Decisions, Decisions
The iPod updates are out now. I've been eagerly waiting for this. I'm still back on the black & white screen 4G and extremely tempted by video functionality. Don't know if I'll sink a rack of cash into iTunes shows, but I *am* a sucker for some kick ass podcasts. That, and my 4G hates podcasts encoded in AAC with chapter stops. Hates them. Refuses to play with me if I introduce them.
I managed to sufficiently ignore work for the good hour that Apple's "Showtime" event took place as I read live blog coverage. Immediately, I knew I'd get one of the new 5G's -- 80 gigs? Brilliant!
Then iLounge took the wind out of my sails. Strangely enough, given my previous statements regarding future purchases of iTMS shows/movies, what most disappointed me was the lack of improvement in screen resolution. 320 x 240? Booo! Okay, I'll admit it: I haven't tried. Maybe it looks great. Maybe it's the best thing ever. I don't know. But the problem is, I don't know if I want to know anymore.
What else is coming out down the line, Steve? If I buy this 5G Part Deux, will I be burned like I was back when I bought my 4G? You didn't even wait six months to take the wind out of my sails and leave me with a sadly deflated and remarkably monochrome iPod as you unveiled the lovely, vibrant iPod Photos.
Anyone reading this? More importantly, can anyone reading this make the decision for me? And as a word of warning: I have no interest in switching to [insert name of another company that makes mp3 players]. I'm an iPod guy, what can I say?
Comments
I've got the same iPod as you (the last round before they started making them with colour displays), and I was rather unmoved by the new iPods. Now, I'm in a slightly different market segment than you, I guess,as I'm not into the video on the pod -- I watch a bunch of video podcasts, but have no desire to have them hobbled by such a small display -- so for me, the only thing that will be a "must-have" feature would be wi-fi support. I know it's not a big deal, I guess, but I want to be able to synch the thing without having to plug it in.
Now, the Zune will have wifi support, but that's another consideration entirely.
Shuffle and Nano/iPod Mini Redux: Neat form factor for the one, horrible design m is-step for the other, but outside the scope of this, yes?
As to the question of the iPod, and the resolution, I don't imagine it'll get upped until there's a proper video iPod, and considering how long it's release has been "certain," it might never come out. Plus, one thing to remember is that while the iPod itself can't display more than 320x240, apparently it can hold 640x480 movies (playing in the lower resolution), so you can watch them at a better resolution on your computer or television. So you *do* get, in a roundabout way, the higher resolution.
If you get the new one, go black: white is so last year.
The Zune has me very underwhelmed. Given the fact that it's essentially just an brand that other hardware companies will actually produce under, I feel a very PC-like experience coming on: A lot of shopping for who's doing it better, a massive polarity in quality, and just overall blahness.
I think what makes iTunes/iPod work so well is that it's a very compact system. Sure there's an ark-full of accessories, but ultimately it comes down to a few simple choices.
WiFi would be nice, I'll grant you that. And ultimately, depending on how the Zune DRM works out, it may ultimately sell me on giving the thing a shot. But for me to get my hopes up would require putting some faith into Microsoft. Frankly, I just don't think I have any to spare.
I think the Shuffle redesign is fantastic. Really smart looking. Doesn't look like a plastic toy anymore. The nano redesign I'm a little confused by. I thought I was looking at the iPod mini all over again. I kinda liked the squared edges on the previous nano. The rounded edges creep me out a bit. Don't ask me why, I can't explain it.
As far as the color goes, I'm white all the way, my friend. Everyone's gone black. Black became the new white and I really feel like white is going to roll back around and become the new new black.
Plus white will match my MacBook :)