“FireWire is still Apple Computer’s baby, but the proud parent is cutting the cord. With the latest crop of iPods, Apple is no longer including a FireWire cable in the box. The music players will still work with FireWire, if a cord is purchased separately, but only a USB 2.0 cable comes with the device. The move is part of a gradual shift on Apple’s part to standardize the iPod on USB, which is far more common in the Windows world,” Ina Fried reports for CNET News.
MacDailyNews Take: Is “cutting the cord” or “knifing the baby” more appropriate to use when describing the situation?
“Although Apple’s embrace has been gradual over several years, it is still a big shift for a company that helped develop the standard behind FireWire, technically known as IEEE 1394, and has been one of its biggest proponents,” Fried reports. “Some Mac owners were rankled by the move, saying that as recently as a year or two ago many Macs didn’t include a USB 2.0 port. As of Wednesday night, more than 1,300 people had signed an online petition calling on Apple to again include a FireWire cable with iPods.”
“When the iPod debuted in 2001, it used only FireWire, and even the second crop of iPods–the first to support Windows–lacked USB support entirely. It wasn’t until April 2003, with the dock connector-based iPods, that Apple first offered a USB 2.0 option. And then it was USB 2.0, which had to be bought separately as a $19 extra,” Fried reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: The Apple iPod boxes used to read “Mac+PC.” Apple iPod boxes now read “PC+Mac.” Mac users ought to be able to “do the math” and get used to being treated by Apple as second class iPod users from here on out. Shareholders should be happy that Apple has a “money talks” attitude. Mac users, especially long-time Mac users, should be wary. Unless your Mac is less than 1 or 2 years old, you’ll have FireWire ports, but only USB 1.1 which transfers files much more slowly than USB 2.0 and does not carry enough power to charge an iPod. (And, by the way, even USB 2.0 can’t compare to FireWire 400 for sustained data transfer rates). Apple’s attitude toward most Mac users seems to be, “you’re in the minority, go buy the extra cord” or the usual “go buy a new Mac.” Getting “taxed” by Apple for being a Mac user really rubs us the wrong way. And exactly whose fault is it that we’re in the damn minority anyway?
What do we want from Apple? Respect for Mac users. In fact, we want better, we want preferential treatment for Mac users; it’s well-deserved. We also want Apple to provide to consumers the choice between a FireWire or USB 2.0 connectivity cable from (at least) the online Apple Store at the time of purchase for no extra charge. It’s not the lousy twenty bucks, it’s the principle. Do the right thing, Apple.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Apple should include a combo FireWire and USB 2.0 cable in every iPod box – February 24, 2005
Petition to Apple for iPod FireWire support posted online – February 23, 2005
Apple knifing its own FireWire baby by pushing USB 2.0 as iPod’s primary connectivity option – February 23, 2005
damm…
Most people here still don’t get it, apparently they can’t read. It’s the principal not the price. Quoting my self from yesterday:
This is Apple treating Mac owners as second class citizens. That’s the disturbing part. It doesn’t affect me personally, I have an iPod with firewire cable. But in the last couple of years, I’ve talked a few people over to macs and they don’t have iPods yet. In fact, I just told my nephew last week to hold off on an iPod until later this month. Now if he goes and buys an iPod, he’ll have to cough up another $20 he wouldn’t have had to if he had stuck with a pc. 2 years ago, no mac shipped with usb2. ibook, powerbook, imac switched to usb2 in the fall of 2003, less than a year and a half ago. The emac switched over less than a year ago. I think that “Steve Jobs” said succinctly above (11:51 am post).
Given that Macs are solid performers for at least 3 years, to me, it makes sense to make this move, but not for another year. Or have some sort of trade program.
Does this mean Apple won’t ship a 5 inch floppy drive on my Mac Mini when it ships in two weeks?
Apple was never afraid of leaving behing legacy ports and devices. We are all proud of them for leaving behind the floppy drive.
If you are stuck with USB 1.0, tough titty.
My suggestion is to send Apple feedback through there iPod feedback page. Let them know politely that you would like to have a firewire cable included along with the USB cable so Mac users get the same value for there money as the people who use it with a PC. Mac users should not be forced to pay more for something that they have been using for years. FIREWIRE.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipod.html
What the hell is this discussion about ?!?!?
Isn’t that narrow hole in front of your G5 a USB2 jack? And at the back of your iMac G5 too? Even iMacs G4 sold after 09-2003 sport USB2. So what’s the fuzz? Better buy a new Mac if you can’t stand buying this additional cable for 20 bucks!
I think what Apple should do is include a coupon in the box that can be redeemed for a Firewire cable, only those who really need or want it would get it. I would guess most PC users would not get it unless they had firewire on their computers.
A somehow related issue: I was a somehwat annoyed also that the Airport Express does not come with the extension power cord, the only way to get the extension power cord is to pay $40 an accessory kit which contains a couple of other cables I already own. I don’t mind a paying a few bucks for the extension cord but $40 for it seems a bit much especially when the device its self is $130
The Dude,
I agree. Steve obviously knows how to run the company. And it’s comforting to know that he has no intention of letting Apple shrink into oblivion, as can be seen by its broader target. I also agree that, for the moment, this is a little thing.
My main reason for arguing was because many people here think that our motive for concern is due to our wanting to save a few bucks, which is entirely not the case. All of us want to see Apple succeed while continuing to produce elegant products. Thus, some of us are concerned that Apple might be shifting its focus away from the product itself. Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. In any case, Apple has shown that it is capable of producing cheaper products without sacrificing quality and elegance (Mac mini) and if it continues to do so, then this FireWire issue will have been completely unnecessary. However, it is important if this is the beginning of a new trend for Apple. Only time will tell whether our concerns are justified. In this case is just seems that the cost aspect outweighed the product itself. Next month hopefully this whole thing will have been forgotten when Apple releases its next innovative product.
I agree with MDNWS on this one that it is the principle of this matter. Mac users shouldn’t be made to pay extra for the same product. Especially a firewire cable which Apple helped invent. Putting priority on the PC folks is not fair to the Apple faithful who have supported Apple all along. That’s what the uproar is about.
The firewire cable is essential for most mac users (at this time). USB1 is too slow. The iPod should come with essential equipment. Docks, remotes, power adapters, etc. are non-essential.
All ya morons. Shut the fuckup and use USB or buy that fucking cable.
$20 for FW cable, wow, I’m in wrong business, but hey maybe I should go to the local store, buy them for $2 and sell them over the web for $5.
who cares about the firewire. The rest of the planet uses USB, so go after the big market share. I support anything that makes my AAPL share price go up
*Yawn* Blink, blink.
What’s the principal? Apple lowers the price significantly (more than the price of the FireWire cable that MOST customers have no use for), adds features and you are complaining about getting more for less?
Perhaps if there were a build-to-order option (select cable, USB or FireWire), that might be more satisfactory. But still, methinks thou dost protest too much.
You want Apple to pay for a cable that most people never use? And you want Apple to make sound financial judgements? And lower its prices so more people can experience Apple products and maybe buy a Mac?
Then the cable gets killed, and you need to get a life.
Jake, is that you? How come you no call me no more?
Apple does like Adobe did for DTP: PC first then Mac!
MDN is so melodramatic.
Go back to your soap opera’s and leave the mac reporting to others.
zupchuck, since you asked, it’s a significant amount of mac owners have to pay more!!! It’s not the $20 (too much for a $2 cable).
I was told that it supports the cable connection on the dock. Which will be packaged with a USB cable. Well I already have 3 iPods so if I get another one I should be able to use the existing cable instead of get something I really don’t need. Am I right? Or am I the only one with spare docks laying around?
b,
Pay more than what for what? The lesser offering from last week? The point is, you are getting more for less $$$$ than last week even if you buy the cable.
Is that bad?!
Show me how you are worse off (ie, out of more $$$ from your pocket) than last week in this scenario.
Welcome to the world of consumer electronics, folks.
Has anyone done some testing/comparisons between iPod USB 2.0 vs. FireWire?
zupchuck, it’s that a significant amount of mac owners have to pay more!!! Not more than they paid last week, more than others have to pay now.
Here we go again:
– Firewire is not a legacy port, stop it with the floppy analogies
– a simple walk-in exchange program would make the problem go away
– nobody cares about Mac users more than SJ. Stop it with the chicken little omens
– the iPod is no longer a luxury product. Compare what used to come in the box with what is now included. Remote, dock, cases, firewire cable are now gone.