“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
Does this mean that we can finally use our iPods and iSights at the same time? Everyone remembers that problem, right? Maybe that’s another reason for the change.
I don’t think Firewire is disappearing soon as some people seem to be concerned. It’s becoming a standard for vehicle AV wireing and already plays big part in home and building automation and AV delivery. The new HDTV’s also have it as well as the AV receivers. Since it’s the only protocol used in AV and computers others like USB have long way to go.
I wonder if Apple is aware of all the problems reported in their own iPod forum that windows users have with USB 2 connections? My heart goes out to all those helpers there who until now suggested to buy a firewire card. Using a firewire port used to solve all these issues.
mike k.
Firewire is not a legacy port, USB 1.0 is a legacy port. A device like a camera or a printer or an iPod that requires USB 2.0 will not work propperly on your legacy USB 1.0 port. Upgrade or buy a FW cable.
Get it now?
Tough titty.
Please stop the whining, us Mac users! The price cut on all the iPod is more than enough to offset the cost of a Fire Wire cable. It is not that iPod will not work with FireWire at all, it will work with both USB and FW so stop the complain. It is another excuse for PC bigots to rag us.
Chuckie C,
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.
I don’t understand. Everyone here freaked when AAPL was at $13 dollars and now that AAPL is close to $90 and PC users are driving Apple profits nowadays, Apple decides to save some cash on a Firewire cord, Mac users freak out again. You are either freaking about $13 dollar stock or a Firewire cord. Oh no, PC + Mac! What is this world coming to. Jobs does not have to run everything past you people. If Steve wakes up one morning and decides to port OSX to Intel, I guess 911 operators will be working through their smoke breaks.
Maybe now Mac users will understand Apple is just another “business”. Make more money. Look good to a potential merger/buyer.
Get a grip people…
b,
Then buy last week’s iPod, it comes with a “free” FireWire cable….
If you want more, you pay more. I guess the fact that “more” actually costs less than it did with iPod that came with the “free” FireWire cable is lost on you.
“The AC adapter and the Cradle to Firewire cable cost $49 retail when bought thought the Apple store. Therefore the only thing really new about the 4G iPod mini is the longer battery life and and the cosmetic changes. The price drop is a myth.”
the price drop isn’t a myth. its a reality. its $50 cheaper to get a 4g iPod mini that is fully functional, AND has twice the battery life.
a petition? lol.
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.
Al reading is your friend. For example:
mike k. said:
Firewire is not a legacy port, stop it with the floppy analogies
no need to reply. I’m embarassed enough for you as it stands.
Your Mac (or PC) has a USB port yes? Then FireWire is not essential by your logic. The fact that the vast majority of customers don’t have FireWire ports and had to pay more for a useless cable doesn’t get these people in an uproar.
>MDN wrote: And exactly whose fault is it that we’re in the damn minority anyway?
It’s yours, you bought a Mac!
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—
Teasing aside (as true as it is), I think that’s what makes Mac fans the way they are – fiercely loyal. They’re the snubbed underdogs. They’re the kid who gets pushed around and fights back and holds his own.
Apple with large market share is very different company than Apple with low market share.
>MDN wrote: And exactly whose fault is it that we’re in the damn minority anyway?
It’s yours, you bought a Mac!
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—
Teasing aside (as true as it is), I think that’s what makes Mac fans the way they are – fiercely loyal. They’re the snubbed underdogs. They’re the kid who gets pushed around and fights back and holds his own.
Apple with large market share is very different company than Apple with low market share.
“Chuckie C,
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.”
All Mac owners on this board have always bragged about having to pay more for better quality. I remember so many “Ford to BMW” comparisons, remember? You should, it probably was just in a post from two days back. You know what I’m talking about. Don’t pretend you don’t. Well, here you go. Your wish is Apple’s command. Now you have to pay more. Ask and ye shall receive.
Mac users better be careful what they ask for. You can’t have PC users infiltrate your precious camp without paying a price. You’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg. You’re gonna pay the price…
The firewire cable is essential for most mac users (at this time). USB1 is too slow.
Take note of the last sentence. And no one ever paid more for the firewire cable.
>MDN wrote: And exactly whose fault is it that we’re in the damn minority anyway?
It’s yours – you bought a Mac!
… thought it was worth repeating!
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>MDN wrote: And exactly whose fault is it that we’re in the damn minority anyway?
It’s yours – you bought a Mac!
… thought it was worth repeating!
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Hurst Golden Girl,
I never bragged. I never made the bmw/Ford comparison. Obviously “all” mac users here don’t agree on everything
Here is a USB 2.0 vs. FireWire speed test article (an exerpt):
Theoretical speeds and our observations
Don’t be confused by the rated speeds you see emblazoned across USB 2.0 and FireWire product boxes. Despite USB 2.0’s 80 Kbps speed advantage over FireWire, our testing showed that the additional overhead of USB 2.0 made it slower than FireWire. For high-bandwidth devices such as external hard drives, the difference was as high as 70 percent. On a positive note, we noticed that the CPU usage of each interface was similar on our Pentium 4 1.3-GHz test system. During a 1.54GB data transfer from our system’s internal hard drive to an external drive, USB 2.0 averaged 40 percent CPU usage compared to 37 percent for FireWire.
http://www.g4tv.com/freshgear/features/39129/USB_20_Versus_FireWire.html
People, the iPod interface DID NOT CHANGE! It still supports USB 2.0; it still supports Firewire. The ONLY difference is the cable that is supplied. This does not mean that USB 2.0 is the preferred iPod connection. Both are supported equally through the dock connector. I agree with the notion that the iPod should come with a cable, but you should be allowed to choose which type you need at the time of purchase.
Firewire did (and will) not go away. It is used as the connection of choice on digital camcorders, and for audio and video editting work for its sustained data rates that USB 2.0 can’t deliver.
mike k.
Apple is selling iPod’s that are now, in effect, USB 2.0 devices just like any other USB 2.0 device. If you want one you have to upgrade to USB 2.0 or buy a handy cable that turns the iPod into a FW 400 device.
Why can’t you get your head around that?
In other news, due to the fact that the majority of computers are PC’s with floppy drives, Apple will now distribute all iTunes software exclusively on floppy.
Sorry Mac users. Floppies are better because they’re more popular.
Pfft.
In other news, due to the fact that the majority of computers are PC’s with floppy drives, Apple will now distribute all iTunes software exclusively on floppy.
Sorry Mac users. Floppies are better because they’re more popular.
Pfft.
Disrespected?
What, is MDN a jilted rap artist now?
By the god damn cable and shut up. Chances are, you already own a firewire cable (or dock) with your current iPod, so big fucking deal.