New iPod Firmware Released

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Posted by michael on Friday June 20, 2003 @08:01AM 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."

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What flava? by gmhowell · 2003-06-20 08:02 · 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?

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Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
1. Re:What flava? by Stigmata669 · 2003-06-20 09:31 · 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
  
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  Yawn.
How can by shibbydude · 2003-06-20 08:03 · Score: 2, Interesting

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

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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 · 2003-06-20 08:40 · 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 · 2003-06-20 10:08 · 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 · 2003-06-20 10:25 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Nope, still not fixed on mine with 2.0.1... Damn.
4. Re:How can by am46n · 2003-06-20 22:06 · 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.
5. Re:How can by Golias · 2003-06-21 04:44 · 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.
  
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  Information wants to be anthropomorphized.
argh by evel+aka+matt · 2003-06-20 08:03 · Score: 3, Interesting

This firmware needs to be released for the older iPod. That would make me a happy camper.
1. Re:argh by BigBir3d · 2003-06-20 09:00 · 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.
2. Re:argh by TwP · 2003-06-20 11:55 · 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.
About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by numbski · 2003-06-20 08:10 · 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).
How's about and update for 1st gen Windows IPod! by dapantzman · 2003-06-20 08:18 · 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.
Re:How's about and update for 1st gen Windows IPod by Hollinger · 2003-06-20 08:25 · 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.

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Michael C. Hollinger
Re:About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by dhovis · 2003-06-20 08:34 · 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.

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The internet is the greatest source of biased information in the history of mankind.
Re:About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by damiam · 2003-06-20 09:36 · Score: 5, Interesting

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

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It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
Re:About Friggin Time! (Troll +1) by numbski · 2003-06-20 11:41 · 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)

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Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).
Re:How's about and update for 1st gen Windows IPod by yomegaman · 2003-06-22 03:35 · 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.

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...wearing a skin-tight topless leather jumpsuit, with cutaway buttocks and transparent crotch panel.
No more clicks by navig · 2003-06-22 11:22 · 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 :-)