“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
Al now i see the problem. I was raising several different issues in my original post. I am sorry if you found that confusing.
One point was: people suggesting that Firewire is now a legacy port and thus Apple has no need to support it were wrong. I think you and I both think that comparing floppies to Firewire is silly.
The above point is separable from whether or not Apple should bundle only one cable. This latter issue is not terribly interesting to me anymore as the ground has been well trodden by others.
I’ve put a lot of thought into this since yesterday. I guess us Mac diehards should just suck it up and let Apple do what they feel is best. I guess our best approach would be to use the reverse psyche and make this into a positive thing. Show Apple your loyalty to FireWire and buy your FireWire cable with your iPod purchase and let that salesman (or saleswoman) that you’re spending that $20 extra for the better solution.
MDN Magic Word: “moral”
“oh yeah” and I want Apple to come whipe my ass every day also”
Apple is NOT dropping firewire (that CNET article was moronic). It is NOT disrespecting ANY Mac users. This is just a matter of keeping costs down to the minimum. Apple is after the Mass Market in Audio Players unlike what they had done in Computers. If your keeping costs down why would you include 2 ways of connecting to a computer? For the vast majority of users, doing so would mean that one cable gets left in the box unused. Doing so then would be what Apple used to do as a boutique seller of computers. Give lots of extras but sell it for a higher price. Doing this would let competitors in because they DON’T include all the extras. Why? because for the Mass market PRICE is most important factor in purchaces. What’s been the main knock against buying a Mac? Higher prices.
People complaining about not having all the extras are basically complaining that Apple Is playing to WIN. How screwed up can you get? If you have a problem with what Apples done here you need to seriously educate yourself on Economics and Marketing.
Apple should at least offer the buyer the option of getting a firewire cable on the online store. That would take very little effort on their part and would show that they listen to and support their most loyal customers. Other companies spend MILLIONS of dollars trying to build the kind of brand loyalty Apple enjoys. Apple should at least make sure that they do the footwork to maintain the loyalty of the mac user community.
Maybe someday Apple may re-port the iPod to work on Macs. Write in so they may support legacy firewire connections as well.
Apple finally got a whiff of the money in the Windows world and they ain’t not looking back.
Up next:
FCP for Windows
OSX for Windows.
Apple WinX hardware – Dual Opteron w/all the latest and greatest never released on a Mac (at hundreds lower than a Mac)
—
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”raspberry” style=”border:0;” /> And in case you’re unable to tell… this is merely a joke.
HAHAHA… Yep… got all that from Apple not including FW with their iPod bundle.
Maybe someday Apple may re-port the iPod to work on Macs. Write in so they may support legacy firewire connections as well.
Apple finally got a whiff of the money in the Windows world and they ain’t not looking back.
Up next:
FCP for Windows
OSX for Windows.
Apple WinX hardware – Dual Opteron w/all the latest and greatest never released on a Mac (at hundreds lower than a Mac)
—
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”raspberry” style=”border:0;” /> And in case you’re unable to tell… this is merely a joke.
HAHAHA… Yep… got all that from Apple not including FW with their iPod bundle.
If Steve wakes up one morning and decides to port OSX to Intel, I guess 911 operators will be working through their smoke breaks.
The day this happens, will be the same day Ford starts dropping 350 Chevy engines into Mustang GTs rather than the usual 302 Ford engines. In short, it ain’t gonna happen!
From the ipod site on apple.com
Mac system requirements
Macintosh computer with USB 2.0 or FireWire port
This shows that Apple knows that all the mac users without a USB 2.0 port will require the firewire cable.
If you bitch loud enough, they will give you one. If you already have had the last two generations of iPods and still have a cable, what’s the problem?
I really think you are over reacting to this. Very few PCs come with FireWire, while they all come with USB. And all Macintoshes since 1998 come with USB. This is simply a smart cost-cutting move on Apple’s part to try to sell as many iPods to as many people as possible. Lighten up.
Klaatu,
According to Apple, the iPod requires a mac with firewire or USB 2.0
Can we have FOUR articles a day about this boring non-issue?
Three is not enough.
Oh, the pain of Mac users! Such a slap in our faces!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
It’s a slightly-faster cable, once standard but seldom useful, now optional.
Who… CARES???
The next versions of iPods will no doubt ship with neither cable “for our customer’s convenience”.
b,
So go buy the FireWire cable for $20 and feel good that you didn’t get the “free” one last week with your more-expensive, less featureful iPod.
As a Mac user, you are still better of now than you were last week. And, the vast majority of iPod purchasers don’t have to spend extra money on a cable that is useless to them (and consequently pay more for the product that contains the FireWire cable).
The next thing you know, people will be bitching that their electronic devices didn’t include batteries. You know, power is a requirement to run electronic devices. Or that their Mac mini doesn’t have a keyboard and mouse or monitor.
zupchuck,
I don’t understand why you still don’t get it. The point is this:
The average mac user pays more than the average pc user.
It has nothing to do with comparing the price of this generation and the last one. You keep bringing that up. stop.
Right on zapchuck.
Principle my ass, your talking about a $20 cable.
Right now, Apple has the perfect trojan horse ie the iPod. People are buying Macs and learning more cos’ they are impressed with the iPod.
You guys who are blinded by this stupid principle crap are the types that would sink Apple.
Get over it. If you want Apple to expand it’s share of the marketplace, support them!!
b,
So the objection is that the vast majority of iPod purchasers (PC users) get a greater discount (even if lower transfer performance) that the Mac owners? Niether side is spending more than before (and that is relevant), neither side is being denied features of the iPod by being a PC user or Mac user.
If the PC user wanted FireWire connectivity, then they would have to spend more for syncing their iPod than a Mac user. Why is it wrong to ask a customer to spend a little money for a cable with enables greater time savings, but OK to ask most of the customers to pay for a cable they find is useless (in the case of the PC user)?
And yes, it does have something to do with comparing product generations. Tell me why progress (more features, less over-all price regardless of configuration) is irrelevant? Because your Mac doesn’t have USB 2.0? If so, buy a new Mac and save yourself the cost of a the FireWire cable. Or buy last week’s iPod.
I used to work at an Apple retailer; the markup on computer cables at all retailers is huge – gross margins of 75+ %, and you know that Belkin and the rest are making their profit in selling to the retailer. So, Apple, in buying millions, could get the cost of a FireWire cable to a very low point. I think taking care of your loyal Apple customers, and maintaining mindshare for FireWire, is more important than cutting costs and boosting retail profits by forcing customers to buy a high-margin cable at retail price. Include the FireWire cable.
zupchuck,
I don’t understand why you think it is relevant to compare this generation and the last one, but hows this:
before, the average pc user paid the same as the average mac user
now the average pc user pays less than the average mac user
It is not wrong to ask a customer to “spend a little money for a cable with enables greater time savings”. But for the average mac user, Apple is asking them to pay $20 for the ipod requirements. Out of the box, most macs don’t meet the iPods basic requirements. Since these are Apple computers, it is Apples fault that they don’t.
Apple is taking care of it’s base. The iPod consumer base. Which is largely PC users without FireWire.
Apple starts making inroads, and the Mac “faithful” get all bitchy. I’m ecstatic you people are not on the board of directors.
You people are crazy, and this debate has gone on too long. I just plug my Pod into my ADC connector……..
b,
I don’t know what to say. Buy a PC? Spend less (and get less) than average Mac user. It’s not like you have to spend more to get the same experience as the PC user.
USB 2.0 has been out 18 months on Macs. If your older Mac doesn’t have it, buy a USB card for $20. If you can’t add one in, buy a FireWire cable, or last weeks iPod or a PC or find a PC friend with an extra cable.
You see, anybody who bought a Mac within the last 18 months has both USB 2.0 and FireWire. That seems reasonable to me. If you don’t want to upgrade your whole kit, pick up the FireWire cable – you’re still spending less and getting more than last week’s iPod offering. Which, when you compare it to all the current iPod owners, is spending less than the average iPod user.
zupchuck,
I have a iPod mini already, so this doesn’t affect me. An 18 month old mac shouldn’t be considered an old mac by Apple.
And still with this??
” you’re still spending less and getting more than last week’s iPod offering. Which, when you compare it to all the current iPod owners, is spending less than the average iPod user.”
before, the average pc user paid the same as the average mac user
now the average pc user pays less than the average mac user