In the melting ice, amidst the thawing dog crap, Whitehorse, Yukon resident Andrew noticed an oddly-familiar rectangular item: An iPod classic. He brought it home and found, to his surprise, that it was fully functional.
We’ve covered Colorware‘s professional gadget painting in the past—and were more than satisfied after seeing their work close up, but their latest iPod colouring seems to be more than just cosmetic. The iPod Nano 2G colour-coats the shiny silver metallic back with a colour layer, which most likely handles fingerprints and scratches better than the original surface. They also paint iPod Nano 4G and iPod Classic as well as iPhone 3G, so you’ve got options on those devices as well. The process is not all that cheap ($US125 to send yours in), but it’s definitely worth it considering that they do a great job and you’ll be using these gadgets for years. [Colorware]
After the dust settled on Apple’s “Let’s Rock” event yesterday, it seemed as though the poor iPod classic was getting kicked to the curb—so to speak. However, Crave UK claims that Apple reps at the event told them that Genius playlists would come to the device via a free software upgrade. It’s a glimmer of hope for classic fans who feel a bit gypped, but the source here seems sketchy, so I wouldn’t don’t take this rumour to the bank. [Crave UK]
Sure, you are all aware that there is a new iTunes 8, new iPod nano, and new iPod touch. But did you read our hands-on reviews and the rest of the details and products that many people missed at Apple’s “Let’s Rock” event? If you want to know all about what happened there, don’t forget to go through our complete special coverage, including our full reviews of the new iPod nano and iPod touch.
Okay, so after the overnight feed the last thing some of you guys really want to see is more Apple coverage. Well, too bad. There are also some of you who want the lowdown on Aussie pricing. So for those readers, here it is:
Today, right after Steve J. rolled out a “thin” 120GB iPod classic, Toshiba announced its 120GB 4200rpm 1.8″ drive, a new high for that slimmer single-platter config. Everybody knows that’s the drive for classic iPods. But Toshiba also showed off a fatter 240GB that would fit snugly in the spot where that 160GB drive fits in today’s classics. So, tell us, Toshiba or Apple, where’s the damn 240GB classic? What good is the classic line if it isn’t the most storage you can get? [Press Release]
The iPod classic looks like it’s getting the runt’s end of the “Let’s Rock” magic wand today–with boosted storage to 120GB for $250, up from 80GB for the same price. And it’s death for the 160GB thickie, matching the Zune’s lineup to a tee. Same form factor and colours as last time. Now, the largest iPod money can buy has been downgraded by 40GB–seem like a strange move to backtrack like this to anyone else?
As tomorrow’s Apple event looms, rumours of new iPods grow louder. And it’s tough not to be at least a little excited. Ever since the original iPod was unveiled in 2001, Apple has wowed us time and time again by presenting the next piece of design evolution–an iPod that will be better than the last in every way–style, form and function. In a world when technological improvements can be hard for the naked eye to appreciate, Apple has given us the most simple metric of man’s capabilities: A pocket music player.
When Apple releases a new generation of iPod, it’s smaller, but Apple aims to keep profit margins in check too. A new patent points to Apple possibly developing a lower-cost touchscreen for the iPod classic. Instead of utilising thick glass panels, the design takes advantage of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. We see this PET in the iPhone/iPod touch already, so the transition would probably be a positive one despite the use of, ick, more plastic. [Patent via MacNN]
