So the big announcements:
iTunes 5.0
iTunes 5.0 is available for download from Apple.com. New features include a redesigned look with the ability to organize playlists into folders. An improved shuffle feature called “smart shuffle”. You can now control the frequency of how you hear songs from the same artist of album. There are also now parental controls. The biggest new feature for Windows is users is the ability to sync their Outlook calendars and address book with the iPod.
“Motorola ROKR” iTunes phone
Works like an iPod Shuffle built into your phone. Connects via a USB cable and holds about 100 songs. Service in the US will be carried by Cingular
iPod Nano
New iPod will replace the existing iPod Mini. The iPod Nano uses flash memory and has a 14-hour rechargeable battery. The Nano will connect via a USB 2.0 cable and uses the standard 30-pin iPod docking connector so it is compatible with all existing iPod accessories. It features a color screen, is half as thick as the iPod Mini, comes in two colors (Black or White) and is available in 2 sizes 2GB and 4GB at $199.00 (USAD) and $249.00 (USD) respectively
I just heard… and saw…. Wow.
Finally a full function iPod with flash memory. No more corrupt HDDs and iPOD repairs. An iPOD you can use with out the worry of dropping it or “shock” damage.
I am an adventure sports nut, so this makes me happy. Tunes, while snowboarding, kayaking, and mountain biking.
Steve Jobs has done it again with this product. This will be sold out. Get it while you can.
I think this is just incredible, it is amazing how everytime Apple manages to blow your mind.
I can only say I want one!!!!
THis is so cool. iPodNano, I first thought its a joke, your remember the iPod Fly, joke?
Ah, well I love it.
Fantastico!!!
All i cant say is holy crap….
THIS IS AMAZING!!!! I cant believe apple, they will perfect this world soon. Its half the thickness of normal ipod. HOLY CRAP!!!! Yeah this is sweet though!!!! I love it and want one, the headphone jack on the bottom would get annoying though. And it is so thin i would be scared to snap it in half!!!! ITS SO COOL THOUGH!
BYE BYE MINI!! I WILL MISS YOU
oh yeah it comes in black too!
The Motorola ROKR really disappointed me in both features and how it’s designed. If I’d go for a digital music player/phone combo, I’d definitely choose something like the Sony Ericsson W800 which looks fantastic compared to ROKR.
Just because it’s got iTunes is not enough for me to run and buy it. Frankly, I was expecting a lot more from a product that is connected to the Apple brand. Since this iTunes phone has been talked about for so long and its release date was pushed back so many times, I’m left to wonder, did it have anything to do with Apple being dissatisfied with the end result or was it something else? Whatever it was, I’m definitely disappointed.
iPod nano on the other hand is looking pretty awesome! It’s a clear hybrid of Shuffle and the original iPod with the Shuffle’s longer frame and iPod original’s overall look (white front, click wheel, metal back)… I guess Apple wanted to get rid of anything too colorful in its product line with nixing iPod mini from the catalogue.
This might sound weird coming from an iPod mini (1st gen, green) owner, but I say, good job… keep it simple and elegant.
iTunes 5… cleaner interface but why the less rounder and less anti-aliased corners in the window? I like things smooth and iTunes 5 has really “hard” corners now and it might be a small thing for some but I don’t like it.
Yea, I thought it was a joke at first, too.
Looks really cool.
This is awesome – I’ve just ordered one from the UK site. Need to wait the 5 days while they engrave and deliver it.
Counting down now – 5000, 4999, 4998, 4997……………
Wow!
How do Apple get all the World wide distribution in place for such a quick turnaround and still manage to make an announcement that stuns everyone?
Sony and Microsoft must be wondering what’s hit them!
Just F*CK*NG AWESOME!!!
Apple just has about the perfect marketing strategy to convert everyone to a mac user…
WAY TO GO APPLE (y) !
ps adam , very nice show !
re the iPod Nano. My mockup wasn’t too far out…
http://maccast.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=474&highlight=ipod
What really rakes my coals is the fact that Apple goes through all the trouble to release the Ipod Nano today and turn it into some international event, but none of the Apple stores have them in stock!! How ill-planned and rude to generate the excitement, and then land a major disappointment on folks who, like me, want to buy today.
I give a big thumbs-up for the Nano, but a major raspberry and thumbs-down for the execution.
The iPod nano is sweet. This will outsell everything. Everything else is crap compared to this unless you need more capacity than 4GB. All Creative has now is their silly patent threat. People who complain there’s no FM radio don’t realize that FM sucks when you have iTunes, and AM sucks if you have podcasts.
wow…i think this might be a step back actually.
yes the design is VERY sweet, but one of the main selling points of the mini was that it was availible in multiple colors, and now with only black and white to choose from, it might turn some potential buyers away.
“People who complain there’s no FM radio don’t realize that FM sucks when you have iTunes, and AM sucks if you have podcasts.” – Ryan Gray
Can’t be stated any better than that.
GreenAlien, any thoughts on the lottery numbers for this weekend? You’re mock up is remarkibly close to the real thing. Adam better lookout for Apple lawyers wanting to shut down http://www.maccast.com like they are trying to do with http://www.thinksecret.com.
What I like the most of the new iPod nano is the placement of the head phones jack. It makes much better sense to have in on the bottom of the device.
I can’t wait to hear the next episode Adam!
“Adam better lookout for Apple lawyers wanting to shut down http://www.maccast.com like they are trying to do with http://www.thinksecret.com.” -Frank Burcar
What do you mean??? Maccast is getting shut down?!?!
The competition tries to catch up with the iPod mini only to discover an empty chrysalis. Although, if you go to http://www.apple.com/ipodmini you still get the mini page in the store, but the buy buttons don’t work. Good for a last look at the mini.
What if Apple added Bluetooth to the iPod not to give you wireless music (unless BT2 makes the sound okay), but so that the iPod could be a headset to any Bluetooth phone? You keep the phone tucked away, and the iPod becomes the interface for the phone when you get a call, and with sync’ed contacts in the iPod, it could dial them as well. Technically, the phone would not need it’s own UI even – just a radio, antenna and battery in a case…
Simply Beautiful! Apple outdoes themselves every time. Gorgeous new iPod. I really love the sleek white or black finish. It’s so thin too! You just know there are very nice circuits inside the nano. It’s gonna be a very hot seller. Congratulations Apple.
In short:
iPod nano stole the show. Freaking Amazing! I have 35 GB of music, but I’d choose an iPod nano over an iPod any day.
iTunes 5 works great, but looks cheap compared to iTunes 4. What’s with the hard edges and where did the brushed alluminum go?
The ROKR is a major disappointment. It looks ugly, only plays music (big deal when the the iPod nano is smaller and has way more storage), and the server is Cingular (a company I have nothing but troubles with daily).
I got my iPod Nano this afternoon!!!! Woohoo!!
Check out the comments and the photos… http://jasonandcodi.com/2005/09/ipod-nano-arrives.html
Hilarious!
This was the day they were supposed to usher in the age of iTunes phones and WHAM! it was upstaged by the nano!
I wonder if Steve thought that the ROKR was such a dog that they’d need to give the crowd something to cheer about. Hmmmm.
Dear Adam & MacCast world,
I just finished my 26th hour with my iPod Nano. I can report with certainty and a great deal of happiness that this is an awesome product!
GOOD NEWS:
As for the size… this is probably the first and only circumstance where a guy has been happy to hear “Ohh! It’s sooo tiny!” Yeah baby!
The color screen is bright and clear. The colors are nicely saturated; not washed out or dull like some other small color screens (cell phones, PDAs, etc.). The screen stays bright and clear even bright sunlight! The clicking and scrolling action is smooth and fast, much faster than my just-eBayed iPod mini.
I brought the Nano to show my bank manager. “Excuse me while I whip this out…” Within 10 seconds, every bank employee had left their desks and crowded around to see the fresh, tiny goodness. Lots of “ooh wow”” and “that’s wild!” comments were passed around. It was a social event, I tell you!
BAD NEWS:
I had some trouble figuring out how to get my photos sync’d with the iPod Nano. I tried a number of options without luck. I went to the Apple site to look for a how-to section on the Nano. Nothing was to be found. Why is Apple so far behind on this product?! They should have support docs online the minute the product is announced. Anyway, I finally figured out the iTunes photo sync option and was totally blown away. iTunes automatically resizes the photos for you – quickly and with no pixellation! They look as good as they did on the viewfinder of my Rebel XT, only 1/2 the size now.
A number of attempts to sync Outlook contacts on one home computer have all resulted in “unknown error -50” messages. It just won’t do it.
I was unable to register the Nano due to the fact that the online registration site had not been given a Nano option. Woops again to Apple.
As for sound quality, it does rank in the “frikin awesome” category quite well, however I notice a slight – a very very slight – difference between the mini and the Nano. I have a particular studio recording that I use to test MP3 players and pro headphones. With top-of-the-line player/headphone combos, there are sound elements clearly perceptible (background elements like the faint inhaling and exhaling of the singer, scuffle of fingernails on the piano keys, etc.). With the standard iPod these elements are clear as day. With the mini, they’re quite perceptible, but not totally life-like. With the Nano, I found I had to crank the volume way up to hear the same sounds, and even then there was a slight dullness to the output. Granted, I’m giving the Nano an almost-unfair test, but I think that there are others out there who want the same aural pleasure that I want. The Nano gives about 95%.
OVERALL OPINION:
OMFG. I love it and I wish everyone could have one. I am very, very happy with my purchase. I highly recommend it to all potential buyers, even if you already have another iPod.
I do have a few pics of the Nano in case you’re interested in comparative size. Check out the comments and the photos… http://jasonandcodi.com/2005/09/ipod-nano-arrives.html