“Call it the iPod Paradox: with each successive version, Apple’s 30-million-selling music player gets thinner and thinner, but its feature list grows longer and longer. By next year, no doubt, the iPod will act as a radio, remote control and coffee stirrer, but will be thin enough to roll up into a tube,” David Pogue writes for The New York Times. “The latest model, unveiled last week, is deliciously thin (4.2 by 2.4 by about 0.5 inches). In addition to its usual repertoire (presenting music, digital photos, calendar, address book and song lyrics), it can now play video.”
Pogue writes, “Now, there’s no such thing as a Video iPod. The new model is simply called the iPod; its thicker, videoless predecessors have gone off to the great eBay in the sky. All the debate about ‘Will anyone buy a video iPod?’ is suddenly moot, because the new model is the same excellent music player plus video.”
Pogue writes, “The biggest surprise: watching video on the tiny, 2.5-inch screen (320 by 240 pixels) is completely immersive. Three unexpected factors are at work. First, the picture itself is sharp and vivid, with crisp action that never smears; the screen is noticeably brighter than on previous iPods. Second, because the audio is piped directly into your ear sockets, it has much higher fidelity and presence than most people’s TV sets. Finally, remember that a 2.5-inch screen a foot from your face fills as much of your vision as a much larger screen that’s across the room.”
Pogue writes, “Incredibly, Apple has persuaded Disney, which owns ABC, to make available all episodes of five TV series, including ‘Lost,’ ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘That’s So Raven.’ Each show costs $1.99 — an easy impulse buy if you missed an episode. They play back beautifully, with no network logo in the corner, no yearlong wait for the DVD, and no commercials. (One 43-minute ‘hour’ of TV takes 12 minutes to download with my cable modem, and about two minutes to transfer to the iPod over its U.S.B. 2.0 cable.) …That Mr. Jobs persuaded Disney to dip its pinky toe into these waters is an impressive development — and a very promising sign.”
Full article here.
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When they invent an iPod that grabs me when I walk through the door and throws me on the couch for some hanky spanky, then I’ll be impressed. Otherwise it’s just another iPod with a new gimmick.
“Now, there’s no such thing as a Video iPod. The new model is simply called the iPod; its thicker, videoless predecessors have gone off to the great eBay in the sky. All the debate about ‘Will anyone buy a video iPod?’ is suddenly moot, because the new model is the same excellent music player plus video.”
Look, a reviewer who “gets” it! Please send this to that nimrod at MSNBC.
This is astonishing…
I had no idea it was going to be received this well.
How does Apple do it?
Thanks Mr. Pogue, I like your writing and all that, but lets face it, you’d eat SJ’s poo and call it toothpaste. Your breathless enthusiasm for all things Apple helps you to sell your (very good) books. Got no issue with that, but let’s just say you’re not un-tainted with a leee-tle bias.
Mossberg is a trusty soul who doesn’t shill for anyone. I’ll take his more modest “surprisingly decent” over your over-exuberant “completely immersive” –thankyou. But keep writing the great books, they’re boffo.
yup… what Pogue said
Quote: “When they invent an iPod that grabs me when I walk through the door and throws me on the couch for some hanky spanky, then I’ll be impressed. Otherwise it’s just another iPod with a new gimmick.”
<sarcasm>
You’re absolutely right, as we all know there is absolutely no difference between anything and anything else unless its sex. There is sex and everything else, and really that everything else doesn’t matter, they’re just gimmicks. </sarcasm>
What the hell kind of a comment was that? There’s really nothing apple or any other music player making company could do with their players that would interest you? I don’t see the point of saying something so stupid.
^ Jay — maybe it’s the hemorrhoid’s talking. You know, causing all his rage.
That, and never having been laid could do it.
I want one. This would be a terrific travel companion.
Simmer down, Jay. I don’t really want to have sex with my iPod. Here… I’ll talk slower, just for you. I…. don’t…. want…. oh, okay– you’re catching up now.
Yeesh! It was a comment made for levity, and YES I still think the video thing is a gimmick. As a music player, it’s hands down spectacular. That’s what it was made for. Anything else is just tacked on. Are you figuring it out now, Jay? The iPod could play video, clean my house, wash my dog, cook my food and the only reason I would buy it is still is for the MUSIC! Sorry about all the words I just typed here, Jay. I’m sure this will take a speedy mind like yours all day to read.
Jesus is his own iPod. His music comes from within.
If i had a rope, i’d hogtie y’all and teach you manners your mamma should have taught you.
Great read. Pogue gets it.
jay, just wait for the madonna edition ipod. it will have sex with you.
I don’t get the John Denver’s missing head name. I thought when he crashed his body was intact. Did someone steal his head? I can’t see why you would do that.
This site describes how astrology killed John Denver:
http://accessnewage.com/articles/astro/benden.htm
Apparently the moon or Vega or something had it out fro him. The internet rocks!
To Barry: If I had a rope I’d use it on YOUR mama!
Jay,
Don’t be an ass, the guy was having a joke and it was slightly funny.
Back to topic…this will probably be the iPod I buy to upgrade from a 15 gig 3G. Has all the features I want and a reasonable price for the storage size. I don’t really care for the video aspect but what the hell, if it’s there, it’s there.
Jumping Mac Flash,
Nope, the body wasn’t intact, and they never found most of the head. In fact they had to make a positive ID from his fingerprints.
A fascinating piece onhow bad interface design helped kill Denver:
http://www.asktog.com/columns/027InterfacesThatKill.html
And amazingly, somehow, John Denver’s missing head ties into bad software design, and a subtle slam against Microsoft. Whodathunkit? I love MDN!
iPod’s slowly getting there I guess. Sticking with Archos for now – which will directly record video/audio/photo too and at much higher resolution – no download/conversion/transfer of video necessary.
Is his head, like, really small?
Run it to TV. You can still use ‘phones.