iPods 4G Anonymous

by C.K. Sample III Oct 26, 2004

Thanks, Apple. Thanks a lot. A mere three weeks after I got my brand new, top-of-the-line 40GB 4G iPod, you go and announce a 60GB Color iPod Photo. My bragging rights eliminated in one fell swoop. *sigh*

Please. I beg you, Apple. If it is simply a matter of firmware, I would really really really *love it* if you could make my now out-dated 4G iPod capable of displaying the album artwork of the currently playing track in beautiful grayscale glory. Pretty please. I’ll write favorable comments about all your products!

In the meantime. . . . What’s with the U2 iPod? Black and red and only 20GB for $50 more? U2 may have just jumped the shark with this one. Strike one: Bono starts out the new single with “One, Two, Three, Fourteen…” in Spanish. Strike number two: You’re not doing that well as a rebellious rock-and-roll band when your new single’s initial appearance is as a commercial. And you’re really not that hot when your brand new customized iPod’s opening act / immediate predecessor was the HP iPod.

If you’re a HUGE U2 fan, here’s the convo you’ll have repeatedly with random non-U2 fan on the street:

“What’re all those scratches on the back of your new red and black iPod?”

“Oh, those are just the signatures of the band. I intend to cover them up with this new black and red case.”

“Why black and red?”

“I think it may be the colors of the Irish flag.” [note, the actual colors of the Irish flag: orange, green, & white, not in that order]

And in the car:

“Why is your iTrip white? It doesn’t match your iPod.”

“I cannot find one in red, but they are coming out with a new black one.”

That said, if Apple comes out with a Beastie Boys iPod in the 40GB neighborhood, I am buying it.

Also, 15 hours of battery life on a new color screen? I’ll believe it when I see it.

Okay. I’m done. Not the best ranting article ever, but I am depressed. I don’t care about all the photos.  I want that extra 20GB and the album artwork previews. If only FreeiPods.com would offer the iPod Photo.

Share this article

Comments

  • I agree CK. Maybe the Black and Red U2 iPod is for Sunday Bloody Sunday? I’m reaching here.

    Gregory Ng had this to say on Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 54

  • It is $50 extra because it comes with a $50 gift certificate to iTMS, and a poster.

    Charles had this to say on Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 4

  • Nevermind, it’s $50 off the U2 Digital Box Set. Smae thing though, if you like U2.

    Charles had this to say on Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 4

  • Interesting, this happend to me too. I bought the 30Gb 3G-iPod, and one week _before_ it arrived, Apple launched the 40Gb-version.

    The thing is, I thought I had a really weak case (“Hey, Apple, how about giving me a new 40Gb iPod in exchange for the 30Gb, although I have laser-engraved the old one? Because I want one, and it would be…. nice.”). Thing is, AppleStore just said “sure, send in the old one and buy the new one already today, we will refund your money”. I was so baffled I just sat there, staring at the phone, feeling the warmth spreading in me.

    Now, offcource everything wasn’t perfect at once, since AppleStore never gave me the refund until I wrote an article in MacWorld, and the 40Gb took two months to arrive. But anyway. It’s worth a shot. At least one. At least, if you bought it from AppleStore.

    Happy hunting!

    / Andreas

    P.S. Just got that 40Gb iPod stolen last week. Can’t say Im sorry, since the replacement (from the insurance company) is going to be a Photo iPod… he he… grin

     

    Andreas H had this to say on Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 1

  • The Black and Red color scheme on the U2 iPod is to match the cover of their new album as welll as classic U2 albums: War, Rattle and Hum, The Joshua Tree, ...among others. (Those were the first that came to mind.)

    And, haven’t you heard? Black (and Red) is the new White. LOL

    One other thing no one’s mentioned: How readable is the iPod Photo’s color screen when the backlighting is turned off?

    Dinosaurius had this to say on Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 4

  • I like these iPhoto iPods. And yet, $500 and $600 is getting a little too steep for me. Right now, my music collection is approaching 30 GB, so I think I’ll move up from my 20 iPod to a 40. Maybe we’ll see a price drop by X-mas.

    Oxhead had this to say on Oct 28, 2004 Posts: 2

  • I called the Apple Store to check on your theory, Andreas.  I tried the “I got it as a gift” approach, but they said that they could make the exchange for upgrade to iPod Photo, but only if I had a receipt and if the purchase had been within the last 14 days.  No such luck for me. 

    In any case, those of you who bought a 40GB iPod 5 days before the announcement better run to the Apple Store with $100-200 for your upgrade!

    C.K. Sample III had this to say on Nov 01, 2004 Posts: 41
  • Page 1 of 1 pages
You need log in, or register, in order to comment