At Apple’s September 12 media event, Steve Jobs jumped right into introducing an updated fifth-generation iPod. Not a tremendous surprise here, as we believed the sixth-generation “true video iPod” would not be announced until later in the year or even early in 2007. Underneath the familiar and still-scratch-prone polycarbonate and metal skin of the updated iPod (a.k.a. the 5.5 generation, or 5.5G) lies a more mature iPod, many steps wiser and more able than its one-year-old predecessor. The iPod gains many incremental improvements, including a brighter screen and better video battery life, but probably the most appealing aspect is the tantalizing price points of $249 for the 30GB version and $349 for the huge 80GB version (available in both white and black). While it may still not fully address the needs of a new population of iTunes movie watchers, the updated iPod is the best one to date.

Most of this review of the 5.5G iPod will cover new features and performance numbers. For a closer look at the basic design and base features of the iPod, read this review.

Same look and feel
The iPod’s physical specs are nearly the same as those of the original fifth generation. It’s still one of the sleekest high-capacity players around at 4.1 by 2.4 by 0.43 inches and 4.8 ounces for the 30GB and 4.1 by 2.4 by 0.55 inches and 5.5 ounces for the 80GB model, which has exactly the same dimensions and weight as the now-defunct 60GB version. For me personally, the 80GB version (the one we actually reviewed) feels nicer in the hand than the razor-thin 30GB. The 80GB is enticing for video addicts both for the capacity (iTunes movies are about 1.5GB) and the better battery life (rated for up to 6.5 hours); plus, it’s a great value at $349. Though the $249 retail price tag for the 30GB version is outstanding, excellent Windows Media players such as Creative’s 30GB Zen Vision:M and Toshiba’s 30GB Gigabeat S cost nearly the same on the street.

The 80GB iPod in black next to the 30GB Toshiba Gigabeat S.

The iPod is still pretty easy to scratch, both on the soft and shiny plastic face and the classic metallic backside. Fingerprints love the iPod more than they do most players. You’ll definitely want to carry the iPod in a case, or at least protect the screen with adhesive film, since now you’ll be watching $9.99 iTunes movies. I think the black version looks nicer, but scratches show up on it more easily. A new Nano-like scratch- and print-proof aluminum case would have taken the iPod over the top.

The new iPod also has a brighter screen–by up to 60 percent. Not that the iPod had a dim screen in the first place, but brighter is always better, especially when it doesn’t come at the cost of battery life. In a side-by-side comparison of the old and new screens (at default brightness), the new iPod is noticeably brighter. Even after updating the old iPod to firmware 1.2, which among other things adds brightness control, the old iPod screen at the brightest setting matches only the new one’s default setting. Battery life will take a hit at the higher setting, so turn it up only when your’e watching video or viewing photos. You can even adjust brightness while watching a movie by clicking the Select button twice during playback. Conversely, you should turn the brightness down when listening to audio; as always, the iPod can be viewed with the backlight turned off.

You can adjust brightness both within the Settings menu and while you’re watching a video.

I still have a problem with watching video for more than 30 minutes on that small 2.5-inch screen. Even a kickstand would help for hands-free viewing, though a bigger-screened unit like the Cowon A2 or Archos 604 would have made the portable iTunes movie experience more satisfying. There are some portable accessories such as the Memorex iFlip that dock with the iPod and increase its viewing size to up to 8.4 inches. Though the proprietary dock connector isn’t nearly as convenient as a standard USB port, the iPod benefits from its thousands of dock connector-based third-party accessories.

Once again, Apple does a good job of minimizing packaging and bundled accessories, which include a newly designed set of white earbuds, a proprietary USB cable, a soft case, and a dock adapter. Unfortunately, like many MP3 players these days, you’ll have to pony up extra to get a power adapter ($29). You also don’t get an iTunes software CD, which leaves nonconnected folks in the dust. And while the futuristic headphones sound decent, they didn’t stay firmly in my ears (no foam earbud covers in this version).

The 80GB iPod with its bundled accessories: notice the lack of a power adapter.

A wiser iPod
The iPod’s enhanced software definitely makes it better. For one, you can search tunes using an alphabet-style instant search. The last option in the Music menu, Search places a two-line virtual keyboard at the bottom of the screen; the first letter you select brings up all artist, album, and song titles that begin with that letter, with albums and artists indicated by icons. Results pop up dynamically as you enter new letters. If you type in ca, you’ll get results listed by all the titles that start with ca, then continue with any mention of the letters ca in any title. It’s a little more sophisticated than the search features found in the Creative Zen Vision:M (and other players that actually invented search-by-letters), but because you have to select Done to browse your results, it’s a tad more tedious to use.

The back of the iPhone 3G is now glossy plastic and is contoured, providing better ergonomics than its predecessor’s aluminum back but also giving it a more slippery feel. The 16GB model comes in black or white, while the 8GB model is black only. The physical volume and power/lock buttons and ringer switch on the side and top are now polished aluminum. The original iPhone’s recessed headphone jack (which sprouted a mini-market of adapters and headsets) is thankfully gone in favor of one that’s flush with the phone’s top.

Everything else is held over from the first iPhone, including a 3.5-inch multi-touch display (480 by 320 tightly packed pixels), speakers on the bottom, a SIM tray on top, and a 2-megapixel camera lens on the back. The front is interrupted only by an earpiece and a physical Home button.

Overall, this is a wickedly sexy phone. It gets completely covered in fingerprints, so Apple included a cleaning cloth. We’re big fans of the shrunk-down AC power adapter, but the stock iPhone headset and USB cable remain unchanged, and there’s no dock or dock adapter.

Network Specifications

The iPhone is quad-band on GSM/EDGE networks, but the major addition is tri-band 3G support (UMTS/HSDPA) for better call quality and faster data throughput in the US and abroad. Another key addition is Assisted GPS, which tracks your location via cell towers and WiFi networks as well as GPS satellites. The feature is tightly integrated with Google Maps, but it also supports third-party apps.

Image Courtesy of Apple

What’s in the Box:
iPhone 3G
Stereo headset with mic
USB power adapter
Dock Connector to USB cable
Documentation
Cleaning/polishing cloth
SIM eject tool

Specifications:

Screen size: 3.5 inches (diagonal)

Screen resolution: 480 by 320 pixels (163 ppi)

Input method: Multi-Touch

Storage: 8GB and 16GB

Cellular: UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Wireless data: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR GPS Assisted-GPS

Camera: 2.0 megapixels

Battery Talk time: Up to 5 hours on 3G; up to 10 hours on 2G

Standby time: Up to 300 hours

Internet use: Up to 5 hours on 3G;
up to 6 hours on Wi-Fi

Video playback: Up to 7 hours

Audio playback: Up to 24 hours

Dimensions: 4.5 by 2.4 by 0.48 inches
(115.5 by 62.1 by 12.3 mm)

Weight3 4.7 ounces (133 grams)