Apple unveils second generation iPod mini
Apple introduces 4 new iPod mini models.
As expected, Apple today unveiled the second generation iPod mini lineup with a new 4GB model priced at just $199 and a new 6GB model with 50 percent more storage priced at $249. No new colors where introduced and neither model sports a color screen, as previously predicted by the Think Secret Web site.
Both iPod mini models are available in 4 colors and feature increased battery life of up to 18 hours, USB charging and an ultra-portable, lightweight design.
Pricing & Availability
The 4GB and 6GB models of iPod mini for Mac or Windows are available worldwide immediately for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) and $249 (US) respectively, in a choice of silver, pink, blue or green through the Apple Store, Apple?s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iPod mini includes earbud headphones, a belt clip case, a USB 2.0 cable, and a CD with iTunes 4.7.1 for Mac and Windows computers.
An optional USB power adapter is available for $29 (US) which easily charges iPod mini when traveling. Other accessories include the iPod Dock for $39 (US) for desktop syncing and charging, in-ear headphones for $39 (US), an arm band for $29 (US), a lanyard for $19 (US) and FireWire cable for $19 (US). Laser engraving is available for iPod mini for free from the Apple Store and can include two lines of text with up to 23 characters per line.
iPod mini requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port or FireWire and Mac OS X version 10.2.8 or 10.3.4 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 or FireWire port, or USB 2.0 or FireWire card and Windows 2000, with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later.
As expected, Apple today unveiled the second generation iPod mini lineup with a new 4GB model priced at just $199 and a new 6GB model with 50 percent more storage priced at $249. No new colors where introduced and neither model sports a color screen, as previously predicted by the Think Secret Web site.
Both iPod mini models are available in 4 colors and feature increased battery life of up to 18 hours, USB charging and an ultra-portable, lightweight design.
Pricing & Availability
The 4GB and 6GB models of iPod mini for Mac or Windows are available worldwide immediately for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) and $249 (US) respectively, in a choice of silver, pink, blue or green through the Apple Store, Apple?s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iPod mini includes earbud headphones, a belt clip case, a USB 2.0 cable, and a CD with iTunes 4.7.1 for Mac and Windows computers.
An optional USB power adapter is available for $29 (US) which easily charges iPod mini when traveling. Other accessories include the iPod Dock for $39 (US) for desktop syncing and charging, in-ear headphones for $39 (US), an arm band for $29 (US), a lanyard for $19 (US) and FireWire cable for $19 (US). Laser engraving is available for iPod mini for free from the Apple Store and can include two lines of text with up to 23 characters per line.
iPod mini requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port or FireWire and Mac OS X version 10.2.8 or 10.3.4 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 or FireWire port, or USB 2.0 or FireWire card and Windows 2000, with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later.
Comments
Originally posted by dutch pear
Hmmm, as thinksecret has gotten this wrong, could this be Apple trying to find the leak by selectively giving false info to suspected leakers???
dude that is some awesome conspiracy theory, the ol' disinformation-tracking method
edit:
there could have been different versions of the disinformation, eg. iPodphoto direct connect to digiCam, eg. iPod mini color screen, and
they would track and see how the rumors show up at various sites.
cool 8)
I wonder if there ever was and "Asteroid" box being developed by Apple... All I know is that there was a bit of disappointment when it didn't show at MWSF.
Originally posted by schmidm77
And this is exactly why Apple gets so pissed off at these rumor sites. For days now the whispers about a color mini were so frenzied that even some investment analysts picked up on it; so now Apple has to either meet expectations based on an irresponsible rumor or possibly see their stock price get hit as a result.
I wonder if there ever was and "Asteroid" box being developed by Apple... All I know is that there was a bit of disappointment when it didn't show at MWSF.
the analysts can kiss my ass. if they're dumb enough to trade millions of dollars worth of stock based on rumor websites, well, wait a minute... that's what they do...
repeat, analysts can kiss my ass. i don't think rumor sites should be blamed for hurting AAPL stock price
edit: i mean that merril lynch guy that was trying to push up the price with so-called 'sony-apple' partnership pfffttt !! a few days later sony president came out and said 'we gonna be making iPod-killer'
f8ck analysts and their bullsh1t....
Originally posted by Relic
as for the iPod update "Boring".
Yeah, but you can't really expect Apple to bring out huge changes when we;re still in the slowest buying season of the year.
Originally posted by sunilraman
the analysts can kiss my ass. if they're dumb enough to trade millions of dollars worth of stock based on rumor websites, well, wait a minute... that's what they do...
repeat, analysts can kiss my ass. i don't think rumor sites should be blamed for hurting AAPL stock price
edit: i mean that merril lynch guy that was trying to push up the price with so-called 'sony-apple' partnership pfffttt !! a few days later sony president came out and said 'we gonna be making iPod-killer'
f8ck analysts and their bullsh1t....
Sites like this and ThinkSecret certainly do contribute to the creation of potentially unreachable expectations.
EVERYBODY knew and expected the Mac mini to be released at MWSF based only on rumors. So what do you think would have happened if it turned out there never had been a mini, just as there was no "asteroid" announcement? Anything that did happen would have been completely out of Apple's control, and caused by no fault of their own.
Originally posted by pmjoe
I checked one of these out yesterday (the old model, but I'm assuming the new model is about the same). The screen is just too small to make such a big deal about the photo capabilities on these iPods. I hope Apple realizes this soon.
Sssshhh don't complain about the iPod, these Appleinsider folk don't take kindly to anyone one disrespecting their religious icons.
The screen isn't bad, I would love to see a media player in it!
Originally posted by the cool gut
Yeah, but you can't really expect Apple to bring out huge changes when we;re still in the slowest buying season of the year.
I know, I got hyped about the color screen in the mini. Damn you ThinkSecret bringing false hope to an already hanging by the thread of sanity Apple community. Shame on you, Apple lawyers, "Engage"! Anyway, back to the rumors......
I see plenty of people who use them for this, but I'm just not sold on using hard drive technology in a music player when I'm exercising. I may yet pick up a Shuffle, but what I really want is something in between.
Originally posted by pmjoe
I wish Apple would do a 2GB version of this that was flash memory based, but it doesn't look like there is room in the current pricing for that.
I see plenty of people who use them for this, but I'm just not sold on using hard drive technology in a music player when I'm exercising. I may yet pick up a Shuffle, but what I really want is something in between.
I run with my 3G iPod and have never had it skip on me.
Also, at what price can we expect the 1G minis to be sold now?
Originally posted by DanMacMan
Has anyone else noticed that the new minis only come with a USB 2 connector? Why would Apple abandon Firewire, a technology they helped create?
Also, at what price can we expect the 1G minis to be sold now?
Extra cost maybe who knows, but is it such a lost. I mean every new Mac has 2.0 and it's not like...wait...wait...yes that's it, Intel makes the USB chips. Is this a start of a new friendship? Rumor minds want to know.
Originally posted by DanMacMan
Has anyone else noticed that the new minis only come with a USB 2 connector? Why would Apple abandon Firewire, a technology they helped create?
Also, at what price can we expect the 1G minis to be sold now?
USB 2 is more common across both platforms, so instead of expecting windows users to buy a separate USB connector, they include it by default. If you want a firewire connector, you can still purchase it separately.
It is kind of crappy for us Mac users who only have USB 1.x though.
Originally posted by DanMacMan
Has anyone else noticed that the new minis only come with a USB 2 connector? Why would Apple abandon Firewire, a technology they helped create?
Also, at what price can we expect the 1G minis to be sold now?
Hey now, that is stupid! I am not looking at getting a mini, but if I wanted one I would be out of luck as my 1st gen 17" Powerbook only has USB 1.1. I know it would still work but it would be waaay too slow. I see on the accessory page it can be had for 19 dollars, but still...
***Edit, just realized that this is how the whole lineup is now...***
Originally posted by Relic
I know, I got hyped about the color screen in the mini.
Me too. No way I'm going to pay $249 now. The color screen makes the interface so much nicer. What I find odd is that ThinkSecret had details such as a specific resolution of 176x132 for the color screen. This resolution is not being used by any other iPod model. Well, I've got an iPod Shuffle on order should Target ever decide to ship it.
Originally posted by DanMacMan
Has anyone else noticed that the new minis only come with a USB 2 connector? Why would Apple abandon Firewire, a technology they helped create?
I'm glad you caught that, too, even though you've got it a bit wrong (FireWire is an add-on option).
FireWire may eventually go as an awesome technology that didn't succeed because of marketing factors. There are not enough devices that take advantage of the available bus power and not enough that are configured to be daisy chained. FireWire should be the dominant transfer protocol not only because of its superior real-world speeds, but also because of the added benefits or reducing cable clutter and improving the remote management of devices.
The fact that FireWire 800 is a completely different connector is also a major blunder. The only way Apple could alleviate this problem is to provide free 6-to-9 pin adapters to the higher speed devices can be worked into existing FW400 networks. Surely, the first FW800 devices in the networks will have to be throttled back, but eventually each of the slower devices will be upgraded and the high speeds can be achieved.
It's funny how Apple got it SO RIGHT with AirPort and AirPort Extreme (802.11b and 802.11g), even defeating the mighty Intel's 802.11a, while they have gotten it SO WRONG the FireWire vs USB situation.