It looks like an amalgamation of the mini and the classic white iPod. It's about $100 cheaper, and sports 25% longer battery life. Provided it's available in large quantities -- I'd imagine it will be a home run for the holiday season at the end of 04. Check it out at http://www.apple.com.
There's also an article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5457432/site/newsweek (Steve Jobs and the new iPod are on the cover of the new Newsweek)


(We need an emoticon with white ear buds! LOL)

On the phone (on hold) with Apple right now to cancel my order for the Mini and redo the order for the 20 gig version of the new one.

They're telling me that it will ship today and I should have it by the end of the week.

At first I was a little dissapointed in the new features. I was really hoping for video out.

But on second thought, I think Apple did the right thing. The iPod is first and foremost an mp3 player. Best to focus on menu features and improving battery life rather then add other bells and whistles. Also really glad they added the click wheel.

Any idea if they will be adding these features to the current ipods?

I too was kind of dissapointed at the new features, but the new prices certainly seem to be a good move.

Old cable or new cable? We are considering putting one in the BMW because of the interface (for those who haven't heard, they have interfaced the Ipod into the CD changer input so you can control the Ipod from the stering wheel) but ours is the old style and not the right cable.

Doesn't look like it. http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/

It's funny because on the discussion boards over on Apple, people are already whining about the fact that the firmware isn't updated for the 3G models.

The same exact thing happened when Apple started shipping the iPod with doc connector and added playlists on the go along with a bunch of other features.

Be sure to post a review when you get it!

it's ugly....

I'm sorry but personally I think the buttons beneath the screen is better....

Apple just released an update that addresses some of the comments above. I'll just cut/paste it verbatim:

Read Before You Install iPod Updater


iPod Updater 2004-07-15 includes iPod Software 3.0 for use with iPods with a Click Wheel. iPod Updater 2004-07-15 also includes the latest software versions for iPod mini and the third generation iPod.


With iPod Software 3.0, you can:



Shuffle Songs with one click (using the Shuffle Songs item in the main menu)

Create multiple On-The-Go playlists

Delete songs from On-The-Go playlists

Select reading playback speed for audiobooks

Hear audible click user interface feedback in headphones

Charge via USB connection

Enjoy improved playback performance




For more information about iPod, go to http://www.apple.com/support/ipod.


iPod Updater 2004-07-15 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2004-04-28 for all other iPod models.


iPod 3.0 Software is not compatible with other models of iPod, including original scroll wheel and touch wheel iPods, and iPod mini.


iPod Software 2.2 and iPod Software 1.2 should not be used with iPod with Click Wheel.

There is talk that a 60 gig version will be out in th enext few weeks. I downloaded the software updater for my 3rd gen version and it was the same software as last time.

greg joswiak, apple's vice president of hardware marketing had this to say:

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=5707511

Wow! The headphone jack is centered now! And you can shuffle songs!

Honestly, I don't understand why the entire world wets their pants everytime they update the firmware or change the mold these things fall out of.

Hahahahah.... Yeah, I'm sure that explains their massive order of 1" 60Gb drives from Toshiba...

Part of Apples success is the way they build excitement around their products, I agree with Alan here, half of what is new in the ipod is stuff others introduce in their firmware for free...

Yeah yeah . . . some minor (though key) changes. But if it improves the user interface, I'm all for it.

But it's not just shuffling songs (which you could always do - just not as conveniently).

It's also greatly improved battery life, addition of the click wheel (which if you used the mini, is far better), and reduced price. All of these are huge pluses if you ask me.

I have been holding out with my old Intel 128 meg MP3 player, but am going to make the jump to the IPOD now. The new one coming out looks amazing.