Last week , I obtain an e - postal service that read “ Steve Jobs , Bono and The Edge ask round you to give ear a special event . ” ( Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton were indifferent about my attending , I guess . ) And as I was perplex in traffic this morning on the way to San Jose , I was wondering just what Steve might unleash . I ’d heard the rumor — chiefly , a colouration iPod that plays video , or a black iPod with U2 ’s new record album loaded on it — and as with most Mac rumors , it turn out both were secretive to what actually happened .
Once I took a seat with a few hundred other press and guests in an old movie theater in downtown San Jose , Jobs talked about the Apple Stores , the iTunes Music Store , and then quickly moved on to the iPod . He indicate a picture of Creative’sZen Portable Media Centeras an example of what other company are adding to digital music player — video . He then demonstrate a clipping from the filmRaiders of the Lost Ark — you know , the view where Harrison Ford and John Rhys - Davies are excited to find that the Nazis are “ digging in the wrong place ” for the Ark of the Covenant . Jobs ’ point was that , like the sinister - if - bumble villain inRaiders , these other companies are take in a misunderstanding , mostly because there is n’t any content available for video players ( unlike music for the iPod and competing gimmick ) . Apple concluded that pic were the way to go — everyone has plenty of those , and there are no job with right field and ownership ( also unlike music ) .
The iPod Photo unveiled by Jobs Tuesday looked just like the fourth - generation iPod , but with one big difference — a color sieve . The midget photograph viewer displays 25 thumbnail or one photo at a prison term ; just as you sync with the Song dynasty in your iTunes library , you may sync the motion-picture show in your iPhoto subroutine library . you’re able to also hook up the iPod Photo to a TV or projector ( anything with analog video input signal ) for a much larger viewing experience .
And that᾿s skilful . Because after the effect , I catch to try out the new iPod Photo , and having seen it up close , I have to say I ca n’t see the head in have a tiny photo looker built into the iPod . The color screen is beautiful ( and it displays the cover artistic production embedded in each cartroad purchased from the iTunes Music Store ) , but who want to stand around an iPod bet at pictures ? perhaps once I have more time to chew over on thing , I ’ll change my mind . But in good order now ? That ’s a very small screenland .
Apple ’s other declaration Tuesday had something to do with its particular guests , 50 percent of U2 . Why was half the ring in the business firm ? For the iPod U2 Special Edition , of course of action . As predicted , it is has a pitch-black face , and even a red Click Wheel . Alas , no euphony comes preinstalled , as had been bruit ( although the signatures of all four band fellow member come laser - engraved on the back ) .
The other dispute you ’ll discover with the iPod U2 Special Edition is the price — it costs $ 50 more than the standard 20 GB Click Wheel iPod . I ca n’t say I ’m a grown fan of the color scheme or the extra cost , but then again , I ’m not a huge U2 fan ( and Special Edition makes me think of the frightful things George Lucas has done to theStar WarsTrilogy ) .
The other U2 - related item on the Apple card was the world ’s first digital box solidification . For $ 149 , you get every U2 album plus a lot of uncommon and unreleased tracks ( and if you grease one’s palms the U2 iPod , you get an iTunes Music Store coupon for $ 50 off the box set , meaning your iPod really be the same $ 299 you ’d make up for a non - Special Edition one ) . Bono and The Edge were decent enough to play two songs for us , with the lead vocalist more or less apologizing for his ’ 80s grey mullet — so I was moderately satisfied .
There was a very odd here and now Tuesday where Steve Jobs introduced a new merchandise called Socks — a set of 5 dissimilar - colored cotton wool … well … socks . They ’re presuppose to protect your iPod from scratches and “ keep it warm”—assuming you accept the shivery idea that your iPod is capable of sentient idea . Since I see no cite of the socks on Apple ’s site , I ’m still not convinced Jobs is n’t pull our leg . Still , the CEO did say the socks will be available mid - November ( the same release escort for the U2 iPod ) for $ 29 . So I guess we ’ll have to wait and see if Apple is truly contrive to deliver the latest in iPod - themed footwear .
