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.
Advertisements:
• MacBook Pro. The first Mac notebook built upon Intel Core Duo with iLife ’06, Front Row and built-in iSight. Starting at $1999. Free shipping.
• iMac. Twice as amazing — Intel Core Duo, iLife ’06, Front Row media experience, Apple Remote, built-in iSight. Starting at $1299. Free shipping.
• iMac and MacBook Pro owners: Apple USB Modem. Easily connect to the Internet using dial-up service. Only $49.
• iPod Radio Remote. Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. Just $49.
• iPod. 15,000 songs. 25,000 photos. 150 hours of video. The new iPod. 30GB and 60GB models start at just $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.
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.