I've seen many comment here and elsewhere about the Mini's battery. Are there any theories why the Mini would be running its battery down so quickly? Is it a defect or bad design? For its rated time, it should be just as competent as any other iPod of similar vintage. If a color TFT screen is in the new model, they sure better have made the battery flat-out great.
I've seen many comment here and elsewhere about the Mini's battery. Are there any theories why the Mini would be running its battery down so quickly? Is it a defect or bad design? For its rated time, it should be just as competent as any other iPod of similar vintage. If a color TFT screen is in the new model, they sure better have made the battery flat-out great.
I haven't done any testing per se on my iPod but battery life has been great for me.
I get about 8 hours or more on my iPod. I walk a lot and take the bus so its on all the time, and I only have to recharge it every 2 or 3 days.
As for color screen..I'm waiting for the 20gig to get it. I like my mini but I only have 5 songs of room left, and I haven't even ripped any of my cds to it yet. (I'm quite lazy when it comes to that because my music collection is huge, I've only managed to get a fraction of the music I have on vinyl onto my iPod (by downloading) and that took forever). When a 20gig color comes out (5G) I'll buy that and give this one to my mom.
Other than color, what does a color display on an MP3 player bring to the table? Color was important to TV and computer monitors, where you're doing nothing but looking at them when you're using them, but an iPod?!
While I have no doubt they're all moving in that direction eventually, and while, all things being equal, I wouldn't refuse one if offered, it seems to me that as far as "features" go in these players, that one's at or near the bottom. Unless there's some brilliant use of it I'm missing.
the colour screen adds clarity but I agree with you. iPods should be adding features like radio - digital would be great! or bluetooth. Colour is not a good invention. BUT look at the iPods since the third revision, what's new? A click wheel, a mini iPod, a photo iPod and a shuffle. NO actual features. What are Apple doing. I think they're improving iTunes to make the iPod even better, iTunes is half (if not more) of the iPod success but Apple can't rely on this forever. I had a 30GB iPod, i needed a bigger hard drive so I bought a 60GB iPod photo. When I upgrade again in a year or so I want to see more features!
Yeah, MacCrazy, but if you start adding things like digital radio to the iPod people will start thinking backwards. Why buy an iPod if I'll probably listen to the radio most of the time? Hey, I could just get a small digital Radio for cheaper! Because there are fine little digital radios out there ready for apple to give them a share of the iPods market.
Yeah, MacCrazy, but if you start adding things like digital radio to the iPod people will start thinking backwards. Why buy an iPod if I'll probably listen to the radio most of the time? Hey, I could just get a small digital Radio for cheaper! Because there are fine little digital radios out there ready for apple to give them a share of the iPods market.
Good point but if someone wants an iPod it'll help persuade them?! I don't know Apple need something *NEW*
Good point but if someone wants an iPod it'll help persuade them?! I don't know Apple need something *NEW*
I personally hate the radio thing, I have a few of those free self tuning radios i can use. An iPod will NOT improve sound quality because FM radio is always FM radio no matter if you put it in a diamond encased housing and sell it for a million quid!
The next thing Apple should be looking at is making the iPod gain Pictbridge technology. A little adaptor bring out a little dock port to (female) USB adaptor so we can plug our cameras in and create a folder on the iPod and transfer them. Boom. This syncs with iPhoto (or you My Pictures folder on Windows) and Boom, they're all there. The iPod has started down the road of photos, and although I'm sure Belkin's (expensive) offering is great, we all know that if the iPod had these options in it, it would be more controllable. Plus a dock port to usb adaptor would retail at £30 max (about the same or less than a dock). Which is half of Belkin's asking price for their card reader, and a lot less bulky.
I personally hate the radio thing, I have a few of those free self tuning radios i can use. An iPod will NOT improve sound quality because FM radio is always FM radio no matter if you put it in a diamond encased housing and sell it for a million quid!
The next thing Apple should be looking at is making the iPod gain Pictbridge technology. A little adaptor bring out a little dock port to (female) USB adaptor so we can plug our cameras in and create a folder on the iPod and transfer them. Boom. This syncs with iPhoto (or you My Pictures folder on Windows) and Boom, they're all there. The iPod has started down the road of photos, and although I'm sure Belkin's (expensive) offering is great, we all know that if the iPod had these options in it, it would be more controllable. Plus a dock port to usb adaptor would retail at £30 max (about the same or less than a dock). Which is half of Belkin's asking price for their card reader, and a lot less bulky.
SOLD. As long as it's compatible with the existing iPod photo, otherwise I'll be pissed. No iPod photo user is going to want to upgrade so soon - although 80GB are due out so that might change things.
I don't think Apple would put a radio tuner in their iPod because it's sort of the antithesis of what the iPod is about. If you have an iPod, you have all your music ? who needs the radio? You want an iPod to tune in NPR? That would be pitiful.
I don't think Apple would put a radio tuner in their iPod because it's sort of the antithesis of what the iPod is about. If you have an iPod, you have all your music ? who needs the radio? You want an iPod to tune in NPR? That would be pitiful.
it was more of an example than an actual feature I would like. Although sometimes I would like to listen to my radio on the move with good quality. I was just exploring possible ideas. What do people want to see, camera compatibility via USB is possible surely. \
it was more of an example than an actual feature I would like. Although sometimes I would like to listen to my radio on the move with good quality. I was just exploring possible ideas. What do people want to see, camera compatibility via USB is possible surely. \
I want voice recording without a clumsy add-on. There is a hack out there that basically suggests the feature is there but disabled; all they'd really need to do is enable it and then add a mic.
We all know where this is going.... iTunes on iPod! They already developed the software for cellphones using Java, why not have it on the iPods as well? The ability to manage playlists, purchase music, etc... all without the computer. Of course a (wireless) Internet connection would be needed to use the Store.
The iPod maker has been using the 5GB drives in the manufacturing of its current 4GB iPod mini, with a firmware block that restricts the usable capacity of the player to 4GB. This has allowed the company keep up with demand for the minis without having to rely on a single supplier of microdrives.
Just thinking of it, any way to detect which drive you have (4/5) and is there a way to h4x0r that firmware block?
looks great. there area number of enhancments that i want to see before i buy a new ipod:
1. colour-screen. yes, view photos, view albums, it is nice with colour
2. with colour-screen, addressbook-photos should sync with ipod
3. better sound-recording, preferably built-in
4. get photos straight from camera
5. more games, why not java-games, plenty of such games for mobile phones. the track-pad may need som adjusting to facilitate this. but, people play a lot of games on their mobiles, and with colur-screen playing on the ipod would be fine. the java-stuff would be good, there are a lot of java-games and they could then easily be ported to the ipod.
there are not so many more things that could be done to enhance the music-playing capabiliites, and the processor should be as powerful as those driving most mobile phones. only adding more space is not really whaqt will continue to protect ipods market share. adding other stuff you can do with it is better, provided it is done in a good way of course.
i wouldn't mmind a small mobile-phone camera inside as well, but not that important for me.
As far as the wireless rumors, connecting to your car stereo this way would be great. I am wondering, however, if it isn't also about: Podjacking, The Next Generation. A new hobby for the urban iPod owner that is a great way to find and listen to new music before you buy. From Apple's standpoint, it would also be a feature that competitors could not offer. Even the Bonjour name fits this idea. Taking the idea futher, perhaps businesses would offer Podjack playlists.
looks great. there area number of enhancments that i want to see before i buy a new ipod:
1. colour-screen. yes, view photos, view albums, it is nice with colour
2. with colour-screen, addressbook-photos should sync with ipod
3. better sound-recording, preferably built-in
4. get photos straight from camera
5. more games, why not java-games, plenty of such games for mobile phones. the track-pad may need som adjusting to facilitate this. but, people play a lot of games on their mobiles, and with colur-screen playing on the ipod would be fine. the java-stuff would be good, there are a lot of java-games and they could then easily be ported to the ipod.
there are not so many more things that could be done to enhance the music-playing capabiliites, and the processor should be as powerful as those driving most mobile phones. only adding more space is not really whaqt will continue to protect ipods market share. adding other stuff you can do with it is better, provided it is done in a good way of course.
i wouldn't mmind a small mobile-phone camera inside as well, but not that important for me.
Yeah, I've already sent feedback to Apple about the address book photo idea. I have a photo and assumed photographs would be transferred but no. I would like to be able to open JPEGs in the notes area as well. I don't want say Joy of tech in my iPhoto library b ut it might be nice to view them on an iPod - although you would need panning as you wouldn't be able to read anything properly,
Music videos on the iPod would be cool, add that feature to iTunes as well, buy the song and the vid.
The current OS is so simple I don't think organising music on an iPod iTunes style is an advantage. It would make the simplest player on the market too complicated and fiddly. It would need more buttons as well. Keep the OS as it is.
My prediction is not multicolored screens, but single color screens, to match or contrast new casing colors. Just a thought.
That really wouldn't work - you'd need different settings for each iPod, which adds to the production time. Also, why do that when it's probably more effective to just add colour screens for all minis and let the user set the preferences?
That really wouldn't work - you'd need different settings for each iPod, which adds to the production time. Also, why do that when it's probably more effective to just add colour screens for all minis and let the user set the preferences?
No more time than it already takes to make the different color casings. What settings are you speaking of? I'm talking single color displays like how the 3G iPods had red displays. They manufacture the minis based on which color is selling best, so why would it be so hard to add a green screen to the green mini when all there making that day is green minis?
No more time than it already takes to make the different color casings. What settings are you speaking of? I'm talking single color displays like how the 3G iPods had red displays. They manufacture the minis based on which color is selling best, so why would it be so hard to add a green screen to the green mini when all there making that day is green minis?
They would still have to split the production lines at some point earlier, equalling more exspensive production.
Comments
Originally posted by rseiler
I've seen many comment here and elsewhere about the Mini's battery. Are there any theories why the Mini would be running its battery down so quickly? Is it a defect or bad design? For its rated time, it should be just as competent as any other iPod of similar vintage. If a color TFT screen is in the new model, they sure better have made the battery flat-out great.
I haven't done any testing per se on my iPod but battery life has been great for me.
I have never run the battery down all; the way.
As for color screen..I'm waiting for the 20gig to get it. I like my mini but I only have 5 songs of room left, and I haven't even ripped any of my cds to it yet. (I'm quite lazy when it comes to that because my music collection is huge, I've only managed to get a fraction of the music I have on vinyl onto my iPod (by downloading) and that took forever). When a 20gig color comes out (5G) I'll buy that and give this one to my mom.
Originally posted by rseiler
Other than color, what does a color display on an MP3 player bring to the table? Color was important to TV and computer monitors, where you're doing nothing but looking at them when you're using them, but an iPod?!
While I have no doubt they're all moving in that direction eventually, and while, all things being equal, I wouldn't refuse one if offered, it seems to me that as far as "features" go in these players, that one's at or near the bottom. Unless there's some brilliant use of it I'm missing.
the colour screen adds clarity but I agree with you. iPods should be adding features like radio - digital would be great! or bluetooth. Colour is not a good invention. BUT look at the iPods since the third revision, what's new? A click wheel, a mini iPod, a photo iPod and a shuffle. NO actual features. What are Apple doing. I think they're improving iTunes to make the iPod even better, iTunes is half (if not more) of the iPod success but Apple can't rely on this forever. I had a 30GB iPod, i needed a bigger hard drive so I bought a 60GB iPod photo. When I upgrade again in a year or so I want to see more features!
Originally posted by onlooker
Yeah, MacCrazy, but if you start adding things like digital radio to the iPod people will start thinking backwards. Why buy an iPod if I'll probably listen to the radio most of the time? Hey, I could just get a small digital Radio for cheaper! Because there are fine little digital radios out there ready for apple to give them a share of the iPods market.
Good point but if someone wants an iPod it'll help persuade them?! I don't know Apple need something *NEW*
Originally posted by MacCrazy
Good point but if someone wants an iPod it'll help persuade them?! I don't know Apple need something *NEW*
I personally hate the radio thing, I have a few of those free self tuning radios i can use. An iPod will NOT improve sound quality because FM radio is always FM radio no matter if you put it in a diamond encased housing and sell it for a million quid!
The next thing Apple should be looking at is making the iPod gain Pictbridge technology. A little adaptor bring out a little dock port to (female) USB adaptor so we can plug our cameras in and create a folder on the iPod and transfer them. Boom. This syncs with iPhoto (or you My Pictures folder on Windows) and Boom, they're all there. The iPod has started down the road of photos, and although I'm sure Belkin's (expensive) offering is great, we all know that if the iPod had these options in it, it would be more controllable. Plus a dock port to usb adaptor would retail at £30 max (about the same or less than a dock). Which is half of Belkin's asking price for their card reader, and a lot less bulky.
Originally posted by danielctull
I personally hate the radio thing, I have a few of those free self tuning radios i can use. An iPod will NOT improve sound quality because FM radio is always FM radio no matter if you put it in a diamond encased housing and sell it for a million quid!
The next thing Apple should be looking at is making the iPod gain Pictbridge technology. A little adaptor bring out a little dock port to (female) USB adaptor so we can plug our cameras in and create a folder on the iPod and transfer them. Boom. This syncs with iPhoto (or you My Pictures folder on Windows) and Boom, they're all there. The iPod has started down the road of photos, and although I'm sure Belkin's (expensive) offering is great, we all know that if the iPod had these options in it, it would be more controllable. Plus a dock port to usb adaptor would retail at £30 max (about the same or less than a dock). Which is half of Belkin's asking price for their card reader, and a lot less bulky.
SOLD. As long as it's compatible with the existing iPod photo, otherwise I'll be pissed. No iPod photo user is going to want to upgrade so soon - although 80GB are due out so that might change things.
Originally posted by DHagan4755
I don't think Apple would put a radio tuner in their iPod because it's sort of the antithesis of what the iPod is about. If you have an iPod, you have all your music ? who needs the radio? You want an iPod to tune in NPR? That would be pitiful.
it was more of an example than an actual feature I would like. Although sometimes I would like to listen to my radio on the move with good quality. I was just exploring possible ideas. What do people want to see, camera compatibility via USB is possible surely.
Originally posted by MacCrazy
it was more of an example than an actual feature I would like. Although sometimes I would like to listen to my radio on the move with good quality. I was just exploring possible ideas. What do people want to see, camera compatibility via USB is possible surely.
I want voice recording without a clumsy add-on. There is a hack out there that basically suggests the feature is there but disabled; all they'd really need to do is enable it and then add a mic.
The iPod maker has been using the 5GB drives in the manufacturing of its current 4GB iPod mini, with a firmware block that restricts the usable capacity of the player to 4GB. This has allowed the company keep up with demand for the minis without having to rely on a single supplier of microdrives.
Just thinking of it, any way to detect which drive you have (4/5) and is there a way to h4x0r that firmware block?
1. colour-screen. yes, view photos, view albums, it is nice with colour
2. with colour-screen, addressbook-photos should sync with ipod
3. better sound-recording, preferably built-in
4. get photos straight from camera
5. more games, why not java-games, plenty of such games for mobile phones. the track-pad may need som adjusting to facilitate this. but, people play a lot of games on their mobiles, and with colur-screen playing on the ipod would be fine. the java-stuff would be good, there are a lot of java-games and they could then easily be ported to the ipod.
there are not so many more things that could be done to enhance the music-playing capabiliites, and the processor should be as powerful as those driving most mobile phones. only adding more space is not really whaqt will continue to protect ipods market share. adding other stuff you can do with it is better, provided it is done in a good way of course.
i wouldn't mmind a small mobile-phone camera inside as well, but not that important for me.
Originally posted by dividend
looks great. there area number of enhancments that i want to see before i buy a new ipod:
1. colour-screen. yes, view photos, view albums, it is nice with colour
2. with colour-screen, addressbook-photos should sync with ipod
3. better sound-recording, preferably built-in
4. get photos straight from camera
5. more games, why not java-games, plenty of such games for mobile phones. the track-pad may need som adjusting to facilitate this. but, people play a lot of games on their mobiles, and with colur-screen playing on the ipod would be fine. the java-stuff would be good, there are a lot of java-games and they could then easily be ported to the ipod.
there are not so many more things that could be done to enhance the music-playing capabiliites, and the processor should be as powerful as those driving most mobile phones. only adding more space is not really whaqt will continue to protect ipods market share. adding other stuff you can do with it is better, provided it is done in a good way of course.
i wouldn't mmind a small mobile-phone camera inside as well, but not that important for me.
Yeah, I've already sent feedback to Apple about the address book photo idea. I have a photo and assumed photographs would be transferred but no. I would like to be able to open JPEGs in the notes area as well. I don't want say Joy of tech in my iPhoto library b ut it might be nice to view them on an iPod - although you would need panning as you wouldn't be able to read anything properly,
Music videos on the iPod would be cool, add that feature to iTunes as well, buy the song and the vid.
The current OS is so simple I don't think organising music on an iPod iTunes style is an advantage. It would make the simplest player on the market too complicated and fiddly. It would need more buttons as well. Keep the OS as it is.
Originally posted by ltong
My prediction is not multicolored screens, but single color screens, to match or contrast new casing colors. Just a thought.
That really wouldn't work - you'd need different settings for each iPod, which adds to the production time. Also, why do that when it's probably more effective to just add colour screens for all minis and let the user set the preferences?
Originally posted by Commodus
That really wouldn't work - you'd need different settings for each iPod, which adds to the production time. Also, why do that when it's probably more effective to just add colour screens for all minis and let the user set the preferences?
No more time than it already takes to make the different color casings. What settings are you speaking of? I'm talking single color displays like how the 3G iPods had red displays. They manufacture the minis based on which color is selling best, so why would it be so hard to add a green screen to the green mini when all there making that day is green minis?
Originally posted by ltong
No more time than it already takes to make the different color casings. What settings are you speaking of? I'm talking single color displays like how the 3G iPods had red displays. They manufacture the minis based on which color is selling best, so why would it be so hard to add a green screen to the green mini when all there making that day is green minis?
They would still have to split the production lines at some point earlier, equalling more exspensive production.