Next Generation iPods Offer Increased Handheld Features

Ed Hardy · 04-28-2003, 05:40 PM

Apple's newest iPods continue to blur the line between a music player and a handheld.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Ne...dheld_Features

pocketfactory · 04-28-2003, 09:57 PM

Bundling both Mac and PC connectivity in one box was a smart move by Apple. This should eliminate inventory headaches for resellers. And it makes purchasing decisions much easier for the consumer....especially those of use that use BOTH a Mac and PC.

gfunkmagic · 04-28-2003, 10:51 PM

So what ever happenned to the rumored video-ipod from apple?

pocketfactory · 04-29-2003, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gfunkmagic
So what ever happenned to the rumored video-ipod from apple?

Well you just answered your own question. It was only a rumor. NEVER believe any rumors surrounding future Apple products. They mostly prove false.

JLP · 04-29-2003, 09:55 AM

I didn't hear of the video iPod rumor, but I can tell you this is bound to be coming in the next version.

All it needs is a color screen and video decoding software in ROM.

But they'll wait untill this ipod sells well, and then they can sell video iPods to present owners.

To stay in business companies have to make relatively small incremental enhancements to their products.

Now if you want a video player ther's the Archos' MMJB 120 or the new
Archos Jukebox Multimedia 340 (av340)

JLP · 04-29-2003, 10:11 AM

here is a pic of the Archos MMJB AV 320/340 as presented at this year's CeBIT in Hannover, Germany:

Tafkas · 04-29-2003, 10:58 AM

I'm sorry but I just can't see the point in something as limited in functionality as this. I love Apple gear and I've tried to like the iPod since I first heard about it years ago but I just can't do it.

Sure, it's got a large hard drive and it looks pretty cool, but that's about it. A very basic OS, a screen that can't compete with anything since the turn of the century*, crappy software with the Windows version and it weighs as much as a variety of full featured pda's....I'll pass!

There are cheaper and easier ways to carry my music around...and I don't believe anyone really needs "...space enough to store three weeks of music — played continuously, 24/7 — or one new song a day for the next 20 years"

...gimme a break.

* I've been waiting to say that in context for over 3 years

imported_BigLig · 04-29-2003, 12:28 PM

Well, being read-only, I'll admit it isn't a great PDA

but I do find it useful to have a back-up of my contacts in my pod.

The screen is adequate for what I want of it; I'm surprised they'v e bothered to improve it in the new models.

To explain why I would have a 20Gb device and now look longingly at the new 30Gb (when I'm not pacing the floor hoping they'll make the new firmware available for my existing ipod just for the On-The-Go feature), a simple phrase: "my entire music collection".

Every single CD I posess is in my Pod, and so every CD is always with me; when I travel, as i drive to work, when I'm out walking.

Oh, and forget about the crappy windows software, I've never opened the CD that came with my winniepod. Download a free copy of Ephod, does all you need a thousand times better than MMJB.

webb3201 · 04-29-2003, 02:02 PM

Tafkas,
I felt the same way until I bought my 5gb iPod last year. My tune changed immediately. I carry the machine with me 24x7, using it for travel and to power my car stereo on trips. By far the best MP3 player on the market, with a great OS. If you are looking for PDA that plays music, look elsewhere.

I am currently trying to keep myself from buying the new versions but I know I will lose that fight!

IRJ · 04-30-2003, 11:01 AM

When the first model came out it was a huge step forward. Since then the competitors have comes close to the size of the old IPOD and even added more functionality.
For instance Archos has an incredible range of machines and clearly is now the innovative leader in this space. I am surprised that Apple thought they could compete, for another year or two, simply by reducing the size of their machine??

Apple should have included FM capability. I need a machine which I can use at the gym and the Tvs (when I am not listening to music played on my IPAQ 3650) neds an FM capability. Right now I can buy an $49.00 add-on for my IPAQ and keep my music on my existing large and cheap CF Cards. And I had been eagerly thinking the new IPOD would meet this requirement and MORE. It doesn't

Other machines with better capability include the Odessey 1000 and this is a deent sized machine (not quite n the IPOD small size I agree).

Hmm IPOD had a several year lead on the competition. Now it leads only on dimensions and it will lose this race within 3-6 months as the new One inch HDs reach OEMs and be begin to see really small hybrid machnes which will meet ALL the requirements of most of us except for those needing a very large HD.

A shame that Apple is resting on their laurels. Had I been Steve Jobs (apart from being rich!!) I would have stopped this machine from coming to market as I do not believe it advances Apple's image or business. Of course it's always possible SJ sees this and has them working on an added value model.....if so where is it?