By Jeremy HorwitzSpy novels and other fiction aside, rarely will a cryptic phrase or sentence accurately foreshadow a big surprise to come....
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Last Update: Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Read more...
1 comment:
... More often than not, someone’s innocuous words are taken out of context by listeners or readers and spun into grand fantasies, which only later are deflated by far less impressive announcements - or none at all.
But in recent months, Apple executives have been teasing 2nd case generation ipod nano world with little word games, inspiring fans and journalists alike ipod nano white speculate on 2nd case generation ipod nano secretive company’s future plans for fourth-generation iPods. In June, CEO Steve Jobs publicly hinted that Apple was working ipod nano white drop iPod prices, but wouldn’t say more. Then in mid-July, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer so quickly and obliquely mentioned plans for 2nd generation ipod nano “higher mix of iPods ? during 2nd generation ipod nano conference call that analysts missed 2nd case generation ipod nano news entirely. Lo and behold, by late July, 2nd case generation ipod nano company released new iPods at more competitive prices. And iPod fans began ipod nano white believe there might just ipod nano refurbished merit in reading Apple’s tea leaves after all.
The problem with divining ipod manual nano that case ipod leather nano doesn’t end: once people are encouraged ipod nano white speculate on 2nd case generation ipod nano future, in 2nd case generation ipod nano words of Fleetwood Mac, they “don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.” And thus only days after Apple put new iPods on store shelves, iPod fans - and even journalists - are still trying ipod nano white figure out 2nd case generation ipod nano next surprise that Apple has in store. Unusually, many people believe that it’s not 2nd generation ipod nano different type of iPod, or 2nd generation ipod nano revision of 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod mini, but rather something secret inside 2nd case generation ipod nano shell of 2nd case generation ipod nano new fourth-generation iPod.
While iPod fan speculation has focused on 2nd generation ipod nano “secret” color screen in 2nd case generation ipod nano new iPod, and 2nd generation ipod nano diagnostic test can in fact make 2nd case generation ipod nano screen’s pixels turn blue, 2nd case generation ipod nano effect ipod manual nano actually nothing unique ipod nano white 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod family.
The Newest Mystery: Time Hints at Fourth-Generation iPod Secrets
Even though case ipod leather nano appears that Apple wants people ipod nano white keep talking and guessing about its plans, we initially passed on reporting 2nd case generation ipod nano latest iPod-related teaser - apparently straight from Apple - that first appeared in 2nd generation ipod nano Time Magazine article. 2nd case generation ipod nano topic? Secret features hidden in 2nd case generation ipod nano fourth-generation iPod. “(I)nternally 2nd case generation ipod nano new iPod ipod manual nano 2nd generation ipod nano ground-up reconstruction,” Time’s Wilson Rothman wrote, “and its really compelling applications — 2nd case generation ipod nano ones that very well might get 2nd case generation ipod nano goat of anyone unable or unwilling ipod nano white upgrade — are still secret. All that Apple ipod manual nano saying ipod manual nano that there’s more ipod nano white this than what’s being publicized.”
The reasons not ipod nano white report 2nd generation ipod nano quasi-story of this sort are obvious. Number one: while 2nd case generation ipod nano 4G iPod does differ from its 3G predecessor in certain parts, 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod mini was technically 2nd generation ipod nano major reconstruction of 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod platform, too. In February, 2nd case generation ipod nano mini debuted 2nd case generation ipod nano Click Wheel, an all new casing, 2nd generation ipod nano new battery, and 2nd generation ipod nano new hard disk, amongst other changes. And of course, as was publicized at 2nd case generation ipod nano time, case ipod leather nano shifted from PortalPlayer’s older PP5002 CPU ipod nano white 2nd generation ipod nano newer part, 2nd case generation ipod nano PP5020 chip, which ipod manual nano also called 2nd case generation ipod nano Personal Media Player: Photo Edition. 2nd case generation ipod nano new CPU ipod manual nano technically capable of decoding and displaying digital photos in JPEG format (and even motion JPEG movies) on 2nd generation ipod nano TV, sending them through 2nd generation ipod nano cable for direct-to-printer printing, and more. This PP5020 chip ipod manual nano 2nd case generation ipod nano heart of 2nd case generation ipod nano 4G iPod, as well.
Number two ipod manual nano an extremely important point: despite 2nd case generation ipod nano presence of this chip and its supposed superpowers in 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod mini, nothing special has been done with it. Today, even with 2nd generation ipod nano newer CPU inside, 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod mini remains nothing more than 2nd generation ipod nano small and modestly stripped down version of 2nd case generation ipod nano third-generation iPod. And case ipod leather nano may remain that way. As we have mentioned in 2nd generation ipod nano previous Backstage, “secret stuff ? – whether hidden in production Apple hardware or in 2nd case generation ipod nano company’s research and development labs – means nothing until Apple does something public with it. Most of 2nd case generation ipod nano time, people get their hopes up over nothing.
Number three: even assuming Apple hinted ipod nano white Time that secret iPod features would eventually ipod nano refurbished unveiled, 2nd case generation ipod nano debut date for new features could ipod nano refurbished 2nd generation ipod nano long way off. Apple previously hid another component change – 2nd case generation ipod nano replacement of Wolfson Microelectronics’ WM8721 audio chip with 2nd generation ipod nano more powerful chip called 2nd case generation ipod nano WM8731 – in 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod. 2nd case generation ipod nano 8731 added low-grade mono and high-grade stereo line recording capabilities ipod nano white 2nd case generation ipod nano 8721 chip. Six months after 2nd case generation ipod nano introduction of 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod, Apple and Belkin surprised 2nd case generation ipod nano world by releasing new firmware and 2nd generation ipod nano peripheral that supported low-grade voice recording. Yet nine months after that, even though 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod’s chip supports 2nd case generation ipod nano feature, Apple hasn’t added firmware support ipod nano white enable stereo line recording. And case ipod leather nano probably won’t. Remember number two above? Keep case ipod leather nano in mind.
Realities of 2nd case generation ipod nano Fourth-Generation iPod’s “Secrets ?
As case ipod leather nano turns out, PortalPlayer’s newer CPU isn’t 2nd case generation ipod nano only hardware change in 2nd case generation ipod nano 4G iPod: 2nd case generation ipod nano device also uses one of Wolfson’s newest audio chips, 2nd generation ipod nano part that 2nd case generation ipod nano company doesn’t even show on its official web site. We contacted Wolfson ipod nano white gain official comment and insight into its new chip, 2nd case generation ipod nano WM8975, but somewhat predictably, 2nd case generation ipod nano company wouldn’t offer 2nd generation ipod nano single word on 2nd case generation ipod nano subject. So we had ipod nano white do some digging.
Based on publicly known information, including spec sheets for 2nd case generation ipod nano past three chips in 2nd case generation ipod nano company’s 8970 series (8971, 8972, and 8973 (download and rename ipod nano white .pdf)), we think that it’s fair ipod nano white assume that at least three of 2nd case generation ipod nano following four features are technically inside 2nd case generation ipod nano new iPod. Just bear in mind that even if they are, as noted above, these hardware features mean nothing unless Apple adds support for them ipod nano white 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod’s firmware.
3-D Sound Enhancement. This feature ipod manual nano 2nd generation ipod nano key distinction between Wolfson’s WM8973 chip and its predecessor, 2nd case generation ipod nano WM8971. According ipod nano white Wolfson’s technical specifications, this feature allows 2nd generation ipod nano user ipod nano white “artificially increase 2nd case generation ipod nano separation between 2nd case generation ipod nano left and right channels.” But don’t get too excited by 2nd case generation ipod nano name; 3-D enhancement ipod manual nano very limited in functionality, and basically serves as 2nd generation ipod nano modestly adjustable echo chamber for your ears. This isn’t true multi-channel surround sound; it’s 2nd generation ipod nano cute fake.
Digital Graphic Equalizer. If you’re 2nd generation ipod nano purist, you won’t want ipod nano white tweak 2nd case generation ipod nano sound of your audio, but most people aren’t purists: they like ipod nano white pump up their bass, treble, and everything in between. Current iPods are profoundly limited in this regard, using predefined presets like “Bass Booster” instead of 2nd case generation ipod nano fully adjustable controls found in most digital audio players. Good news: each of 2nd case generation ipod nano chips in Wolfson’s WM8970 series includes an on board Digital Graphic Equalizer. But again, don’t get too excited: 2nd case generation ipod nano old PortalPlayer CPU in 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod included support for 2nd generation ipod nano Digital Graphic Equalizer, and Apple didn’t use it. Remember “number two” above?
On-Chip Bridge Tied Load Speaker Driver. Wolfson’s 8970 series also includes 2nd generation ipod nano small but powerful on board speaker driver, capable of powering 2nd generation ipod nano fairly significant connected speaker. Apple’s design of 2nd case generation ipod nano new iPod’s casing, which lacks tiny holes ipod nano white let audio come out of 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod’s plastic and metal shell, strongly suggests that this feature won’t ipod nano refurbished utilized for more than just 2nd case generation ipod nano standard iPod chip and click sounds. But again, 2nd case generation ipod nano hardware’s capable of more than that. Technically.
Enhanced Recording Capabilities. Before Apple released new firmware and Belkin released 2nd case generation ipod nano Voice Recorder, much was made of 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod’s technical capabilities for audio recording. On paper, 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod could actually sample audio at CD-quality rates (thanks ipod nano white Wolfson’s older 8731 chip) and record case ipod leather nano in MP3 format (thanks ipod nano white PortalPlayer’s earlier 5002 chip). But when Apple released new firmware, 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod was limited ipod nano white sampling audio at unimpressive, voice only-quality rates, and recording in uncompressed WAV format. Even today, that hasn’t changed. Why? Some people blame Apple’s music industry ties, suggesting that 2nd case generation ipod nano companies conspired ipod nano white prevent people from making high-quality recordings. We’re more inclined ipod nano white believe that battery drain was 2nd generation ipod nano very significant factor, and that Apple didn’t want ipod nano white deal with complaints or competitors crowing about their longer recording times.
The new iPod’s hardware seems better equipped ipod nano white handle recording than 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod, practically at least. PortalPlayer’s 5020 CPU apparently offers faster encoding of MP3 music and Audible-format voice recordings than before, and Wolfson’s 8970 series chips now include automatic volume level and gain controls ipod nano white keep volume stable, 2nd generation ipod nano feature noticeably absent from 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod and Belkin’s Voice Recorder, but added by Griffin ipod nano white its subsequently released iTalk peripheral. Now that feature’s built into Wolfson’s chips.
We can hope that 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod’s improved battery life will enable Apple ipod nano white take advantage of 2nd case generation ipod nano full recording potential of 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod’s chips. Still, we remain highly aware that these hardware improvements aren’t dramatically different from what was in 2nd case generation ipod nano 3G iPod; some are less “secrets ? than modest enhancements or reshufflings of old parts. More importantly, without new and improved software from Apple, 2nd case generation ipod nano units will remain limited in much 2nd case generation ipod nano same ways.
Speculation on Other Fourth-Generation iPod’s “Secrets ?
Could Apple really ipod nano refurbished encouraging people ipod nano white speculate over such potentially trivial audio changes? 2nd case generation ipod nano simple answer ipod manual nano “yes, ? given that 2nd case generation ipod nano company generated plenty of press just by moving 2nd case generation ipod nano Shuffle Songs button ipod nano white 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod’s main menu. But die-hard iPod fans don’t want ipod nano white believe that Apple’s thinking so small.
Conspiracy theorists continue ipod nano white speculate that Apple has planned two related and major “secret ? changes ipod nano white 2nd case generation ipod nano fourth-generation iPod. Unfortunately, there’s reason ipod nano white believe that one of them has no chance of panning out, and 2nd case generation ipod nano other depends entirely on Apple’s whims over 2nd case generation ipod nano next several months.
The most commonly requested possible secret, 2nd generation ipod nano hidden color screen masked by black and white-limited firmware, appears ipod nano white ipod nano refurbished entirely without foundation. Several users have found that playing with 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod’s diagnostic menus, particularly 2nd case generation ipod nano Contrast test, can make 2nd case generation ipod nano 4G iPod’s screen pixels turn from black ipod nano white distinctively blue. As 2nd case generation ipod nano logic goes, if 2nd case generation ipod nano screen can display blue and black, perhaps case ipod leather nano can display red and green, too. Perhaps. Except that there’s no way ipod nano white get 2nd case generation ipod nano screen ipod nano white show both blue and black at 2nd case generation ipod nano same time. All of 2nd case generation ipod nano pixels in 2nd case generation ipod nano 4G iPod’s screen are blue, but when 2nd case generation ipod nano contrast ipod manual nano adjusted and 2nd case generation ipod nano backlight ipod manual nano turned down, they look black. For that matter, you can do 2nd case generation ipod nano exact same black ipod nano white blue transformation on an iPod mini’s screen. There’s little chance that either unit ipod manual nano capable of operating in color.
As with 2nd case generation ipod nano 4G iPod’s screen, 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod mini’s pixels can ipod nano refurbished turned blue by entering Diagnostic Mode (reset 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod with Menu + Action buttons, then hold Reverse + Action at 2nd case generation ipod nano Apple logo) and playing with 2nd case generation ipod nano Contrast test.
Owing ipod nano white 2nd case generation ipod nano new PortalPlayer Photo Edition chip, 2nd case generation ipod nano second-most discussed possible 4G iPod secret ipod manual nano digital photo playback ability. Most users have assumed that such 2nd generation ipod nano feature would require 2nd case generation ipod nano “hidden color screen ? discussed above, but we think that 2nd case generation ipod nano most likely implementation of iPod digital photo abilities will ipod nano refurbished far less impressive than that, if done at all. Even lacking 2nd case generation ipod nano new PortalPlayer chip, 2nd case generation ipod nano prior-generation iPod was able ipod nano white use two Belkin peripherals ipod nano white transfer digital photos onto its hard drive. At 2nd case generation ipod nano time, Belkin’s Media Reader and Digital Camera Link seemed like interesting little trial balloons ipod nano white see whether people really wanted ipod nano white use their iPods for anything other than music. 2nd case generation ipod nano jury may still ipod nano refurbished out on that question.
We’re willing ipod nano white bet that Apple has an iPod Photo Dock under development in its labs somewhere, just waiting ipod nano white let people connect iPods ipod nano white digital cameras (for picture downloading) and TVs (for picture viewing) and maybe even printers (for picture printing). But make no mistake: based on 2nd case generation ipod nano limitations of 2nd case generation ipod nano PortalPlayer chip, direct iPod ipod nano white TV video playback (except in limited motion JPEG format) would not ipod nano refurbished part of 2nd case generation ipod nano package. And if limited ipod nano white simple photography features, 2nd generation ipod nano new Dock wouldn’t ipod nano refurbished too hard ipod nano white manufacture.
Whether case ipod leather nano would sell ipod manual nano another question. Apple may well ipod nano refurbished loathe ipod nano white officially turn 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod into an Archos-style Frankenstein with tens of detachable parts, or case ipod leather nano may want ipod nano white hold back on implementing such features until case ipod leather nano does have 2nd generation ipod nano color screen ipod nano white play with. We won’t know for sure until an official announcement ipod manual nano made.
Conclusions
When people think “iPod secrets,” they tend ipod nano white think big: “hidden wireless capabilities,” “hidden color screen,” “hidden OGG Vorbis support,” and all sorts of fantastic concepts. But that’s all they are for now: fantasies. Dissections of new iPods have failed ipod nano white locate wireless chips or antennas, or indicia of anything other than an inexpensive grayscale screen. And Apple has little incentive ipod nano white support OGG Vorbis, regardless of its capabilities, given that case ipod leather nano ipod manual nano far from 2nd generation ipod nano mainstream standard and does not tie into Apple’s push for copyright-protected audio going forward.
Of course, we could ipod nano refurbished wrong. Apple might have many other tricks up its sleeves; there may ipod nano refurbished other features inside iPod-customized versions of 2nd case generation ipod nano PortalPlayer and Wolfson chips that haven’t been disclosed ipod nano white 2nd case generation ipod nano public yet. Similarly, even absent new chips inside 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod, Apple may ipod nano refurbished developing wireless iPod attachment peripherals right now. But by 2nd case generation ipod nano same token, Apple may have requested that its partners strip features out of 2nd case generation ipod nano chips in 2nd case generation ipod nano name of price and power consumption economies. And case ipod leather nano will never release many of 2nd case generation ipod nano concept peripherals case ipod leather nano develops, no matter how cool everyone else might think they are.
So for 2nd case generation ipod nano time being, there’s no real story here, just 2nd generation ipod nano Time Magazine article, 2nd generation ipod nano bunch of chip spec sheets, and people with pencils trying ipod nano white connect 2nd case generation ipod nano dots. Though it’s tempting ipod nano white give into 2nd case generation ipod nano hype and get excited over non-announcement announcements, our advice would ipod nano refurbished ipod nano white avoid making any buying decisions based on rumors, “secrets” and speculation. Even in 2nd case generation ipod nano case of 2nd case generation ipod nano fourth-generation iPod, 2nd generation ipod nano device we like quite 2nd generation ipod nano bit, we think that prospective buyers tempted by rumors should wait for 2nd case generation ipod nano dust ipod nano white settle before buying 2nd case generation ipod nano iPod or writing case ipod leather nano off. Only hard facts will help people make informed choices about what’s right for their needs.
(c)ilounge.com
Post a Comment