iPod Firmware Petition
With the recent release of the 4G iPods, Apple released an iPod firmware update adding new features/functionality to the iPod. Unfortunately, the new features are only available to 4G ("click wheel") iPods–leaving the not-so-old 3G iPods in the dust.
When I first heard about this, my first response was, "Why can’t they just release the same firmware upgrade for both the 3G and 4G models?" I don’t know about models older than 3G, but as far as I know, the new model is exactly the same as the 3G. The firmware could easily work for both. This seems to be a marketing ploy on Apple’s part. Get the people who want these simple new features to buy a whole new iPod. Well, people aren’t buying it.
Enter the Apple iPod Firmware Petition, signed by over 3,000 people when this entry was posted, which states the following:
To: Apple Computer
We, the owners of previous models of the Apple iPod (1G/2G/3G), believe that we have been snubbed by Apple. With each new generation some or many of the new features added are only software changes, and could be easily added to past iPods with a firmware update. But instead of updating older iPods, Apple has simply ignored older users.
We believe that any new improvements that can be added via firmware to the older generation iPods should be instituted
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Being a 3G 15GB owner myself, I must agree. How about you?
Posted 4 years, 2 months ago on 22nd July 2004.
Comments
I actually had read that article, and I should clarify what I wrote so as to better explain my opinion:
I meant that the 4G Apple is the same in the sense that it’s a HDD, a board, a screen, a touch/click wheel, etc. There are no major differences other than newer versions of the same hardware.
To say that the firmware upgrade for the 4G would be useless for the 3G is _technically_ correct in the sense that, yes, it would have to be tweaked for the specific hardware. But that doesn’t mean that a very similar firmware upgrade for the 3G iPods couldn’t be made to give those models the same features.
The features like a new menu system and such are _not_ based on hardware. They are software. Those are the features people want to see in a cross-iPod upgrade, and that’s what we’re complaining about.
That, of course, should have read "4G iPod" in the second paragraph, not "4G Apple."
This happened over a year ago when the 3G iPods were introduced. 1G and 2G iPod owners got upset because Apple wasn’t handing out free new features. Then after a couple of weeks, people got over it and went back to buying iPods and recommending them to their friends. The same thing will happen this year, you’ll see. ;)
Sounds like a fair argument to me.
There’s a distinct whiff of marketing spin on this issue (i.e. buy the new iPod to get the updates). A similar fuss was caused when Apple only offered a Safari upgrade to people running Panther (http://www.xlab.co.uk/macosx/read/191).
I’ve signed the petition on principle, even though I’ve got a 1st Gen iPod (so I’m well out of the upgrade loop!).
I still agree with the fact that at least us 3rd Gen owners are getting snubbed as far as the new "software" features go. The new menu system, ability to make multiple OTG playlists, Shuffle playlists/albums, etc is all stuff that could easily be implemented into the 3rd Gen at least (i’m not sure about the 2nd and 1st). The other features "hardware" features are nice (except the stupid "Click Wheel" from the mini, ACk!) but most of us are quite pleased with our 3rd Gen ipods and would just like a little kick down on the newer features. The thing is only a year old and I haven’t even had mine for a full year, but I guess since I am such an apple fan and a gear whore, i’ll probably end up getting a new one anyway. I’m sure that’s exactly what apple had in mind, but it is tricksy.
James Cigler · www · 4 years, 2 months ago
> I guess since I am such an apple fan and a gear whore, i’ll probably end up getting a new one anyway.
Bloody brilliant!
Courtney · 4 years, 2 months ago
The very first paragraph of the Software Update description states:
"iPod Updater 2004-08-06 includes iPod software 3.0.1 for iPods with a Click Wheel. iPod Updater 2004-08-06 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2004-07-15 for all other iPod models."
To me that means the software is identical except where it accounts for hardware differences. Exactly what features do you figure the 4G firmware update has that the equivalent 3G version doesn’t have?
Matt Chaput · 4 years, 1 month ago
Hey, i have 4g, used to have 3G. so i know the differences. first off, there was this whole schpiel from apple about "we listened to customers and they liked to use shuffle, so we put that as a choice in the main menu" ok, so guess what? that is firmware. That is firmware that is so ridiculously simple that the only reason to not do so is to encourage people to buy new versions of the ipod. "it’s better, people should buy it’s an upgrade" It is not an upgrade, it is an update... there was usability that they should have but didn’t.
So why did I upgrade from a 3G to a 4G? because I sold my G5, my powerbook, and switched BACK to an IBM thinkpad because when other companies make hardware, they do the best they can with it (unlike, say disabling a secondary monitor port like on the ibook so people have to spend more money on a titanium powerbook, that’s not better hardware, that’s less crippled hardware). So my brand spanking new IBM thinkpad which does all it can and gets new updates from IBM as much as possible, will now power my 4G ipod from the USB, which the 3G didn’t do. That’s why i upgraded.
I SWITCHED.... back to a logical, hardware ideology from a company that cares to keep their customers rather than alienate them and their developers *cough*konfabulator*cough* instead of a company that pretends to be cool to their customers but f*cks them for more money and cloaks it in the guise of better branding.
Think Different- don’t be brainwashed
mike manh · 3 years, 9 months ago
There are major hardware changes to the 4G ipod. What good would the 4G firmware update do for a 3G ipod? It would be a useless firmware release.
Please read Joswiak’s comments on the new ipod here:
http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2004/07/19/ipod/
Most specifically:
"The new battery on the iPod is good for up to 12 hours of use at a time. The iPod previously sported a battery good for about an 8 hour charge, under optimal conditions. The improved battery performance is a function of three overall improvements, according to Joswiak. "The battery has a higher capacity, there have been a number of software improvements, and this is fourth-generation hardware under the hood too," he said."
I am no where near an Apple apologist, but I at least do a bit of research before throwing around baseless claims.
Clint Ecker · www · 4 years, 2 months ago