*Official* iPod thread - all iPod discussion in here

[Resonance]

From what I hear, no.

[JP]

which ipod is it? ipods no longer work over firewire, I think it's been like that since the first ipod video (although as you've found out, they charge over firewire just fine).

I don't suppose you've tried it on a pc to see what happens? What about someone else with an ipod, try their cable?

It's a Classic.

It was the cable and I've got a new one now, I was going to try eliminating things like that before ordering a service but I was trying to prepare myself in advance for the worst it could be. I couldn't find a quoted price for a fix from Apple but other dealers were stating anywhere between ?50 & ?80 which I'm glad I was able to avoid.

Does anybody know why you can only charge via Firewire? Is there some sort of technical limitation which doesn't allow?

Thanks for the advice.

[CMcK]

Looks like Apple removed the Firewire support in iPods as it wasn't really needed anymore. Probably saved them a few bob in manufacturing costs only having to support one interface. When the iPod was still Firewire only many Windows PC owners had to buy add in cards to get the required port.
Shame they dropped the Firewire support as it was faster than syncing via USB.

[JP]

A team of tech journalists found a mysterious chip inside the headphones of the new Apple iPod Shuffle and believe that it might be the company's first step towards a more strict marketing drive.

Following iLounge analysis of the new device, reviewers at gadget site Boingboing isolated a tiny piece of PCB that was placed inside the headphone module of the iPod Shuffle with a chip labelled 8A83E3.

The headphone is essential to play music as it controls the player itself and without it, one would only be able to control the Shuffle, leaving it on continuous mode and at constant volume.

iLounge had already mentioned that the existence of an authentication chip which would make other non-approved Apple headphones useless. In their own words, "This is, in short, a nightmare scenario for long-time iPod fans: are we entering a world in which Apple controls and taxes literally every piece of the iPod purchase from headphones to chargers, jacking up their prices, forcing customers to re-purchase things they already own, while making only marginal improvements in their functionality?"

itproportal.com

[ChrisF]

No different to console manufacturers forcing 3rd party hardware bods to license their technology I guess, although obviously this'd be a first (?) in this area! Does suck though if true

[randombs]

Unless I'm missing something, there doesn't appear to be anything saying companies like Griffin won't be able to make little earphone adaptors with buttons, though. The chip could just be the encoding chip sending the signals down the wire to the shuffle. I've just Googled and there's mention of it possibly being some kind of lock-out chip but I'm still unsure.

Hopefully this ploy (if that's what it turns out to be) is just because the shuffles are 'cheap', and isn't some kind of test to see if it's financially viable and is then transferred to the proper iPods. Mind you, they fiddled the iPhone headphone socket to stop regular headphones being used without one of those adaptors, so who knows?

[RobRoy]

Can anyone recommend a (cheapish) fm transmitter for the 2nd gen ipod touch please.

[Malc]

I was wondering if anyone here doesn't use a case for their Itouch/Iphone. I've been using a simple black silicon case for mine since christmas, and when I took it out of the case today I remembered how nice it looks; something that I had forgot due to the case being on for so long. I know it may get scratched easier but I think I'm being too padantic over it and should just enjoy using it without wrapping it up in cotton wool. I know it's sensible to use a case but I just what to enjoy the design and slimness of it now. So does anyone else not use a case for their Itouch/Iphone?

[ChrisF]

I use an Invisishield. That way I get to enjoy the design, and keep it scratch/mark free.

[Daragon]

I bought a pretty pricey one for my touch a few months back, made the thing look awful. Yes it protects the device, but Ipods are a thing of beauty and they lose their looks and also their size when you stick them inside something like an acrylic case.

[Dogg Thang]

I have a basic leather book-like thing for my iPod Touch. The Touch slides in and out easily so I often have it out most of the time and then just stick it in the case when it goes in my pocket or I'm taking it somewhere.

[wakka]

So does anyone else not use a case for their Itouch/Iphone?

I have an iPhone and I have never used any kind of case or protection for it. Consequently it's a bit scratched and battered, especially on the reverse (and there's a little chip out of the plastic above the camera which I think happened while I was half cut and fell into a bush). I don't really care though - it's just a phone, after all. I would never put it in any sort of rubber case, it makes it look like crap and bulks it up in your pocket. The scratches give it character, anyway ;p

Those invisishields ChrisField mentions are good products, I've used those on iPods in the past. I just don't really care enough about the integrity of the back of my phone to spend £20 on it.

I certainly wouldn't use anything where you need to slide the iPhone in and out, what a ****ing nightmare every time you get a call, text or email. Or just want to change song -.-

[hudson]

I'm about to get an Ipod Touch. Are there any must have games out there?

[Malc]

Rolando is a good game, jelly car is good (and free). I haven't brought but am interested in Spore and Sim City, but not sure how good they are.

[hudson]

Does the ipod have the potential for great games?