Apple today announced iPod Hi-Fi, an all-new high-fidelity speaker system that works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system. iPod Hi-Fi delivers breathtaking acoustic performance and room-filling sound unlike any other speaker system designed for the iPod in an innovative, all-in-one design that can be powered from a wall socket or by six D-cell batteries. iPod Hi-Fi is easily controlled by the Apple Remote for an amazing stereo experience in any room in the house.
“Apple is reinventing the home stereo with the new iPod Hi-Fi, the first iPod accessory that adds true high-fidelity sound quality to the iPod,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO in the press release. “iPod Hi-Fi’s unrivaled acoustic performance and stunning design is at home in any room in the house.”
iPod Hi-Fi has been designed and engineered by Apple to deliver unrivaled sound quality, realistic sound imaging and optimal audio performance. Its clean, all-in-one design features a unique isolated enclosure system that includes two custom designed wide-range speakers and a tuned, ported bass system, minimizing vibration while maximizing sound quality and allowing users to listen to their favorite music as it was intended with amazing sound clarity and rich, deep bass. iPod Hi-Fi features handles to easily transport your stereo anywhere, a removable front grille with precision-mounting clips, touch-sensitive volume control buttons, the Apple Remote for easy song and volume control from anywhere in the room, a universal power supply incorporated into the all-in-one design so there’s no bulky power brick to weigh it down, and the ability to power iPod Hi-Fi from six D-cell batteries for true portability.
Featuring seamless integration with all iPods with a dock connector, iPod Hi-Fi automatically recharges your iPod while docked and displays features of iPod that maximize the iPod Hi-Fi experience such as Tone Control, Large Album Art mode and volume mirroring (Tone Control and Large Album Art features available with iPod nano and fifth generation iPod). iPod Hi-Fi includes a dual-purpose 3.5-mm auxiliary input that accepts either analog or digital signals for easy connection to a wide range of audio sources. iPod Hi-Fi is compact and can be powered by AC or six D-cell batteries, providing more flexibility than any traditional home stereo and is perfect for use not only at home, but just about anywhere you go without compromising sound quality.
Apple today also announced new luxurious leather cases designed specifically for the fifth generation iPod and iPod nano models. The Leather Case for iPod is made with fine, hand-crafted Italian leather and features a soft and durable interior lining for a secure fit, making it the perfect carrying case for iPod or iPod nano.
iPod Hi-Fi includes the Apple Remote, a removable grille, an AC power cord and 10 Universal Dock adapters, and is available for $349 (US). The Leather Case for iPod is available in 30GB and 60GB models as well as an iPod nano model, each for $99 (US). iPod Hi-Fi and all models of the Leather Case for iPod are available through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
See the new iPod Hi-Fi here.
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So far …yawn
WTF!!!
A $350 boom box.
Please Apple, you know I love you, but this is crazy. I am sure it sounds great, but $350. No way.
$199 maybe. $149 is probably about right. No wifi, no deal.
maybe they should drop those events… what was the big deal??
Is the sound real hifi? It would have been nice if the system could replace a real hifi, especiqlly knowinfg that Apple Lossless format is an option,
Altec has a great ipod boombox on sale at costco for half that price…
I paid $300 for my Bose iPod “boom box” (sounds great BTW), so $350 is not out of line at all, especially if the sound quality is similar or better.
Apple’s product also is portable (i.e. uses batteries) and maybe has some other perks? Can’t wait to see what it looks like.
“i’m an audiophile” says Steve Jobs “i’m actually getting rid of my stereo.”
RDF Ultra also been released then
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Umm… to all of you who are saying that this is the rumored boom box… that is not a boom box.
MDN word: Time
Apple really underwhelmed me this time.
“I love you, but this is crazy. I am sure it sounds great, but $350. No way”
Reminds me of the adage, you get what you pay for. I don’t balk at BOSE’ prices, because I know there is the research is behind the product, same with Apple. If they’re selling sh$* and overcharging for it, they’ll get reamed. SJ/Apple & Co. KNOW that they’re in the limelight, any misstep and the critics are there to roast them in a jiffy.
BTW, the Apple Store (usually lightening fast) is JAMMED!!
I wanted something more fun than this.
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http://getkickedoffaplanewearingthis.blogspot.com/
iPod dock on top, makes it impossible to put in any shelving. Why no wifi so it can connect wirelessly to my home base itunes folder? And Bose is overpriced too.
Boo. What a waste of my short attention span.
Oh no they didn’t release the “Super Duper Mac Mini Tablet that controls the iUniverse” that I was hoping for!!!
I am coming out with a new invention it’s called the iWhine Powerbox.
It’s a device that will harness all the bitching and complaining from spoiled Mac users turning it into clean energy and will solve America’s dependence on foreign oil by powering our homes and cars.
So look for Apple to be having more of these types of events in order to keep the lights on.
I want an origami
AirTunes Ready
Airport Express
iPod Hi-Fi is the ideal speaker system for AirTunes. To ensure optimum sound quality, simply connect it to an AirPort Express with a digital optical audio cable(1). The music is then sent from iTunes on your computer over the network to the iPod Hi-Fi using only digital signals. Control your music from the computer in your den, but enjoy the sounds anywhere else in the house.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this hi-fi is built for Apple by Bose.
Somebody needs to offer a corded dock for those wishing to place a shelf directly over the speaker.
I am surprised at Apple’s arrogance. Call the media. Get everyone over here. We have a new boom box.
Steveo,
you have dissapointed me greatly. not only by the design of the boom box. A plastic brick with 6 D cells but by your claim that you are an audiophile. if that is the case you know that you can not move the sound waves to reproduce hi fidelity with a 4 inch speaker. Henry Kloss came close with the Advent radio but it is still puny compared to real hifi- You are getting senile way to early dude
Back to the drawing board guys
That’s Entertainment
Audio In
iPod Hi-Fi reproduces even the most dramatic sound effects with ease, bringing gaming and digital entertainment to a whole new sonic level. Setup is simple. The combined analog and digital optical input jack lets you connect iPod Hi-Fi to your computer or any other device with an audio output(1).
Can everyone please understand that it is not a boombox. It is a high-quality powered speaker. It has an audio input for any device that has audio output. It works with AirTunes. It is portable. Oh yeah, and it has an iPod dock.
I’m sorry but that thing sucks ass. Apple once again missed the opportunity to really do something great. Image: If this thing had a video output to to the TV for viewing videos stored on the iPod. And connections for rear channel speakers.
So disappointed. And they want how much for this thing? $350? WTF?
This piece of crap brought me out of retirement to rant.
Apple has stumbled.
Watch the stock fall guys
what a wimpy product launch
A mini-Mini update
Another case that looks like a thousand other cases but more expensive.
And a really expensive center channel speaker that could be made by just about anyone in the marketplace. Apple knows the whole widget and this is the best speaker solution they can comeup with? Gimmee a break. Put streaming in it. Make the mini matchit perfectly or put a mini in it do something to make it unique and leveraged on your knowledge of the iPod dont make a speaker with a freaking dock in it.
AAPL is rightfully taking a hit on this piss poor lineup of products.
Jas, i assume you use hundred dollar bills and Apple software coupons for wiping you butt.
The Bose Wave radio/Cd player costs more than this, and their SoundDock doesn’t appear to be quite as sophisticated. This Apple product fits right in between price and performance-wise. I would consider this for my small office. I might have to go to an Apple Store to actually hear it before buying.
You are all wrong.
If you really think about it, it wasn’t apple that created all this hype, its rumor sites, and news sites that quote rumor sites, and analysts and experts who make all these unrealistic expectations. Apple simply sends out the invite and people run with it.
I mean did apple say anything about a cell phone, pda, ipod movie, movie downloads, etc.? guessing is part of the fun for us mac users, but the so-called experts are really pushing the guessing game as well.
face it, nobody f–ing knows whats coming. Now I’m thinking of getting the new mini. more kool-aid!
leather cases for ipod 5G – not even ready yet! – this means no ipod update for some time, which indicates recent rumours are for a pda or tablet – this bad news therfore could turn out to be good
“A plastic brick with 6 D cells”
How sad and how expensive
V E R Y D I S S A P O I N T E D A P P L E
they really should consider bypassing events like this. if they are really going to underwhelmed people they should have just released the products with a PR release. why all this fanfare for this…
Granted we were all hoping for more with all the rumors flying around. but i for one do not believe that the rumored iPod or iTablet were quite ready for this event. Yes we were expecting big thing. probably with false expectations.
For the release of products even for a medium level release, they should have just put it up online and do a press release.
a lot of people are watching Apple now. and now is not the time to fcuk it up.These kind of presentation will affect stock prices. and you can’t possibly tell me that as a responsible company and stock holder this merited its own dog and pony show.
Judging by the specs on the apple site, the pricing on this is very in-line with what speakers of this caliber cost…
These are no InMotion cheapo speakers folks… I bet this thing sounds amazing!
You get what you pay for… If you want quality sound, it’s gonna cost more than $150 bucks…
Don’t forget it is also airtunes ready and has a built in dock..
no amount of professional photography can make this turd look like 350 bucks
Bitch whine bitch moan.
Man you guys are a bunch of friggin babies. If you don’t like it then jsut dont buy it for cripes sake.
I showed my wife and said “look we can get rid of my shelves of stero equipment”…..you know what she said…
“Where’s the radio…I like to listen it sometimes”
So I guess we’ll keep the stereo for now.
I’ll admit it…this is underwhelming. Nice…but not gorundbreaking. Not that everything apple needs to do should be…but this is an odd space for them to enter…the field is filled with “boom box” options both low and high end.
They should move onto the next big thing…I figure they have about a 1-2 year window before the iPod starts to fade or is eclipsed…so they better be working on the next thing. It’s not like the old Sony Walkman days when you could milk a technology for decades…life and trends move too quickly now.
None of this stuff is revolutionary. Apple is just releasing their versions of products that already exist. What’s the point? Unless he’s just biding his time until he really drops a bombshell. Whatever he has in the lab he better get it out soon before origami and whatever other crap Microsoft starts peddling.
Has anyone seen power or frequency specs on this? How long would 6 d cells last powering Steve’s stereo?
MDN word: Else, as in “What else is there?”
It seems what ever Apple introduces, it’s going to dissapoint. The expectation levels are always way to high. Dissapointment is inevitable then. Think of the recent MacWorld, people were expecting plasma screens with Mac minis built in! This time it was video iPod, Movie downloads, MacBook and so on.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple have these or similar products in the pipeline. But one can’t expect everything at the same time. It takes time to develop these things properly. There are lots of factors involved. There is no point announcing new product too early; then they’ll just dissapoint because they aren’t available immediately or there is such a long waiting period.
People are already judging the iPod HiFi without even testing it.
Give Apple a break!
What’s with the millimeter crap?
Why not just say one 4 inch speaker?
Woofers don’t come in 4 inches Steve
BTW –
Bose is the joke of the audiophile industry AND any speaker with an input IS Airtunes/Airport ready.
Can you tell we are pissed?
$350? for speakers?
Why not just buy a compact stereo system with CD, Radio, plug in one´s iPod to it. The speakers are not attached and so can be moved. Got me a great Sony system that does just that and paid $199.
(And with this Apple speaker system one has to take one´s iPod out of its protective case everytime they want to plug it in the speakers.)
$99 for a leather case for a nano iPod? And I have to use the little black ribbon to pull it out of the case every time I want to view the screen or adjust it?
Well…I like my Mac (PowerPC) and my iPods…but no sale today Steve.
Dear Apple:
I am so dissapointed at you, i wanted a Newton…
-Loru
No FM Tuner?!!! WTF!!! <hehehe> <just kidding>
Guys, IT’S SO OBVIOUS. Apple nixed something from the presentation at the last minute. Some production requirements couldn’t be met, or they decided to improve upon things. Any kind of PDA device was put on hold because of Microsoft’s origami. There is NO WAY that they planned for the event to end with the boombox, impossible. This was a very smart thing to do, and you guys have to realize that there is an amazing product around the corner. Just wait. Sam said it first.
$99 for a simple leather pouch! I honestly thought that was a typo. I was sure it should have been $19! Who on earth is going to buy one of these when you could buy another iPod for that!
Looks like a toaster oven.
Hey, guys, stop complaining! Aren’t we all supposed to be Apple zombies that do nothing but gush about any product presented by Steve Jobs? I mean, that’s what all the Windows trolls say!
The next time some a$$hole says “If Steve Jobs introduced [stupid competing product], you’d all think it was great,” point him to this page.
As for my opinion? iPod Hi-Fi looks awesome… but I have no use for it. It wouldn’t fit anywhere in my cluttered home, and I already have an expensive 5.1 sound system. I was really hoping for a portable iPod companion system, maybe with a larger video screen. I’m sure there’s a market for this device, but I’m not in it.
(Oh, and so much for all the analyst’s predictions of a movie service, huh?)
These products did not need a special media event like this.
To announce a $99 leather case for an iPod???
A set of speakers and an update to the low-end computer.
These type things should just have been released quietly to the website.
(Now that the price is bumped way up on the mini, calculate how much it now costs to build a complete system with mouse, monitor, keyboard…yikes! Buy an iMac.)
Why does this iPod hi-fi system look like a 1970s Sears & Roebuck toaster? And the iPod on top looks like the piece of toast sticking out of it…
I thought the $99 was a typo, too. That’s absolutley ridiculous. I thought the prices were absurd for the existing iPod cases, but this takes it to another level. And the “HiFi” speaker? The sound might be great, but damn is it ugly. No diplay. No integrated airport. This did not justify a special event.
If you think you are unhappy check out the engaget page
http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/28/apple-ipod-hi-fi-hands-on/#comments
And the stock just keeps on slipping.
andy stated:
“leather cases for ipod 5G – not even ready yet! – this means no ipod update for some time, which indicates recent rumours are for a pda or tablet – this bad news therfore could turn out to be good”
That thought crossed my mind also, but what if Apple was planning a true video iPod in the (relatively near) future with the same size dimensions? That might explain why they chose a slip case design with no control openings for an arguably very expensive cover, because it could then be used for the next generation as well without people whinning that they “just paid $99 for this thing and now it won’t even fit their newest iPod!”
Just another perspective…
Underwhelmed has got to be the word of the day. All this hype for a SPEAKER. I have a great stereo reciever that hooks up to my TV and to an Airport Express and plays my entire iTunes library from my computer and a cable that hooks up the reciever to an iPod dock where I can hook my iPod up if I want. Who needs or wants this boxy, clunky very large piece of junk? I’m sure the sound is going to be great, but $350! Come on. It’s larger then my stereo reciever.
I was so ready to break out the credit card today, boy am I disappointed. No Airport Express built in, THE REMOTE STILL CAN’T BE USED TO BROWSE BETWEEN MENUS! This means for $350 I still have to walk across the room to change a playlist! Why not have it hook up to your TV so you can use the TV screen to use the remote in the same way you use it with Front Row?
With all the effort put in to creating this product, wow, what a waste. Very uninspired design and funtionality.
Hehe, you are are going to be so surprised. On April 1st, we’re going to really let things fly! You think we’re going to let out some really cool stuff with our 30th anniversary just 32 days away?
Huh, as if…
This is the first time I’ve seen apple release iCRAP.
I’m completely whelmed under
Isn’t Jobs partially deaf in one ear? He calls himself an audiophile… I hope this unit is stereo!
Sorry you all didn’t get the next major lifestyle product that you deserve.
APPL is simply trying to benefit from the iPod momentum with an iPod peripheral. Its a reasonable move. There’s lots of pink mini’s out there waiting for a cute place to sit …
That’s it?
A friggin leather iPod case?
Yeah I know the mini and boom box.
That’s it?
I know I enjoy the Apple mystique. But I can only imagine how the tech press feels schlepping all the way to Apple Headquarters via a mysterious invitation? I know as a consumer how I feel.
I can only assume Jobs is giving Gates the opportunity to shine today with whatever he’s announcing. Unless it’s a leather case for carrying around your Windows install cd!
The financial markets, consumer markets, music markets and film markets as a whole have been looking as Apple/Jobs as the innovators and visionaries of the tech sector leader for the future of technology innovation. They lost a lot of credibility today in my opinion. Calling an event and summoning the press to them for a truly non-event amazes me. And I bet everyone else too. As the stock fell almost $3.00 so far.
I’m an Apple devotee. But a non-event is damaging to Apple and the leadership they’ve earned the last two years.
Stop stroking your ego Steve with the ability to make the press jump. You introduced nothing today. These items are a press release at best. But in reality these products should have just shown up in the Apple store and marketplace.
A friggin leather iPod case. I got mine on eBay for about 1o bucks each. Yes for my 40 gig, 20 gig, mini, 30 gig video, 60 gig video and shuffle ipods. So yes I am a Mac person. Always will be. But today is a shame. or sham?
“…you guys have to realize that there is an amazing product around the corner. Just wait.”
Sam – pass the blunt. puff puff give. You know how it goes.
Yes, there will be fantastic new products, but I doubt something was nixed from this preso.
I’ll stick with my $7000 of “Proper” Hi-Fi thanks. Steve Jobs knows better, he has VERY expensive Hi-Fi kit.
Am I missing something? I’ve been plugging my ipod into my stereo for years. And I get a radio and an obsolete casette deck thrown in.
I thought the 99$ was a freaking typo!
I thought it would be at least 199$.
Geez what a bunch of jerks. Now all of my friends will be able to afford it, it’s already worthless. Gosh I’m so going to shop at D&G tomorrow.
Could it be we had our expectations set just a little too high?
Steve, next time just put out a press release with no advance warning. Then post a well crafted video showing off the new gismo on apple.com
Mac fanatics just can’t deal with anticipation. They expect too much. You show them the best selling iPod mini and they piss all over it. Well, it’s happening again.
You can’t win Steve. Come at the new product releases from a different angle.
YOU BUNCHA F-CKTARDS ARE ALL PISSANT WHINERS!!!!
Shut the f-ck up and let the first-person assessments come in, ferchrissakes. This pathetic reaction by you pantywaists reminds me of the reactions to the first iPod. “What the f-ck is that? It looks like a little brick! Geez, Apple blows!” Blah, blah, blahhhhhhhhhhh. And then everyone saw it in person, heard it, and . . . WAS BLOWN AWAY!
Why don’t you wait until you, oh, I don’t know . . . until you READ THE F-CKING SPECS a little closer!!! Try doing that before posting your stupid flameboy sh!t! This thing IS priced perfectly based on external market factors and its capabilities.
Buncha assclowns.
Wow, nifty product, and woo hoo on the upgraded mini, but I was waiting for “One more thing…..” and judging by the current stock price, apparently so were alot more people
Oh well, nobody’s perfect….
MDN: “our” “Our favorite company left alot of us wanting more today.”
Must admit $99.00 for the leather cases is a bit much – That’s about 1/3 the price of a decent iPod itself.
As for the speaker system, I don’t really know what to make of it. I’m not saying it’s bad because I haven’t heard it yet, BUT, with iTunes being at only 128Kbps it’s not playing audiophile quality files. Maybe in the future iTunes will offer lossless, then this box can show what it’s really made of.
It’s really not a problem with the box or design – it’s probably very high quality. The problem is your iPod only plays at 128Kbps – NOT audiophile quality.
Today’s Apple announcement sucked.
Microsoft’s Origami will be what we’re waiting for.
That second picture at the top looks like a cheap microwave. You know, the kind that only makes popcorn and heats coffee, that only has a dial, and is sitting right now in every crappy workplace break room in the country.
Nice announcments, though I really didn’t think these were worth a ‘media event’.
Still, as far as the iPod HI-FI goes, don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. As others have pointed out, you get what you pay for.
All the moaning is strangely reminiscent of those “all that for just an MP3 player” type comments a few years ago.
John Lewis on Oxford St. sells stacks of Bose SoundDocks at £250 a throw, and that can’t be used on the beach or in the park. What’s the UK pricing for this? £250.
These aren’t perfect, but they will sell.
Those that play .mp3 files through this new “box” will be amazed at the decibel levels (102?) and will have their ears free to insert a key to clear wax.
Overblown (and over priced) and it will not replace a good tuner and amplifier (something I bought 20 years ago).
The leather iPod case is a different story. These were made by 90 year old Italian women from the wallets Steve Jobs used to carry all of his Pixar cash after the Disney purchase.
The Mac mini was the “event”. Lots of doubles in it.
Speed.
USB ports.
DVD burner.
And a major speed boost in the ethernet (now giga good).
Stock price will recover.
Although somewhat taken aback by the iBrick…if the sound on this thing is top notch, and high volume with clean sound….i think these will fly out of the store.
Most of you complainers are going to be stunned into silence when Apple sells a shitload of these little iPod Hi-Fi’s. Sure, this is no replacement for a real living room stereo system, it’s not really meant to be. For many, many people there are other places that people want to hear their iPod music collection without tuning out of the real world by stuffing earbuds in. Small offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, kitchens, a small barbeque at the park or beach, dorm rooms. The list really can go on and on. You guys are thinking small while Apple has no doubt done studies on iPod owner demographics. Apple is smart enough not to go after true audiophile environments, or compete against entrenched brands. They are expanding the usability of their flagship consumer product. If you don’t need or want this product, that’s okay, but I’m willing to bet that enough people will to further make the iPod the continued portable music player of choice.
Steve will come out with the real magic soon, no doubt.
Steve
your baby is ugly
I won’t consider it even at $150
I’m surprised that all of those with complaints didn’t notice the most relevant one – there’s no USB connection to your computer, so you can’t sync your iPod while it is docked to the HiFi.
In my opinion, this is the most egregious omission. This thing should have had all the capabilities of the iPod dock built in (S-video, Front Row remote control, etc.) and should have also been allowed to act as a sound output device for the computer.
And for total HiFi gravy, if there was an option to hook satellite speakers to it, it have been the perfect answer for people looking for a genuine Apple computer speaker solution to go with their new Mac and iPod purchases.
May this was a ruse to find out what Microputz was up to ???
You notice the announcement was at Apple and not elswhere?
MDN: make
Make them go first
I’d hate to say it, but who designed that thing? DELL??? Ugliest thing to ever come out of Apple. I don’t think the price is as bad as some of you are making it out to be for what you get, but UGLY UGLY UGLY… was Ives drunk that day?
“when Apple sells a shitload of these little iPod Hi-Fi'”
Spark
First of all I seriously doubt it. look at the response so far but even if as you say Apple sells tons of them does not make it a good product -look at Dell there are tons of them around, do you want one?
As the last guy who posted said I wouldn;t buy one for $150 and NO there is no stereo effect in ONE speaker.
ATTENTION NUMB SKULLS:
The very fact that this “event” was held at no additional cost to Apple at their campus, tells you not to expect Earth shattering® new tech.
Got that?
So all you ThinkSecret, MacRumors, iKnow, etc. fans, give it a rest. And yes, $350 for a portable hifi powered speaker system with dock is not outlandish, if the sound rocks.
Side note: the thing between your ears has a purpose.
Where is the TV screen?
Whats going on here! Apple’s anouncement at their HQ told you it was medium, not major. The Boom box thing looks cool and probably sounds great since it has a direct digital connection to the Ipod (reg boom boxes have only an analog connection). Its got a full blown hi fi amp built right in, not some cheap boom box amp. Folks wake up, “its the music stupid” The Ipod accessory market is HOT and Apple wants a piece. This has also been part of the rumor build up. The real announcement is the Mac Mini media hub. This, we all know, is what the Mac mini should have been with the addition of digital sound out. With the Front Row and Bonjour upgrades media can be streamed around the network, including to your mac mini attached to your hi def TV. This thing is going to sell like HOT HOT Cakes and people are going to buy alot of those boom boxes at the same time. The Ibooks will be out in the spring. Oh and I wouldn’t be suprized if their wasn’t a “Just one more thing announcement” soon– maybe that wireless video Ipod.
Shameless Google bomb – why are you still reading this far down?
http://www.bkpfd.org
Sam said:
“Any kind of PDA device was put on hold because of Microsoft’s origami”
Possibly. Let’s see if Microsoft still makes their major announcement. then apple can release iNewsomething and steal their thunder instead. we’ll see.
Get comfortable with the price of the boombox, you’ll need to buy 5 of them as satellite speakers when the media hub debuts
I love the leather pouch. It is the best iPod case I’ve ever seen. I keep it in my pocket all the time and I’m not always fidgeting with it, so I don’t need some kind of exposed controls. The thing is stylish, like a good wallet.
I’ll need to see it up close to tell whether the price is worth it, though. There are varying grades of leather, people. Your $25 Belkin case isn’t the be-all end-all.
MDN word “alone”, perhaps apt.
I waited and waited for this? I am sure it is a nice music box but geez….my expectations were too high.
Sob….where is my bottle of scotch……
hmmm… is it me or is white beginning to look a bit tired and erm cheap.
How sad and how expensive
—-
hahahaha.. you really should check out the features.. you can’t SEE the sound quality on the website, if you don’t care, then you don’t have to buy it… Apple showed examples of $1000 systems that did the same thing..
did it ever occur to you that some people are willing to pay that much??
wait, don’t tell me.. you DON’T have a Porsche either?
God you guys are so negative.
Goes great with the $499.00 iPod Photo intro.
Give it 4 months and it’ll be $199.00.
Apple stores are going to be rock’n out..because everyone will want to test the limits of these.
Dave…
“First of all I seriously doubt it. look at the response so far but even if as you say Apple sells tons of them does not make it a good product -look at Dell there are tons of them around, do you want one?”
Dave: The regulars here at MDN don’t represent the vast demographics of iPod owners. And as a businessman or an Apple shareholder, I would disagree with you. If Apple sells tons of them, it is by definition a good product.
“As the last guy who posted said I wouldn;t buy one for $150 and NO there is no stereo effect in ONE speaker.”
Dave: There is NOT ONE speaker in this new product. If you’ve looked at it at all there are three: two mid-high range and one small woofer. This is one more than the Bose Wave, and that product has been a huge success for that company. I’ve not yet listened to Apple’s new box, but I”ve heard the Bose Wave, and in a smallish area it sounds great. Some places aren’t conducive to setting up a full stereo system. Apple iPod Hi-Fi is designed for those occassions. You don’t like it, don’t buy one. I’m just saying that this new product will satisfy more people than those here recognise.
Although as and addition to my home system, the Hi-Fi is a complet so-what. However, for a small college dorm room, it isn’t so bad. But when you add up the price of an iPod and Hi-Fi, it’s reaching pretty deep into a wallet.
The new mini is the most compelling thing. Get us some good DVR software and integration with some STBs and you have a fabulous device!
Oooh leeeeaaaattthhher iPod cases… The perfect accessory for your iPod when you vist your Dominatrix.
Zupchuck..
You can forgot about the mini ever incoporating DVR functions in the mini..
Apple sells video content for $1.99 per episode iTMS… They’d be shooting themselves in the foot and pissing off a lot of network partners if they suddenly started bundling DVR functions in a Mac…
Apple is going to price itself right out of buisness
One speaker, no FM, no cd player, not even a frigging clock.
Competing with hundreds of other companies who are supporting the iPod universe by making similar products.
Apple is greedy, taking all of us for a ride.
Fsck you very much Steve Jobs.
MacDude
I’m small.
This would rock in my office….oh, too bad I can’t play music in my offce…corporate lifers have turned into ‘headphone’ zombies.
MacDude Says, “One speaker, no FM, no cd player, not even a frigging clock.”
1. There are 3 speakers in the unit, NOT one. 3 speakers with stereo output. This is ONE more speaker than what is in the wildly successful Bose Wave.
2. Who the F needs FM with an iPOD. I don’t get this continual argument. I bough an iPod so I could turn off the FM wasteland.
3. No CD player????? I’ve got every CD I’ve ever owned ripped into my iPod. This is an iPod accessory, not a stand alone stereo system.
4. No clock?? Hello, there is a clock in the iPod, with alarms and sleep function.
The Hi-Fi enable anyone with an iPod to bring their library of music to any room or even outside, jettison the earbuds, join a group and experience music as it was originally design: as a shared social event.
This unit is not a earth shattering. It’s not even a big deal. But it is one more foundational element that shores up the iPod empire. These are going to sell like hot cakes (whatever that means).
I don’t know what to thik about this. It seems pricey and rather bulky.
O-VER-RATED, O-VER-RATED
$350? Yeah Right
Have to say, I hate the ipod sticking out the top. It just doesn’t look good.
More
I has only a measly 108 db at one meter, so don’t expect to get “room filling sound” unless it’s a library or something. Expect the speakers to get blown early.
This thing is a Bose Wave Radio without all the extra’s (cd player, radio etc.) I had a Wave Radio and it’s nice, but it’s no “Boombox”, you want serious sound you can do to part with a few hundred more and get plenty in exchange.
I get 150 db in the center of my 5.1 surround sound system with each speaker at a least 20 feet away.
I only paid a few hundred more than the iPodHiFi for a quality 7.1 reciever and 5.1 speakers with all sorts of inputs, FM/AM, remote control etc.
For instance Google for surround sound and you’ll see a bunch of decent recievers for $300, then all you need is good speakers for $250 more or so.
Once you go surround sound with a quality reciever, you won’t go back to a iPod or a iPod HiFi.
Oh by the way
Seems my “source” was right about the iPod HiFi being like a “Bose Wave Radio”
thanks KC ;0
Mike,
BTW, Apple does have DVR-like software already. It’s called AVCBrowser and VirtualDVHS. You can check out more details here: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20040426151111599
Also check out iRecord: http://www.ammesset.com/software/irecord/
It actually works pretty well. I’ve recorded several HD programs this way. It’s awesome.
I don’t believe Apple sells HD content for the iPod, either.
Frankly, I don’t think Apple would be shooting themselves in the foot at all. I know quite a few people who are waiting for the new mini for precisely DVR functionality. They’re tired of Tivo. They want real HD. Remember, this is supposedly the year of HD (or was that last year?).
Here is a back image of a real machine.
Hook up just about anything, get way better sound and portability for only a few hundred $$ more.
Apple’s box is overpriced for what you get, it should be around $149.
The Bose Wave Radio is overpriced too, but at least you get a clock/radio, cd player etc.
Shesh Apple!!! 🙁
MacDude
That is one butt ugly plastic box. A box made of maple, cherry, or even pine would have been much more aesthetically pleasing.
For instance, I have found a complete quality Harmon/Kardon 6.1 system for $650.
http://www.streetprices.com/Electronics/Consumer/Home_Theater/Systems/SP2949898.html
This is a above average system, with metal sheilded speakers (not cheap fabric) and will last 10x longer than a Wave Radio or Apples Box.
My leather TONINO LAMBORGHINI iPod Video case $19.99
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4072634
I have this myself and it’s sweet, with a nice finish, cool logo, engraved fabic inside, detachable cover with magnet to keep the cover closed.
There is also a 60GB version.
Too large to be really portable and too damn expensive. I just bought a Altec Lansing iM5. To get a rich sound I have to adjust the ipod’s EQ settings but it’s petite and heaps cheaper than the Apple’s behemoth.
In our living room the ipods go into a dock (supplied by Apple) which then connects to our hi-fi system. Maybe in future versions this sound system will get cheaper and smaller; and D cell batteries will be replaced by AA’s. At the moment this doesn’t cut the mustard. Anyway that’s just my opinion.
I gather that on stage today, Mr. Jobs freely flung about the word “audiophile” while pitching the new iPod Hi-Fi.
Well, I’m one of those: wrote for the mags, have gear from obscure British manufacturers, turn off a fridge thirty feet away to listen. I’ll look forward to giving the Hi-Fi a listen. It seems fantastically dubious that something 43 cm wide, with a listed bass floor of 53Hz (the bottom string on a bass is 42Hz), weighing 6.6kg, and costing $349, could actually produce “audiophile” sound. But you know, it’s not impossible; if they design for truth and accuracy as opposed to fake-bass thump and scary volume, it could turn out to be pretty useful.
In which case, it’d be a complete waste to play your average iTunes-store-sourced lo-rez lossy-compressed MP3 through it. But you can get audiophile sound out of your iPod, and for quite a bit less than $349.
Go out and buy one of the good in-ear headphones from Etymotics or one of their competitors (I use the Shure 3C) and, most important of all, get your music off CDs and use lossless compression.
The D/A in an iPod is really not bad at all; if you send all of the music through it and play it through first-class transducers, you’ll be happy.
(By the way, is it just me or is this thing butt-ugly?)
that Apple was going to phase out these sort of ‘events’, and after the black eye he’s in for from the press and the a$$ whipping AAPL going to take after this mess, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
Talk about a white elephant – now here it is for all to see.
Come to think of it, weren’t all my stereo systems also “Hi Fi”.
As an Apple fan and an Apple stockholder – what a big let down. I haven’t been this let down since January.
“Apple has always been happy with 2-3 percent of the market.”
Way to reach for the gold…no…silver…no…brass…no… zinc plated ring.
Peace.
A friend of my wife’s, who does not live and breath MDN, MacRumors, etc., saw the new Hi-Fi and was pissed off!! Because she just bought something similar from Bose for $50 more!! She would have much rather had this.
I think the general public will clamour for these things. It is just us, who live and breath rumors, who are upset.
And, I don’t like the iPod sticking out the top. Looks flimsy. However, I guess it is just a dock with big speakers.
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WHAT NO MDN TAKE? COWARDS… THEY AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE HELPED BUILD UP THE HYPE.
I’m getting one. Every other boom box on the market looks like it belong in a college dorm, especially that Altec Lansing log. This looks like it belongs in my living room. And no stupid LOGO polluting the grill. very nice.
Man, you can take this iPod Hi-Fi thing to the beach and rock out. As Apple sez: “… take your show on the road courtesy of D-cell battery power.”
Kow-a-bunga!
“…using just six D-cell batteries*” to make it portable (which probably last about 15 minutes)
Heck, with batteries it only weighs 16.7 lbs / 7.6 kg. (Now my Panasonic boom box only weighs 7.5 lbs, but this iPod Hi-Fi will help me bulk up my pecs.)
Lug that (L x D x H): 17 x 6.9 x 6.6 inches / 431.8 x 175.3 x 167.6 mm (including grille) iPod Hi-Fi around with the two hands (no single handle in the middle on this iPod Hi-Fi) or put it on your shoulder for ghetto-blasting iTunes fun!
Just hope your $500 iPod doesn´t fall out of your $350 iPod Hi-Fi as you are skateboarding down beach boulevard!
———
*six D-Cell batteries cost approximately $20 (rechargeable). You got a recharger that can recharge SIX (6) D-Cell batteries at one time, right?
If not they start at around $90+…
Personally I have no use for the Hi-Fi, but it’s fair enough as a product. Personally though I think it looks stupid with the iPod sticking out the top like that, I’d rather just stick it into a regular dock and have a cable then you can have it sitting in front or to the side and not taking up space above.
$99 for a few square inches of cow leather.
Those are some expensive cows. I hear if you buy a steak that comes from the same cows it costs $15,000…but you get fries with it.
I’ll reserve judgement on the iPod HiFi until I hear it with my iPod plugged into the top and my songs playing.
As for the cases, they must be very nice, indeed.
One question, how do you listen to the iPod nano if it’s in the case? I didn’t see a hole for the headphone plug on the bottom.
~M
I’m sure it sounds pretty good and will please a lot of people, but if its frequency response only goes up to 16kHz (and not the industry-standard 20kHz) then it ain’t ‘audiophile’, and, yes, given loudspeakers that can reproduce those highs, folks with normal hearing WILL hear the difference. The iPod 5G is specced at 20Hz-20kHz! OK, few speakers (and fewer headphones) will sound those ultra-low notes, but they sure can play the high ones.
I won’t be throwing my stereo system out just yet.
Anyone else notice the subdued presentation SJ made? Looks and sounds like he’s embarrased to launch something for so much that is so… um… basic.
OK, it looks consistent with Apple designs, probably sounds OK too – but wheres the features? Wi-Fi, remote, and how about a radio built in like that new(ish) accessory for the iPod?
And it’s portable – And here’s me thinking iPods came with headphones…
As for an outside boom box say for a party? in the UK there’s rarely a day when we can have a social gathering outside that would justify the cost of this thing – even with an Apple logo on it.
Sorry Apple, I’m not impressed this time round.
Please try harder to make me drool.
Ooops, misread and noticed it does have a remote!