[xand]

Are there any other changes besides:

Changes for iPod without a Dock connector

* Compatibility with iTunes 4.5 and the iTunes Music Store
* Improved playback performance

Changes for iPod with a Dock connector and iPod mini

* Compatibility with iTunes 4.5 and the iTunes Music Store
* Improved playback performance
* Support for the Apple Lossless Encoder, to enable compressed music encoding at high quality

??

More specifically, is the contrast issue fixed?

 

[Surfsmurf]

Or even what "Improved playback performance" means?

 

[xand]

Well, it's firmware 2.2

The contrast issue is not fixed.

I don't see any obvious changes - no extra EQ, no extra games, no new menu options.

I've installed both iTunes 4.5 and firmware 2.2 though, and my computer (win xp) hasn't died on me.

 

[3lusiv3]

I just installed all the new updates (iPod, iTunes & QuickTime) and all is well. The new lossless codec is what I find interesting, as well as the Party Shuffle feature in iTunes. Good job Apple!

 

[Fish Tank X]

I wonder if by lossless encoder they mean truly mathematically lossless. Looks like we might have a mainstream lossless compression technique on our hands.

 

[Slimm]

I understand it's a business, but you mean they couldn't update the 2G's so that they could play the lossless files you could make now?

Rediculous.

 

[cannedheat]

So far, I like the firmware update.

I did encode part of a CD using the new lossless algorithm. I grabbed Yo Yo Ma's Brazil early this morning and ripped and encoded 3/4 of the CD. I suspect the files are 50% of the size of a WAV file, but I will compare tonight.

The sound quality is quite good, but I am using PX 200s (I am at work right now). Later tonight I will switch cans, and compare the file size and sound quality to FLAC.

I do not feel the drive spinning very much, so I am hopeful there will be minimal/acceptable/tolerable impact upon my battery.

 

[aroon]

i havnt had a chance to update my ipod yet [im at school, then off to work]. anyone know if they fixed the issue with not being able to use the ipod AT ALL while its in the dock and connected to the computer via firewire? i still think thats the most ridiculous thing ive seen about the ipod.

 

[pank2002]

nope, standing right here on my dock with the "ok to disconnect" sign on. Too bad.

 

[andrzejpw]

Mmm, just saw this on ipodlounge. The new lossless encoding sounds interesting (although honestly, I'll probably won't use it).