Hands on with the "new" iPod 60GB

So, I went ahead and bought one. The 60GB iPod, which used to be the 60GB iPod photo, is currently connected to my 12-inch Powerbook, as is my old 40GB iPod, and all the songs from the 40GB iPod and all the songs in my Library are currently being copied directly to the new iPod 60GB. It's up to about 700 of 5,490 tracks.

I mean, it is straight iPod to iPod action. How am I doing this? Through iTunes. One is connected via Firewire and the other via USB 2.0. Oh, you mean you want to know how I'm getting iTunes to do this? Oh, well, I'll get to that later today. But for now, let's take a brief tour of the "new" iPod 60GB.

I've uploaded a Flickr set to the TUAW Flickr page taken with my Nokia 3650's built-in camera that you can check out, showing the packaging and the unpacking of the new iPod. Check after the jump for more info...

None of the packaging or the included materials (manual, etc.) make any mention whatsoever of the once-upon-a-time iPod photo. Everything is now iPod. So we have new packaging and new lower price. The back of the box features a shot of the iPod playing "Hey Mama" by the Black Eyed Peas. As soon as I saw this, the song became embedded in my head, repeating in an eternally annoying loop of the chorus, so I thought I'd share in the hopes of infecting all of you with the song and getting it out of my head. As soon as the iPods finish exchanging songs (up to 2250 transferred so far), I'll play something else.

Inside the box, you have the normal peripherals. Headphones with the little sliding choker that has been coming with all the new iPods since the iPod shuffle was announced. USB sync cable and a USB power brick. I wonder if I can charge my PSP off of this too...

When I started up the iPod, I found that it doesn't come with podcasting support and version 1.2 of the software preloaded. It's still running 1.1, so one of the first orders of business was plugging it into my Mac and running the update. After iTunes placed the update on the iPod, it told me I had to plug it in to the power brick and into the wall for the update to complete. Is this new? In any case, it struck me as odd.

When I originally replaced my 15GB 3G iPod with my 40GB 4G iPod, I was taken somewhat aback by how much thicker and heavier the 40GB was than the 15GB, and I experienced the same "whoa" with the 60GB. It is noticeably thicker than the 40GB, and a bit heavier. I would guess it is twice as thick as the 15GB. However, it cannot really be that bad, as it still fits in the case that was designed for my 40GB iPod, albeit more snugly.

The model number on the box and the device is M9830LL/A, which means it's the same exact iPod as the iPod photo. This identifies the 60GB iPod photo as also being known as the "iPod with color display," although the page hasn't been updated with any info about the new 20GB version of the color version of the U2 iPod.

Move along. Nothing to see here.