Product Reviews

The new iPod launched by Steve Jobs at a special event in San Francisco was perhaps the most anticipated of all the recent announcements the Apple CEO has made. The new iPod comes with video playback as standard and iTunes as the conduit for transferring moving pictures to the device.

The two new iPods weigh in with 2.5in screens and 30GB or 60GB storage capacities. The dimensions of the player have shrunk somewhat with a third of the thickness being shed - it's now just over half an inch thick.

Other cosmetic changes include a slightly smaller Click Wheel and the headphone remote connection has disappeared from the top of the unit. If you frequently use your remote then the lack of in-line control will be a problem, especially as there's currently no Apple manufactured option to add one.

Also now missing from these new iPods is the capability to use FireWire to synchronise with iTunes. A FireWire cable will charge your battery but that's all, you'll have to have a USB 2 enabled Mac in order to transfer music, photos and video at any decent speed.

Supplied in the box with the iPod is a USB cable, a pair of the ubiquitous white headphones and a soft slipcase. Those who remember the heady days when Apple included a dock, remote control and clip case to protect the iPod will likely be disappointed at the lack of extras. With that in mind though it's worth taking into account the fact that Apple has increased the capacity of the low end offering by 10GB and implemented the video playback capability while keeping the prices at the same level as before.

Video was an inevitable move for Apple with the Sony PSP taking some of the headlines away from the ageing iPod. Implementation is simple enough with movies added through iTunes. The

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UK is currently limited to music videos and Pixar shorts while Apple goes through the trauma of arranging licence agreements. We downloaded a copy of Michael Jackson's Thriller video but found it scary on a whole other level. Playback was smooth enough but detail was shabby and blocky pixels really showed through at any point where there was a darker patch of colour. However, quality varies depending on the video you're watching, as you'll see from our iTunes review on page 36. The video we downloaded for that review looked good on the iPod. The novelty of watching a video on the 2.5in screen was immediate but began to wear off after a few goes. The idea of watching an episode of EastEnders on a screen this small left us feeling slightly queasy.

Away from the video aspect, the iPod is as great a product as it has always been. The menu system is simple and easy to use and the Click Wheel is an example of how Apple's industrial design is streets ahead of the competition. We managed to get 15 hours out of the new battery without using the backlit screen and just playing audio files, and two hours from it with continuous video playback. Not a bad effort considering the demands of video on the hard drive.

In terms of value for money the new iPod is something of a mixed bag. The capacity and capability are higher even though the price has remained constant, but there are several items missing from the box that we'd have preferred to be included. If this is going to be your first iPod and you have the cash there's nothing to stop you being totally pleased with the device and all it can do. If you're upgrading from a previous model you might be a little miffed at the lack of contents in the box.

The best part of the new iPod is the slimmer dimensions and we feel it's the most significant change to the device overall. The slimmer lighter model is a very welcome aspect and when compared to the older iPods really does look modern and attractive. The screen is also worthy of high praise. The benefit of video on the move is yet to be proven in the same way that music has been. This iPod, however, stands well on its own as just a music device and shouldn't be dismissed simply because you might not use the video playback option. Apple hasn't just upgraded the iPod to handle video, it's made a better iPod and for this it should be commended.