iPod for Windows (again)

beckett writes "Yahoo is reporting that TrentSoft has released EphPod, software that allows Windows users to use all the features of the iPod. I'm suprised that it took a third party to provide support." Also note the previous story on the XPlay, a similar software package.

Comments

File Transfer speed over firewire?

[laxian]

In the FAQ ... right above "Part 5" it says that the highest transfer speed is 6MB/s.

I thought Firewire transfered much, much faster than that (like ~30MB/s). If this is slower, is it just because it's such a hassle to deal with the iPod on a PC?

Third party drivers surprising?

[stere0]

I'm suprised that it took a third party to provide support

As I said in another comment, they probably don't want to. Apple wants as many people as possible to buy their computers. They have a larger margin on iMacs than on iPods. If you were in their shoes, would you pay programmers to develop windows drivers?

Now, they've apparently supported these developers by giving them access to the iPod's specifications. Why? I know many Windows users who would love to get an iPod; however I don't think many of them would buy an iMac because the iPod only works with iTunes.

If Apple's margins on the iPod are larger than I thought, Apple clearly benefits from this software. Windows people start buying iPods, increasing the sales, and Apple does not have to support them, redirecting them to Mediafour or TrentSoft.

What do you think?

From the FAQ

[Lysander Luddite]

Q: What do I need to use an iPod with my PC?

A: You need a firewire port on your PC, and some software to allow you to add song files to your iPod.

Since you're reading the EphPod help file, you should know that the best software solution is EphPod plus MacOpener. :)

They even mention several compatible firewire cards and answer the question as to why you need a powered firewire cable.

www.ephpod.com/faq.html

I'm sure the web site could answer even more questions should you have them.

Re:Apple?

[Jucius Maximus]

"Is Apple simply not on the ball with this?"

Apple is far more on the ball than you might think. In fact I think they are being incredibly smart.

Apple has happily released an amazingly good personal mp3 player with official support for Mac only. They knew all along that because this player was so good, SOMEONE would eventually develop PC interface software for it. And when that someone did it, millions of PC users would buy an iPod but since they are not using an officially supported configuration, Apple does not have to provide any support to them but still gets to profit from their purchace of the device.

Pretty good deal, huh? Would any developers like to comment about the percentage of profit lost on a product when someone calls for tech support?

Re:Why are you surprised?

[casio282]

Well, I own a PC. And I wanted an IPod. So I bought an Archos Jukebox.

Apple could've sold me hardware, but wasn't compatible with the hardware I already invested in, so I went elsewhere.

Shameless plug

[SlashDread]

Ephpod rocks my world.

Have you ever wished Apples design for the OS and the Apps would trickle down to "other" osses?

I have.

Well Ephpod just did it. Its software is beautifull, and simple to use, as is the marvelous iPod.

It installed in 5 minutes, windows2k has build in IEEE 1394 (firewire) support, so plug in your el-cheapo Firewire PCI card, reboot, install Eph and bobsyourunlce.

Some feats on the iPod:
- Best formfactor for HD mp3 players, it actually fits in a breast pocket.
- Stores 10GIG
- Transfers at firewire blazing speed

The only drawback is the godawful high price

I take no care in comments that apple _should_ release for other OSses, their apps, their hardware their choice.

A different "stink" is the lack of Macdrive support for other OSses. Whereas Apps and special hardware are their own deal, the lack of support for mac disk formats is another. In the best interest of Apple buyers, and people sharing data with them, it is _needed_ to buy third party stuff like MacOpener for windows from dataviz.
Now THATS reason number one for oldschool MacFreaks to eventually switch;their customers run windows, and are tired of converting files and disks. This is the stupidist thing from Apple since quicktime.

When are we getting linux mp3 players that are cheap and dont suck?

Gr Richard

Let me get this strait...

[SaturnTim]

Okay, Apple builds a cool but expensive MP3 player. They write the software for it to run on the mac, which helps to sell macs. Sounds good so far, right?

Now, they are helping other companies write software so the player runs on other systems. The other companies pick up the marketing costs, support costs, and add a small "windows tax" in the form of the price of the software, which sill helps the mac to look more attractive.

And apple makes more money by selling the iPod to a larger market.

I think this is a brilliant move by Apple. They open up a larger market with little effort, and eliminate the supports costs.

--T

Chipmaker for iPods get's $42 million

[burgburgburg]

PortalPlayer, the chipmaker for the iPods just got fourth round funding of $42 million. Amongst the investors are J.P. Morgan Partners, Investcorp International and Shamrock Capital Advisors. Though the company has no announced customers for it's chips, it's relationship to the iPod has already been documented here on /. . According to representatives from PortalPlayer, this is the last round of financing before IPO (though they have no timetable at this point). Read more at news.com.

Re:The Open Group Disagrees

[toupsie]

From the article:

UPDATE
Since osOpinion's publishing of this piece, the Open Group has updated their web site to include Apple into its list of vendors that support the single Unix specification. This appears likely as a direct result to osOpinion's publishing of the report.

Got to read the entire article! :P

Re:Why are you surprised?

[MoneyT]

If I recall correctly from other places that I've read, Apple turns something like 15-20% profit on every machine sold.

So that's $209.85 per every low end iMac at 15% profit. At the same profit margin, that's 59.85 per lowend iPod. So lets do numbers

$209.85 * 1,000= $209,850

$59.85 * 10,000= $598,500

So yes assuming these numbers, Apple would have made more profit. But take other factors into consideration. The iPod is a one time purchace. The iMac is a purchase, then any additional hardware, plus the possibility of an iPod purchase. And also another loyal customer (once you go mac, it's hard to go back). In all, Apple probably would be better off selling their hardware everywhere they can. They're doing that currently. Think about it, now they've sold those 1000 iMacs + iPods, plus with the new drivers (which cost them nothing to produce, and they have to devote no support to, they've just sold the other 9000 iPods. Grand total 10,000 ipods and 1000 iMacs. Apple wins