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maxintosh · Jan 29, 2002, 09:36 PM

I was out jogging today and noticed something amusing. If I stepped too hard, it would knudge the jog wheel, and thus increase the volume. I kept having to turn my music down until I finally put it on hold. Maybe the dial should have more resistance?

jfischetti · Jan 29, 2002, 10:35 PM

i've also noticed that if you shake the iPod the wheel does turn a "click" turing on the light (always) and upping or downing the volume (if playing)

Max8319 · Jan 29, 2002, 10:47 PM

that's why they put the hold button on there. it'd be great if you didn't have to, but nothing is perfect

G4ME · Jan 30, 2002, 03:55 PM

I noticed this as well I thought it was my MP3 but then caught on now I just shake it when its in my case to change the voulme mot an exact science but it works.

vmpaul · Jan 30, 2002, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by maxintosh:
I was out jogging today and noticed something amusing. If I stepped too hard, it would knudge the jog wheel, and thus increase the volume. I kept having to turn my music down until I finally put it on hold. Maybe the dial should have more resistance?

One of the reasons I think the iPod is bad design. The tech innovations are great(5 gig drive, firewire, iTunes integration) but I wish they had done some research into the ergomonics of a portable player.

Being a Minidisc user for years, Apple could've borrowed some of the interface designs that those companies(Sony, Sharp) have developed over the years. I love having the remote and using the hold button. It's really useful for jogging because I don't have to acces the main unit to change the tunes. Wireless remote would've have been REAL innovative and useful.

-Q- · Jan 30, 2002, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by vmpaul:


Being a Minidisc user for years, Apple could've borrowed some of the interface designs that those companies(Sony, Sharp) have developed over the years. I love having the remote and using the hold button. It's really useful for jogging because I don't have to acces the main unit to change the tunes. Wireless remote would've have been REAL innovative and useful.

But really easy to lose especially if you travel with your iPod a lot.

I would like to see a remote built into the headphones tho'. That would be handy...

gto47 · Jan 30, 2002, 06:51 PM

Yeah, mine has started doing that too. On mine, the dial seems to have become looser as it succombs to everyday use. Personally, i think its a design flaw, one which will hopefully be repaired on future ipod models. I also notice that if i scroll through my library quickly and then let go of the scroll wheel that it will continue to spin. Its not a big deal, as long as the dial doesnt pop off, which seems unlikely. Still, i'm glad i got the warranty on it, as i dont have to worry as much about this kind of thing.

vmpaul · Jan 30, 2002, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by -Q-:


But really easy to lose especially if you travel with your iPod a lot.

I would like to see a remote built into the headphones tho'. That would be handy...

Yeah, that would be cool. Would that be an application for Bluetooth, you think? Or is that not enough bandwith for audio?

Max8319 · Jan 30, 2002, 10:22 PM

i don't see why there's a problem with the wheel moving. use the hold button. it may be getting a little looser, but if they made it stiffer (harder to turn) then you'd have to put effort into moving the wheel. it is just about right.

the ipod is a great design IMHO, as opposed to some of the sony stuff. the interface and buttons are good; not as many buttons, making it less cluttered; the stuff about the remote would be really good, i'd like to have one, but maybe there will be one with the next revision. one of the "revolutionary" things about the ipod (as was claimed by apple) is the legendary apple ease of use. that's what makes this ipod great IMHO. no extra features, options, that you have to read through the manual to use. the ipod is nearly instinctive to use..

there are flaws though: shows scratches and fingerprints like no other; it's REALLY annoying, but i figure that i still really like most everything else about it and i now have a case to protect it. another flaw, or missing feature, is an equalizer, bass boost, something like that. fortunately, this can/could be fixed with a firmware update (hopefully). maybe the ipod updater 1.1 will have it....who knows...but i'm sure they're working on something like it.

(/rant)

vmpaul · Jan 30, 2002, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by Max8319:

the ipod is a great design IMHO, as opposed to some of the sony stuff. the interface and buttons are good; not as many buttons, making it less cluttered; the stuff about the remote would be really good, i'd like to have one, but maybe there will be one with the next revision.

(/rant)

I don't know. I've spent years (an early adopter) running with my MD and I'd hate to have to carry the main unit in my hand as I ran. It's cumbersome.

The remotes on the Sony's are great because I can clip it on a sleeve but still control the deck that's strapped to my waist. Nothing to carry. Because of the limitation with MD (only 74 to 360 minutes) I don't change the music much but if I had 5 gigs...........well, I'd have all sorts of playlists. That's even more reason not to carry a brick in hand.

The interface? It's not that complicated anyway. If there are more controls it's only because they can record as well.