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TMO Reports - Apple Announces iPod Photo; U2-Customized iPod (UPDATE)
by , 2:00 PM EDT, October 26th, 2004
SAN JOSE, Calif -- As anticipated, Apple Computer announced Tuesday the iPod Photo with a 2-inch color screen and the ability to output digital photos to a television. The new handheld device will come in a 40 gigabyte (GB) and 60GB model, at US$499 and $599, respectively.
iPod Photo, (photo below) holds up to 25,000 digital photos and displays them individually or as thumbnails on a 220 by 176 pixel TFT display. In addition to playing music files, album artwork can now be displayed on the color screen. Album artwork is displayed as a thumbnail next to the song title, and can also be viewed full screen.
The iPod Photo lets users combine music and photos to create slideshows on the iPod, and features an audio/video (A/V) out port to display slideshows on televisions and projectors.
The device has a battery life of up to 15 hours for music playback or up to 5 hours of photo slideshows. It can hold up to 25,00 photo images, depending on the size of images.
Apple also announced a special edition, black-colored U2 iPod (photo below) for $349. With its red click wheel, the new U2 iPod has a 20GB hard drive holding 5,000 songs, and it features the autographs of each U2 band member engraved on the back. It comes with an exclusive U2 poster and white iPod earbuds. It also includes an iTunes Music Store coupon for $50 off the purchase of 'The Complete U2' digital boxed set, which includes every U2 song, plus 25 rare and unreleased tracks, for a total of 400 tracks.
U2 fans not buying the special edition iPod will be able to purchase and download The Complete U2 beginning in late November for US$149.
The announcements were made at the California Theater, a classic theater in downtown San Jose. The event featured U2's Bono and The Edge, who appeared in person and played two live songs. The event was packed filled to capacity with press, music executives, and other VIP guests of Apple.
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 |
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|---|---|---|
| Bono, Steve Jobs, & The Edge |
Bono & The Edge | U2 playing |
The iPod Photo is available today, the company said. The iPod U2 Special Edition will be available in mid-November.
Observer Comments
Tue Oct 26, 2004 2:40 pm Subject: Whoo-hoo
(I posted this in response to another story; it's more germane to this one)
The iPhoto color looks cool, but I'm surprised (despite the fact that the rumors stated this) that it doesn't have a built-in way to import photos from a digital camera card (compact flash, etc). I assume it'll work with Griffin's adaptor (or an updated version of it), but it still would have been nice to have it built in.
Plus, I had heard that the Griffin adaptor is excruciating slow (to the point of being unsuable) for large photos. I shoot with a 6 megapixel DSLR, and 8+ MP cameras are becoming common. It's precisely the avid photographer, the type shoots hundreds of high-resolution photos, that would benefit from the iPod Photo. Let's hope Apple and Griffin (or another accessory maker) work together to allow us to really take advantage of this cool new gadget.
Oh, and Apple and Griffin--just let me know if you'd like me to test out these things for ya!
Quotejimothy wrote:
The iPhoto color looks cool, but I'm surprised (despite the fact that the rumors stated this) that it doesn't have a built-in way to import photos from a digital camera card (compact flash, etc).
That's a good idea, but which card format would they use? Aren't there at least five major ones battling it out?
Agreed about the cameras, but I think you're right...they're expecting other companies to fill those holes. Hopefully they'll come up with even better products to do that. (Also, true about the cards...there are many. It would have to a "camera to dock connector" kind of device that would work for everyone.)
I also just noticed the solution for PCs...it works with the Adobe photo album and Photoshop Elements organizer...not something everyone has, but at least there's a solution to buy for PC people.
Tue Oct 26, 2004 2:55 pm Subject: Re: disappointing
Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:09 pm Subject: iPhoto for windows?
Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:13 pm Subject: Re: iPhoto for windows?
Quotejumper67 wrote:
How do you use it for the poor unfortunate souls that have Windows computers?
Is there now an iPhoto for windows?
From the page:
Spent time organizing your photos using iPhoto on a Mac or either Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 on a PC?
So if you use those programs you're set...I'm a little confused, though...it says that IF you use those programs then iTunes will import the album and manage it???
Or something? I'm not clear on this. If I add MORE photos to iPhotos do they get transfered to iTunes? Do I manage my photos in iTunes or are they just there for syncing purposes?
I'm really not clear on this.
Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:31 pm Subject: Re: Answers
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
Small White Car:
In the same way that iPhoto can read the songs and playlists in the iTunes Library, iTunes 4.7 will be able to read the photos and albums in the iPhoto Photo Library (or Photoshop Elements/Album and/or My Pictures folder).
Yeah, I get WHAT it does, but (for the Mac anyway) I'm still not sure why iTunes is involved. Why can't you control the photo libraries and photo syncing in iPhoto...why is iTunes a part of that?
I can see why, on the PC side, it needs to be...but since Apple controls iPhoto I don't know why it can't just do the photo syncing without iTune's help.
I guess I'll just have to see it in action to really "get" it.
QuoteGuest wrote:
...No FM radio. Less skip protection. Thicker. Heavier. Way more expensive. At least the battery life is better. If it wasn't for the interface, there would be no reason at all to get the iPod
Hmm...I have an iPod because a portable radio isn't good enough. I don't give a hoot if Apple never adds radio to the iPod.
Anyway, the 60 GB iPod Photo is a mere 0.06 inch thicker than the regular 40 GB iPod and 0.2 oz. heavier. Those are fair trade-offs for a 25% improvement in battery life. Sheesh.
BTW, the iPod Photo includes the dock, carrying case and a special video cable. Those accessories would cost you at least $100 extra if you purchased the regular 40 GB iPod. All iPods remain a good value relative to the "competition."
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
Having the iPod transfer photos directly from a camera would be useful for storage purposes, not just for viewing. Sometimes, it's not preferable or possible to carry a laptop into the field to transfer photos to.
This may be possible through a software update and a special cable, though.
Well this IS possible:
http://www.belkin.com/ipod/cameralink/
But as someone earlier said, it works very slowly. Also, it looks pretty bulky. But it DOES exist.
What we need is for Belkin or Griffin to get ahold of one of these new iPods and make something designed to fit it and work with it. Something that fits it well...like this prodcut does:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip_mini/
Memory chips are expensive. Having 40 GB to store photos on would make these iPods MUCH cheaper than any chips you can buy. So the technology's there...they just have to make it better.
QuoteGuest wrote:
For the life of me I can't figure why they would not enable video viewing on this thing.
Uhh, 'cause they ALREADY cost $600??
Call me crazy but I don't think anyone's gonna buy an $800 iPod, even if it CAN play video. At that point, just buy an iBook and be done with it.
Just because they COULD make an iPod that plays video doesn't mean they should do it until they can make one that people can AFFORD.
You'll see it eventually, I'm certain. Just not anytime soon.
QuoteWere you actually expecting that? What would be the point? I mean honestly how often do you need to carry videos around and play them at your friends house? And each time you want to take the time to hook up the video iPod? Have you seen how cheap DVD-R's are?Guest wrote:
No video play even when hooked up to a TV.
Glad to see you aren't complaining about watching movies on the 220 by 176 screen.
QuoteWould you really like to know why they don't want lots of 3rd party developers writing iPod software? I'll tell you. It's because then you would install some poorly written software and then you would be here complaining about how crappy your iPod is because it crashes all of the time.Guest wrote:
For the life of me I can't figure why they would not enable video viewing on this thing. Which gets to a bigger problem. If they weren't such total control freaks and opened the development of software to other developers, I'm sure some 3rd party would have written video viewing software long ago.
And then of course there is the video playback. I already commented on that. But seriously the second they add video playback, you'll be here complaining about which video codecs it doesn't support.
QuoteBiff wrote:
And then of course there is the video playback. I already commented on that. But seriously the second they add video playback, you'll be here complaining about which video codecs it doesn't support.
Which reminds me...I would be VERY surprised if a video iPod worked with anything OTHER than H.264
Now, I'm sure some software will convert ANYTHING your heart desires INTO this format, but it seems to me that the cheapest and most reliable way to make a video iPod is to make it support only ONE kind of video, and of course, that's what they'll go with.
Like I said, probably you can convert anything at all to it when the time comes, but I'm willing to bet that will be the case.
QuoteGuest wrote:
This product is significant because it represents Apple's pace of product developement..Apple notoriously rests upon its laurals..can't blame Motorola and IBM for this one.
We're talking camera, phone, MPG players, video, FM radio, etc and etc. This other companies are going to start getting it right, and Apple does not compete. Innovate yes, compete NO!!
So Apple should start making cameras, phones, video recorders and radios? Why? Lots of people already do that. Apple _competes_ where they see a market they can affect.
Tue Oct 26, 2004 4:58 pm Subject: Re: iPod as a HD
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
The color iPod has an AV connector. I wonder if you can attach it to a camera and use th iPod as a HD for the camera.
Or connect the iPod via Firewire or USB to the camera. Problem would be Apple would need to collaborate with a Camera maker.
That would be more useful.
Again, it's possible now:
http://www.belkin.com/ipod/cameralink/
But from what I hear, this one is kind of slow. Of course, that may be a limitation of the iPod itself. I have no idea.
QuoteWell for starters trying buying another tape. Or bring more tapes if you are gonna be somewhere that you can't buy tapes. I mean these are all wonderful ideas guys but seriously how niche are these features? If Apple is going to spend the resources to add features they need to be things that the majority of the public would actually use!Guest wrote:
But that is for still digital cameras. What about miniDV cameras? Also, if you can record directly to the iPod, then you should be able to watch directly on the computer.
It would be great when you are on vacation and run out of tape.
Tue Oct 26, 2004 5:26 pm Subject: On second thought.
Tue Oct 26, 2004 5:29 pm Subject: Does anyone else get the feeling...
...that Apple is just following a long-term, well-though-out master plan of product releases that ultimately will fit together like puzzle pieces? Slowly but surely Apple is making sure that each component of iLife has a consumer-oriented device associated with it. Wwill we really be THAT surprised when an "iPod Movie" device comes out?
It reminds me a bit of the BASF ads. Apple is saying: "We don't make the digital camera. We make using your digital camera better." Apple precisely enters a category and sideswipes the competition with something so brilliant that everyone wonders why nobody thought of it that way before!
The iPod Photo revives a very old tradition too: keeping a few photos in your wallet. This device will even appeal to grandparents, who now can carry around hundreds of grandkid and vacation photos wherever they go.... can home movies be too far behind?
-Ken P
Tue Oct 26, 2004 6:49 pm Subject: Re: iPod as a HD
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
But that is for still digital cameras. What about miniDV cameras? Also, if you can record directly to the iPod, then you should be able to watch directly on the computer.
It would be great when you are on vacation and run out of tape.
I really doubt that the tiny hard drives in those things could capture DV video without dropping frames. Just my feeling, anyway.
And besides, one DV tape can hold 60 minutes of video. If a tape costs $7, then...
...that's like, 60 cents per GB for tape, while an iPod is $8.30 per gigabyte. As was said above...buy more tape!
The iPod is starting to approach the iBook's territory. With only a $300 dollar difference between the low end iBook and the high end iPod, I think I would buy the 12" iBook.
My biggest problem with the iPod is that my 20gig is less than 6 months old and they have released, what, 2 more versions since then? Same with my Yosemite. I had it less than 4 months before the G4 came out. If Apple is willing to give me a good trade in on my 20gigger I would opt for a photopod.[/b]
Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:25 pm Subject: Re: U2.... ewwww...
QuoteGuest wrote:
ummm... I liked them back in 1989,
LOL ... um, then you only liked Joshua Tree... which actually doesn't give you any reason to Ewww... at this. At least U2 can say they write their songs, sing their songs, and actually play instruments. Let's see... Zooropa, Achtung Baby, Pop ... with the new album coming out, that'll be fourteen albums. Not all of the tracks good, but certainly a majority that are either timeless, hummable, or a snapshot of that times' world issues. Can't really say that about a lot of current bands today... not without lying.
Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:28 pm Subject: Just a thought...