Apple Archive

The iPod Goes Back to Basics

- 2004.07.23

When Apple first introduced its first-generation iPod three years ago, there were many reasons to like it, and one of those most important was its ease of use.

The original iPod scroll wheel, which had the buttons arranged around the side of the wheel, was a very convenient setup. Going to the next song could be done easily without looking at the unit - even if the iPod was in your pocket. The more recent models lacked this feature.

While the orange glow of the next, previous, pause, and play buttons on recent iPods looked very nice, it was nowhere nearly as convenient to use as the original iPod was.

Want to play the next song? It's easy, as long as you've got the iPod in hand and happen to be looking at it. I suppose you do get used to the positions of the buttons, but it seems much more logical to arrange them around the scroll wheel.

Apple has obviously taken that into consideration when designing the 4th generation iPod. The new iPod is essentially the same as the iPod mini - but a little bit larger and without the color options. You've got that touch sensitive Click Wheel that debuted on the iPod mini along with the capacity of the full-size iPod.

It's even a bit thinner than the 3rd generation (already thin) iPod.

You've got ease of use, size, and capacity. What more could you want in a music player?

How about battery life? The original iPod's 8 hour battery life was pretty good for it's time, but players from other manufacturers are starting to boast better battery life. Apple has increased battery life to 12 hours in the 4th generation iPod, which will provide more than enough hours of music for almost any long car trip (see my article, How to Listen to Your iPod on Your Car Stereo Even if You Don't Own a BMW).

Can it get any better? Well, the new iPods are less expensive than the old ones, and everybody likes lower prices. A 20 GB iPod can be yours for $299, and a 40 GB for $399.

How attractive is Apple's new offering? Since it's only just come out, we won't know for sure how it helps or hinders Apple's profits. However, the way I see it, the new iPod with the Click Wheel will attract owners of the older iPods who were holding onto their 5 GB or 10 GB models in hopes that Apple would return to the older style controls in the newer models. The better battery life will also attract those users, who are by now probably getting only 5-6 hours out of their older iPods - unless they've replaced the battery.

While I won't be rushing out to buy a new iPod just yet - mine still works fine - the improved battery life and lower price of the latest models has attracted my interest. What I'd really like to see is a 10 GB iPod mini. I like the physical size and variety of colors that the iPod mini has to offer, but 4 GB capacity just isn't enough for me, especially considering that I have about 5 MB free on my current 5 GB iPod and another 5 GB worth of songs I'd love to add if I could!

Considering that there is now a 16 GB difference between the low-end iPod and the iPod mini - and only a $50 price difference - I suspect an iPod mini upgrade will be on its way soon.

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