Within minutes of learning about the new iPod I was clicking the "Place Order" button on the Apple Store website. Like any gadget freak I've been waiting to get my hands on this product for a years.
The 1-click purchase was later supported after I received a bonafide, hands-on report from a friend who works at Apple. He has been playing with the new iPod for about a month and had nothing but good things to say about it.
(Note to Apple's legal team: the aforementioned friend told me about the new iPod after, long after, Steve told the world)
Excited by this purchase I did what comes naturally for a man who has just purchased a new "tool": I bragged openly to friends, most of whom view Apple as the anti-computer and really couldn't care less, but still I had to get my digs in somewhere.
Next I purchased all three episodes of Lost to make sure I had content ready to go, nothing was going to stop me from watching video on an iPod. That is until I read John Gruber's brief observations about the new product announcements, in which he publishes the fine print about Apple's newest creations.
At first I was overjoyed when I came upon this:
Fantastic! I could fly to Singapore, Arab Emirates, or Madagascar on one charge! But wait, 20 hour of music? What about video playback?
Three hours? The sound of Pac Man dying played over and over again in the internal iPod in my head. I was hoping for at least five-to-six hours of play, enough to get me through a flight across the country.
I couldn't cancel the order fast enough.
The Sony PSP would be a natural option, at least you can change the batteries. Unfortunately the protective high-gloss cover makes a better mirror than a screen and the sound level is pitifully low when in competition against the jet engines a few feet away from 22G. Maybe that's all been fixed or adjusted in the latest system upgrade but I haven't heard or read anything as such.
So for now it's a no-go for iPod upgrade, unless I can make it on Santa's good list this year...
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
Damn evil iPods. They'll be the end of us all.
There's also a heap of other short comings of the new video iPod, especially the one where it will only play mp4 and .H264 video formats. I realise Apple has an interest in promoting its .H264 format, but that should be iTunes role, why limit the iPod? Also I wouldn't want to download video files in 320x240 format and then buy the DVD so I could watch it on anything else other than my iPod. Still I wouldn't knock one back if I was given one...
Glad you mentioned hte battery life, as I don't always have an ear to the ground about new gadgets. It had sort of appealed to me, being able to download and watch video "Podcasts," but I don't think a few short hours is worth it. Viva la Shuffle.
Just get a Shuffle and all your dreams will come true.
*headscratch*
I wish my brain were in the plane of existence where it's possible to buy a $400 product without so much as glancing at the tech specs page. But then, if it were, I don't think it would cancel the order based on tech specs it chanced upon elsewhere.
(Not meant to be a flame, just a modestly raised eyebrow at foreign purchasing behavior.)
There are an assortment of add-on battery solutions - the altoids tin seems like the classic geek-chic route. The ipod battery life is especially sad considering that the battery life will degrade as you use it.
Yeah it's still very much "iPod (with video)" in this model. And it makes sense for Apple not to bet the farm on a killer portable video solution with all the murky waters of content providers (not to mention the questionable size of the market for such a device).
Still, find me a better portable audio device and I'll eat my hat.
I just got home from a close-by IHOP (International House of Pancakes), where I play cards on Monday nights. I look at my friend Aaron and say, "You know, Rebecca came this close to buying an iPod nano to better enjoy her vacation flight on Wednesday. I wanted her to get it too, but it seemed wrong to charge it at the time. Maybe in a month or two."
Without missing a beat, the guy across the table looks at me with the most dumbfounded look, and he says this:
"An iPod? Dude... get a Dell Jukebox."
I shot him cockeyed look and said, "Huhuhuhuhu...heheh.....hooo..."
Doing my best to not belittle him or make him feel stupid, because that's lame, I calmly pointed out that the iPod is sexy and the Dell has a "million" buttons. Plus I could give a crap about WMA.
The poor guy. What is it with Dell people? They are so worse than Apple people.
Anyway, I assured him that I work on a Windows PC every day, in addition to Apple, and ended it at that.
On topic: Expansion batteries from the likes of Belkin and friends will surely be on the market very soon. What I really want is the ability to tack on four 2500mAh size AA Energizer NiMH's that I can charge myself and throw away after 50 drains.
Is there a way to decrease the brightness to save some battery, or is it "contrast adjustment only" like my bloody mobile phone? Either way, h.264 is a power-hungry beast. Woe is me.
Lanny, I was chugging the Apple kool-aid pretty hard that day.
I find it ironic that Apple, a company that has based its marketing on being the computer manufacturer for nonconformists, has been the one to put out a device as popular as the iPod. To me, the popularity of the iPod is the very thing that makes me shy away from it. Maybe I just have a pathetic need for attention, but why would I want to have what everyone else has?
I'm currently looking at the Zen Sleek by Creative, but I really haven't found a digital music player that really blows me away. Most of them seem plagued by reliability problems, short battery life, bad software, incompatibility, or just plain ugliness. If a music player was released by any company that solved these problems, I'd be all over it. Even if it turned out to be - gasp! - an iPod.
I got myself a Nano (my first Apple product) and am quite pleased with it, despite it crashing twice. Being an American living abroad, I really like the idea of legal downloads of shows from back home, but I just can't see viewing them on such a tiny screen, even on an plane ride.
but I really haven't found a digital music player that really blows me away. Most of them seem plagued by reliability problems, short battery life, bad software, incompatibility, or just plain ugliness.
This is why everybody has an ipod...so much better than the alternatives.
Simply put, the reason the iPod is better is that Apple invests in design. It's a Cupertino-fueled fantasy that Jonathan Ives designs everything that Apple makes, but even when Apple outsources they hire top talent and spend money. The "designs" you see from other manufacturers are often done overseas (mostly Korea) and everyone but Apple sees themselves competing with one another viciously over every $.001. Apple understands investing in design, managed correctly, can yeild a great ROI. Just about everyone else sees design just as expense to be minimized — hence, their designs suck. Unfortunately, all too typical (in America).
Get Cec into the battery business. We'll have gigateramegaflop processors and 52" folding screens in laptops in relatively short order, but they'll last 2 seconds when running off battery.
Out of curiosity, how often is it that you're away from electricity for more than 3 hours?
I've got a huge widescreen TV. Why would I want to watch anything longer than 2 minutes on a 2.5" screen? Sure, I can't fit my TV into my pocket. Keeps me from watching TV when I'm not... in front of the TV. Sadly, I usually have my laptop with me anyway, and if I had to watch a DVD, I'd much rather watch it on that.
I think what Apple really needs is an iPod video that is waterproof to 200M. That way scuba divers don't have to kick their TV habit. All Cousteau...all the time.
Design is nice and pretty to look at. I give Apple kudos for their marketing skill and design. But they have been and always will be a niche player. I work on the user end with computers and I hear so often that a user wants an Apple. I ask why? And I usaually hear, " They are so cute!" When the day comes that I buy a computer because it is "cute", I will be the first in line up at Apple! Also, I refuse to pay a 20% premium for a little Apple logo on the box.
Narayan: I think my recent very-much-non-JetBlue flight across America had an impact on my impulse. I like your idea of an underwater iPod, I've been looking for a good reason to pick up scuba...
Tom C: I don't think of Apple products as cute. Well the first iMacs where kinda cute but everyone's over that. I can't see why Dell doesn't spend just a tab more money to create elegant machines. They are perfectly capable of doing it. Sony does it but they want Apple prices because of their brand and they don't go through nearly the volume of Dell or HP.
They can start with those damn PC keyboards, I mean seriously who needs buttons to launch email?! What's next? A button to order a pizza and one to talk like Darth Vader?
Greg- Now now...don't go off on keyboards! I remember seing you using the new "Dell" keyboard. That granted has a very Apple feel/look to it! And ummm, wanting to paint your nice lovely Dell 24" Flat Panel white???
I will grant Apple makes a good product. But not good enough for the surchange they feel they deserve/need to stay in business. When I can build/buy a better PC for at least 33% less than a Apple.
Ah, the PSP. Would love to hear from any PSP users about how good a solution this is for video. Have already come across MemoryStick video recorders for close to $100 and they've also got products now to allow you to hook the sucker up to the TV. Love the form factor and (at least for me) the screen size. Oh, not to mention the games.
Is it worth it?
On my end, I'm not a big gamer at this point (fear of gaming eating into my already tight schedule), but add video playback to that and I'm one interested hombre.
And yet, I will always be dependent on Apple. I don't know about you guys, but I switched from MP3 to AAC a while ago. Maybe that was dumb, but I could keep the files smaller and the quality higher. Now, I can never go to any music player that didn't support AAC, so it's an iPod future for me.
I just bought the 60g ipod photo in August, so I was a little irritated to learn it was a dinosaur so soon. I won't upgrade my ipod until they're all flash based, I'm sure that will improve the battery life considerably.
Tom C: thinking "design" = look just demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the word (though it's common). Apple's design approach encompasses the whole experience of using and engaging with a computer. It's not just hardware, not just software, not just hardware + software. It's one of those things where if I have to explain it to you, you won't ever get it, but that's fine ... and perhaps it means they will be a niche player. Mercedes is a niche player compared to Ford; which would you rather drive everyday?
Out of curiosity, how often is it that you're away from electricity for more than 3 hours?
That's the thing about the iPod that you want. Seriously for myself I am rarely away from my desktop or laptop computer. I have no need for an iPod to play music or watch movies. However, if I was to get away from them, I would want to be in a galaxy FAR FAR away. 20 hours for music is reasonable without a recharge. 3 hours for video is not.
You can buy portable DVD players for $150, that have a bigger screen, and longer battery life (say 4.5 hours). Of course it's not the cool little iPod, but if you are just looking to watching movies or tv, why not get one of these and burn your own DVDs?
As much as I love Apple products, them seem to convince people they need something they really don't, but isn't that par for the course with everything technology based?
Tom D: the Mercedes/Ford comparison doesn't quite work, especially since it's Daimler Chrysler that mfgs Mercs and, yep, Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth (do they still make plymouths?).
If I had my choice between a top of the line Mercedes S class or, say, something of the equivalent price from the Ford stable, I'd be in the Ford GT in an instant. (Oh yeah, Ford owns Jaguar, Lincoln, Aston Martin, Land Rover, and more - so if you're not in the mood for a Ferrari beater, you've got plenty to choose from).
Tom C: You may be able to build a PC for 33% of the cost of an Apple. The average (and even not so average) computer user is not going to source, part, and build their own machine.
Check out this comparison (albeit from a somewhat biased source - Macworld) - some of the 'costs' may surprise you.
As Tom D was saying, Apple's design is more than just the hardware and software. It goes to packaging, branding, customer experience, UI, developer support, and more. They've been pioneers in leading some of the largest changes to the computing industry (even if they didn't create some technologies, by owning the entire process they could easily incorporate technologies that were better, which would then go on to become standards) ie: 3.5" floppy, USB instead of serial ports or SCSI, firewire, iTunes Music Store, and, I'm sorry to say, the portable MP3 player market, which was pathetic before the introduction of the iPod.
I don't see much use for the "take some video with your music" iPod (I know there are others like me who want a drive with at least 80 gigs [preferrably 120] for their music alone) - but it's easy to see that's the first baby step into changing the entire distribution & advertising systems of network & cable television and the DVD rental/purchase market in a way that only TiVo (and other DVRs) have broached.
After getting my iPod Nano, I was so impressed with every aspect of it that went ahead and got myself a G4 Powerbook. It's early days, and it is a bit like learnng a new language, but frankly, if I knew someone who was just starting out in the world of PCs, I'd tell them to stop what they were doing and get themselves a Mac. I've been using a PC for too long to give up on them all together, but every aspect of the Mac is beautifully designed andI'm not just talking about looks.
I'd second jojo's remakr about Mercedes, they are a dime a dozen these days but I think better comparison would be a Bentley.
On the "cute" thing. It's telling that people use that term, and I think you're just misinterpreting it. Non-techies who call a Mac "cute" are referring to it being perceived as significantly less threatening, and less aggravating, plus more visually appealing. None of those three matter much to most gearheads, but they're a big deal to many consumers. And that appeal is why Apple is holding 80% of the digital music player market.
Computers are more difficult, given then perceived issues of compatibility and existing software/files. But those barriers may not hold up as the network becomes more important and the client less so.
With regards to the issues of video standards support: the only way at present to support decompression of FMV in a tiny device is via a hardware codec. Using a software codec would require far too much extra processor. That's why Apple is only offering a very limited number of supported codecs (and I believe, relatively processor-light ones, as opposed to say DiVX, which emphasizes compression over economy of processing.) The battery issue is related -- you're pulling more data off the disk and doing more processing, and it just eats power like a mofo. I wouldn't slam Apple for that -- I'd argue it's a general problem and part of why no other video player is remotely as small. This device just isn't meant to show 2 hour movies and I'm not sure you could produce a product in its form factor that would -- but don't be surprised if 6 months from now Apple uses what it's learned to produce a larger movie player.
I only meant Mercedes to be a generic term for a car that costs more than average, but which most owners would say is worth it. While cost may be the #1 issue for Tom C, and a lot of other people (especially corporate customers), quality and user satisfaction can be more important to others, particularly users who want to do more than use the Office apps. Our research shows that Apple has as much as 30% of more of the 'active' non-corporate consumer market. As computers become more about lifestyle and less about job productivity it only stands to reason that Apple's market share will grow. Re: video—I dunno, don't watch too much of it, but I'm sure some people will be very into it. I think the most interesting part is the eCommerce of network broadcast shows with less than a 24-hour delay. That's interesting.
Our research shows that Apple has as much as 30% of more of the 'active' non-corporate consumer market.
Where's the whitepaper?
And what's with all the Toms! Is there a convention in town or what? I'm gonna have to dish out nametags soon...
Hmmm big bad Apple computers eh! Two things, Batteries are batteries, it's a technology all of it's own and any advancements in battery life in recent times has been a product of better, more energy efficient produucts, not better batteries.
Who can deny that the H.264 format isn't the best out there. I fail to see reason in peoples insistance on having a gazillion different file formats. It's not better for content originators and it's not better to consumers. One type of media, one type of file a million types of editors/players with cool features. Thats where choice should come in.
But before I go, I often hear peoplle compaining about Apples FairPlay, which always leads back to file formats. If you don't like DRM, it's beacuse you want to steal digital content. Your problem, not mine.
I think you've made the right choice on cancelling your order if your intention of buying the new iPod is to watch videos on it. I myself am not convinced that it's worth it to watch videos on the new iPod.
Even with longer battery life, i can't imagine myself holding the iPod at a viewable angle for 40+ minutes just to watch an episode of Lost. It still is primarily a music player, but now you get to watch videos as bonus.
And Tom C. , i like to work using beautiful machine. That's why i'm willing to buy these "cute" computer. I use a Dell laptop too, but the feel is just not as satisfying as when i use my Powerbook. The keyboard on Powerbook is just smoother. :)
Austin,
Maybe I just have a pathetic need for attention, but why would I want to have what everyone else has?
The reason everyone else has an iPod is because it really is a much nicer product compared to all alternatives. It looks much better (which really starts to matter when you have to look at it all the time, as well as drawing attention from others due to having a beautiful DAP rather than some ugly thing in comparison) but above all, the user experience is really much nicer. It just works better, navigation is easier and faster, sound quality is great, and putting music on it and organizing your music is a bliss with iTunes.
As for the battery life of the iPod (with video) versus the PSP -- a friend of mine works at a video game store. She borrowed the PSP display model that they have in the store many nights, but every time she would try and watch Spider-Man 2 on it, the battery would die just before the end. About 10 minutes before the end.
Suffice to say, the PSP isn't all that much better. Probably if you have a fully charged PSP you can watch an entire 2-hour movie on it, but I wouldn't recommend trying any longer movies, in fact, i'd suggest only getting
Also, the PSP can't fit in your pocket, whereas the iPod can, easily.
Sure, the current iPod's battery life isn't fantastic for video, but I firmly believe that Apple is fully aware of it and has had no intentions to make it last longer for this generation of iPods. Why? They're opening up a new market, one not for portable movie playing, but for portable "quick" video -- music videos, short films, TV-shows. All of these are less than one hour each, and it's still to be proven that this market will create a big enough demand. If it does, like what happened with Music and the original line of iPods, then Apple will listen to the consumer's demands and, most likely, produce a new iPod that has a larger screen, still, and has longer battery life. Because by then, the demand for such devices will be big enough to have them be pricey (I expect the current iPods' price at that point, though).
Case in point, the new iPod may have video, but it really is meant as a music player and nothing more. Apple just added video to open up a new market for them to dominate, but they aren't trying to dominate it just yet. The market isn't even aware of itself yet, but with the new iPod, they're changing that.
Faruk, you're on point. It's key to note that a big part of the iPod's success is the quality of the iTunes software. Musicmatch, Real, etc. simply don't compare. If you're an average user usability matters and (like most Apple apps) iTunes is superior to their Windows counterparts for ease of use. Firewire was also an early key ... iPods grew to dominate the market when most of the PC world was (maybe still is?) only USB1, making data transfer very slow comparatively. I wonder what percentage of the PC world is now USB2. When did that become standard (not extra cost) on all new PCs?
...the PSP isn't all that much better. Probably if you have a fully charged PSP you can watch an entire 2-hour movie on it...
Yes but you can change out the battery on a PSP without having to crack open the case with a putty knife.
When did that become standard (not extra cost) on all new PCs?
About eighteen months ago.
Tom D,
Most PC's nowadays have USB 2 - I would reckon about 60% of all the ones in use right now. There's tons of older pc's still in use that don't have it, though, for sure.
Greg,
Yes, that's the one thing the PSP really has over the iPod in a very convincing manner. The slightly larger screen is nice too, but muuuuch more reflective / mirror-y than the iPod's.
The exchangeable batteries are a painful lacking in iPods, but I guess that's part of the design aspect, which I can imagine is really hard to work around for Apple. Not impossible though - look at Powerbooks.
However, the PSP's ease of use for putting music on is shoddy at best, compared to iTunes and the iPod. I do think many more people want a music player first, with all other features being only secondary in the decision-making process. If anything, because there isn't a very interesting supply of content for video. Yet.
Ah, dear brother-in-law of techie obsessions- I do understand. This is the same feeling I have whilst purhasing shoes.
re:PSP and the sound level is pitifully low when in competition against the jet engines
Really? I didn't have this problem with the headphones, unless you wanted extreme quiet to watch a movie or something, i've found the sound quality to be acceptable. Transferring video is pretty easy but only with the right software, i use video9 or something, its freeware. Also you have to buy memory sticks so there's the added cost, you couldn't fit a whole bunch of movies onto a disc, probably like 1 or 2 full length movies.
But you can fit a whole bunch of family guys =)
Greg,
Would the 80% of the time you get to enjoy your iPod make up for the 20% of the time it annoys you? Basing decisions on outlier data (how much time do you spend on long flights anyway?) instead of the middle part of the curve seems a little strange to me. But hey, it's your choice. My 60GB iPod came in on Tuesday. All I can say is 'Mmmm.' :-)
As for battery life. Two things:
1) since the new iPod charges via USB2 and my laptop has both a battery and a USB port, I figure if I'm on a long flight and I'm too tired to read a book or work, I can use the laptop as a spare power pack. You can put the disk and screen to sleep to extend the battery life and keep the ipod plugged into the USB (would have to turn off auto-synching). Can even take spare laptop batteries for those extra long hauls.
2) A few months ago I pitched for an iGo power adapter. It's a single adapter with interchangeable 'tips' for different devices. You can charge your laptop/ipod/PDA/phone/gaming device all from any of wall plug/car battery/airliner power plug ('one box to rule them all'). So no matter where you're at, if there's a power source, you can charge things up.
So quit fretting and go reorder the damn thing :-)
You all talk about the iPod video as being the first player to support portable video. I guess you just haven't heard about any alternatives.
Archos ( http://www.archos.com/ ) has been doing these things for years and they have it down really well. You can get an AV 700 that can handle FOUR hours of video on a single charge, and all that on a 7" screen. Plus, they have a 100 gig model, for you big kids. Throw in DVR, mobile connectivity, and games, and you have a nice package.
The AV 700 is expensive but the prices scale down nicely to the less monstrous models. The AV 500 has a lot of great features too and 4.5 hours battery life.
I really recommend Archos to anyone looking for a serious video device, I've had an AV 340 for a few years now and it still beats the iPod Video. As a disclaimer, I'm not an Archos employee, just a punk kid who knows the iPod Video is lame.