ipodclassic
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Make your old iPod's UI look like an iPod Classic
Apple uses new features and UI enhancements that are only available in the current generation of iPods as a carrot to get people to upgrade to the newest model. The new UI on the iPod Classics is a great example. These features could have been placed on the previous generation of iPods with a firmware update, but Apple decided not to do that. as they have for most of the iPod's history (which is their right, of course).Some eager hackers have modded the 5th gen iPod's firmware to make it look more like the iPod Classic's. If you're jonsing for split screen navigation but don't want to pony up for cash for a new iPod this is for you.Keep in mind, though, that this entails changing the firmware that is currently on your iPod (which is Apple approved, the firmware that is, not replacing it) to something that was modified by a third party. Bad things could happen (though they could just as equally not ) so be prepared to deal with the consequences should the process run amok.Thanks, Kai Cherry.
ColorWare adds Apple's latest offerings to its lineup
Not that it comes as much of a surprise (or any, really), but ColorWare has now brought all of Apple's latest offerings under its brightly-colored fold, with the new iMac, iPod touch, iPod nano, and iPod classic each available in "nearly 30 different colors." That, of course, means 29 colors, including such eye-catching options as blush pink, caution yellow, candy apple red, and crush orange, all of which can also be mixed and matched if you choose. As with ColorWare's other offerings, you can either purchase your colorized product of choice directly from ColorWare (for a premium price, of course) or send in your existing gear for a bit of sprucing up, which also doesn't exactly come cheap.
iPod classic and nano update fixes performance niggles
Apparently that 1.0.1 iPod update the other week didn't do much to fix the iPod classic and nano's Coverflow performance, with a new update fixing low framerates and jerky animations once and for all. Overall faster menu performance is also part of the package, with TV Out functionality getting the fix it should have had in the first place, with a third "ask" option for selecting TV out mode when a cable is plugged in. These cases of release now, fix later are really becoming a bore.[Thanks, Billy. Via MacRumors]
Apple's iPod classic experiencing issues of its own?
If you were considering picking up one of Apple's capacious new iPod classics whilst casually snickering at those poor saps dealing with faulty screens on the iPod touch, you could be in for problems of your own. According to a number of reports around the web, users are experience a myriad issues with the new player, including high processor utilization, excruciatingly long connect / disconnect times, and random crashes that seemed to occur when the device attempted to "display preview images taken from album cover art." Some users are also reporting that iTunes will actually "freeze up and stop responding" after the classic is plugged in, and attempts to install firmware updates have apparently not remedied the issues. So, dear readers, how's your iPod classic faring? Are these quibbles legit, or is the intarweb working itself into an unsubstantiated frenzy?[Thanks, Rahul B.]Read - One new iPod classic, two new iPod bugs Read - Mysterious problems with new iPod classic Read - Discussions about iPod classic troubles
Myvu intros solo plus HMD with support for new iPods
Just in case you were worried during "The Beat Goes On" that the new iPods wouldn't work with the current generation of head-mounted displays (which they apparently won't), myvu has come to the rescue with a new model that -- besides a shared distaste for capitalization -- also features an Apple authorization chip for guaranteed compatibility. The solo plus follows the nearly-identical solo that we saw earlier in the year, sporting a low-profile design, wired remote, and integrated, noise-canceling, earbud headphones, while playing nice with the touch, classic, and 3G nano. Also like the solo, the solo plus will retail for $200 when it hits stores in October, so start filling out those return slips if you happened to have purchased an original unit recently.[Via iLounge]
iPod games must be repurchased for new iPods
It looks like those hoping to port their collection of iPod games over to their shiny new iPod nano or iPod classic are going to be out of luck, unless they fork over the cash for new "reformatted" versions of the games. Unfortunately, according to iLounge, only three iPod games have been updated for the latest-gen players, including EA's Tetris and Sudoku, and Namco's Ms. Pac-Man. On the upside, those three games have all received some changes of various degrees, including most notably an all new control scheme on Tetris that'll let you use the click wheel for block rotation. While there's no word on a timeline for upgraded versions of the remaining 15 games, the three that have been reformatted are apparently available for download now for $4.99 apiece.[Image courtesy of iLounge]
iPod Classic firmware update improves Cover Flow performance
Apple has already seen fit to give the new iPod Classics a firmware update, which according to the company does nothing but fix bugs. Members of iLounge's forum know otherwise, with members reporting that it improves previously sluggish menu and CoverFlow performance: one of the few gripes with the updated iPod. Notice anything else? Let loose in the comments.P.S. Sick of all the fruit-related news? Don't moan, just check this out.[Thanks, Julian]
iPod nano/classic take-aparts
People love to dismantle their expensive, new toys for whatever reason (probably the same reason I took transistor radios apart as a kid - to see "how it works"). Today, AppleInsider is pointing to fully illustrated take-aparts at iFixit.com - one for the iPod nano, and one for the classic. They note that Apple abandoned the anodized aluminum enclosure of the former nano for the scratch-hungry gloss of the original. Also, Apple used lots of adhesive with the nano, which makes getting it back together difficult.As for the classic, it has metal enclosure tabs instead of the old plastic ones, making it harder to get apart.If you're still compelled to disassemble your iPod, iFixit has the how-to.
TV out locked in new iPod classic and nano
This is rather disappointing. According to iLounge, Apple has re-designed the TV out functionality of the new iPod classics and nanos so that they no longer work with older third-party TV out cables and docks. Apparently, the new classics and nanos require an Apple authentication chip in the dock/cable to unlock the TV out setting and these chips are only available to official third-party suppliers. At this point only official Apple products and a few select third-party offerings will unlock the TV out setting. The AV cables for the new iPods will reportedly sell for $49 when released.
Apple's new iPods don't play nice with last-gen video accessories
Now that all the RDF has worn off, a few of the hard facts about Apple's latest are coming to light, and one of the nasties has to do with video output. Apparently the new iPod classic and iPod nano don't get along too well with currently video docks and cables on the market -- that is to say, pretty much not at all. A select few products with the 'spensive Apple authentication chips built-in do allow you to turn on TV out, like Apple's Universal Dock, iPod Hi-Fi (which doesn't have video output anyways) and the $600 Zeppelin from Bowers and Wilkins, but if you've sprung for products such as the Memorex iFlip and Sonic Impact Video-55 in the past, you're out of luck for the time being. It seems logical to us that Apple has the ability to unlock this function for existing docks if it so chooses, but for now you can always drop a fifty on those new component cables from Apple -- and pray for a repeat in the "contrite open letter" department.
iLounge posts iPod Classic, iPod nano unboxing pictures
Our good friends at iLounge have gotten their hands on some brand new iPod Classics (both colors) and iPod nanos (all 5 colors) and did what any self respecting member of the Mac web would do: posted a bunch of unboxing pictures on Flickr.The iPod Classic comes in a box very much like the one the iPhone comes in (economies of scale I imagine) while the nano comes in a clear container to show off the nifty colors.
VisualHub updated to support new iPods
Regular readers know that we're big fans of VisualHub here at TUAW. It's generally the easiest and quickest way to convert video from one format to another, particularly for playing on our favorite Apple hardware. Techspansion is really on the ball and today released version 1.27 adding video support for the new iPod nanos and classics. The new release adds presets for the new iPods, and also includes a "universal preset designed to be compatible with all Apple video devices at the highest quality possible."This is a free update for registered users. For everyone else, VisualHub remains $23.32 and a demo is available [via Macworld]
Toshiba announces iPod classic-sized 80GB and 160GB 1.8-inch disks
Could be just a coincidence, but Toshiba just announced their new 1.8-inch, 80GB and 160GB hard disks. Right, the same size drives just announced for Apple's iPod classic line-up. Of course, Samsung announced their 160GB spinner a few weeks ago so we'll have to wait for the iSuppli teardown before making too many assumptions here. As for the details behind the 160GB MK1626GCB: 2x 80GB platters, 3,600rpm, 52MBps (66MBps for 80GB HDD) transfer rate and 15-ms mean seek time, and portable device-friendly CE-ATA interface on a mini 54 × 71 × 8-mm slab. Oh, and Tosh wants you (and the analysts) to know that they are "already shipping in samples," wink wink, nudge nudge. [Via Impress]
Apple's "The Beat Goes On" event news roundup
Apple came out swinging today, with three entirely new iPod models, a color refresh of the shuffle, the launch of the iTunes WiFi Music Store, iPhone ringtones and a price cut, and a partnership with Starbucks -- if you blinked and missed something, here's a brief recap of what went down at Moscone West:Live Coverage / Hands-on Steve Jobs live -- Apple's "The beat goes on" special event iPod touch first hands-on iPod nano 3G first hands-on iPod classic first hands-on iTunes WiFi Music Store first hands-on iPod / iTunes Meet the new iPod family Apple announces (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, new colors Apple announces new 3rd gen iPod nano Apple's new iPod classic Apple's iPod touch gets official Apple announces iTunes WiFi Music Store Apple and Starbucks join up for iTunes WiFi purchase iPhone Apple adds iPhone ringtones to iTunes iPhone to get iTunes WiFi Music Store, too Apple cuts 8GB iPhone price to $399 Apple killing 4GB iPhone, $299 while supplies last Where the hell is the 3G iPhone for Europe? We might know.
iPod classic first hands-on
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.%Gallery-6928%
Meet the new iPod family
Apple's been a little busy it seems, since the company just announced three all-new iPods, plus a few new colors and price points for existing products. From smallest to largest we have the PRODUCT (RED) iPod shuffle, which is accompanied by some other new colors, the iPod nano on the left up there, the iPod classic in the middle, and the iPod touch on the right.
Apple's new iPod classic
Apple today announced the latest in its kind-of-sort-of successful iPod line, the sixth generation iPod "classic." Like the brand new iPod nano, the flagship iPod is also sporting an all-new interface, headlined by Cover Flow. The iPod comes in 80GB and 160GB capacities, with 30 hours of battery for audio playback, 6 hours of video on the 80GB version, and 40 hours / 7 hours for the 160GB unit. In addition to the new interface, the iPod classic is getting a new all-metal shell, and is selling at $249 for the 80 gigger, $349 for 160. You can order one today, and they should be hitting stores by the weekend.%Gallery-6918%
