Apple Releases Uninspiring iPod Photo, iPod U2 Special Edition

In a bid to fend off advances from the Microsoft camp, Apple on Tuesday introduced two new iPod portable audio devices, one of which can display digital photos on its tiny color screen. The other new iPod, dubbed the iPod U2 Special Edition, provides lucky buyers with a black body and red scroll wheel, all for just an additional $50 when compared to an otherwise identical white iPod.

Yeah, these releases aren't that inspiring. The reality of the long-expected iPod Photo was far less impressive than the mock-ups fan sites had created in the days leading up to the launch, featuring the standard but tiny 2-inch screen that adorns other iPods. By comparison, the Creative Zen Portable Media Center, which also displays photos and music, but adds support for videos and recorded TV shows, features a much larger 3.8-inch screen and better resolution (320 x 240 vs. 220 x 176 for the iPod Photo). It also gets dramatically better battery life. However, Apple says it kept the screen small in order to keep the iPod small, sacrificing both the display and battery life, presumably, for style.

"We think photos plus photos is the next big thing," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "Everyone has the content already, and there are no copyright issues." Microsoft apparently agrees: The company launched photo slideshow and music software in Windows XP Media Center three years ago, and added on-the-go support in Portable Media Center this past summer. Somehow, I suspect I'm still going to read about how Apple innovated in this area.

Apple also introduced the curiously crippled iPod U2 Special Edition, which is essentially a black version of its 20 GB white iPod. In addition to its black fascia and red scroll wheel, the iPod U2 Special Edition is differentiated from its white brethren in exactly three ways: It costs $50 more, it includes engravings of the band's signatures on the back, and it must be used with a wide range of white, not black, iPod accessories: For some reason, Apple chose not to supply black ear bud headphones, a dock, or other accessories (indeed, the iPod U2 Special Edition doesn't even come with a dock, black or white). Actually, there are a few other amenities included with this most painful of iPods: It comes with a U2 poster, and a $50 coupon off the purchase of "The Complete U2," a collection of over 400 U2 songs you must download in Protected AAC format; the retail price for the collection is $150.

Am I unimpressed by these new iPods? Yeah, pretty much. Don't get me wrong: For many reasons, the iPod is still the portable digital audio player to get, but the iPod Photo and iPod U2 Special Edition are underwhelming additions to the line-up.

End of Article

Are you supposed to report news, or make dubious judgements about new products?

I thought you were rather wary about analysts and their "predictions", Paul.

Either way, Microsoft's and its partner's admittedly more feature-packed products curiously still lack any significant market presence compared to the iPod. Hmmmmm. I wonder why that is?

Anonymous User October 27, 2004 (Article Rating:

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Paul: "the Creative Zen Portable Media Center, ...also gets dramatically better battery life.

MacCentral: "Apple also claims the iPod Photo sports longer battery life than previous models -- the company says iPod Photo can play music for up to 15 hours continuously, or up to 5 hours while showing photo slideshows."

The website for the Creative Zen indicates "Up to 12 hour battery life."

As usual, you're behind the curve, Paul. You should go back to writing about "EXCITING!" Micro$oft technologies such as watches that give you weather reports.

WinThose October 27, 2004 (Article Rating:

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"Either way, Microsoft's and its partner's admittedly more feature-packed products curiously still lack any significant market presence compared to the iPod. Hmmmmm. I wonder why that is?"

It's because the iPod currently has the momentum of having the 'cool factor'. The product is not the most technically superior, or cheapest product - but it's cool, it has momentum, and everyone wants one.

Ultimately, coolness doesn't last forever, neither does the momentum it has generated for Apple, and so Apple has to keep the ball rolling - but the iPod Photo is a minor enhancement that will have a limited effect on keeping the iPod 'cool'. The small screen will proove a pretty poor way for people to show off their photographs.

Anyway, I thought that Apple's view when it came to iPod was that it was 'All about the music'? Out come Microsoft with the feature packed portable media center and guess what! Apple do an immediate about face and _COPY_ Microsoft.

Who else will be doing the about face? The Blind Apple Zealots who believe whatever Apple produces is just amazing no matter what it is; bring on the flames - Please, bring them on - I could do with a good laugh.

MLomasIcomm October 27, 2004 (Article Rating:

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According to: http://www.apple.com/ipod/u2/specs.html the U2 ipod does come with a dock, it is the 4th column in the "Included accessories" row, second line - "dock".

I think you should be fairer with your commentry.

Anonymous User October 27, 2004

Wow. The author doesn't seem to "get" that a major reason the iPod is so successful is its portability. Large gadgets such as the Creative Zen Portable Media Center don't fit in the pocket, so they're really not that portable, and their screens are still too small to view video. And, video is awfully hard to get on these devices.

Presumably, U2 fans are going to be the ones purchasing the U2 iPod. And for those fans also purchasing U2's entire collection of songs, they get a $50 coupon, meaning the U2 iPod costs exactly the same as a non-U2 iPod with the same features. I wouldn't expect the U2 version of be a huge hit, but it will be popular among U2 fans and serves to raise overall awareness of the iPod product line.

Anonymous User October 27, 2004 (Article Rating:

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what do you get paid for this dribble?

Anonymous User October 27, 2004

I'm kind of tired of reading articles that talk about how great every fart Steve Jobs emits smells so great. It's refreshing to read an intelligent look at an Apple product. The tiny iPod screen ain't so great for photos. My Zire 72 has a bigger screen, costs less, and not only displays pics, plays .mp3 files (at an admittedly low volume) and takes voice memos, but also takes pics and videos, plays games and videos, and does a thousand other things. Now, if only Palm would come out with one with a mini hard drive... Anyone who says that "photos are the next big thing" apparently hasn't been paying attention for the past 150 years. I think Apple really missed on that one. As for the U2 player, U2 are so 80s. Aren't people over them yet? I am. And the slick red and black iPod would look kind of bad with the white earphones -- like they don't go together.

Anonymous User October 27, 2004 (Article Rating:

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Ahhh....the spokesperson for the Windows IT pro....not skilled enough for UNIX, not cultured enough for the Mac. Pray they don't outsource you to New Delhi.

Anonymous User October 27, 2004 (Article Rating:

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Paul. You must be one of the loneliest, saddest people on this planet.

Anonymous User October 27, 2004 (Article Rating:

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pfff, common guys, what a poor article. And MLomaslcomm, get a life please: if I have to sum all the copies of Microsoft in respect to Apple, THEN you have an article. Saying that Microsoft is innovative, makes me laugh out loud. I may be a "Blind Apple Zealot", but that makes you a Blind Microsoft Zealot, who believes whatever M$ copies, is just amazing, no matter what they copied. And please start looking at the quality of content, because this article is pretty poor.

Anonymous User October 27, 2004 (Article Rating:

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