Since Ben is tired of the contents of my truck tray, I’ll wax eloquently (actually, I’ll leave a waxy residue) on the new iPod.
Here’s what I like:
it plays video (duh)
it plays video out to a TV as well
video material is easily available through the iTunes music store (if you can still call it a music store or iTunes)
Apple has taken out the internal software block and now you can record line in audio with the iPod @ 44.1 kHz – 16 bit stereo
it comes in shiny black or white
it’s thinner
it still uses the same dock connecter as the older ones
it includes a number of new little software niceties like a lap timer, etc.
battery life has been bumped up a bit
Here’s what I’m not crazy about:
even though it’s thinner, it has a slightly bigger footprint (at least it looks that way)
it no longer syncs via Firewire, only USB 2.0 (I know, USB 2.0 is slightly faster than Firewire 400, but slightly flakier too)
it still tops out at 60 GBs; it would have been nice to see an 80 GB model
I know there are machines that do the whole audio and video thing, but none with such style, ease of use, and large scale distribution as the iPod. For people with broadband, this has the potential to radically change how and who they get the majority of their media content from. Blogs and podcasts have expanded the way some receive print and audio content, will the new iPod do the same for video?
I know, there are some major differences when it comes to video. It takes more time and more equipment to produce. But the iPod screen, as small as it is, could change the way we think about video intended for a small screen format. Just like podcasts, the portability, time shifting, and subscription attributes of video-casting will help draw people to it. Video and audio content have always been available on the web, but getting it when and where you want it is crucial for its success. At then end of it all, I love watching all these content producers (both corporate and independent) scramble to decide what they’re going to do with Apple’s new iPod.
