Odds and Ends: New iPods' "lower prices" come at a cost; TechTool Pro eDrive correction; Knowledge Base updates

New iPods' "lower prices" come at a cost Although Apple is touting the fact that the new iPods, announced Monday, cost $100 less than the previous generation's models for the same capacity ($299 for the 20GB model, $399 for the 40GB model), if you want or need the same accessories that came with the previous models, you'll have to buy some of them. Specifically, the remote control and carrying case, included with the previous models of the same capacity, are now optional accessories, listing for $39 each (although purchasing the remote also gets you an extra pair of the iPod's white earbuds). The previously included FireWire 4-pin-to-6-pin adapter is also no longer part of the package (and doesn't appear to be available from the Apple Store, although other similar adapters are available). Finally, the previous 20GB model included a dock base, whereas the new 20GB model does not (the dock is now a $39 accessory for the 20GB model; it's still included with the 40GB model).

Granted, the new iPods also include a USB2.0 cable -- previously a $19 extra -- and have a few new features. However, if you want an iPod with the same accessories as the previous generation, you'll need to spend an extra $78 (for the 40GB model) or $117 (for the 20GB model).

TechTool Pro eDrive correction Yesterday we posted a message from a MacFixIt reader who was concerned that his TechTool Pro eDrive was "disappearing" from the Desktop. According to Micromat -- and a number of readers -- this is normal behavior for the eDrive, which is not supposed to appear in the Finder during normal computer use.

New/Updated Knowledge Base Articles

• Ejecting iPod during sync may cause iTunes for Windows to "freeze"
• What is iPod Software 3.0?
• iPod (Click Wheel) shows low battery indicator during sync and iTunes "freezes"
• Syncing iPod over FireWire with iSight can cause your Mac to "freeze"
• iPod (Click Wheel) USB cable is incorrectly labeled "PC Only"
• iPod Updater 2004-07-15
• iPod Updater 2004-07-15 2004-07-15
• AirPort Dual Ethernet Update 4.0.9

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