iPod Updates and Future Revamp?

[MacRumors]

ThinkSecret echoes (http://www.thinksecret.com/news/februaryipods.html) that iPod updates are coming... but are unable to commit a timeframe.

Preliminary info (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/02/20030210065507.shtml) has been available, along with leaked Toshiba Drive specs (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/02/20030203032124.shtml)... Unconfirmed reports (http://www.macrumors.com/page2/) have also littered MacRumors' Page 2 (http://www.macrumors.com/page2/).

ThinkSecret's report provides no new information with respect to impending updates, but does drop an exciting hint towards future revisions:

This update could be the last for the iPod before it undergoes a major revamp. Later this year, Apple will reportedly unveil the first radically new successor to the iPod, incorporating a feature set significantly different from today's.

[Bateman]

But I love the iPod the way it is.... i can't wait for the days of ultra-clear music on a 120gb iPod with the wheel and all....

But i guess change is a good thing, right?

[CheekyGit]

Maybe this "revamp" will be an iPhone, iPDA, MP3 player and recorder, walkie-talkie, GPS device, and coffee maker....ALL-IN-ONE.

I could be wrong...but it is always nice to dream :D

:D CheekyGit :D

[voicegy]

ohmygod here we go again!! :rolleyes:

(actually, I rather miss those old PDA/Coffee Maker rumors...)

Well, shucks, was gonna get me an iPod for my birthday in March...just might be worth the wait if the thing gets revamped into a Swiss Army knife. (slobber, slobber, hoping for something even more awsome!)

[kwajo.com]

i'm really tired of these vague rumors, although, in a way, they make things more interesting. . . honestly I don't care about iPod updates, I mean I need a 20GB for my music, but can never hope to afford one as long as I am in university. also, how much more does an mp3 player need to do (I know AAC and recording, but 50% of those can be fixed by firmware anyway, and bigger HDs are innevitable, so they don't count as major 'updates' in my books)?

[smashedapart]

Again, isn't this just (re)stating the obvious? Of course its going to get revamped...its evolution, baby!! Only natural in the course of things, right? This was a pretty vague update..."New iPod eventually...successor sometime in the future"...you don't say?? ::sigh::

I actually think there'll be an update either Monday or Tuesday in keeping with the rolling product introductions. I think next week we'll see new 15" Powerbooks. And, I heard rumor a while back that the G4 might find its way into a high-end iBook model sometime in early March. This would also be in keeping with the rolling weekly introductions if Apple dropped this during the first week of March.

And before anyone says "no G4 iBook!", let's face facts here: the G4 is about to become the slower product in the lineup. Its becoming (painfully) obvious that Apple is gearing up to introduce a new round of processors (PowerPC 970) this summer/fall. The iBook will make the transition to a G4 before this happens. It's only logical that Apple would ditch the G3 in their main product spectrum...no one wants a processor that's 2 generations old.

These are my predictions. Pick them apart as you see fit.

-- smashedapart

[Wry Cooter]

Sometime last week, Wednesday or so perhaps, MacSurfer had a link to a Macintosh Audio interview (I couldn't listen due to being on dial-up), where someone was discussing the iPod future... suggesting the next iPod will be able to record.

ah... here's the link...

http://www.oscast.com/stories/storyReader$102

[movmkr]

I wish thinksecret would chime in on the 15" powerbooks, reading rumors is fun and all but I rarely put any stock in them until thinksecret confirms them, given their track record.

As for the iPod I hope Apple doesn't shoot themselves in the foot with whatever those new features are going to be. They've got an amazing mp3 player, and as for those new gadgets coming out (harddrives with screens, video playback, tv out, coffee maker, whatever) it's way too niche. It's a market that doesn't exist...at least until the powers that be convince the public that it does exist and that they need one to survive... ;)

Take care all - Matt

[MrMacMan]

Don't turn this into iPDA like it will ever happen. :(
iPod will stay seperate from any possible PDA, think about it.

[taupecat]

My guess is if Apple is going to announce this week, it will be Tuesday. Monday is a holiday, and it wouldn't be like them to announce this kind of thing on a "weekend".

But, from all the message boards and rumor sites I've been reading, people have been guessing at an updated iPod's appearance since late January.

[weev]

But there are so many things the ipod should NOT turn into -- such as a device that plays video clips, like who really has a need for that?!

The beauty of the ipod is its simple design and pure function, turning it into a go-go gadget device will relegate it to the volumes of such devices on the market, and thus disappear under a quagmire of hot for a day electronic paraphernalia, to be profoundly forgotten after the initial interest.

But knowing (and hoping) Apple, they might come up with a truly class item. Perhaps a product that we don't even know we need yet but will definitely want one when we see how beautiful, functional and simple it is!

[paulie]

But what's AAC and all the fuss about it being needed on an iPod?

I'd love a record function on my iPod, being that my brain is a jumble of thoughts, and funny things always happen at an izakaya that I'd like to get on audio.

Beyond that, I think that Mr. Ive and his crew really have built a great MP3 player, and shouldn't go too far without thinking about establishing a new product altogether.

You can have your iPDA (uhh.. Newton?), your iPhone, your iWhatever, but just keep selling iPods with more storage, an even better display (the backlighting is not THAT great), and at a better price point.

42% of the Japanese MP3 player market (http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-3219397-8-20851455-1.html?tag=sd) owns iPods now.. get that to 60%, then tell the world. I see at least a half dozen iPods a day just walking around Shibuya.

[mangoduck]

i'm seeing a resurgence of the philosophy "do one thing and do it well" these days. so many aspects of apple's software and hardware design tell me that apple agrees, and i don't think a "swiss army ipod" is the direction they'll be going.

it wouldn't be much of a pda without a pen (would increase cost to add a touch display), video playback is completely unnecessary, and any other digital lifestyle gadgets you can think of should be kept separate (cameras, phones, etc). it would kill a great thing to try to make the ipod that much more than it is.

however i think aac is a given, as the next itunes version will supposedly have it, and recording ability is a good idea. no idea what else will be changed (really, what would you add to it?) but i have faith that whatever they end up doing will be good. apple has an excellent track record as of late.

[chewbaccapits]

Originally posted by kwajo.com
i'm really tired of these vague rumors...


No kidding...All these rumor websites are just jumping on the bandwagon....*****Okay...Here's MY prediction guys and gals.*********New iPod on WEDNESDAY...You read it here first....Kind of.

[ELYXR]

Originally posted by MrMacman
Don't turn this into iPDA like it will ever happen. :(
iPod will stay seperate from any possible PDA, think about it.

But with each iPod revision there are more PDA-like features. iCal syncing... Address Book syncing... a "Games" folder with 1 game? Apple added these things to increase the value of the iPod for people like me... who used to carry a Clie around just to see what my next meeting was. Not anymore... but I would like the option to input information on the go and listen to music without having to carry around 3+ devices.

This brings me to another point... I would never take out my laptop on a subway, or a city bus for obvious reasons... but I am very comfortable with having a handheld device that I can stash in a pocket on a moments notice...

On that note... I would love a NewtPOD... Hook me up with a prototype Steve!!! ;)

[ozubahn]

paulie: It is interesting to ask what AAC means, then say "izakaya" with no explanation in the next sentence. :) I don't know the details, but I believe AAC stands for Advanced Audio Coding. It is an audio codec like mp3 but with a better psychoacoustic model, so it should sound better (to the average person) than mp3 for a given bitrate. Granted, after an hour or two at the izakaya my psychoacoustic model is all messed up, so it probably doesn't matter that much.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by chewbaccapits
No kidding...All these rumor websites are just jumping on the bandwagon....*****Okay...Here's MY prediction guys and gals.*********New iPod on WEDNESDAY...You read it here first....Kind of.

why wednesday? just for kicks? the last 3 weeks have brought tuesday updates, every week. i am shooting for that, if just for the laughs of seeing 4 in a row. it doesn't even matter what they update to the iPod. i hope it's on tuesday. and then the 15.4 inch powerbook next tuesday, hah. :rolleyes:

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by weev
But there are so many things the ipod should NOT turn into -- such as a device that plays video clips, like who really has a need for that?!

The beauty of the ipod is its simple design and pure function, turning it into a go-go gadget device will relegate it to the volumes of such devices on the market, and thus disappear under a quagmire of hot for a day electronic paraphernalia, to be profoundly forgotten after the initial interest.

But knowing (and hoping) Apple, they might come up with a truly class item. Perhaps a product that we don't even know we need yet but will definitely want one when we see how beautiful, functional and simple it is!

I totally agree - I was in Japan recently and was seduced by this little Sharp potable SD video player, it was cool and fun, and about $150, but I thought "why the hell would I actually use this?" - sure it was cool, but thinking about my Mac, I only have maybe 10 quicktime clips on it anyway, and I never watch those. I'm not gonna spend $150 so I can watch the original Cube advert all day...

New iPod: 40GB, hopefully ACC.

New device: Who know? But you KNOW we'll want one!

[Floop]

1. The iPod will undergo a minor refresh over the course of the next few weeks or months. However, the interesting news is that in the long term, the iPod will undergo some quite big changes.

2. The iMac will be given a speed bump. While I cannot commit to a timeframe at this point, reports suggest that this change will occur at some point between April and August.

3. Apple will introduce new 15 inch powerbooks, which will be made out of Aluminium. They are also thought to use newer technology than the older Powerbooks, including technologies such as Bluetooth and Firewire 800.

4. The iBooks will see a speed bump at some point in the next 3-7 months. At the same time, they will be given increased hard drive capacities.

5. Reports keep coming in that Apple have updates to their iLife applications in the works. iMovie 3.0.2 may be the first out the door, but this does not mean they are not working on updates for the other applications too. iTunes 4 will be the most important change, but we are unsure as to whether this will happen in the short term rather than the long term.

6. Mac OS X 10.3 is Apple's main OS workload at the moment. While my sources were unable to confirm any specific features, they suggest that this will be another 'paid' upgrade, and will be available in July.

Stay tuned, I have more rumors coming. And please click on my banners.

from


Floop

[ozubahn]

I think it is past your bed time. You must be tired... you are losing your ability to perceive sarcasm.

[claughery]

were any of the first rumors from danny true?

[Megaquad]

Danny stop spamming.. :mad:

[dw1]

What I would really like to see in an iPod update is (Prioritized):

1) Bluetooth
2) Rendezvous
3) AAC Audio
4) Recording capability (audio notes), with microphone
5) If you're adding a microphone, might as well make it a cell phone, just need a touch screen.

With bluetooth and rendezvous on the iPod, all someone like Sony or Panasonic would need to do is enable their car stereos with the same and then the fun begins.

Imagine getting close to a rendezvous capable audio device and your iPod asks if you would like to play the current track on that device? <Home>drool</Homer>

What would you like to see?

[pyrotoaster]

Originally posted by ELYXR
On that note... I would love a NewtPOD... Hook me up with a prototype Steve!!!
I guess I'll have to settle for second in line at that release. ;)

Anyway, with regard to the rumor at issue here, it seems to be on par. Apple will revise the iPod line early this week (probably tomorrow, although I totally forgot that today was a holiday. I don't get to stay home...), and then release something totally new later in the year.

But when...?

[Niknar]

Cooooooooool

Can't wait to see this revamped iPod.

I better get saving so I can buy one :-)

[MacFan25]

I would doubt that in the revamping, they would make it an iPDA iPod combo. I just don't think that they would. But I could be totally wrong.

[KLFloyd]

A few things here...

1) Danny, I would LOVE to believe your post about your buddy from the Apple store calling you and telling you that new iPods were in but you idiotic spamming of the board has just killed any validly you had. If you want to be taken seriously in the future quit your whining

2) In my experience, ThinkSecret has always been right on the money, they predicted MWSF almost perfectly and were the only rumor sites to come out with PowerBook updates that no one else saw coming. If their prediction that this update of the iPod will be the last of this generation before a major update later his year really makes me stop for a minute. Do I really want to buy one now? I?m a college student, and soon to be an unemployed college graduate and that?s a lot of money for me to throw out.

3) I think the iPod is, and forever will remain a MP3 player, no video iPod, now Newton, no PDA, just the world?s greatest MP3 player. Having said that, there are significant changes to the iPod other than increased hard drive space that could be made and could be the ?significant changes? ThinkSecret is reporting for later in the year. I think we could be looking at a Microphone, Bluetooth, and more. Which again brings pause, I?ve been holding off buying an iPod for months and if they introduce them this week with only the HardDrive update to I buy or do I wait?oh decisions decisions.

I think I?m even more confused as to what to do now?

[vanillamike]

Hey KLFloyd I hear you. Heck I am not going on a spring break trip to pay for this thing.

However, I think I will be buying the slim 20GB when it comes out. If the newest biggest unbelievable thing shows up it won't be for a while, and it won't be cheap. You could always sell your iPod to someone else down line.

Here is hoping for tomorrow,

Mike

[mangoman]

I'm with Katie. IF it's just a HD upgrade (more or less), then I'll still be doubtful of whether or not to buy... and I've been holding off for about a year. At the risk of you guys shoving a hot poker in my eye, I gotta say it ---- I'm holding off because I'm hoping Apple builds the 'ultimate' PDA, whether or not the iPod is the vehicle. To play tunes and be able to input info would put me in heavy spending/materialistic lust mode pretty quickly.

[mangoman]

Oh, and that battery issue... They gotta fix that damn battery...

[gotohamish]

The best thing that a 40GB update will bring is the price reduction to the 20GB version!

[Anne]

KLFloyd, I'll put in a vote for buying sooner rather than later (after the likely update, of course). If you have the money for an ipod now, and will gain great enjoyment from it while you have it, it's silly to put off buying it in case some rumor site is correct about a major update several months from now. If there does happen to be a major update, and you wish to buy a new ipod, you'll have several months of ipod luv under your belt, and will likely be able to sell it on ebay (or elsewhere) to help you finance your purchase of the mythical majorly updated ipod.

At least, that's what I'm planning to do. I'm holding out for a price drop (I'm with those who are rooting for the 40gb if only because it will make the 20 much cheaper), and then I'm going to grab one up right away. If something majorly updated comes out this summer or fall, I'll at least have spent this winter and spring enjoying my gorgeous mp3 player, instead of wasting more my time at rumor sites just wishing about all of it. ;)

[Qball]

Any opinions on the best file-swapping program out there for Mac? Limewire, Acquisition, iSwipe, etc? I don't have a Mac yet, but I've read that Acquisition is a favorite.

[TyleRomeo]

i love how people here make their argument to buy the new slim 20GB drives. man that extra 1.5 mm is going to be much small, hey maybe it will weigh a few less grams also!

Tyler

[cevin]

This update could be the last for the iPod before it undergoes a major revamp. Later this year, Apple will reportedly unveil the first radically new successor to the iPod, incorporating a feature set significantly different from today's.

Perhaps you'll be abel to make your own music on it. That would be significantly different from today's iPod. :)

[DannyZR2]

okay guys.... get real... yes i am kidding about all the crap i said. i dont even know a person at an apple store.. i was *trying* to make a point at how silly everyone is getting! of course we are expecting new ipods or *something* tomorrow.... wethere we doubt a revamp or not is irrelevant... it's just getting old everyone coming in with there "predictions" or even.. "man I want it to play video" and crap... it's just old and tiresome and we all no nothing and we'll justhave to wait!!!!! so just wait!!!!!!

sorry for all the repeated posts btw.. i was just bored..... so if you are a newbie, and you haven't posted your thoughts on what's gonna happen this week and when the new ipods are coming.. don't bother .. PLEASE... we have enough morons running their *fingers* giving us nothign but crap....

and sorry to be such a ... shall i say ... curse-word lacking spikey here... but it's just getting old

[KLFloyd]

Originally posted by DannyZR2
sorry for all the repeated posts btw.. i was just bored..... so if you are a newbie, and you haven't posted your thoughts on what's gonna happen this week and when the new ipods are coming.. don't bother .. PLEASE... we have enough morons running their *fingers* giving us nothign but crap....

Hmm....I've only seen ONE moron on this thread so far!

(sorry couldn't resist!)

Back to the discussion of how big the re-vamp is and weather one should buy now or hold if they've already been holding for a while. Going from the info ThinkSecret has posted where there will be a major update in the near future, if we just see HD increases I may try to find myself a refurbished 5GB model cheep somewhere. The Apple Store is sold out but I'm sure resellers will have some back stock they'll want to clear out soon. Get the best of both worlds, and iPod to play with for the rest of the year and I still won't have spent a fortune and can re-sell it for a minimal loss if/when the new models come out.

[tgrundke]

The one move that I hope Apple does *not* make is to drop the 5 gig model and keep the prices inflated from $299 upward.

Apple, it seems, has not learned the lesson it should have learned from the desktop wars: flood the market, set the standard, control the market. In that order.

The iPod has been under severe pressure from new entries into the marketplace at a lower price point. We can talk all we want about the beauty, elegance, and feature set of the iPod - but rest assured there is someone who will do it "good enough" for a lot less.

While I have no concept of Apple's cost factor, If Apple were smart, they would keep the 5 gig model, drop it down to $129 or $149, bring the 10 gig model in at $249, the 20 at $349, and introduce a new 'ultra high-end' iPod at $499.

And frankly, for $499 that little sucker better do my laundry and wash my walls. ;-)

[tgrundke]

Originally posted by KLFloyd

3) I think the iPod is, and forever will remain a MP3 player, no video iPod, now Newton, no PDA, just the world?s greatest MP3 player. [/B]

KLFloyd: While iPod is the best MP3 player out there, the name, I believe, is meant to be ambiguous. It's not called the 'iTunes player', it is not the 'iMusic'. It is "iPod" for a reason: the form factor and basic design will allow Apple to branch "iPod" into another product line.

I think what we're seeing here with iPod is Apple's first successful move into a completely new product category since Apple diversified into imaging products in 1985. Let's face it, Apple's real product lines have only been Macintosh, Imaging Products, and increasingly software. Only Macintosh had the true branding and distinction, and Apple is associated with Macintosh.

The idea with iPod is to create an entirely new product category. Ergo, I believe quite firmly we will see a series of iPods developed, the base model handling music only, but the other models capable of digital photos, video, and maybe even PDA functionality. It will be most interesting.

[daRAT]

Originally posted by kwajo.com
i'm really tired of these vague rumors, although, in a way, they make things more interesting. . . honestly I don't care about iPod updates, I mean I need a 20GB for my music, but can never hope to afford one as long as I am in university. also, how much more does an mp3 player need to do (I know AAC and recording, but 50% of those can be fixed by firmware anyway, and bigger HDs are innevitable, so they don't count as major 'updates' in my books)?


Well it seems iPods have found other uses :]

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0301/24.genome.php

Although I do not think most of us would use and iPod for this :>

[Raiden]

I would like to see a smaller, slimer, 5, 10, and20 gig ipod and normal sized 30 and 40 gigs, with stuff like AAC and MP4. Could they use USB1 as a transferer? I have heard they cant utilize USB2 or Firewire2 because of how fast the hard drive writes or something.

Also, I would like more security funtions on the ipod. Have it password protected. At school, I am in constant danger of it being stolen, and without a password feature, some dufus could take it permenently, and put a piece of tape over my engraved name on the back. That would SUCK.

Change the back of the ipod so there isnt any way to get fingerprints all over it. That is so darn annoying. Its really the only design flaw on the little device.

I think it would be cool if there was a AM/FM/XM radio on the ipod. If you like a song you hear you could download it off the radio. That might bring up some copyright issues though...

A voice recorder would be nice. A college student could tape a teachers lecture, and instead of listening to the teacher, he could be listening to music on the ipod. All at the same time.

Forget all those stupid rumors about video ipods, ipdas, color screens, or whatever. I bet they could happen, but it will be a separate device from the ipod. Apple would be stupid to change this breakthrough product. Use the KISS philosophy.

Well hope you like my ideas, bye!

[mangoman]

Originally posted by tgrundke
And frankly, for $499 that little sucker better do my laundry and wash my walls. ;-)

Change 'walls' to 'balls' and I'll pay an extra hundred!

(had to... just HAD TO)

[yzedf]

Originally posted by Raiden
I would like to see a smaller, slimer, 5, 10, and20 gig ipod and normal sized 30 and 40 gigs, with stuff like AAC and MP4. Could they use USB1 as a transferer? I have heard they cant utilize USB2 or Firewire2 because of how fast the hard drive writes or something.

Also, I would like more security funtions on the ipod. Have it password protected. At school, I am in constant danger of it being stolen, and without a password feature, some dufus could take it permenently, and put a piece of tape over my engraved name on the back. That would SUCK.

Change the back of the ipod so there isnt any way to get fingerprints all over it. That is so darn annoying. Its really the only design flaw on the little device.

I think it would be cool if there was a AM/FM/XM radio on the ipod. If you like a song you hear you could download it off the radio. That might bring up some copyright issues though...

A voice recorder would be nice. A college student could tape a teachers lecture, and instead of listening to the teacher, he could be listening to music on the ipod. All at the same time.

Forget all those stupid rumors about video ipods, ipdas, color screens, or whatever. I bet they could happen, but it will be a separate device from the ipod. Apple would be stupid to change this breakthrough product. Use the KISS philosophy.

Well hope you like my ideas, bye!

USB2 burst rate is barely faster than Firewire (480 vs 400). USB1.1 is slow (12).

FW800 is a waste of time. It will not be on the iPod. It isn't on the iMac.

[Thresher]

I am making one of my usual WAGs (wild-assed guess), but here goes:

1. We will see a new product tomorrow.
2. Most likely an iPod update.
3. Probably an update to iTunes (all the other iApps were recently updated).
4. Maybe some increased functionality for the iPod (AAC encoding, the ability to record through the Firewire connection).

That's about it.

On the iPod name:

I agree with whomever said that the name was deliberately vague. I think you will see other applications for later versions, but I think the iPod Audio is here to stay. I have no idea what those later iterations will have, but I would imagine that they will become "PDA like" if not actual PDAs.

Personally, I have no use for an iPod video player unless it will play complete DVDs. With as much hell as the MPAA has been raising, I do not see Apple making software that will transfer a DVD to harddrive and then marketing it. So, if Apple does create a video player of some sort, it would have to have the ability to play DVDs. Well, there are a ton of mini-DVD players out there, why would Apple move into a mature market like that?

I just don't see it and a videoclip player would have too small a market.

Nope, I just don't see an iPod video player ever being worth it.

[Happy Hamlet]

I hope the revised iPod will have decent sound quality. At the moment it is rather poor compared to the competition. Still, the iPod is hands down the best hard disk based player at the moment. I'm actually rather surprised that no other manufacturer has used the same size drives to build a player with more features/lower prize. Creative's recent attempt was rather clumsy (but at least had better, but not great, sound quality).

[Anticipat3]

Hmm.... here's my 'prediction:'

1. iPod + PDA makes sense... there are thousands of us who are sick of carrying both of these around at once, and the technology to make one that costs < $500 is certainly around. This, IMO, is the most likely solution we will see, if in fact there is anything "new" with the iPods besides a 40GB model.

2. "Video" iPods with color screens, etc. make no sense. WHY? for a 1.8" ****ty picture? The idea of having video out, so that you could use your iPod as a portable video library, however, makes a lot of sense. Imagine being able to hook your 40 GB iPod up to your TV, and play DivX movies off of it -- that would be cool, and also very doable. Another viable way for a "video" iPod to exist might be a setup where you can use it to capture DV from a camcorder, I.E. rip the video from camcorder to iPod, so that you can again use it as a portable video storage device. Given Apple's emphasis on Digital Video, this also seems possible, if not exactly likely.

3. I believe we are still about a year or two away from "all in one" devices that are around a reasonable cost... the holy grail of mobile devices is the "PDA + Cell Phone + iPod." Such devices exist, but they are a compromise of all 3 technologies. They work ok as PDAs, but poorly as Cell Phones or iPods, etc. The cell phone based variants work good as phones, but poorly as PDAs or iPods, and the iPod is of course a wonderful iPod, but a pretty poor PDA and no Cell Phone capability at all. Only once this can all be balled together and have it all work almost as well as each individual standalone device will we truly see a market for these devices.

That's all for now... we'll see what happens.

[Mr. G4]

Originally posted by tgrundke
The one move that I hope Apple does *not* make is to drop the 5 gig model and keep the prices inflated from $299 upward.


Unless Apple can find another supplier, Toshiba discontinued the production of the 5 gig HD, therefore, you won't see 5 gig as the entry level, but rather the 10 gig. Like somebody said here

10gig = $199
20gig = $299
30gig = $399
40gig = $499

sounds good to me :D

[KLFloyd]

Originally posted by Thresher
I am making one of my usual WAGs (wild-assed guess), but here goes:

1. We will see a new product tomorrow.
2. Most likely an iPod update.
3. Probably an update to iTunes (all the other iApps were recently updated).
4. Maybe some increased functionality for the iPod (AAC encoding, the ability to record through the Firewire connection).

Well, let me first say I hope you're right. But I don't think we'll see iTunes for anytime in the near future. If it was that close it would have been released with iLife. Other rumors are saying that iTunes 4 is at least as far away as April.

The increased functionality suchas ACC encoding SHOULD be possiable through a firmware update. And HOPEFULLY it will be a firmware fix for the battery issues, though I have a feeling that's a hardware issue.

Here's to hoping, I've got two major business trips where I'm chaperoning middle school students on a bus for 16 hours and a cross country reunion trip with my family coming up and I'm going to NEED an iPod to get through!

[itmdramaguy]

Originally posted by Mr. G4
Unless Apple can find another supplier, Toshiba discontinued the production of the 5 gig HD, therefore, you won't see 5 gig as the entry level, but rather the 10 gig. Like somebody said here

10gig = $199
20gig = $299
30gig = $399
40gig = $499

sounds good to me :D

Hey that sounds like a great deal to me. I would definately ship back my Refurbished iPod that I ordered on Thursday for the 10GB new one though. Those price ranges are great!

[Bateman]

I can see a video iPod working, possibly. The only way i would be involved in it is if it were to incorporate eyeTV or Tivo support so that you could be able to record programs from TV and them transfer them onto your ipod, upon which you could watch or hook up to an external viewing source, such as a TV through VGA connection.

It wouldn't make sense to make soley for video, having it as an external hard drive would be nice also, and i am not aware how much space a regular 30 minute TV show takes up and wonder how big these hard drives would have to be in order to accomodate these functions.

The practicality of setting my computer up to record my favorite TV shows while i'm in class or out of my room, being able to come back and downloading it with a FW800 connection and then being able to leave and take it to my friends 60 inch plasma TV to watch whatever i have recoreded... if a market were establish for this i could see it happening...

for whatever its worth! :)


[edit for spelling]

[job]

Originally posted by Mr. G4
20gig = $299

I would buy that in a heartbeat.

[sparks9]

Don't you think it will be more like:

5gig discontinued
10gig = 299
20gig = 399
40gig = 499

It would still be nice prices compared to now.

[DavPeanut]

Originally posted by sparks9
Don't you think it will be more like:

5gig discontinued
10gig = 299
20gig = 399
40gig = 499

It would still be nice prices compared to now.
There is a 30gig drive out too.
$99 plus $100 for every 10gigs
$199, $299, $399, $499.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by DavPeanut
There is a 30gig drive out too.
$99 plus $100 for every 10gigs
$199, $299, $399, $499.

but this also means reducing the price of the 20 GB iPod by 200$, which i find highly unlikely (as i have mentioned here before).

[g30ffr3y]

thats what im betting on too... but even if they release them tomorrow on the apple splash page, will they be in the stores or will it be an 18 month wait like the 17" powerbooks... i realize ive exaggerated the timeframe but you get the drift... i will buy one the day they are in stores... c'mon apple...

[Wry Cooter]

I have been wanting a new larger iPod, as an owner of the original 5 gig, if only to make my playlist decisions easier. But I am also wanting some added functionality. I want it to be able to record, perhaps with a third party firewire mic if necessary.

As far as more PDA functions or being a VideoPod or phone... nah, not really necessary. Half of my collection is ripped already, but I expect AAC to be available via iTunes and the iPod soon too... Right now, I don't think the addition of a 40 gig model is enough to urge my purchase on its own, but if it could record, and had Bluetooth for sending the audio short distances, that would be ideal, without changing or blurring its identity too much.

[mact]

If you have a look outside the MP3/PDA world, you will see the obvious extra function for an iPod:

http://dvrecorder.com/

http://www.lairdtelemedia.com/files/pdf/specs/LTM-CPDV3.pdf

Even the mighty Sony has realised the future..

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/ModelInfo?id=67058

All these devices are VERY new and record the firewire stream coming out of your camcorder directly onto hard disk. You can then plug the unit straight into your computer and edit without capturing. All the points where you started and stopped recording are logged - you don't even have to mark scenes.

Apple is into DV, it has three DV apps, any iPod could do this now with a software update, kind of a no-brainer really. Ask any video pro/semi-pro/hobbyist - they would all buy one tomorrow - question is can Apple make enough of them?

[DavPeanut]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
but this also means reducing the price of the 20 GB iPod by 200$, which i find highly unlikely (as i have mentioned here before).
As someone else mentioned, they dropped the price of the 23" LCD $1500 in one day. That was a 43% drop. The 10gig from 400 to 200 is a 50% drop. Thats a difference of 7%. Apples been firing there prices out of a downward facing cannon lately, so whats wrong with this?

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by mact
If you have a look outside the MP3/PDA world, you will see the obvious extra function for an iPod:

http://dvrecorder.com/

http://www.lairdtelemedia.com/files...s/LTM-CPDV3.pdf

Even the mighty Sony has realised the future..

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Profession...elInfo?id=67058

All these devices are VERY new and record the firewire stream coming out of your camcorder directly onto hard disk. You can then plug the unit straight into your computer and edit without capturing. All the points where you started and stopped recording are logged - you don't even have to mark scenes.

Apple is into DV, it has three DV apps, any iPod could do this now with a software update, kind of a no-brainer really. Ask any video pro/semi-pro/hobbyist - they would all buy one tomorrow - question is can Apple make enough of them?

only the first of those links worked for me.

[DavPeanut]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
only the first of those links worked for me.
same

[voicegy]

I want an iPod that performs its current function, plus a color screen that has the ability to act as a photo album...putting iPhoto and iPod together as an alternative to the old "wallet sized snapshots" that people tend to carry with them.

And, of course, better battery life to handle the above.

That, to me, would be simple and sweet.:p

[mact]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
only the first of those links worked for me.
Sorry - URLs corrected now.

[job]

Originally posted by DavPeanut
There is a 30gig drive out too.
$99 plus $100 for every 10gigs
$199, $299, $399, $499.

if you look at apple's ipod upgrade pattern, the GBs have doubled..

5GB -> 10GB -> 20GB

i wouldn't mind a 30GB in the lineup which would allow further price drops, but for some reason i just don't see it happening.

[Macette]

If the new iPod predicted by ThinkSecret has a recording feature, and if Apple are making an entry-level music editing app (this has been rumoured... was it supposed to be called iTraks? I hate that name!), this could be quite cool: you could make really wicked bootlegs on a shoestring. All the Bob Dylan fans of the world would really have to have one...

And I, as a matter of course, would have to have one.

[Odox]

Originally posted by sparks9
Don't you think it will be more like:

5gig discontinued
10gig = 299
20gig = 399
40gig = 499

It would still be nice prices compared to now.

I agree - I think this is exactly the line up we will see.
Possibly software updates to boot, but that might come later?

[sjestus]

well.. lol, i dunno if anyone's said this yet, cuz i said screw reading all the posts... butttt.... all i think that will happen to the iPod will be the ability to burn cds from it...maybe... or rendezvois.. lol, did i spell that right?? well.. yupp.. that's what i think, that will not happen probably... so ttyl!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHA..... i'll be ok ;-)

[maka]

Originally posted by Macette
If the new iPod predicted by ThinkSecret has a recording feature, and if Apple are making an entry-level music editing app (this has been rumoured... was it supposed to be called iTraks? I hate that name!), this could be quite cool: you could make really wicked bootlegs on a shoestring. All the Bob Dylan fans of the world would really have to have one...

And I, as a matter of course, would have to have one.

Don't forget musicians :) I'd love to use and iPod instead of my MD to record my band's concerts...

[charboneau]

New ones would be great, but I need to get hold of one of the original generation of iPods with the old scroll wheel. No doubt they will be collector's items some day.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by maka
Don't forget musicians :) I'd love to use and iPod instead of my MD to record my band's concerts...

Doesn't realtime mp3 encoding take a pretty hefty processor, or am i just completely off?

[mangoman]

Attacking Iraq will kill thousands of innocent civilians & millions of refugees(immoral), & spawn new wars & terrorists(stupid). Years of occupation will follow and Americans will die. It will not make you safer in the long or short run. Inspections will disarm Saddam. Iraq isn't connected with 9/11 or Osama. There's duty in democracy to speak out against injustice. This war is wrong and we can't afford it, not in lives or $$. Basic constitutional rights are under attack. It's time to speak out against the war. Protest is patriotic.

Uhhh, should this be its own thread? :eek:

[MorganX]

What is everyone looking for in an iPod update? I'm not in need of much more space. I probably won't upgrade unless the updates have the following:

Create Playlists on fly
**More BASS**
Minimum 3 band EQ, preferably 5, or 7.
Delete tracks (not that important)

What's everyone else looking for besides HD space?

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by MorganX
What is everyone looking for in an iPod update? I'm not in need of much more space. I probably won't upgrade unless the updates have the following:

Create Playlists on fly
**More BASS**
Minimum 3 band EQ, preferably 5, or 7.
Delete tracks (not that important)

What's everyone else looking for besides HD space?

I don't have an iPod, but i'm curious, what are you critiquing its bass on? i would use one with some Sennheiser HD 570s, which seem to give pretty full bass... i am just wondering, are you sure you aren't blaming lackluster bass on the iPod when you should be pointing the finger at your headphones? which ones do you use?

i've never seen earbuds with good bass, except for my Sennheiser MX 500s, which are pretty amazing for earbuds, but still not that great.

[AidenShaw]

Originally posted by mangoman
Uhhh, should this be its own thread? :eek:

It should be.

Disarm Bush! Now!

[MorganX]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
I don't have an iPod, but i'm curious, what are you critiquing its bass on? i would use one with some Sennheiser HD 570s, which seem to give pretty full bass... i am just wondering, are you sure you aren't blaming lackluster bass on the iPod when you should be pointing the finger at your headphones? which ones do you use?

i've never seen earbuds with good bass, except for my Sennheiser MX 500s, which are pretty amazing for earbuds, but still not that great.

Shure E2c's
Sony MDR-EX70LPs

The presets on the ipod that enhance bass make the midrange muddy. That is why I prefer an multiband EQ.

The bass sounds great on my old Rio 800. But I can also adjust treble when I boost the bass. Not as good as at least 3 bands, but better than iPod. I still only use the iPod, but there's room for improvement.

[maka]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
Doesn't realtime mp3 encoding take a pretty hefty processor, or am i just completely off?

I guess... but there's at least one other device similar to the iPod that does it (I think it's the Archos Jukebox and it's also much older) Still, I would prefer if it would record to AIFF for better quality...

If they manage to reach a quality similar to that of MD's mic input, then it's fine for me.

[sparks9]

Originally posted by maka
I guess... but there's at least one other device similar to the iPod that does it (I think it's the Archos Jukebox and it's also much older) Still, I would prefer if it would record to AIFF for better quality...

If they manage to reach a quality similar to that of MD's mic input, then it's fine for me.

The Creative Jukebox 3 has this feature too. It can record to wav or mp3.

[macphoria]

How about iPod with ability to transfer MP3 wireless from your computer? I hope they come up with this feature on new iPods.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by macphoria
How about iPod with ability to transfer MP3 wireless from your computer? I hope they come up with this feature on new iPods.

already been discussed. even at 54 Mbps, you would be sorely disappointed.

[BillyShears]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
already been discussed. even at 54 Mbps, you would be sorely disappointed.

Not if he is talking about streaming. Streaming would be kind of cool. Same with Rendezvous streaming to other iPods around you. Walk into a room, you can grab files from people. Or what about transfering one song? It wouldn't be bad at all.

I don't think they'll do it, though, but it's not a bad idea, necessarily.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by BillyShears
Not if he is talking about streaming. Streaming would be kind of cool. Same with Rendezvous streaming to other iPods around you. Walk into a room, you can grab files from people. Or what about transfering one song? It wouldn't be bad at all.

I don't think they'll do it, though, but it's not a bad idea, necessarily.
didn't think he was talking about streaming; he said "transfer," so i thought he meant a whole library..... that's like over an hour on the 20 GB... might be a nice feature for single song syncing though, or maybe even an album, though it would probably still take over a minute to do that. but nevertheless, i doubt, with you, that they will add such a feature... seems like it would add unwanted bulk to the thing to have an antenna and all, and it's already strapped for power usage.

[maka]

Originally posted by sparks9
The Creative Jukebox 3 has this feature too. It can record to wav or mp3.

Yes but, but it's still PC only, isn't it? Has anyone tried it on a mac?

[DavPeanut]

Originally posted by maka
Yes but, but it's still PC only, isn't it? Has anyone tried it on a mac?
I think it would work. Problem is, it competes with the iPod because it is 20 GB. Its like $350. Apple needs to make the 20GB iPod $299.

[Odox]

Originally posted by MorganX
What's everyone else looking for besides HD space?

Price drop :D

I only have enough cash to buy the 5 gig at the moment. Even though it would make more sense to spend a little more and get the 10 gig - i'd rather wait and spend less money. Plus there's always a chance of other updates :)

[Wry Cooter]

regarding Bluetooth implimentation in a possible iPod with Bluetooth... I think you are barking up the wrong tree thinking of Rendezvous, and beaming songs from iPod to iPod.

No most likely Bluetooth might allow an iCal sync, or audio transmittal over short distances, such as to a Bluetooth headset, or bluetooth in a car or home stereo. Save the data (song) transmittal (outside of iCal syncing) for the firewire port.. more bandwidth there.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by Wry Cooter
regarding Bluetooth implimentation in a possible iPod with Bluetooth... I think you are barking up the wrong tree thinking of Rendezvous, and beaming songs from iPod to iPod.

No most likely Bluetooth might allow an iCal sync, or audio transmittal over short distances, such as to a Bluetooth headset, or bluetooth in a car or home stereo. Save the data (song) transmittal (outside of iCal syncing) for the firewire port.. more bandwidth there.

would BT have enough bandwidth to put a decent audio signal through?

[MrBillGates]

I think Apple would be foolish to include Bluetooth in any future iPod update. It simply does not deliver enough bandwidth. As it is, everytime you attach your ipod (via firewire) for charging iSync can automatically update everything (iCal & Address Book).

Also, Bluetooth headsets might be great with your T68i, but can it really transmit great sounding quality audio? I don't think so. At best, you'd get mono & at a cost of $100+ for the headset. I don't think there aren't that many people dumb enough to buy that kind of accessory.

All I want is a 40 gig iPod w/ AAC support.

Bill Gates

------------------------------------------------
Now where the hell are those new iPods!!!!

[avus]

I got the email today from Apple about the promotion for the 10GB iPod and the XtremeMac Get Connected Kit, and it reads:

...and it's yours at no extra cost when you purchase a 10GB iPod for Mac ($399) online from the Apple Store by March 14, 2003. Order yours today.


This sounds like an inventry clearance, and we may have to wait until the middle of next month for the iPod update...

[zer0army]

Originally posted by MrBillGates
All I want is a 40 gig iPod w/ AAC support.

RIGHT ON Bill!!!! exactly what im saying

[PyroTurtle]

mp4 is acc right?
at anyrate i want a 120GB iPod..that way i can get a little less than half my music on there....and then my 20GB can go to my girlfriend....

[shadowfax]

you guys remember that IBM server commercial?

"how many libraries of congress per second can your software process?"


how many library's of congress can your iPod hold? definitely the next iPod commercial. i see it now.

[iSegway]

Does anyone know if it is possible to use an iPod as a storage device for a mini digital still camera like the canon Digital Elph, or any mini digital still camera?

[PyroTurtle]

next revision also needs better battery life!

[Wry Cooter]

Originally posted by PyroTurtle
next revision also needs better battery life!

I keep hearing this complaint, but I don't know the facts behind it. The only time I ever wore down my iPod battery (original 5 gig model) is when I failed to lock out the buttons, and it was on in my suitcase for several days. Beyond that, the lions share of my listening is in the car, where I keep the ipod on the cigarette lighter.

I bet it last longer than AAs would. I seem to recall several hours a day, over a period of several days. At least a time period longer than the typical long days driving.

How long is your iPod lasting you in the wild?

[PyroTurtle]

i have the 20GB and i could go a few days without charging it before they added that darn cock, now it's like 2 days....and eveyone is having that problem that i know of...

sometimes it only goes for two hours then needs to be recharged....so ya...5 to 10 hours would be nice...or, 50, or 110 hours....

[Timothy]

I have a 20 gig...I recently wanted to test my battery out, so I set it to play in the morning, and left it on all day.

It played for 12 hours before the battery gave out.

Of course, that is aided by not turning it on and off, not changing the volume, and not changing playlists and/or songs. I just let it run.

I've also noticed how easy it is to have your iPod running when you are not aware of it. It is easy to bump the play button, and drain your batteries, without even knowing it. I've begun using my "hold" button religiously, and my battery life has seen a remarkeable improvement.

So, in all, I've been really happy with battery life in my 20 gig iPod.

[Wry Cooter]

Originally posted by PyroTurtle
i have the 20GB and i could go a few days without charging it before they added that darn cock, now it's like 2 days....and eveyone is having that problem that i know of...


Oh, that's easy - just cut the darn thing off!

Really, seems like I read of a workaround/fix for that for that darn c.. uh CLOCK... do you read any of the ipod sites that have boards, such as iPodlounge?

I don't care for the iPod to tell me what time it is really, I think you can cut off the clock or choose not to impliment it. And I usually do get to a point of recharging the pod sometime while actually using it for a few days, I haven't gone for week long hikes into the wilderness. Since I am almost always listening to my iPod while driving, it is charging as I use it anyway.

[Qball]

Originally posted by AidenShaw
It should be.

Disarm Bush! Now!

Wow, what took you so long to realize that Saddam is our friend and Bush is the enemy?!? Insert joke here.