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.
