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Thilo Ettelt · Sep 15, 2003, 08:01 AM

According to ThinkSecret an iPod Special Edition (AppleExpo Edition) will debut tomorrow on AppleExpo. Here's the link to the story.

Only three hints are given:

- The price: 549 Euros, which is about the 40 GB iPod's price in Europe (in Germany for sure, incl. VAT).
- "some sort of a new remote control"
- a new firmware

More detailled information remains unknown.

- Thilo

PS: Let's see how great this thing will be if it's really gonna be released. If so I will probably change my order...

subego · Sep 15, 2003, 09:55 AM

This could have the "SuperDock" (dock with extra functions like an IR remote), talked about forever at the late MacWhispers.

This little bit here was all I could find.

As a side note, MacWhispers now points to Your Mac Life. Hi-freaking-larious.

fado · Sep 15, 2003, 04:25 PM

A while back... I saw concept images of a square remote that was wireless with a roll dial like found on the iPod itself. Now I am curious if this remote actually went further on the drafting board.

iHanhauser · Sep 15, 2003, 05:50 PM

I JUST ORDERED A NEW IPOD LAST THURSDAY, AND IT SAYS ON THE ORDER STATUS .... ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 17, 2003.

MAYBE I WILL BE GETTING A NEW EDITION.

IHANHAUSER

::maroma:: · Sep 15, 2003, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by iHanhauser:
I JUST ORDERED A NEW IPOD LAST THURSDAY, AND IT SAYS ON THE ORDER STATUS .... ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 17, 2003.

MAYBE I WILL BE GETTING A NEW EDITION.

IHANHAUSER

I have a feeling that if there is a Special Edition iPod, that it won't be replacing any of the current line. Rather, it would be added to the current line, and just be more expensive and have a few more features.

Of course this is all speculation until tomorrow! Can't wait!

icruise · Sep 15, 2003, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by iHanhauser:
I JUST ORDERED A NEW IPOD LAST THURSDAY, AND IT SAYS ON THE ORDER STATUS .... ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 17, 2003.

MAYBE I WILL BE GETTING A NEW EDITION.

IHANHAUSER

First of all, stop shouting.

Second of all, why on earth would you think that Apple would replace the iPods that they just released 1 week ago (!) with a new model? If there is a special edition, it would be just that -- a special edition model that would cost more and/or have different features than the normal iPods.

Lertsiri · Sep 16, 2003, 01:00 AM

Well I hope that if it is a special edition, they will include SPDIF In/OUT for direct recording from any sound source with SPDIF outputs, and mixers or Musical Synthesizers with SPDIF inputs! This would be totally cool and help me in deciding on buying the 40 gig iPods or a new Sony MD. I mean, considering that the new G5 desktops have SPDIF in'out port, why not have SPDIF in/out on the iPod as well? Makes sense right? Or is that port on the G5 used only for surround speakers and high end audio and music making machines?

my teaser and Demo Reel

pjmurphy · Sep 16, 2003, 05:03 AM

what happened to this? Can it still be announced during the expo w/o Steve doing it??

kovacs · Sep 16, 2003, 05:12 AM

Originally posted by Lertsiri:
Well I hope that if it is a special edition, they will include SPDIF In/OUT for direct recording from any sound source with SPDIF outputs, and mixers or Musical Synthesizers with SPDIF inputs! This would be totally cool and help me in deciding on buying the 40 gig iPods or a new Sony MD. I mean, considering that the new G5 desktops have SPDIF in'out port, why not have SPDIF in/out on the iPod as well? Makes sense right? Or is that port on the G5 used only for surround speakers and high end audio and music making machines?

my teaser and Demo Reel

I don't think we will ever see a SPDIF input or output on an iPod, as far as I know MP3 is not digital so it doesn't have a DAC ( Digital-to-analog converter ) or ADC like a CD-player has ( DAC ). If they want to add a SPDIF in or output they will have to add a DAC and an ADC which will be very expensive and it won't sound any better...

It would be nice to connect your iPod directly to your Minidisc, but you can do that now with a cheap analog cable....

DVD Plaza · Sep 16, 2003, 05:13 AM

Wasn't there a release that happened days after last year's Expo... updated iMacs or iBooks or something...

fado · Sep 16, 2003, 07:22 AM

oh... the disappointment. I was all hyped up for new iPod news.
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southtdi · Sep 16, 2003, 10:27 AM

I still think one of the best udates to the ipod would be bluetooth capability. Then you could have the cool scroll wheel remote, possible lcd screen on the remote, and possibly wireless headphones also.

This would keep the sleakness of the ipod while adding the functions that would compliment the simpleness of the device itself while keeping it far ahead of the competition for quite some time.

Even if they added this is an accessory with a small bluetooth transmitter that plugs in and the remote I would still buy it in a heart beat. Talk about truely functional for stereo use and car use.

biscool · Sep 16, 2003, 06:12 PM

BT doesn't have the bandwidth for headphones...

DVD Plaza · Sep 16, 2003, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by biscool:
BT doesn't have the bandwidth for headphones...

So the bluetooth headphones you can buy, even bluetooth handsfree systems, don't work?

Dr. Wahnsinn · Sep 16, 2003, 07:56 PM

Having a new iPod with special features not available on other models would raise the price higher than most would want to even think about.

I've always thought that a black iPod with a gold plated back would be a very desireable item for many people (not me, but a lot of people love black and gold). The price would be higher but wouldn't require any change to the internal components. Just watch out into which neighbourhoods you wander into.

What I never want to see is a Eddie Bauer iPod, Oakland Raiders iPod, or any crap like that.

-Q- · Sep 16, 2003, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by DVD Plaza:
So the bluetooth headphones you can buy, even bluetooth handsfree systems, don't work?

They work fine. Powerlife would be the big concern....

southtdi · Sep 16, 2003, 09:59 PM

I know bluetooth fully has the bandwidth for the headset on an ipod. Battery life could be a concern but using a battery in it would be a way around this. The headset and remote could use a lithium or other small battey and that should solve most of the problem

LeeG · Sep 16, 2003, 10:06 PM

Bluetooth headset would be KILLER. The biggest drawback to the iPod (one of the only in my book), is the tangled mess that becomes the headphones. Wireless head set. Rock on.

Lee