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JimiMac · Jan 17, 2002, 10:09 PM

Those of you that have an iPod and understand it technically, do you think we will see big changes in the iPod by MWNY? I can imagine that the drive will be expanded to 10GB or more, but will other features be mostly downloadable to the current iPod, or will the current one be outdated by next summer? Hate to bring it up again, but the whine things is the #1 thing that is scaring me from buying one now. But I also wonder if equalizer, airport, remote control, organizer, and the whine fix feaures will be part of iPod2 , and not available to curent iPod I hope not.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Jan 17, 2002, 10:11 PM

I don't think it will ever have Airport, but a larger size is a sure thing at the next update. All the software features will probibly be downloadable to the iPod1.

I am waiting a couple more months for the 10Gig + iPod.

JimiMac · Jan 17, 2002, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker:
I don't think it will ever have Airport, but a larger size is a sure thing at the next update. All the software features will probibly be downloadable to the iPod1.

I am waiting a couple more months for the 10Gig + iPod.

you think that is coming before summmer? remote also? whine fix will be a firmware update?

Apple Pro Underwear · Jan 17, 2002, 10:18 PM

i own a ipod.

it rules.

they can put a larger hard drive. but they're selling real well. I think that it will probably sell well for a year. After that, you can expect a larger drive. Remember...this is a mp3 player not a computer. they don't have to make new ones all the time.

if i were you...i'd buy one now, and enjoy the hell out of it. Remember this, buy it now and you can convince yourself to get the ipod 3. If you wait for the ipod 2...there will be a ipod 3 a year later and the ipod 2 will be so good that you won't need to upgrade till ipod 5. So buy ipod now.

sirlexelot · Jan 18, 2002, 02:41 PM

I for one am still waiting on an EQ. A friend of mine just got the "Nex II" mp3 player (not sure who manufactures it) for $90, and it sounds a million times better than the iPod simply because it has an EQ and a powerful amp. Granted, it doesn't come with memory, but it takes standard CF cards AND microdrives, so there's plenty of flexibility. After tossing in 128 megs of CF card, he spent about $140. Not bad, eh? Man, if that dumb iPod had an EQ... ugh. Woulda gotten it months ago!!

Hopefully the first revision of the iPod will have this feature.

Apple Pro Underwear · Jan 18, 2002, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by sirlexelot:
I for one am still waiting on an EQ. A friend of mine just got the "Nex II" mp3 player (not sure who manufactures it) for $90, and it sounds a million times better than the iPod simply because it has an EQ and a powerful amp. Granted, it doesn't come with memory, but it takes standard CF cards AND microdrives, so there's plenty of flexibility. After tossing in 128 megs of CF card, he spent about $140. Not bad, eh? Man, if that dumb iPod had an EQ... ugh. Woulda gotten it months ago!!

Hopefully the first revision of the iPod will have this feature.

bullsh*t

my ipod sounds exactly like the goddamn cd. i'm no music technician but how picky can you be? i rip at 160 and it's fine. stop your bull and buy the ipod, or you might just wait like a year or two. That nex thing does not sound a "million times" better.

Package · Jan 18, 2002, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by sirlexelot:
I for one am still waiting on an EQ. A friend of mine just got the "Nex II" mp3 player (not sure who manufactures it) for $90, and it sounds a million times better than the iPod simply because it has an EQ and a powerful amp. Granted, it doesn't come with memory, but it takes standard CF cards AND microdrives, so there's plenty of flexibility. After tossing in 128 megs of CF card, he spent about $140. Not bad, eh? Man, if that dumb iPod had an EQ... ugh. Woulda gotten it months ago!!

Hopefully the first revision of the iPod will have this feature.

Hehe...I have 860 songs on my iPod, which gives me 128 megs *left over*. Life is good.

I have to believe that an eq is coming in a firmware update sooner or later. I tend to be kinda picky about audio things, and frankly, I don't feel the need for the eq. So to each his own, I guess.

Package

Arnold Schwarzenegger · Jan 18, 2002, 04:21 PM

There is no need for eqvalizer, but other programs like ze bricks game and ze organizer.

JLFanboy · Jan 19, 2002, 03:42 PM

I for one am still waiting on an EQ.

Why are people still bitching about an equalizer? If you want an equalizer you have NO need to wait for a iPod HARDWARE update! An equalizer would strictly be in the firmware. Just buy an iPod now, appreciate how incredibly amazing it sounds, and update the firmware when Apple releases it.

Chances are, the only thing that will be updated in this fabled "iPod 2" is harddrive space. Anything else will be a firmware update, which are FREE.

Euphrates · Jan 20, 2002, 10:23 AM

Someone mentioned something about that whine. I've never experienced a whine, so I'm sure its just an issue with some people's iPods.

Griggsy · Jan 20, 2002, 10:53 AM

I got my iPod on Friday, and it has never left my side since. The pictures of it were great but it's not until you've spent an hour or so with an iPod that you realise what a revolutionary device it is.

An equalizer would take away from the simplicity and usability of it. (and i have never heard a whine).

You plug it in and it works, and works better than I could have expected, I started using iPhoto as well yesterday, and along with the iPod it has heped me 'get' the digital hub

Who cares if it coming with a bigger HD, it is an amazing thing,easy to use and sounds fantastic (i'm ripping at 128 and am more than happy with the sound quality).

Get one now, why wait, and besides it's a 'portable device' if your worried about storage just do what i do keep your mp3 libaray on your mac and just have the 'pod', synch the playlists. I can't think of any situation I would face where 'only' having a thousand or so songs available to me whenever i want would be a bad thing

macthelastredman · Jan 20, 2002, 09:42 PM

I haven't heard this so called whine either...i think the ipod is flipping great...only thing that annoys me about it is getting finger prints all over it...but i guess you cant really do anything about that besides a case for it. i'm not going to attempt to predict if they will release anything new at MWNY...knowing my luck i'm sure they will

daimoni · 11:23 AM

.

Joost · Jan 21, 2002, 09:15 AM

Agreed -- bite the bullet, get on the train, whatever metaphor works for you. The thing is sweet.

There's no guarantee we'll get an equaliser in firmware -- I'm not convinced one is coming, frankly. Nor am I greatly convinced we need one. No whine on mine...

The only reason I can see to hold fire is if you could do with more space for backup or you fancy hanging around for the price to come down on the 5 gig model.

ericwass · Jan 21, 2002, 10:46 AM

IMHO the only reason to wait for an iPod2 is hoping they'll put an FM tuner in it. That was my hang up with the iPod, but, by nature, we computer geeks have no patience. I love my Pod anyway.

JimiMac · Jan 21, 2002, 11:03 AM

As is typical of me, I finally gave in and went and bought an iPod!!! It really is a great device. I thyink most things I'm really concerned about or might want will come in the form of future dwnloads, so I'm not worried about future features in some iPod2 nw that I have this one. Here are my initial impressions:

1. Sounded better than I expected upon first listening in the store. Even with the Apple ear pods. That hooked me. And the ear pods fit mine in my ear w/o the foam covers.

2. It REALLY fingerprints IMMEDIATELY, especially on the back! I ordered the clear PodPac so I can still see it yet not touch it. I wish Apple and Ives would have not gone with the shiny plastic.

3. The whine is not an issue. It's really just like more of an electrical noise that you would get with any runningf device. It is not an imbedded whine that is annoying.

4. I've made myself a little crazy trying to decide what level to encode at. I can't say that through the Apple or my Sony ear pods that I can hear much difference between 128 to 192kps, or joint stereo verses normal stereo. Plus I tried 256kps and think on the ear pods it didn't sound as good and the volume was lower, but I have read people here saying that at 256kps, it is as good as a CD. I'd like to decide on an encoding level before I build my MP3 library too big. Plus want the option to maybe make my own custom CDs from iTunes. Right now, I'm staying with 192/normal stereo as my default I guess.

5. Just like my original CDs , some MP3s sound better than others, but I think that depends on the quality of the original.

6. Mine came with 1.0.2 software. Sounds like I'll get better sound with 1.0.3, but am wondering if the menu delays will bother me. I'm staying away from 1.0.4 I think.

7. One time, after plugging in my Altec speaker system to hear how it sounded, my music started sounding static-y in the right channel, and I freaked, but it has now gone away....hope that doesn't happen again, but that concerned me.

All in all, I love it, just gotta decide on the encoding level, and would love to have the same EQ presets as on iTunes in the future.

wulf · Jan 21, 2002, 01:50 PM

I'm wondering if an EQ is really so important? The iPod sounds great, even with the little in-ear headphones (which I have always hated on walkmans, etc.)

But if ya really need more bass or a clearer sound, get some nice-quality enclosed headphones and pump that baby

Personally I'm hoping to see Tetris, Chess, etc. in future updates. And a way to pause Breakout - or is there one already?

wulf

zac4mac · Jan 21, 2002, 02:49 PM

As far as the "menu slowdown" reported with 1.03, I haven't noticed it.
I have noticed that the "progressive scrolling" seems more pronounced. Scrolling fast, I go thru 760 songs in 4 1/2 spins.

Also passing on 1.04, I had a whine in 1.02 and it's gone now.

If you listen to music, get one now, don't wait.

Edit: Looks like, if you push the bottom button and put the 'Pod to sleep, Breakout pauses. You may lose one puck, tho, depending on how close it is to going out when you pause.

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: zac4mac ]

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Jan 21, 2002, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by JimiMac:
I've made myself a little crazy trying to decide what level to encode at. I can't say that through the Apple or my Sony ear pods that I can hear much difference between 128 to 192kps, or joint stereo verses normal stereo.

160 KBs should be perfect.

Jan 22, 2002, 04:15 AM

I'd wait to get the ipod2, if such a thing comes out. Maybe then they'll figure out how to do partial caching.

Not everyone has small songs. If your songs are bigger than 22MB in size, the ipod will continuously read them off disk, nuking battery life.

oeyvind · Jan 22, 2002, 04:50 AM

try encode it using lame and "-r3mix -b 112" option, I'm very happy with the quality and file size also... ^^

Cop Rock · Jan 22, 2002, 12:11 PM

I'm currently waiting for a later revision for several reasons.

1. Capacity. I know that 5GB is really impressive for the current form factor, but I want more. The recent 10 and 20GB drive announcements have me excited for a later update.
2. Money. Last year I bought a G4 Cube (to replace my Power Tower Pro 200) and a combo drive iBook. I don't get to buy anything big from Apple anytime soon.
3. I already have an MP3 player. I got a Nomad II with 32MB of memory built in and a 128MB SmartMedia card for about $160 last year. It works fine for now and it's much less than a year old.

If it weren't for #3 I might have an iPod, but as it is I'm going to try and hold out for a 20GB model later.

dav · Jan 22, 2002, 03:58 PM

i'd like to see the iPod2 with a larger HD, color screen, and sync with iPhoto as well as iTunes, so i could take a photo album around with me.

milhous · Jan 22, 2002, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by dav:
i'd like to see the iPod2 with a larger HD, color screen, and sync with iPhoto as well as iTunes, so i could take a photo album around with me.

All good intentions, indeed. The larger HD will definately be a plus, and the iPhoto is also a good idea. However, how much more do you want to pay for a small active matrix tft built into it? Color screens are big money.