Player Blog Category Archives: Apple
August 06, 2004
iPodlounge Power User Review and "Secrets" Probed
To complement the new user review, iPodlounge has published its power user review of the 4G iPod. Ironically, this iPodlounge review seems to be hardest on the new iPod out of all the reviews that we've read. Presumably this is because most reviews are written from the perspective a first-time buyer rather than a potential upgrader:
For new users, the new fourth-generation iPod is an imperfect but solid update of Apple's earlier high-capacity iPods, and the new hardware is highly likely to appeal to virtually any prospective iPod user out there. With few exceptions, what was great about the iPod has become even better. And to the extent that some Power Users may be looking for an excuse to replace their iPods, these will no doubt make excellent birthday and holiday gifts.
But other Power Users will unquestionably find that the new fourth-generation iPod is no mandatory replacement for older iPod hardware. It's actually a snore in that it offers only minor updates to the features that Apple introduced in last year's third-generation iPod and February's iPod mini. Click Wheel and battery life aside, the 4G iPod's other changes are iterative software tweaks mixed with one or two small aesthetic downgrades, and therefore we don't see this as a product that long time iPod lovers will line up to buy. It's also no surprise that some 3G iPod users are demanding that Apple support the older hardware with the 4G's software features. When a new iPod looks and functions so much like its predecessor, such complaints and requests are only natural. No one would be begging if the new iPod had shipped with a color screen and a dramatically enhanced interface.
As you may have heard, there is a lot of speculation on what, if any, tricks Apple still has up its sleeve with the new iPod. In the past we've written quite a bit on the chips that power devices and how their potential isn't always utilized.
Along those lines, iPodlounge has done some excellent analysis of what's under the hood in the new iPod, what Apple could do if it wanted and what they think Apple actually will do.
Related Links:
Hidden Features In 4G iPod?
Some Corroboration for the New iPod Rumor?
Apple Video iPod Demystified
iPod Can Supprt WMA?!?