Updated Firmware 2.0.3 for 2009 iPod Classic

Apple has released a firmware update, v2.0.3, for the latest 160GB iPod classic. The update adds support for Genius Mixes, the iTunes feature that automatically creates playlists. Tracks are analyzed and combined into several genre-based mixes that can be listened to via iTunes or directly from the iPod.

The v2.0.3 firmware appears to be limited to the 160GB Classic released this year, according to several posts on Apple's support forums. It remains unclear if the company plans to extend the firmware update to the 160GB model released in 2007 or the 120GB variant launched last year.

Users can download the latest firmware by connecting the iPod to a computer and running the "check for updates" function in iTunes.

By MacNN Staff of ipodnn.com

Users of the 2009 iPod classic may find the updated firmware useful especially in supporting the Genius Mixes. The Genius Mixes feature of the 2009 iPod classic comes in handy in 'auto-managing' the 2009 iPod classic users' library of songs especially since this latest version of the iPod classic can carry as much as 40,000 songs.

Meanwhile, there have been reports that said that the iTunes 9 have been causing problems with the older versions of the iPod classic with capacities ranging from 80 to 160 GB. Is this Apple's way of saying, "Hey, update your iPod, buy the 2009 iPod classic?"

Cheaper Way of Upgrading iPod Classic

Step 4 in 'upgrading' iPod Classic to be 'at par' with 2009 iPod Classic

Times are hard these days. Many lose their jobs and join the growing pool of the unemployed. Despite all that, many still want to acquire an iPod or update their older iPod's to the new 2009 iPod models like the 2009 iPod classic. While many lined up in Apple and other stores to make their purchase, some crafty individuals tried the the dexterity of their hands and did the "upgrades" themselves. Below are the steps from ifixit.com on how to "upgrade" your 80GB or 160GB thick hard drive iPod classic to become "at par" with the 2009 iPod classic:

Installing iPod Classic Hard Drive
Introduction
Difficulty: Very difficult
Upgrade your storage with a new hard drive.

Tools used in this guide
1.5" Thin Putty Knife
Metal Spudger
Spudger
iPod Opening Tools
Parts relevant to this guide
iPod Classic 80 GB Hard Drive
iPod Classic 160 GB (Thick) Hard Drive
Paginated Single Page Steps

Step 1 — Hard Drive
Apple designed their new iPods to be very difficult to take apart without destroying major components. Because of the metal faceplate, the metal backing, and the 13 (yes, 13) metal clips holding the case together, this is one of the toughest iPods to disassemble. Proceed with caution and the warning that you may significantly damage your iPod beyond its present condition. Also, you may want a few extra pairs of iPod opening tools during installation, as they are easy to ruin when opening the iPod. Have fun!
Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.

Step 2
Opening this iPod is challenging. Don't get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened. One thing to notice is the angle of the plastic iPod opening tool's tip while inserting it into the iPod. Ideally, the angle should be as vertical as possible while still clearing the edge of the rear panel.
Insert a plastic iPod opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod.

Step 3
Insert another plastic iPod opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod, leaving at least 1.5 inches of space between the two tools.

To continue studying further steps in installing iPod Classic hard drive, please click here...

Just be careful that you do not destroy your old iPod classic, otherwise you will end up buying the 2009 iPod classic and end up with no savings at all.

Taking Down Notes in Your 2009 iPod Classic

Sample Notescasts on the 2009 iPod Classic

Your 2009 iPod Classic has the feature "Notes", so does many other iPod models. Have you been wondering what notes, or notescasts to put there?

Well, have you heard of Notescasts.com? This is the site where iPod Classic and iPod touch users can download Notescasts. Download what? To understand this further, let us get to know what Notescasts.com is by how it defines itself:

"What the Apple App Store is for the iPhone and iPod touch, the brand new Notescasts.com is for the iPod Classic, iPod 5th Generation and iPod nano. Notescasts.com is a digital download store which allows anyone to develop and post their own Notescasts or download a Notescast from a growing selection of free and inexpensive titles."

So what exactly is a Notescast, you may ask. According to Notescasts.com

"A Notescast is a powerful organized collection of interactive copy embedded with links to related photos, video, audio and additional interactive text, all of which installs to your iPod's "Notes" feature. Because it installs to the iPod's Notes feature, it's called a. . ."Notescast."

With its hierarchical folder and file structure, Notescast content is organized and displayed so that users can "surf" any Notescast title to quickly find the information they need, as well as supporting information in additional photos, video, audio, etc."

In a way, your "Notes" in your 2009 iPod Classic is your own personal world wide web where you can "surf" what you need based on what you have stored there. Notescasts are your notes, but you may add to your personal notes the notes made by others by downloading from Notescasts.com. Right now downloading is free for a limited time until it fully launches its site.

Notescasts.com urges everyone to write a Notescast. This is the sites way of getting ideas on what NOtescasts you need. Anybody can write one because no programming experience is needed.

The developer of Notescasts.com is TimeStream Software, "the first company to develop a mobile marketing solution for the globally distributed iPod Classic and iPod nano, thus opening an entirely new marketing distribution vehicle which the Mobile Marketing Association calls 'A groundbreaking concept.'"

This new concept of data mobility may benefit different knids of people doing different things. They may be students clicking notes through the click wheel on their way to an exam in school, or a tourist checking out the places to see in a new place he or she is visiting conveniently through the "Notes" in his or her iPod Classic, or other iPods. Let us see its impact in the days to come.

To download or submit your Notescasts, or to learn more about Notescasts, click here.

2009 Ipod Classic's Space, It's Vast Edge

It would be an understatement to say that Apple’s 2009 edition of the iPod classic feels like an afterthought: rather than making any major—or even minor—changes to the device’s functionality, the company did little more than swap the 120GB hard drive from its 2008 model with a larger 160GB drive, preserving the same $249 price tag, and virtually everything else in the process. Apple bills the iPod classic as a standout solely on its capacity, which is largely true, except for one other factor: battery life.

Apart from its cardboard package, which is a tiny bit smaller than last year’s version, there’s only one way to distinguish a powered-off 160GB iPod classic from its 120GB predecessor: the rear engraving. This year’s iPod classic has seen its capacity badge shrink significantly in size, and its engraving shrink from three lines to two, removing Apple’s copyright and trademark references, plus its reservation of rights. The 160GB classic now starts with the words “Designed by Apple in California,” and ends with its serial number, whereas the prior version began with the serial number and ended with “All rights reserved.”

Apple has preserved two color choices from last year: a silver-faced version that has remained more or less identical since 2007, and a “black” version that evolved into a dark charcoal gray in 2008, remaining the exact same for 2009. Those familiar with Apple’s original 160GB iPod classic, released in 2007 and removed in 2008, will note that this year’s model is the first 160GB classic to have a charcoal face rather than a jet black one, and uses an enclosure that has the same thickness as the 2007 80GB model and the 2008 120GB model. The new model has 148GB of usable storage capacity, versus around 111GB on its predecessor, and preserves a sub-one-minute USB transfer time for 1GB of files—the fastest of the family, by at least a little bit. Apple continues to include a USB cable, Universal Dock Adapter, and a plain pair of Earphones—no microphone or remote—along with the new model.

The new iPod classic’s battery life isn’t a huge surprise. Apple says that it offers 36 hours of audio run time and 6 hours of video run time, which are lower than the 40 hours and 7 hours promised by the original, thicker 160GB iPod classic, but identical to last year’s 120GB model. Our battery tests saw the new model actually run for 42 hours and 53 seconds of continuous audio playback, while two separate video tests came up different: one went for 6 hours and 48 minutes of video playback, the other for closer to 7 and a half hours. We saw variations like this in last year’s iPod classic testing, as well, which leads us to believe that the new model is roughly on par in battery life with the prior 120GB model, maybe a little worse for video. Notably, the original 160GB iPod classic ran for over 58 hours of audio and nearly 9 and a half hours of video. It is also worth mentioning that this year’s classic continues to be the only iPod model that still supports FireWire charging, which enables it to remain compatible with a number of older car, speaker, and battery accessories that have been phasing out of stores over the past couple of years.

One thing that did surprise us with the new iPod classic was the short shrift it was given from a software standpoint. Last year’s model gained very little over its predecessor, adding a microphone- and remote-ready headphone port and support for Genius Playlists, but not much else. This year’s version doesn’t even include support for Apple’s latest Genius feature, iTunes-synchronized “Genius Mixes,” nor does it gain any of the additional speed or functionality tweaks that appeared in this year’s iPod touch and iPod nano. This iPod classic ships with version 2.0.2 of Apple’s iPod software, which the release notes say only adds support for the 160GB hard drive inside; it remains to be seen whether the company will make any subsequent improvements to the software during the classic’s lifespan, but the prior version saw only the most minor of changes in the past year.

Our flat B rating of the new iPod classic is reflective more of the state of the iPod family as a whole than of any new deficiencies in the 160GB model, which remains roughly competitive with its predecessor in battery life and features while gaining 37GB of usable additional storage space for the same price. That said, the classic has fallen considerably behind the less expensive iPod nano and iPod touch in features, and as Apple has suggested, its storage capacity is the single greatest reason to consider a purchase at this point, followed by its audio run time, which eclipses every other iPod and iPhone model currently on the market by either a little or a lot. With the release of the 64GB iPod touch, the classic’s days now truly appear to be numbered; at this point, we would recommend it only to users who really need it to tote around huge collections at once, and aren’t willing to wait for or spend the money on the inevitable 128GB iPod touch. It is still a good iPod—fast, capacious, and long-running—but in a twist of irony, it now does less than iPods that were once its subordinates.

from iLounge
__________
Despite the few changes and improvements Apple made for the 2009 Ipod classic, its vast space of 160 GB still remains to be its number differentiation from the other Ipod models. Ipod users who have a huge collection of songs and videos and who would prefer to carry them all where ever they go are the market niche for the 2009 Ipod Classic. I could be one of them.

2009 Ipod Classic Weighed

iLounge weighs 2009 Ipod Classic pros and cons:

Pros: Apple’s only remaining hard disk-based iPod, boasting family-leading storage capacity and battery performance at reasonable pricing. Available in silver or black versions, each with full support for music, video, photo, and game playback. Adds new headphone port-based voice recording and remote control technology, as well as Genius playlist creation. Fastest iPod at transferring media from iTunes, by a substantial factor. Now the only iPod that remains compatible with older FireWire charging accessories, including expensive past speaker systems and certain car kits. A solid compromise device.

Cons: Despite large hard drives and batteries, outdated 2.5” screen and interface continue to fall behind Apple’s best devices in ease-of-use and quality of overall media playback experience, forcing users to pick between great screens or the hard disks necessary to carry lots of video around. Lacks several new features added to fourth-generation iPod nano. Remains incompatible with pre-2008 video-out accessories, including portable video displays, requiring recent and more expensive replacements. Not available in capacities as large or larger than last year’s biggest model.

In 2007, Apple released three substantially new iPods: the biscuit-shaped third-generation iPod nano (iLounge Rating: A), the metal-faced iPod classic (iLounge Rating: B+), and the phoneless iPhone called iPod touch (iLounge Rating: B-). This year, Apple has updated all three models with new features that range from trivial to important, generally improving each while boosting storage capacity for the dollar. Our review of the 2008 iPod classic (120GB/$249) covers all of the key changes and details you want to know about.

Every once in a long while, Apple releases an iPod that isn’t quite the next “generation” of an earlier model, but certainly isn’t exactly the same as its immediate predecessor, either. Such is the case with the 2008 iPod classic, the most recent hard disk-based sequel to the original iPod released in 2001: despite internal changes, Apple has stopped short of calling it the “second-generation iPod classic,” and is instead referring to it solely as the iPod classic (120GB). Properly understood as the “sixth-and-a-half-generation iPod” (or 6.5G iPod for short), here’s how it fits into the family’s history.

The first iPod pioneered the concept of a 1.8” hard disk drive-based music player that used a bright white screen and rotating wheel for navigation. Its second-generation 2002 sequel changed the wheel to a touch-sensitive surface and came in both PC and Mac versions. A completely redesigned third-generation model in 2003 added a bottom accessory Dock Connector, replaced all the clickable buttons with touch-sensitive controls, and added USB connectivity as an option. The fourth-generation 2004 version came in both black and white and color versions, swapping the prior control scheme for the modern Click Wheel controller. Apple’s fifth-generation 2005 iPod was the first to play videos, and an “enhanced fifth-generation” version in 2006 added additional storage capacity. The 2007 sixth-generation iPod was rebranded as iPod classic, and was the first to offer Cover Flow and come with a silver or black metal face. Two versions were available: an 80GB version with 30 promised hours of audio runtime, and a thicker 160GB version with 40 hours.

Apple’s 2008 model is still sold in black- or silver-faced versions, but comes in only one capacity, 120GB, enough to store 30,000 songs or 150 hours of video in standard formats. Like all screened iPods, the classic supports audio and video in MP3, AAC, MPEG-4, and H.264 formats, as well as Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV. Though it looks exactly the same dimensionally as the “thin” 80GB sixth-generation iPod classic, and Apple CEO Steve Jobs spent less than a minute discussing the new model during its unveiling, it has actually changed inside: in addition to the extra storage space, Apple has quietly added new features such as superior 36-hour battery life, headphone port-based remote controls, and headphone port-based voice recording, as well as a number of smaller changes. The pages of this review look at each of the key prior and new features in turn; you can look at the pros and cons here, or skip directly to the conclusions for our purchasing recommendations.

By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge

Click below to read more about 2009 Ipod Classic and other Ipods:

iLounge

At the end of the day, it is the Ipod buyer who makes the choice: affordable vast space but relatively crammed screen or more advanced features like video camera or phone, etc. The buying decision depends on what weighs heavier towards their preference.

Things You Didn't Know About The 2009 Ipod Classic

Here's a snippet of

Fifteen Things You Didn’t Know About The 2009 iPod shuffle, nano, classic, and touch

turning the volume full towards the 2009 Ipod classic.

As we prepare our comprehensive reviews of new iPod models, we wanted to share some early discoveries with you, covering all four of the new 2009 iPod models. There are actually a lot more than 15 new details below, but we’ve grouped them into categories for easier reference...

iPod classic (Second-Generation 160GB), Capacity Designations + Engraving: The iPod classic has seen its capacity badge shrink significantly in size, and its engraving shrink from three lines to two, removing Apple’s copyright and trademark references, plus its reservation of rights.

iPod classic 160GB, Battery: Other than a capacity bump, Apple has made no documented changes to the 160GB iPod classic from its 120GB predecessor. Last year’s promised 36 hours of audio and 6 hours of video run time have carried over to this year’s 160GB model, at least in Apple’s official specs pages. We’re testing the new classic to see how it actually performs, but the 120GB predecessor model exceeded run times in both cases—42.5 hours of audio and almost 8 hours of video. Our first video test of the classic showed battery performance roughly equivalent to the prior model...

By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge

_____________________________
I wonder what would 2009 Ipod Classic market share be among the different Ipod models.

2009 Ipod Classic New Firmware

So what are old Ipod classic fanatics so disappointed about the 2009 ipod classic? Additional facts on differences between the 2009 Ipod classic and the old ipod classic are mentioned below by Charles Starret, Senior Editor of iLounge.

iPod classic 160GB changes: new firmware, engraving

In our preliminary comparison of the new iPod classic 160GB [2009 Ipod classic] to the older 120GB model, we have noticed several small, but notable, differences. While the latest firmware available for the 120GB model is 2.0.1, the new 160GB model ships with 2.0.2; it is unclear what changes might be present in the update, or whether it will be released for older models. Also new is the size of the storage capacity badge on the rear of the classic, which has been greatly reduced on the new 160GB model compared to prior generations. Finally, the text on the back of the player has been reduced from three to two lines, with Apple’s trademark and copyright notice cut from the print, and, curiously, the model number—A1238—is the same for both the new 160GB classic and last year’s 120GB model. For more on the differences between the two models 2009 Ipod classic and the older version, see our Flickr set of the 2009 iPod lineup.

iLounge updated this report after reading a new support document posted by Apple expressing that the new firmware of 2009 Ipod classic“is not compatible with previous iPod classic models.”



The 2009 Ipod classic seems to receive the least attention among the 2009 Ipod releases. What do you think are the implications if the firmware of the 2009 ipod classic is not compatible with the old ipod classic? Please give us your feedback through the feedback form below.

To find out more about the 2009 ipod classic and the other 2009 ipod new releases, please click iLounge.

2009 Ipod Classic: The Classic Lives On

Despite rumours to the contrary Apple refreshed and not abandoned Apple's long serving iPod classic at the music themed iPod and iTunes event in San Francisco on Wednesday.

The iPod classic comes with more memory - 160 GB up from 120 GB - but retails for the same price - £189 including VAT - as the model it replaces.

Based on Apple's calculations the new iPod classic can hold up to 40,000 songs, 200 hours of video or 25,000 photos.

The iPod classic is available in "quintessential silver or striking black" and for Mac users requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later, the new iTunes 9 or later. PC specs are Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later, iTunes 9 or later.

Prior to the event many observers had predicted the end of the iPod classic, a quick death due to the lack of a touchscreen, limited gaming potential and long shelf life. Thankfully, for now at least, the music focused device is very much alive and part of Apple's iPod line-up.

by Nick Spence of Macworld

To read on click Macworld...

Despite several disappointments some remain loyal to the Ipod classic, particularly the 2009 release, due to its 160 GB of flash memory. With its 40,000-song capacity, Apple calls it the "take-everything-everywhere ipod". However, many owners of the phased out older version of Ipod Classic 160 GB which was replaced by the 120GB version, did not see any update on the 2009 Ipod classic. The 2009 Ipod classic sells at the same price at that of its predecessor when it came out.

2009 Ipod Classic: The Take-Everything-Everywhere Ipod

This is a slice of Apple's ad copy for its freshly-released 2009 Ipod Classic.

Space Available.
And lots of it.
With 160 GB you can carry your entire media library with you everywhere.

Hold everything.
iPod classic gives you 160GB of storage capacity, good for up to 40,000 songs, 200 hours of video, 25,000 photos, or any combination. And you get up to 36 hours of battery life, so you can keep on rocking for a long, long time.

Leave no tune behind.
With 160GB of space, iPod classic means you can always have your entire music and movie library with you.2 Carry it from the living room to a party in the backyard. Or take it on a cross-country road trip and never listen to the same song twice.

Considered as the Take-Everything-Everywhere Ipod, its edge over the other ipods lies in the huge capacity its "hard drive" provides. However, this "huge" capacity did not wow Ipod classic followers placing it vis-a-vis the 240GB Toshiba 1.8 inch hard drive which was launched almost simultaneously with the 2009 Ipod products. Those who were not really thrilled are owners of the older version of Ipod classic with 160GB.

2009 Ipod Classic Unveiled

Apple ups iPod classic to 160GB
by AppleInsider Staff

Rumors of the demise of the iPod classic were greatly exaggerated, and Apple's new iPod shuffle has gained compatibility with more third-party headphones.

Apple increased the capacity of its only remaining hard drive-based player (the 2009 Ipod classic) to 160GB Wednesday. The new model (2009 Ipod Classic) carries the same price as the old 120GB offering: $249. It is advertised as carrying 40,000 songs in your pocket.

Ironically, the 160GB model (or 2009 Ipod classic) equals one offered two years ago, when the new "classic" moniker was unveiled and sizes of 80GB and 160GB were released. Last year, the line was cut to just one 120GB model with an internal drive smaller than the 160GB version that was discontinued.

The new 160GB model (or 2009 Ipod classic) has the same "thin" profile as the previous 120GB offering. Though a rumor weeks ago had suggested the classic might add a camera, along with the iPod nano, that report -- along with claims of an iPod touch with camera -- proved false...

Geeks and gizmo fanatics always look forward to the unveiling of the latest innovations from Apple. But last Wednesday's launch of Apple's new products, which include: the 5th generation Ipod nano (now brandishing a video camera), the Apple Tv, 2009 Ipod shuffle, 2009 Ipod touch, plus the aforementioned 2009 Ipod classic, was quite a let down for many Ipod afficionados who expected a lot from the genuises behind Apple's innovations. As mentioned above, their disappointments include:
2009 Ipod Nano camera capability limited to video, but not for photos,
2009 Ipod Classic does not share video camera capability of 2009 Ipod Nano,
2009 Ipod Classic only has a capacity of 160GB, many expected it to be 250 GB,
2009 Ipod Touch does not share video camera capabality of 2009 Ipod Nano.

The 2009 Ipod Classic sells at the same pricetag of $249 with its predecessor in the Apple Store.

To read more about other new Apple products Click this - AppleInsider.