Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Of all the announcements Steve Jobs made during a special imperativeness event on September 12 — including anew iPod nano(),the debut of iTunes 7 ( ) and movie downloads , anda new iPod shuffle — an update to thefifth - generation(5 G ) iPod engender the least buzz . Contrary to many hearsay and much speculation leading up to the result , we did n’t see a “ real ” video iPod — one with a big screen and a video - look out - focus excogitation . In fact , the newfangled 5 G iPod — officially known as Fifth Generation iPod ( recently 2006)—is virtually identical to its original-5 G predecessor on the outside ; most of its change are under the hoodlum , in the variety of software program update and improve hardware . But in many ways , thanks to its improved video sustenance and extra multimedia feature article , the late full - sizing iPod may be the most substantial in term of its role as a predecessor of products to come .
Lower prices, better hardware
Like the original 5 G telephone circuit , the raw 5 G iPod is useable in two size of it . However , instead of 30 GB and 60 GB model , the new line aim you 30 GB for $ 249 and a whopping 80 GB for $ 349 — each mannequin $ 50 cheap than before . ( Stop and view for a minute that just four eld ago , $ 399 got you only 5GB — a little more than 12.5 Mbit for every dollar . Today ’s 80 GB iPod get you229MBfor every dollar . ) The additional storage alone reach the swelled iPod ever quite appealing to those who in reality practice their iPod for storing picture ( and , of course , for those with immense music collections or who listen to high - snatch - rate , lossless , or uncompressed medicine ) .
While get more MB for the money is always a welcome change , the new 5 gigabyte iPods bid a issue of hardware improvements , as well . One of the most welcome , given Apple ’s foray into downloadable movies , is a brighter screen—60 percent smart than that of the original 5 G iPod , harmonize to Apple . As my colleague Christopher Breen noted in hisreview of the new iPod nano , I do n’t have any style to measure the actual brightness of the newfangled 5 G model ’s screen , but it ’s clearly a step up from the archetype . This change will be most welcome in two scenario : when using the iPod in promising sun and when watching dark video — for exemplar , sealed episode of the TV showLost — on the iPod ’s filmdom .
That say , you wo n’t actually see this spectacular difference in brightness when you first take a new iPod out of its box : Its screen will be only slightly brighter than its precursor ’s . That ’s because of another new lineament : adjustable screenland brightness . Via a new Brightness choice in the iPod ’s preferences menu , you could increase or decrease overall screen luminosity ; that level is correct by default to midway between brightest and subdued . But zigzag it up to the maximum and you ’ll see the new screen in all its brightly - shining glory . ( This brightness level does n’t bear upon output to a goggle box . )
All tests were performed using a fully-charged iPod with Apple’s included headphones and the volume set at approximately 50 percent of maximum. For music, I played a single playlist of 4- to 6-minute songs, each encoded at 160kbps AAC, and with audio effects (EQ, Sound Check) and backlighting off. (If you rip your music at higher or lower bit rates, your battery life will be shorter or longer, respectively.) For the photo slideshow and video tests, I used the iPod’s default brightness setting while viewing a repeating slideshow of iTunes-synced photos accompanied by the same music playlist, or while repeatedly playing the movieGood Will Hunting(purchased from the iTunes Store), respectively.
The other major ironware melioration in the new 5 G iPods is long battery sprightliness . Although the actual sizing of the two models have n’t changed—4.1 by 2.4 by 0.43 inches for the 30 GB theoretical account and 4.1 by 2.4 by 0.55 column inch for the 80 GB model , the same as the previous 30 GB and 60 GB models , severally — battery life has improved importantly . Below is a chart of Apple ’s battery estimates for the original and new 5 G iPods do a mixture of tasks , along with my results after testing the new line .
Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) Battery Performance
All time in hr : arcminute , rounded to the nigh minute .
All tests were performed using a full - charged iPod with Apple ’s included headphones and the intensity plant at approximately 50 percentage of maximum . For music , I bet a single play list of 4- to 6 - instant strain , each encoded at 160kbps AAC , and with audio effects ( EQ , Sound Check ) and backlighting off . ( If you pull your music at high or broken bit rates , your battery liveliness will be shorter or longer , respectively . ) For the photograph slideshow and video recording tests , I used the iPod ’s default brightness setting while viewing a repeating slideshow of iTunes - synchronize photos accompany by the same music playlist , or while repeatedly playing the movieGood Will Hunting(purchased from the iTunes Store ) , respectively .
In my testing , the fresh iPods hold up well to Apple ’s claims of longer bombardment life , surpassing even the unexampled , longer estimate in every test except for video playback on the 80 GB model — in that display case , barrage fire lifespan was within 22 irregular of Apple ’s tell on time , at 6 hours , 29 hour , and 38 seconds .
But these numbers do n’t severalize the whole story . As Applenotes , “ luminosity level will have a direct shock on battery life . By lowering the luminance level , you’re able to increase the iPod ’s playback time . ” So I also try out the video - watching bombardment life of both good example with the cleverness level first turn all the way up and then grow all the fashion down :
Battery Life vs. Brightness: Video Playback
As you’re able to see , with screen luminance at the lowest stratum , the new 30 GB iPod was able to play 24 additional minutes of video recording , just over 10 percent longer ; with brightness increase to the maximum , telecasting playback time was reduced by a full 60 minutes — a 26 percent decrease . I also screen the 80 GB manikin at the grim brightness level , and gained 75 mo of playback — about 20 pct tenacious battery life . At full brightness , the 80 GB model ’s battery liveliness was reduced by 1 time of day 48 transactions , or nearly 28 percent .
( take down that you may change the screen ’s luminance while watching a video or slideshow . Simply campaign the iPod ’s Center button repeatedly until the brightness display appear , then use the Click Wheel to choose the trust luminosity tier . )
I did n’t examine how each model fared when “ plan ” video to a boob tube , but inhis examination of the original 5 thou models , Christopher Breen find that electric battery life story was actually significantly longer when look out video on a TV than when watching it on the iPod ’s own concealment , further manifest how much electric battery life the iPod ’s screen can slurp up .
One final note on the subject of ironware : Unlike with the unexampled iPod nanos , the unexampled 5 G good example are identical in size and external pattern to the originals , despite their long shelling lives , so all accessories that fit the archetype will fit the new adaptation , as well .
Software improvements
Although for the most part the fresh 5 G iPods work similarly tothe originals , Apple has add up a turn of useful computer software feature to the latest model — some of them surprisal , some of them long - requested feature of speech . The most expected , given the addition of 640- by 480 - pixel TV to the iTunes Store , is reenforcement for that resolution on the iPod . The iPod ’s screen is still 320 by 240 pixels , but the iPod itself substantiate — and can output to a TV—640 by 480 . ( In fact , QuickTime 7.1.3 , required for telecasting sustenance in iTunes 7 , has changed the default “ Movie to iPod ” export resolution to 640 by 480 . ) Other than this resolution change , the latest 5 grand iPods’video format supportis similar to that of their predecessors . ( We ’re currently doing additional run to see if , like the original 5 G iPod , the new mannequin actually support higher resolutions than Apple ’s specifications . )
Because the iPod ’s screen resolution has n’t change , there ’s not much remainder between older , 320 by 240 picture and newer , 640 by 480 content when keep an eye on on the iPod itself . I re - buy an episode of ABC’sLostthat I had purchased last fall — old shows on the iTunes Store have been re - encode at the gamey declaration , although you have to buy them again to get the better - quality version — and equate the two on the new iPod ’s screen . The bountiful difference is that , as mentioned above , the new screen is significantly bright when you turn over the brightness up . I also found the raw 5 constant of gravitation ’s screen to proffer slightly rich colors ; even at the default brightness level , colors seemed to be a bit less washed out than with the late version . But it ’s when you associate your iPod to a video that the remainder between the older solvent and 640 by 480 is more noticeable — and a welcome betterment .
One of the most frequently - requested feature for both iTunes and iPods has beengapless playback , and it ’s been added to both withiTunes 7and the new 5 G musician . Once iTunes has mechanically set which tracks in your Library are part of a “ gapless ” album — for example , Pink Floyd’sDark Side of the Moonand many classical part — syncing one of the in vogue iPods adds that information to the iPod . racetrack on those albums , when listen to as an album , will play back without a silent gap between them ; they ’ll flow together just as nature ( or at least the producer ) intended . This feature film wreak with files in MP3 , AAC , Apple Lossless , or uncompressed audio formats .
The other major fresh lineament added to the full - size iPod is support for higher - quality games . I ’m not talking about enhanced versions of Parachute and Solitaire . No , I meanrealiPod biz — or at least as genuine as you could get considering the iPod ’s hardware limitations and Click Wheel comptroller . Nine titles are currently uncommitted , eachavailable for $ 4.99from the iTunes Store . The graphics and playability of course deviate from title to title , but these games are at least as near as — and sometimes much good than — the games available for many nomadic telephone set and are dramatically better than the iPod ’s own built - in games . I purchased Zuma , Mini Golf , Vortex , and Texas Hold’em , and find them all to be fun time - wastrel when standing in line or sitting on the train . And unlike the original iPod games , every for - leverage biz let you store your procession for later . The downside to these new game is that they run out the iPod ’s batteryveryquickly ; much more quickly than see a motion picture , in fact . ( you may align the silver screen ’s light level while playing a game ; dimming the screen lets you eke out a fleck more juice while gaming . )
Easier access to content
In add-on to the major new software features described above , Apple has also added a couple features to make it easier to regain your music and spiritualist on the iPod . The first is a unexampled feature of speech hollo Quick Scroll . If a special inclination — the Songs listing , for object lesson — has more than 100 item , as you begin to scroll through the list , a small , translucent overlay appears on the screen door containing the first letter of the alphabet or character reference of the current discussion section of items . For example , if you ’re currently scroll through songs or creative person that start with the varsity letter G , a gravid “ G ” appear on the screen ; as you proceed through the alphabet , the overlay change to reflect your current military position . When you get to the desired letter , lifting your finger’s breadth from the Click Wheel , or pausing the scrolling apparent motion , switch the iPod back to normal scrolling mode to allow you to choose a specific detail . This is a welcome lineament that helps prevent a good amount of “ overshoot ” while trying to browse longer list .
The second such feature is a fresh Search mode . As Christopher Breen explicate in his review of the new iPod nano :
Although Search can be utile , especially for those with large music libraries or whose music subroutine library are poorly labeled , like Chris , I found the feature to be somewhat kludgy in literal use : You ’re “ typing ” in a manner standardized to the in high spirits - score text - entry of a 1980s video game — scroll , enter , roll , enter , scroll , enrol . Assuming your music is right labeled , it will likely take you less time to just browse to the desired cartroad , especially give the new Quick Scroll characteristic . However , Search is still quite interesting because it ’s the first time any iPod has permit youinputinformation via the iPod ’s own controls . I mistrust we ’ll see more features — and other iPod - related computer hardware — take advantage of this modal value of stimulant in the future .
Internet access required
Interestingly , unlike all former iPods , the fresh 5 gram , nano , and shuffle iPodsno longer let in iTunes or the latest iPod softwarein the box . rather , Apple has a newiPod / iTunes “ begin ” pageon the World Wide Web that provides nexus for downloading the latest version of iTunes — which also now includes all iPod updaters as part of the software itself ; no separate downloads are want . ( However , unlike the Windows edition of iTunes , the iTunes download for Mac OS X doesnotincludeQuickTime , which is list on the iTunes page as an “ Additional Video Requirement . ” ) This candela - less approach may a good move overall , as it think of owners of Modern iPods are ensured of having the most up - to - date version of iTunes . On the other handwriting , it means that — and the new iPods ’ packaging clearly notes this — you must have cyberspace admission to get down using your new iPod unless iTunes 7 is already installed on your estimator .
( Speaking of iPod updaters , if you ’ve got one of the original 5 G iPods , and the new software feature film key above auditory sensation invoke , you ’re not wholly out of luck . By installing the latest iPod Software — via iTunes 7 — your older simulation will magically acquire some , but not all , of these new capabilities ; specifically , 640 by 480 video , backing for the new game , Quick Scroll , brightness level ascendance , and gapless playback . In fact , if you ’ve got an original 5 G iPod , youmustupdate its software to regard any of the higher - firmness of purpose 640 by 480 videos for sale on the iTunes Store . )
One other item missing from the boxes of new iPod : a manual of arms . A brief Quick Start guide is included , but if you want full description of the iPod ’s features , you need todownload(PDF connection ) the newfangled Features Guide .
Better ’buds?
Like the original 5 G iPod , the raw interpretation include a thin arm case , a USB dock - connexion cable ( like all recent iPods , the new 5 G syncs only via USB , although it can be charged using a FireWire wharfage - connexion cable ) , and a hardening of Apple ’s theme song white earbuds . However , the modish iPods include a “ new and better ” version of these phone . Are the young ’ buds really better than the previous one ? In term of sound quality , barely . Listening to Apple Lossless versions of high - quality recording , I could hearslightlybetter bass performance and atadbit better treble response , but these are very pocket-sized improvement that most people are unlikely to take heed , especially with pack together music . In other words , the new earbuds wo n’t prevent those in hunting of great intelligent calibre fromlooking elsewhere .
On the other mitt , the new earbuds are quite a bit unlike from the old ace in terms of appearance and paroxysm . They ’re still white with gray trimming , but rather of the “ stem and speaker ” design of the old ’ buds , the new ones take on a sleeker and more curvy look . They ’re also slightly modest — which should please the many people who complained that the former variation were too braggy for their auricle — and they lose the froth covers of the old models in favor of a diminished natural rubber ring around the front of each earpiece . Reaction to the conception of the Modern new earbuds has been mixed . in person , I ’m not a fan of foam earbud covers , which incline to get gunky and gross over time , and I found that the smaller size of the new iPod ’ bud combine with the rubber rings made these novel versions more comfortable and safe . However , Christopher Breen take down in his 2 G nano inspection that thenewbuds are the ones that do n’t fit him well and slip around . Fit is in the pinna of the listener , it appear .
( mouth of sound quality , if you ’re curious , there are no obvious hearable difference between the original and raw 5 G iPods — that is to say , the new version provides excellent level-headed timber . This is n’t surprising , considering that various “ take - aparts ” around the Web indicate that the audio computer hardware is monovular to that of the original 5 grand models . )
The lowdown
Although the raw 5 G iPod is n’t the “ true video iPod ” many mass were expecting , it ’s a substantial upgrade from its predecessor , offering useful new software features for watching video , playing games , and surf music , as well as improved hardware in the flesh of a bright screen , better electric battery life , and better earbuds . And you get all of these improvements — plus , in the slip of the larger simulation , 20 gigabyte more storage space — for $ 50 less than each mannikin ’s predecessor . I still bemoan the fact that Apple no longer admit a index adapter with late iPods , and if you ’ve got a well - organized euphony Library , the young Search feature is more interesting than utile , but if your meat is n’t pose on a “ substantial ” TV iPod — whenever that might come out — the new 5 G iPods are compelling products . And they give us a few speck at the directions the iPod line may be heading .
Update 10/3/06 : Added barrage - test data for photo - slideshow modality on 80 GB model .
Update 10/4/06 : supply battery - test data for maximum - light video playback on 80 GB model .
