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ipod-faqs >> iPod & iPhone Discussions >> iPod (Monochrome)

Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?

While reading the iPod mini review (this thread isn't about the mini), I noticed that the author wrote that the mini had a "new" full-bar battery meter, opposed to his 3G iPod's four-bar meter. My friend, who got his 3G 10 gig iPod (new) last December (a month before me), also has an iPod with a four-bar meter... but curiously enough, another friend (who got his 3G 10 gig iPod new in December) AND mine (3g 15gig iPod new in January) both have a full-bar battery meter. Anyone know what's up with this? I'm wondering if anyone other than me has noticed this yet.

P.S. I tried to explain this in the best way possible... sorry if it's hard to understand.
[690 byte] By [iJman] at [2007-11-9 17:45:35]
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# 1 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
The type of battery meter you have is dependent on the software. In normal ipods, you get the full bar with 2.1 and the 4-part with 2.0.1. It has less to do with when you bought your ipod.

What ipod software are you running?
ginalee at 2007-11-15 14:08:02 >
# 2 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
I have the latest firmware. My friend might, but I haven't asked him. Does the firmware change it for ALL 3G models?
iJman at 2007-11-15 14:09:02 >
# 3 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
I believe so, yes. Some users have downgraded to 2.0.1 which is why a lot of 3 gen owners have a 4-part meter.
ginalee at 2007-11-15 14:10:01 >
# 4 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
What is the reason they downgraded? Is it because of the battery meter accuracy?
iJman at 2007-11-15 14:11:06 >
# 5 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
A lot of people, including myself, have noticed that the contrast on the screen sometimes fades and needs adjusting. Others prefer the 4-part battery meter.
ginalee at 2007-11-15 14:12:07 >
# 6 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
Also, going back to 2.0.1 will get rid of the 'okay to disconnect' problem found on 2.1 (after ejecting the iPod, it will go directly back to the main menu).
mikey at 2007-11-15 14:13:06 >
# 7 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
i downgraded because i do not want the "ok to disconnect" screen on my ipod when i eject from itunes. without that stupid screen, i'm able to leave my ipod in the dock and play music thru the line out (and still be recharging thru the firewire).
Debaser at 2007-11-15 14:14:10 >
# 8 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
Sounds like the firmware was a close-to-useless "upgrade"... Where might I be able to "downgrade" back to version 2.0.1?
iJman at 2007-11-15 14:15:13 >
# 9 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
Something to keep in mind- If you go back to 2.0.1 you will loose AAC support and some playback problems that were fixed with 2.1 (audio switching channels, etc.)
mikey at 2007-11-15 14:16:10 >
# 10 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
That sucks... well I guess I can live with the "OK to disconnect" thing, but still, it makes you wonder why in the stinking world they even made the effort to change that feature. It's really stupid if you think about it.
iJman at 2007-11-15 14:17:11 >
# 11 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
my 2.0.1 ipod can play AAC files. what is this AAC support and playback problems are you talking about?
Debaser at 2007-11-15 14:18:09 >
# 12 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
From apple (regarding 2.1):
New for Windows: support for AAC audio files, including songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store

I've heard of AAC working with 2.0.1 but with mixed results (some files just won't play).
mikey at 2007-11-15 14:19:07 >
# 13 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
Although the battery gauge in 2.1 doesn't really give you a proper reading. Maybe it's because it's the first time they tried the "full-bar meter" rather then 4 bar meter, they expirenced some problems. Although I would much rather prefer 2.1 over 2.0.1, espcially if you have Windows, because of the whole AAC thing.
rc-86 at 2007-11-15 14:20:14 >
# 14 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
I dont relly know what everyone is talking about with the "AAC problem w/ version 2.0.1 ...I just downgraded today because of the contrast problem with the screen..I get AAC playback fine ? I am also running windows, so whats the deal? ^_^
prerunnerz_123 at 2007-11-15 14:21:09 >
# 15 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
Originally posted by mikey
Also, going back to 2.0.1 will get rid of the 'okay to disconnect' problem found on 2.1 (after ejecting the iPod, it will go directly back to the main menu).

Ok, I recently updated my 40GB to 2.1, but luckily it doesn't do this, instead it behaves just as it did before the update from 2.0.2 that is, it returns to the menu and lets me play while charging from my powerbook. The only downside I noticed was that I, like almost everyone else, had to turn the contrast almost all the way up for it to be as it was before the update.
stefanw at 2007-11-15 14:22:14 >
# 16 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
I have neither a full bar or a four bar meter. My battery meter is digital.
hoopchick18 at 2007-11-15 14:23:18 >
# 17 Re: Do you have a full or four-bar battery meter?
Full meter.
ejd142 at 2007-11-15 14:24:15 >
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