Hands-on with the 5.5G iPod

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.

[PPC @ Sep 12th 2006 3:35PM]

Talk about instant updates.

[JS @ Sep 12th 2006 3:36PM]

I wonder if Apple will warranty a worn out click pad due to Zuma.

[Michael @ Sep 12th 2006 3:39PM]

Already got my 80GB ordered and 2 day shipping.

[Rightclick @ Sep 12th 2006 3:39PM]

Oh so close.....it needs to play ALL or AS MANY POSSIBLE video formats as it can.

[Digital Death @ Sep 12th 2006 3:40PM]

I'll wait and see what the Zune has to offer. Incremental changes do not a revolution make.

[Matt @ Sep 12th 2006 3:43PM]

mmmmmm iPoo....

[Tom @ Sep 12th 2006 3:43PM]

Anyone know where i can watch the keynote?

[markm @ Sep 12th 2006 3:48PM]

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).

[idude135 @ Sep 12th 2006 3:51PM]

THE QUESTION NOBODY HAS YET ANSWERED IS WHETHER OR NOT GAPLESS PLAYBACK IS A HARWARE-BASED FEATURE

[Michael Robertson @ Sep 12th 2006 3:51PM]

I'm waiting for the real video iPod, I think.
A little disappointing Apple.

[I,Robot @ Sep 12th 2006 3:52PM]

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!

[Sean DL @ Sep 12th 2006 3:54PM]

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.

[AJerman @ Sep 12th 2006 3:55PM]

"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.

[AJerman @ Sep 12th 2006 3:59PM]

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.

[kyle @ Sep 12th 2006 3:59PM]

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

[MikeyC @ Sep 12th 2006 4:03PM]

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 :-(

[nick @ Sep 19th 2006 9:55PM]

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.

[AJerman @ Sep 12th 2006 4:04PM]

I assume the updated firmware will be released shortly through the new Apple Software Update and iTunes.

[Bill @ Sep 12th 2006 4:05PM]

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!

[sideshow_raheem @ Sep 12th 2006 4:07PM]

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.

[Josh @ Sep 12th 2006 4:09PM]

What format are the games in? I want to make one, but would probably leave it half-finished...

[bakakumo @ Sep 12th 2006 4:10PM]

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

[Diego @ Sep 12th 2006 4:10PM]

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

[markm @ Sep 12th 2006 4:11PM]

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.

[Richard Hudson @ Sep 12th 2006 4:15PM]

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

[blurry @ Sep 12th 2006 4:17PM]

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.

[markm @ Sep 12th 2006 4:19PM]

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.

[husky99 @ Sep 12th 2006 4:23PM]

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?

[Deviant @ Sep 12th 2006 4:24PM]

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.

[Eric Cotton @ Sep 12th 2006 4:34PM]

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.

[David A. Mendez @ Sep 12th 2006 4:36PM]

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.

[apeguero @ Sep 12th 2006 4:37PM]

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 :)

[chew @ Sep 12th 2006 4:38PM]

gapless works for me on my 5G after the update.

[Michael @ Sep 12th 2006 4:45PM]

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

[wora69 @ Sep 12th 2006 4:47PM]

hello!

anyone have any ID of when a videostream may be available?

[sketchguy @ Sep 12th 2006 4:54PM]

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

[Alex Zman @ Sep 12th 2006 4:55PM]

Listening to gapless Abbey Road. Awesome... kudos to Apple.

[sketchguy @ Sep 12th 2006 4:58PM]

Correction - it's under the iTunes tab, iTunes->Check for updates...

Nothing happens.

double grrrr
single *sigh*

[BulkHedd @ Sep 12th 2006 5:01PM]

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.

[John @ Sep 12th 2006 5:02PM]

Haha, holdin' it strong with the iPod 2G ;)

I'll wait for the video ipod.

[idude135 @ Sep 12th 2006 5:08PM]

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! :)

[BklynKid @ Sep 12th 2006 5:10PM]

Will games be available to 5G iPods?

[Roo @ Sep 12th 2006 5:13PM]

i have updated my 5g but cant search is that supposed to be

[SHEiK124 @ Sep 12th 2006 5:14PM]

No chance of an updated 5G U2?

:(

[thomas_h @ Sep 12th 2006 5:17PM]

""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.

[syliss @ Sep 12th 2006 5:22PM]

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.

[GuidoTKP @ Sep 12th 2006 5:25PM]

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.

[K Robin @ Sep 12th 2006 5:25PM]

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.

[jPod @ Sep 12th 2006 5:26PM]

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.

[Ivan @ Sep 12th 2006 5:26PM]

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?