"Of course there are the niches, like professional photographers, for whom iPod Photo will be immediately useful."

well, sort of...

Given the fact that you can't connect the iPod directly to your camera (meaning you need a third party device - or, god forbid, a computer) then why not just carry a laptop around - surprising that Apple missed the boat on what could have been an indispensable tool for professional photographers...

I'd echo Stewart and Slashdot on this one. The pro photographers around these parts who have actually gone digital always have a G4 Powerbook handy, which gives them just all those features and more. Jam more memory into flashcards and the Iphoto becomes almost completely obsolete.

"But seeing the iPod Photo made me realize that the problems of innovation in game design is actually tied to the problems of technology innovation in general."

Sometimes it's useful to look at games at the bits and code level or the ludological level. Yet it is also very, very important not to forget that a technology is not only the components of which it is made, but equally the context in which it is used.

To me it seems that many developers focus on features because it's what they have control over; something tangible that can be improved upon to make the visual and auditory experience more 'realistic'. That's a matter of hard coding. But let's face the facts. Half-Life 2 is exciting to many players because of its possible implications to Counter-Strike.

Why not begin to look at what maps are being played by professional Counter-Strike gamers and making improvements to the game based on their experiences? They’ve put more hours into this game than most hardcore gamers out there. The reason this is not being done is possibly because this is much more difficult to make actual improvements on rather than something on the code-level. Also the skills required here are vastly different, hence the gaming industry could benefit from other fields of knowledge. As couple of years ago I read about a thesis project where a student with a background in architecture focused on new level designs for Counter-Strike. His experiences about how people use and benefit from public spaces are pretty darn important if you ask me.

Why not think about hiring people with different backgrounds who're not necessarily gamers. How can they improve on the less tangible aspects of games?

Also this brings to mind a more radical thought. Maybe Counter-Strike is complete and should not be improved upon. Are we improving upon chess or solitaire? Sure there are variants, but the basic versions of these games are still vastly more popular. Is it possible to consider a 'less is more' approach to game design then?

FYI I just ran through the Google archives and found a piece on Gamasutra about the thesis I referred to: http://www.gamasutra.com/education/theses/20031208/guttler_01.shtml

It's by Christian Grüttler, whom I went to high school with by the way.

I have to agree that its not serious photographers who'll find this interesting at all - I don't know where you're coming from with this comment, maybe you haven't thought it through?

I think its a shame though that it doesn't run quicktimes..

Yes, you all have good points on the lack of utility for professional photographers. I take it back! :)

I'm sitting here trying, and I can't think of one instance where I'd use the iPod to show off photos.

I mean, the iPod (and all portable music devices for that matter) is wonderful for my workout, plane rides, or just having a cool soundtrack while walking to work. But I simply don't fathom really caring if I've got pictures from a party recently.

Hell, the only context I'll review pictures on a subway or plane ride is when coming from an event I just reported on, in which case I've got the digital camera right in front of me.

Thus, in order to gain this convenience of portable photos, I have to go home, open iPhoto, transfer my photos in, give them significant names so they aren't lost in the shuffle, upload them to my iPod, and leave.

As a side-note, I think consumer electronics is one of the few industries where "jack of all trades, master of none" is a really good thing. Better to spend 600 dollars on a device that does two things relatively well rather than one extremely well.

My cell phone gets a crap reception, and it takes pictures that look like my vision sans glasses. But hey, at least it does two things!

This reminds me of the ridiculous campaign for the new "G3" mobile phones, that include live video feeds. Who the Hell wants to look at the person they are talking to? Who the Hell wants to be looked at while phoning? The stationary video phone flunked more than a decade ago, and they're pushing a new technology that draws on the exact same context of use.

Of course, some patchwork explanation was concocted:

"Erh...yeah, but you can show your pals really fun stunts on your skateboard - LIVE!"

"You can also film events as the take place!"

Well, how often are you going to do that? Often enough to want to pay an insane call rate? And how often would you be able to catch spontaneous action around you, unless you were actually filming for an extended period of time, thus expending shitloads of money..? Something doesn't add up...it's exactly the same problem - technology for its own sake.

Of course, it has helped that they lowered the rates a lot - they had to. Few people wanted to buy such a phone when they knew that noone they knew had one similar. Sorta takes out the fun of it all...;)

no suprise. a corporation like that has no sense of what we can do with electronic images. at least, jim campbell is around. (http://jimcampbell.tv/) his LED art gives us new visions and perceptions. i think handheld digital imagebanks are ridiculous. just shove a few polaroids in ripped pockets and walk around. digital images are given no respect when they end up on standard LCD screens. that's no place for visionheads to stare. even slide projectors have more to them. ipod foto's shrunken images 4 mallheads only.

“We live in a society that has no adequate images any more, and if we do not find adequate images and an adequate language for our civilization with which to express them, we will die out like the dinosaurs.” Werner Herzog

Mike Drucker> As a side-note, I think consumer electronics is one of the few industries where "jack of all trades, master of none" is a really good thing. Better to spend 600 dollars on a device that does two things relatively well rather than one extremely well.

Mmmm, maybe... but it has to do at least one thing extremely well. I'm thinking of a device like the Blackberry (I had two), which does email really well, phone pretty well, and everything else really poorly. I just got a new Nokia 6600, and the reason I didn't get the Blackberry 7100t (besides the Crackberry effect) is that the store manager couldn't get IM to work on it. AgileMessenger works great on the 6600.

Ok, I'll admit that this might be a viable use of iPod Photo. But, certainly it's not one Apple was pitching.

I just bought one!

Why?

Because the photo's are a great thing for anyone who has a family. I'm guessing none of the above decenters has kids. Family = photos = relatives.

My wife is a scrapbooker as well which means that she can look at every photo we have and plan to do something on the spur of the moment, before she forgets. It is also a full resolution back up pf our photo's incase my new iMac dies somehow. I know its a long shot but you never know. I know there are other ways to back up but they are not as easy. This way is 100% auto.

I have not even scatched the surface of the things I plan to do, ie iCal, notes etc and I am looking forward to seeing what the next advance from apple will be where I can use the features that set the ipod photo appart from the older models.

I don't know Isaac. I have kids, and I'm still a dissenter. I just can't map how the iPod Photo would help me "manage" that aspect of my life more efficiently than any other. Also, I fear that the disruption of narrative in the iPod Photo image collection is severe. Compare it to something like Flikr even, which is free. Why choose iPod Photo?

As for iCal and notes and so forth, I agree that those are useful. However, (a) I can already sync those to my regular iPod and (b) I can also sync them via bluetooth to my mobile phone, which I have with me far more frequently than my iPod.

Sure fine if you have got broadband.

I know that take up is big in the US, but I have yet to get it here due to price issues.

You also need to have your relatives and others who have good access, or a computer for that matter. Where as everyone has a TV or even if they don't I can just whip out the ipod and show them.

It may be small put it is just there, simplicity is the key. I don't generally take my lap top to the beach or BBQ with me.

That flikr does sem like a great idea though!

i don't know why y'all have to be so negative about the new ipod photo. i think its awesome, it has a longer battery life (which a lot of people appreciate ) and its in colour which makes it look so much cooler. i think apple did an awesome thing coming out with the new photo ipod. and im sure it will sell extremely well. and alot of people like to show their friends pictures. i didn't purchase mine yet but soon i will. and im sure i'll love it.

ipod photo was worth every penny

We just purchased the 60 and it is very nice. Works great for backing up files, sharing between systems (multi-platform), playing music anywhere (home, work, car, excersing, etc.), but of course you could do that with all of the iPods.

However, the photo one is a convenient way to backup our photo library in case things go bad, it also allows us to share those with others. We show work photos on it, give simple presentations with it, read our news in the morning, and use it to show off photos at friends and families places. It's ideal.

I don't know why you are all complaining. Aside from the fact that it doesn't look as good as it should on newer higher resolution TV's it's simply another option for those who may want it. And options are good. If you don't need color or photo support than fine. Don't get it...get one of the other ones. But there are lots of people out there who not only want one but are getting them. So enjoy the freedom of choice and options which many times we don't get on the Mac platform.

just got my ipod photo. Previously owned an original 5gb model (1st gen). Like other have stated having all my photos on a portable device is fantastic, trips to the grandparents are a joy. Plug ipod into telivision pick some tunes and play. And as others have stated, even if they hadn't included photos (people would have complained about that anyway), the small jump in price to have the benefit of clarity that colour screens bring along with an extended battery life gets my vote everytime.

I am a professional photographer and got this baby to show my work on the go. It fits great in my purse and is like a portable business card. Sure the images are small but I have had a lot of fun with it!

I brought the iPod photo to Brazil with me and I was with a bunch of friends who were taking pictures using digital cameras and it was way easier to pop them all on iPod photo than to email them to myself and find out a way to get them back home. So for me that alone was a valuable use for the new iPod photo.

Well stumbled apon this forum rather late in the piece but isnèt it interesting that the iPod photo is really a handy tool now for amateur or professional photographers.

I just came back from a round trip Torronto Niagara Falls and New York New York! Guess what piece of equipment was used the most on the trip - Thats right - my iPod photo

With the little camera connector available from apple for 30 bucks the iPod photo was indespensible - I quickly racked up almost 2000 photos from my 2 weeks and transfered them directly from my camera to my iPod photo via USB 2 cable - quick effiecient and so damn hand - I no longer need to lug my laptop around with me now on these type of trips. So much for technology for technologies sake huh.

I use my iPod photo religiously for both music AND photo's. To me Apple has created another fantastic piece of technology with PURPOSE and the ease of use that we have come to expect from them.

Keep it up Apple - bring on the iPod video!!

I think Steve said no to video iPod.

However, there are some rumors that Apple may allow people to develop games for the iPod. The iPod Photo obviously has the LCD for it, and while I don't know about the graphics hardware, the other pieces seem to be in place.

Your much to cynical. The Ipod Photo is a very fun item to share with friends and show pictures. Its alot easier than having to carry my big digital camera around and my ipod.

who cares about the photo capabilities it the color lcd thats cool

For all those whining about the photo (bet you don't have one)......are just jealous! (maybe they genuinly don't have use for a photo) but anyone who has a digital camera will appreciate this awesome piece of technology! I'm an Interactive Media Specialist and have found this new ipod indespensible! From presentations to the ability to dump full memory cards from my camera every feature HAS PURPOSE and I like the fact that Jobs opposes video on the ipod. I recently bought a new Sony digital camera and instead of purchasing multiple 1Gb memory sticks like my previous camera I just bought a single 512Mb and bring my ipod photo with me on business trips! Like every piece of technology the ipod photo is not perfect.

MY GRIPES: --You can't charge the battery while importing pictures from a camera!!!! (which is retarded cause importing sucks the battery life)

--There should be Keynote integration with the ability to play transitions and music.

--There should be an option to store just one HIGH resolution copy of photos on the ipod's hard drive(this way images output to a T.V. or projector would look much better?!)

--The photo albums are not sorted the same way they are in iphoto(pisses me off-as I have tons of albums-over 8500 pictures!!)

I was excpecting more features to be added with the ipod software 2.1 update but was dissapointed. Maybe next firmware update?!

If all of these problems are taken care of in Apple's next update to the ipod photo line(oops I mean just ipod now) then I will definately buy another ipod!!!!

I'm sorry, but WTF is your point?

I bought the Photo because tbh, the interface looks about a thousand times nicer in colour, with album art. There is no disadvantage from having a Photo version over the standard, bar the fact it's about 0.5mm thicker - Big Deal!

You are an idiot.

I can show pictures to anyone anytime. I can even patch my ipod into any tv and show the pictures on that. Not only do I have my entire music library in the palm of my hand but I never have to carry a photo album again. You are a schmuck if you don't realize how these are conveniences and prove to be useful.

Plus I have 27 more gigs of memory than you.

Dumbass.

You are an idiot.

I agree totally with Pedro. You can listen to music and show pictures. And show them on a tv, and connect a camera pirectly to it to upload.