iPod updates (and iPod photo redux)

tbutler (apparently) - 08:30am Feb 25, 2005 PST
via email

So... now the rumored iPod update has come, no bluetooth as was rumored,
but the 30 gig iPod makes a return, 40 gig 'pods are gone, and massive
price drops on the Photo models.

<http://emperor.tidbits.com/.3c59d245>

I'm going to miss the 40 gig models; I could just barely fit my current
collection on a 30, but that'd leave me with no room for expansion. I
have to wonder why they dropped the 40 gig model, unless they really
want to push the 60 gig; I can't remember another occasion where the
middle model actually dropped in capacity.

As I said last fall when they first introduced them, the Photos have
some nice minor improvements above and beyond the photo capability, and
even the photo capabilities were mildly interesting - but I didn't think
they were worth the $100 premium Apple was trying to charge for them.
Judging by the adjustments Apple made in the photo lineup and pricing,
I'd say Apple came to the same conclusion; the new 30 gig and repriced
60 gig come in at prices that fit neatly into the price/capacity
framework of the 'standard' 4th gen iPods. I expect them to be a lot
more successful at these prices... though eliminating the 40 gig
standard model means you don't have much choice if you want a
larger-capacity iPod.

And it looks like they're also coming out with the one accessory that I
thought would make it worth it for me, a direct camera-to-Pod download
interface. Yay!

The iPod minis are mildly interesting; I didn't trust the rumors of
color screens for the mini, but I am surprised they kept the original 4
gig model at a $200 price point. That's low enough to be tempting as a
second 'Pod, and for only $50 more than the shuffle...


Travis Butler
tbutlermac.com