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New iPod Firmware Released

Posted by michael on from the singing-the-no-pudge-blues dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Apple has just released their newest firmware for the newer generation of 'dockable' iPods, version 2.0.1. This is the update that gives the iPod USB2 support for Windows computers, and also includes an 'enhanced' on-the-go playlist, with an 'improved' backlight."

52 comments

  1. What flava? by gmhowell · · Score: 3, Funny

    What kind of USB 2.0 is it? Real, high speed, what the customer expects USB, or the fake, bitch ass 'we-call-it-usb-2.0-but-it-is-really-1.1' type?

    --
    Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
    1. Re:What flava? by gmhowell · · Score: 1

      Why do you want to know? It's not like your hickass has an iPod.

      Perhaps the answer to my question will lead me to buy one? Dumbass.

      --
      Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
    2. Re:What flava? by Stigmata669 · · Score: 1

      it's fast USB 2.... nuf said. http://www.apple.com/ipod/

      --
      Yawn.
    3. Re:What flava? by Stigmata669 · · Score: 2, Informative
      USB 2.0 For PC users, the iPod is able to sync files via USB 2.0*, which transfers data at up to 480 Mbps and comes standard on the latest Windows computers. USB 2.0 is also compatible with USB 1.1, although data transfer speeds are much slower.

      pilfered from : http://www.apple.com/ipod/autosync.html

      --
      Yawn.
  2. How can by shibbydude · · Score: 2, Interesting

    the backlight be improved by the firmware? And what of this USB2 support? Is it Full-speed or High-speed?

    --
    We're only gonna die from our own arrogance, that's why we might as well take our time...
    1. Re:How can by loquacious+d · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It's probably the backlight timer. With the old firmware, the backlight would go off 1 second or 5 seconds (or whatever you set it to) after you turned it on, not after you stopped fiddling with the buttons. Way annoying.

    2. Re:How can by Golias · · Score: 4, Informative
      Having installed the update, the backlight now seems to fade out slowly when the timre runs out, rather than blinking off suddenly.

      A much bigger deal is that this update got rid of that annoying little click noise that happened between tracks during playback. A lot of iPod owners have been complaining about that bug ever since 2.0 was released, and it's nice to see that Apple was listening to them.

      I have no interest in the USB2 support, as I use Firewire. I would reccomend most Windows users do the same, unless your system happens to already have USB2 installed for some reason. Last time I checked, a Firewire card was cheaper, and the iPod updates faster on Firewire than on USB2.

      --

      Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

    3. Re:How can by am+2k · · Score: 2, Informative

      Nope, still not fixed on mine with 2.0.1... Damn.

    4. Re:How can by betis70 · · Score: 1

      >>That this update got rid of that annoying little click noise

      THANK YOU APPLE!

      Not that the clicking was a deal-breaker (this thing is the best 'gadget' I have ever bought), but it is annoying, esp when put through a stereo. I know what I will be downloading tonight ...

      --
      I forget...are we at war with Eurasia or East Asia?
    5. Re:How can by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My backlight in my recently purchased iPod always faded and still does after the update to 2.0.1. So I am not quite sure what the improved backlight really does.

    6. Re:How can by am46n · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The click may be gone, but if you have a CD that has track markers in the middle of songs or movements (Abbado's CSO Mahler 7 anybody?) there is still an annoying little gap between the tracks.

    7. Re:How can by Golias · · Score: 2, Informative

      That's true of nearly every MP3 player. The solution is to use the "Join CD Tracks" feature in iTunes when you are ripping it. On my iPod, side one of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" is one track, so there are no gaps between songs.

      --

      Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

    8. Re:How can by Foxtwo · · Score: 1
      Having installed the update, the backlight now seems to fade out slowly when the timre runs out, rather than blinking off suddenly.
      Hmmm, the backlight of my iPod already faded out before I installed the new firmware.
      --
      Never argue with an idiot. He will lower you to his level and then beat you with experience.
    9. Re:How can by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unfortunately us Windows users don't have that function. Here's to hoping the next firmware update will get rid of that silence gap altogether!

    10. Re:How can by Golias · · Score: 1
      Unfortunately us Windows users don't have that function.

      iTunes for Windows is expected next fall, though, so you won't be completely out in the cold much longer either way.

      --

      Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

  3. argh by evel+aka+matt · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This firmware needs to be released for the older iPod. That would make me a happy camper.

    1. Re:argh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      as you have so much use for usb 2...

      why should it get released? you should by the latest version of the product if you want the new features. quit whining! they already gave you AAC, Audion, Contacts and Calendars.

    2. Re:argh by BigBir3d · · Score: 2, Informative

      new hardware = new firmware series (2.x)

      old hardware = old firmware series (1.x)

      If you want "the latest and greatest" go buy it. This has always been the Apple way.

    3. Re:argh by TwP · · Score: 3, Informative

      This firmware needs to be released for the older iPod.

      The newer firmware will not be released for the older iPods anytime in the near future. Apple outsourced the firmware development for the rev 1 and rev 2 iPods. With the latest rev 3 iPods, Apple did the firmware development in-house; hence, the annoying tick between tracks and other little bugs.

      For Apple to release new firmware for the two older iPods models, they would have to talk with the outsourcing company to update the firmware or hack through the code themselves to update the older iPods. I do not see Apple doing this anytime soon. They have a newer version that they are pouring money into.

      You could give Apple a hundred thousand dollars (US) or so, and they might consider adding the newer features to the older models. But again, they have a newer version they are pouring money into.

    4. Re:argh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do the new generation iPods have completely differnt logical hardware? If not, I highly doubt Apple started from scratch writing the firmware. Most-likely they purchased the source from the 3rd party (if it wasn't already owned by them), and enhanced/modified it for the new gen units. If I'm right about this, then their reason for not updating the older generation firmware is to simply aid leveraging people to purchase newer units. Lame, yes. The Apple Way, probably.

      -pete

    5. Re:argh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      All iPod software versions were written in-house. The bugs in 2.0 were just that: bugs.

  4. About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by numbski · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Sorry. Had my 30GB since nearly the day it came out, and the thing locks up usually once per day.

    Hopefully the crash bug is fixed. Allelujah for the improved backlighting. :)

    I'm still waiting on the dev kit so I can make games and even better, code something for direct inputs from the iPod into the Calendar and Contacts.

    --

    Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).

  5. How's about and update for 1st gen Windows IPod! by dapantzman · · Score: 4, Informative

    In April the message on Apple's site was "Windows version available in Mid May" to the current one "Windows version available soon". Looks like some IPod owners are getting sent to the back of the line.

  6. Re:How's about and update for 1st gen Windows IPod by Hollinger · · Score: 2, Informative

    Well, it's a spin on what usually happens to Apple owners. I can remember waiting months and months for certain apps and games to come out on Apple. And of course, there's quark, which just now released a new version.

    --
    Michael C. Hollinger
  7. Re:About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by dhovis · · Score: 3, Insightful
    I'm still waiting on the dev kit

    Don't hold your breath. Apple has no interest in making it easy to hack the iPod. The support headaches would be a nightmare.

    --

    --
    The internet is the greatest source of biased information in the history of mankind.

  8. Re:How's about and update for 1st gen Windows IPod by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How does it feel to be on the other side of the fence for a change?

  9. Re:How's about and update for 1st gen Windows IPod by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So how does it feel?

  10. Re:About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by damiam · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Dev kit. Not finished yet, but that's an even better reason to start hacking on it.

    --
    It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
  11. Re:About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by Van+Halen · · Score: 1
    You got one too, eh? I haven't had mine lock up once, with quite a bit of daily use. Perhaps it's a particular problem with your MP3 or AAC files, but I'd take it back to the store and get a replacement unit (assuming 2.0.1 doesn't fix it).

    I'm just glad the click is gone. Now if only they could implement true gapless playback, plus all the other little suggestions I've already submitted...

    Oh, and it still has the bug where if the hard disk spins up too slowly when you first start playing, it'll skip the first song. Time to send off another feedback.

    --

    Say hello to zMac.

  12. Re:About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by numbski · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah, only mine is company fodder. Or at least was supposed to be. They kept telling me I needed a PDA. I told them that I'd split the cost of an iPod with them since it could double as a backup for our XServe if I used Carbon Copy Cloner. Then they decided I could just have it. Nice guys. :P (Translation, they feel guilty because they don't pay me nearly what I'm worth)

    --

    Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).

  13. Its still 1.1 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Its just that 1.1 is now 2.0, how they take advantage.

  14. Re:i really want a mac by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I want a Mac too. That's why I got a job.

  15. apple doesn't give enough value by Krashed · · Score: 1

    apple really needs to start making people feel like they get more for the money. i bought might ipod 8 months ago, they have practically discontinued support for it already. with a simple firmware upgrade, i would have playlist on the fly BUT NO. cheap tricks to sell expensive ipods. if apple would get over this bs, i would buy a new macintosh but i am afriad they will release some new technology overnight that will cause them to forget about my 2 month old powermac.

    1. Re:apple doesn't give enough value by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No kidding, they really hate everyone! Apple should be more like the other corps and let everyone know when they plan on releasing new hardware so that people know that they shouldn't buy it right now.

    2. Re:apple doesn't give enough value by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You've missed the issue. Apple advertises the iPod as upgradeable and there is no technical reason that the older iPods can't run this firmware. Apple has merely chosen to deny the upgrade to their own older upgradeable mp3 players.

      How would you feel if you bought an upgradeable computer and were told you weren't allowed to upgrade the OS unless you bought a new computer?

      Quite frankly I am stunned that Apple would behave in this manner and equally stunned at the lack of press that this issue has gotten, both with the mainstream media and here on slashdot, macslash, etc. Come on slashdot, this issue ought to be highlighted in every article about the iPod until its fixed!

    3. Re:apple doesn't give enough value by Cinematique · · Score: 1

      It amazes me that there are so many people out there that think owners of old iPods should buy a new one for 2.0 features, and use flawed references to push their point. I've heard of almost everything, from the thin arguments based on the different model years of a particular car to Apple's capitalistic need to make money.

      I simply think it's sad that Apple clearly has no technical reason for not upgrading the 1st and 2nd generation iPods with 2.0 software other than the need to poke people in the direction of buying a new Pod.

      Actually, It's some fucked up, repugnant shit.

      My wish has nothing to do with some sort of twisted desire to have Apple upgrade my 20GB iPod to 30GB for free, or bitching that Chevy should give me a free AC unit because the new ones include them as standard equipment. I simply want some of the new software features.

      Honestly, after seeing so many idiotic posts across the net that I've seen over this truly TRIVIAL topic, it's a wonder we ever get anything accomplished as a society.

    4. Re:apple doesn't give enough value by SlamMan · · Score: 1

      Playis on the fly isn't nearly as cool as you'd think it would be. I hadone of the old ones, sold it to a freind when the new ones came out. I've used th eonly the fly feature maybe twice. It clears itself when you plug your pod in, and it can't be used to manage existing playlists. That said, there's nothing wrong with you old pod. It still works beautifully. It's not lik they're adding new stuff to the new pods, its just the new pods have some features the old ones don't. I don't really see this as all the different from Apple upgrading their regular hardware. Sure, the newer towers have stuff my old one doesn't, but it doesn't make my old one worth less good, it jsut makes the new ones better..

      --
      Mod point free since 2001
    5. Re:apple doesn't give enough value by yandros · · Score: 1

      You said:

      I simply think it's sad that Apple clearly has no technical reason for not upgrading the 1st and 2nd generation iPods

      Actually, they do: Apple didn't do the firmware for that hardware; they hired someone else to do it. They did their own for the 3rd generation. The downside of this is all the new bugs and `quirks' that came from Apple's `r3' software (the `click', the backlight control, reportedly much more frequent crashing). The upside is that they can make changes directly (like putting out new versions with new features).

      I agree with you that it would be nice if my top-of-the-line r2 ipod had some of the features of the newer models. On the other hand, I certainly wasn't asking Apple to add an annoying click in between tracks on my ipod, either. Asserting that these features should be free simply because they're not hardware features is incorrect, in this case.

      Shrug. I do think that I've received enough value from my ipod purchase. I'd love to receive more. Offtopic, an SDK would be a nice way to accomplish this. :-)

  16. Firmware? by EelBait · · Score: 1

    Is this a firmware update or an OS update? The iPod has a hard drive after all. Firmware is stored in EPROMs and other such chips. Or maybe slashdot readers these days are too distant from real technology these days to know the difference?

    1. Re:Firmware? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or maybe the operating system isn't stored on the hard drive, and you look like a dumbass.

  17. Re:i really want a mac by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I post my worst Mac-users-are-gay troll ever and someone still bites. What's more, it's someone living with his parents, whose only experience of getting a job is "to buy a new computer" rather than "to put bread on the table". One tough life you got there, buddy.

  18. Crybaby! by vikingstad · · Score: 1

    First of all: How do you know the old and new iPods have the same chipset, so they can just roll out the update for the older iPods as well? Most likely, they are different, and when the iPod team has to choose which unit to develop for, of course they'll develop for the new model.

    Also, I think it's a bit strange that when you buy a product, you expect it to get new features in the future. Apple never promised you "playlist on the fly" when you bought the unit, so stop complaining! Things develop, and the truth hurts. The new iPods have new stuff, the old ones don't. Is it really so hard to understand?

    1. Re:Crybaby! by ubeatha · · Score: 1

      As it was pointed out earlier, they are not asking for something like a colour screen that might come with a newer model, but something more analagous to a OS update. How is this dislike buying a computer and being told you have to buy a new computer to run the new OS six months later? I agree with the anonymous coward who posted earlier about the shameful coverage in the Mac press. The only people who covered this story acurately were the register: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/39/30486.html

    2. Re:Crybaby! by SlamMan · · Score: 1

      It's not fair to call it shamefull. PLenty of people around here don't consder it a crime for apple to not add features to the old ipods, perhapse the news thinks its just whining as well?

      --
      Mod point free since 2001
  19. I got mine nicked by listen · · Score: 1

    My bag with my 30GB ipod in it was stolen like about a month after buying it.

    Bloody irritating - I'm buying a new one and hopefully get something back on my credit card insurance..

    The funny thing was is how depressing going to and from work is without it, and the ability to choose ANY of my music to listen to...
    Apple are making themselves one loyal band of customers with this kind of quality. I just wish they would fully document the iTunesDB, its boring reverse engineering it for every new feature to use on Linux.

    Just got to save up for that dual 970 Powerbook when its out ;-)

  20. Re:How's about and update for 1st gen Windows IPod by yomegaman · · Score: 2, Informative

    You can get a 1.30 updater for Windows here. I installed this a long time ago and it works fine for me.

    --
    ...wearing a skin-tight topless leather jumpsuit, with cutaway buttocks and transparent crotch panel.
  21. No more clicks by navig · · Score: 2, Informative

    I have installed this latest update during the weekend and am pleased to say the little 'click' between tracks has vanished :-)

    I also notice that my iPod is a lot more stable and somewhat more predicatable when coming out of sleep.

    It still erks me that the response time between selecting a smart playlist and the visual feedback is so laggy. That extra second or so while the playlist is built can feel as if the system is ignoring your selection.

    Still a fantastic player and a help to my sanity on the way to and from work :-)

  22. ipod for PC? by JohnDoe69 · · Score: 0

    anyone know if they work for pc yet and if not does anyone know when they will....