A topic for firmware wishlist

how about the ability to change your 'lock' switch to 'on/off'?
i would think they should be able to change this in the firmware.
this could save battery life so the ipod could be 'really' off.

a battery conservation song listening mode. And updates for windows ME without making you lose all your songs.

Ability to transfer new games to it.

When putting the iPod to "sleep" and then placing it on the dock, it "wakes up", I wish it didn't do this.

A feature to hold a certain key for an amount of time to actually make the song stop playing, instead of always pausing.

A feature to make and store notes, instead of having to create them on the computer and transfer them.

Option to increase/decrease font size.

Also, a customizable EQ where you could decide how much bass/treble and such.

i bet if apple really wanted to, they could easily make an installer with more games. they should have game packs for free download.

The ability to set a time limit, after which the music does one of the following (I don't mind which), and the iPod then goes to sleep.
i. the music immediately stops
ii. the music fades out
iii. the music stops after the end of the current song

For example, you might set it to: "shut off in 10 minutes".

Why? I like to go to sleep while listening to music. I also like to put my whole library on shuffle. When I eventually doze off, I find that I have to wake myself up enough to switch the iPod off - and then I want more music to help me doze off!

There are probably other situations where this feature be useful...

-the ability to Q songs up.

-bass boost option

firmware is the operating system that the ipod uses (basic navigation and stuff)

anyways i hope they add a fix so when u turn the backlight on for two seconds and then shuts off when you use functions from your remote the display on the ipod does not light up that will add longer battery life

Originally posted by CommieLawnGnome
Both of these already exist! What the heck, guys? "Sleep Timer" in Clock, and "EQ" in Settings!

the ipod doesnt have a true queing capability.the on the go playlist is simply a playlist you can make without your computer.
I'd like to be able to be playing something,and set up more albums or songs to play one after the next.to actually Q them up.just to be able to pick the next album thats going to play, before the album playing actually finishes.I find this themost annoying when its docked into an amp and speakers,and the album has to be finished before i have to go and pick another one.

The equalizer changes alot of different frequencys,with no control over the levels. simple treble and bass controls would be much nicer, and probably less drain on the battery.I'd like to be able to simply change the bass/treble, from song to song etc, without having to go through there suggestions for what "rock" or whatever should be set to, and find one that i actually want.Or even just a simple,one touch, discman-like bass boost option.

i would like the ability to make an "on-the-go" playlist but then save it under a different name, so u could make multiple playlists w/o ur computer, this is a feature i miss from my nomad jukebox 3.

also i would like the ability to STOP songs and maybe TURN OFF my iPod.

i would also like to have the alarm feature, but instead of an annoying beep, have it just turn on ur ipod and play whatever was playing before u turned it off, with this alarm i would also like to be able to set the volume it turns on at (ie go to sleep with it quiet, wake up with it loud)

another would be entering contacts/calendar appointments with your iPod (does this exist i havent explored this feature much)

thats pretty much all i can think of now! :)

i wish that you could delete songs and also browse all the information about a song (genre...)

I'd love to see some extra games. I believe that adding the ability for people to download their own games would arise in some mischievous programmers writing malicious code to damage the iPod. So if Apple create the games they are all ones we can trust.

I suggest regular firmware updates with new games in each.

More Games
Support for OGG Vorbis.

Originally posted by drbenson
Maybe I'm confused about what's in firmware, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the need for more playback formats.

Here we have a really high-quality playback toy, with huge storage, but it's limited to MP3 and AAC-lossy- formats. It would seem trivial to add WMA lossless and APE formats.

I'd also like the ability to play streaming audio files like ASF. No matter how many CDs I buy or tunes I download, I'm always looking for something new, and I frequently appreciate someone else's professional expertise in putting together a flow for me. This currently involves much bit torture- record ASF to home theater PC, convert to MP3, copy to iPod.

Are the chosen formats simply Apple chauvinism, or is there an inherent technical limitation in the iPod that prevents using other formats?

If this belongs elsewhere, please let me know.

As far as I know, the iPod (like all the other pure music player out right now) lacks a FPU (float point unit). This As far as I know, the iPod (like all the other pure music player out right now) lacks a FPU (float point unit). This limits it to integer based decoders (I believe MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, FLAC). The problem with a FPU is that it greatly increases battery consumption, an area where the iPod isn't the strongest already. If we are lucky, we might see FLAC support added, but I am fairly certain that APE and WMA will not be added to the iPod, as APE is closed sourced and licensed, and WMA is a Microsoft technology. FLAC and OGG are possibilities (I think the Rio Karma currently supports both, or is adding OGG support soon) because both are open source (no extra fees) and both have integer based decoders. However, both of these formats are still niche compared to even AAC, and Apple has little incentive to add FLAC, much less OGG. The lack of a FPU is probably the most limiting factor of the iPod in terms of new features that can be added, however its exclusion is made up for by the gains in battery life.

I don?t understand how you could add a streaming media file onto something that cannot access the internet directly. I believe that you would also run into the lack of an integer based decoder for ASF files as well.
limits it to integer based decoders (I belive MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, FLAC). The prolbem with a FPU is that it greatly increses battery consumption, an area where the iPod isn't the strongest already. If we are lucky, we might see FLAC support added, but I am fairly certain that APE and WMA will not be added to the iPod, as APE is closed sourced and licensed, and WMA is a MicroSoft technology. FLAC and OGG are posibilities (I think the Rio Karma currently supports both, or is adding OGG support soon) because both are open source (no extra fees) and both have integer based decoders. However, both of these formats are still niche compared to

i would definitely like support for cuesheets
i have many mix- and livecds ripped in one big mp3+cue :/

the ability to manage the on-the-go playlist. that is:
-re-arrange songs within the list
-remove songs from the list
-save it to a named playlist -- even if it was just given a name like "untitled1" automatically -- it could then be renamed in itunes. otherwise, a name editing interface would need to be incorporated.

scrolling menu text for long item names. this is currently a problem when choosing between two versions of the same song i.e. "some great song (dub mix one)" and "some great song (live)". if the song title is long enough that the suffix containing the context doesn't show up, there's no easy to way to know which version is which.

the ability to adjust the scroll "wheel" accelleration model. i often find myself overshooting the artist that i want by quite a bit because i can't get the scroll speed right. i go too slowly initially and get impatient, so i speed up and end up going too far, which then means i need to backtrack in the list. i would like the ability to adjust the accelleration to a model that is appropriate for my scrolling expectations.

Hay Cold Rolled Ste

actually my first MP3 player has gapless play. The PJB100 (personal jukebox 100) My first was a 6gig followed by a 20gig. Now I think they are up to 40 or 60 gig. Great player, very simple. I wish I could make a hybrid of the ipod and pjb100.

As far as the ipod

-gapless play for (live, trance, etc.)
-and an easy way to toggle shuffle!

lest say you make a huge playlist by albums, but you are listening in shuffle mode as to mix up the artist. But wait. You come across something you really miss and you want to keep going in the original order of the playlist. So, there need to be a way to turn off shuffle quickly.

CC:
come on Apple.

Give us a way to toggle Shuffle on and off without having to look at the screen with such attention. It is very dangerous while driving;) It is easier to select a playlist than it is to click menu until you arrived at the main menu, scroll down to the bottom, then up on notch, select, then down two notches the select until you turn on or off shuffle.

How about assigning a button in a similar way that the reset feature is used. Like press and hold the center button for 3 seconds.

Is there a chance that Apple will even look at this when developing firmware?
Is there a way to write to them and request that feature?

I think gapless play is essential.

A choice in Settings to have the iPod automatically Pause/Power off when it loses external power.

This would be a great feature for those of us who use the iPod in the car.

From the moment I was installing the iPod mini software on my Mac I was hoping for a feature allowing me to delete a song directly from my iPod separate from my computer. There are a number of songs that I know I don't want on my iPod , but by the time I get to my Mac I've lost track of the dozen or so songs to delete. I'm working on the star rating system mentioned elsewhere on this thread, but some way to immediately remove a song from a menu on my mini would be kewl. Steve, if you're listening, thanks again for the great products and lifestyle they allow!

yes Yes!!

Gapless playback come on apple Mix cd's sound poo with gapz!

um my list

1, accurate battery level

2, Games :)

3, Battery level rises with charge progress

4, New or custom EQ not really good presets are they??

5, Backlight always on when connected to pooter

Definitely a text input mode for entering quick notes (into the Notes section) or phone numbers (into Contacts) while on the go.

An on-screen keyboard using the scroll wheel to accomplish the above would definitely be doable.

I don't need a PDA; all I need is the basic contacts/calendar feature on the iPod.

1. Gapless Playback
2. Option for backlight to stay on if iPod on externally powered
3. LCD off option
4. Smaller Fonts
5. Scrolling text for more than just the track titles

1) Have Groups in the Contact list on the iPod (i.e. Just like in Address Book)
i.e. So I can separate restaurant contacts, work contacts, friend contacts, etc
and actually find things easily when I want them
2) Make it possible to set hours and minutes separately in the Alarm Clock
3) Put the date and time in the title, when the "Time in Title" option is turned on
i.e. 21/04/2004 23:54 ||||||||
4) Remove the size limit on text notes
5) Allow "Repeat off/Repeat one/Repeat All" to be added to the Main Menu
6) Allow actual playlists ("Books", "Driving music", etc) to replace "Playlists" in the
Main Menu
7) Have an option so that scrolling off the top/bottom of the song list takes you back
to the bottom/top of the list. i.e. Make it easier to get to the bottom of a song list
(without having to frantically spin your thumb around the dial)
8) Make Smart Playlists in iTunes automatically displayed at the top (before normal
playlists) in the iPod
i.e. Display playlist menus in the iPod exactly like they are displayed in iTunes
9) Add a password option to the iPod (could just be choosing a number via the
scrollwheel). I've already had one iPod stolen from me.

have to cange the "voice memo" fuction so that you dont need to activate it with the little dongle thing and at a much higher quality, instead of that 8k wav thing. line in at high mp3 or even wav would be sweet.

I'd like the smart playlists turn into genoius playlists when loaded onto the iPod - I use numerous smart playlists simulataneously which ends up putting duplicates on my iPod - figure it out and get rid of the duplicates (extra time syncing would be a small price to pay).

Originally posted by ike
Car mode.
for those of us who power the iPod in the car, and where the power supply turns off when the car turns off.

This is #1 on my list. I hate having to remember to pause the iPod before getting out of the car.

Dan

Im not sure if anyone has said this, but Id like to have the "Group Compilations when Browsing" feature that we have in iTunes on the iPod. Im tired of scrolling through all the artists in my compilations when they only have one song each... I sent this to Apple actually.

Why start a whole wish list if the ipod's already been A) built and is almost ready to ship and B) Do you really think anyone from Apple reads these threads. You can wish all you want. I doubt anyone's listening.

i think there should be a visualise, but not a full screen swirlie thing. it should be a stick man that dances and does moonwalks, and breakdancing moves and stuff, it does this by looking at the genre like rap it would breakdance, funk mabey to the john travolta pointy move, micheal jackson music and he just goes crazy, it could be like on the baby g watches, or a bit more extreme and hav it like the black silhoutes on the tv ads. i would love this feature!

I want the iPod (and iTunes) to register a song as being "played" by a user-changeable percentage. In the last few seconds of a song I'll often just skip to the next one. I'd like it to register as "played" when I listen to at least half or 2/3rds of a song.

Sorry, point (3) should have read

3) accurate battery indicator OR
3a) better battery life
It's still rubbish, even with firmware 2.2!

There are my three big items one my firmware wishlist. (Some have been mentioned)

1. Gapless Playback. -I don't really care how Apple does this. Crossfading, higher buffering, chapter indexing, or support of gapless AAC / MP3 files...I don't really care. Just provide it somehow, iPod customers have begged for this improvement long enough and it's time Apple listened.

2. Ogg Support. -Ogg Vorbis has been the fastesing growing lossy format and it's popularity has swelled to a state that Apple cannot ignore for long. It's popular for a good reason, smaller file sizes than MP3 / AAC and better sound quality.

3. MPC Support. -If the iPod wants to survive the expanding rival competition of the iRiver and other digital audio players, it needs to be one step ahead and allow support of other audio formats. By giving customers MPC support Apple can greatly expand their sales and overall customer satisfaction.

I'd like support for multiple font-sizes (less of that awful horizontal scrolling), and a "play this track next" queuing facility. The "on the go" list is too cumbersome.

Originally posted by John_OZ
Please Apple... hear us :)

iTalk compatability.
Uh, dude, the iTalk is compatible with the iPod, it was created for use with it ...

OK what i want...

Gapless Playback
Fade In/Out
Profiles - So u can set different options for different situations, like on mobile phones, clicker on/off, backlight, sleep timer etc etc - i wreckon that would rock and save a hell of allot of time 2...

Dave

gapless playback

crossfading

tha ability to see which track is coming next.

sticky eq settings. ie; those you set in iTunes apply on the ipod

"most played" and "play counts" counted from the ipod.

just curious, how is it possible to increase battery life just from a firmware update? whouldnt chaning battery life be a physical thing?

if it is possible, then im going with battery life too!

Dev

EDIT: unless of course your talking about a new ipod all together

Putting the mic in the left earbud to use :P

(w/ an iPod photo and standard earbud headpones, go into diagnostic mode, click IO, cilck Audio, and Click MIc. Talk into the left earbud and hit action :P)

Customizable EQ
Volume Controls that make songs louder than they can currently be played
Customizable Icons (Probably won't happen though)
Better Notes Reader
Maybe an extra game or two
For the Alarm Clock, make the iPod be able to play On-the-Go playlists as well as those made on the computer. (Right now, in order to play on the go lists, you have to let iTunes process the list.

It's already the best user interface, but even the IPOD could get better if you ask me. Here are my picks for three upgrades to the IPOD firmware.

1) Make picking a STAR RATING easier. Scroll wheel is too sensitive to easily pick a certain number. Slow it down and space the stars out over the wheel.

2) Make the backlight turn OFF when connected to your computer. If you have the BACKLIGHT ALWAYS ON feature and forget to turn it off before you dock it, then the light stays on forever, which cannot be good for your ipod light.

3) Let the user change which VIEW is the default. When I'm listening to songs I like to see the STAR RATINGS view, when I listening to podcasts I like middle view where you can use the scroll wheel to fast forward. The problem is when it times back out to the default view and I forget and try and quick scroll I crank the volume way up.

4) Let us go BACK in the artist list. When you have 10,000 songs it takes forever to get to your ZZ TOPP collection.

That's all my peeves that needed petted?

Originally posted by Vincent
Things I would like:

-Customizable EQ setting (no, I don't mean the 'preset' equalization settings we already have before anyone shouts "but you aren't using your iPod properly")

-True gapless playback. A must frankly and my only main criticism.

Those two things, plus scrolling titles when browsing= PERFECTION.

Wishlist for IPod:

1. crossfade like in Itunes (or at least an option for gap-less)

2. When I'm in random mode, I often hear a song and I really want it to continue listening to the rest of that album (rather than continue in random mode). So, I'd love to have an easy short-cut to switch out of random mode, and begin playing the rest of the album which the song belongs to.

(I know I can find the album manually, but it's not easy while you're driving).

3. When searching by song, I'd like to jump the list alphabetically. Or I'd like a short-cut to get to the middle or bottom of the list without having to scroll forever!