In a nation obsessed with having the biggest television possible affixed to a wall, a new device that fits in a palm is now the most discussed video player.
Apple Computer Inc.’s mighty line of iPod digital music players has taken another remarkable evolution, this time introducing brilliant color to display music videos, TV shows and even junior’s first steps.
Available now, the new video iPod is a surprising delight to watch – and, of course, listen to. At 2 inches wide, the screen is slightly wider than on previous iPods and it sparkles in color. Videos have the clarity one would expect from a much larger screen.
The new iPod, which comes clad in black or white and priced at $299 for a 30gb model and $399 for a 60gb player, replaces the current crop of iPods. Hence, if you want an iPod that plays only music, you must settle for the Shuffle. Even the new iPod Nano, Apple’s other noted introduction this fall, displays photos.
In tests of the iPod, the device performed as it always has: flawlessly. About 2,500 songs, a handful of music videos, one episode of the TV drama “Lost” and a video podcast were downloaded into a 30-gigabyte player from this reviewer’s laptop in about 25 minutes.
That content, plus 70 family photos, took about 9gb of space, leaving plenty left over. And you’ll need the space if you want to watch a lot of videos because those files are far larger than one for a song.
For example, a video of the Kanye West song “Gold Digger” requires 19.8mb of space while the song itself requires 3.5mb. The debut episode of “Lost,” which takes nearly 43 minutes to watch, requires 210mb of space.
Downloading video from the iTunes Music Store also takes more time. In tests using a home Wi-Fi network, it took about 2 minutes to download a music video as opposed to less than 30 seconds for a song. It took 23 minutes to download “Lost.”
Once loaded, the iPod is a showstopper.
Co-workers marveled at the video quality, often remarking how dated it made older iPods appear. Strangers on the bus did not conceal efforts to peer over my shoulder. And even this reviewer’s wife, no friend to gadgets, decided it would make an excellent commuting aide.
The most critical test was on the bus. Having never watched “Lost,” I was curious if I could tolerate watching a drama on such a small screen.
Lost’ in time
I could, becoming so engrossed with the show that I nearly missed my stop. Once off the bus to finish the commute on foot, I paused the show and returned to playing music.
The next morning, the show picked up right where it had been paused. Yet this bus ride posed new challenges. For one, I had to stand much of the way, and two it was quite sunny.
Standing, it was easier to look at the iPod than it would be to read and fold a newspaper. (A distressing realization considering where I work.) And the sunlight did dampen the picture, but only marginally. I was still able to follow the drama as it unfolded.
One reason why the iPod works so well is its relationship with the iTunes software and iTunes Music Store. Upgraded to handle videos, iTunes 6 is required for a user’s computer. This remains a free upgrade and it comes with the new iPod.
The improvements to the Music Store illustrate why the iPod is the best-selling digital music player. There are more than 2,000 music videos to browse through and a new feature called “Just For You,” a predictive software program that makes recommendations based on past purchases.
That program was much fun, even though it recommended a song from Barry Manilow, apparently based on a recent 70’s rock shopping spree. Such bugs are still being worked out, an Apple spokesperson said.
Yet the sense of discovery at the Music Store remains its biggest asset. In an effort to retain some hipness, I downloaded a Death Cab For Cutie video, largely based on the gushing about the band I hear from the babysitter. She has good taste.
The video selection is skimpy compared to the music available but that is likely to change. When the Music Store launched in 2003, it had about 500,000 songs. Today, there are more than 2 million.
There are some drawbacks with the new iPod. As impressive as Apple’s line-up has been, the company continues to give the customer less with each version of the iPod.
The new unit does not include a separate power brick for charging, for instance. Rather, a user needs to charge the iPod through a computer as songs and videos load. If you travel with an iPod-but not a computer-this can be a pain. A separate charger can be bought.
Also, the iPod comes with a chintzy cloth sleeve for protection. Past models included a sturdy vinyl case with a belt clip. Why is Apple getting skimpy on the extras?
“What we are trying to do is provide a great value with the iPod. Not all of our customers used some of the features” that once shipped with the iPod, said Stan Ng, director of iPod product marketing. “We decided to add more to the core product.”
The core product has improved. The first iPod, with 5gb of storage, shipped in 2001 for $399. It could only play music.
Now, for $399, a buyer gets 60gb of storage on a device that plays videos, shows pictures, handles podcasts and, of course, plays music.
And according to Apple, that’s still what sells.
“Hopefully, it will remain the best music player,” Ng said. “Video is an added benefit.”
A pretty good one, too.
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(c) 2005, Chicago Tribune.
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PHOTO (from KRT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): CPT-VID-IPOD
AP-NY-11-02-05 0641EST
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