Apple introduces fourth-generation iPod

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Apple today updated their site to show off its 4th generation iPod. Though we got the specs over the weekend, we didn't get pictures that did the new iPod justice. Just by browsing around Apple's site the 4th generation iPod looks pretty good. Right now there have only been two confirmed sizes the 20GB and 40GB models. I have my suspicions that when the 4th generation iPod is released there will be three versions 20GB, 40GB, and 60GB.

Apple on Monday introduced its fourth generation iPod, revised with a new interface similar to that found on the iPod mini and a new feature called Shuffle Songs. The new iPod also sports a battery that's good for up to 12 hours of use at a time, according to Apple. The iPod is available in 20GB and 40GB capacities for US$299 and $399 respectively.

The iPod's new Click Wheel is similar to the interface found on iPod Minis: It's a continuous-scrolling surface that features five push buttons: a center button, a menu button positioned at 12 o'clock, fast forward and rewind buttons positioned at 3 and 9 o'clock, and a play/pause button positioned at 6 o'clock. Apple said the Click Wheel offers users better one-handed navigation.

Apple previously made available three models of iPods: 15GB, 20GB and 40GB systems, with prices at $299, $399 and $499. The 15GB model has been dropped all together, in favor of 20GB and 40GB models priced at $299 and $399. The fourth-generation iPod's overall dimensions are similar to its predecessor, though it's 1 millimeter (mm) deeper than before.

View: Apple's iPod Website

News source: MacCentral

Updates

According to the article at MSNBC, the new iPod will also contain the following features:

Longer battery life (50%) through more efficient method of power conservation.

Increased averaged play time, now at 12 hours.

Multiple On-The-Go playlist support

Ability to delete songs off the playlist

Users will now be given a choice to play their tunes at 25% slower or faster.

Lower price: $399 for 40GB, and $299 for 20GB. The 15 GB model has been discontinued.

Personally, I am hoping that some of these new features will be made available to existing users through firmware updates. I guess we will just have wait and see...

#1 welshkid on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:01

w00t
/me wants
already in the uk apple store

only 40 gig model comes wif a dock

Last edited by 48232 on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:10

#2 Mister Lamar on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:02

Ill take one too

(4 replies) #3 macrosslover on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:03

were the 15 gig models still available at retail as of yesterday? or did Apple clear them out? if not, i feel sorry for the people who bought the 15 gig models, not knowing that these would come out.

#3.1 dmbandfan22 on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:04

They probably still are....but they're most likely on clearence now!

#3.2 handsome on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:24

are they on clearance i don't like the newer ipods much

#3.3 macrosslover on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:53

i checked compusa, they still sell the 15gig for $300, maybe they will update their prices later. bestbuy.com appears to be sold out of all of them, but they are listed at the original prices.

#3.4 dmbandfan22 on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:40

Amazon has the 3G 15GB iPod listed as $249 now...same as the iPod mini. I dropped my iPod mini order from Amazon and jumped at this instead.

(7 replies) #4 nojetlag on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:16

Now they ship the Airport Express and same time they bring new iPods, but without WiFi to use both together.... pretty much uncool.. pretty much lame....

#4.1 Hurmoth on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:21

For real

#4.2 jerry on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:35

All those who were expecting a wifi iPod, how do you think Apple was going to incorporate this feature without adding bulk to the iPod ? I'd image the size would have become twice what it is now and then we'd have a bunch of whiners complaining about the size.

Moral of the story: There will always be the whiners and you cant make everybody happy.

#4.3 LampkinsMateSteve on 19 Jul 2004 - 17:18

and there will always people to post comments on Neowin.

#4.4 jerry on 19 Jul 2004 - 17:22

^ how does that carry the convo ahead ? By the rules, you are close to trolling.

#4.5 digistil on 19 Jul 2004 - 19:31

Wifi could be added w/o adding much bulk. Compact Flash WiFi cards are available which are tiny, and obvs the iPod wouldn't have the plastic housing of a CF card. It wouldn't add more than 2 mm to the thickness of the iPod.

My guess is the lack of WiFi on 4g iPods is due to Jobs wanting to hold off until the 5g iPods are released. If you haven't noticed, all odd generation iPods (1g, 3g) have been completely new, while even generation iPods (2g, 4g) have simply been revisions of the previous generation.

#4.6 jerry on 19 Jul 2004 - 21:12

CF Wifi cards ?

That would be adding atleast 4mm to the thickness.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=686200&Sku=N100-1502&CatId=366
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=370989&Sku=D700-2074&CatId=366

And the prices of these things are still over $50, not enough to warrant Apple to include them and announce price drops.

#4.7 [moribundi] on 20 Jul 2004 - 21:42

Um, it's that size because it has to fit the constraints of an existing formfactor. Duh. It's not like Apple would take a CF WiFi adapter and just solder it to the inside of the iPod. The components could easily be integrated into an iPod.

(2 replies) #5 chorpeac on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:25

I'm sorry, but the only thing that's I like is the extended battery life. It's got no color screen, and doesn't play any movies. I'll keep my 3G.

#5.1 christracy on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:52

i dont understand the obsession to have color on an ipod. is color gonna make you selecting music easier or something? would u rather color at the sacrifice of battery life? its not like u stare at the display all day looking at black and white. i will never understand anyone that says "but it doesnt have color"

#5.2 malebolgia on 19 Jul 2004 - 18:21

QUOTE (#5.1)

The only reason I want a color screen would be so I can manage my digital camera images using Belkin's Media Reader. Its more of a feature request, but I'd like to be able to view in color the images I loaded onto my iPod.

(2 replies) #6 jerry on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:32

QUOTE

I have my suspicions that when the 4th generation iPod is released there will be three versions 20GB, 40GB, and 60GB.

The 4th gen iPod is released with a shipping date of 1-2 days with express service. What are you s m o k i n g ?

Great 'suspicions'

Its quite obvious when you weigh in the fact the Apple bought 60GB Toshiba drives recently.

#6.1 malebolgia on 19 Jul 2004 - 18:17

QUOTE (#6.0)

The 4th gen iPod is released with a shipping date of 1-2 days with express service. What are you s m o k i n g ?

Actually I don't smoke. When I wrote my comments Apple wasn't shipping the new iPod's yet. I'm simply pointing out that I expect a 60GB version to arrive soon. Most likely after the Expo in Paris (around the time the G5 iMac is released).

#6.2 jerry on 19 Jul 2004 - 19:12

I was referring to Deren Smith who posted this news.

And the 4th generation of iPods are now officially released and we have only two versions. That comment was false and I was just pointing that out.

(5 replies) #7 Dayon on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:41

<snip>

Last edited by 8406 on 19 Jul 2004 - 20:58

#7.1 Huezo on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:53

The Zen Touch looks better? LOL

Seriously, the Zen Touch looks like crap compared to the new iPod.

#7.2 Aaryn Kasra on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:32

A matter of opinion my friend

#7.3 yert* on 19 Jul 2004 - 20:18

<snip>

Last edited by 8406 on 19 Jul 2004 - 20:59

#7.4 superfula on 19 Jul 2004 - 20:59

Stay on topic please.

#7.5 yert* on 20 Jul 2004 - 00:26

WHy was my comment snipped? I said the new Ipod looked ugly...

(2 replies) #8 hobsgrg on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:47

okay even though the 40 gig model only costs $399 US Dollars, and the dollar is worth less than the euro so it should cost less in euros, it actually costs MORE at €449, ripping us off in Europe as always but usually it's by doing a 1:1 conversion, but to charge more in euros than dollars, gah

#8.1 wilfried on 19 Jul 2004 - 17:09

Tax are not included in the US sticker price while it's included on the Euro sticker price.

#8.2 mister_eman on 20 Jul 2004 - 10:59

thats fine for the euro but we are getting chargetd nearly twice the price here in aus!!!

#9 insurektion on 19 Jul 2004 - 15:47

haha w00t time to make use of he 3 year warrenty on my 3rd gen ipod get a 5 gb upgrade while im at it

#10 dp004i on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:03

Looks like I'm one of those poor suckers who bought the 15 gig 3G version right before the 4G came out. But then again, it only cost me $70 after student discount and $200 rebate, so I guess it's not that bad after all.

PS: Yes, I did buy it with a powerbook. No magic $200 rebate out there if you only buy an ipod itself, sorry folks...

(1 reply) #11 astrokat on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:12

Whats the deal with the screen? Is it Blue by default, or are these ads misleading like the 3G ipods?

#11.1 Bling3k12 on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:20

I had a 3G and depending on the light source and angle, it looked white or a light blue.

#12 vilent_ape on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:18

i orded my 15gb 3rdgen yesturday and canceld it2day to get the new 20gb 4thgen and it comes in 6 days
i cant wait

#13 xp1ode on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:23

im very happy with my 3g ipod, don't really like the look of this one, the only thing i like about it is that is slimmer, and has 5gigs more. Oh well maybe i'l put that 1 year warranty into play one of these days, just to see how the 4g holdup to the one i have now.... no worries i have a whooooooole year to play with mine

#14 insurektion on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:46

The fourth-generation iPod's overall dimensions are similar to its predecessor, though it's 1 millimeter (mm) deeper than before.

I thought it was thinner?

#15 robpears on 19 Jul 2004 - 16:49

I shall be buying a 40gig one later this week!

#16 jeavis on 19 Jul 2004 - 18:08

sucks they stopped making the 15GB version. I would have payed $200 for the 15 but $300 for 20 is just too much.

#17 Citizen Erased on 19 Jul 2004 - 18:35

my 20gb is ordered

#18 angrybrit on 19 Jul 2004 - 19:29

I like the prices. Very inexpensive. Good job Apple!!!

(8 replies) #19 falcon1 on 19 Jul 2004 - 19:34

I think I may pass on the 4G, and just wait for the 3G price to drop...or do you think it will be to hard to find a 3G? I am not all that impressed with the new features...besides the battery life.

Anyways after 2-4 years dont you have to pay $100 just to replace the battery? Seems kind of like a rip off to me! You pay 400 to buy it, then after owning it 5 years, you have ended up paying $600!

#19.1 Xantos on 19 Jul 2004 - 23:33

oh nono not after 2 or even 4 years its usually after 1 year you gotta replcae the battery and not to mention apple only upgraded the ipod with 4 more hours of playtime? gah.. i think iapple is about to loose its market share ill carry on with my 3g untill creative zen touch comes out with its 24 hours of battery time

#19.2 dp123 on 19 Jul 2004 - 23:35

It's one thing to exaggerate, but to exaggerate on top of your own statement... Jesus!!!

Anyways after 2-4 years dont you have to pay $100 just to replace the battery? Seems kind of like a rip off to me! You pay 400 to buy it, then after owning it 5 years, you have ended up paying $600!

400 + 100 = 600 ?

#19.3 dp123 on 19 Jul 2004 - 23:37

oh nono not after 2 or even 4 years its usually after 1 year you gotta replcae the battery and not to mention apple only upgraded the ipod with 2 more hours of playtime?

Apparently, you went to math with Falcon. 12 - 8 = 4... nope, 2!!!

Whatever.... My first gen iPod now fully two years old gets between 4 to 6 hours daily use and a single charge lasts more than 6 hours on the original battery.

#19.4 Xantos on 19 Jul 2004 - 23:41

oh wow a math mistake whoopdy and ive had my damn 3g for only 7 months and i only 5 hours of playtime out of it when it gets fully charged. no matter what apple is severely lacking in the battery life department on these ipods

#19.5 falcon1 on 20 Jul 2004 - 00:38

I said after 2-4 years, so assuming that it is about 2.5-3 years, that is 2 replacements, which (if my math isnt failing me) is $200.

Still sounds like a rip off even if it is only 1 replacement.

#19.6 dp123 on 20 Jul 2004 - 00:47

so assuming

That's the problem. You can't even see the difference between this iPod and older ones... what value do your assumptions have?

#19.7 falcon1 on 20 Jul 2004 - 03:38

You are taking my quotes completely out of context! All I did was take a medium of how long the battery lasts, then said how much it would cost to keep it running for about 5 years. Jeez...get something else to do besides bitch and moan on here over every little thing!

#19.8 dp123 on 20 Jul 2004 - 21:11

You are the one b!tching and moaning... You don't own an iPod, said you don't want one, have no reasonable knowledge about the iPod, yet presume it is your place to make inaccurate assumptions about it based on your own personal delusions, not reality.

#20 Enders on 19 Jul 2004 - 19:38

Yea I know I don't know how Apple gets away with selling these Ipods for so cheap.

#21 KeR on 19 Jul 2004 - 19:49

I ordered mine should have it on Thursday.

(3 replies) #22 JadeWolf324 on 19 Jul 2004 - 19:53

though it's 1 millimeter (mm) deeper than before.

NOOO!!!! HOW CAN THIS BE??!?!?!?!?! THE WORLD AS I KNOW IT
IS OVER!!!!! ! ! ! !

#22.1 hafu8 on 19 Jul 2004 - 20:23

geez, it's 1 mm smaller, how can somebody miss this when writing an article for something. double check your work and do some actual research. I'm getting my 20G tomorrow at the apple store and it is definitely thinner. also, they are selling the 3g's for the following prices at the apple stores: 15G for $249, 20G for $299, and 40G for $399. And for what it's worth, the 3g 20G comes with a dock and remote, the 4g 20G doesn't come with either.

#22.2 falcon1 on 19 Jul 2004 - 21:34

Isn't that what they always have been? How do you know if you are buying a 3G or 4G?

#22.3 dp123 on 19 Jul 2004 - 23:38

No. And they look completely different.

(2 replies) #23 Jonny6pak on 19 Jul 2004 - 19:58

Not sure if anyone cought this. I pulled it from ipodlounge.com
http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_comments.php?id=4502_0_7_0_C

Apple exec: No 60GB iPod. Period.

In comments to Reuters, Apple Hardware Product Marketing VP Greg "Joswiak shot down market rumors of 60-gigabyte models in the pipeline. 'We have no plans in regard to announcing 60-gigabyte models,' Joswiak said. 'We are trying to create a much more compelling lineup with two models for 20 and 40 gigabytes at extremely compelling prices.'"

Apple's comments come some weeks after Toshiba publicly announced that it was already supplying Apple with hundreds of thousands of 60 gigabyte, 1.8" drives per month, an announcement which was subsequently said to have angered otherwise secretive Apple executives. Whether these drives will be used in future music-centered iPods, or in other devices, is currently unknown.

#23.1 kuroneko on 20 Jul 2004 - 03:30

I hope Greg Joswiak is lying.

#23.2 mister_eman on 20 Jul 2004 - 11:03

just a random comment but could theses drives be for a new power book, ibook, or imac?

#24 Ecander™ on 19 Jul 2004 - 20:16

20GB for $299! w00t!

(1 reply) #25 TruckWEB on 19 Jul 2004 - 21:28

WHERE IS THE FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR REV3 iPOD??? I don't want to buy a new iPod just to have the new software features.... My Rev3 is only a couple of months old!

#25.1 Krankerz on 19 Jul 2004 - 23:11

There isn't any. 4th gen iPods have version 3 and 3rd gen still are at 2.2.

#26 altermind on 19 Jul 2004 - 21:52

if they put wifi on it.. I will get one

#27 McG on 19 Jul 2004 - 22:41

excellent

#28 Zeni on 19 Jul 2004 - 23:04

12 hours now eh? Oh well at least they're TRYING to rectify the issue. Still on the lower end of battery life as far as HDD based players are concerned.

#29 SimplyPotatoes on 19 Jul 2004 - 23:48

omg this new ipod is huge, i cannot use this !

(1 reply) #30 teeone on 20 Jul 2004 - 05:31

no ogg support STILL..../me sticks to iriver and rio karma

#30.1 plasticparadox on 21 Jul 2004 - 12:55

I don't think OGG is ever going to really take off.. sure, it's around, mostly in video games or hardcore geeks' music collections.. but I wouldn't convert to OGG when I could use AAC instead.

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