iPod: Dousing The Firewire

[farankoshan]

I tried searching around for some threads on the subject, but all I found were bits and pieces of gripes.

If you haven't already figured it out (or spent an eternity with your USB cable), I'm posting in disbelief why Apple decided to axe Firewire-support with their iPod Videos.

Why did they remove the feature anyway? I know USB 2.0 is pretty quick.. but when you're doing an entire update for a 60GB... it kinda gets you late for where you need to go..

I've voiced my gripe with a few people and got these answers:

A. "Perhaps Apple wants to lure in the PC crowd, and Firewire ports aren't as common in their circles. By making them love it more, they choose the rest of Apple hardware to make the complete switch eventually."

B. "By choosing USB 2.0, they rely on just one cable, and one cable is all you'll need."

C. "USB 2.0s are getting faster than Firewires every day..."

... now, ignoring the last statement (because of just how much sense it refuses to make), I say this to each of the other two reasons:

A. I don't see why losing firewire-support helps lure anyone over... in fact, it may even make loyalists choose older models over the newer iPod (5th gen iPods use Firewire), hence a lack in support for the new model.
But, even if the lure does work, how much of problem would it be to have an optional Firewire cable sold seperately? Apple used to do it with iPod cables all the time. Clocks do that with batteries. Cereals do it with the fruit bits in the box pics. Nintendo does it with S-Video cables & mem cards. Freakin' G.I. Joe's have been doing it for decades (don't you remember hating the fact that the Joes look so much cooler and more suited-up in the picture, with a dozen accessories that all came SOLD SEPERATELY?)

B. I wouldn't be the only one griping if that one cable was ALL i needed, now would i? Besides, I'm sure most of the people who bought their iPod videos, bought plugs (since the video doesn't come packed with one) & they use external AC adaptors instead of opting to keep their laptops/desktops on JUST to charge their iPods. So it's not ALL they need.


NOW, with my 2 cents spent, I ask now if anyone knows why. Will they at least develop an update soon to support the cable?
Why did Apple decide to take a step backward with their new baby...?

Nobody thinks walking up a down-escalator is the quicker route...
unless of course, you're releasing your latest mp3 player, then I guess people will have to understand, huh?

[lamski]

I think they removed FW to make the iPod thinner and a bit cheaper?

[empty]

Two other reasons:

1. Reduced Cost, a single USB chip is definitely cheaper than a separate FW or USB + FW chipset. Look at the prices of USV vs. FW enclosures/hubs and you will see what I mean.

2. Size. Its 40% thinner but has a bigger screen and a video decoder chip, they had to take something out.


I personally prefer FW for its speed but I can't say I disagree with Apple. After all a cheaper, smaller iPod will sell more than the alternative. Besides every modern Mac has USB, while a relatively small percentage of PCs have full size FW ports.

P0.02

[empty]

he he lamski beat me to the punch.

[jha]

i cant see the speed difference in my 60gb iPod video bet usb2 and firewire. my only gripe is the lack of space in my 12in PB. my external drive (where my entire music library is) uses 2 usb connection. i need to put on usb adaptor to make room for my iPod.

[Slacker]

I'm personally buggered by the 5G's dropping of firewire because the Macs at the office are Quicksilvers with USB 1.1. I use my iPod as a portable drive and it takes 48 years to transfer large files. On the bright side though, the .43" thickness is really snug on a jeans pocket.

[Dave_D]

Maybe it's just that USB gained so much momentum that it was natural for FW to be another casualty in the 'standards' war that is being constantly fought by various companies.

Don't lose heart, USB isn't going to rest its laurels. Here's a vision of USB;

Wireless USB.

[King]

I think it is Apple's unsubtle way of telling us with USB 1.1 Macs to upgrade to the new Mactels.

I'm personally buggered by the 5G's dropping of firewire because the Macs at the office are Quicksilvers with USB 1.1. I use my iPod as a portable drive and it takes 48 years to transfer large files. On the bright side though, the .43" thickness is really snug on a jeans pocket.

[Slacker]

I think it is Apple's unsubtle way of telling us with USB 1.1 Macs to upgrade to the new Mactels.

Yeah I kinda got that impression knowing Apple. But it's really not my call to upgrade the machines at the office. I just wish Apple SUPPORT their OWN technology because firewire is the Mac's universal I/O port. Oh well. We'll just have to trust Steve on this one.

[Damien_prime2]

I hate using the USB to charge my ipod 5g and keepin' my ibook on just to charge it...

I miss the firewire already...