PortalPlayer Planning Wireless... Wireless iPod? [Archive]

MacRumors

Dec 9, 2005, 07:32 AM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

A recent analyst note (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/051208/portalplayer_mover.html?.v=1) on PortalPlayer has triggered speculation about Apple's involvement in developing wireless iPods.

PortalPlayer makes system-on-chip semiconductors used in many portable media playing devices, including the iPod. In fact, 90% of PortalPlayer's revenue in the 3rd Quarter of 2005 is estimated to come from the iPod.

PortalPlayer indicated that it wants to aquire a small company with a wireless technology portfolio and is "dedicating 2006 to building out wireless capabilities".

Rumors/speculation of a wireless iPod is not new, with previous comments (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/02/20050219080124.shtml) by Motorola execs as well as Apple patent images (http://www.macrumors.com/downloads/wirelessipod.jpg) depicting a wireless iPod.

The last time Steve Jobs spoke on the subject (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/09/20050920172355.shtml), he claimed that Bluetooth for the iPod isn't a good option due to sound quality and headphone recharging issues. As well, Apple is cautious in adding new features:

We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away

rdowns

Dec 9, 2005, 07:35 AM

Quote:
We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away

Apparently this doesn't apply to Firewire.

CmdrLaForge

Dec 9, 2005, 07:40 AM

Quote:
We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away

Apparently this doesn't apply to Firewire.

Yeah - looks like. I I don't really get the point why Wifi in an iPod would be such a great idea? For surfing the web? Wireless transfer of content? I don't mind connecting the iPod once a day to my iMac. I would mind if the battery life is any shorter

m-dogg

Dec 9, 2005, 07:43 AM

I would like it for wireless syncing.

But don't reduce my battery life!

iMeowbot

Dec 9, 2005, 07:55 AM

Mitch1984

Dec 9, 2005, 07:57 AM

Yeah - looks like. I I don't really get the point why Wifi in an iPod would be such a great idea? For surfing the web? Wireless transfer of content? I don't mind connecting the iPod once a day to my iMac. I would mind if the battery life is any shorter

I don't know about the benefits of having a WIFI iPod would be apart from syncing but wireless headphones would be great if they didn't need charging all the time.

Haha, here's an oxymoron for you all; A wireless lanyard....:rolleyes:

Azurael

Dec 9, 2005, 08:03 AM

We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away

What about FireWire then...?

thejadedmonkey

Dec 9, 2005, 08:09 AM

How about if they add something people actually WANT, like firewire and a radio?!:mad:

Fredo Viola

Dec 9, 2005, 08:14 AM

wireless levitating speakers that are made to hover around a platinum tiara with an apple logo made entirely of diamonds...

MacEyeDoc

Dec 9, 2005, 08:18 AM

Quote:
We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away

Apparently this doesn't apply to Firewire.

Yes, now when my family travels and someones using a Gen 2 iPod and someone else a Gen 4 iPod you have to have 2 kinds of wires to recharge because the FW port was REMOVED after it had been in use for several years. Apple will do whatever it wants, whenever it wants. As for the next article, about no FW in the iBooks - that would be a shame, too - but Intel doesn't want to promote FW, they make money from USB. Like all the years of bashing the Pentiums, and bashing USB - well, now you're getting a Pentium with USB only, dude! What Apple wants to do, Apple will do - you don't really think they read these boards, do you?

strange days

Dec 9, 2005, 08:23 AM

i was wondering if it's 802.11g...

...you could stream VIDEO to the iPod from the PC in the other room, and save you the trouble of loading a huge archive on a little HD...

ok, the screen is not big or confortable for home viewing ( when you have a monitor or TV set close by ), but i don't have a TV in my bedroom and i don't want one, and i could use some streaming to watch a movie before falling asleep... :D

lopresmb

Dec 9, 2005, 08:25 AM

wifi streaming to a media hub (i.e. airport express w/ video) would be kinda cool. But I can imagine murder on a battery

alexstein

Dec 9, 2005, 08:34 AM

Wireless would be cool for syncing but otherwise I don't know if I had a use for it. I don't know how good bluetooth headphones are but last I heard was that there are a lot of issues with them. ...I guess you have to start somewhere..

Abstract

Dec 9, 2005, 08:51 AM

What about FireWire then...?

This would have been a very observant thing to say.........if the 1st response in this thread indicated the same thing.

And the only thing that would be useful for me is wireless headphones so that it's easier to jog without wires. I have no interest in wireless data transfer to my computer because I really don't sync my iPod with my computer very often.

dylanemcgregor

Dec 9, 2005, 09:11 AM

themacmaestro

Dec 9, 2005, 09:32 AM

How about if they add something people actually WANT, like firewire and a radio?!:mad:

A Radio would be good and the capability to do voice recording on it without a 3rd pary attachment.

SiliconAddict

Dec 9, 2005, 09:35 AM

Couple things. First off I agree with Steve'o about BlueTooth.....1.x 2.0 is an entirely different matter. The bandwidth and power consumption is high enough and low enough respectively that doing BT2.0 in an iPod would work.
WIFI is another matter. Personally I think the biggest draw for WIFI in the iPod is music downloads on the go. Say you are in a hotel on a trip. Your iPod normally syncs with your desktop at home. At the airport you were browsing the overpriced goods and saw an album you wanted. Whip out your iPod at the hotel. Hook it up to their network and browse iTMS from where ever.
All of this is possible if Apple would truly innovate. I’m sorry but shrinking the iPod and dropping the hard drive for flash isn’t innovation its standard progression of an existing line of products. Its standard “inside the box” thinking that goes on at any old company. Where is the Apple innovation of the 90’s?

NicP

Dec 9, 2005, 09:46 AM

How about if they add something people actually WANT, like firewire and a radio?!:mad:

Or fix the gapless problem :P Thats all they have to do to make me happy :)

whooleytoo

Dec 9, 2005, 09:48 AM

All of this is possible if Apple would truly innovate. I’m sorry but shrinking the iPod and dropping the hard drive for flash isn’t innovation its standard progression of an existing line of products. Its standard “inside the box” thinking that goes on at any old company. Where is the Apple innovation of the 90’s?

That's my reaction too. Not wanting to add any features they can't take away?!? Who the heck is he, and what did he do with the old Steve Jobs? He's had a total reality distortion field failure!

virus1

Dec 9, 2005, 09:58 AM

gear714

Dec 9, 2005, 10:09 AM

I really think someone should just build the whole MP3 player into the headphones. A flash player can be pretty darn small, so it wouldn't really add to much bulk to the headphones, and you wouldn't have to recharge two things. Throw in a small remote to control them and you have a player I would buy. :)
you mean like these? http://www.thinkcp.com/whatsnew/pr032805.asp
good for exercising without wires or do you mean full (over ear)headphones?

Seasought

Dec 9, 2005, 10:15 AM

I wish the focus would move back to the computers a bit. Yes I realize the iPod is HUGE in every way right now but still...Apple used to make computers didn't they? ;)

twoodcc

Dec 9, 2005, 10:18 AM

i guess a wireless ipod isn't that bad of an idea. looks like it will be a good while before one comes out, if one actually does. as far as wireless headphones go, i would love to run without wires, but i don't think they would work very good for those of us who actually "run" and not "jog". i can't see bluetooth headphones working very good running 6 minute miles

~Shard~

Dec 9, 2005, 10:24 AM

Apple used to make computers didn't they? ;)

Yep - still do in fact - they just released new PowerBooks, new dual-core PowerMacs, new media-centric iMacs, and are planning on transitioning the entire platform to Intel. Just in case you hadn't heard... :p :cool:

Seasought

Dec 9, 2005, 10:27 AM

Yep - still do in fact - they just released new PowerBooks, new dual-core PowerMacs, new media-centric iMacs, and are planning on transitioning the entire platform to Intel. Just in case you hadn't heard... :p :cool:

What is this transitioning to Intel of which you speak? :D j/k

You're right, you're right. I just feel bombarded with iPod this and iPod that. I personally want a remote detonating iPod that takes out whomever attempts to steal it.

"Think C4"

nagromme

Dec 9, 2005, 10:30 AM

As long as the iPod doesn't cost more or weigh more for wireless, that's OK. But I don't think this speculation will turn into much.

I've never thought much of the wireless iPod idea.

There are TWO main reasons to plug in your iPod: to charge it, and to get your newest music transferred over.

You generally need a recharge much more often than you add new music. So you'll plug your iPod in anyway. Probably every night by habit. And when you do, you automatically get the new music (and play data synched). Which happens much faster than the charging

So for all intents and purposes there's ALREADY no need to plug the iPod in for anything but charging.

UNLESS you have a low-end iPod (Shuffle) and like to manually change what's on it often. But low-end models seem the least likely to gain wireless: they're the smallest and cheapest.

Browsing/buying at iTMS from an iPod (or phone!) makes little sense because the process of SEARCHING calls for a keyboard and a bigger screen. A scrollwheel (or numpad) for doing searches is just awkward. People would try it once and then just go to their computer instead. I don't think people don't mind not being able to shop in line at the BMV. They LIKE shopping from home.

the 30GB video ipod has only 2 hours of batterey life according to apple.
14 hours of music/audio playback. 3 hours of photo slideshows plus audio. 2 hours of video plus audio playback.

Counterfit

Dec 9, 2005, 10:49 AM

for example: the 30GB video ipod has only 2 hours of batterey life according to apple. so that means that volume is at its lowest, no backlight...
No, it means you can play video for up to two hours before the battery is kaput.
30GB: Up to 14 hours of music playback; up to 3 hours of slideshows with music; up to 2 hours of video playback

Edit: blast my reading of other threads! :(

maya

Dec 9, 2005, 10:49 AM

I really think someone should just build the whole MP3 player into the headphones. A flash player can be pretty darn small, so it wouldn't really add to much bulk to the headphones, and you wouldn't have to recharge two things. Throw in a small remote to control them and you have a player I would buy. :)

Similar to this : ;) :)http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/everg1.jpg

~Shard~

Dec 9, 2005, 10:53 AM

What is this transitioning to Intel of which you speak? :D j/k

You're right, you're right. I just feel bombarded with iPod this and iPod that. I personally want a remote detonating iPod that takes out whomever attempts to steal it.

"Think C4"

;) Yeah, I know, the iPod stuff can get a bit overwhelming at times. Just keep in mind Apple is indeed still working on many other goodies for us as well.... :)

Seasought

Dec 9, 2005, 10:59 AM

;) Yeah, I know, the iPod stuff can get a bit overwhelming at times. Just keep in mind Apple is indeed still working on many other goodies for us as well.... :)

You bet! :D

fpnc

Dec 9, 2005, 11:07 AM

We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away

Never mind Firewire, how about the remote control connector that use to be on every full-sized iPod? The removal of this feature obsoleted over half of all add-ons to the iPod (FM transmitters, microphones/voice recorders, radio receivers, third-party IR remotes, small speakers, etc...).

Hattig

Dec 9, 2005, 12:16 PM

Wireless ... how do you charge over that again? Maybe with those charging mats that someone is developing, great. Wireless would be nice for streaming from the iPod to an Airport Express. That's about it.

Hey, I bought a Firewire hard drive for use with my iBook (currently) and in the future a Mac Mini. If the iBook is dropping Firewire, then the Mac Mini probably is as well ... this isn't good. USB2 is okay for some things, but Firewire is the best for anything data transfer intensive. It's also great for booting a system up in Firewire target disk mode, but with the move to Intel I expect Apple will utilise Intel's EFI rather than OpenFirmware. More's the shame.

I think the story is just speculation based upon Apple dropping Firewire support from devices that really aren't that data intensive, given their slow hard drives or slow flash memory. I'd like Firewire in my nano or in next year's iPod, but it isn't essential. As long as there are enough USB ports.

cornfedgrowth

Dec 9, 2005, 12:30 PM

Personally, i think, if implemented right, this could be an awesome addition to the iPod. give it 801.11g capabilities, let it stream music through your airport express (and maybe someday video) to your stereo and, here's the best part, LET IT ACT AS A REMOTE FOR FRONTROW, which can wirelessly stream Audio and Video from your mac in another room to your TV.

i've been wanting a setup like this for sometime now. i know there are crazy thrid party ways of doing most of it, but i want something simple and elegent, like something apple would make...

Heres me hoping for something great in the next iPod.

Marx55

Dec 9, 2005, 12:42 PM

nagromme

Dec 9, 2005, 12:55 PM

A wireless iPod could be fantastic if it allowed wireless presentations.

For that a Mac OS X booting iPod with Firewire is required.

Make your presentation on your computer, save it to the iPod and use the iPod to make the presentation. No cables involved. No computer involved. No PDA involved.
Wireless video would be cool, but you'd still need to carry a wireless video receiver to hook up to the presentation system. And you wouldn't need Firewire or booting: you can transfer the presentation over USB. (Current iPods already allow you to make presentations--you just have to have a cord going to the TV/projector.)

But in general I think it's "other" uses like that which make more sense that replacing the iPod's usual cable with wireless. Wireless for remotes, or audio, or some new purpose, could make more sense than for music synching.

iEric

Dec 9, 2005, 01:25 PM

Wooo I would love an iPod with the ability to transfer songs through 802.11g. I think Bluetooth would be too slow though, but yea 802.11g.
Don't know how they'll figure that one out but Team iPod at Apple can do it! Aww but maybe it'd be a little thicker again. Darn. I dont know then.

Okay my final is in 5 hours! and I still don't know half of the stuff. GOtta go study

Some_Big_Spoon

Dec 9, 2005, 01:26 PM

Wireless ipod's an inevitability, plain and simple. After they go to full screen video, wireless is the next part of the evolution to keep building value into the product.

Question is, how much digital rights denial will they build into it and how long is it going to take for me to circumvent it?

2nyRiggz

Dec 9, 2005, 01:27 PM

I'll never take what mr. Jobs say......its always "we would never do this and that because of this and that" and in the end it comes to light like he was behind it all the time.......i see a wireless ipod on the way....Jobs trying to pull the sheets over us again.

Bless

zang

Dec 9, 2005, 01:27 PM

As for firewire, we all know the reason: Windows users.

It didn't make sense for Apple to continue to ship iPods with FW when 80% of iPod buyers (windows users) don't have FireWire on their systems. Even if a FW cable costs 50 cents to produce and include, when you're selling millions (like the projected 9 million iPods to be sold this Xmas season alone), that's $4.5million dollars saved. That's not including the FireWire control chips required, the additional R&D and costs associated with continued software reports. For most users, they won't be transferring gigs upon gigs everytime they sync their ipod because once most of their library is on it, it'll stay on it, with a few minor changes here and there. For this reason USB2 won't seem like much of a difference at all from FW. What's the point in including something if it's redundant for the most part and continues costing millions of dollars to support? It's like selling a car with a gas tank for Supreme and a gas tank for Regular. What's the point?

As for wireless, I doubt we'll see it soon. As much as it may sound weird, I think it would go against Apple's design philosophy. If it's wireless, then how do you charge it up? Means you'll need an adaptor or separate batteries. Both mean additional clutter, and if you're plugging your ipod into something anyways, why not have it be the means of file transfer?

bousozoku

Dec 9, 2005, 01:30 PM

It's not about wireless headphones, it's about wireless content delivery.

Apple has already experimented with it but they need a small, low power solution similar to what the Palm T|X includes.

zang

Dec 9, 2005, 01:32 PM

i think that the most important thing for apple to do right now is catch up. i mean catch up in terms of improving the ipod in the features it already has. for example: the 30GB video ipod has only 2 hours of batterey life according to apple. so that means that volume is at its lowest, no backlight... another is firewire.. duh.. i know it must be hard for apple to bounce back to old features that they dropped, it in a way shows signs of weakness. but, sometimes thier image is worth a slap or two if thier product is better.

That's two hours playing video, with the backlight continually on. Even then, I have yet to have my 30Gig drop below 1/2 charge, even when I was showing it off to friends and family the first week I got it (and everyone of course, wanted to watch video).

FoxyKaye

Dec 9, 2005, 01:34 PM

I'd be soooo much happier with an AM/FM tuner in the next generation iPod - I'd actually consider replacing my 2G at that point. If this is the kind of wireless we're talking about, I'm all on board - otherwise, BT and WiFi seem like a fast way to a drained battery.

lcde

Dec 9, 2005, 01:44 PM

Personally I think the biggest draw for WIFI in the iPod is music downloads on the go.

Briliant! With the Rokr as the test bed to see if people actually want this feature.

EricNau

Dec 9, 2005, 02:01 PM

I don't think the iPod should go wireless...The world just isn't ready for it...yet.

wattage

Dec 9, 2005, 02:07 PM

Well crap, guess I'll put off buying the 5G iPod b/c, afterall, something better might come out sometime soon.

Whatever, I am sick of hearing a new 'rumor' and thinking damn maybe I'll wait for one more iPod release then pull the trigger. If I don't get one for Chirstmas (highly unlikely) then I'll just go buy MY first iPod!

maestro55

Dec 9, 2005, 02:07 PM

Wi-fi for the ipod would be a really nice addition, so rather than jobs saying that it would use too much battery life, and that it would not be a good idea, Apple needs to work on the battery life issue, and then find a way to implement the wi-fi. Like others said, we need innovation.

pubwvj

Dec 9, 2005, 02:07 PM

Fender2112

Dec 9, 2005, 03:00 PM

I really think someone should just build the whole MP3 player into the headphones. A flash player can be pretty darn small, so it wouldn't really add to much bulk to the headphones, and you wouldn't have to recharge two things. Throw in a small remote to control them and you have a player I would buy. :)
But then you are stuck with whatever crappy speaker it comes with.

-Jeff

Dec 9, 2005, 03:31 PM

I bet they could get reasonable battery life for streaming video wirelessly by turning off the iPod's display when it is streaming to the TV.

strydr

Dec 9, 2005, 04:40 PM

LET IT ACT AS A REMOTE FOR FRONTROW, which can wirelessly stream Audio and Video from your mac in another room to your TV.

Heres me hoping for something great in the next iPod.

I second that..

iHavenolife

Dec 9, 2005, 04:49 PM

Bluetooth Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

zpapasmurf

Dec 9, 2005, 04:56 PM

Apple's going to add wireless, but it won't be an iPod in the existing sense. Rather the new handheld will be an iPal with support for MacOSX so you can access your documents, web, email, VOIP, etc. The PDA market has been tanking but Apple knows how to bring it out of the doldrums with a Real World rugged device that keeps your data with you all of your iLife.

lol... it was just a matter of time before the inevitable clearly-apple's-gonna-release-some-crazy-PDAish-iPodish-device post. I swear every time theres a rumor about anything somene brings up this crazy idea. We heard it before the nano came out... then we heard it for the "And one more thing..." event... and its relentless.

I would love such a device... anything to replace my dell x50v.... but its just not gonna happen.

Marx55

Dec 9, 2005, 06:57 PM

Wireless video would be cool, but you'd still need to carry a wireless video receiver to hook up to the presentation system. And you wouldn't need Firewire or booting: you can transfer the presentation over USB. (Current iPods already allow you to make presentations--you just have to have a cord going to the TV/projector.)

But in general I think it's "other" uses like that which make more sense that replacing the iPod's usual cable with wireless. Wireless for remotes, or audio, or some new purpose, could make more sense than for music synching.

You cannot do a full Keynote or PowerPoint presentation from an iPod because for that you need to boot Mac OS X on the iPod and run the application. I am talking about full video and full presentation; not just a static slide show. I am talking about running Keynote and PowerPoint applications on the iPod. And a booting iPod should be a Firewire one.

davem2020

Dec 9, 2005, 07:22 PM

imagine if your ipod could play your entire music collection (I have almost 200gb) anywhere there is a wifi hotspot. Now imagine this capability once wimax is in place. I have been streaming my collection to my sony clie using slimserver (http://www.slimdevices.com/su_downloads.html) and pockettunes, but this is incredibly cumbersome. I can only imagine that apple could come up with an easier and more elegant solution. With a powerful enough battery, I really think that this could be a killer app.

jicon

Dec 9, 2005, 08:16 PM

I'm still annoyed that they took away the ability to update smart playlists on the fly on the iPod Color, without having to resync.

AidenShaw

Dec 9, 2005, 09:14 PM

For most users, they won't be transferring gigs upon gigs everytime they sync their ipod because once most of their library is on it, it'll stay on it, with a few minor changes here and there. For this reason USB2 won't seem like much of a difference at all from FW.
USB2 and 1394a are so much faster than the transfer rates of 1.8" disks and flash that they are effectively exactly the same.

It's time to let go of 1394 - it may live on as a DV camera port, but as far as the mainstream goes it is dead. Apple is ahead of the fanbois in realizing this.

AidenShaw

Dec 9, 2005, 10:07 PM

You cannot do a full Keynote or PowerPoint presentation from an iPod because for that you need to boot Mac OS X on the iPod and run the application. I am talking about full video and full presentation; not just a static slide show. I am talking about running Keynote and PowerPoint applications on the iPod. And a booting iPod should be a Firewire one.
(The Dell Axim PDA has Powerpoint, and VGA output....)

You don't need, and don't want, a full desktop operating system on a handheld. Windows CE is a rich subset of Windows APIs which make it fairly easy to port applications to a phone or PDA - while leaving out things like RAID support which are nonsensical for a handheld. Windows Mobile 5.0 has raised the bar for what a handheld device can do....

I don't have much need for a tablet/PDA/newton/whatever. My Windows phone (Samsung i730) has Bluetooth, WiFi, EVDO (DSL speed Internet), QWERTY keyboard, plus full phone functions. It runs MS Streets with active GPS mapping, MS Office, Outlook, Internet Explorer, and hundreds or thousands of other apps.

"Windows Mobile" means that my telephone has many of the capabilities that my desktop has.... I don't need XP on the phone.

Apple should have owned this market, and probably would have if Jobs hadn't killed the Newton. Instead, Steve handed it to Bill on a golden platter - and he's taken it to market.

BTW, if Apple wanted to do "OSX Mobile", they'd be smart to replace Darwin with an embedded Linux (Monta Vista Linux (http://www.mvista.com/) is already on some phones) and put a rich subset of Cocoa on top. Hacking OSX into the memory and power constraints of a handheld would be an enormous task - adding an OSX-like layer on top of another unix-like OS that's already available for handhelds would be much faster to market.

bentoon

Dec 9, 2005, 11:22 PM

Wireless streaming of everything
...Duh...

We all live in a microwave oven

iEdd

Dec 10, 2005, 04:31 AM

What about FireWire then...?
#1. Steve Jobs said the features comment.
#2. Steve jobs did not say they were ending Firewire.
#3. Why is everyone believing that rumour?

EDIT: I realise you were talking about FW on iPods, not on future macs with the rumour of it being removed.

redAPPLE

Dec 10, 2005, 04:44 AM

benedict arnold strikes again: "We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away."

two words: firewire synchronization.

diotima1212

Dec 10, 2005, 09:53 AM

Orge

Dec 10, 2005, 11:05 AM

It seems likely that this is going to happen at some point. Although, since charging/syncing are a necessity, it's not entirely clear where the benfit is... I can think of one situation where this might be a nice feature - where the ipod forms the basis of an in car entertainment system. If the ipod was used solely with the car, then it might be convenient to have it sync wirelessly when you get home? It's a bit of a *niche*, but it's one of the few situations I can think of where this might be genuinely useful.

J

Orge

Dec 10, 2005, 11:15 AM

If they are going to add wlan capacity, they will do it to give the possibility of sharing music. Ipod + Bonjour + iTunes Sharing. Just as you can do in iTunes, you could do with people on the street, in the train. with the number of ipods sold, this could become a killerapplication with people meeting on the street because of the same musictaste etc.

I take my last comment back :rolleyes:

This is another pretty cool idea! :) At first thought, I'm not sure that the record companies would be so keen... However, since the music is only available to people within a small radius, it's not really that different to itunes sharing.

I would definitly go in this direction, probably with the integration of an ichat for ipod... Seems dificult, but they could surprise everybody with a decent solutuion.

It would actually be quite easy to set this up using a combination of rendezvous and ad-hoc wireless networking...

stelriah

Dec 10, 2005, 01:55 PM

I don't know about the benefits of having a WIFI iPod would be apart from syncing but wireless headphones would be great if they didn't need charging all the time.

Haha, here's an oxymoron for you all; A wireless lanyard....:rolleyes:

A Sum of the Best iDeas posted here for potential wireless uses:

1. Streaming Content from Hot Spots
2. Downloading Songs from iTunes
3. Use the iPod as a remote for Front Row
4. Wirelessly connect to iPods in your range and have a feature similar to the shared library feature in iTunes.

ps no one cares about wireless headphones. apple needs to focus on making headphones that dont die after a week.

Cinch

Dec 10, 2005, 02:14 PM

How about if they add something people actually WANT, like firewire and a radio?!:mad:

Why settle for local radio, when you can listen to the countless of internet radio stations out there.

I'm actually trying to get an iTrip like device for my Nano so that I don't have to listen to the local radio:D

pubwvj

Dec 10, 2005, 05:46 PM

I personally want a remote detonating iPod that takes out whomever attempts to steal it. "Think C4"

Think shaped charges in the ear-buds. Just don't have friendly fire.

Super Dave

Dec 10, 2005, 06:00 PM

savar

Dec 10, 2005, 10:07 PM

I have NO idea if this would work, but my friend has this theory and I kinda like it.

A cellular phone that does VOIP for free when in range of WiFi and uses standard networks when not. Is this possible?

David :cool:

A phone like that either already exists or at least is planned for production. I read about it in Wired I think. Its a good idea, but WiFi seems like so much trouble to configure just to make a phone call. Until the industry gets better about standards a phone like that will be annoying to use.

strange days

Dec 10, 2005, 10:18 PM

I have NO idea if this would work, but my friend has this theory and I kinda like it.

A cellular phone that does VOIP for free when in range of WiFi and uses standard networks when not. Is this possible?

David :cool:

yes, that's happened already, and the market for smartphones wi-fi capable is growing steadily; i think apple will join the pack around 2008 though...

jamferma

Dec 11, 2005, 07:13 AM

would really love to see this

yes batt wont last long (could make a better batt)

but widescreen movies on your ipod:D

u could turn off the screen whilst music is playin(aka little switch next to hold) or disable the touch format by the hold switch.

or even a megapixal camera

stuff wireless i would love to see this

Jmitch

Dec 11, 2005, 09:21 AM

WiFi might be a nice thing to add to a dock, to go along with AirTunes. Inside a player? Meh. I wouldn't want Bluetooth headphones, they're kind of redundant inside and I'd rather not take an expensive headset outside to get lost or stomped on.

I agree on this. I think a wireless dock for wireless syncing is a nice idea. But there's no need to build that into the iPod. It would only result in a larger iPod. Wireless headphones are not here yet. A bluetooth dock would be easy to do I would think.

dornoforpyros

Dec 11, 2005, 11:59 AM

so steve says their not doing it, so that means they are! horray! And we can expect to see an x86 release of OS X any day now

EricNau

Dec 11, 2005, 02:18 PM

If they did update the iPod, when would they do it. I was going to buy an iPod anytime now, but now I'm having second thoughts.

opq

Dec 11, 2005, 02:41 PM

A phone like that either already exists or at least is planned for production. I read about it in Wired I think. Its a good idea, but WiFi seems like so much trouble to configure just to make a phone call. Until the industry gets better about standards a phone like that will be annoying to use.

Yes, they have something like that in Japan. Something that switches between their cellphone networks and a local WiFi network if in range.

~Shard~

Dec 11, 2005, 09:57 PM

If they did update the iPod, when would they do it. I was going to buy an iPod anytime now, but now I'm having second thoughts.

I'm guessing springtime. Expect better video support and either lower prices or larger capacities. :cool:

maestro55

Dec 11, 2005, 11:28 PM

I'm guessing springtime. Expect better video support and either lower prices or larger capacities. :cool:

They are introducing these so fast, it is mere impossible to keep up with them. Apple is lucky in the fact that some people can rush out and buy the best of the best, but there are lot of people who still have old ipods, and I thought mine was new until they came out with the 5th Generation (I have the 4th gen 40gig ipod.. way back before color :) )

The comments about camera and such.. we don't need too much stuff on our iPods, everything is becoming soo powerful and bulky..

*goes back to the ol' Apple ][ :P

~Shard~

Dec 11, 2005, 11:30 PM

They are introducing these so fast, it is mere impossible to keep up with them. Apple is lucky in the fact that some people can rush out and buy the best of the best, but there are lot of people who still have old ipods, and I thought mine was new until they came out with the 5th Generation (I have the 4th gen 40gig ipod.. way back before color :) )

You think that's old, I am still a proud owner of a 20 GB 3G iPod! :p :cool:

Yeah, I initially said my next iPod would be a video one, but these current offerings still leave a little bit to be desired for me. I think I will wait until at least the next rev before making a decision.

ebunton

Dec 12, 2005, 06:31 AM

Yay... wireless is the future

dylanemcgregor

Dec 13, 2005, 07:13 PM

you mean like these? http://www.thinkcp.com/whatsnew/pr032805.asp
good for exercising without wires or do you mean full (over ear)headphones?

Similar to this : ;) :)http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/everg1.jpg

Did I forget to mention that by "someone", I mean "someone who can build a player that is compatible with iTunes." ;)

But then you are stuck with whatever crappy speaker it comes with.

True, but I was kind of thinking something along the lines of those Bose headphones that I've seen, but maybe not that bulky.

-Dylan