Apple Computer Video iPod 30GB & 60GB

Pros: A new standard black 30GB video iPod, which features a red Click Wheel, darker-colored top, bottom, and rear metal or plastic components, and U2 band signatures. Furthermore a free code for an iTunes download of a 33-minute U2 video.

Cons: The same as other Apple's standard 30GB video iPod, which sells for less. Gets no advantage from U2 pack-ins and a discount coupon towards purchase of U2 music and can't attract non-U2 fans as past models because of the new all-black standard iPods.

Now Apple Computer releases its third edition of the iPod U2 Special Edition with pricing $329. There is only slight difference between the third edition and Apple's standard black 30GB iPod. Just as the first U2 iPod released in the November,2004 with a black and white screen, you can get a black and red iPod with U2 band signatures on the back, and a token U2-specific pack-in, but with the premium price. There is still no bump in storage capacity over the standard $299 iPod, before it got you 20 Gigabytes of space, now 30 Gigabytes. Below we show some differences of the new model.

First there are some obvious changes. The new model is a black iPod with a bright red Click Wheel and its icons still in white color. It is the first version of U2 iPod with a video screen, which can display videos for over 2 hours with a single battery charge, by which audio playing for 14-15 hours if you don't use equalizers or the backlight. Then here are some differences between this model and all older ones. The most obvious one is that it is the first iPod to feature a black metal rear casing, still mirror-polished like all full-sized iPods and nanos, but now much more darker than before. Contrasted with the brighter, neutral-mirrored finish of earlier iPods, manufacturers called this "mirror black" finish. Here is a surprise for the change, Apple has brought the darker color to all of the iPod's other light components, except for the icons on its Click Wheel. Now the top headphone port, Hold switch, and Dock Connector ports are all in darker color. Don't you think the new back and black parts are better match with the black front casing than the brighter original ones, so hope this change can also go into other black iPods and nanos. While the premium price is still a little high, even with all the U2 signatures engraved at the top. You have to be a U2 fan to really prefer them there, otherwise you'd like to leave it blank.

The carrying case of this model is matching black, which is the same as the ones of non-U2 iPods, thus nothing special for U2 buyers.

Comparing with the earlier U2 iPod's boxes the one of new model is pretty plain, very similar with the standard 5G iPod's. As show in the following pictures, Bono's face still appears on the iPod's screen, the new black back is showed on the rear, and iPod U2 logos appear on the front and back with a "Special Edition U2" tag appears on the box's top in silver foil.

On the sides of interior box, which contains the iPod and its pack-ins, are two photos of the band, one is in its early days, the other is contemporary. You will see pretty much of U2 inside. Apple has removed the "$50 off" coupon previously included for The Complete U2 Digital Box Set and the big U2 photo poster that featured musings from Bono on its back. There is nothing great unless you are a U2 fan, getting the chance of collecting.

There is nothing new of other pack in the box. The USB cable, headphones, and Universal Dock Adapter are still in white, along with manuals, warranties, an iTunes disc, and Apple stickers. Why still white accessories? This may get you disappointed. The only choice is buy them separately, and not from Apple.

It is worth a note that there is nothing new of Apple's front design. The company Moshi actually beat Apple to a 5G release of that design with iGlaze video, a black and red face plate that gets a very similar front look. The only difference is new U2's rear and port color. If you want to get a duplicate of U2 iPod, try this one. iGlaze video is also an equipped standard black iPod with $30 off. You can compare them in the picture bellow.

The following pictures show the fourth-generation and fifth-generation U2 iPods. You may notice that iPod's storage capacity designation has been deleted from the new model. We guess this may because the U2 iPods only get 30GB capacity. While the signatures and other iconography keep unchanged.

Here is a different promotional item from past two U2 pack-ins,the first "exclusive" video content to be offered as a premium- a color, card stock iTunes Music Store card with "Free exclusive music video from U2" on the front, and a redemption code on the back. You will use the code to log into the iTMS, once you entered, you will get the immediate download a 33-minute, 42-second video called Love U2 with a mix of live music and interviews with the bandmates.

The contents of the video are recorded previously in separate places. At the beginning, in keeping with the Love theme, Bono sings "Love, Love, Love" from Until the End of the World, following by a series of interview snippet of the band. Then comes the performance of Mofo from Mexico City in 1997, followed by a young band performing I Will Follow in 1981 from the Queens University Students Union. The next is interview of mid-career and performance of God Part II, and an interview discussing the band's attempt to challenge fans with its evolution and Zoo TV production. U2 performs Where The Streets Have No Name as part of Zoo TV, followed by career interview, then a performance of Beautiful Day. The show ends with How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb-period discussions of tour production experiences, and a live performance in Milan of City of Blinding Lights.

Now it is time for us to draw a conclusion about the new model of the U2 iPods. There is nothing new under the case of the U2 iPods. The big differences between U2 iPods and other standard edition are always cosmetics, token pack-ins, and modestly different pricing. Apple now sells stylish all-black iPods, eliminating the single biggest draw of past U2 Special Editions, and leaving most iPod buyers saying the same thing: "the black rear casing's great, but who wants to pay extra for a red Click Wheel and a U2 video?" The answer is U2 fans. Maybe most of us think the new U2 iPods is interesting, but ultimately disappointing. We waiting for so many months but get so little additional value from it. The video of Love U2, the poster, coupon, or other special U2 item are not enough for attracting. Although adding the black rear metal was a nice touch, it's not one we'd pay extra for. Besides these the higher-priced, red-dotted iPod U2 Special Edition is not as attracting as a lower-priced 30GB black iPod. After a long waiting for the new edition of iPod U2, it delivers little more than what everyone have had expected. Now we begin the new expecting and want to see something truly new with the Special Edition comes from Apple.