iPods and Cameras?

[MacRumors]

News.com reports (http://news.com.com/Cameras%2C+iPods+need+to+talk+to+each+other/2100-1041_3-5585795.html?tag=nefd.lede) on comments by Gary Johnson, CEO of PortalPlayer.

PortalPlayer is the company which makes chips for the iPod as well as other hard drive based music players. According to Johnson, we are likely to see music devices that will connect directly to cameras to download photos. They are also working on direct Printer connectivity as well.

True to form, Apple would not comment and Johnson would not comment whether or not Apple will be incorporating this feature into future iPods.... but is a sign of the general direction of upcoming technology.

Belkin, of course, already makes a media reader for the current iPods which allows this basic functionality.

[runninmac]

wow so much new iPod news this is great! but i really dont have a use of something like this right now.

[MILESAR]

Maybe this time we will be able to view the photos imported off of a media reader, not just see the file names

[JTVPRO]

Not sure I need it though!

[Toe]

Does iPod Photo allow for bi-directional copying of photos?

It is my understanding that (without a hack, at least), you can send music to an iPod, but not suck muysic from it into a Mac. Is this the case with photos?

One would think it would have to be bi-directional for this new functionality....

[PlaceofDis]

it would be nice to be able to go directly from your camera to iPod, sure would help boost the iPod Photo sales and larger capacity iPods, i know i would start saving for one then, now we just need Airtunes connectivity put into iPods and they will rock your socks off :D

[iGary]

A CF slot would be nice, but I don't see it.

Image Tank and a bunch of others have that market covered thoroughly.

[cschilderink]

Obviously its all coming together now:
iPod... PDA... Cell Phones... other small electronic devices... will one day merge into one super iPod.

[Daveway]

Obviously its all coming together now:
iPod... PDA... Cell Phones... other small electronic devices... will one day merge into one super iPod.

And this is when the ipod craze will die.

[nutmac]

A CF slot would be nice, but I don't see it.

Image Tank and a bunch of others have that market covered thoroughly.

USB port would be more ideal. There are just too many flash memory card standards out there: CF (3 variations: CF I, CF II, CF+), Memory Stick (3 variations: Standard, DUO, Pro DUO), SD (2 variations: SD, miniSD), MMC (3 variations: MMC, RS-MMS, DV-RS-MMC), SmartMedia (2 variations: SM, XD), and TransFlash. And I am sure I am forgetting something.

[virividox]

i think it will be useful in the future when most people find that they max out their memory cards. but at the moment at least form most of my friends (those who arent really into photography) they never fill their memory cards to max capacity anyway

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

A CF slot would be nice, but I don't see it.

Image Tank and a bunch of others have that market covered thoroughly.
Why not just a cable between the iPod and the mini USB you find on most cameras. Woudn't think it's too difficult to do this in as the iPods already supports USB2... A built-in CF-reader would add to the size, and we wouldn't like that, would we...? ;) Doesn't Belkin already have a media reader accessory...?

[AnewMac]

USB port would be more ideal. There are just too many flash memory card standards out there: .....


The USB port would be ideal. I run into the problem of filling my digital camera up everytime on vacation, sure I could spend 70 bucks on a new CF card, but I just look at my half full iPod and cry a little inside :p

[mcmav37]

A CF slot would be nice, but I don't see it.

No, it doesn't have to be a CF slot, but what about being able to connect a cable from the dock connector to the USB slot on the camera instead of having to use the Belkin thing? Or make me use one of the Belkin solutions, but make it faster! Here is the current situation:
- my camera can connect directly to computer and transfer photos at USB2 speeds
- my CF card can download at USB2 or FW speeds via a card reader
- my iPod can upload music and photos at USB2 or FW speeds via the dock connector

- using a Belkin adapter (for memory cards or the camera USB cable) seems to yield transfer speeds ~ USB1 according to everything I have read.

Where is the disconnect here?!?!

I think it would be great to be able to download all my photos while away from my computer and still be able to view them, but I would settle for a way to efficiently transfer my photos to the iPod that won't drain the entire battery of either device and won't keep me from shooting additional photos for an extended time. At least for now, because I do want to be able to view them directly ASAP.

[Yonizzle]

Well, I'm probably going to buy the next iPod rev no matter what, but I'll be especially happy if camera connectivity is built-in. And come to think of it, it seems kinda silly not to have PictBridge.

While I'd jump for joy if the next iPod had a card reader, it does seem unlikely given the gajillion formats that are out there.. Hopefully the direct camera link would use USB 2.0 speeds (though both my cameras are stuck at 1.1..)

Anyway, yes. To really deserve the name, the iPod photo needs:

integrated way to get pics from camera->ipod
support for displaying photos added "in the field" (as opposed to going home and xfering iPod->iPhoto->iTunes->iPod)
PictBridge printing


native RAW support, sadly, is probably a pipe dream..

[aafuss1]

These features would benefit PC users with iPod photo's-I suggested the below in another thread:
-Most camera memory cards/card readers commonly appear/ or are recognised by Windows as 'mass storage devices in Explorer. This would mean iPod Photo will sync to other popular photo organising/editing-such as ACDSee, Picasa (a iPhoto clone) and not limted to just Adobe's Photoshop Elements/album software.

Also adding one of the features that a\ PortalPlayer's CEO mentioned would make the iPod even better.

[Fender2112]

I have a feeling that we will soon see micro drives being used as the storage media for still and video cameras. When the iPod mini came out, my first thought was "Man that's small. Sure would be nice to put one in a camera."

With the right cable and software, you could connect an iPod to just about any firewire or USB camera. We might even see a battery powered firewire drive - something simple without all the bells and whistles of an iPod.

It's only a matter of time. :D

[d.perel]

This would put apple up with olympus' odd box thing that has a camera. I hope that this new iTunes phone line, or model, will come with cameras. iPod mini+phone+camera? cool, if only...

[BryanSeven]

It sounds like a good idea, what format would it copy them over in? raw or jpeg?. I am thinking about switching over to digital and if i already own an iPod it would give me a reason not to spend money on a flash card. :)

[BigDogg]

What about an iPod with an imbedded megapixel camera! With possible video capture capabilities?
:eek:

[mcmav37]

I have a feeling that we will soon see micro drives being used as the storage media for still and video cameras. When the iPod mini came out, my first thought was "Man that's small. Sure would be nice to put one in a camera."

Actually, they can be used for this purpose, especially in the dSLRs. In fact, many people had the exact same thought as you, as I recall, and were trying to buy the iPod mini to remove its 4 GB drive for use in cameras because they could not get 4 GB drives any other way (all stock went to MP3 players).

That said, my understanding is that the CF cards are better because they have no moving parts, so nothing to break down and less battery usage.

[nagromme]

The number of people who fill up their camera before they get back to their computer, AND who are unwilling/unable to buy a large enough flash chip for their camera, seems to be small.

The number of people who therefore need secondary portable storage "in between" the camera and the computer, and who carry no laptop or other suitable device, and who demand that this extra "in between" step have viewing ability because viewing on the camera and/or computer isn't enough, is also small.

That said, some people DO need it, and some who don't need it still WANT it. Hopefully Apple will offer them a more complete solution.

But don't some other photo-capable players already do this? Direct from camera, plus viewing? (Though I doubt they can browse instantly like the iPod Photo: that pre-processing of images as they load from computer to iPod is a real speed benefit.)

In my case, loading from camera to iPod would be needless extra complexity. I want my library in ONE place, my computer, synched to my iPod. Not scattered here and there, with my iPod getting photos from multiple sources. An iPod is a playback tool, not a media management tool or a camera accessory.

But it could become that, and maybe it should.

[Doctor Q]

...They are also working on direct Printer connectivity as well...This could be a sign of an increasing market for very small very portable printers.

[Mechcozmo]

USB port would be more ideal. There are just too many flash memory card standards out there: CF (3 variations: CF I, CF II, CF+), Memory Stick (3 variations: Standard, DUO, Pro DUO), SD (2 variations: SD, miniSD), MMC (3 variations: MMC, RS-MMS, DV-RS-MMC), SmartMedia (2 variations: SM, XD), and TransFlash. And I am sure I am forgetting something.

I agree with you here. Wayyyy too many kinds. Yes, CF cards are nice. But face it. Not everyone has one. USB is the best Universal connection.

[jcshas]

I'm still not sure I understand what all of the fuss is about with direct photo integration on the iPod. IMO, this is a "nice to have feature", but not a necessity. Now, before you decide to "flame" me for making that statement, I realize I can't speak for everyone. I'm sure many consumers enjoy using their iPod photo's to upload pictures – leaving the laptop at home. But in my case, even if I can upload photo's to my iPod chances are I am still going to need to bring my laptop along with me for e mail and web surfing. So the ability to connect my digital camera to my iPod seems senseless to me and really becomes just another unnecessary step. I wish/hope Apple puts more effort into a Wi-FI or Bluetooth enabled iPod that will enable you to sync wirelessly with iTunes. After all, the reason I bought an iPod in the first place was to “portablize” my music collection.

[Thataboy]

I don't see that this is such a big deal. I mean, how many people take SO many pictures at one time that they need to unload them away from their computers? For those that want this, there is a Belkin reader. I don't think this is a common enough problem to warrant anything built in.

What I CAN see is having a camera built into an iPod. I am not in the "stick everything in an iPod" camp.... I don't think video, phone, and high end PDA stuff belongs. But the interface and design of an iPod is perfect for a consumer camera... maybe 1.3 megapixels. Something that is point and click for everyday, nonprofessional situations. Add bluetooth and you can envision some fun sharing possibilities to cell phones and other iPods.

[looklost]

Obviously its all coming together now:
iPod... PDA... Cell Phones... other small electronic devices... will one day merge into one super iPod.

Ya, it looks like Apple is going to back door the PDA if they keep going at this rate. Come on Apple release Mac OS X mini. :D

[ryan]

What about a way of just simply connecting an iSight directly to an iPod?

[dongmin]

This is such a no-brainer. You kinda wonder why it took them so long to implement this. It'd nice to hook up your camera to the ipod via the dock connector and have the ipod automatically download the images into a virtual roll (or rolls) that could then be transferred to iphoto. To me, the lack of an easy import feature in the current ipod photos is a real dealbreaker.

[ASP272]

So many rumored iPod features . . . where will they all go?

With this iPod, I CAN RULE THE WORLD! (Plankton's voice)

[timster]

The Belkin reader is complete junk.

(Slow, unreliable, images are unviewable until offloaded, device is bulky, uses AAA batteries. The thing's a colossal con, nowhere near worth its price.)

I hope whatever camera reading functionality is added to iPods is substantially better than this.

[areyouwishing]

Whew! I was really worried, there were so many news stories about macs, I almost thought Apple Computer made computers too for a second. Thank goodness the recent crop of iPod rumors have come about to keep them in line. :D

[stukdog]

I'm not much into the photo, etc. What I really want to be true is the Bluetooth part of the rumor. I understand that music would take forever to sync. I have about 50 GB worth. but once I get my music on the conventional way, I would love to have my calendar, contacts, notes, and rss feeds transmitted each morning from my powerbook that has Bluetooth. Now that would get me to pick one up for sure.

[mcmav37]

But in my case, even if I can upload photo's to my iPod chances are I am still going to need to bring my laptop along with me for e mail and web surfing. So the ability to connect my digital camera to my iPod seems senseless to me and really becomes just another unnecessary step. I wish/hope Apple puts more effort into a Wi-FI or Bluetooth enabled iPod that will enable you to sync wirelessly with iTunes. After all, the reason I bought an iPod in the first place was to “portablize” my music collection.

I think what you need to recognize here is that the reason a lot of people want to be able to offload their photos to their iPod is that this solution is (a) much more portable than bringing a laptop into "the field" and (b) it is much more cost efficient. For example, I am going on a nice vacation this summer. I'm not bringing a laptop, but even if I was, I most certainly will not bring it everywhere I go. I also currently only have 1 512 MB CF card and I am using a dSLR so that could fill up rather quickly. So, I could buy say 4 GB of CF cards for upwards of $400 or I could use my iPod photo (which won't be much bigger than all these extra CF cards) and has > 30GB of free memory.

And yes, to answer other people's postings, there are many products that already do this, but none of them include an iPod music player. There are a lot of amateur/pro photographers--especially with the proliferation of cheap dSLRs-- and they are all pretty creative, and creative people tend to prefer Macs so many of them already have a Mac and/or an iPod, so there is a huge market for this.

[coolfactor]

And this is when the ipod craze will die.

Exactly. Apple knows that specializing (or at least marketing) the iPod for music is the only way to keep it popular. PDAs are dying because they have faded into the background... no strong point to make them stand out. PDA functionality will become transparent in our devices, so you don't need a dedicated device for it. The syncing functionality built into Panther is building on the goal of "information everywhere" life. We .Mac subscribers have that with our many computers already.

[aswitcher]

I really hope this release of the iPod Photos/whatever has the ability to read from cameras direct...else its going to come out later this year which will stymie my decision to buy now...

[thevil]

It's probably USB On-The-Go (http://www.usb.org/developers/onthego/), here's the relevant page on PortalPlayer.com (http://www.portalplayer.com/products/platforms_mediaplayer.html):

Copy or move photos from a digital camera via USB On-The-Go

[TheMasin9]

News.com reports (http://news.com.com/Cameras%2C+iPods+need+to+talk+to+each+other/2100-1041_3-5585795.html?tag=nefd.lede) on comments by Gary Johnson, CEO of PortalPlayer.

PortalPlayer is the company which makes chips for the iPod as well as other hard drive based music players. According to Johnson, we are likely to see music devices that will connect directly to cameras to download photos. They are also working on direct Printer connectivity as well.

True to form, Apple would not comment and Johnson would not comment whether or not Apple will be incorporating this feature into future iPods.... but is a sign of the general direction of upcoming technology.

Belkin, of course, already makes a media reader for the current iPods which allows this basic functionality.

I have been thinking of this for quite some time now, apple has a sorage device that has a 2 inch color display as well as a milllion different people who make peripherals for it. Why not make a 3-4 mp camera that can plug into the dock connector port and shoot pictures with it. it would be such a great invention. I dont think were gonna see camerapods anytime soon, but sure as heck an ipod photo attatchment that would do the trick.

[MacSlut]

Ok, so if Person X has a camera with a 1GB CF card and wants to transfer its contents to a Bluetooth 2.0 enabled iPod, at what rate will the data transfer?

Oh, no...not that guy again...we're all doomed :eek:

Seriously though, I think this would be really cool if I had an Bluetooth Photo iPod and pictures could instantly transfer from my camera to the iPod. Does anybody know if it would be possible to make a Bluetooth CF card that would work in most CF based digital cameras? Or will this require some sort of adapter until if/when more cameras have Bluetooth?

[ocellnuri]

The iRiver H320 (Asian models from what I understand) can already do this. It's nice to see that other players will likely catch up soon.

[stephenli]

ok. all i need is a USB port and a high res, over 2.5 inch colour display.
something like DSC T1 may be fine....

Comeon Steve, this is the year of HD
may be it would end up with a HD ready portable movie player
we all have our own copyright with HD stuff created by iMovie, right?

[Chip NoVaMac]

A CF slot would be nice, but I don't see it.

Image Tank and a bunch of others have that market covered thoroughly.

A chipset that allows for using a camera USB cord to download would be a help for the photographer on the go. I know that I go shooting with my iPod on me.

[Makosuke]

A simple USB link to download a camera directly into an iPod--which seems to be exactly what this feature is--would be a perfect minor addition to the iPod. It's not a killer feature, it's not diluting the brand or overweighting the iPod at all, and it wouldn't increase the cost significantly (if the chip supports it, the software addition must be minor), which is important.

What it would do is provide one more reason to stick with the iPod brand and add a few more holdouts to the group. I know I'd love to be able to do this for long vacations (I don't have a laptop and wouldn't take one if I did, and a half-full 20GB iPod that I'd buy anyway is a lot cheaper than 10GB of flash cards). And my dad, who's an avid amature photographer, would definitely buy an iPod for this feature--he already asked if they could do this.

[Chip NoVaMac]

A simple USB link to download a camera directly into an iPod--which seems to be exactly what this feature is--would be a perfect minor addition to the iPod. It's not a killer feature, it's not diluting the brand or overweighting the iPod at all, and it wouldn't increase the cost significantly (if the chip supports it, the software addition must be minor), which is important.

What it would do is provide one more reason to stick with the iPod brand and add a few more holdouts to the group. I know I'd love to be able to do this for long vacations (I don't have a laptop and wouldn't take one if I did, and a half-full 20GB iPod that I'd buy anyway is a lot cheaper than 10GB of flash cards). And my dad, who's an avid amature photographer, would definitely buy an iPod for this feature--he already asked if they could do this.

With the introduction of the Mac mini, release of iLife 5 with RAW support in iPhoto, and the rumored color screens in more iPods; my thinking is that we will see more iLife integration into the iPod as time passes.

[lamewing]

Hmmm,
Not that this matters, but Sony produced a music player last year, the VGF-AP1L Pocket Vaio, that allows for direct picture download from a number of digital cameras. The player itself, esp. after the firmware update which allows for mp3 playback, is a NICE machine. It is too bad that Sony's Sonic Stage 2.3 software is so poor.
I hope more players take advantage of this ability as clearing our camera's memory stick will be a snap...even when we are on the road.

[joecirca79]

The point is...direct connectivity from camera to iPOD would make life a lot easier. I shoot a canon 20D in large Jpeg and the files range from 6MB to 8.5MB each. IT is also a lot easier to lug around an ipod than a laptop. Flash Memory isn't cheap(for the higher speed/capacity memory cards) and a lot of photograpers don't like using huge cards in case they fail...too many images lost. Lastly, the ipod photo's screen probably has a lot better resolution than a lot of camera lcd's.

[jared_kipe]

This would be a pretty obvious feature for any future ipod photo. And other ipods would benefit for it too.

[silvergunuk]

Anyone else think the motorola itunes phone will be unveiled tomorrow/today aswell as the new ipods?

[swissmann]

Obviously its all coming together now:
iPod... PDA... Cell Phones... other small electronic devices... will one day merge into one super iPod.

I sure hope so. I love my iPod but hate hauling around so many gadgets. I want them all in one. The only drawback is if it breaks they are all gone.

[Mr_Ed]

I don't see that this is such a big deal. I mean, how many people take SO many pictures at one time that they need to unload them away from their computers? For those that want this, there is a Belkin reader. I don't think this is a common enough problem to warrant anything built in.

What I CAN see is having a camera built into an iPod. I am not in the "stick everything in an iPod" camp.... I don't think video, phone, and high end PDA stuff belongs. But the interface and design of an iPod is perfect for a consumer camera... maybe 1.3 megapixels. Something that is point and click for everyday, nonprofessional situations. Add bluetooth and you can envision some fun sharing possibilities to cell phones and other iPods.

I agree the Belkin reader is already an option for those who really need to offload their memory cards. No need for a built-in reader but I have to believe people filling up their photo memory cards is a fairly common problem. It really doesn't take much to fill up a memory card, especially if you shoot high resolution pics in RAW mode or something like that.

A built-in camera might work for some but I personally would not like it. I think it would increase the size/weight of the iPod and I would find it useless unless it had decent (>=4MP) resolution. I like to say "if the picture is worth taking, it's worth a camera." I also have never been a fan of multi function devices (camera/phones, scanner/fax/printer combos, TV/VCR or TV/DVD combos, stripper/maid combos, etc.) because:

- If one function fails, you're stuck with it for the other functions
- I would feel I paid for something I didn't want in the first place
- The vast majority of such devices are "jacks of all trades and masters of none" and are typically mediocre (or worse) in performing at least one of the functions.

[Earendil]

To add to the pile...

I would love this feature. ATM I have an iPod mini (graduation gift) but there are no 3rd party attachments to enable me download pictures of my camera to my iPod. I've done traveling in jungles, week long back packing trips, among other places that I would love more capacity. I also shoot pictures for the school paper. Sporting events are a horrible place to be taking pictures, and than sorting them to save some room. You just want to take picture after picture and not worry about how much room is left. When you're done, dump them all on the mini that I always have with me, and keep going.

Besides, as digital camera become more common (And they will) people are going to need storage. easy storage. storage they already have. And unless the price goes up, adding this function isn't going to HURT Apple, now is it? As far as I understand this, if APple adds this functionality, people won't even know the iPod has it, unless one reads the manual.

~Tyler
~Earendil

[billystlyes]

I think the iPod should stay with what it does best....play muisc and maybe show pic's like the iPod Photo. Other than that why play with a winner.

[Lz0]

I don't have an iPod and I keep looking for reasons to buy one, I can't in any way do music through earplugs and I have an MP3 headunit in my car, but if I could transfer from camera to iPod I would buy one in a second.

[OzMatty]

Wouldn't the same USB based bridge work to connect an iPod Shuffle to a big iPod?

Maybe a swap and Go version of the Autofill feature?

[piquet]

there is no owrry about it diluting the purity of the ipod, it can be used as a firewire harddrive now, i don;t see how the option of being able to plug in and transfer all the photos to the same port it uses now affects this at all, it seems stupid to be carrying around your ipod and having the swap memory cards in your camera, the way i see the ipod going is yes it's a music player, but also carries data of all formats, never carry a cd rom again, never carry your laptop to do a presentation, it's on the ipod, arrive plug in and go

personally i'd like to see cars stereos with just a slot for the ipod, get in the car, slot it in the fornt, choose any song, eject it as you leave, none of this leads and glove boxes

the real thing that i'm surpised that no one had done, is as it's a firewire hard drive, and firewire has enough bandwidth for a video signal, why not make a camcorder that has a slot you plug the ipod into, no tapes, no dvdrs and ready for instant edit and burning to dvd when you get home

i think in the long run, we'll see the ipod concept growing into your portable digital memory and music just being the first obvious thing you wanted to move around

[Miner Willy]

There are a couple of HD based players that do this already, the notable ones are the iRiver link (http://www.iriver.com/html/product/prpv_product.asp?pidx=45). Apart from the lack of iTunes compatability, it seems like a mighty fine player and fairly cheap too.

I still like my iPod though... ;)

[Analog Kid]

And this is when the ipod craze will die.

If they turn it into a does everything but nothing well jumble like the old Sony Clie's, then yes. In my opinion, the questions that should be asked about any feature added are these: Does it add a button? Does it add a menu? Does it add cost? Does it break the usage model?

But the beauty here is that this is a feature that could be added without changing anything... Everything's already there. I checked the Portal Player data sheets when the Belkin do-hickey came out and it was capable of acting as a USB host or a peripheral (what is now dubbed USB On-the-go, which I think is a stupid name... Firewire did everything so cleanly and USB is branching into a million different connector types and standards...). That should mean the chipset has always been capable of reading a USB mass storage device.

You don't need a button, you don't need a menu, all you need is a USB cable.

I really didn't want a color LCD iPod-- I was sure it would be the first step in the wrong direction, but if this were to get integrated, and they provided a way to view what you load and manipulate images onscreen (rotate 90, zoom and pan, etc), I'd be in.

[Analog Kid]

there is no owrry about it diluting the purity of the ipod, it can be used as a firewire harddrive now, i don;t see how the option of being able to plug in and transfer all the photos to the same port it uses now affects this at all, it seems stupid to be carrying around your ipod and having the swap memory cards in your camera, the way i see the ipod going is yes it's a music player, but also carries data of all formats, never carry a cd rom again, never carry your laptop to do a presentation, it's on the ipod, arrive plug in and go

I agree-- it keeps the usage model whole. For me it's not the number of pictures, although I can easily fill a card in a day on vacation, it's the video. My Fuji F700 takes 640x480 video, 30fps until it runs out of memory. I'd love to use it more, but it just fills the cards too fast.

personally i'd like to see cars stereos with just a slot for the ipod, get in the car, slot it in the fornt, choose any song, eject it as you leave, none of this leads and glove boxes

Man-- I've been waiting for exactly this. Everyone talks about the elegance of their iPod interfaces, but I don't see it. If I have to dig into my glove compartment, plug in wires, drive, get to where I'm going, unplug wires an go it just doesn't seem elegant to me at all. Slot it into my car like a cassette tape, grab it when I go. That's the ticket.

[edit] Of course, Bluetooth would make this even better-- less parts to break. I'd be worried about over exercising the dock connector. If I could apply only power with a sturdier connector, it would be better...

the real thing that i'm surpised that no one had done, is as it's a firewire hard drive, and firewire has enough bandwidth for a video signal, why not make a camcorder that has a slot you plug the ipod into, no tapes, no dvdrs and ready for instant edit and burning to dvd when you get home.

When I first saw the iSight-- that was my first thought: what a coup! Undercut the entire DV market with the nicest, most portable video camera ever and plenty of storage. Then, of course, it hit me that it wouldn't work all that well with a black and white screen and I doubted Apple would move to color. Now they have-- someone over there has to have thought of this...

Passes the test-- no buttons, no menus, no cost, holds to the usage model (at least for the iPod Photo)...

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Ok, so if Person X has a camera with a 1GB CF card and wants to transfer its contents to a Bluetooth 2.0 enabled iPod, at what rate will the data transfer?

Oh, no...not that guy again...we're all doomed :eek:

Seriously though, I think this would be really cool if I had an Bluetooth Photo iPod and pictures could instantly transfer from my camera to the iPod. Does anybody know if it would be possible to make a Bluetooth CF card that would work in most CF based digital cameras? Or will this require some sort of adapter until if/when more cameras have Bluetooth?
1 GB at 384 kBps will take about 45 minutes, but I don't think Bluetooth 2.0 will reach anywhere near those speeds in real life. Theres also the issue that 45 min. of transferring images over Bluetooth's radio transmitter will drain what ever battetry capacity Apple manages to squeeze into the iPod. Bluetooth 2.0 is more efficient then 1.0, but mostly when in little or no use, actually sending and receiving will still be a strain...

[ScubaDuc]

1 GB at 384 kBps will take about 45 minutes, but I don't think Bluetooth 2.0 will reach anywhere near those speeds in real life. Theres also the issue that 45 min. of transferring images over Bluetooth's radio transmitter will drain what ever battetry capacity Apple manages to squeeze into the iPod. Bluetooth 2.0 is more efficient then 1.0, but mostly when in little or no use, actually sending and receiving will still be a strain...


My Sony video camera (PC 120) is bluetooth enabled, albeit in its first version, but the idea of downloading pictures via bluetooth never came to mind. It is OK to use for sending a picture via the phone but that is about it. You are correct: battery life can be a problem so my camera bluetooth is not enabled most of the time...

I admit it would be cool if ithe bluetooth transfer worked underwater in a casing. Then, I would not have to replace the memory stick during a dive or on the boat! :rolleyes:

[CrackedButter]

I have a feeling that we will soon see micro drives being used as the storage media for still and video cameras. When the iPod mini came out, my first thought was "Man that's small. Sure would be nice to put one in a camera."

With the right cable and software, you could connect an iPod to just about any firewire or USB camera. We might even see a battery powered firewire drive - something simple without all the bells and whistles of an iPod.

It's only a matter of time. :D

There already micro drives for cameras, the trouble is, they can get hot very quickly because of the moving parts. There are 2 types of CF card for a reason, one is flash memory based, the other is the hard drive type.

[~Shard~]

There are 2 types of CF card for a reason, one is flash memory based, the other is the hard drive type.

Actually you are completely incorrect on this statement. There are 3 types of CF: CF Type I, CF Type II and CF I/O. All compact flash uses, well, flash, for memory - in other words, no moving parts - the format is solid state and non-volatile (ergo no battery required to retain data), so your comment on "hard drive" type is simply wrong. IBM does make a "MicroDrive" (CF+) card that has the same dimensions as a Type II CF card, but uses an actual hard drive construction rather than flash memory, thus is not considered true Flash memory.

Just wanted to clear up any misinformation that is out there! :cool:

[Porchland]

We'll know the new iPod lineup soon!

[aswitcher]

We'll know the new iPod lineup soon!


Yeah it went down about 20 mins back...

[ever]

Yaaay! It better not just be regular maintenance! I don't like getting excited for no reason at this hour of morning.

[TorbX]

****** ho if this is just an iPod update. Flex a little, Apple. Give us an updated PowerMac. Heck, its got less ram than the powerBOOK when ordering w/o BTO.

[SiliconAddict]

Apple should have, and could have, done this 2 generations ago.

[ever]

yaaay 6GB mini! At least its something :) Argggh $449 60gb photo, why oh why did I have to pay $599? lol

[EssentialParado]

http://www.apple.com/ipodphoto/

On the new ipod photo page near the bottom on the right-hand side it mentions a new camera connector accessory coming in March (along with the new software update)

[Typolad]

Yup, here are details from Macnn.com:

. Apple also introduced the new iPod Camera Connector, due in late-March for $30. The optional accessory enables customers to connect their digital camera to iPod photo and import their photos into the iPod. "By simply connecting the iPod Camera Connector and a digital camera, customers can easily transfer digital images to their iPod photo."

Coolness.

[Dave00]

No, it doesn't have to be a CF slot, but what about being able to connect a cable from the dock connector to the USB slot on the camera instead of having to use the Belkin thing?
[...]
- using a Belkin adapter (for memory cards or the camera USB cable) seems to yield transfer speeds ~ USB1 according to everything I have read.


An iPod that could connect directly to a camera or memory card reader would be huge. HUGE. I currently own two iPods (2G & 3G) and use the Belkin media reader for photo transfer. The Belkin really does suck, and is only useful because there is no alternative, other than purchasing another iPod-like device that does this more robustly. The slow transfer is one issue (tends to take around 12 minutes for a 256MB card) but the power drain is the dealbreaker. One transfer (max two), and you're done using your iPod until you recharge. Plus there's no error message if it doesn't transfer correctly. Lost some gorgeous photos of Paris at night that way.

Having an iPod that could not only display my photos but also easily transfer them from a camera would be great. I realize there are other devices that basically do this, but it's not an iPod.

--D

[jsw]

Apple should have, and could have, done this 2 generations ago.
Yes, because then they might have been able to sell a few iPods, and maybe that would have allowed their stagnant stock to go up in value. If only... :rolleyes:

[biederman]

"By simply connecting the iPod Camera Connector and a digital camera, customers can easily transfer digital images to their iPod photo." [/i]


This is significant, I think, not because it turns the iPod into a "must-have" digital camera accessory... I'm assuming iPod still can't actually display the photos until they've been uploaded and processed by iPhoto.
Rather, it's significant because this is the first non-computer appliance that the iPod has been integrated with (except for add-on/3rd-party products). Could this be the start of a trend? Is integration with DV camcorders coming soon? How about integration with audio recording devices, such as the rumored Asteroid midi box? The possibilities are almost endless, but this could be the first sign of a massive expansion of iPod capabilities.

[SiliconAddict]

Yup, here are details from Macnn.com:

. Apple also introduced the new iPod Camera Connector, due in late-March for $30. The optional accessory enables customers to connect their digital camera to iPod photo and import their photos into the iPod. "By simply connecting the iPod Camera Connector and a digital camera, customers can easily transfer digital images to their iPod photo."



Much sweetness. Usually the features in an iPod line stay stagnant until the next gen. Getting new features. Very nice.

[EssentialParado]

I'm assuming iPod still can't actually display the photos until they've been uploaded and processed by iPhoto.
Apparently they will be able to. Which is cool.

[alpha_harblo]

I like that idea. I can see the iPod becoming the next PDA. It already has much of the functions of older PDA's. By that time, bluetooth may be a little quicker (or have a technology much like bluetooth), and you'll even be able to buy a little keyboard for it, much like PDA's today.

Something to think about.

[SiliconAddict]

Yes, because then they might have been able to sell a few iPods, and maybe that would have allowed their stagnant stock to go up in value. If only... :rolleyes:

What the heck does that mean? So you think that just because the iPod is a fantastic seller Apple shouldn’t keep moving the device forward in features? :rolleyes: I can tell you there are more then a few semi pro photographers out there that have been drooling for this feature on the iPod for a while. The third party solutions are slow and clumsy at best. Watch dpreview go nuts over this news.

[Dave00]

Yup, here are details from Macnn.com:

. Apple also introduced the new iPod Camera Connector, due in late-March for $30. The optional accessory enables customers to connect their digital camera to iPod photo and import their photos into the iPod. "By simply connecting the iPod Camera Connector and a digital camera, customers can easily transfer digital images to their iPod photo."

Coolness.
Super yay! Hopefully it'll also work with a media reader, and not drain the ipod like the belkin connector.

--D

[ClimbingTheLog]

Apple's latest trademark filing includes these features for the iPod:
"editing of audio-tapes; editing of tine-films; editing of video-tapes; editing of written text; film editing (photographic); videotape editing; digital imaging services".

Let's see what NAB brings. I'm looking forward to an iPod Photo (err.. Video) that integrates with Final Cut 5 and lets the editor get some rough-cut work done on the Subway.

[Stanislaus]

I thought we were becoming such good friends with sony; how come steve's not having a camera deal with them? (and cameras made by sony are not the worst...)

[Chip NoVaMac]

Apple should have, and could have, done this 2 generations ago.

2 generations ago, it did not make a lot of sense. Now with the iPod Photo, and greater market penetration of digital cameras, the time is right.

[Chip NoVaMac]

http://www.apple.com/ipodphoto/

On the new ipod photo page near the bottom on the right-hand side it mentions a new camera connector accessory coming in March (along with the new software update)

Now the question is will it support the RAW formats supported under iPhoto? Though with many newer DSLRs that is less of an issue with the RAW+JPG shooting option.

[SiliconAddict]

2 generations ago, it did not make a lot of sense. Now with the iPod Photo, and greater market penetration of digital cameras, the time is right.

Whatever. Digital cameras have been hot sellers since at least 2000 if not earlier. The time has been right for years. Hell a lot of home printers have started integrating SD, CF, MS into their design over the last 4 years. I'm sure they have been doing that because up til now digital cameras have been "just a fad"