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View Full Version : Apple Dumps FireWire On New iPods


Kent Pribbernow
02-28-2005, 03:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/Apple+takes+a+step+away+from+FireWire/2100-1041_3-5587951.html?tag=nefd.top' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/Apple+takes+a+step+away+from+FireWire/2100-1041_3-5587951.html?tag=nefd.top</a><br /><br /></div><i>"FireWire is still Apple Computer's baby, but the proud parent is cutting the cord. With the latest crop of iPods, Apple is no longer including a FireWire cable in the box. The music players will still work with FireWire, if a cord is purchased separately, but only a USB 2.0 cable comes with the device. The move is part of a gradual shift on Apple's part to standardize the iPod on USB, which is far more common in the Windows world."</i><br /><br />Not surprising since far fewer PCs include FireWire by default, though aftermarket PCI cards are available. The only gotcha is that most Macs sold didn't include USB 2.0 until about a year ago. Needless to say a large number of Mac users who are thinking of upgrading to one of these new iPods will have to pony up some cash.

James Fee
02-28-2005, 04:31 AM
Meh, I think it makes business sense, though the older 4g iPods still include the cable. While I do like firewire, USB 2.0 is much more universal. Heck, I'm excited Apple finally released a USB power brick (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/71308/wo/L39daGqX9nb62kqkMIE2zQF6MOk/2.0.0.11.1.0.6.9.21.0.1.0.1.1.0.1.0.3) so I don't have to carry my firewire cable. I might put my 2 4g Firewire cables up on eBay. :D

jeffd
02-28-2005, 06:55 AM
what dosn't make sense is... the butt ugly awfull headlines..like this one... for such a trivial change. They arn't droping firewire support in any way what so ever. They just no longer include the cord by default. No biggy, fire wire cords are dime a dozzen. All these headlines about "the end is neigh! fire wire dropped for the all mighty USB. Suck it apple users!" couldn't be further from the truth. I laughed when I heard a news article that mac users are taking this personaly, which just re inforces my question on mac owners sanity. :twisted:

Jason Eaton
02-28-2005, 02:14 PM
Yes, they are dropping the cord (and case and dock on some models) but in return you get a lower price. Need a firewire cable, well they sell one and if that is all you need you still make out with a lower overall price.

Need the case and dock? Well you can buy those too and in the end... well look at that, the price is near where it was a month ago.

No one is losing. If fact Apple has provided lower costs to people, which I thought ever consumer liked. Nothing to see here... move on.