iPod 5.5G review roundup

Despite the minor revisions that went into this new "Johnny Depp" edition iPod, it's still getting plenty of love in reviews. The 5.5G version boasts of enough little tweaks that have gone right, like a brighter, sharper screen, useful search feature, improved video playback time, tweaked headphones, good looking games and a welcome price drop, that the minor setbacks such as quirky game controls, odd video aspect ratios and the strange lack of an iTunes install CD don't seem to detract a whole lot from the lovefest. Of course, the notable omission of a larger screen to truly enjoy the full-length flicks, and our standard iPod gripes like lacking format support still keep this iPod from going all the way in our books, but it seems like most of the iPod faithful will be too busy yucking it up with the Pirates of the Caribbean crew to notice this time around.

Read - iLounge (A-)
Read - CNET (8.3, Editor's Choice)
Read - Time

[Jacob Kennedy @ Sep 21st 2006 11:52AM]

Really all it needed was a 16x9 screen and I was on board... too bad. Maybe next time, if I don't get a Zune first.

[Travis Jenkins @ Sep 21st 2006 11:53AM]

Zune

[Matt @ Sep 21st 2006 12:05PM]

I think the feature list for this is a well needed to upgrade. Apple is starting to see alot of other devices with alot of features and needs to make sure it's not just a one or two trick ponny.

[David @ Sep 21st 2006 12:13PM]

The Zune's screen is not 16:9 either, it's 4:3, too (but .5 bigger diagonally vs. the 5.5G iPod).

[Jacob Kennedy @ Sep 21st 2006 12:34PM]

Really? Maybe I'll wait on both then. No point until they're widescreen.

[disciple83 @ Sep 21st 2006 12:17PM]

But that's what Apple does best. It takes its one-trick-pony and puts it in a pretty costume, for the whole world to see. Cuz who wouldn't want a pretty pony in a pretty costume? Sure you can get a pony in lots of places, but they are still just a pony, and they don't look as nice, cuz they don't have a pretty costume.

Now Apple is starting to figure out that form isn't exactly an absolute alternative to function. People are getting smarter about their warez, becoming adept at integrating more functions and features, they aren't the mindless bankrolls they once were.

[Zeke @ Sep 21st 2006 12:19PM]

I upgraded to the 80GB for two reasons:
1. It's friggin' 80 gigs! (My 4G 40GB was full)
2. Gapless playback.

I care about the music... not the movies. The photo display is nice, though. Besides gapless, this doesn't offer me much functionality-wise, but I will have a hard time filling an 80GB player with music and a couple gigs photos.
A widescreen "true" video iPod will be awesome, but I'm happier with my 14" laptop for watching movies on a plane.

[nick @ Sep 21st 2006 12:23PM]

I love my 5.5gen ipod

[alistair Gunton @ Sep 21st 2006 12:26PM]

whens the 5.5 available. i cant see it on the site or shop online.

cheers

[disciple83 @ Sep 21st 2006 12:28PM]

the 5.5 is what ppl are calling the upgraded 5g. Apple didn't come up with that, everyone else did in anticipation of this mythical 6g fullscreen video iPod.

[SD @ Sep 21st 2006 12:28PM]

It would be nice if the actually enabled the search function for the 5G. Its already in the 1.2 update code, but is disabled. WTF???? I would prefer to have that over the ability to download stupid games...

[lao.soup @ Sep 21st 2006 12:30PM]

would buy this only because its cheap, otherwise xenvision m is still king of mp3 players.

[Gizmo @ Sep 21st 2006 12:47PM]

Engadget is such a shill for *insert company name here*. Everyone knows that *insert competing product* is a better product because it has *insert esoteric feature that matters to 2% of product users*!

This suxxorz!

[tone @ Sep 21st 2006 12:55PM]

iLounge is just an extension of Apple's marketing department. I mean, a 5 year old could write a more in-depth review of an MP3 player! It makes me laugh at just how many sites are scared of some kind of Apple backlash if they write an anti-iPod review. Or maybe it's a case of nobody having the balls to admit that the only reason that the iPod is still top, is that it's cool to own one, or to even talk about one!

But one thing is clear, Apple lack the software know-how, as far as genuinely new features in the iPod�s firmware, (and iTunes for that matter!) and when they do finally make a new feature work, they release a "new" iPod with the only real differentiation between it, and the older version, being the "new" feature" in it's firmware. I for one, wish for an MP3 player to sound good, something that iPod/Apple fans never seem to actually care about. The iPod sounds awful, in comparison to some of the really good personal CD players out there, let alone some lower-end Hi-Fi separates. Bass and clarity must be something that Jobbs must dislike!

The competition really needs to "go the extra mile" against the iPod, not because it would be hard to make a better MP3 player, oh no, but you have to admit, the real battle is in the hearts and minds of the media/press, who don't understand technology. Because of this, the air of coolness surrounding the iPod, and to a lesser degree, Apple themselves (I personally never understood the love affair people have with Apple, they are a terribly run company, with the benefit of one golden product) continues to keep the ageing, PortalPlayer reference designed iPod at the top.


Here is my list of gripes/missing iPod features�

1. Audio quality is not what it should be, so a better headphone amp is sorely needed.
2. A digital sound output, via the Dock. This feature is built in to the MP3 decoder that the iPod�s use. Just needs Apple to wire it up.
3. A user definable Graphic Equalizer.
4. Better battery life, when using Album art, EQ, Backlight, transferring songs. If you do all these things, then you will be lucky to get more than 8 hours use out of your iPod.
5. A customizable display for playing MP3�s, so you can choose full screen album art and such.
6. Faster charge times.
7. Faster transfer rates to the HD.
8. More control over the actual music content and playlists. Including a more random Shuffle feature.
9. A user upgradeable/changeable battery.
10. True gapless playback, without iTunes trickery.
11. Crossfaded playback.
12. Control over the EU volume limiter, without resorting to firmware hacks.
13. An FM Stereo Radio.
14. Ability to line/voice record, in stereo, and at full quality (user definable).
15. Bigger memory buffer (128/256Mb instead of the current 32/64Mb), so much less HD usage, which would increase HD life, as well as battery life.

[O.D. @ Sep 21st 2006 1:50PM]

Tone - The digital audio player you have designed with your top notch engineering skills sounds fantastic! When will it be released!? I must have one! I'm sure it's gonna do great in the market since you are running your company in all ways opposite from Apple.

[Sam @ Sep 21st 2006 1:20PM]

Yeah so let's see an example of how Apple is terribly run?! I love this claims that people make without any proof. I suppose Apple amazing turnaround in 5 years is because it is poorly run. Face it. Apple is cool, most people agree. You are horrible out of touch with reality. Apple software is way ahead of Microsoft Vista even. Their hardware is amazingly designed. The iPod is not "one golden product." No one can touch their design abilities. You're lying to yourself buddy.

[tone @ Sep 21st 2006 3:56PM]

Wow! You�re quite the little Apple sycophant, aren't you Sam?

OK, does a company call it a success if they reach 3.5% of a world market in 30 years, in a market that actually has only a small number of companies in it? (In their own business sector, I hope I don�t have to remind you that Apple is not actually a hip music company, but really a computer company?) No, I don't think so. Plus, the iPod is the ONLY reason Apple is still here now! Apple owes everything to the iPod. It's what they do with the iPod over the next 3 years, is what will make or break Apple in the long run. Now that�s not a good thing, is it? Having the fortunes a multi billion $ company, hanging on the fate of just one product!

Mind you, with blind idiots like you around to throw yourself in front of them, then how can they loose? Right?


Oh, and why not pester your crap I.T department to fix your Dell? Maybe they are too busy fixing problems caused by the new iTunes 7.0? Moron.

[Sam @ Sep 21st 2006 1:27PM]

Sorry about all the errors in my previous post. I was just so angered by the ignorance. Well that and the fact that I was forced to type this on the cheap Dells we have at work which keep freaking out when I try to open a word document ;)

[Brian Stuckey @ Sep 21st 2006 1:46PM]

Does anyone know if someone downloads a newer high-res tv show/movie to their ipod, will the video out be at the old 320x240 or can the video out display the higher resolution? Will the 5 or the 5.5 do this?

[DeShaun @ Sep 21st 2006 3:39PM]

The rule Apple seems to follow is "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it." They made something that, at first, was overpriced and lacking any available outlet for people to utilize the large storage space (by that I mean, there were no music subscription services yet). Anyway, once things reared their heads, iPod found a place in the hands of a LOT of people.

While I'm not an Apple fan, I do understand why it sells. I mean, it's attractive, and easy to use. Easy enough that someone who doesn't know how to use most software or understand the differences in audio formats would be able to handle it with ease. In fact, I'd argue that it's those people who move the market in this instance. People want something simplistic. Think about it...

Average joe has a CD player. He's used to this process: 1) Choose CD. 2)Load CD. 3)Press play. 4)Listen. Hand average joe a jump drive with a headphone jack that has a removable battery, needs manual firmware upgrades, supports a dozen file formats, has expandable memory, and allows for drag and drop loading. Know what he'll say? "What do I do with it?" iPod caters to people looking to have a trendy item, because it looks trendy, and it caters to the technology illiterate. It's win-win.

Another thing they're doing right, is slowly satiating everyone's appetite. Can't give them all the frills at once. It's like, if everyone had a diamond, well then...diamonds wouldn't be so special or valued, would they? If you release the iPod, let everyone get one, and then release an upgrade just before it starts to really depreciate in value, it keeps the idea fresh and such.

I'm no Apple biter, but I'd say their marketing is solid. They've made such a staple of their design that putting an 'i' in front of a device name almost always causes a buzz (not always for the better) and anything using basic black and white encased in clear plastic is compared to it.

Oh, I still won't get one, just because personally, I don't need that much space, but clearly plenty of people do.

[NicleT @ Sep 21st 2006 3:45PM]

People who spit on this iPod didn't had it in their hands. I love my 5.5G, it is an awsome product. Apple products are probably the most copied in the world and as normal designers they refine their productd therefore it worth!

[dLeet @ Sep 21st 2006 9:15PM]

@ tone
I don't see what your point is. Sure, sam's comeback (self admitted) was a heated statement and wasn't a thesis essay response to your claims, but neither are yours. Your lack of understanding of businesses and markets (or at least your over-simplification of it) does not add to your credibility. Apple has never targetted the world market with their personal computers. They operate in niche markets where they have strong followings that guarantees that even without the iPod, the company would still be around today, and would be around tomorrow. True, you can associate the methadology of their design to that of a totalitarian regime (where the user's choices are few and far between), but this allows the things you do have, to simply work - something that appeals to the masses (yes, computer illiterates still make up the significant majority of the world population). Where totalitarianism may not work in politics, it certainly does work with Apple's products.

[Barry @ Sep 21st 2006 4:11PM]

I just got the 80gb ipod. Sadly it breaks yamipod support, so it's back to the drawing board to find a way to do what I want with my music. Argh. I understand Apple has to do this because they're beholden to the media cartels, but it's still annoying. If I had to do it all over again I'd get the 60gb 5th gen refurbished, save a bucket of money, be able to use yamipod, and not be forced to update to the bug-infested iTunes 7.

[Will @ Sep 21st 2006 4:18PM]

I certainly can't imagine an upgrade from a 5.0 but coming from my 30gig 3rd gen I am really liking the 5.5. one thing that strikes me as odd the case (well it it hardly a case more of a sleve) doesn't fit, it's way too tight. Has anyone else noticed this?

[John Papola @ Sep 21st 2006 4:42PM]

So let me make sure I got this right, guys....

You're excited about Zune, which has yet to be released or priced and is debuting with all new 1.0 management software from a company who has thus-far failed to deliver a seemless experience on their now-depreciated "playsforsure" Windows media platform. At the same time, Apple delivers a round of updates along with substantial price drops that address many of the issues brought up with the current iPod and this is just ho-hum.

I realize new is more fun than minor updates, but these posts are downright hostile toward the iPod, while everything Zune is coated in your drool.

Again. Respect. Gone.

[mike @ Sep 21st 2006 7:36PM]

I have the search by letter feature on my old creative zen xtra 40gb. I guess soon we'll have another patent infringment. Poor steveeee.

[Ryan Waddell @ Sep 22nd 2006 7:45AM]

I'm looking to get one of these to replace my dead Rio Karma. Why? Simple:

1) It's got a TON of storage space. I've already got over 60gb of mp3s sitting on my HD. Having to pick and choose isn't my style. Just gimme it all at once! :)
2) Battery life. The less time I have to go between charges, the better.
3) The screen is awesome. I'm not using it for watching 3 hour long movies, at MOST I'm using it to watch 20 minutes or 45 minutes of a TV show. If I want to watch movies, that's what I have a laptop for.
4) Rockbox. Dunno if I'll use it at first, but it's damn cool looking, and eliminates pretty much every minor beef I might have had with the iPod before, although I think it kills battery life some.
5) Price. 80gb for $399 Canadian? SOLD! (This actually should be much higher in my list, but I'm too lazy to move it up)
6) The music quality's just fine for me. I'm no audiophile.

I guess that about sums it up. :)

[keith waddington @ Sep 22nd 2006 8:51AM]

I'll get 1 zune enough, but the wife's 1st generation iPod has a certain je ne sais pas quoi. I guess it's like a good bottle of wine.

waddo
http://www.waddo.net/

[glenn @ Sep 22nd 2006 9:19AM]

All I want is Bluetooth! Is that too much to ask?

[krishna kumar @ Sep 24th 2006 1:21AM]

I think Apple deliberately didn't ship iTunes CDs with the new iPods coz they figured that the new iTunes doesn't work well and they might as well not bundle it as CDs since we all tend to be dependent on those CDs for future reinstalls and reformats, etc and it simply doesn't make sense to ship something on a CD which, you already know that, doesn't work.

[dan @ Sep 27th 2006 8:51AM]

I own a Zen Vision:M....I owned a 4G, it died after a year, and I was disgusted that the product could not last longer. And let me tell you, I am seriously considering returning to Apple. Why? I am sick of the crappy software interface of creative -- Itunes is simply so much better, and that is the key difference, NOT that Ipods are "cool." It is that you can actually use it and the Ipod, unlike a great many mp3 devices that are a cute idea but can never be completely integrated into someone's daily life/routine. As much as I hate to admit it, this is where Apple wins. At the level of an entire operating system, I do not care for the way Macs work, but at the level of delivering music to a portable player, the straightforward simplicity cannot be beat.

[Alejandro Baez P. @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:03PM]

La verdad que en la guerra por ser el mejor reproductor de MP3 muchos han tratado de alcanzar al iPod, aunque siempre le estan tratando de encontrarle errores la verdad que el mercado del iPod a sido muy bueno y la tendencia de venta a seguido en aumento ya que su versatilidad del aparato y una forma muy sencilla de usar sin tantos botones lo han colocado en la cima, con la salida del Zune de Microsoft, la verdad es que no es nada intimidante es tan solo un reproductor mas sin encambio el poder de compra de los usuarios por un iPod le es fiel al mercado que ha conquistado Apple en sus reproductores, con la salidad de esta nueva generacion que es la 5 y una 5.5, la veradad que cuando demos el brinco a la 6 generacion tiene que ser igual de grandiosa y mas de lo que conosemos al iPod, en cual quiera de sus diferentes modelos, siendo asi el numero uno en reproductores de MP3 y Video.

[nathan @ Dec 31st 2006 11:02PM]

i got one the other day its m first ipod and its really good i was looking at the toshiba gigabeat and the creative zvm as well but the new ipod had better battery life, slimmer design and it is compatible with macs and pc's. I wanted to delete some photos off it the other day and couldnt work out how so i looked at some forums on the net and found the solution, if i had bought one of the other 2 players this would not have been as easy to find because they are less common. The ipod also has lots of third party accesories. I was going to buy a video cable for the ipod(to watch videos on tv) but decided agaist it so i used and third party one and the video quality isnt too bad on the tv but i think it mite have something to do with the way i converted it. All in all i am very happy with my ipod and the sound quality is great.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.