Apple iPod photo

         There are just some things that were meant to be great. I've often thought Steve Jobs, you know the Apple Computer guy might be one, but I know the iPod is greatness. This review shines the spotlight on the continuation of a product destined to be a culture icon for our generation. An item people will return to when they want to know what the new millenium was all about. I've heard those from other countries say the only good thing to come out of America was sex, drugs, and Rock n' Roll.  Well I guess we just continue the trend, because we gave the world the iPod, and I've been watching everybody play catch up since. Thank you Steve. Let's look at the specs.
 

        Well we have to agree that this new version of the iPod isn't a revolution for Apple's little prince/princess. It's like it went shopping and bought a little more expensive outfit.  Those new features however are what's worth focusing on here, so that we note who the iPod photo is really a good match, because beyond that you have to remember this is an iPod.

Pop Culture good?

        It's all in the screen.  The iPod photo sports full-color, 16-bit, 220 x 176 resolution screen in whopping 40GB and 60GB capacities. The iPod has a makeover with a clean white background, extremely vibrant blue liquid scroll bars, battery indicator that changes from green to yellow to red, and with a higher resolution screen the text is crisp and uses a cleaner font than you'll find on older models. She's ready to hit the club!  You'll also be able to see more text per menu due to the higher resolution.  Of course, this will come at a cost ($499 for the 40GB and $599 for the 60GB), but we're not focusing on that right now. We're looking at the (bright side!) 

        While Apple isn't the first to introduce such a unit with these new features added, the iPod photo is poised to deliver what it hasn't done to date, which is not to just hold but hold and display pictures on screen and up to 25,000 of them. Not only on screen but by using the supplied dock or AV cables, you can display photos on the television. But how well does all of this work? Apple requires you to use iTunes version 4.7 or higher to import all photos. The good part about this is that all pictures are pre-processed to create three images a thumbnail for 5x5 album viewing, one optimized for regular viewing, and one for television viewing. What does this do? It optimizes the ability for you to scan photos in the iPod without having to endure slow loading times that may be experienced on similar models by other manufacturers. You can use albums to create slideshows, and the iPod photo not only allows you to edit the slideshow settings but also specify music to play along. with the addition of an optional remote, there are some very practical applications for this beyond just some simple fun. Photos definitely look great considering the screen size.

        The iPod photo is packed with goodies in its now reknowned cubic box as it should be with its pricetag, and it screams iPod again. What you don't receive with the trimmed down 4G (4th Gen) model has returned that being a belt-clipped carrying case, a soft carry bag, USB and FireWire data cables, white earbuds, and a glossy white power supply. Also new is the iPod photo Dock, which has all the features of Apple's audio Dock (line-out audio port, Dock Connector port) but also contains a S-Video output port on its right rear side.  And last but not least, a long white AV cable that plugs into the iPod photo's headphone jack and outputs both audio and RCA composite video to any television. This cable is beautiful, because in your hand out of the cube you now have a portable jukebox. Plug this thing into a surround sound system and bam! Let the roof off.

       Is that all? Well yes except the fact you also get the same great features that make the iPod an audio player first and foremost, and it is truly what makes it the apple in the eye of most audiophiles. It's everything you love about the past 3G, 4G, and mini models.  Compatible with MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, and Audible files, you also get what I love the most and no iPod review can go without mentioning.  The Click Wheel. I like to refer to it as "Wheel Power"! We all need to exercise a little wheel power every now and then, but for those of us who own an iPod, it's at our thumb. Yeah...it's a beautiful thing.

Pop Culture bad?
 
       For one, it's thicker. The addition of a larger Lithium Ion battery probably is the contributor to this.  But it's necessary for the color screen and maybe even faster processors. The larger battery also doesn't mean it has the same battery life as the older models.  It's rated at 15 hours of battery life, but depending on usage playing audio with no backlight yields around 10 hrs and 3-5 hrs in slide-show mode with backlight on. 

        The other only true disappointing  factor and a rather big one is that you have to use iTunes to import photos for viewing on screen or on television.  This means you can't simply transfer files from a memory card through peripherals, drag straight to the iPod, etc and see them instantly. For serious photography enthusiasts and professionals, it makes this device not optimal for photo viewing. The only qualm I have about this is that it starts to put the iPod photo features into the novelty category. And I don't usually approve of this.  You can't charge me a premium just because you think your device does something cute. But I believe that there is a enough real world application that it can appeal to more than just iPod enthusiasts.

Pop Culture Conclusion

        Like it always seems unless it's the first of its kind there's no reason to rush out and buy the iPod photo.  Apple has designed it to be competitive in that area with other devices such as the Archos Gmini400.   But maybe you already have a 4G model or an iPod mini that suffice for you. (if you still have a 3G then UPGRADE!)  But if you don't have an iPod and you like the iPod photo features or you are an enthusiasts who likes the iPod photo, you can't go wrong with this model. Apple has left themselves room to improve, and of course, I wish the photo model was a little more graphically enhanced with more photo capabilities.  But thanks to Steve Jobs we have something to look forward to. It does come at a price and there are cheaper options, but if you have never owned an iPod, you don't quite understand. People, who do own one,  revere the unit as not just stylish but iconically stylish in efficiency and fuctionality.  Not just efficient and functional but it's done so gracefully in a way the we know will last forever.  The cheaper ones may work but they will be forgotten unlike the iPod. Someone once told me the iPod kind of gets in your soul. It becomes a definite part of life. It can be obsessive.  You'll spend more time copying music than listening to it. You'll pick it up just to exercise a little "wheel power". So maybe it does.. but get one and be the judge for yourself then you'll understand. 
 
 
 OVERALL RATING OUT OF 10:    9.0