Brief Hands-On Report--Apple iPod Updater 2004-11-15

Apple released iPod Updater 2004-11-15 yesterday afternoon. The updater is available via the Software Update preference pane or as a stand-alone file from this Apple web page. It includes iPod mini Software 1.2 for the iPod mini and iPod software 3.0.2. for iPods with a Click Wheel. iPod Updater 2004-11-15 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2004-10-20 for all other iPod models. According to the Read Me file,

New features of iPod mini Software 1.2:

• Compatibility with iTunes 4.7 and iTunes Music Store
  
• Shuffle and play song library with one click (using the Shuffle Songs item in the main menu)
  
• Create multiple On-The-Go playlists
  
• Delete songs from On-The-Go playlists
  
• Select reading playback speed for audiobooks
  
• Hear Click Wheel clicker through headphones
  
• Sync and go with improved disconnect performance
  

New features of iPod Software 3.0.2 provides:

• Compatibility with iTunes 4.7 and iTunes Music Store
• Improved USB 2.0 connectivity
  

We downloaded the updater via the Software Update preference pane and used it to update our "First Day Edition" iPod mini. Everything went smoothly.