iPod supports gapless playback that seamlessly transitions from one song to another.
It's at their website...
http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipod.html
Gapless playback is definately an iTunes thing.
When 7 launches it scans the entire library to "Determine Gapless Playback Information."
I am under the impression that it either tags and/or modifies the files so that the gap is taken out.
It is definately not hardware based. It is working on my 5G. Holiday transitioned seemlessly into Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
just to let you know, if you scroll fast enough under songs on a 5g.. the letter now displays.. better than the search thing imo.. which i cant even find
Pacman, tetris, bejeweled... Hmmm. Install Rockbox and you get Doom as well as those without paying a dime for anything. :-P At least Apple is responding to the demand and making it easier for the average luddite to pimp their iPods, after realizing people might not have enough cash left over for a PSP or DS to play games after getting an iPod.
I'm at work, so I can't try to update my 5G 60GB iPod, but from what I've read so far on the iLounge forums, the new firmware does not incorporate the new search capabilities. If that's the final word from Apple, that blows. I have over 8000 songs on my iPod, and a better search ui is desperately needed.
My nano (rev 1) is not as happy as my 5G when it comes to gapless. This could be due to an unreleased firmware update, though. I was able to get the 5G 1.2 update today but I haven't been able to download any updates for my nano.
I just checked over on ilounge and a reader confirmed that the games and brightness controls work on the original 5G iPod after a software update to 1.2.
Note that the battery has not changed between versions, still 14 hr playback on the 30gb and 20 on the 60/80gb. The video playback life has improved along with the supported resolution. Anyone know the details about the video processing and whether the hardware has been upgraded or with this be a firmware update?
The gapless playback is AMAZING. Upon launching iTunes 7, it went through my roughly 5,000 song library and accurately joined tracks that were meant to be together. Even albums where just 2 or 3 songs out of 18 were meant to be joined together worked flawlessley. This in my opinion is one of the best features released today. The cover flow feature ain't nothing to scoff at either.
As other people I was underwhelmed with the 5.5 generation iPod but i think we may get a 6.0 revision come Macworld in January.
I got my 4GB iPod Nano (in Blue) on the way as well as my Nike Kit.
Overall I thought this special presentation was fantastic and I wouldn't bet against seeing another one of these presentations before the holiday season really kicks into gear.
The firmware update IS currently available. I just updated by 5G to 1.2. In ITunes, while your 5 G is mounted, select "Check for updates" from the Help menu. It'll respond that ITunes is already up to date (assuming you're doing this from ITune 7) and then you'll be notified of the new firmware.
These series of announcements are WACK as hell! ITV; I never thought I'd be bad mouthing apple but this is just ridiculous. I haven't budged since the 3G Ipod. Still works fine and I don't have the need for color.
I can watch movies on my beautiful widescreen psp and play games (Real games) as well as do some browsing wi-fi.
I think Sony is going to catch up this holiday season once connect is all ironed out; they have the better display and much better quality games/titles.
Yeesh; Apple has saturated the market with garbage. Ipods have a played out element to it. Not so cool when everyone including your grandparents has one. I'll stick with the PSP for Gaming Web surfing (soon chatting) and watching movies.
Never thought I'd see the day I started migrating from Apple.
gapless works for me on my 5G after the update.
Are you going to be bringing any of these nice Apple toys to the Boston meetup? Speaking of which, has it been decided where it will be held? I'd love to offer a place but unless you want to have it in my backyard in Brockton, MA, then I can't be of much help :)
The 5.5G is just a marketing ploy to keep consumers happy and iPod sales up until Apple releases the 'true' video iPod right before Christmas. Yeah, it's great that it has a brighter screen and costs less, but thats only to sell more iPods, not any new innovation. The only reason the 80 gig costs more is b/c of the capacity, not any new innovation. Any bet there will be a keynote right before the holiday rush (thanksgiving time, anyone?) to release the video ipod and sales will skyrocket. Now is just he downtime before anything worthwhile. The new shuffle isn't even being shipped until october, closer to the holiday season.
I got a photo now, think I should wait for a 6g, and get a shuffle or nano now, or buy a 5.5g? Decisions, decisions
hello!
anyone have any ID of when a videostream may be available?
Listening to gapless Abbey Road. Awesome... kudos to Apple.
Eric, I'm not seeing any "Check for Update" when accessing Help in iTunes 7.
Running 10.4.7 on a 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro
The summary of my iPod states that it is up-to-date with 1.1.2
grrrr
Correction - it's under the iTunes tab, iTunes->Check for updates...
Nothing happens.
double grrrr
single *sigh*
Any chance gapless playback will work on my 20GB 4G iPod? I'm thinking about upgrading to the new 30GB model anyway but I was just curious. I'll check it out for myself after work.
Haha, holdin' it strong with the iPod 2G ;)
I'll wait for the video ipod.
OK people there is a difference between gapless playback and crossfade. After updating the iPod via the Help menu, every songs plays uniterrumpted.
There is no setting to disable this feature, since it doesn't crossfade tracks. Whew! :)
Will games be available to 5G iPods?
i have updated my 5g but cant search is that supposed to be
No chance of an updated 5G U2?
:(
""As enticing as iTunes 7 looks, I think I'll wait a bit until any "OMG it erased all my playlists and ratings!" have surfaced and fixed.
Meanwhile, why not come to the internet's biggest Texas Hold'em tourney and prove your skillz!!!! LOL
Posted at 4:08PM on Sep 12th 2006 by bakakumo [ ! ]""
i actually found a bug in itunes 7 shortly after installing it, some of my albums did'nt get a real icon ( for missing album art ) but just a small black square, and sometimes it flickered between the icon that is supposed to be there and the black small one.
im happy with my zvm, but if they would have had better codec support, i so would have went with the 80gig, but until then ipod can suck it.
We have been assaulted by so much hype, surrounded by so much "wanna impress everyone" photoshop fakers, that we tend to forget some things: the creativity this year has been in the hands of photoshop toddlers and the fantasies of a few supergeeks has made Apple shine for things they haven't done.
Let's recap...
"9:20AM - People here won't stop talking about the video iPod -- it almost seems like the bigger surprise would if they didn't announce one."
Hey surprise, it's just another ipod... What is the world now trying to do? Well, survival first, we wonder how to bite the bullet.
But things like "640x480 resolution" on itunes just keep stabbing my patience. Why increase the resolution when the ipod screen stays the same?
Yes, all this becomes very clear... Apple mentioned that the last IPOD was not a proper video ipod but... they NEVER promised a widescreen ipod. They NEVER promised to be a step ahead (core 2 duo in laptops anyone?). Oh, and they NEVER promised an iPhone. Our expectations have been fabricated by mac addicts but not by Apple. And today is our waking call.
So dear apple, thanks for the retro games on ipod, for including in itunes what we could fine as freeware addons (import of covers, solving pink floyd cds...), it will make my life so much more entertaining.
And please, keep proving to all the geeks and photoshop kiddies that you are not listening to them, they are not worthy... this is why we love you, this is why we will follow you, this is why we will buy every single ipod even if the next one is just a pimped version of this one with neon light on the side.
So, just connected my 20 Gig 4G iPod and it updated the tracks to Gapless playback, but there's definitely still gaps when listening; anyone else experiencing this?
Whaaaa? No student discount? 80 gb still for $350? Argh! Just when I bought my ZV:m!
Does gapless playback work on the mini? (Yes, I'm a caveman.)
sketchguy - I shoulda mentioned in my initial post that I did this on Windows ITunes. Sorry for the confusion. Anyway, I see you found the Check For Updates - don't understand why it shouldn't work for Mac ITunes. Presumably both are checking against the same Apple backend server.
BTW, as some have noticed, ITunes thinks the iPod is already up to date until you do the check!
I've just update my 5G iPod to 1.2, there's no search function, no gapless effect!!
Is my 5G iPod sucks, or Apple sucks?
its sad that they just updated them, heck i bet the 30gig didnt change at all, just new firmware.
And somehow Apple still manages to forget to include an FM tuner and voice-recording support.
*sigh*
Replaceable batteries?
I love how people get mad at Apple for failing to produce an imaginary product that was never promised by anyone except the rumor sites.
The Apple Product cycle:
http://www.misterbg.org/AppleProductCycle/
"So, just connected my 20 Gig 4G iPod and it updated the tracks to Gapless playback, but there's definitely still gaps when listening; anyone else experiencing this?"
Ivan, I believe iTunes analyzes your albums and provides gapless on those albums that are actually meant to be played gapless. I think what you were expecting was crossfading, which isn't what this is. So if a few tracks on your album were meant to be played continuously, then it'll now do that on your iPod and iTunes.
An example would be on the Gladiator OST, where the songs are intended to flow together. There used to be an annoying gap in between each song, but now they flow beautifully on my iPod.
So will I still be able to use a case from the 60 gig ipod on the 80 gig ipod?
So, what can I get new on my 5G iPod?
What can I not get that is on the new iPods?
Does the iPod come with any of the new games or do u have t odownload them?
so, apple goes back to the Mini way of thinking?? But no video on the nano?? No larger screen, that wouldv'e made the miniscule nano seem even smaller? And why do those colors (except black and grey) make me want to puke?? At $249, the new Nano hits the streets with LESS features than the Sandisk Sansa, for MORE money (apple never discounts it's MSRP's, while you can already find the e280 Sansa on the web for less than it's $249 MSRP),.....great.
The 20GB capacity hike and the addition of gapless, of the big iPod is the only relevant news for that model. But it looks too much like this is a response to the Creative ZVM, Toshiba Gigabeat, and the upcoming Zune, more than anything else....usually those other DAP-makers are responding to Apple. Not this time. The difference between 60GB and 80GB will be lost on the masses, and once again the ZVM still is left standing with more features, a better screen and GUI, better (still) battery life, and more video codec support. And 2007 is just around the corner: the next gen ZVM is looming, along with the Sigmatel STMP 3600 chip and X-fi audio technology.
Enjoy your new iPods, sheep!
hey when they make a ipod that has 80gb and BLUETOOTH headphones i will thinkabout buying it until then sorry my ipaq just got upgraded to a possible maximum of 64gb of compact flash, and i have the 8gb of SD so i now have a possible 72gb storage and long wide screen and speaker and phone and web access, and bluetooth headphones (both ears), and i can remove my music, and it is 100% lighter than the ipod sorry guys its just that this is far better than any of the ipods i have seen today...
(i am a mac user)
LOL, looks like all the Apple fanboys just Buuuuurned.
No WS video Ipod...lol, come on apple.
It looks like its a perfect time for other mp3 player companies to capitalize on this.
Well, I just tried gapless with my 20GB 4G and nothing has changed. There are gaps. I was listening to Pink Floyd's Wall Live and there are the same gaps as before. I checked for updates and it says my iPod is up to date and I made sure that "gapless" was turned on on the tracks of that album.
Does U2 video ipod supports this new features?
"New ipod"=just a new backlight and software.
Battery life went to 3.5 from 2 for video, slide show increased too, but audio stayed at 14 for 30GB. This implies a more efficient backlight only, and is not due to improved software/codec/battery.
Screen brightness was already fine, so this is just a bonus bullet item from replacing backlight.
--
http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html
30GB:Up to 14 hours of music playback; up to 4 hours of slideshows with music; up to 3.5 hours of video playback
"original" 5G:
30GB: Up to 14 hours of music playback; up to 3 hours of slideshows with music; up to 2 hours of video playback
I used IPod Wizard to search through the strings on my 1.2 5G. I found the phrase for the Search right before Calender, so I don't know if that's the one announced today but anybody know if there is any other feature using search?
I also found "Search" "Search Results: %d" "%d of %d" and "Done". I don't know if its signifigant.
I suppose there could have been a software video codec improvement as well, since slideshow increased by 4/3=1.333 and video increased by 3.5/2=1.75 (?)
whoever buys a 5.5G Needs to have a brick launched at their head.
Unless, it would an upgrade from a broken-dead previous player, then it's sorta ok.
But just like the last 'brand new' apple product, there will be tedious complaints. And the people will still buy, and buy, and buy...
thats right, go suckle on your precious Steve Jobs teet.
Give in to the apple, take a bite... go ahead
"whoever buys a 5.5G Needs to have a brick launched at their head.
Unless, it would an upgrade from a broken-dead previous player, then it's sorta ok.
But just like the last 'brand new' apple product, there will be tedious complaints. And the people will still buy, and buy, and buy...
thats right, go suckle on your precious Steve Jobs teet.
Give in to the apple, take a bite... go ahead"
All the hate and fanboyism is getting a little tired. I plan to get one of these in a couple of months. It's really a simple choice for me, I'm not good with anything technical. Whereas some players can be complicated getting songs on them, I've got an iPod and I've used iTunes and it's very simple to use. Also, $350 for 80GB is not bad. Compared to the previous $400 for 60GB it's really good. I do differ on one thing then most people, where alot of people talk about how sleek the iPod is, I've always found the design to be quite ugly. But the ease of use is what keeps me from getting a player with a better looking design. Plus it just seems like a good time to buy, the next logical progression would be a touchscreen iPod (even though most people thought that was the last logical progression) which I have no desire to own. So 80GB here I come.
Gee, I hate when I read G as in generation as G as in Gigabyte.
Does anyone know if the Search function is/will be added as an update to 5G iPods? I think this functionality is long overdue, and it would definitely suck if Apple limited it to the newly announced 5.5G iPods.
DAMN I HAVE A 3O G NOW I WANNA TRADE IN MINEZ IZ THERE SUCH I THING AZ TRADIN IT IN CAUSE I COMPLAIN EVERY DAMN DAY HOW BATTERY LIFE SUXS
Need help for someone who only gets an ipod once evry two yrs.(aka ME) should i wait for a better version or buy this 5.5 version ...
wat i want is an ipod that folds up to the size of a piece of lint that i can stuff in my pocket and unfolds to a 12 inch touch screen display. And that's wat every 1 is really waiting for so this is just a way to get more money.
and i want an ipod that plays every video codec including Vorgscoop which is the best.
an i want blueteeth connection at no extra cost with 5.1 surround headphones at no extra cost.
an i want to drag an drop songs like my peecee wants cos i dont want no stupid iTunes doin it automatic.
an the new iTunes sux cos its just like the old 1 but it looks different and works different but every thin else is the same.
an i want my 3rd generation ipod to turn into the folding lint version with a firmweer upgrade cos if not apple sux and they just want my MONEY. wtf.
an im gonna by a Creative Zen cos they arent just after my money they really care about customers an give us wat i want an it records my voice and i got tons to say so dont worry i need that feature. Oh yeah an Creative innovate not like apple cos apple sux.
waddo
http://www.waddo.net/
Ok, just updated 2 of my 30 Gig 5G ipods (Wife's & my own) to 1.2 update.
FYI: First Engadget post & first Post for any Apple Product.
First Impressions: Thumbs Up.
1. You can now control the brightness of the screen.
2. Gapless playback (Took awhile to update local music library and ipod library)
3. A "Letter" shows up to indicate where I am when speed scrolling through songs and artists.
4. New Itunes Update (ver 7) was seamless with no errors.
Not bad. I appreciate the fact that apple didn't forget those of us who have a 5G.
so does this mean i will have to wait till next september in 07 for a touch screen ipod this sucks. i guess i will just buy the new shuffle till then
So will the "true" 5th gen video ipods go on sale now???
Is there a change in the packaging between the new and the old ones ?
man i'm really feeling this gapless playback. the search letter function is not as necessary, but gapless playback is amazing on my albums w/long pieces like strauss ein aplinesinfonie, mahler 2, etc. . . also great w/albums like from coldplay's x&y white shadows to fix you. itunes 7 is also quite impressive. way to go apple
Really good news, but... the click wheel is not very famous for being tough and very lasting. I wonder how does will it feel with lots of hands playing games during all the day (at least, this is how it gonna be in the first living week of each Ipod :P).
Brighter screen, but not necessarily a better screen. The 5.5G iPod's screen is still only 65,000 colors compared to the Zen Vision:M's 262,000 colors. Nice try Apple, but you're not fooling anyone with your tricky words.
Early prediction: Battery problems. These babies are gonna start blowing up! Did Dell release new ones too? Not too late for them (or Sony) to beat Apple to the exploding punch!
All this kudos to apple crap for implementing a feature that should have been in there AGES ago, gapless finally but sheesh, it wasn't that hard to sort out, they only just decided to get round to it.
BIG FLIPPIN' DEAL...
Another crop of overpriced MP3 players... and they play video at near DVD quality... OMFG.... on a screen smaller than a gad-damn business card! Please.
Looks like Apple is reached the top of the product arc and is content to use minor feature creep and polish to extend iPOD's market life.
The true video iPOD will not be released until competitors like Creative start pushing hard.
iPOD's in IMHO are a waste of money. I've purchased two 1GB Nanos. My next purchase will likely be the Creative ZEN M.
This iPod looks too big :(
Personally I like iPod nano!
But PacMan is good :)
Robert C - You only had to spend, what, $1500 on that (including the CF/SD memory)? Wow, you've got a real iPod killer there.
Yeah, Robert C
That amount of CF and SD memory you are bragging about for your PocketPC is rediculous! That had to have cost a small fortune. Seriously. You could saved a ton and buy the 80gb Video. lol.
Brightness control is great. But if telling improved battery life during video playback they just mean "watch it at the lower brightness setting"...?
Could even the 60% brighter thing related to this software update? With the old fixed setting, they could have chosen a medium setting ;)
thanx waddo!
Anyone know if the new Itunes software supports smart playlists that will keep tabs on your directories (check your folders for updates as Windows media player does?)
if you get info for any song in your library, and goto the options tag, there is an option you can select to designate the song as "part of a gapless album".
very simple, very smart, very late... but very apple.
Bunny: you're using a widows machine??? what kind of resources are you talking about? Coal? Petrol?
my Mac doesn't even notice iTunes is there.
waddo
http://www.waddo.net/