iPod NoteReader Notes

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Posted by pudge on Monday May 19, 2003 @02:53AM from the waiting-for-apple-to-ship-my-ipod dept.

An anonymous reader writes, "Apple has released a document on how to use the new iPod NoteReader." The highlights: you can link to other notes, or to tracks on the iPod, or to dynamically generated playlists. It handles 1,000 notes, up to 4K each, and caches up to 64K of notes in memory so the hard drive doesn't spin up. The notes are stored as text files in directories and can be organized by directory.

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Interesting, but impractical for me by nilepoc · 2003-05-19 04:13 · Score: 1, Insightful

I just can't see myself taking the time to program my notes. Especially since I cannot do it on the device that it is intended to be used on.

This will be espceially hard for the masses, I think this apeals to a low number of people.

Niche stuff at best.
1. Re:Interesting, but impractical for me by ionyka · 2003-05-19 05:00 · Score: 1
  
  I totally agree, if i wanted a device that has PDA capabilities, i would buy a PDA :) But since i dont have the use for one and i dont see myself using one hardly ever, this addition doesnt really do much for me.
  
  Yeah im sure its a cool thing to have, but people arent gonna go out and buy a iPod just because it has PDA funtions.
How to put a Wiki on your iPod by august · 2003-05-19 04:14 · Score: 5, Interesting

I wanted to point out a nifty piece of software- VoodooPad ( http://flyingmeat.com/voodoopad.html ) which will export it's wiki contents to the iPod notes folder (in the latest version, 1.1 alpha).

It turns your ipod into a Wiki on the go... Here's a great writeup of the software from
Oreilly entitled "Wiki meet iPod"- http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/3164

Disclaimer- I wrote the software.

-gus
1. Re:How to put a Wiki on your iPod by nycroft · 2003-05-19 08:25 · Score: 1
  
  Wasn't Wiki that annoying robot on the old Buck Rogers TV show? bee dee bee dee bee dee. Sorry, I'm old.
  
  --
  Mr. Bond, they have a saying in Chicago: Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time is enemy action.
Where's the file? by gabebear · 2003-05-19 04:17 · Score: 1

I can't get to the PDF
Only on new iPods by capmilk · 2003-05-19 05:00 · Score: 4, Informative

One should note that this functionality will only be available on new (red backlit buttons) iPods.
Re:It's gravy by adso · 2003-05-19 05:07 · Score: 4, Insightful

Meaning that's this is just an extra feature, surely not a selling point.

Carrying around a Palm (or any notebook PC) for me would be a waste, I'm not that organized (nor do I want to be). My iPod is first and foremost an MP3 player and secondly a FireWire drive to haul large files to and from work. Once in a blue moon I might actually need an address or write down an appointment, and it's a nice thing to have. Being able to put notes with links in them really doesn't affect me much, but it's just one more side ability the iPod has.

That being said I hope Apple doesn't expand the PDA abilities of the iPod too much. Trying to cram a bunch of PDA-like functionality in there (add-on keyboards and touch screens) would detract from what it does well- play music. If it ain't broke...
Neat ... by shayborg · 2003-05-19 05:10 · Score: 1

Dynamically generated playlists, among others, is (are?) a potentially very cool feature. :-)

-- shayborg
Older iPods? by ElGanzoLoco · 2003-05-19 05:28 · Score: 2, Interesting

I'm eagerly waiting for some über-hacker to hack the new iPod's firmware (2.0) in order to install it on the old iPods... I want to play with notes, and, especially, I want "playlists on the go".

I *think* (I'm taking a wild-assed guess here, so you can't tell I didn't warn you) the hardware is basically the same (except for that strange dock connector, but this is just firewire + line out with a strange form factor, isn't it?) so I think it must be quite easy to install 2.0 on older iPods (???).

Would someone be kind enough to upload the 2.0 firmware on some server? Google can't find anything...

--
Hello! I'm a disaster waiting to happen!
1. Re:Older iPods? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-05-19 05:42 · Score: 0
  
  i'm still waiting for some uberhacker to get ogg support on the ipod.
2. Re:Older iPods? by SandSpider · 2003-05-19 05:51 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  See, I can't say I'd agree with the guess. I mean, it's not like apple hasn't upgraded the firmware in the past with new features and such. My guess from being in similar situations is that there's enough different between the two ipods that they would have to maintain separate code bases in order to maintain the functionality. When that happens, you can either double the number of programmers (I say simplisticly), or you can abandon the old code base.
  
  But I saw a review of the ipod that made the same guess, and I say that it's a foolish guess. But then, I'm only guessing as well.
  
  =Brian
  
  --
  There is nothing so good that someone, somewhere, will not hate it.
3. Re:Older iPods? by TwP · 2003-05-19 05:54 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  it must be quite easy to install 2.0 on older iPods (??)
  
  Version 2.0 of the iPod software was written by Apple. Versions 1.3 and prior were outsourced to another company (whose name I do not know). They are entirely different animals. This will also explain why Apple has not released an update for the older iPods that provides the feature set of the new iPods -- they don't want to pay the outsourcing fees. And this will also explain the bugs in the new iPods (I sent mine back by the way).
4. Re:Older iPods? by ElGanzoLoco · 2003-05-19 06:00 · Score: 1
  
  OK, end of story then... Thanks for the reply.
  
  I think they also didn't release the new feature set in order to make the new iPods more appealing to the old iPod's users... I mean, they implemented what we had been asking for a year through feedback (particularly on the go playlists)...
  
  Bah.
  
  --
  Hello! I'm a disaster waiting to happen!
5. Re:Older iPods? by batobin · 2003-05-19 09:25 · Score: 1
  
  I don't want to get off topic (which is why I'm forgoing my karma bonus), but why did you return your iPod? Just the click in between tracks? Or did you discover other glitches?
  
  I have an order placed, but because it's backordered I can cancel it if I act quickly. I'd be interested to hear your opinion on what I should do.
6. Re:Older iPods? by TwP · 2003-05-19 10:02 · Score: 1
  
  I'd be interested to hear your opinion on what I should do.
  
  Find out as much information as you can about the problems users are having with their iPods. Then decide if any of those problems are "acceptable" for your intended use of the product. Check out the discussions forum under the support page on Apple's webstie. Lot's of iPod users have chimed in with their experiences.
  
  Don't get me wrong, I really liked the iPod -- it's slim, lightweight, and fits nicely in a men's dress shirt pocket. What did annoy me was that I paid $400 US for a buggy product (the 15 gig iPod).
  
  I wanted to use the iPod at work while writing code and at home hooked up to the stereo. In both situations, I noticed the tell-tale iPod "click" between tracks. It's really not too bad, but still noticeable. The bigger complaint is the time lag between songs. This is very noticeable with live albums or between songs that transition directly from one to the other. I expected the iPod to playback music like a CD -- no noticeable lag between songs.
  
  Returning the iPod was not very easy. Apple gives you ten business days to return a product for any reason (when ordered from the online store). If you use take the product out of the package, there is a 10% re-stocking fee. I did not want to pay the fee, so the helpful sales person told me to open a ticket with the service department and they would waive the 10% fee.
  
  After talking with the technical department for a very long time, I was finally put in touch with a manager type person (not at my request, but good nonetheless). Three things were determined when talking with "Brett":
  1) Apple knows there is a problem with the audio playback and overall software stability of the new iPods
  2) Apple is working night and day to get this problem resolved
  3) Apple would not open a ticket for my iPod because there was nothing wrong with it, end of story
  
  I decided to swallow the $40 dollar restocking fee and return the iPod anyways. I also decided that I would not be purchasing any more "first generation" hardware and/or software from Apple, and I most likely would not buy the iPod again when all the bugs were worked out. I called Apple sales again, told them I was within my 10 business day period, and I would like to return my iPod becuase I was dissatisfied with the quality of the product.
  
  I told the sales rep my woes regarding the iPod and the technical support manager, Brett. The sales rep put me on hold for about ten minutes. When he came back on the line he told me that the 10% restocking fee would not be charged, and he sent me a pre-paid FedEx return label. I wish I could remember this guys name because he did a really great job in the customer service area. Kudos to you wherever you are.
  
  Will I buy the iPod again? Maybe. The wife wants a digital camera, and that is a toy that we both would use (the iPod was more for me). But I will not purchase "frist generation" Apple products anymore <sigh>.
7. Re:Older iPods? by batobin · 2003-05-19 12:04 · Score: 1
  
  Did Brett think that the glitches would be fixed by a software update? I'd be happy to postpone buying the iPod, but if things will be fixed by firmware, I might as well buy it now.
8. Re:Older iPods? by TwP · 2003-05-19 13:42 · Score: 1
  
  Well, given that I returned my iPod, I did not believe Apple would fix things in a timely manner. Call me pessimistic, but if it's broke, it's broke, and if it's fixed, it's fixed. When I called tech support, it was broke and so I acted accordingly.
  
  I was unhappy with Apple for releasing a sub-par product, and I let them know by affecting their pocketbook.
9. Re:Older iPods? by batobin · 2003-05-19 17:27 · Score: 1
  
  True that, and I don't blame you for doing what you did. Personally, I see it differently. When they fix the thing, I'm going to want one. Because I know they're going to fix it, I might as well buy it now and get some free use out of the thing. Sure, the free use isn't perfect, but it's free.
  
  I guess it's the "glass is half full" mentality.
10. Re:Older iPods? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-05-19 20:34 · Score: 0
  
  I'm still waiting for you to understand the difference between Ogg and Vorbis.
11. Re:Older iPods? by gerardrj · 2003-05-20 06:51 · Score: 1
  
  But I will not purchase "frist generation" Apple products anymore .
  
  I'd like to know what planet you live on, or what companies you purchase your products from. ALL first generation products have bugs, flaws, and poor design choices evident in them. This is unfortunately the reality in today's cuth-throat "get it to market now" society. I can't think of any first generation product that I've purchased and been 100% happy with, from something as inane as my toaster, through my iPod(5GB), camcorder, and current vehicle. With each and every one I can point out at least 10 things that should have been done differently or added to the device. Usually these items are addressed in the next model or via software/firmware updates.
  
  If you expect any different in today's world, you will be sorely dissapointed throughout life.
  
  I suggest you need to learn three things:
  1. To wait for the next generation (and make suggestions to the manufacturer)
  2. To cope with the issues because you live on the cutting edge
  3. How to sell effectively on eBay. You get all the new hardware, and sell it off when the 2nd gen comes out, effectively leasing the product without any contractual obligations.
  
  --
  Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
12. Re:Older iPods? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-05-20 13:19 · Score: 0
  
  You're whining, I've got both old 10gb, and new 15gb, the old ones have the same silent click between songs.
  
  As for the gap, you're crazy, its your MP3's bro. ;D
  
  I hope you're happy with a 1 lb Archos jukebox, or a little sony toy that couldn't hold 2 cd's.
  
  I'm sorry Apple gave you the restocking fee back for being picky. :P
  
  - Milkman Juan
New Features by blogeasy · 2003-05-19 05:48 · Score: 0, Redundant

The iPod has come a long way since I first got my 5GB iPod a couple years ago.

--

Browse the Information Directory
Hrmm... by Luxviaest · 2003-05-19 05:58 · Score: 1

Could this lovely bit of increased functionality possibly be leading us to an apple branded PDA/mp3 player? Only time will tell on this one, but I do believe that we are indeed quite a bit closer today than we were when the iPod was first introduced. R.I.P Newton, Long live iPod.
Neat. by PhoenixK7 · 2003-05-19 06:32 · Score: 4, Interesting

I just tried this out, and it works pretty much as described in the docs. One thing though: it takes a while for it to do the pattern matching. Generating a playlist of all the "indie" genre'd stuff in my library took like 5-6 seconds before "Now Playing" came up. Hopefully they'll speed this up a bit and also work out the couple of annoying bugs in the firmware :)

All around the new revs are great, though I've already manged to scratch the face and back in a few places. I wish they'd put some sort of scratch resistant coating on these things ala eyeglasses.
Good for museum applications by shunnicutt · 2003-05-19 07:18 · Score: 4, Insightful

One application for the iPod notes feature would be in self-guided museum tours.

A note you can read on the iPod screen that will link to an audio file or to another note? A self-guided tour unit that will sync changes automatically and charge via the same cable? A system that only requires one base computer to synchronize changes (connecting multiple iPod docks via a firewire hub or perhaps some third party will come out with a multi-iPod dock)?

I don't know how much museums pay for each self-guided unit they use currently, but the 10Gb model is $300.

Surely there must be other applications?
1. Re:Good for museum applications by geekwagon · 2003-05-19 08:49 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Considering that Apple refers to the notes feature in its documentation as "Museum Mode" I would say this is exactly what they had in mind.
Stickies to iPod Notes by gsfprez · 2003-05-19 08:49 · Score: 3, Interesting

an automated app that would sync StickiesDatabase to your iPod notes would be just the shiznit.

yes, i'm waiting for Pudge to crank this out in 15 minutes in perl. ;-)

--
guns kill people like spoons make Rosie O'Donnell fat.
1. Re:Stickies to iPod Notes by Anonymous Coward · 2003-05-19 20:39 · Score: 0
  
  Doesn't Pudge still use Mac OS 9?
  
  Doesn't iTunes 4 only work on Mac OS X?
Now, if it only didn't "tick" between tracks... by Biologist · 2003-05-19 10:04 · Score: 1

when listening to music, it might be worth keeping.
Re:Also for learning a new language by Anonymous Coward · 2003-05-19 11:15 · Score: 1, Insightful

I could also see this as a viable way for learning a new language. The audio could be in Spanish and the text could be in English with links to Spanish (text) translations, etc... Perfect activity for a long plane ride over seas.
Another use that's missng from portable audio players is the ability to read liner notes. You could download them with the song.
Re:It's gravy by Fear+the+Clam · 2003-05-19 14:48 · Score: 3, Insightful

I'm one of those people who uses a Palm just for appointments and a few simple apps. I'm still using my US Robotics brand Palm Professional that I bought in 1997. It does what I want except sync with iSync because it's not supported (grrr). So now, just to get everything integrated with the Address Book, I need a new(er) Palm, like a Zire.

I'd also like to have an MP3 player, and a way to transfer geneology files to my aunt's iMac (she doesn't have broadband), like a USB pen drive.

If an iPod came out that would let me do basic text entry -- something as simple as adding my next appointment to the calendar when I'm at the doctor's office -- I'd buy it instead of a Palm, because this single device would do everything I want.
personal experience by Anonymous Coward · 2003-05-20 13:00 · Score: 0

Sad to hear that the minor problems you describe bugged you so much. I have a 15 gig iPod too.

Unlike others, I haven't heard the 'pop' even when listening closely. One thing I do notice is that many of my songs have a 'hiss' throughout that is particularly apparent when listening to quiet parts of songs. This may just be an encoding matter: I have not yet had time to re-rip my music in AAC (semester-break project).

I've also noticed the lag you mention in some cases. It would certainly be nice to have a fader between tracks a la iTunes.

All in all, though, I would never give my iPod back based on these few annoyances. I find the overall usability and convenience to be wonderful, and exactly the reason for which I bought it. No more fumbling with scratched cds and easily broken discmans (discmen?), no more having to cart a huge cd wallet with me on long coach/train trips, and now my computer is relieved of its music playing (both in disk space and cpu time)

Just my two cents (Australian cents ;)
Re:Interesting and practical for me by Ajax · 2003-05-24 06:15 · Score: 1

This was a major selling-point for me.

Since notes can be linked together into a chain, it would be trivial to create a chained set of notes comprising an entire e-book. You could fit Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" on there twice... linked together in 500 4k "pages"...

News headlines could be scraped from any news site in the morning, squirted through an appropriate script and there you go-- news on the go.