new Video iPod 5.5G 30gb ($249) and 80gb ($349)
Despite the minor revisions that went into this new "Johnny Depp" edition iPod, it's still getting plenty of love in 2reviews. The 5.5G version boasts of enough little tweaks that have gone right, like a brighter, sharper screen, useful search feature, improved video playback time, tweaked headphones, good looking games and a welcome price drop, 2that the minor setbacks such as quirky game controls, odd video aspect ratios and the strange lack of an iTunes install CD don't seem to detract a whole lot from the lovefest. Of course, the notable omission of a larger screen to truly enjoy the full-length flicks, and our standard iPod gripes like lacking format support still keep this iPod from going all the way in our books, but it seems like most of the iPod faithful will be too busy yucking it up with the Pirates of the Caribbean crew to notice this time around.
Obviously we're all a little underwhelmed that the 5.5G iPod isn't the true video iPod we thought would be debuted with the movie store, but the screen is definitely brighter, those hard drives are definitely bigger, and you really just can't argue with a $50 drop in price. Or games, which cost a small chunk of change. But at least it's nice to know what you're getting yourself into here, and that's a 5G iPod with a 60% brighter screen.
2G iPod Nano=colored LCD up to 8gb ($249)
When Apple says "available now," they mean it. Just one day after the revamped nanos were announced at the "It's Showtime" event, some drool-worthy shots of the green and blue 2G nanos managed to surface, and now we're graced with a photoset containing the esteemed 8GB black-only model. Apparently following in the footsteps of the BlackBook, Apple is only offering the 8GB unit in a single color, so if black's your thing, be prepared to go high-end or bust in order to get one -- be sure to hit the read link for a luscious gallery of Tony Chang's presumably coveted 'Pod. Oh yeah, and PC Mag reviewed the 8GB unit, too, giving it a 4.5 / 5, and calling it the "finest flash player out there in terms of look and feel," and had only the usual nits with it: nonremovable battery, no FM tuner (oh, and something about buggy playback on longer tracks -- no way!). Still, looks for many to be a pretty solid investment; we'd suggest you wait until later today, however, to make any buying decisions on portable audio players, yeah?
2G iPod Shufftle redesigned ($79)
Great god of portable audio, this new 2G shuffle is freaking unbelievably small. Like, seriously, it's kind of weirding us out -- it's like they chopped a regular shuffle in half, then skinned off some thickness, then added a clip. Oh, we also got a look at its evolutionary new iPod earphones -- remember the failed canalphones? These new ones are kind of halfway in between those and the classic iPod phones. Click on, this is a $79 work of consumer tech art, even if it won't play most file formats we're actually interested in.
G=Generartion
