iPod Video Photo

[MacRumors]

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

Several sites are popularizing this Flickr photo (http://static.flickr.com/26/103357149_ebe5a6a8c7.jpg) claiming to be a photo of the upcoming full-screen Video iPod.

The photo resembles the leaked 5G iPod photos (http://guides.macrumors.com/Gallery_of_Apple_Leaks_and_Prototypes), but may have simply been inspired by the same photos.

There is significant debate about the part number shown. The part number "M8719Z/A" is the same part number as Mac OS X 10.2 Server, but several people feel it is a "B" not an "8".

[spacehog371]

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

The most convincing evidence that this is a fake is that the part number "M8719Z/A" is the same part number as Mac OS X 10.2 Server.

You guys didn't look very closely


THAT IS A B... not an 8

looks real.

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

If it's a fake, it's REALLY well done.
Seems at least PLAUSIBLE.

[noelister]

You guys didn't look very closely


THAT IS A B... not an 8

looks real.

I guess we will find out in a few days if it is real.

[Superdrive]

Cool. I think the dock cord looks kinda shabby. Either way, I can't wait til Tuesday.

[Threnody]

If it's a fake it's VERY well done. Definitely doesn't look like a photochop.....

[irmongoose]

Haha, you guys should have been around during the iWalk days... :D :p :eek:

If this is the new, fun product to be announced next Tuesday, I'm buying!




irmongoose

[Nermal]

THAT IS A B... not an 8

Well that's just more proof that it's fake. Apple's product codes are always MxxxxY(Y)/Y where x is a number and Y is a letter.

Edit: It's been pointed out to me that some newer products start with MA.

[yoda_four]

Cool. I think the dock cord looks kinda shabby. Either way, I can't wait til Tuesday.

The dock cable could be one of those cables with both USB and FireWire. I thought briefly that it could've been a Dock-to-RCA cable, with maybe just video and mono, but that kinda seems like downgrading. Who knows, it could just be a third-party cable.

Also, I think the plug looks off-center. I mean, compare the distance between the bottom of the plug to the bottom of the device and the top of the plug to the top of the device.

Or look at the colour stripes. It goes right down the middle of the device. To my eye, the plug has more distance on the top.


Looks pretty real to me, btw.

[mrgreen4242]

I posted this at 11am (first on MR I think). :P I want a front page (or at least page 2 story) for once. :P Here's all the speculation from this morning for you late comers... ;)

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=182325

[susannahyork]

I see a line down the middle of the usb/dock connector cord, like you see on power cords for lamps, not like the single round cords that apple generally uses...

or that might be a shadow?

[yoda_four]

Well that's just more proof that it's fake. Apple's product codes are always MxxxxY(Y)/Y where x is a number and Y is a letter.

Most Apple products from the last few years use MA and LL/A, not MB or Z/A. So, I'm thinking it might just be a production serial code, or maybe Apple's starting with a new scheme.

Also, this serial number has one character less than their standard ones.

However, mind you, the 5G leaked photos serial numbers weren't anything near the real-world ones.

[blilly]

If it's a fake, it's REALLY well done.
Seems at least PLAUSIBLE.

You will know more soon. It's real.

[paddy]

Love to believe its real because I'm in the market for a new iPod. Probably a fake though, very like the mock-ups.

[rworne]

Is a real Apple part number... M8719Z/A

For OS X Server 10.2

That about sums up what this is - no matter how much I want it to be true.

[speakster]

Well that's just more proof that it's fake. Apple's product codes are always MxxxxY(Y)/Y where x is a number and Y is a letter.


I read that the 5g iPods begin with MA...

Which would make MB even more plausible.

unless of course I'm wrong.

[yoda_four]

This just popped into my head. What if Apple redesigned the iPod OS to be basically Front Row?! Wouldn't having a black screen use less power than a white screen? Plus, it would be just as usable with a touch-screen click-wheel as with an Apple Remote.

[spacehog371]

Well that's just more proof that it's fake. Apple's product codes are always MxxxxY(Y)/Y where x is a number and Y is a letter.


Hmmm I wonder why on the back of my ipod it says MA? must be a fake?

[noelister]

You will know more soon. It's real.

Do you know this for sure? If so, how...

[sartinsauce]

Love to believe its real because I'm in the market for a new iPod. Probably a fake though, very like the mock-ups.


Yeah, I'm with you. It looks JUST like the touchscreen mockups someone post a couple of weeks ago.

I really want to believe this as I too am looking to replace my 3G 20Gig.

I don't remember ever seeing one of those stickers. Can someone estimate the size of this device based on the sticker size?

Also, the connector on that cable doesn't look like the current connector deisgn, it's too busy.

[TMA]

You guys didn't look very closely


THAT IS A B... not an 8

looks real.

Agreed It's a B not an 8. This make it fit in perfectly with Apples current product code conventions.

[rikers_mailbox]

Do you know this for sure? If so, how...

hmm... the original site hosting the picture is down... a sign of Apple cease and desist?

[EGT]

I really hope it's real because it looks fantastic.

Scratches galore!! :D

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

CRAP! I'm going out of town this weekend to spend some time with my Wife's family. I wont have internet access from Friday at 5PM until LATE Sunday evening. THis is going to KILL me!

[mduser63]

The back of my 5G iPod says Model No: A1136. I'm not ready to say that this is a fake yet. As "leaked" photos go, this one is pretty convincing.

[sartinsauce]

As "leaked" photos go, this one is pretty convincing.


Too bad it's in a clean room, instead of an elevator.:D

[Diatribe]

If this is more a PDA than just an iPod, meaning it can take notes, etc. I'll buy it in a flash. If it's just an iPod I'll wait a week or so. :D

[mrgreen4242]

Yeah, I'm with you. It looks JUST like the touchscreen mockups someone post a couple of weeks ago.

I really want to believe this as I too am looking to replace my 3G 20Gig.

I don't remember ever seeing one of those stickers. Can someone estimate the size of this device based on the sticker size?

Also, the connector on that cable doesn't look like the current connector deisgn, it's too busy.

Hm, we'd have to know the original sticker size to be sure, but guessing that it is a standard size printable label, it looks like it could be a standard 1x2.63" address type label. That'd make it about 8" wide and 5" tall, or a 9" diagnal screen...

A bit big for my tastes, but could be waaaaaay off.

[wkhahn]

I hope this is it. If its a fake, its a very convincing fake. Besides the "box" fake the other day, are there any confirmed fake's floating around? Where is a good elevator shot already?

[Alexander]

Wouldn't having a black screen use less power than a white screen?

Not if it's an LCD: the backlight is always on, and it takes more power to make a pixel opaque (black) than it does to leave it transparent (white).

[stridey]

Does the spot on the far left where the screen meets border look fishy to anybody else? I'm not really a photoshop guru, but it sure looks like the "screen test" was just pasted on. If that's the case, this could easily be a photoshopped 5G. Just speculation mind you, but it looks false to me.

[yoda_four]

I was thinking about the aspect ratio of this a bit. Some have said it doesn't look completely like widescreen. Now, in a way, if Apple chose something between 4:3 and 16:9, it would make a lot of sense, because you wouldn't have such extreme pillarboxing, and you'd only chop a tiny bit off the widescreen image (or you could have a tiny bit of letterboxing for the widescreen image).

So, to test this, I placed both a 4:3 image and 16:9 (1.78:1) image on top of this purported iPod. It's just as I thought; an inbetween aspect ratio, perhaps 1.66:1

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/5503/appledevice6jm.th.png (http://img56.imageshack.us/my.php?image=appledevice6jm.png)

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8875/appledevice21tp.th.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=appledevice21tp.jpg)

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/6585/appledevice36sh.th.jpg (http://img60.imageshack.us/my.php?image=appledevice36sh.jpg)

[300ZX]

If it is REAL and is priced reasonably (in line with 5G ipod), it is as good as sold.

I would love to be able to watch House (aka BURN), Boston Legal, and The Shield while I am at work.

[rworne]

Yeah, I'm with you. It looks JUST like the touchscreen mockups someone post a couple of weeks ago.

I really want to believe this as I too am looking to replace my 3G 20Gig.

I don't remember ever seeing one of those stickers. Can someone estimate the size of this device based on the sticker size?

Also, the connector on that cable doesn't look like the current connector deisgn, it's too busy.

Well, assuming the picture is real, lets assume the cable will have several purposes:

1. Sync iPod with computer
2. Put video out of the dock instead of just the headphone jack.
3. How about putting video *in* as well? Anyone put any thought into this thing actually recording/encoding video in MP4? Now that would be slick.

[mrgreen4242]

Does the spot on the far left where the screen meets border look fishy to anybody else? I'm not really a photoshop guru, but it sure looks like the "screen test" was just pasted on. If that's the case, this could easily be a photoshopped 5G. Just speculation mind you, but it looks false to me.

This was discussed in the "other"/original thread (they need to be merged)... it could be signs of a fake, or could just be crappy JPEG artifacts.

[sartinsauce]

Hm, we'd have to know the original sticker size to be sure, but guessing that it is a standard size printable label, it looks like it could be a standard 1x2.63" address type label. That'd make it about 8" wide and 5" tall, or a 9" diagnal screen...


Wow, that's huge! My pythagorean says over nine inches. That's so big that resolution is going to be an issue. At that size you almost have to have standard def (648x480) or higher. You could have less, but people will comment frequently at the poor image quality.

I'm thinking that sticker is smaller than you estimated.

[yoda_four]

Hm, we'd have to know the original sticker size to be sure, but guessing that it is a standard size printable label, it looks like it could be a standard 1x2.63" address type label. That'd make it about 8" wide and 5" tall, or a 9" diagnal screen...

A bit big for my tastes, but could be waaaaaay off.

I thought that way just tape. Looks almost like packaging tape, though I'm pretty sure it isn't and more likely just a standard sticker from a factory. However, I wouldn't guess it to be like the sizes you're speaking of.

If you go by the size of the dock connector, assuming that's what the cable is and it's the same size as current dock connectors, the dimensions in comparisons would seem basically the exact same as the current iPod; just sideways.

[mrgreen4242]

Wow, that's huge! My pythagorean says over nine inches. That's so big that resolution is going to be an issue. At that size you almost have to have standard def (648x480) or higher. You could have less, but people will comment frequently at the poor image quality.

I'm thinking that sticker is smaller than you estimated.

I'd guess that if it is 9"+ it'll be AT LEAST 640*400... more likely at least 800*600.

And since it's not a 4:3 shape, it's actually likely to just be 720*480 or some multiple of that... 1080*720 for example.

[mrgreen4242]

I thought that way just tape. Looks almost like packaging tape, though I'm pretty sure it isn't and more likely just a standard sticker from a factory. However, I wouldn't guess it to be like the sizes you're speaking of.

If you go by the size of the dock connector, assuming that's what the cable is and it's the same size as current dock connectors, the dimensions in comparisons would seem basically the exact same as the current iPod; just sideways.

That's VERY possible. I'd prefer that personally. The cable coming out of the connector looks to be pretty fat... so it COULD be a larger cable and hence a larger object. But if it is the same as the current dock connector, then ya, it'd be about 5G iPod size.

[TMA]

I think we might have a winner here, but as with all shots like this it could be a prototype that will never see light of day.

I'd personally have put this on page 1 though.

[sartinsauce]

I'd personally have put this on page 1 though.


Yeah, after all, it is MacRumors. There are enough Apple Rumor Junkies floating around here that would really appreciate this.

I expect this thread will be a long one.

[yoda_four]

I overlayed a 5G iPod on this image to check out what resolutions this device could pull off. Seeing as how 5G is 320x240, if you double that you get 640x480, which is VGA resolution. Look at the pic below and you'll see that the device basically doubles the screen size (= doubled resolution to VGA, right?)

BTW, the PSP is 480x220 and the Creative Zen is 640x480.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1534/appledevicecopy2ao.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=appledevicecopy2ao.jpg)

[Play Ultimate]

I'd personally have put this on page 1 though.

Page 1 is only for verified rumors. :rolleyes:

[MacSA]

Page 1 is only for verified rumors. :rolleyes:

...wouldn't that be a fact not a rumour? lol

[1984]

It's just a regular iPod Video with a paper cutout of a color bar test stuck on top of it. You can even see where the paper bows out. I'm surprised the picture wasn't taken in an "elevator" like all the rest.

[boncellis]

This just popped into my head. What if Apple redesigned the iPod OS to be basically Front Row?! Wouldn't having a black screen use less power than a white screen? Plus, it would be just as usable with a touch-screen click-wheel as with an Apple Remote.

I don't think I'm the only one who assumes the event next week will have something to do with whatever Apple was unable to present at MWSF in January. I'm not sure if that will account for everything that is unveiled on Tuesday, but I expect the event to relatively substantial. (Judging by the almost 800 posts on the topic this week, I would guess that I'm not alone.)

Unfortunately, the morass of ideas being thrown about within different threads leads to some frustration when one reader thinks s/he has come up with a flash of insight, but it is in fact a rehashing of several different posts. I see repeats as emphasis on a point that warrants redress in some form.

With that preamble, I think this idea is significant. Why has Apple held back on releasing updates to Front Row? I feel like there has to be a definite answer somewhere. It is so promising, if only it were refined through the normal process of updates it could be a truly "killer app." My sentiments echo the ones I quoted (and have for some time) that Front Row's potential is not limited to occasional use on the small percentage of iMacs and MBPs with which it ships. Use on an iPod or intermediate device? Brilliant.

[CoMpX]

I really think this is real. It's in the same type of setting that the 5G iPod was in, and that came true. I am very optimistic about this.

[boncellis]

I expect this thread will be a long one.

I hope it will be. The craziness that flies around and the convergence of different perspectives that accumulates after enough posts speaks to my soul as a designer. I love when things are so up in the air that it seems like anything could be real. I think it distills the viable from the pipe dreams.

[TMA]

It's just a regular iPod Video with a paper cutout of a color bar test stuck on top of it. You can even see where the paper bows out. I'm surprised the picture wasn't taken in an "elevator" like all the rest.

You can? Where?

If your theory is true, how do you explain the light reflections in the bottom left and top right corners? Also it would be hard to replicate the way the light blue bar shines through the sticky label.

[MacSA]

It's just a regular iPod Video with a paper cutout of a color bar test stuck on top of it. You can even see where the paper bows out. I'm surprised the picture wasn't taken in an "elevator" like all the rest.

But you can see the blue and red colour bar faintly through the barcode sticker....

[Hattig]

I think it's a winner too.

Looks like a 16:10 format screen. 720x450? 768x480?

Couple that with downloadable movies from iTMS, at the same resolution ... and iTunes gaining DVD ripping capability (Windows Vista also has this feature I read yesterday, so I will believe that it will be allowed a bit more now, with suitable DRM applied by iTunes when ripping) and you have something that could be THE portable video player ... with music capability, photos, and ... touch screen games?

I hope it has note taking capability (stylus? or finger operated?) and at least basic PDA functions too. OTOH Apple is well known for not over-featuring their devices.

[hcuar]

I'm surprised no one has looked this up:

M8719Z/A is the bar code / PN for the 10 client MAC OS X server

[mrgreen4242]

It's just a regular iPod Video with a paper cutout of a color bar test stuck on top of it. You can even see where the paper bows out. I'm surprised the picture wasn't taken in an "elevator" like all the rest.

Hm, I'm not sure that's the case but you could be right. It certainly could be as you say, but it doesn't look like it is, to me. It's a crappy picture, so I suppose that it could be almost anything. :)

Even so, something like this is bound to come from Apple eventually.

[nagromme]

There are certainly reasons to think it's fake, but it does LOOK very good (except for the connector thing).

Anyway, now that real hard rumors are scarce in Mac-land, I enjoy the diversion of fakes :) ESPECIALLY in elevators.

And this looks like what anyone would assume a full-screen iPod would be--a good guess, if a full-screen iPod exixts. (Although I'm skeptical of such a product coming out so soon at all.)

I don't think it's a paper cutout though--so much easier and better to do your fakery in Photoshop, and that screen is brighter than unlit paper would be.

[cgingrich]

I don't think I'm the only one who assumes the event next week will have something to do with whatever Apple was unable to present at MWSF in January. I'm not sure if that will account for everything that is unveiled on Tuesday, but I expect the event to relatively substantial. (Judging by the almost 800 posts on the topic this week, I would guess that I'm not alone.)

Unfortunately, the morass of ideas being thrown about within different threads leads to some frustration when one reader thinks s/he has come up with a flash of insight, but it is in fact a rehashing of several different posts. I see repeats as emphasis on a point that warrants redress in some form.

With that preamble, I think this idea is significant. Why has Apple held back on releasing updates to Front Row? I feel like there has to be a definite answer somewhere. It is so promising, if only it were refined through the normal process of updates it could be a truly "killer app." My sentiments echo the ones I quoted (and have for some time) that Front Row's potential is not limited to occasional use on the small percentage of iMacs and MBPs with which it ships. Use on an iPod or intermediate device? Brilliant.



I truly believe front row is Apple's next HUGE blow to the market. It's such a brilliant and beautiful program. If they could integrate it into ipods/phones, it could become the media center connection we've been looking for. A box on top of our tvs that link our computers, ipods, phones, all digital devices under one remote. It's brilliant. If you look at the pictures of the supposed Nokia phone coming out...the interface looks amazing! I could easily see them integrating something similiar into ipods. And what sucks is I just finished paying off my credit cards for my xbox 360...damn you apple haha :)

[CoMpX]

I'm surprised no one has looked this up:

M8719Z/A is the bar code / PN for the 10 client MAC OS X server

Except is a B...not an 8.

[mrgreen4242]

I'm surprised no one has looked this up:

M8719Z/A is the bar code / PN for the 10 client MAC OS X server

And someone has already looked it up, I think in both the first page of this thread and the first page of the original from this morning (a merge would be nice :P).

[Hattig]

I overlayed a 5G iPod on this image to check out what resolutions this device could pull off. Seeing as how 5G is 320x240, if you double that you get 640x480, which is VGA resolution. Look at the pic below and you'll see that the device basically doubles the screen size (= doubled resolution to VGA, right?)

BTW, the PSP is 480x220 and the Creative Zen is 640x480.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1534/appledevicecopy2ao.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=appledevicecopy2ao.jpg)

From your overlay, assuming sizes are correct, and pixel sizes are the same, then you'd have something more like 512x320.

[m-dogg]

Would anyone mind posting a copy of the pic in this thread? I'm at work and flickr is blocked.

Thanks!

[MacSA]

Except is a B...not an 8.


The first post on page one needs editing to correct that mistake.

[Hattig]

I'm surprised no one has looked this up:

M8719Z/A is the bar code / PN for the 10 client MAC OS X server

Welcome to 4 hours ago.

It is MB, not M8.

Which makes sense, my nano is a MA part. It's about time Apple moved to MB.

[TMA]

Does anyone have the Apple combined Firewire/USB cable? The connector looks a little like it, perhaps a revised version?

[lonepilgrim]

The back of my 5G iPod says Model No: A1136. I'm not ready to say that this is a fake yet. As "leaked" photos go, this one is pretty convincing.

I can't find the model numbers on the Apple website, and I don't have a 60GB iPod 'video' myself, but Amazon lists the black version of that iPod as model number MA147LL/A. The model number on the sticker on this photograph is MB719Z/A. That's close enough for me, and Google doesn't return anything with that latter number. Did someone else say that Z/A typically indicates a software product? What might one deduce from that?

[boncellis]

I truly believe front row is Apple's next HUGE blow to the market. It's such a brilliant and beautiful program. If they could integrate it into ipods/phones, it could become the media center connection we've been looking for. A box on top of our tvs that link our computers, ipods, phones, all digital devices under one remote. It's brilliant.

I feel the same way. The box you referred to may well be the next incarnation of Airport Express with the rumored video capability.

[mrgreen4242]

Wow, that's huge! My pythagorean says over nine inches. That's so big that resolution is going to be an issue. At that size you almost have to have standard def (648x480) or higher. You could have less, but people will comment frequently at the poor image quality.

I'm thinking that sticker is smaller than you estimated.

Another thing I was think was about the semi-recent virtual wheel tablet looking patents Apple filed a while back. The line art drawings of the example device was about that size (8 or 9" diagonal screen)... let's see if I can find that pic...

Here they are: http://hrmpf.com/wordpress/48/new-apple-patents

The more I look at it, the more I think that's what this is.

[ejl10]

Can someone mirror the images? Work doesn't like flickr. :mad:
I love the excitement leading up to a new release!

[Some_Big_Spoon]

If you can input, then there will be input hacks, whether or not Apple includes a stylus or keyboard. It'll take a Slashdotter 20 minutes to make an on screen keyboard and file system/DB. Then comes the WiFi attachments, external keyboards, you name it. This is what I've been waiting for since I really don't need to be carrying around a full 12" PB everywhere, and come Tesday, maybe I won't have to anymore.


I think it's a winner too.

Looks like a 16:10 format screen. 720x450? 768x480?

Couple that with downloadable movies from iTMS, at the same resolution ... and iTunes gaining DVD ripping capability (Windows Vista also has this feature I read yesterday, so I will believe that it will be allowed a bit more now, with suitable DRM applied by iTunes when ripping) and you have something that could be THE portable video player ... with music capability, photos, and ... touch screen games?

I hope it has note taking capability (stylus? or finger operated?) and at least basic PDA functions too. OTOH Apple is well known for not over-featuring their devices.

[mrgreen4242]

Would anyone mind posting a copy of the pic in this thread? I'm at work and flickr is blocked.

Thanks!

Ask and ye shall receive!

[m-dogg]

Ask and ye shall receive!

thanks!

[sartinsauce]

Does anyone have the Apple combined Firewire/USB cable? The connector looks a little like it, perhaps a revised version?


Great catch!

Now, if your stomach isn't full of butterflies, treat yourself to a cookie.;)

[R.Youden]

Can anyone here speak Japanese? Do they know what it says on the connector?

Probably, ha-ha you suckers!

[ejl10]

Ask and ye shall receive!

You rock!

[Proud Liberal]

I really want to believe this as I too am looking to replace my 3G 20Gig.

But would you really replace a 3G ipod with one this big?? I have a nearly full original 60GB ipod photo, and can't imagine buying something like this to use for my music collection...the video capability doesn't really do much for me, otherwise I would have bought the 5G ipod. Also, will this be a dedicated video player or will it also have music playback capability?

I'm just curious if this "new" ipod is going to replace the 5G current iPod or will it be a new product for the iPod line-up, i.e.:

video iPod -- iPod -- iPod nano -- iPod shuffle

[Applespider]

I'll throw this into the pot... When I first saw this, I went for a hunt through our mainframe ordering system for Apple orders. We've got no iPod orders confirmed from Apple for the future which given I work for a company that sell a lot of iPods is surprising.

Also surprising is the number of 60GB iPods that are 'outstanding' on the most recent two invoices. They are the slower sellers by a mail of all the iPods and I wonder whether perhaps this 'new' video iPod might replace the 60G one - since you 'need' more space for videos than music. Thus allowing them to increase prices for the 60GB while keeping the 30GB music/basic video at the 'market' level.

[sartinsauce]

But would you really replace a 3G ipod with one this big??


Yeah. I want the higher resolution color screen. Also, I make and watch a lot of short films. It would be fun and easy to carry them around this.

For me it's not really about the size of the hard drive when it comes to music. I've got about 8gigs of music on my current iPod, and that's more than enough.

[longofest]

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

Several sites are popularizing this Flickr photo (http://static.flickr.com/26/103357149_ebe5a6a8c7.jpg) claiming to be a photo of the upcoming full-screen Video iPod.

The photo resembles the leaked 5G iPod photos (http://guides.macrumors.com/Gallery_of_Apple_Leaks_and_Prototypes), but may have simply been inspired by the same photos.

The most convincing evidence that this is a fake is that the part number "M8719Z/A" is the same part number as Mac OS X 10.2 Server.

Very much a fake. This is how they did it. They took a piece of glass, placed it on a slightly smaller piece of something, connected a Firewire/USB combo cable with that piece of tape, and placed it all on a white surface so that when the picture looked through the glass, it would see white on the other side (iPod white). The LCD might have been real, but it is probably from something the guy tore apart.

As for the B vs. 8 debate... It's totally an 8.

[cgingrich]

Can anyone here speak Japanese? Do they know what it says on the connector?



According to several people over at engadget.....it means "this side"

if this is a fake, someone went through A LOT of trouble and put A LOT of detail into it

[thejadedmonkey]

Does anyone have the Apple combined Firewire/USB cable? The connector looks a little like it, perhaps a revised version?
It's a Cable to Go firewire/USB cable.
http://www.cablestogo.com/assets/product_images/35502.jpg
from http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=218&sku=35502

[1984]

Can anyone here speak Japanese? Do they know what it says on the connector?

Probably, ha-ha you suckers!

It's Chinese and means "This Side" but the characters are written strangely.

[mrgreen4242]

It's a Cable to Go firewire/USB cable.
http://www.cablestogo.com/assets/product_images/35502.jpg
from http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=218&sku=35502

Certainly does look that way, doesn't it... That'd put it at about 5G iPod size. And also make it, in my opinion, slightly more likely to be a fake.

[TMA]

I've just been doing some checking on Apple's website regarding the product code convention Apple are currently using.

Software uses the format: APPLE MA123Z/A. For example, iLife 06' Family Pack is APPLE MA167Z/A.

I haven't had a good dig around, but I could not find any hardware that uses Z/A at the end. I also couldn't find an Apple product that goes very high up in the numerical range, which suggests there may not be a need to roll over to MB just yet - UNLESS its for a completely new product/range that might deserve having a block of numbers reserved for future use.

[tk421]

Couple that with downloadable movies from iTMS, at the same resolution ... and iTunes gaining DVD ripping capability (Windows Vista also has this feature I read yesterday, so I will believe that it will be allowed a bit more now, with suitable DRM applied by iTunes when ripping) and you have something that could be THE portable video player ... with music capability, photos, and ... touch screen games?

Windows Vista has DVD ripping? That's promising. DVD ripping in iTunes is key for this!

It sure is exciting in the rumor world again! :) Only a few more days...

[Peace]

The tape over the connector is just too convenient..
Why would anyone put a packing tape over the conector and write "this side up" when people know fully well it only connects one way..

[cgingrich]

Another picture....this one is DIFFERENT....check it out


http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/leaked-ipod-video-picture

[mrgreen4242]

The tape over the connector is just too convenient..
Why would anyone put a packing tape over the conector and write "this side up" when people know fully well it only connects one way..

At first I figured the connector was a pre-production piece that was hacked up for testing, etc. I'm not to sure about that now. It might be the Cable2Go connector, but the one in the photo seems to have slightly different angles to the backside of it. I'm just not sure.

Cool product or good fake. :)

[TMA]

It's a Cable to Go firewire/USB cable.

I'm not sure you're right. The casing around the plug looks too long (horizontally) compared to the picture.

[sartinsauce]

The tape over the connector is just too convenient..
Why would anyone put a packing tape over the conector and write "this side up" when people know fully well it only connects one way..


They might.

Imagine a manufacturing plant. After coming off an assembly line, but before being packaged, everything needs a bit of Q.C., maybe even a firmware update.

If you're trying to work fast, you label a cable so that assembly workers can quickly and efficiently plug in, run the update, unplug, plug in, etc...

[Hattig]

As for the B vs. 8 debate... It's totally an 8.
No, it's totally a B, look at the bottom left of the character. B. Not 8.

However the rest of the code matching another product makes it seem odd, why not choose something different to prevent clashes?

We'll see next week, or within the next month if it isn't next week.

[mrgreen4242]

Another picture....this one is DIFFERENT....check it out


http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/leaked-ipod-video-picture

That's the worst pic I think I have ever seen. It reminds me of UFO and Bigfoot pictures. :P

[cgingrich]

here's the new pic for people who can't access the site

[Yvan256]

Cool. I think the dock cord looks kinda shabby. Either way, I can't wait til Tuesday.

Yeah it looks more like a power cord to me... Nothing like the small dock cables we're used to see from Apple.

[yg17]

I dont know if anyone has discussed.....WHY the colored bars. Perhaps this has more than just video playback? TV Tuner? Who knows....but a video of colored bars just seems unlikely

[mrgreen4242]

I'm not sure you're right. The casing around the plug looks too long (horizontally) compared to the picture.

Thanks for posting that pic... that was what I was trying to describe right above your post. :)

Also the idea that it's a QC test station is pretty credible. It would be very common to have "idiot tags" in that kind of situation.

[Proud Liberal]

i'm hoping that Apple will offer an 80 or 100GB 5G ipod for those of us who have very large collections, or for those who prefer to have WAV files instead of compressed files...

Just my 2 cents!


Yeah. I want the higher resolution color screen. Also, I make and watch a lot of short films. It would be fun and easy to carry them around this.

For me it's not really about the size of the hard drive when it comes to music. I've got about 8gigs of music on my current iPod, and that's more than enough.

[cgingrich]

That's the worst pic I think I have ever seen. It reminds me of UFO and Bigfoot pictures. :P

It is REALLY bad, haha and had this been the first pic to appear it would have been obvious. It's just weird that now there are 2 supposed pics.....hmmm something's brewin'

[kntgsp]

It's b you idiots, not an 8. Buy some glasses.

[thejadedmonkey]

Another picture....this one is DIFFERENT....check it out


http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/leaked-ipod-video-picture
Good find, but a few problems I have with it..
First, compare it to the size of the hand that is holding it. It looks to be about the size of my nano. 2nd, it looks like the pic was taken inside of a broom closet. Since it looks like the broom closet is becomming the new elevator, I pronounce this a real picture...of a nano sized touh screen ipod....yeah right....it looks real though.

P.S. this was posted 2 days ago.

[kntgsp]

Very much a fake. This is how they did it. They took a piece of glass, placed it on a slightly smaller piece of something, connected a Firewire/USB combo cable with that piece of tape, and placed it all on a white surface so that when the picture looked through the glass, it would see white on the other side (iPod white). The LCD might have been real, but it is probably from something the guy tore apart.

As for the B vs. 8 debate... It's totally an 8.


No, it's clearly a B. I have no idea if that means anything, but it's clearly a B. If you have bad eyesight all you have to do is zoom in once, and you can clearly tell that the left is a straight edge and the right side has a lower bump that protrudes farther out.

[cgingrich]

1. It's deffinately a B
2. Chinese says "this side" possible it's for a QC station to make things faster/less likely to get broken
3. Pic is VERY detailed (reflection, screen through label)
4. Deffinately some sort of ipod, not tablet or pda, although might have some pda functionality, (see second pic, it's held by 2 fingers so it's not a tablet)

My guess....A new TRUE video ipod with limited pda functionality....wireless/bluetooth capabilities would be amazing (connect bluetooth keyboard accessory for typing)

My hope....A new front row interface :)

[qzak]

Good find, but a few problems I have with it..
First, compare it to the size of the hand that is holding it. It looks to be about the size of my nano. 2nd, it looks like the pic was taken inside of a broom closet. Since it looks like the broom closet is becomming the new elevator, I pronounce this a real picture...of a nano sized touh screen ipod....yeah right....it looks real though.

you can see a hand in that picture?? all i see is black around it. i'm waiting desperatly for Apple Insider or Think Secret to post up a story confirming this!!

edit - oooh, i guess the bottom left thing is a thumb? it just looked like a shine of light coming from the side, lighting up the desk the ipod was on or something like that to me at first

[Peace]

I'm not sure you're right. The casing around the plug looks too long (horizontally) compared to the picture.


The "fake or not" pic shows the connector cable as being wider at the point of connection and slimmer at the point of the cable.The cable in the "fake or not" pic also shows TWO cables encased inside a clear plastic enclosure.

This "might" be real.If that cable does indeed have two cables coming from it one could be audio and the other video

[thejadedmonkey]

you can see a hand in that picture?? all i see is black around it. i'm waiting desperatly for Apple Insider or Think Secret to post up a story confirming this!!
Clink the link I quoted. It's a different picture.

EDIT: Here's the link for the lazy...
http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/leaked-ipod-video-picture

[Carl Spackler]

Someone made a joke in the thread following that other pic that this looks like a pocket mirror. I think it is a shower/anti-fog mirror. Most that I've seen recently seem to have that clear-ish border. I whole-heartedly believe that's what this is. The color palette/test screen thing has been Photoshopped on and many have already pointed out the plug as non-Apple. Probably taken from a DVD setup screen. That bar-code even looks hand drawn.

[rworne]

Can anyone here speak Japanese? Do they know what it says on the connector?

Probably, ha-ha you suckers!

Yes. It says: "This side"

[Super Dave]

Another thing I was think was about the semi-recent virtual wheel tablet looking patents Apple filed a while back. The line art drawings of the example device was about that size (8 or 9" diagonal screen)... let's see if I can find that pic...

Here they are: http://hrmpf.com/wordpress/48/new-apple-patents

The more I look at it, the more I think that's what this is.

If that's 8-9" then the cord is like 8 guage or something. Maybe s-video/audio/optical?*

David

*I didn't actually measure and calculate to figure out guage, but I'd say I'm about right.

[sartinsauce]

I dont know if anyone has discussed.....WHY the colored bars. Perhaps this has more than just video playback? TV Tuner? Who knows....but a video of colored bars just seems unlikely


That's a variation on a standard video test signal. The top is a tonal scale (displays contrast from black to white), the bottom is a color scale.

This pattern is absolutely something that would be run through the screen at the last stage of production (Quality Control), right before the item is packaged in a dandy spankin new Apple Video iPod box.

[rogueimage]

This just popped into my head. What if Apple redesigned the iPod OS to be basically Front Row?! Wouldn't having a black screen use less power than a white screen? Plus, it would be just as usable with a touch-screen click-wheel as with an Apple Remote.

While a black Front Row style interface (replete with reflections of album covers, etc.) would be pretty cool looking, it wouldn't save power. An LCD screen uses a powered backlight behind the LCD panels. When there is no power running to the pixels, they are transparent, and you see the white. When there is power running to them, they turn opaque, block the light, and give you black. So a primarily white interface theoretically uses less power, although probably not by much, as the main power drain is the backlight. (This is why it only turns on for a few seconds by default).

A black interface might also be difficult to read, especially at small size. Black text on white is generally more quickly read than white on black.

Edit: Alexander already mentioned this. :-/

[mrgreen4242]

If that's 8-9" then the cord is like 8 guage or something. Maybe s-video/audio/optical?*

David

*I didn't actually measure and calculate to figure out guage, but I'd say I'm about right.

Assuming that it is 8-9", and that the cord coming out of it is a double ended deal (say a power and a video out for a TV took up?) then each tail of the cable is maybe 1/3" wide? That seems about right for a good shielded video cable, and the power one could be also given extra shielding to keep interference with the video cable down... just a thought. Very tough to say... part of me would love a 5G iPod sized PDA/media player, another part an 8" mini tablet...

[al3000]

When is the apple event scheduled for?

[Peace]

Not sure if it means anything but the get info on the photo says this
:

eMac calibrated

One would think if it was an actual photo it would have something along the lines of Canon 10E or something.

[Stella]

If its fake, its really well done.

If its real, we should know pretty soon..!

[TMA]

I've made a few notes to illustrate some of the points made so far. Feel free to add to it, rip it to shreds, etc.

[berkleeboy210]

Windows Vista has DVD ripping? That's promising. DVD ripping in iTunes is key for this!

It sure is exciting in the rumor world again! :) Only a few more days...


iTunes 7 anyone?

[yg17]

Not sure if it means anything but the get info on the photo says this
:

eMac calibrated

One would think if it was an actual photo it would have something along the lines of Canon 10E or something.

Its obvious this photo wasn't taken with a high quality camera.

My guess, is if it's real (very likely) it was taken with something like a camera phone, sent over to en eMac, and compressed in photoshop or preview or something.

And wouldn't DVD ripping be illegal? I don't see MS or Apple implementing it.

[lars steenhoff]

the aspect ratio seems to be 16:10 just like the cinema displays.

here I have perspective corrected the photo, ( I could be off, but it seems about right)

[yg17]

the aspect ratio seems to be 16:10 just like the cinema displays.

here I have perspective corrected the photo, ( I could be off, but it seems about right)
Yeah, you seem to be correct. Just to show that better, I altered your image a bit

[Diatribe]

Its obvious this photo wasn't taken with a high quality camera.

My guess, is if it's real (very likely) it was taken with something like a camera phone, sent over to en eMac, and compressed in photoshop or preview or something.

And wouldn't DVD ripping be illegal? I don't see MS or Apple implementing it.

Not if iTunes could apply a DRM while ripping it. The only problem I see is that someone could just circumvent that DRM placement like DVDJon did with the iTunes DRM.

[hyperpasta]

There is hope. Anyone remember this?

http://guides.macrumors.com/Image:5G_ipod_leaked.jpg



Leaked hours before the presentation, and is obviously correct.

[mrgreen4242]

Its obvious this photo wasn't taken with a high quality camera.

My guess, is if it's real (very likely) it was taken with something like a camera phone, sent over to en eMac, and compressed in photoshop or preview or something.

And wouldn't DVD ripping be illegal? I don't see MS or Apple implementing it.

It would be without permission... according to Paul Thurrott, DVD ripping to a protected WMV file in Vista was "announced" just before a developers conference last year. Here's the link: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_editions.asp (it's listed under the Home Premium Edition a little ways down).

I assume that if MS can get permission than so can Apple...

Not if iTunes could apply a DRM while ripping it. The only problem I see is that someone could just circumvent that DRM placement like DVDJon did with the iTunes DRM.
The reapplication of DRM wouldn't effect the legality at all... they would have to have permission to decrypt it (from the content owner), and adding DRM to it after would HELP get that permission, I am sure... This is all in the US, land of the DCMA, at least.

[Diatribe]

Yeah, you seem to be correct. Just to show that better, I altered your image a bit

Wow. :eek:

Seriously this seems more probable every minute, especially with all the recent Apple patents. If this is a fake it has to be one of the best ever. If it's not I'll be buying one. :D

[thejadedmonkey]

Not if iTunes could apply a DRM while ripping it. The only problem I see is that someone could just circumvent that DRM placement like DVDJon did with the iTunes DRM.
iTunes adds DRM when you download off of iTunes, so there's no reason why it couldn't do the same for when you rip a DVD. Bring Handbrake to the masses!

[yg17]

Wow. :eek:

Seriously this seems more probable every minute, especially with all the recent Apple patents. If this is a fake it has to be one of the best ever. If it's not I'll be buying one. :D

Ditto. If it's fake, someone is damn good at photoshop and has too much time on their hands.

[Diatribe]

iTunes adds DRM when you download off of iTunes, so there's no reason why it couldn't do the same for when you rip a DVD. Bring Handbrake to the masses!

Yes, but there all also ways to circumvent that. So I am not sure the MPAA is all open arms about that. But it definitely is possible, especially with H.264

[TMA]

To Further support the widescreen aspect i've superimposed a proportionately scaled image on top of the screen and adjusted its opacity.

Its pretty damn close, the slight difference can be put down to the perspective adjust of the original image being ever so slightly out.

[tjwett]

does anyone know what the Japanese lettering says? sorry if i missed it.

[Diatribe]

Ditto. If it's fake, someone is damn good at photoshop and has too much time on their hands.

The thing is that if it's not... Apple will have themselves secured the MP3/video player market for ages, looking at all their patents regarding this design. If this is true it is game over for Creative/MS/Amazon/etc.

[Diatribe]

does anyone know what the Japanese lettering says? sorry if i missed it.

this side.

[MarcelV]

iTunes adds DRM when you download off of iTunes, so there's no reason why it couldn't do the same for when you rip a DVD. Bring Handbrake to the masses!

The question is how to prevent playing on an unlimited amount of PC's. Will it require to be registered against your iTunes account? Would make sense, but cumbersome. Especially knwing you can use Handbrake.

The thing is that if it's not... Apple will have themselves secured the MP3/video player market for ages, looking at all their patents regarding this design. If this is true it is game over for Creative/MS/Amazon/etc.
Unless it's a player for one of them, not Apple's. There is no reference to Apple in the picture. (Not discussing fake/no fake..)

[berkleeboy210]

The thing is that if it's not... Apple will have themselves secured the MP3/video player market for ages, looking at all their patents regarding this design. If this is true it is game over for Creative/MS/Amazon/etc.


I think we are due for this type of device. with the recent announcments with Amazon and all that, Apple needs to stay on top.

[thejadedmonkey]

Yes, but there all also ways to circumvent that. So I am not sure the MPAA is all open arms about that. But it definitely is possible, especially with H.264
True, but if the MPAA has any brains, they'd have seen what's happening with the RIAA when they try to stop the users from converting how they listen to music, and not make that same mistake. I give it a 70% chance of happening.

[yg17]

I yanked a picture of a 5G iPod with a dock connector plugged in off Apple's website and scaled it so the size of the dock connector on the 5G matched with the dock connector on this leak. Assuming they're both standard dock connectors, it looks like this is slightly bigger than the 5G

[mrgreen4242]

The thing is that if it's not... Apple will have themselves secured the MP3/video player market for ages, looking at all their patents regarding this design. If this is true it is game over for Creative/MS/Amazon/etc.

Well, they may end up using some of these patents for a cross-licensing deal with Creative to end their lawsuit against Apple for "stealing" the iPod interface. Even though their patent is ridiculously over broad and fairly obvious... either way, it will really help strengthen their lead in the field.

[Diatribe]

The question is how to prevent playing on an unlimited amount of PC's. Will it require to be registered against your iTunes account? Would make sense, but cumbersome. Especially knwing you can use Handbrake.

Or even easier, it would be registered just to your iTunes and iPod. iTunes can already see which iPod belongs to which iTunes. No need to create an account for that. Although Apple might do that to further push iTMS.

[mrgreen4242]

I yanked a picture of a 5G iPod with a dock connector plugged in off Apple's website and scaled it so the size of the dock connector on the 5G matched with the dock connector on this leak. Assuming they're both standard dock connectors, it looks like this is slightly bigger than the 5G

Looks like you need to make the 5G a bit larger... the connector on the mystery pic is still larger than the 5G on top of it. If they are both the same size then this new device is likely the same size as the 5G iPods.

[lars steenhoff]

does anyone know what the Japanese lettering says? sorry if i missed it.

quote from an engadget reader:
"those are chinese characters rotated onto their side. they say: this side (literally)."

[Diatribe]

True, but if the MPAA has any brains, they'd have seen what's happening with the RIAA when they try to stop the users from converting how they listen to music, and not make that same mistake. I give it a 70% chance of happening.

Yep, you're right, better have "some" protection against all-out copying than none at all.

[thejadedmonkey]

The question is how to prevent playing on an unlimited amount of PC's. Will it require to be registered against your iTunes account? Would make sense, but cumbersome. Especially knwing you can use Handbrake.
Most users are logged into iTunes anyway, so just add your user ID to the DRM, and viola, the MPAA would prefer it over Handbrake since it would LOCK OUT users who don't own the movie, and actually PREVENT file sharing in the long run.

Oh course there will be users who can circumvent it, but they're probably using handbrake already if they're that tech-knowledgable.

[sartinsauce]

Ditto. If it's fake, someone is damn good at photoshop and has too much time on their hands.


If this is a fake, it's probably not photoshopped. It's a mockup of some kind.

Part of me wants this to be a fake, just because we haven't seen a really good fake since the iHome in an elevator. The part of me that doesn't want this to be a fake has one hand on my credit card and the other hand loading Handbrake...

Not that I illegally copy DVDs, or even know how to illegally copy DVDs. I just need a hand on Handbrake because my heart is racing so fast I want to get off this ride.

[macjunkie82]

I'm surprised nobody's said anything about this yet, but what are the two black rounded lines in the bottom right corner covering up? :confused: I'm guessing that the other scribble is covering up the date imprint from the digital camera.

[TMA]

Whatever it is, it's proportionately slighty wider than a 5G iPod:

[TMA]

...but what are the two black rounded lines in the bottom right corner covering up?

They look like a wrist strap for a camera to me.

[sartinsauce]

They look like a wrist strap for a camera to me.


Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

That or an evil-jealous Creative or Archos two-bodied snake.:D

[macjunkie82]

They look like a wrist strap for a camera to me.

Oh, like the wrist strap got into the frame when the picture was taken. I suppose that might be. It does look less digital than the scribble over the date.

[thejadedmonkey]

Here's a quickie done in photoshop to show the size comparison of the universal dock to the "new" iPod.

It looks like it would _just_ fit...does anyone know how thick the base indent is, for comparison's sake?

[AlanAudio]

I have absolutely no doubt that the photograph is real, but it's not of an iPod.

The display is a standard colour bar and grey scale signal which is routinely used to test video monitors. A video iPod won't be able to digitise all by itself, just as an iPod can't load CDs without having a computer to do it.

Nobody would digitise such a trivially simple test signal to test a video iPod, they'd either use something that looked more cool ( like the Bono photo ) or they'd use a more complex test pattern which would reveal more information.

This is simply a photograph of a nice-looking LCD video screen. The connector is way too large to be an Apple one and it's probably carrying the power and video signal to this LCD screen. The Apple sticker has been put there to make it look like an Apple part, but as has been pointed out before, is from something else. All the more proof that it's a set-up.

I bet if somebody looks hard enough, somewhere on-line there will be the original picture and it won't have the heavy black squiggles in the lower right.

[dsharits]

Does the spot on the far left where the screen meets border look fishy to anybody else? I'm not really a photoshop guru, but it sure looks like the "screen test" was just pasted on. If that's the case, this could easily be a photoshopped 5G. Just speculation mind you, but it looks false to me.
I had that exact same impression when I first looked at it. My vote is that it's fake, but it could be close to the actual future of iPods. Almost the same way the "iMac G5" in the elevator was similar in some ways to the Mac mini, but it was also completely different.

[TMA]

I have absolutely no doubt that the photograph is real, but it's not of an iPod.

The display is a standard colour bar and grey scale signal which is routinely used to test video monitors. A video iPod won't be able to digitise all by itself, just as an iPod can't load CDs without having a computer to do it.

Nobody would digitise such a trivially simple test signal to test a video iPod, they'd either use something that looked more cool ( like the Bono photo ) or they'd use a more complex test pattern which would reveal more information.

This is simply a photograph of a nice-looking LCD video screen. The connector is way too large to be an Apple one and it's probably carrying the power and video signal to this LCD screen. The Apple sticker has been put there to make it look like an Apple part, but as has been pointed out before, is from something else. All the more proof that it's a set-up.

I bet if somebody looks hard enough, somewhere on-line there will be the original picture and it won't have the heavy black squiggles in the lower right.

Ok, find a me an Apple product with the code APPLE MB719Z/A. Who's to say that video test image is not just one of many images used to test that screen?

Even if it is some kind of LCD display for a different product entirely (even non Apple) - If that kind of test screen is being used, why not use it on an iPod screen also?

[Yvan256]

To Further support the widescreen aspect i've superimposed a proportionately scaled image on top of the screen and adjusted its opacity.

Its pretty damn close, the slight difference can be put down to the perspective adjust of the original image being ever so slightly out.

Aren't the Apple displays 16:10 instead of 16:9? I'm not saying that an iPod video couldn't be 16:10, just pointing that out so it could explain the slight difference.

[TMA]

Yeah the point in those pictures was to proof it fits with the theory that its 16:10.

[UKmac man]

there are some problems with this in my mind

1. the battary consumption will be rubbish.

2. it's not exactly fun, not unless this is a red herring, only to make way for a tablet mac.

3. i just got an iPod about a month ago (with no scratches :D ) and i don't want to have to shell out another £220 for a proper video player...

4. who is this for? people who want to watch video on an iPod which plays in widescreen, not to mention a bigger screen. probibly has a bigger hard disk (40 to 80 GB) and a touch sensitive screen which could make the video thing double up as a PDA??

(wonders when it will be avalible in the UK)

_______________
Pink Floyd Rocks!

[lars steenhoff]

I have absolutely no doubt that the photograph is real, but it's not of an iPod.

The display is a standard colour bar and grey scale signal which is routinely used to test video monitors. A video iPod won't be able to digitise all by itself, just as an iPod can't load CDs without having a computer to do it.

Nobody would digitise such a trivially simple test signal to test a video iPod, they'd either use something that looked more cool ( like the Bono photo ) or they'd use a more complex test pattern which would reveal more information.

This is simply a photograph of a nice-looking LCD video screen. The connector is way too large to be an Apple one and it's probably carrying the power and video signal to this LCD screen. The Apple sticker has been put there to make it look like an Apple part, but as has been pointed out before, is from something else. All the more proof that it's a set-up.

I bet if somebody looks hard enough, somewhere on-line there will be the original picture and it won't have the heavy black squiggles in the lower right.


It could be an image from the video ipod's built in service menu, just to see if the brightness and the collors are correct.
It surely would be strange to see Bono pop up in a service menu.

[sartinsauce]

It surely would be strange to see Bono pop up in a service menu.


Yeah, like he doesn't pop up enough already. Maybe an image of SJ, smiling in a black turtleneck. You know, like the Kodak Girl test/calibration image.

Speaking of which, does anyone have a high quality digital Kodak Girl? Kodak won't give or sell me one.

[iShane]

Looks pretty legit to me. But what's with the screen? I couldn't wait until Tuesday before but now...wow.

[UKmac man]

It would be cool if it had a Front row like interface, wouldn't it?

[Balli]

I think this photo is real, but I have a few questions.

1. What do we expect the capacity of this thing to be? (Especially if the rumours of ripping DVDs is true).

2. What will the battery life be, with a large, bright screen like that?

3. Are there any rumours of Apple embedding PDA like functionality to this thing?

[gekko513]

I'll throw this into the pot... When I first saw this, I went for a hunt through our mainframe ordering system for Apple orders. We've got no iPod orders confirmed from Apple for the future which given I work for a company that sell a lot of iPods is surprising.

Also surprising is the number of 60GB iPods that are 'outstanding' on the most recent two invoices. They are the slower sellers by a mail of all the iPods and I wonder whether perhaps this 'new' video iPod might replace the 60G one - since you 'need' more space for videos than music. Thus allowing them to increase prices for the 60GB while keeping the 30GB music/basic video at the 'market' level.
Interesting. It makes sense to me to not drop the current iPod entirely since, if this is true, I can't image they're able to get the price down to $299 for a low capacity version.

[mrgreen4242]

there are some problems with this in my mind

1. the battary consumption will be rubbish.

2. it's not exactly fun, not unless this is a red herring, only to make way for a tablet mac.



Battery life could be OK. Intels XScale chips are decent on power, and it could be larger than an iPod, meaning more room for battery... to be useful I think it'd need to get 4 hours of life, which is possible, I'd say.

It COULD be fun, with the right software. Aside from movie, photo slideshows, etc that we already have in iPods, I was thinking:

1) Built in speaker for a more 'group' experience
2) "Fun" photobooth style editing software
3) Digicam (not a great one, but something that is decent, like a good cellphone cam)
4) Touch screen interfaced games... like Snood, etc. Start selling them through iTunes
5) WiFi for iChat, etc.

[Daveway]

I'm 99% sure this is the real thing. Its so Apple with the polycarbonate-double injected plastics, etc.

All we need is one more pic. They're all going to come from oversees just like the 5G.

[AlanAudio]

If that kind of test screen is being used, why not use it on an iPod screen also?

It could be an image from the video ipod's built in service menu, just to see if the brightness and the collors are correct.
It surely would be strange to see Bono pop up in a service menu.

A video iPod displays a digital signal, it won't be fed with a video feed. A digital signal needs to be compressed on a computer, so the image would most likely be generated on a computer. It's quite absurd to imagine that they'd try to replicate a standard analogue test signal, when they could actually create a more meaningful image for less effort.

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch. If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front.

It's just a video screen faked up to look like it might be a video iPod.

I would suggest that some of you are gullible, but it's unfair on those with a limited vocabulary as they can't look it up, due to the anomaly where the word 'gullible' was accidentally deleted from all major on-line dictionaries several years ago.

[Diatribe]

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch.

The 5G iPod for example... :p


If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front.

Name me one iPod that does... :p

[powerbook911]

I think there is a good possibility this is real. Even if it isn't, this is essentially what the next iPod will probably look like.

However, I think its too early for Apple to release a new iPod. I mean, good grief, the iPod with Video playback has only been out a few months. I think a later spring, or even late summer/fall release, for a completely new player would make more sense.

I mean, if this comes out now, what will be the new hot item, this fall?

[UKmac man]

here's a mock up of it with front row quick in photoshop

41599

obviouly without the DVD bit, unless it is a tablet mac thingy, then it would be there, maybe...

[yg17]

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch.

http://guides.macrumors.com/Gallery_of_Apple_Leaks_and_Prototypes

5G iPod, 4G iPod, Quicksilver G4, iMac G4, G4 Cubs, iMac G3.

If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front.

The current iPods don't have the Apple name or logo on the front. Hell, neither does my PMG5, and if you really want another example, the only place you'll find Apple's name or logo on my Apple Keyboard (not counting the Apple keys) is the bottom.

[Diatribe]

I think there is a good possibility this is real. Even if it isn't, this is essentially what the next iPod will probably look like.

However, I think its too early for Apple to release a new iPod. I mean, good grief, the iPod with Video playback has only been out a few months. I think a later spring, or even late summer/fall release, for a completely new player would make more sense.

I mean, if this comes out now, what will be the new hot item, this fall?

Think about it, it is the same thing Apple did with the iPod photo before it became the standard. Replace the top iPod with that and in 4-5 months the entire line.

[Boardslippy]

I'm new to these forums, but i've been following Apple for the last 5 years or so, the more i read about the new patents connected with this new 'video ipod' and others mentioning touch screens etc they all show OSX, the new Video iPod would have to be pretty high spec for people to go for it after such a short time of announcing the 5G iPods, so maybe this handheld device is more than an ipod maybe a mac in your pocket, cross between the rumored tablet mac and an iPod, just imagine... PSP killer, microsoft handheld killer, i dunno i just feel that the iPod needs a replacement something that pushes things forward again the same way the iPod did. Just wondered what people thought?

[mrgreen4242]

A video iPod displays a digital signal, it won't be fed with a video feed. A digital signal needs to be compressed on a computer, so the image would most likely be generated on a computer. It's quite absurd to imagine that they'd try to replicate a standard analogue test signal, when they could actually create a more meaningful image for less effort.

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch. If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front.

It's just a video screen faked up to look like it might be a video iPod.

I would suggest that some of you are gullible, but it's unfair on those with a limited vocabulary as they can't look it up, due to the anomaly where the word 'gullible' was accidentally deleted from all major on-line dictionaries several years ago.

Kind of an ass, aren't you? Ok, well, let's start with the 5G iPod photo leak. There's one accurate unofficial pre-production photo for you.

And let's look at EVERY SINGLE iPod ever made. None of them have the Apple logo or name on the front.

If you're going to be an condescending jerk at least have SOME clue what you are talking about.

[-M7-]

what I find interesting is, that the surrounding case looks to be higher than the screen. (from the vertical perspective of the lower right corner the distance to the screen is smaller than in the lower left corner, which has a wider angle from the 90 degree angle when watched from the top) Maybe to get a better grip on the edges?

Seems so real!

[sartinsauce]

I really want this to be real, as much or more than I wanted the tablet rumors to be true before the "...One more thing" event.

However, it's a little fishy that this showed up just as the speculation about next week's event was winding down.

[R.Youden]

If this is real (which I believe it is) then I dont think it will replace the iPod out at the moment. What we have at the moment is a device capable of playing video, but its main feature is still music. I can see this being very much more orientated towards video. If this has front row enabled then it would be a killer but I think it is unlikely as people claim that front row was 'sluggish' on an iMac G5 so what will it do on an iPod?

I think this could be part of a grand master plan by Apple to take over the whole Digital world. We shall see...

[jouster]

The thing is that if it's not... Apple will have themselves secured the MP3/video player market for ages, looking at all their patents regarding this design. If this is true it is game over for Creative/MS/Amazon/etc.

Since Creative and others have video players shipping right now, and have had for quite some time, I'd say their prior art is pretty well established. If you think that those patents will somehow prevent them from selling such products and permit only Apple to do so, you couldn't be more wrong.

[lorien]

Good find, but a few problems I have with it..
First, compare it to the size of the hand that is holding it. It looks to be about the size of my nano. 2nd, it looks like the pic was taken inside of a broom closet. Since it looks like the broom closet is becomming the new elevator, I pronounce this a real picture...of a nano sized touh screen ipod....yeah right....it looks real though.

P.S. this was posted 2 days ago.

I agree, look at this comparison where both hands are in a similar position

[TMA]

...It's quite absurd to imagine that they'd try to replicate a standard analogue test signal, when they could actually create a more meaningful image for less effort....


What on earth are you talking about? What better way to test a display than using a series of bright and contrasting colours!? And even if there are other ways who's to say that this device we're talking about doesn't have 150 different tests already built into its memory. They're just images.

The rest of your post makes little sense to be honest.

[jouster]

I have absolutely no doubt that the photograph is real, but it's not of an iPod.

++

[Diatribe]

Since Creative and others have video players shipping right now, and have had for quite some time, I'd say their prior art is pretty well established. If you think that those patents will somehow prevent them from selling such products and permit only Apple to do so, you couldn't be more wrong.

Never said anything about video players being patented. I was referring to the touch screen display used on this device, which they'll not be able to copy and which, just as the scroll wheel, will be a determining factor in it's success.

[MacFan782040]

If it's real, that would be cool. BUT I don't think this should replace the 5G iPod with Video. That's silly... It would eat up so much battery life, get scratched up, and you can't change a song or volume from "feeling" the clickwheel with your fingers.

If this is a new product, like a WI-FI mac tablet new Newton thinger, then bring it on. But don't call it an iPod.

[Diatribe]

++

If you cannot be bothered to write in whole sentences please don't bother to post at all.

[lars steenhoff]

Collecting the evidence so far, it seems even the wrapping paper in the background is the same material.

[sartinsauce]

A video iPod displays a digital signal, it won't be fed with a video feed. A digital signal needs to be compressed on a computer, so the image would most likely be generated on a computer. It's quite absurd to imagine that they'd try to replicate a standard analogue test signal, when they could actually create a more meaningful image for less effort.


Do you work in Video? It doesn't seem like you know what you're talking about. I'm no expert, but that signal is very similar to one of the signals I use to calibrate my monitors here at work. It's a digital signal transmitted into a device with a digital video input (HD SDI, SDI, or whatever firewire thing the iPod uses).

The digital signal only need to be compressed if it is being recorded for playback. If it is simply being fed into the screen for QC or calibration it can be uncompressed.

[jouster]

Never said anything about video players being patented. I was referring to the touch screen display used on this device, which they'll not be able to copy and which, just as the scroll wheel, will be a determining factor in it's success.

If Apple succeeds with a device like this that uses a touchscreen, there will be similar devices on the market within a few weeks or months. They'll have a very slight difference so that it's hard to prove (even though everyone will know) that they are direct copies.

If you just mean touch screens in general, then I think that iRiver (not to mention the entire PDA industry) have done that already in their MP3/video player.

Anyway. Back to our regularly scheduled elevator product discussion.

[AlanAudio]

The rest of your post makes little sense to be honest.

Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer ……
All lies and jest, still the man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest, hmmmm


Some of you guys want to believe it so much that you won't see what's really there.

Still, only a few more days to go and then we will see for sure.

[jouster]

If you cannot be bothered to write in whole sentences please don't bother to post at all.

Thanks. I'll be sure to run my posts by you from now on.



:rolleyes:

[Diatribe]

If Apple succeeds with a device like this that uses a touchscreen, there will be similar devices on the market within a few weeks or months. They'll have a very slight difference so that it's hard to prove (even though everyone will know) that they are direct copies.

If you just mean touch screens in general, then I think that iRiver (not to mention the entire PDA industry) have done that already in their MP3/video player.

Anyway. Back to our regularly scheduled elevator product discussion.

I was referring to the actual patents Apple have filed, which you obviously haven't read, which makes their discussion kind of pointless...

[Diatribe]

Thanks. I'll be sure to run my posts by you from now on.



:rolleyes:

Seriously you don't have to be a smartass about that. It's just not very nice making one worded comments or writing no words at all in an official, huge thread. Just doesn't add any information and makes it hard to wade through everything. I was just trying to convey that concept to you. ;)

[sartinsauce]

Does the spot on the far left where the screen meets border look fishy to anybody else?


I saw that spot too. What if the object is wrapped in protective plastic? That defect we're seeing is a fold or wrinkle in the plasticwrap. That would explain why it's okay to put a sticker on the screen. After all, my iPod came encased in Carbonite....er, I mean plasticwrap.

[jouster]

I was referring to the actual patents Apple have filed, which you obviously haven't read, which makes their discussion kind of pointless...

I'm well aware of the patents in question.

My point is that they will be copied - not exactly, but closely - if they succeed. We've seen this several times now with audio iPods - the latest Creative for example - and we'll see it again. Sure, there won't be any virtual click wheels appearing in other, competing players. But there'll be something similar.

Seriously you don't have to be a smartass about that. It's just not very nice making one worded comments or writing no words at all in an official, huge thread. Just doesn't add any information and makes it hard to wade through everything. I was just trying to convey that concept to you....

Okay, let's not fight though It wasn't any more smartass than your 'if you can't write complete sentences etc...' post. I used the '++' because I'm at work so shouldn't really be posting right now, and because it neatly summarized my agreement with the comment I quoted.

;-)


edit: the second part added

[Yvan256]

[...] If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front. [...]

So, I guess that the chances of Apple releasing an iPod (all gens), iPod mini, iPod shuffle, iPod nano and Mac mini are pretty low, then.

None of these products have either the Apple logo or the product name on the front (the Mac mini has the Apple logo on top, not in front, and the iPods have the logo on the back).

[Boardslippy]

I still think its more than a video player, on that patent page it shows a similar device with a full screen of itunes like it was a maximised window, other patents show a full keyboard on screen again on a siimilar device, i mean they run Linux on a GP2X so why not apple on their own?

[Diatribe]

I'm well aware of the patents in question.

My point is that they will be copied - not exactly, but closely - if they succeed. We've seen this several times now with audio iPods - the latest Creative for example - and we'll see it again. Sure, there won't be any virtual click wheels appearing in other, competing players. But there'll be something similar.

Yeah, you're right, but similar hasn't quite gained them any marketshare now has it? :D

[TMA]

Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer ……
All lies and jest, still the man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest, hmmmm

I don't believe that's the case.

You could display any image or video you liked on that screen (obviously limited to resolution), or any other LCD screen, correct?

[Boardslippy]

True but no one new what a success the iPod was going to be and still is, just imagine a mac in your pocket! im not saying full on OSX but a trimmed down portable version like the Media centre XP portable OS... so many things you could do with it

[Boardslippy]

people could write games for it with on screen joypads etc like they did with PDAs, my imaginations running away but i think it would make sense to produce something over the iPod that gives people a reason to buy it, its almost testing the water for a tablet or something

[Yvan256]

I don't believe that's the case.

You could display any image or video you liked on that screen (obviously limited to resolution), or any other LCD screen, correct?

Especially if it can record.

[pdpfilms]

I agree that this has not been photoshopped. Way too difficult, with the opacity of the sticker, light anomolies near the edges, among other things.

But let's think about the product some more.

It appears to have no hard interface... no buttons on the front, and I could not see apple throwing them on the back. That leads us to believe it has a touch screen interface, right? Well, it also appears to have the same polycarbonate covering that we have on our 5Gs. About a 2mm clear plastic layer, I'd say. Every touch screen I've ever seen does not have this covering. I'm almost positive it would interfere with the interface, inhibiting the "sensing" of touch.

Now we have seen all these new patent applications emerging... and it seems that genius from NYU was able to produce a touch screen that could work with a plastic layer such as this...but it requires a rear projector and camera. Maybe the patent application we saw a while back referring to LCDs that could simultaneously display and detect images? I could see this implimented to "see" the dark areas where your fingers were touching the screen, but I thought that technology was a ways off.

How do you think one might interface with it?

[Diatribe]

Okay, let's not fight though It wasn't any more smartass than your 'if you can't write complete sentences etc...' post. I used the '++' because I'm at work so shouldn't really be posting right now, and because it neatly summarized my agreement with the comment I quoted.

;-)


edit: the second part added

Fair enough. :)

[jouster]

Yeah, you're right, but similar hasn't quite gained them any marketshare now has it? :D

True, not in the US. I believe that in the rest of the world, particularly parts of Asia, they have made some gains against the iPod.

This cuts to the heart of the question: Apple has stated before that they don't think PDAs or Tablets are a good idea. And devices by other companies like this mockup or fake or whatever it is don't seem to have set the world on fire. I mean, how many Archos movie players do you see around?

But overall, the evidence of the recent patents just seems too compelling to ignore.

I personally don't think the photo is an Apple product - the screen ratio means nothing imho as there are already many devices with that ratio. And let's face it, anytime Apple has an upcoming announcement it's open season for fakers and photochoppers.


However, I should note for the record that if I'm wrong and it's real, I'll be first in line at the store.

[Yvan256]

True but no one new what a success the iPod was going to be and still is, just imagine a mac in your pocket! im not saying full on OSX but a trimmed down portable version like the Media centre XP portable OS... so many things you could do with it

A trimmed-down, distinct OS version is the failure of the PDAs. It requires a different version of software than the ones available for the "big" platform (ex: Windows XP, Windows CE). I'm hoping Apple won't repeat that mistake, because it doubles the time required to write software (iTunes for OS X, iTunes for "OS X Lite").

Yes, I'm asking for the full version of OS X on a PDA. But this is 2006, not 1996. And OS X doesn't require a G5 or a Core Duo to run either. I don't think people would expect to use Final Cut Pro on such a device (even if it would run, albeit slowly).

[TMA]

Especially if it can record.

My point was directed at AlanAudio, who doesn't seem to believe it's possible or efficient to display test images like this on this devices screen.

[Diatribe]

True, not in the US. I believe that in the rest of the world, particularly parts of Asia, they have made some gains against the iPod.

This cuts to the heart of the question: Apple has stated before that they don't think PDAs or Tablets are a good idea. And devices by other companies like this mockup or fake or whatever it is don't seem to have set the world on fire. I mean, how many Archos movie players do you see around?

But overall, the evidence of the recent patents just seems too compelling to ignore.

I personally don't think the photo is an Apple product - the screen ratio menas nothing imho as there are already many devices with that ratio. And let's face it, anytime Apple has an upcoming announcement it's open eason for fakers and photochoppers.


However, I should note for the record that if I'm wrong and it's real, I'll be first in line at the store.

You know, how many people bought MP3 players (and there were quite some) before Apple came out with the iPod? It is all about the interface and the looks. If they can really pull this thing off like it looks, I'll definitely be right behind you in that line.

[Boardslippy]

i think it would be a standard touch screen, but like you said the tech involved would have to be very compact but then again no one expected the nano, im sure its gonna be something more than we expect theres just been too many patents and stuff pointing towards a user device rather than just a video player, also apples support for Video is likely to be quite limited (to their codecs) i find it strange they would produce such a device which would be so crippled by their own legalities so why no make it more, if it is im certainly gonna buy one, its the sort of thing ive wanted for ages

[ChrisH3677]

I reckon fake but the real thing will probably look just like this anyway so how will we ever know?

There appears to be a ridge around the screen - but the sticker seems to pass clean throuh it. The sticker just isn't stitting right.

I'm also concerned, that you can't see the front side of the unit - is it really that thin? The shadow doesn't suggest so. Especially given that the metallic sides are clealrly visible on the other three sides...


Anyway, we'll probably never know.

[Boardslippy]

Steve Jobs also said 2 weeks before releasing the new ipod, that hed never release a video capable ipod?

[Diatribe]

Steve Jobs also said 2 weeks before releasing the new ipod, that hed never release a video capable ipod?

As you said, good ol' Stevie said a lot of things... :rolleyes:

[Yvan256]

Steve Jobs also said 2 weeks before releasing the new ipod, that hed never release a video capable ipod?

All Apple has to do is call that new device something else than "iPod".

As someone mentionned earlier in the thread, "Mac mobile" has a nice ring to it.

[Applespider]

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch.

Alarmingly, when we see accurate unofficial pictures, no-one seems to be very happy and calls them fakes accordingly. The 5G iPod was said to be a fake because it wasn't different enough and who'd want to watch video on so small a screen. The Dashboard pictures (before WWDC in 2004) were declared definitely fake since the orange calculator and red calendar were shouted down as so ugly that Apple couldn't have designed them. They were both exactly as the real thing showed up a few days later.

So since everyone seems to like this without much criticism of the concept, it's bound to be fake!

[Boardslippy]

ANyone gone through all those patents, see how many images suit this 'fake' design, some ones already mention the plastic forming, i agree its just to right to be wrong theres no doubt after a few lame announcements its time to start off the year with something big

[mazola]

baby!

[Boardslippy]

mmmmm osx in your pocket... obviously the size if off cause it was based for a tablet, but just maybe

[rikers_mailbox]

MacPod

wow... that actually has a nice ring to it. And what a way to extend the iPod 'halo' to the Mac!!

[lorien]

Collecting the evidence so far, it seems even the wrapping paper in the background is the same material.

Interesting point about the wrapping paper!
But how come everyone is ignoring the other pic? They're clearly the same thing, except that the "broom cupboard pic" has fingers for scale :confused:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41576&d=1140724586http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41574&d=1140723723

[Phobophobia]

Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer ……
All lies and jest, still the man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest, hmmmm


Some of you guys want to believe it so much that you won't see what's really there.

Still, only a few more days to go and then we will see for sure.

You're personifying exactly what you're trying to communicate with that lyric.

There have been several times where we've gotten accurate leaked photos. You fail to realize that one of the main reasons leaked photos are released so close to product releases is due to the fact that Steve delays product manufacturing for as long as possible in order to keep the product secret from competitors.

[milo]

My point was directed at AlanAudio, who doesn't seem to believe it's possible or efficient to display test images like this on this devices screen.

Possible? I think he was saying that there just isn't much reason to use this particular test signal on a computer monitor. I tend to agree with this. This signal is one used for plain old television, I've never seen it used for computer monitor calibration.

But most of all, those color bars aren't even right. The color bars are a STANDARD image used for calibration. The colors are specifically selected for technical reasons and are always the same, so that they may be used for calibration.

The layout of the bars doesn't match any standard set of bars, the number of colors isn't right, and the colors are way off from how they're supposed to look. For example, the blue on the right is supposed to be dark blue, instead it's almost the same as the light blue on the left. Why would Apple use a corrupted version of a standard calibration image? Can anyone find this "test image" anywhere online? My guess is it's something someone pasted together instead of using the real color bars.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_bars

[BritinNC]

Interesting point about the wrapping paper!
But how come everyone is ignoring the other pic? They're clearly the same thing, except that the "broom cupboard pic" has fingers for scale :confused:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41576&d=1140724586http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41574&d=1140723723

I actually don't believe they are the same. The aspect ratio looks different to me, but there are more experts here who could probably confirm.

I still can't get over the fact that it seems to look like the 5G in size and with a bigger display then the battery life will suck, it just can't of improved that much since October and if this is truely the iPod video with music capability then 2 hours (or less with the bigger display) is just not going to cut it.

I personally am not excited by an iPod video, I still prefer the concept of a MacPod with video capability, but I think that would require a stylus and I'm not sure where it would be housed in this model. I'm going with fake, put out by Apple to put us off the scent.

Who knows!!

[Peace]

If the photo is real I think I know the reference to iCal..

Where do you see iCal??

In the "Dock"

If it's truly a touchscreen the dock will have the following icons :

iTunes
iPhoto
iVideo
iCal ( to schedule dates for movie,video and music releases from the new iMovie/iTunes )
And the actual "Dock" icon.Used to connect it to the new MacMini Media Center.

[Super Dave]

Possible? I think he was saying that there just isn't much reason to use this particular test signal on a computer monitor. I tend to agree with this. This signal is one used for plain old television, I've never seen it used for computer monitor calibration.

But most of all, those color bars aren't even right. The color bars are a STANDARD image used for calibration. The colors are specifically selected for technical reasons and are always the same, so that they may be used for calibration.

The layout of the bars doesn't match any standard set of bars, the number of colors isn't right, and the colors are way off from how they're supposed to look. For example, the blue on the right is supposed to be dark blue, instead it's almost the same as the light blue on the left. Why would Apple use a corrupted version of a standard calibration image? Can anyone find this "test image" anywhere online? My guess is it's something someone pasted together instead of using the real color bars.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_bars

Ok, I may be stupid, but couldn't the bars be wrong because it's in TESTING and not actually calibrated properly? I mean there must be a reason people calibrate and it's not because the colours look right.

And why would the make up fake bars when they could just copy your wiki image?

If we're going to start a vote, I vote real.

David:cool:

[ke2000]

it looks like the previous ipod picture, have chinese charastor[someone correct my spelling] on it. Maybe quite a few of assemble workers in PRC have seem and assembled it. Funny.

[AJ Muni]

Can some1 please post the picture here... I cant see the pics here at work

Edit: oops sorry I'm an idiot some1 posted the pics above

[schatten]

You can tell this is a fake; it wasn't taken from within elevator and it's not BLURRY enough!

;)

[mackensteff]

Here is the link to the real one!!

http://cache.gizmodo.com/archives/images/iPod_5G.jpg
;)

[ke2000]

yea, we going go get a full screen ipod video, i want one.

[nubrandon]

Darn I just bought a video ipod a month ago. Now I gotta flip it. Oh Mr. Jobs thank you for keeping us on the bleeding edge of technology. Now how about some media center photos..

[iMeowbot]

It's too bad that the bar code isn't a little larger. It's too small to scan, and eyeballing codes for the most likely candidate (code 128) leaves it ambiguous. The bars for the "B" and "8" possibilities look just about the same at that resolution :(

[ijimk]

Just curious if it is real, what do you think apple witll do about finger print oil left on the screen after you select what movie you will watch? will it be like a PDA or DS and use a pen? or have they devolped some kind of plastic coating thats is different from current ipods? :confused:

[TMA]

Possible? I think he was saying that there just isn't much reason to use this particular test signal on a computer monitor. I tend to agree with this. This signal is one used for plain old television, I've never seen it used for computer monitor calibration.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_bars

The way I understood AlanAudio's comments was that it would somehow be difficult or a waste of resources to product a test image like this for this use. I am questioning...

a) Why would it be difficult to create and display this image on an LCD display - surely you can display pretty much any image you like on any LCD screen?

b) Inefficient - greyscale, black to white bars, I have seen used on mobile phones and pda's as a good measure for contrast and brightness. The colour bars do seem unusually bright, but perhaps this test scheme is devised as purely a brightness test (perhaps for outdoor conditions?) and by using bright colours a better idea for its outdoor or low light performance could be achieved. I'm not a colour expert, but it doesn't seem to me that this image was meant to test accurate colour representation, which leads me to...

c) This could be 1 image of many used for test purposes. The next slide could have been the one illustrated on wikipedia that you linked to.

d) Given all of this, why AlanAudio claims that a photo of U2's Bono (ROFL!) would have ultimately and deffinately been a better test! A better test of what exactly?

[ijimk]

Here is the link to the real one!!

http://cache.gizmodo.com/archives/images/iPod_5G.jpg
;)

if that is real damn i want one lol:D

[Modrak]

It's not the same. Past is plain paper and this one is that wrappy stuff PowerBooks and iBook come in....

[Modrak]

Notice that the tablet patent is still for iTunes 5 classic interface and Panther (by the Apple in the corner and no spotlight)

[Yvan256]

MacPod Pro, baby!

Well, drop the "Pro"...

"MacPod".... makes sense if it runs OS X and is the size of an iPod...

Name sounds a bit weird but it is descriptive...

[Yvan256]

[...]But most of all, those color bars aren't even right. The color bars are a STANDARD image used for calibration. The colors are specifically selected for technical reasons and are always the same, so that they may be used for calibration.[...]

Well, LCDs do distort colors when viewed at an angle, the camera may shift colors depending on the mode, lighting, etc. There can be more color-shifting added while importing into a computer and then re-saved as a resampled JPEG.

After all that, how could the colors be right?

[direzz]

stop thinking its a tablet.
consider that if it were a tablet the power cord input would not be THAT huge.
seriously lol. like its so funny people are comparing it to the apple displays and such.

if it were a display apple would most likely put the power cable towards a corner area, as the battery would be located towards the end not the center.

this cable is going to the center because it is some type of connector.

bottome line, the connector is too big and occupying too much space for it to be a tablet.

90% sure its an vpod

[berkleeboy210]

if that is real damn i want one lol:D

Count me in for one of those as well....

Have we found yet if Steve Jobs is giving some sort of mini keynote with this event?

[nomad01]

Software uses the format: APPLE MA123Z/A. For example, iLife 06' Family Pack is APPLE MA167Z/A.

Couple of comments... looking at a 1GB iPod nano box and the model number is MA350FB/A so I guess this starting MB isn't impossible.

Also, maybe the odd looking cable is just something used in production. It would be easier (and more convincing to the majority) to fake a photo with a regular iPod dock connector.

Having said that, something about this isn't sitting well with me. It's very convincing but I just don't quite buy it.

[macjunkie82]

stop thinking its a tablet.
consider that if it were a tablet the power cord input would not be THAT huge.
seriously lol. like its so funny people are comparing it to the apple displays and such.

if it were a display apple would most likely put the power cable towards a corner area, as the battery would be located towards the end not the center.

this cable is going to the center because it is some type of connector.

bottome line, the connector is too big and occupying too much space for it to be a tablet.

90% sure its an vpod

People were comparing it to a display to make the point that it has the same aspect ratio as an apple display. And I don't think most people think this is a tablet, but it could be an true video iPod that does other things also in a more PDA type fashion.

[mazola]

Having said that, something about this isn't sitting well with me. It's very convincing but I just don't quite buy it.

The only reason I don't buy it is because it's not for sale.

Yet.

[phonic pol]

What a load of bollocks! I've spent a fair amount of my career to date in product design consultancy and I've never seen such a crap example of a pre-production model. The corner radiuses are completely wrong and definately nothing to do with Apple! Complete ****!

[Yvan256]

[...]Having said that, something about this isn't sitting well with me. It's very convincing but I just don't quite buy it.

Nope. You'll have to wait until tuesday to buy it. ;)

[SPG]

stop thinking its a tablet.
consider that if it were a tablet the power cord input would not be THAT huge.
seriously lol. like its so funny people are comparing it to the apple displays and such.

if it were a display apple would most likely put the power cable towards a corner area, as the battery would be located towards the end not the center.

this cable is going to the center because it is some type of connector.

bottome line, the connector is too big and occupying too much space for it to be a tablet.

90% sure its an vpod

You may be right, but don't discount automatically the type/shape/size/position of any kind of connector on what's supposed to be a prototype photo. You should see the bundles of wires that get hooked up while engineering something that turns into one very nice thin cable when it comes time for production.
I don't really have any insight on this photo, but I have seen the difference between development and production enough times to know that you can't always judge the final product on some of these details.

[Kingsly]

If its a fake then I want to know who photoshopped it so I can hire them to touch up some photos for me!
*posts 5G iPod on craigslist*

[direzz]

What a load of bollocks! I've spent a fair amount of my career to date in product design consultancy and I've never seen such a crap example of a pre-production model. The corner radiuses are completely wrong and definately nothing to do with Apple! Complete ****!


i highly doubt that :rolleyes:

[danielwsmithee]

This seams to be ligit to me. It reminds me too much of the pictures from the last Video iPod release. I guess we will find out on tuesday!

[Bob Knob]

A video iPod displays a digital signal, it won't be fed with a video feed. A digital signal needs to be compressed on a computer, so the image would most likely be generated on a computer. It's quite absurd to imagine that they'd try to replicate a standard analogue test signal, when they could actually create a more meaningful image for less effort.

I hate to burst your bubble, but those test bars are the industry standard for every type of video display, and at several points in manufacturing displays test bars are displayed... even on Plasma TVs. Furthermore you don't need to digitize the test pattern, even the original iPods had plenty of CPU power to generate bars on the fly. Almost all prosumer and higher video cameras generate bars internally.
I see your screen name is AlanAudio... you might want to stick with audio because you are clueless when it comes to video.

As others have speculated, I think the split cable is USB and A/V. It would be common during manufacturing to run a connection test like what this image seems to be showing. And labeling a cable in "plain English" as to its orientation for connection is common as well.

Like all of us, I have no idea if this is real.

[nagromme]

My gut says... real! There are reasons to be suspicious, but there are also reasons to think it's real. And there is no PROOF either way, not that I've seen in reading this thread.

But if it's real, I don't think it's the magic do-everything device people are working themselves up over. I would not be at ALL surprised to see it have the SAME functionality as the 5G iPod... just a bigger screen and touchwheel. (Annoying loss of tactilve feedback, but cool at the same time!) Which is enough for me to want one :)


It's too bad that the bar code isn't a little larger. It's too small to scan, and eyeballing codes for the most likely candidate (code 128) leaves it ambiguous. The bars for the "B" and "8" possibilities look just about the same at that resolution :(
Could someone here generate a barcode with that whole serial number, just to see if it's a general match for the one in the sticker? (Just to play :) I don't think it proves anything: if it's a fake, the sticker probably still came from something.)

[josephmjacoby]

if you haven't realized that this is fake.... get glasses. look at the white frame .... notice how some one tried to manipulate an image of an lcd screen to fit just within the outline of an ipod. totally a crappy fake.

take off the rose-colored glasses.

worst photoshop job i have seen in a while.


please try again

[200paul]

Ever look inside a Mighty Mouse and how it senses your fingers through the plastic. I bet they put that stuff in or behind the screen. Even with a case i bet it will work. Also you know this will have a magic keyboard thing that turns the screen into a qwerty so you can SEARCH your files finally and possibly do some small time PDA stuff. Probably a gateway to then turning into a wireless communicator.

[phonic pol]

i highly doubt that :rolleyes:
You highly doubt what?

[StealthRider]

I say fake as well, and here's why:

-As previously mentioned, it looks like there's a ridge around the screen which the sticker doesn't follow.

-They could have very easily faked the sticker, or even pulled it off an old version of Jaguar Server they had lying around.

-Shine through the sticker is easy to fake. Photoshop-->
insert test pattern-->insert sticker-->change layer transparency, or even selection transparency.

-That looks like an "8", not a "B"...I still need to do some cleanup and enhancement on the image, but the top of the character has exactly the same outward curve on both sides.

-Also, the "eMac Calibrated" could simply be the fact that they took a screenshot of a photoshop image. Could someone take a screenshot and do a Get Info on it in both Panther and Tiger? (If Panther supports EXIF data in Get Info, I forget.) This just seems odd to me.

However, if I'm wrong, I want one.

[iMeowbot]

Could someone here generate a barcode with that whole serial number, just to see if it's a general match for the one in the sticker? (Just to play :) I don't think it proves anything: if it's a fake, the sticker probably still came from something.)

Here they are.

[Apple-Alt-Ctr]

When there is power running to them, they turn opaque, block the light, and give you black.

A black interface might also be difficult to read, especially at small size. Black text on white is generally more quickly read than white on black.


That's why a laptop's LCD screen appears white when it's turned off?

Sorry, but you're simply wrong on both the things you say. Black text on white is only easier to read in print. On screen white text on black is easier. Take a look at the Mac's Universal Access for an example of where this is used to help those with poorer sight.

[lars steenhoff]

horrible fake

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

if you haven't realized that this is fake.... get glasses. look at the white frame .... notice how some one tried to manipulate an image of an lcd screen to fit just within the outline of an ipod. totally a crappy fake.

take off the rose-colored glasses.

worst photoshop job i have seen in a while.


please try again

if you know anything about light en the way it reflects an refracts, you can see that if it's fake this is done really well, to me the photo is as real as it gets. the question is this the new ipod not wheter this is photoshopped.

look up radiosity, and see that the colors reflect on the sides, and though the stiker. please look better.

[AlanAudio]

Possible? I think he was saying that there just isn't much reason to use this particular test signal on a computer monitor. I tend to agree with this. This signal is one used for plain old television, I've never seen it used for computer monitor calibration.

But most of all, those color bars aren't even right. The color bars are a STANDARD image used for calibration. The colors are specifically selected for technical reasons and are always the same, so that they may be used for calibration.

The layout of the bars doesn't match any standard set of bars, the number of colors isn't right, and the colors are way off from how they're supposed to look. For example, the blue on the right is supposed to be dark blue, instead it's almost the same as the light blue on the left.


At last somebody gets it. Give that man a prize !

I'm not familiar with colour bars used in the NTSC world, but those ones are similar to PAL colour bars. As you point out, the dark blue bar is completely the wrong colour, it's almost the same as the cyan bar and others are a bit off too, but I'm prepared to put that down to the way that the colours on a display and a camera function. Digital cameras are often fooled by colours composed of spikes of energy, rather than a broad spectrum.

I've seen signals like this on countless occasions, but always on line-fed monitors. Like you say, I've never seen a signal like that displayed on a digital display. Colour bars are useful where you have composite video, but I've never seen them used in this sort of digital domain and can't imagine why anybody would display such an image on a digital display.

The moment I saw the picture, it was obvious that this is a line-fed LCD display and it's not an iPod.

[phonic pol]

if you haven't realized that this is fake.... get glasses. look at the white frame .... notice how some one tried to manipulate an image of an lcd screen to fit just within the outline of an ipod. totally a crappy fake.

take off the rose-colored glasses.

worst photoshop job i have seen in a while.


please try again

Totally agree, it's a very good example of an obvious fake!