And to round out the day's hardware hands-ons we wrapped our mitts around the new
iPod classic. It's thin, it's solid, but it's still hard drive based, which for our flash-loving selves will always be kind of a bummer. But if you're the type that carries around 80 (or 160 friggin gigs) of media and you like to use iPods, this is the new king of the hill. (Photographed is the 80GB model, not the thicker 160GB iPod.) Unfortunately, tasks like Cover Flow ran about as (un)smoothly as on the nano, so if you're expecting a fully iPhone-like experience, don't get your hopes up.
P.S. -The new shuffles were difficult to find, but we also threw a couple shots of those in the gallery for good measure.
posted Sep 5th 2007 3:24PM
That silver is horrible. Really.
I'm still in love with my iriver H10 really. Just bought some new headphones the other day to go with it, and really, who needs an iPod.
Is it me, or are those iPod's seem kinda rubbery. I prefered the sleek look of the previous gen to be honest, that some of my friends own.
@tigs - He means "gay" in the sense that is used to describe something that is lame. If homosexual people can take the word 'gay' which originally meant having or showing a merry, lively mood and use it to mean homosexual. Why can't other people give the word a different meaning?
Easy way to rationalize pretty much any racial, ethnic or other type of slur. I think you've found a PC loophole! Or maybe not.
Not true, most racial slurs began their life as racial slurs, this word had its meaning altered to describe a particular subset of the population.
I think they all look fugly. God, now the Zune's def got the lead.
Only on a tech site would people use the word "gay" to describe something as lame. As if we needed more proof that techies were just immature folks. Whenever I hear some teenager use the word in that way I think it says a lot about that person.
Eh, but i know gay people who use the word gay when somethings lame. I know a lot of people who use the word. Gay as a term has multiple meanings.
Anyway, the new iPods look cool. Kinda bumbed that the touch didnt use a harddrive, I would've bought a new iPod if it was a 160gb touch screen ipod though the price would probably scare me away..
hey i like! black espesh
you know, the 80gb ipod classic is the "perfect ipod" i've always wanted... a slim, single-platter hd ipod that will store at least 40gb of music (to match my old zen jukebox 3). now it's out (two years too late), and the ipod touch establishes a new definition for the "perfect ipod". if only it had a higher memory capacity.
I agree, I hope what they say about the navigation not running smoothly isn't too bad. I would have been happy with the old interface. This is the ipod I've been waiting for for years, the touch, for the moment is just a gimmick, with only 16GB storage. Once that has at least 40GB I may consider it.
Damn. Today's Engadget has pushed the envelope past the kind of Apple coverage when the iPhone was coming out. Jeez. Fanboy much?
Yeah, I mean, a popular electronics company launches a bunch of new products, and it's getting press on a gadget site? WTF? Jeez, next we're gonna start seeing plane crashes and election coverage on CNN.
I feel totally overwhelemed reading all this info about ipods. I have an old 40GB "Color" "Photo" Ipod and I think it's time for me to waste some money and get an IPod touch. Damn you Apple!
Man I feel overwhelmed...! I just bought my 2nd iPod the other day [4gb 1pod nano 1st gen for nike+ipod]. I've been rocking out my now 5 year old 40gb that just kicked the bucket...
No thanks to the iPod touch...quite possibly I'll pick up the last gen ipod video...don't like this aluminum stuff...
PLEASE -- TELL ME -- Is the screen plastic or glass? I've always hated how easily the iPod's screen scratches!
Exactly what I want to know, I hope endgadget can answer this in an "ipod round up" or whatever with thoughts and impressions. Theres a big difference between soft plastic that is usually used for ipods and scratch resistant glass used on phones.
The same crappy screen huh?
160GB would be great to use on a truly multimedia device that can play videos on a nice screen, but 160 GB is hardly useful for a device that plays only quicktime on a dimunitive screen.
Yeah man.
You have to choose between.
Small screen + high capacity
or
Big screen + low capacity
Way to go Steve!!*NOT!!!*
Personally, I think even the ipod touch/iphone's screen is much too small to really watch videos on. the 160gb classic is perfect for people like me who have 116gb of music and want to carry it with them.
How long will it take to listen all 116 gigs of music?
How long will it take to come back from a trip you're on when you realize you can't play some song for a friend because you didn't think to put it on your player before you left home?
That's EXACTLY the point..... Apple is now trying to push people to have more than 1 iPod.... Touch for better viewing, Classic for carrying it all, Fat Nano for commute.... and finally a Shuffle for jogging.... Plus.... the costs are all over the map so EVERYONE in the family can have at least 1 iPod..... Not to mention all the fanboys who would probably have 2 or even 3 iPods
It's all about marketing...... Wake Up, People....... Steve's a marketing genius none the less.....
Well, that may well be what "the people" end up doing, but as for me, I already have a portable media player with a 4 inch screen that plays DIVX, XVID, WMV, and so on.
It's just really too bad. If they had given the Touch an 80GB, or even a 60GB and demanded $399, I would've gladly bought it.
Another truly disappointing thing was the lack of improvement on the UI.
Sure coverflow and all these things are nice, but what about ID3 editing on-the-fly?
What about being able to delete files?
Simply put, they did not innovate at all.
Touch is just a neutered iPhone, Classic just has more storage and Nano... well it just looks ugly so I will never even consider it.
Without that expensive blu-ray player, this would be an entire front page of Apple news. Engadget is slipping. keep it up fanboys.
Heaven forbid that when major news in the tech gadget arena comes out, a tech gadget news site covers it thoroughly. I'm sure you complained that Engadget was all M$ when the Xbox 360 launched. If Apple is the biggest news (which gauging by their stock price, I'd say a few people seem to be interested in Apple lately,) then let a news group cover it and quit complaining. I'd rather have too much news than not enough. The search bar is a beautiful thing.
if engadget is slipping then stop reading it and leave, its your choice what you read, its their choice what they write
I'm pissed. I don't think this will work with the Nike Plus gear, even though the iPod Touch is Flash based!!!
Check it out:
http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/
There's a picture of the new Nano over the shoes, and there's no mention of the iPod Touch, even though there is a mention of the iPod Nano being the only compatible version. This really, really sucks, because I was hoping the junk my nano and upgrade to this. DAMN IT!!!!!
Yep only Nano's (Look at the supported iPods at the bottom) http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E07A&nplm=MA365LL/B
160 gb is over half inch thick I think the apple fan-boys call that a "brick"
What products have a similar size and price as the 80gb Ipod?
I think this should satisfy the people that didn't like the 16GB on the touch. Try 160!
Does the iPod Camera Connector work with it? (and Nikon RAW files?)
Ugh, that silver is ugly!
I'm kinda disappointed that the cover-flow runs un-smoothly, I was looking forward to that. I also wanna see the 160gb next to the current 80gb (what I have now).
I don't think I'm going to buy this round, as nice as the Touch looks, the 16gb just isn't even close to cutting it for me.
Whats with all the crappy looking screens?
The only thing that saddens me is the fact that now this is called "classic." With our insanely gluttonous, consumeristic American ways a product we would have considered insanely technologically advanced a few years back is now dubbed "classic". Hilarious. No wonder we're so fat with these crazy product cycles.
Go ahead boys keep artificially inflating a non-existent economy before it all goes down in flames.
Can we please stop taking design cues from the iPod Mini? Those things were horrible and it feels like we're regressing a little here.
Yeah, they were so bad that they were only Apple's #1 selling player at the time. And when they were replaced, a black market sprang up with them usually going for twice the retail price for a while.
And remember all those complaints about scratched nanos? How many of those complaints do you hear these days?
I was saying *two years ago* that if Apple was smart, they'd switch the entire iPod line to the mini casing. The mini was built like a tank, as is the current nano, as will be all these new iPods. You can run a truck over an iPod mini and it literally won't have a scratch on it. My wife's is now over 2 years old and she doesn't even use a case with it and it looks literally good as new.
Why does Engadget favor Flash over HDD?
Simple, because flash isn't going to die on you overnight. Flash has a lot less mechanical parts, it's lighter, starting to get cheaper now, and it's also smaller.
MY HDD 30gb one has already made the groaning sounds of impending death a couple of times.
Well. One step forward in capacity, three steps back in design. The fif-gens looked better. These look almost "old school" ipod.
By "old school," I assume you mean, "classic..."
The Archos 605 wifi is looking better every day.
umm.. what will happen to the iPod5G? will they update the software or keep it the same?
man that 160 gig...hold more than most of my friend's hard drives...I;m just a die hard sony fan...Can't get enough of their mp3 players XD
Anyone know if there's a firmware update for 5g ipods to get the new interface?
I'd even be willing to pay $29.95 for it.
I'll sooner sit on my current one than buy a classic and I'm not ready to jump on the touch yet. I'm sure there are millions of 5G owners who feel the same way.
i just got the 5.5G version, about 2 months before they announced this. I'm glad i didnt hold out. The only thing that inteersts me is the classic, but i don't want 80 gigs for a stupids price. I want 30 like i have. And making the cover flow un smooth is about as a good idea as the ipod touch. BAD. The nano isnt bad, but boy is t ugly. The capacity increase is good, but now it can take vids, its way too small.
I'm not a fan of the paint. It looks like it should be a fishing lure or something.
Well I will definitely be getting the 160gb Pod "classic" since my 40gb is just about full. I really don't care about the video, internet of youtube features of the ipod touch. I just use mine for music anyway so the larger the hard drive the better plus the price is great.
does engadget not have a photo editor? these photos look like shit.
They just didn't hit it. I was looking forward to a 200gb ipod touch. I want it all.
these photos look like shit, hire a photo editor.
oh yea and...
Waaaaaaaa! me want something specific and apple didn't do it, waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh
Anyone know if the new firmware for these classics will work on the 5G iPod. The whole coverflow and everything? Will Apple update it for the 5G?
I certainly hope so, I was kind of dissappointed when it wasn't part of the firmware update when Cover Flow was incorporated into iTunes.
Won't happen; Apple have always pushed a previous model aside as soon as the new version is release sadly.
Still that battery replacement problem...
The iPOD classic is .02inches thinner than a 5.5G. Will the cases still fit? any ideas?
That's like the difference between a case fitting perfectly, and a case fitting, but slightly loose.
Good to see Apple's "Touch me and I'm scratched beyond belief" metal finish is still apart of the iPod... Even with these new iPods, I won't buy one.
But Daddy there ugly i want a zune.
Damn. I was all hoping for a HDD Touch, but 16gb is only just enough for my current collection plus about another year's worth of tunes and I'm not paying all that for a phoneless iPhone. These Classics look rubbish too, so it looks like I'll stick with my ancient 4G Photo for a while longer. Once a 32gb Touch becomes available at non-stupid prices, then they may get more of my money, but not until then, for any of their hardware.
nobody cares about actualy playing music anymore?
what about enhancements like support of more audio codecs, id3 tag editing, etc. ???
This is the only iPod I would ever consider buying. The iPod shuffles aren't bad but 1GB is very little. The iPod "nano" fatties are hideous and the iPod touch is a waste of money. (Of course, these are all just my opinions.) And who could resist 160GB?
(A: No one.)
and not even an OS update for current 5th geners.
Apple, I'll say it again, you lost me as a customer.
How does the interface look without album covers? I've avoided them to keep file sizes low (the 160GB Classic is the first iPod that has a chance at holding most of my library).
The 160gb one is for me, regardless of how it looks. As long as the interface, (the scroll wheel, or any of the features that make an iPod what it is), haven't gone downhill, then it's worth it. How can you argue with the price?
I'm disappointed to see the shiny silver (scratch-prone) backs on the iPod classic and the 3G nano. I prefer the entire body to be aluminum like the 2G nanos.
Just ordered a 80g Black "Classic" - have been looking for a higher capacity player and it was a toss up between the 60G Creative (I currently have a very full 30G version of this) and the Ipod. The new pricing and capacity of the ipod was more than enough to tip the scales in its favour. As for the "Touch" like the interface and wifi but the capacity is just too low for my needs. I like to carry my whole music collection not have to pick and choose. When the come out with a 40G + Touch then I will consider one
This is a blessing for people like me. I like to have all my music with me, because it can be quite random what I want to listen to at any given time, and it's frustrating to want to listen to a song you have, but not with you. With 116gb of music and growing, there were no real options to support my needs up until today, aside from the much too bulky archos models. In my opinion the front plate is much uglier than the previous generations. The silver is hideous. I'll definitely be picking one up though, it suits my needs perfectly.
I really hate how the menu's take up half the screen and the album art uses the other half, I hope you can turn it off and have just a nice, clean menu. The new interface changes look obnoxious and flashy, I just need it to play music.
WTF!!! No bluetooth. I am convinced that the frustration levels in the world have been raised to an orange threat level because everyone is trying to untangle headphone cables. WiFi, but no bluetooth and no bluetooth headphones. Why, why, why must Apple continue to live in the dark ages and be so mediocre. Oh yeah, the average IQ is only 100 and there are far too many lawyers in the world.
Freedom!
Blue
I don't understand why Apple didn't incorporate the Wi-Fi into the "Classic". And why the hell is it called the "Classic". Makes it sound like it's an old fashioned player with an old-fashioned formula (like Coca-Cola). I personally don't like the design of the Touch. I wouldn't buy a mp3 player that looks like an iphone. And what's the fuss about this Cover Flow crap. Who's going to spend minutes of their time browsing through album art when you already know what you want to play? And is this the only software change, freakin cover flow!!! Are you kidding me? These Ipods won't be as successful or get as good ratings as previous players.
Yes! I'm up for carrying around 160 friggin gigs, thank you very much.
I went to the Apple Store in Bellevue, WA - no new iPods available :(. They told me it would be a "couple of days". Looks like I will have to make another trip on Saturday for the 80Gb model. I would score the iPod Touch, but like many others have said - not enough storage.
You made me spit out my iced tea with that comment.
This is sitll doesn't help me. I love the touch, but 16gb just doesn't cut it for a video player! I guess my next iPOd may be one of these
This is sitll doesn't help me. I love the touch, but 16gb just doesn't cut it for a video player! I guess my next iPOd may be one of these
So it's so long to the good old white iPod? I kind of resent that. The white look was MUCH slicker than these aluminy new ones.
mis-post. Sorry
So, you're saying the Zune is better looking and buying that - because it's the fashionable one in your eye?
I want AM/FM radio reception, built in FM transmission, audio recording, and .ogg .flac .wav support in my ipod. THEN i'll fork out $350+
The complaint about the 160GB not being flash is really stupid, since you're asking Apple to do what is currently economically (and possibly technologically) impossible. I mean, how many people would pay for a $1200 160GB touch iPod? More likely the whole world would scream about it being way too expensive, which it would be.
soon to stores near you.. in addition to the already popular ipod classic you will find the new IPOD VANILLA the perfect musical flavor combination! and IPOD ZERO for the nudists stored completely in hyperspace and magically controlled by your thoughts! (and you thought the click wheel was cool)
Can you turn off coverflow?
does anyone know if this new IPOD CLASSIC has menu lag just like the 5.5generation ipod video??? or does the menu lag still exist on this 6th generation ipod. and can cover flow be turned off, and can the HALF SPLIT SCREEN crap be turned off as well.
It has menu lag, cover flow is just a new option in the main menu, the half screen crap can't be turned off, and I can't wait for a software update with this option... ah, and please let me change the coverflow background to black while you are at it Apple.
It's worth nothing that Apple have phased out white iPods entirely, which is a shame. I liked the white ones.
What next, no more white iBooks?
Guys, guys, guys. This is a digital tech blog. You guys should be up to date about everything digital. So why in hell are you posting such crappy photos with such horrid White Balance! C'mon...RTFM and take some decent pics.
wow. Homeboy is really clever and smart. A homophobic comment and the use of *not*!
Way to go Homeboy! You just lowered the bar considerably.
I find it weird that only a few people have mentioned that the white iPod is gone! It's really strange, the white iPod was the FIRST iPod. It's iconic. I can't imagine this nasty roundish silver one ever being as easily recognizable as the original white iPod.
too bad 160gb still isnt big enough for me
what's with the HDD hatin'?
Who asked them to switch their font from a Lucida Grande-ish to Helvetica? And what about a budget 30GB model? And from the graphics and the 'front' photos of the players, everybody must be thinking the iPods look fat, thanks to the graphic artist and/or the anodized aluminum. And the iPod nano 3Gs should really be called iPod videonano and leave the 2Gs to refresh their colour scheme like the shuffle. It certainly has the biggest screen for a 4GB player. Other than that... the players rock. I don't whine irrationally, like a "crappy" screen (how can a screen be crappy?) or hating the aluminum (then why did you complain about the thumbprints?)
yeah, i've been waiting for this ipod for years, too. now all i have to decide on is the color. i've always wanted black, but now that there's silver.. i'm a little hesitant.
CoverFlow is overrated when it comes to actually finding your music, and there are is a lot of junk thrown in the mix because of the mixed up world of podcasts. I do think it might make you more likely to grab a particular album when skimming a pod, because the visual uses a different part of your brain- but it isn't necessarily better, just different.
I'm so dissapointed with the new Ipod Classic, I don't really like the metal front at all, the glossy was much more sleek, and the fact that the Touch Ipod has only up to 16gig WTF? I think Apple was just desperate to release another iPod.
YASA VOB to iPod Converter is an expert and easy-to-used to convert VOB files to iPod converter.It has the ability to convert VOB into iPod Video and other various video formats.
http://www.vob-converter.com
After a few days looking at these things (and recovering from the 16Gig Touch fiasco) online and reading up about them, I have draw my final conclusion.
The best value for money iPod ever was shown on Wednesday and that was the 80Gig iPod Classic for £159. It's thinner than the 5gen 30Gig as far as I can see, It hasn't got the scratchy screen from what I now gather, the black case with the slightly smoother edges is rapidly growing on me (I actually think this case might not need a cover to protect). It's a little lighter in weight than the 5gen 30gig. It’s got the new brighter screen, decent battery life for both music and video and finally the real nice new user interface. Most of all it actually looks like an iPod. All this for £159, to me that is a real bargain.
80 Gig is a real nice size drive, I can get all my MP4 converted DVD’s, all my music, all my photos, all my podcasts etc, etc… and back up my PC files and still have plenty to play with.
If it’s decent in real life, I might actually ask Farther Christmas for one, I never thought I would want anything other than the iPod Touch when it came out but it really needs a good 12 months in the wild before I would buy one of the second generation. The second generation Touch may be worth while, but this one is not.
I’m with the Classic, good all round value with some nice little redesigns, I really think they’ve nailed the iPod with this. I think everybody is focused on the Touch and missing the real gem. Everybody will buy the Touch and spend most of their time deciding what to put on it or leave off, how to spread their 16gig, and Classic owners with have everything at their fingertips with a nice new user interface that actually looks like it belongs to iPod and £100 left in the bank ready for the better version of the Touch.