iPod dock in powerbooks - a good idea?
The best scenario I can imagine would be some sort of slot that might have dual or triple function, possibly also accomodating an extra battery or PMCIA slots.
The slot would have to accomodate the largest size ipod (a reasonable size for a spare battery as it is), with adapters or variable slots for the other size ipods.
Whaddaya think?
The slot would have to accomodate the largest size ipod (a reasonable size for a spare battery as it is), with adapters or variable slots for the other size ipods.
Whaddaya think?
Comments
Originally posted by Nordstrodamus
The best scenario I can imagine would be some sort of slot that might have dual or triple function, possibly also accomodating an extra battery or PMCIA slots.
The slot would have to accomodate the largest size ipod (a reasonable size for a spare battery as it is), with adapters or variable slots for the other size ipods.
Whaddaya think?
I could see it in a consumer and stationary mac, but in a powerbook? No.
Originally posted by Anders
I could see it in a consumer and stationary mac, but in a powerbook? No.
I can't (and don't want to) see it in any Mac...not everyone has iPods, and if you want a dock so badly, just buy the damn thing...
Originally posted by mynamehere
I can't (and don't want to) see it in any Mac...not everyone has iPods, and if you want a dock so badly, just buy the damn thing...
Agree.
Originally posted by admactanium
at this point it makes no sense. there are so many different form factors of ipods just between the different generation "mainline" ipods that it would be unfeasable. if you have a 1st gen ipod, then you can't use the dock. if you have a ipod shuffle (and there are MANY people with these) you can't use the dock, etc.
every computer in the world has a shuffle dock, it's called a usb port, works well too, if apple puts a dock in that works with both the iPods and iPod mini, i'd go for it (if it doesn't raise prices and doesn't look wierd) i have both of those and could use a dock in my computer
Originally posted by i-am-an-elf
every computer in the world has a shuffle dock, it's called a usb port, works well too, if apple puts a dock in that works with both the iPods and iPod mini, i'd go for it (if it doesn't raise prices and doesn't look wierd) i have both of those and could use a dock in my computer
Sure, the shuffle is already taken care of. I'm imagining a slot big enough to hold all the hard-drive ipods
Here's the pluses-
1. Really makes the "Home on iPod" scenario work
2. If the slot can double as a spare battery slot, there's no downside
3. If it could triple as a battery slot and PCMCIA slot, it would kick ass.
Originally posted by Nordstrodamus
Sure, the shuffle is already taken care of. I'm imagining a slot big enough to hold all the hard-drive ipods
Here's the pluses-
1. Really makes the "Home on iPod" scenario work
2. If the slot can double as a spare battery slot, there's no downside
3. If it could triple as a battery slot and PCMCIA slot, it would kick ass.
But how could it be all those things? An iPod is not shaped like a battery is not shaped like a PCMCIA card. I just don't see why it's such a big deal to connect a USB cable between the two. If anything, I'd rather see some sort of wireless connection option for iPods.
And the patent drawing (you saw that, right?) showed the iPod in the place of the trackpad. What, you're supposed to use the click-wheel as your mouse now? At least the two-button mouse lovers would have some appeasment. All in all, I think it's just a frivolous idea.
Originally posted by Reid
But how could it be all those things? An iPod is not shaped like a battery is not shaped like a PCMCIA card. I just don't see why it's such a big deal to connect a USB cable between the two. If anything, I'd rather see some sort of wireless connection option for iPods.
This is how I see it as possible. First, since it would be a slot for a spare battery and lithium polymer batteries can be shapped like anything, it shouldn't be a problem making the battery the same shape as the fat ipods. With varying spring hatches different "slots" can occupy the same space. Alternatively, it could be just a big ass slot with space filling adapters available for the different ipods. Doubling as a type III PCMCIA slot could be acheived with another adapter.
[i]
And the patent drawing (you saw that, right?) showed the iPod in the place of the trackpad. What, you're supposed to use the click-wheel as your mouse now? At least the two-button mouse lovers would have some appeasment. All in all, I think it's just a frivolous idea. [/B]
No, I actually didn't see the one your talking about, but I'm not really thinking that way. I guess the idea there would be that since the trackpad sits right over the hard drive, you might as well just put an iPod there. But that makes the portable useless unless an ipod is in it. I wouldn't go that route.
Originally posted by i-am-an-elf
every computer in the world has a shuffle dock, it's called a usb port, works well too, if apple puts a dock in that works with both the iPods and iPod mini, i'd go for it (if it doesn't raise prices and doesn't look wierd) i have both of those and could use a dock in my computer
yes, the shuffle uses the usb port. but the marketing of this dock would be abysmal. "here's the ipod dock on your powerbook. what's that? oh, you can't connect that ipod to it. that's a different ipod. huh? no, that ipod is too old to connect to that dock too. this ipod dock is specific only to 3g and 4g ipods and it's also shaped too large for ipod mini's in order to accomodate the regular ipods. also, it's too big for the 20 gig ipod because we needed to make it big enough for the 40 gig ipod. no, THAT ipod (one of our best sellers) doesn't use firewire, sorry, that uses usb. so if you have a 40 gig 4g ipod, then this is your ipod dock."
Honestly, what's the point? Does it offer any real value beyond just being "neat"? Wireless connectivity between the iPod and your computers would be a more useful setup overall.
What is the typical iPod usage anyhow? Mine only gets connected to my computer for updates or charging. I never actually use it while on my computer because my music library is local anyhow (others may have different usage patterns of course). I can see using the iPod for home folder storage too (as a backup), but other than syncing and the occasional use why clutter any/all of their computers with a dedicated dock?
Originally posted by admactanium
yes, the shuffle uses the usb port. but the marketing of this dock would be abysmal. "here's the ipod dock on your powerbook. what's that? oh, you can't connect that ipod to it. that's a different ipod. huh? no, that ipod is too old to connect to that dock too. this ipod dock is specific only to 3g and 4g ipods and it's also shaped too large for ipod mini's in order to accomodate the regular ipods. also, it's too big for the 20 gig ipod because we needed to make it big enough for the 40 gig ipod. no, THAT ipod (one of our best sellers) doesn't use firewire, sorry, that uses usb. so if you have a 40 gig 4g ipod, then this is your ipod dock."
Ok it's really helpful if you actually READ the previous posts. I clearly said that you could accomodate ALL the ipods by designing the slot for the largest one and then using space filling adapters for the others. Sure, maybe you'd want to limit it to 3rd gen and up, but that's not gonna rub too many people the wrong way. Especially if you point out that it is just a friggin option, not some constitutional right, and if they don't like it they can use the slot as a spare battery.
As for bus issues, given that PCMCIA cards exist for firewire and USB, it seems feasible to have the multifunctional slot operate through a PCMCIA bus with various adapters for the iPods bringing the necessary bus and space filling adaptations.
BOTTOM LINE -
If you really don't want any peripheral slot on an portables for any reason that's fine, I can see a good argument for that if it was preventing Apple's portables from getting thinner, but if you might like a slot for PCMCIA, a spare battery, a squirrel snare, or whatever - wouldn't you also want it to accomodate your iPod?
The best part is if the user upgrades iPod, maybe has to upgrade computer too...
It's function changes when integrated... depending on the app, etc. or maybe just a hw link to iTunes control. It can be a secondary drive. Take it out and use it as you might a shuffle or something.
Just thinking out loud.
Originally posted by Nordstrodamus
Ok it's really helpful if you actually READ the previous posts. I clearly said that you could accomodate ALL the ipods by designing the slot for the largest one and then using space filling adapters for the others. Sure, maybe you'd want to limit it to 3rd gen and up, but that's not gonna rub too many people the wrong way. Especially if you point out that it is just a friggin option, not some constitutional right, and if they don't like it they can use the slot as a spare battery.
As for bus issues, given that PCMCIA cards exist for firewire and USB, it seems feasible to have the multifunctional slot operate through a PCMCIA bus with various adapters for the iPods bringing the necessary bus and space filling adaptations.
BOTTOM LINE -
If you really don't want any peripheral slot on an portables for any reason that's fine, I can see a good argument for that if it was preventing Apple's portables from getting thinner, but if you might like a slot for PCMCIA, a spare battery, a squirrel snare, or whatever - wouldn't you also want it to accomodate your iPod?
A slot like this could also cripple future iPod designs since they would have to conform to the specs of this slot...true this might not be much of an issue, but even so...
Originally posted by mynamehere
A slot like this could also cripple future iPod designs since they would have to conform to the specs of this slot...true this might not be much of an issue, but even so...
True, it would have to be the same size or smaller. but I don't thik apple would be moving to larger iPods anyway.
Originally posted by Nordstrodamus
Ok it's really helpful if you actually READ the previous posts. I clearly said that you could accomodate ALL the ipods by designing the slot for the largest one and then using space filling adapters for the others. Sure, maybe you'd want to limit it to 3rd gen and up, but that's not gonna rub too many people the wrong way. Especially if you point out that it is just a friggin option, not some constitutional right, and if they don't like it they can use the slot as a spare battery.
As for bus issues, given that PCMCIA cards exist for firewire and USB, it seems feasible to have the multifunctional slot operate through a PCMCIA bus with various adapters for the iPods bringing the necessary bus and space filling adaptations.
BOTTOM LINE -
If you really don't want any peripheral slot on an portables for any reason that's fine, I can see a good argument for that if it was preventing Apple's portables from getting thinner, but if you might like a slot for PCMCIA, a spare battery, a squirrel snare, or whatever - wouldn't you also want it to accomodate your iPod?
i wouldn't want my powerbook to get bigger as a result of including such a port. the cables work fine for me and i think having spacers for the different size is just too inelegant of a solution for apple. listen, if that's an idea you like then good for you. i think there are so many reasons why it won't work well and there's a reason why apple took away the extra battery/drive slot. it takes up too much room. i'm on my fifth powerbook and i had a pismo with a removeable slot. i wouldn't want the aluminum powerbooks get as big at a pismo to accomodate such a slot.
Originally posted by Nordstrodamus
Sure, the shuffle is already taken care of. I'm imagining a slot big enough to hold all the hard-drive ipods
Agree that built in dock is daft. Thats what fw/usb is for but for a while now i have been wanting a laptop with which you can easily swap the system disks on. ie.
one with a linux install one with an osx install and who knows even a windows one.. True you can dual boot a single disk but that limits the space avaliable to each install. I guess this is going to be much easier to acheive on an intel platfrom as well