Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Joost · Jul 17, 2002, 12:02 PM

Does anyone know if existing iPod users will be getting a firmware upgrade with the new features?

No mention in the keynote. Nothing I can find on the Apple site either.

rcr · Jul 17, 2002, 12:38 PM

Yes, hopefully s firmware upgrade for existing iPods will be forthcoming. Yet if it does, I doubt all features demonstrated on the new iPods will be available. For example, I bet existing iPods don't contain the hardware mechanism to implement a clock feature like the one that was demonstrated. That would have implications for (obviously) the clock display feature, and probably the iCal sync-ing.

rcr

mudmonkey · Jul 17, 2002, 12:51 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by rcr:
Yes, hopefully s firmware upgrade for existing iPods will be forthcoming. Yet if it does, I doubt all features demonstrated on the new iPods will be available. For example, I bet existing iPods don't contain the hardware mechanism to implement a clock feature like the one that was demonstrated. That would have implications for (obviously) the clock display feature, and probably the iCal sync-ing.

rcr<hr /></blockquote>I hope they update as well; however, I believe that there is enough in current ipods to implement (at a minimum) a software clock. It all depends on whether when the ipod is "asleep" whether code could continue running. It keeps track of time associated with tracks on the ipod and the mechanism for counting seconds could easily become a clock (as long as it runs while the ipod is "sleeping").

I hope that they update the firmware as my brand new 10GB iPod would love to do calendars...

phobos · Jul 17, 2002, 01:56 PM

I'm quite sure that the old iPods can cope with all the new feautures. If you have joined all the early craze of the iPod than you should know that these features were always were there.They just enabled them one at a time.Someone opened the firmware of the iPod and all these thing were there.....
If they make the update only available for the new iPods then I think they are MAJOR a$$holes....
I guess they are.( 100$ for .mac)

BrunoBruin · Jul 17, 2002, 02:59 PM

The new iPods aren't shipping for a couple of weeks, so I'd guess we won't see a firmware update until then. IF there is one, and I sincerely hope there is, since new features for the iPod was about the only good news I got all morning. <img border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" title="" src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" />

hamiltondj · Jul 17, 2002, 03:46 PM

posting from the floor of MWNY...

Yup the old ipods will just update to support all the new features. Asked at the apple ipod display (and got my pic taken playing with ipod for reuters).

In fact, you can go to the apple store & order just the remote & smaller ear buds right now - the oly difference between you old ipod and the new one will be the scroll wheel (I like the old one better by the way - the new one is like a track pad - it doesnt move)

Rgds

wulf · Jul 17, 2002, 04:12 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by hamiltondj:
posting from the floor of MWNY...

Yup the old ipods will just update to support all the new features. Asked at the apple ipod display (and got my pic taken playing with ipod for reuters).

In fact, you can go to the apple store & order just the remote & smaller ear buds right now - the oly difference between you old ipod and the new one will be the scroll wheel (I like the old one better by the way - the new one is like a track pad - it doesnt move)<hr /></blockquote>That's reassuring... actually it wouldn't make sense not to have a firmware upgrade - as Phobos said, features like clock could probably have been implemented from day one, and not allowing old iPods to use Calendar / iSync functions would be plain madness...

(OK $100 for .mac is plain madness, but let's not get started on that here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> )

rcr · Jul 17, 2002, 05:29 PM

OK, I just returned from the MWNY floor, and I can confirm what hamiltondj says: Multiple reps on the floor confirmed that iPod 1.2 software would be available for older iPods in 1-2 weeks, and would be exactly the same feature for feature as the new iPods.

The demo iPods on the floor were running 1.2beta (I think 54 or so).

Now the only question becomes: why didn't AAC/MP4 playback get implemented?

rcr

motti · Jul 18, 2002, 04:17 AM

Does anyone know the reason why only the 10 and 20Gb are available with a remote? i've been waiting for a remote since i bought my 5gig ipod but now i'm not sure if it will fit my ipod. and isn't there a possibility to order only the remote without the earbuds?

--motti

GORDYmac · Jul 18, 2002, 08:43 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by motti:
Does anyone know the reason why only the 10 and 20Gb are available with a remote? i've been waiting for a remote since i bought my 5gig ipod but now i'm not sure if it will fit my ipod. and isn't there a possibility to order only the remote without the earbuds?
<hr /></blockquote>Umm, yeah. hamiltondj posted that three posts above you.

I love the look of the remote. It's funny, if you look at my feature requests for iPod on Apple's discussions, everything I requested is there: remote, dynamic playlists & better earbuds. Now, add AAC and we're done!

dharder · Jul 19, 2002, 12:03 PM

Has anyone actaully HEARD the new earbuds? I would really not mind that remote thingy and certainly better quality would be best. Any impressions?

molow · Jul 19, 2002, 03:57 PM

this is really great news! I love my 10G iPod, and I'll get the 20G for my wife.

Leaping Gnome · Jul 19, 2002, 07:23 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by molow:
this is really great news! I love my 10G iPod, and I'll get the 20G for my wife.<hr /></blockquote>molow, I think you've got that backwards. Give the 10gb to your wife and buy the 20gb for yourself! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[email protected] · Jul 19, 2002, 08:49 PM

the remote seems useless to me - the ipod is it's own remote...

but my wheel is loose (the girlfriend is a breakout junkie)...solid state may be better.

the extended warrantee is nice.

and i'm glad i'll get ical.