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?

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?

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