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iPod classic still the 5th most popular US MP3 player
Speculation has been poking around lately that the iPod classic's time is not long for this world, but before you start etching out the gravestone, take a look at these recent sales rankings from the NPD Group. According to the numbers, the iPod classic is still the fifth most popular MP3 player in the US, right behind all four versions of the iPod touch. Apple, in fact, claims 9 out of the top 10 spots on the list, but while the shuffle and the nano are down in the 6-9 spots, the iPod classic still reigns supreme when you don't need to have apps. That makes sense -- despite my iPhone, I still carry around an old 80 GB iPod, and I'd still maintain that for people who really want to carry their whole music library in their pocket, there's no match for the iPod classic and its, well, ... classic click wheel design. In fact, as we suggested, in opposition to all of the naysayers proclaiming the death of the old school iPod, a refresh is much more likely: Apple could add much more capacity, especially considering the improvements in memory lately. And while apps are nice, and 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity make for things like streaming music, some people just want to sit back and listen to gigabytes' worth of MP3 files. Long live the iPod classic!
iPod Classic stock low, prompts refresh rumors
AppleBitch picked up a tip that the shipping times are getting pretty long for the iPod Classic and that many Apple retailers are simply out of stock. Since the iPod Classic hasn't been updated since fall 2009, we're now seeing speculation that the iPod Classic might be due for a refresh soon. Hardmac reported last month on a new line of hard drives that could indicate the iPod Classic's capacity might go up to 220 GB. Reinforcing the news, AppleBitch points out that Amazon.com shipping times for the iPod Classic run 2 to 4 weeks. MacStories points out that Best Buy says the iPod Classic is backordered. We'll probably see other Apple sites pick up on these hints, and some solid speculation about when a new iPod Classic announcement will appear. [Via MacStories]
Confirmed: the iPod Classic is alive and well
If you were afraid that the iPod Classic may have bit the dust at today's music event, well, rest assured, it's still alive. While we awaited word on just that question from Apple, our good friend Michael Gartenberg confirmed with the company that it lives on to see another day.. and a beautiful performance by Chris Martin.
Onkyo's E713 all-in-one PC is the space station to your starfaring iPod
Okay, now this is just getting ridiculous. We know Onkyo has a long history of building iPod docks, but to see the company build an entire all-in-one PC around the feature is a little much, especially when -- once again -- the iPhone isn't invited to the party. No, when the E713 series ships in Japan next month at or around the ¥99,880 (about $1100) price point, it will include up to a Core i5-650 processor, 4GB of RAM, a digital TV tuner, Blu-ray drive, 1TB hard drive and loads of ports behind that 23-inch, 1920 x 1080 LCD screen, but a slide-out iPod classic / nano / touch dock that apparently can't accommodate the iPhone's portly frame. That's discrimination, right there -- or at least we'll keep on telling ourselves that, since we're all out of sour grapes.
How-to: get music, videos, and photos off your iPod or iPhone
To think, it's been over five years since we last tackled how to get music off your iPod, as opposed to the other way around. Back then, the classic model had only recently added the infamous click wheel (while still rocking the monochrome screen, mind you), iPod nano was still called the mini, and viewing photos was a brand new feature worthy of having its own line. It's time to take another look at how to transfer media of all sorts -- audio, video, and pictures -- from a variety of iPods and iPhones back to your Windows or Mac OS X machine. Jump to: Windows | OS X
Toshiba's 1.8-inch 160GB PATA disk is ready for KIRFers
Wonder what's inside the latest iPod classic besides suave marketing and Pixi-dust? In a not-so coincidental announcement following yesterday's classic capacity bump, Toshiba unleashed specs on its newest 160GB 1.8-inch single-platter spinner that just happens to come in 120GB versions too. The Parallel ATA interface holds-tight the 5-mm / 48-gram disk spinning at 4,200 RPM. Interestingly enough, Tosh claims that its hard disk holds 45,000 digital photos, 42,000 songs, or 130 videos thereby besting Apple's claims on all counts. So get to it KIRFers, the MKxx34GAL series is shipping now and your marketing bullets have already been written.
Apple releases video podcast of Rock and Roll event, we've got you covered with the highlights
Need to catch up on today's Apple news? Well, you can either fire up iTunes and download Apple's video podcast of the event, or you can skip the endless game demos and marketing chit-chat and just peruse the links below. The executive summary? iTunes 9's new app management, Home Sharing, and iTunes LP features are really nice, but it's almost impossible to understand why Apple added a camera to the iPod nano and not the iPod touch, no matter what Steve says. Oh -- and don't forget the Palm Pixi! The event Live from Apple's 'It's only rock and roll' event Video: Steve Jobs returns to the Apple stage iPodsiPod nano unboxed, camera gets tested against the mean streets of Manhattan iPod touch 3rd gen hands-on and video iPod nano 5G with camera first hands-on! Apple announces cheaper, more colorful iPod shuffle, new Special Edition Apple updates iPod touch line, drops prices, adds top-end 64GB model Apple adds video camera, larger screen to new 5G iPod nano iPod classic bumped to 160GB, price stays the same at $249 iPhone OS 3.1 is official, available today iPhone / iPod touch OS 3.1.1 is live!iPod shuffle 2g is no more iTunes iTunes 9 bringing iTunes LP functionality, 'beautiful new look' iTunes 9 breaks Pre media sync... what did you expect?Video: iTunes 9 Home Sharing and iPhone app management
iPod classic bumped to 160GB, price stays the same at $249
The iPod classic doesn't get much love these days, but at least Apple isn't killing it off yet, and has managed to squeeze another 40GB into the enclosure -- though otherwise the player seems unchanged. The new 160GB version will be available for the same $249 pricetag.
Last minute Apple rumor roundup: iPhone HD video out, no new iPod touch?
Okay, we're in the final countdown to Apple's Only Rock and Roll event, and some interesting bits of info have hit the wires while we're waiting. First, AppleInsider claims a "historically reliable source" has leaked the entire new lineup of iPods, complete with model numbers, and it's somewhat surprising if true: not only do capacities remain the same apart from a 160GB iPod classic, the iPod touch is absent from the list -- leading some to believe its upgrade has been delayed due to rumored technical issues with the camera module. AI also says the nano is getting "significant changes" to Nike+, but doesn't go into further detail. There's also been an interesting press release this morning from Harmon Kardon, which is touting that its new Bridge III iPod / iPhone dock and AVR 2600 and 3600 receivers can "play back HD video from iPod or iPhone products." Seeing as there's no (official) way to even get HD video onto an iPod or iPhone right now, that seems to indicate there's a change a-comin' -- and seeing as we've already gotten the iPhone 3GS to play back 1080p video, the addition of HD video support to at least some of the i-line seems like a no-brainer. We'll see what's true and what's just wishful thinking soon enough -- the liveblog starts in just a little bit!Update: And just in case you couldn't get enough sketchy cases, Cygnett has some listed on its site that seem to show a new nano screen size, as well as a new touch with a camera. Things are definitely heating up, stay tuned. Read - AppleInsider leaked list of new iPod models Read - Harmon Kardon says new dock can play back HD video from iPhone
Apple quietly cutting iPod prices ahead of event
We've just started receiving tips that Apple is quietly cutting the price of existing iPods ahead of its planned event later today. Thus far, we've seen the following price cuts. All prices given are in USD: iPod nano is now $129 for 8GB and $149 for 16GB. iPod classic is now $229. iPod touch is now $189 for 8GB, $249 for 16GB and $279 for 32GB. There is no change to the price of the iPod shuffle. These changes haven't completely gone through the site yet. As seen in the screen capture, some parts of the site still list the iPods at their old price. Thanks to Scott and Max for the tip!
Walkman outsells iPod in Japan for first time in four years... but iPhone sales don't count
As with most accomplishments these days, we can't help but place a rather large asterisk next to Sony's award for managing to outsell the iPod lineup with its Walkman. According to Tokyo-based research firm BCN Inc., for the week ending August 30th, the Walkman series had a 43 percent share of the personal music player market versus 42.1 percent for iPods, marking the first time in four years that Sony's managed to get the upper hand. Got that? Good, now for a major caveat. For whatever reason, iPhones aren't considered part of the iPod line, meaning people who want the luxuries of the iPod touch and a wireless data plan aren't included in the survey. That's quite an omission -- the iPhone 3GS is currently the best-selling phone in Japan, after all -- and we gotta imagine it'd be more than enough to tilt the data in Apple's favor, even if you threw in Sony Ericsson's Walkman phones for good measure. But hey, it's still a feat in its own right, and Sony might as well celebrate while it lasts -- something tells us the gang in Cupertino has something up their sleeve soon.
Current iPod SKUs are disappearing
If you're looking to own a current-generation iPod, you best buy one before they're gone. Ars Technica notes that vendors inside Apple's Authorized Reseller network are reporting that dwindling stocks aren't being met with new shipments, lending further credence to the presumption that September's press event will be about new iPods. Apple typically introduces new iPods in September, just in time for back-to-school shopping. We've heard rumors that the whole line will get cameras, including the Classic. With 120GB of storage, that thing could hold a lot of photos. It's also quite likely that there will be a storage boost, but if the shuffle gets any smaller it'll simply cease to exist. Personally, this just means I'll have another opportunity to call my fat nano an ancient artifact.
Rumor: iPod Classic will get a camera
Apple has traditionally updated the iPod line in September, just in time for the back-to-school shopping season, and this year will be no exception. With an event supposedly scheduled for September 9th, it's expected that Apple will introduce new models. There's a rumor at DigiTimes that the iPod Classic -- the only hard drive-based iPod -- will receive a camera, along with the iPod touch and nano. That's unexpected, but less surprising that the Classic's continued existence. I predicted that device's death a while ago, and figured the Sept. 9th even would be that fateful day. The "Classic" model was introduced on September 5th, 2007, with 80GB (US$249) and 160GB (US$349) configurations. I can only assume that building a 160GB iPod touch would be cost-prohibitive. According to DigiTiimes, OmniVision will supply the 3.2-megapixel camera image sensors. [Via AppleInsider]
Taking it too far: Ice Pod ice cream bars
Oh, those crazy Norwegians. Ice cream maker Henning Olsen has announced their plans to produce a chocolate covered-ice cream bar that looks like, you guessed it, an iPod. The iPod Classic, to be exact. But wait, there's more! Each "IcePod" as they're called comes with access to a free song by a Norwegian artist. Details are unclear as to exactly who is providing the download, though. Supposedly they're in production right now and should hit stores sometime in March.Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet speculates whether the IcePod will draw Apple's attention in a less-than-sweet way. Keep your eyes peeled, Norway-bound TUAW readers, and let us know if you see one of these, and what the deal is with the download.Thanks, Jørn!
Zune 30, older iPod classic getting new firmware fun
Apple and Microsoft both issued a slew of updates to the iPod and Zune lineups in the past two days, and it looks like some of the new features will be kicked down to older devices as well. Although it was expected that second-gen Zunes would get all the new Zune 3.0 features, Microsoft says that the older Zune 30 will also receive an update to enable Buy From FM, Channels, and WiFi music store features, and Apple reps at the Let's Rock event told CNET that the iPod classic will eventually get an update to enable the new Genius playlists. That's particularly interesting since Genius is most definitely a new feature, but it doesn't sound like Apple's going to charge for it -- which flies in the face of the company's "we have to charge for new features because of Sarbanes-Oxley accounting requirements" $9.95 iPod touch update price reasoning. We won't complain too loudly about free updates, but that's definitely a little odd -- care to explain, Steve?Update: We just spoke with Apple, and it appears people are getting all kinds of facts wrong. The iPod classic will not be getting an update with Genius functions. Don't ask us why... it just ain't. Read - iPod classic getting Genius update Read - Zunes getting Zune 3.0 firmware update
Poll: New iPods vs. new Zunes, what're you buying?
It would have been juicier if Microsoft hadn't announced the fall Zune lineup a day early and gone directly head-to-head with Apple's newly refreshed iPod lineup, but the fact is that if you're in the market for a new player the past 48 hours have delivered a slew of new options. Microsoft concentrated on the software side of the equation with Zune 3.0, but Redmond's players themselves got a WiFi music store, some new games, and Buy From FM, while Apple added in new Genius playlists across the board and updated the iPod nano's form factor and UI. At the high end of the capacity scale, the Zune seems to have the win on paper -- both the Zune 120 and the iPod classic frustratingly top out at 120GB, but the classic's stagnated essentially at the level of the 5.5G video iPod while the Zune 120 carries all the features of its smaller siblings. On top of all that, you have the newly-thinner iPod touch, with all of its browsing, media, gaming, and third-party application features -- and the lost purity of purpose adding all features those entails. That's a ton of choices -- so c'mon, kids, what's it going to be? %Poll-19372%
iPod classic refreshed, only comes in 120GB flavor now
Steve Jobs just announced that the iPod classic will only come in a single $249 120GB config from now on. Seriously, that's the only model of classic available now, storage junkies -- better snap up those outgoing 160GB models while you can.
Spore iPod game now in iTunes
Update: Tipster Mike writes in to note that the game has disappeared from the store. As of 5:45 pm ET today, it's gone.iPhone-wielding gamers rejoiced when EA announced a version of Spore for the iPhone, set to debut in September of this year (check out our hands-on with Spore). This week, click wheel iPod owners got a leg up, as Spore: Origins is now available in the iTunes Store [link].Origins, as the name implies, lets players experience the 1st level of the game, in which you guide a single-cell organism through the primordial ooze. Game play is straight forward: Use the click wheel to guide Jr. around, and the center button to eat other organisms he finds. No word on sharing your progress with the full game once it's released on September 7th.If you really can't wait, you can also download the desktop Creature Creator. Spore: Origins for iPod costs $4.99US.
More Apple gold for superstar athletes
David Beckham recently received a snazzy gilded iPod touch from his teammates. That's nice and all, but this guy is a superstar. He needs some seriously togged out Apple goodies. With that in mind, we're offering the following shopping list: The golden MacBook Pro. This sucker features gold-plated casing, a keyboard painted to match and "...your logo in diamonds." Try opening one of these at Starbucks. The $39,750 MacBook Air. Twelve thousand hand-applied Swarovski crystals decorate its 24k gold casing. For forty grand, you would think you get a solid state hard drive. The golden iPhone. You knew this one was coming. Unfortunately, the pricing is still "to be announced." Golden "classic" iPods. Why stop at the touch? You can just as easily get your 160GB or 80GB classic dipped in gold, as well as the nano. Here's hoping someone special in David's life reads our list and makes a purchase. While you're at it, a buffing cloth would be good, too.
iPod Classic hit with endless disk-spinning bug?
The tubes are buzzing this morning with reports that the recent iPod classic 1.0.2 update has a nasty bug in it that causes the drive to constantly spin -- a glitch that's a little more troubling than those freezing issues we heard about, since bumping a spinning platter is a sure way to kill your drive dead. Most users see the problem manifest as the battery draining much more quickly than it should, and it seems to be particularly a problem when using CoverFlow, but others say it's totally random and that replacement iPods with 1.0.2 loaded don't exhibit any symptoms. In any event, iPod Classic owners who haven't updated should probably hold off, and those who have should see how their devices are holding up.Read -- Apple support thread #1Read -- Apple support thread #2Read -- iLounge forum thread
