Apple iPod Video: Crave's hands-on with the second coming

After a convoluted route from Shanghai to London, courtesy of Apple Store shipping, our shiny new iPod 60GB arrived yesterday, dazzling us with its svelte form. But rather than rattle on about how lovely it is (which it is), we thought we'd let all you prospective UK owners know about some of the issues that have come to light since we've been able to cover it with our grubby fingerprints.

Downloading content for the unofficially named 'iPod Video' device is easy as pie through iTunes -- one Crave member gifted the delightful Boundin' to another, and it was on the iPod less than a minute later. Using it on the Tube last night, the device grabbed plenty of attention. A graphic designer informed us that we were in for a treat with Pixar's animated short (it's the story of one sheep's emotional journey from arrogance to humility), before befriending us and telling us all about his music videos. The Apple iPod -- cultural icon and social lubricant.

Scratch beneath the gorgeous black exterior though, and there are issues with the new iPod. Apple has picked up a few dirty tricks from the videogame world: this puppy demands far too many accessories. This is the most expensive iPod available, yet the FireWire cable, dock and mains charger from the previous model have been ditched. FireWire had to go to keep the size down -- apparently the module is much bigger than the one used for USB. But the dock and mains charger? That's just Apple pinching pennies.

When a piece of consumer electronics costs £300 (put into perspective, that's more than an Xbox 360 will cost), we expect to be able to show it off in a nice dock. And call us picky, but if we're going on holiday and want to recharge the batteries, we don't want to have to take our laptop around with us (although to be fair, we probably will -- we're proper digital junkies here on Crave). What will they cut off the 6th-generation iPods -- headphones?

We Brits are also getting a raw deal with the video at the moment. There are only music videos and Pixar animated shorts to choose from on Apple's UK iTunes store. TV episodes on the move were a big part of Steve Jobs' launch presentation, but we're not going to be bale to download episodes of Lost or Desperate Housewives for the foreseeable future. We suspect it was enough of a struggle for Apple to get those for the US in the first place, but let's hope some other wise and far-seeing broadcasters follow suit before 2006. At least our favourite video podcasts are downloadable, and more importantly free -- we watched an excellent feature on building your own AV cables on the way in to work this morning. Needless to say, this didn't generate as much enthusiasm from our fellow passengers as Boundin'.

Many of the people who've played with our new toy have mistakenly announced, "Oh look, it's got wider," but this is an optical illusion. The wider screen makes people think the unit itself has got wider. In fact, the new 60GB model is smaller than the 4th-generation 20GB model. This is the main attraction for fans of miniaturisation -- it doesn't feel as comprehensive for video as Archos players do, so at least it's less noticeable when you've got it in your pocket, where we expect it to spend most of its time.

The new iPod is a triumph, especially in its 'dark horse' cool black model, but if you've been holding off until you've gleaned every last morsel of information about the iconic player, then make sure you check out our upcoming review and video. -GC

Update: a full review of the Apple iPod (60GB, video) is now live here.