Not Quite What It Claims...

it's pretty much common knowledge that you need a firewire card to use it... i would have done more research beforehand if i were you :\ it's considered one of its main advantages

i hope you enjoy your new ipod now that everything's in place :)

Actually when I bought my iPod from the Apple Store, the guy said to me "Do you have a firewire card?" He rocked.

Originally posted by mongoos150
You must not have researched the iPod at all - wherever you look, firewire is being verbalized...You should have looked at required specs...
And when you think about it, it would be a bad move for Apple to include USB with iPods since most users already have firewire (Macs, their intended users).

you can connect ipods via usb 2.0

I think all iPod adverts mention the word 'firewire'. Then, it's up to you to find out what it is. Anyway before investing you do a little research right?...right? ;-)

I think we're missing one important point that the O.P. made...

I agree, not including a USB cable is remiss. I'm surprised to hear that it's not supplied with the PC ipods. If you buy a printer, monitor, scanner, or whatever, and it supports a certain type of connection, then it's common industry practice and good business to supply the needed cable.

I think we're missing one important point that the O.P. made...

I agree, not including a USB cable is remiss. I'm surprised to hear that it's not supplied with the PC ipods. If you buy a printer, monitor, scanner, or whatever, and it supports a certain type of connection, then it's common industry practice and good business to supply the needed cable.

Although I agree the USB cable should be included, in the long run you're better off with the firewire anyway--the USB does not power the ipod. Nothing like having your ipod run out of juice during a long synch...

Perhaps the most convienent thing for apple to do would be to package the ipod with either a USB or firewire cable (They're not going to package both, too many people wouldn't need one or the other cable), but on the other hand, I can see all the potential problems that would occur with this too--people not checking the box, and getting the wrong cable, misinformed salespersons telling PC owners that only the USB will work, etc.

The bottom line is, as Kurt said, it's the buyers responsibilty to check beforehand to see what the compatibility and included hardware are...

Welcome to my world. Apple put me through hell by not including a USB cable. I don't want to go into it, but my website about apple and their lack of support/care will be up shortly (1~2 days). You can comment on their when you want to. Apple is simply spanking people who don't have an iMac, or an Apple PC. They've done it in the past, and they do it now. Why else is MM included instead of a custom program? Why else is firewire the default, and why is there a huge lack of support for USB people? Why does it seem like the winPod is simply an afterthought by Apple?

Apple is a terrible, terrible company. The iPod (once working) is by far the best mp3 player (flash memory or hard disk) that i have ever seen, but it is in jeoporday with Apple as it's creator.

Originally posted by thegamedevil666
Welcome to my world. Apple put me through hell by not including a USB cable. I don't want to go into it, but my website about apple and their lack of support/care will be up shortly (1~2 days). You can comment on their when you want to. Apple is simply spanking people who don't have an iMac, or an Apple PC. They've done it in the past, and they do it now. Why else is MM included instead of a custom program? Why else is firewire the default, and why is there a huge lack of support for USB people? Why does it seem like the winPod is simply an afterthought by Apple?

Apple is a terrible, terrible company. The iPod (once working) is by far the best mp3 player (flash memory or hard disk) that i have ever seen, but it is in jeoporday with Apple as it's creator. Of course they are "spanking" people who don't have an Apple computer. That's the whole point. It's called a business strategy - create advantages for the Mac platform to entice people to use it. Don't get me wrong, I'm a PC user too and am also getting the short end of the stick here. But I certainly don't begrudge Apple for what is an intelligent business strategy.

And by the way, this may your first time on the receiving end of "ye olde platform leveraging trick", but Mac users have to deal with it constantly. I mean, it's not like Microsoft has never held stuff back from Mac users!! Bottom line, iPod (for Windows) is still a fantastic product and as an iPod Windows user, I have zero complaints.

it's called business 101
everyone does it no matter how big their fanbase is. they do it so their fanbase grows.

Just use the firewire and quit yer whinin'. Honestly it is the best way to use the iPod.

This is in danger of being or becoming full of anti-Apple flamebait. I hope that the mods are watching carefully.

Apple chose Firewire as the default when it was either Firewire or USB 1. It happens to be superior to USB 1 and probably to USB 2, too. It's easy to upgrade any modern PC to have Firewire. Firewire was the right choice. MP3s are standard and not platform specific. WMA was of no interest to the company's initial core launch market. MP3 was the right choice.

Apple is not a terrible company, nor is it 'spanking PC users'. They've made a great product initially (I suspect) purely for Mac users, and have subsequently provided it to the PC market too.

I can't believe there are people out there that can't install a firewire card... sad, really...

Originally posted by thegamedevil666
I'd rather Apple hold a product back from me, than give it to me and give me the short end of the stick.

what?? who said you had to buy one? no one forced you too...

and yes, it's an apple product, so inheritantly there will be more advantages for mac users than pc users, as those perks will entice many PC users to "switch". it's called business...

and really, it would be stupid to include a firewire AND usb cable. as 90% of the people would be paying (the price would be changd accordingly) for a usb cable that they don't need as they already have firewire or are smart enough to know that firewire is better than usb 2.0 and buy a $15 firewire card.

I think you have some valid points but I'm sure Apple puts more then enough thought into their ideas. Wether they make the right decisions is another story but I am sure they spent hundreds of hours thinking about these things and what would be best for the customer and their company.

I think Apple is smart not to use WMA. WMA was created by their direct competition and they are trying to use it to create a stranglehold on digital music. Microsoft would be the one who created the codec, who updated the codec, who let others use the codec, etc. If WMA becomes the standard in digital music, Microsofts power grows tremendously. They could push Apple out of the marketplace and dramatically damage their product if they wouldn't let Apple use it. Apple dosen't want that, but instead is pushing their codec, AAC. iPod dosen't support AAC and Zen dosen't support AAC, I am sure these companies thought ad nausem about these matters.

Personally, I am happy that you are even able to use such a wonderful device so well on Windows machines. While it may not be perfect, it still works pretty well. And I would probably be three times more likley to buy an Apple PC now then I would have been before I got my iPod so I suppose Apple has succeeded in one of their goals.

also im using windows and a prime reason why i got the ipod was its firewire connectivity
the only thing i find bad about firewire is that the plug is just so god#### hard to get out after its in :P

"bad reviews have a habit of being "louder" than good feedback. Tick, tick, tick."

- what did I tell you?

Thanks for all of the interest, especially from clued-in 666-guy - you get it! Didn't want to get into an anti-Apple tirade, but did want to express my disappointment. That's what these forums are (partly) for. Keep the faith (whatever it is - PC/Mac/whatever).

HAHAH you slam apple for being the way they are. but a PC users that can't install a FW card with out it being 'daunting' HAHAHAHAHAHHA

Shame on you!

Mike

You, the viewer, can decide. I, for one, certainly think so. ;)

OK, no fingers being pointed at anyone, but can we try to exchange views and opinions in a civilised manner without the need to resort to name calling or barbed, sarcastic remarks. If you cannot do this then the thread will be locked.
Thank you.

If you're strapped for cash why not go for a refurb 10 or 20 GB 2 Gen iPod?

See IPOD1STTIMER's post on Conversion from 256k to 128k for loading ( http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4993) in the Music>Digital Formats.

You mean like that? :D