iPod 5th gen and iTunes 6.0: Video killed the radio star

By on 13 October 2005, 10:57am

If the launch of the iPod nano seemed like the Second Coming thanks to its complete unexpectedness, then the new standard iPod with video was greeted with stifled yawns in comparison. Perhaps it was all about build-up -- the iPod nano was preceded by an unbelievably dull mobile phone, so when Steve Jobs pulled the best MP3 player of all time out of his pocket, he took the whole world by surprise. In comparison, as the whole of the Internet and its gran suspected that Jobsy was going to announce a video iPod (a rumour perpetuated not least by ourselves), the crowd seemed to raise its nose in a 'told you so' manner. Perhaps the mood could be summed up by the artist Apple chose to perform -- the iPod nano had the explosive rapper Kanye West, while the 5th gen iPod had the chilled out jazz of Wynton Marsalis.

So, how is the Californian giant tackling the tricky issue of video on the go? Well, the 5th gen iPod boasts a slightly bigger colour screen, integrating with iTunes 6.0's music video (£1.89 each) and TV show downloads. Apple has cajoled US Network ABC into offering shows such as Lost and Desperate Housewives the day after they're broadcast -- the problem is that licensing laws dictate that it can't do this in the UK. However, expect major content providers to follow ABC's lead in the coming months, and most major music artists will have a selection of music videos to download. Other new additions to iTunes 6.0 include Music Gifting, so you can offer music as presents via email, while recommendations and customer comments make the site look more like Amazon.

On the technology side, the physical dimensions of the new iPod are far more exciting -- both the new 30GB and 60GB models are smaller than the 4th gen 20GB version. We're struggling to get our heads round how much weight they've lost. We had a playtest under the watchful eye of an Apple product manager last night and video was an excellent quality. We were slightly disappointed that the screen wasn't a wide format, as nearly all music videos and TV shows will have to be cropped or made even smaller via letterboxing, but it's still going to be more convenient than carrying an Archos AV700 around. The 30GB model will cost £219 and the 60GB model will be £299, and both will be on sale next week (you can order them online now).

Already rumours are circulating that there will be another big announcement from Apple next month, but if that were true, we'd expect the entire company to keel over and die from exhaustion. We'll keep you posted with a full review of the new iPod, as well as all the latest Apple gossip. -GC