iPod Peripherals and Special Edition iPod?

[MacRumors]

ThinkSecret reports (http://www.thinksecret.com/news/ipodappleexpo2.html) that the rumored iPod Peripherals (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/08/20030824044627.shtml) have been delayed due to software issues surrounding the iPod Software update which will be required for their use.

ThinkSecret, however, is unable to explain at this time why the special edition iPod (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/09/20030915105412.shtml) was not launched as they had predicted.

[Freg3000]

I wonder what peripheral Apple can make without stepping on some toes. Apple has been heavily promoting things like the iTrip and such, so creating products that go into those markets might seriously hurt 3rd party development.

I can see 2 new peripherals: A Super-Dock, and a recording microphone thingy (which would require the 2.1 software update). Hopefully there is another one.

:)

[MacFan26]

Originally posted by Freg3000
Apple has been heavily promoting things like the iTrip and such, so creating products that go into those markets might seriously hurt 3rd party development.


Yeah, that's one area that Apple should probably stay out of. Same with the digital cameras and PDA's. Otherwise 3rd party companies have little chance of having a good market on the Mac platform.

[dstorey]

I really really hope recording comes soon to the iPod. It will then make it a near essential purchase along with a laptop for when i start uni (only got 7 days to start so hopes it hurry's). Being able to record from it makes making notes from lectures much easier, instead of franticly scribling down everything thats said and missing parts. It'll also be usefull for group meetings etc. Wthout recording it's hard to justify the price at the moment when I'll have a laptop with me for storing files and i have a mini disc lp for music if need be. There is a good deal on bundles of laptops and ipods at the moment in the uk edu store but not sure if this applies to the student adc too. The special edition ipod doesn't really interest me unless its got extra features....

[crap freakboy]

My iPod recently decided not to mount in the Finder or iTunes, but I havent updated the songs for awhile so couldn't really say which one of Apples sterling (being sarcastic btw :) )updates knackered it, if at all, it could be a hardware issue, shock, horror!!!. Luckily its only 4 months old so I've put in for a service repair. Out of interest theres loads of posts in Apples own forums of ipod owners with the same problem...several solutions, tried them all failed. Seems of late that the software team at Apple comprises of the janitor and his cat, and the janitor can't read.

Out of interest anyone in the UK used Apple warranty repair, if so, how long do they take to contact you in regards to sending it to them?

(oops: didn't read the topic properly, might be sort on topic...maybe perhaps, feel free to delete blah blah) ;)

[clonenode]

The iPod needs an FM (and AM) RECEIVER, so we can listen to the radio, if we want, with our iPods.

Something that looks and works like the iTrip would be perfect.

[Debman]

they have that sterio out for it now.

[SeaFox]

1) AM/FM Stereo Reciever (really should be built-in -- Hey, maybe that was the special edition iPod).

2) Recording capabilities (again, should have been built in). The Dell music device will have recording capability!

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by clonenode
The iPod needs an FM (and AM) RECEIVER, so we can listen to the radio, if we want, with our iPods.

Something that looks and works like the iTrip would be perfect. hah, why would any human with taste want to listen to the radio? ;)

i don't think that a radio would be practical as an add-on, because the iPod is an MP3/MP4 decoder. adding a radio to it would be redundant to both devices, because there would be no need for them to be connected. an AM/FM receiver would just be a separate piece of equipment. if they are going to add that functionality to it, they really need to totally integrate it into the iPod itself, and i would hazard a guess that reception would be nothing short of crappy with all the steel on the iPod, not to mention the spinning discs.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by SeaFox
The Dell music device will have recording capability!

hahahahahaha.....


and you guys said Dell was just a copycat. who are they copying on that one? hell, that's the one feature so many of you people were railing for apple to include, and in their warm spirit of innovation they've utterly failed to do so. lol.

[LimeLite]

Originally posted by SeaFox
1) AM/FM Stereo Reciever (really should be built-in -- Hey, maybe that was the special edition iPod).

2) Recording capabilities (again, should have been built in). The Dell music device will have recording capability!
Using an external mic is possibly a better solution though. There's a limit to how well an internal mic can work, but an external one has more potential for better quality.

[Inkmonkey]

I'm sure some angry person will rip me apart for bringing this up but the peripheral I'd most like to see is a small color LCD. Maybe 4x6. I could attach it whenever I want and be able to display photos saved on the iPod. Kind of a very portable photo album.

Then people wouldn't have to come to my house to be bored with my vacation photos. I could come to them.

I want either the above or a peripheral that can press my slacks.

[LimeLite]

Originally posted by Inkmonkey
I'm sure some angry person will rip me apart for bringing this up but the peripheral I'd most like to see is a small color LCD. Maybe 4x6. I could attach it whenever I want and be able to display photos saved on the iPod. Kind of a very portable photo album.

Then people wouldn't have to come to my house to be bored with my vacation photos. I could come to them.

I want either the above or a peripheral that can press my slacks.
Personally I wouldn't expect color to come until it's actually built in.

[MacKenzie999]

Originally posted by dstorey
I really really hope recording comes soon to the iPod....I'll have a laptop with me for storing files

I assume you could simply attach a mic to your laptop for classroom recording, couldn't you? although being mainly a desktop guy, i have no idea if laptops have audio in.

[eric67]

Originally posted by Freg3000
I wonder what peripheral Apple can make without stepping on some toes. Apple has been heavily promoting things like the iTrip and such, so creating products that go into those markets might seriously hurt 3rd party development.

I can see 2 new peripherals: A Super-Dock, and a recording microphone thingy (which would require the 2.1 software update). Hopefully there is another one.

:)

add recording capacity to the iPod and it will be perfect with the already existing extension as iTrip...
being able to record on a iPod will definitely increase the range of users

[Stella]

That is exactly what I want to see - but a colour screen built in to the iPod.

An iPod that integrates into iPhoto and even iMovie makes so much sense.



Originally posted by Inkmonkey
I'm sure some angry person will rip me apart for bringing this up but the peripheral I'd most like to see is a small color LCD. Maybe 4x6. I could attach it whenever I want and be able to display photos saved on the iPod. Kind of a very portable photo album.

Then people wouldn't have to come to my house to be bored with my vacation photos. I could come to them.

I want either the above or a peripheral that can press my slacks.

[manu chao]

Except for the 667/800Mhz Ti-book series, all Powerbooks at least since the Pismo had an audio-in. But actually it doesn't matter, you can always get a USB or Firewire microphon.

But an iPod is definitely more handy than a 17'' in Powerbook.

[DGFan]

I really want a compact flash reader that I can plug into my iPod. I don't really want to spend another $300 for something my iPod should be able to do - hold my vacation photos!

[greenstork]

Originally posted by DGFan
I really want a compact flash reader that I can plug into my iPod. I don't really want to spend another $300 for something my iPod should be able to do - hold my vacation photos!

Wow, now that would be an awesome peripheral! If you were on a huge photo shoot, I could think of nothing more useful for a pro photographer than to be able to offload photos to an iPod instead of lugging a laptop along. I could definitely see consumer uses for a flash card reader too, good call.

[aphexist]

Originally posted by DGFan
I really want a compact flash reader that I can plug into my iPod. I don't really want to spend another $300 for something my iPod should be able to do - hold my vacation photos!

Yes...devices like this should be able to do one thing really well. When I am shopping for a portable music player, it should definitely be able to hold my vacation photos!

[greenstork]

Originally posted by aphexist
Yes...devices like this should be able to do one thing really well. When I am shopping for a portable music player, it should definitely be able to hold my vacation photos!

The iPod is a glorified hard drive, albeit very glorious. It's a software mod on the part of Apple to be able to add compatibility with a flash card reader. I think they should add as many things as they possibly can to the iPod, as long as they don't sacrifice its usability as a portable music player. The more features, the merrier, provided it's in the same size package (or smaller). Who wouldn't want that?

[applekid]

Make something so I can dump photos into the iPod from my digital camera.

[airbag]

Originally posted by greenstork
Wow, now that would be an awesome peripheral! If you were on a huge photo shoot, I could think of nothing more useful for a pro photographer than to be able to offload photos to an iPod instead of lugging a laptop along. I could definitely see consumer uses for a flash card reader too, good call.


I think not. Professional photographers use professional tools - that's what notebooks are for! What pro photographer in his right mind would want to look at his images on a tiny iPod screen instead of a 12/15/17 inch pb??? With the weight of all that heavy photo equipment, what is one small laptop?

Anyway, I think Apple will leave it to 3rd party suppliers to make this kind of peripheral. If Apple really is to make iPod peripherals, it will be something more mainstream, somthing that ADDS value and will sell in tons. I can see a microphone, a superdock or WiFi in that category

... or something unbelieveably innovative that we never would have thought of, but that we soon will crave like crazy...:D

[aphexist]

Originally posted by greenstork
I think they should add as many things as they possibly can to the iPod, as long as they don't sacrifice its usability as a portable music player.

If they can maintain that, bring it on! I believe that if anyone could do it well, it would probably be Apple.

However, I am envisioning an iPod fanny pack that completists will have to carry around to have all their pieces and adapters with them at all times. As it is now, they aren't restricting functionality; the device is as simple as can be. The simplicity is what makes it so beautiful.

I thought there were devices to dump CF cards. Did I make that up?

[LimeLite]

Originally posted by greenstork
The iPod is a glorified hard drive, albeit very glorious. It's a software mod on the part of Apple to be able to add compatibility with a flash card reader. I think they should add as many things as they possibly can to the iPod, as long as they don't sacrifice its usability as a portable music player. The more features, the merrier, provided it's in the same size package (or smaller). Who wouldn't want that?
I'd like to compare your theory to the comparison between Explorer and Safari. Which is better? In my opinion, it's Safari, because it's an application that does what it's supposed to do (mostly :D ). Explorer was bloated down with other features, and these additions, while useful to some, cause the app to not be as efficient of a web browser as Safari is.

Now when it comes to the iPod, it's a music player, first and foremost. The more complicated something is, the more things can break. I'd hate to see the iPod be bogged down with so many features that it can't perform the ones it was designed for as well as it should.

If you need all those other things, maybe you need a PDA?

[Docrjm]

Originally posted by dstorey
I really really hope recording comes soon to the iPod. It will then make it a near essential purchase along with a laptop for when i start uni (only got 7 days to start so hopes it hurry's). Being able to record from it makes making notes from lectures much easier, instead of franticly scribling down everything thats said and missing parts. It'll also be usefull for group meetings etc. Wthout recording it's hard to justify the price at the moment when I'll have a laptop with me for storing files and i have a mini disc lp for music if need be. There is a good deal on bundles of laptops and ipods at the moment in the uk edu store but not sure if this applies to the student adc too. The special edition ipod doesn't really interest me unless its got extra features....
You don't need to write down everything. Listen to the content and make relevant notes. The whole experience will then be more enjoyable.

[LimeLite]

Originally posted by doc_mac
You don't need to write down everything. Listen to the content and make relevant notes. The whole experience will then be more enjoyable.
Different people learn in different ways.

Anyway, enough off-topicness, back to iPod Peripheral and Special Edition iPod speculations!

[fpnc]

Since the current generation iPods already have audio input capabilities in hardware I've got to believe that an iPod microphone or recording dock has to be coming. In any case, the iPods definitely need to support audio recording and analog audio input. This is the one area where almost every other decent MP3 player is ahead of Apple. And I agree with the earlier statements, giving the iPod recording capabilities would be a huge win for students.

As for the multi-media card reader idea (off-loading photos from you digital camera), yes that would be a very nice trick. However, I think there may be technical reasons why that might not be possible. USB, for example, is not a symmetrical hardware interconnect. That is, there is a difference between being a USB host and a USB peripheral and up until now the iPod has only acted as a peripheral (and it may only be able to act in that mode, the hardware might not support being a USB host). Firewire is more capable in this regard but I've heard nothing about the iPod being able to act as a Firewire host (it's possible, but not certain). So, perhaps the iPod could host a Firewire-based card reader. But it would require software support from Apple (significant effort?) and there might also be copy-protection issues so I don't think we'll see any such device from Apple in the near future.

[kenaustus]

When the iPod had a 5 Gig drive in it the average user could just about fill it with all their CDs and LPs.

Now that you can get a 40 Gig drive (60 coming soon?) there is room for other things, like using some of the space for a backup drive. I travel on overseas business trips and would very rapidly upgrade to a new iPod if it could also be the backup drive for important data.

Begin able to quickly download pics would also be a plus as users would not have to drag their laptop everywhere they went - especially when sightseeing on vacations.

The fact is that the iPod is moving to a point where it can be many things - not just a music player. I hope that Apple can continue to take the lead in developing new ideas & uses. It can only mean more sales and converts.

[blueBomber]

let's not forget what that "i" originally stood for in Apple's products; internet.

I think you guys are all on the right track, let's hope Apple is too.

[fpnc]

Originally posted by airbag
I think not. Professional photographers use professional tools - that's what notebooks are for! What pro photographer in his right mind would want to look at his images on a tiny iPod screen instead of a 12/15/17 inch pb??? With the weight of all that heavy photo equipment, what is one small laptop?


The idea is not to look at the photos on the iPod (that wouldn't work anyway with only a monochrome, 1-bit display). The value would be to dump the photos to the larger storage in the iPod. Thus with just your iPod and the digital camera you could take many gigabytes of photos while investing in and carrying only a single media card (like one fifty dollar 128MB CompactFlash card). This would be great if you planned a full day of picture taking. I'd much rather take a day trip carrying my iPod and digital camera instead of my camera and laptop computer.

[themadchemist]

Originally posted by MacFan26
Yeah, that's one area that Apple should probably stay out of. Same with the digital cameras and PDA's. Otherwise 3rd party companies have little chance of having a good market on the Mac platform.

You're right.

Well, in my opinion, almost right. 3rd party companies would NOT be able to compete with Apple on PDAs, but I don't think the same is true for digital cameras.

The OS and compatability concerns that exist with PDAs are far less complex (in the case of OS, nonexistent) w/digital cameras. These are devices with a single, specialized task.

Therefore, the focus will always be more on the strength of the device at performing that task than its ability to establish a connection with another device such as a computer. The latter task is an easy one to accomplish and has marginal, negligible differences from manufacturer to manufacturer. The former task is the key, and the strength of certain long-standing film companies has carried over into the digital era. Apple does not have the credibility in the camera market, one that is characterized by brand-loyal, detail-sensitive consumers looking for a precision instrument.

No, I don't think Apple would find success against competitors in the digital camera realm. At least, not in the high end. Moreover, a low-end, el cheapo camera could do nothing but hurt Apple's credibility in general--as it will be spun by competitors and detractors not as a camera targeted to the layman, but as a camera of poor quality.

[fpnc]

Originally posted by kenaustus
Now that you can get a 40 Gig drive (60 coming soon?) there is room for other things, like using some of the space for a backup drive. I travel on overseas business trips and would very rapidly upgrade to a new iPod if it could also be the backup drive for important data.


You can already use any iPod as a backup drive for you notebook computer. In fact, on the Macintosh you can actually use the iPod as an emergency boot drive (if you install the Mac OS onto the iPod). In any case, you can mount any iPod directly to your desktop and copy data files to it (it acts just like any other external drive).

[themadchemist]

Originally posted by fpnc
You can already use any iPod as a backup drive for you notebook computer. In fact, on the Macintosh you can actually use the iPod as an emergency boot drive (if you install the Mac OS onto the iPod). In any case, you can mount any iPod directly to your desktop and copy data files to it (it acts just like any other external drive).

I was about to post that. Excellent point.

[LimeLite]

Originally posted by fpnc
You can already use any iPod as a backup drive for you notebook computer. In fact, on the Macintosh you can actually use the iPod as an emergency boot drive (if you install the Mac OS onto the iPod). In any case, you can mount any iPod directly to your desktop and copy data files to it (it acts just like any other external drive).
I'm actually surprised that that's not common knowledge by now.

[fpnc]

Originally posted by themadchemist
No, I don't think Apple would find success against competitors in the digital camera realm. At least, not in the high end. Moreover, a low-end, el cheapo camera could do nothing but hurt Apple's credibility in general--as it will be spun by competitors and detractors not as a camera targeted to the layman, but as a camera of poor quality.

As a post note, Apple has already been in the digital camera market. In early 1994 Apple introduced the QuickTake line of color digital still cameras. In fact, the QuickTake was one of the earliest consumer-grade, full-color, digital cameras in the US market. However, Apple subsequently discontinued all of its digital camera development due in part to the growing financial crises that Apple faced in the mid-90's.

[azdude]

To be fair, though, the QuickTake was not Apple designed. It was a rebranded Kodak product, IIRC.

Quoted from a Google-d article:

Kodak saw the consumer commercial possibilities of a filmless digital camera connected to a computer and began working with Apple on a consumer version. On February 17, 1994, the Kodak-designed Apple QuickTake 100 was introduced at the Tokyo MacWorld Expo. The QuickTake 100 looked more like a fancy pair of binoculars. It ran on three AA batteries and could store eight 640 x 480 images in its internal solid state memory or could be connected to a PC via a serial port connection. The Apple QuickTake 100 went on sale in the U.S. in May 1994 (for Macintosh only; the Windows version arrived a month later) for less than $1000, making it the first true consumer digital camera. Kodak followed with its own version, the DC-40, that same spring.

[danielgrenell]

i'd like to see a mic, an enhanced dock, a camera (?), an ultrapowerful laser, and maybe a death ray

[azdude]

BTW... As for the discussion on an Apple PDA, I doubt it'd be as successful as you think. Perhaps I don't speak for the general public, but personally, the thing I value most about about my Palm is the huge amount of software already available for it.

Anyway... back to iPod peripherals:

Put me in for a iPod sled with directional microphone and additional Li-Ion rechargeable battery, chargeable via the same connector as a sort of 'passthrough.' Kinda like this sort of thing, but with the incorporated battery and directional mike instead of GPS antenna ;) :

[DGFan]

Originally posted by greenstork
Wow, now that would be an awesome peripheral! If you were on a huge photo shoot, I could think of nothing more useful for a pro photographer than to be able to offload photos to an iPod instead of lugging a laptop along. I could definitely see consumer uses for a flash card reader too, good call.

and apaprently someone is working on one:

details here (http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_comments.php?id=P1400_0_7_0_C)

[Wash!!]

Originally posted by shadowfax
hahahahahaha.....


and you guys said Dell was just a copycat. who are they copying on that one? hell, that's the one feature so many of you people were railing for apple to include, and in their warm spirit of innovation they've utterly failed to do so. lol.

I have no need for it so the innovation still there :D

[chewbaccapits]

Maybe this is why the delay for the WINNERS of the iPod giveaway contest has yet to be announced! I'd be full of envy if people received SE iPods.Winners were to be announced on or about Oct.1 (http://www.apple.com/promo/ipodaday/)

[blueBomber]

Originally posted by fpnc
As a post note, Apple has already been in the digital camera market. In early 1994 Apple introduced the QuickTake line of color digital still cameras. In fact, the QuickTake was one of the earliest consumer-grade, full-color, digital cameras in the US market. However, Apple subsequently discontinued all of its digital camera development due in part to the growing financial crises that Apple faced in the mid-90's.

Wow, I remember using one of those in high school... If I remember correctly, it was one of the black and white ones that took pict files. It sucks now, but back then it was pretty cool.

[jettredmont]

Originally posted by shadowfax
hahahahahaha.....


and you guys said Dell was just a copycat. who are they copying on that one?

Creative, Neuros, Archos, Apacer ... hell, just put "MP3 player recording" into Google and see all the players that have recording built in now.

Or are you saying Dell "innovated" by putting recording in a knock-off of the iPod? In which case, yup, I guess ya got us there.

[jettredmont]

Originally posted by Inkmonkey
I want either the above or a peripheral that can press my slacks.

That would be the 12" AlBook. Best part about it: you don't need to connect the iPod to use it as a trouser-press!

[ennerseed]

Originally posted by LimeLite
I'd like to compare your theory to the comparison between Explorer and Safari. Which is better? In my opinion, it's Safari, because it's an application that does what it's supposed to do (mostly :D ). Explorer was bloated down with other features, and these additions, while useful to some, cause the app to not be as efficient of a web browser as Safari is.

Now when it comes to the iPod, it's a music player, first and foremost. The more complicated something is, the more things can break. I'd hate to see the iPod be bogged down with so many features that it can't perform the ones it was designed for as well as it should.

If you need all those other things, maybe you need a PDA?

I guess everyone has an opinion...

But I for one like that the Mac os has alot more software nowadays, i lets me do more things with my computer. I also like that apple has built internal harddrives, cd/dvd burners, and on some modles screens... it keeps me from having to have all these items all over my desk.

[TiBook1ghz]

A recording capability (with a built-in mic or option to use your own) is what I'm waiting for.

The perfect concert companion. Record the whole show in 320kbps MP3!

[legacyb4]

Agreed.

I cover a fair amount of auto-related events and it would be nice to unload my 1GB microdrive without having to necessarily do it to a laptop. I'm already carrying around enough gear with lenses and other camera gear and having even a small 12" on your back starts to add up after a long day...

Cheers.

Originally posted by fpnc
The idea is not to look at the photos on the iPod (that wouldn't work anyway with only a monochrome, 1-bit display). The value would be to dump the photos to the larger storage in the iPod. Thus with just your iPod and the digital camera you could take many gigabytes of photos while investing in and carrying only a single media card (like one fifty dollar 128MB CompactFlash card). This would be great if you planned a full day of picture taking. I'd much rather take a day trip carrying my iPod and digital camera instead of my camera and laptop computer.

[e2chris]

Originally posted by shadowfax
hah, why would any human with taste want to listen to the radio? ;)

i don't think that a radio would be practical as an add-on, because the iPod is an MP3/MP4 decoder. adding a radio to it would be redundant to both devices, because there would be no need for them to be connected. an AM/FM receiver would just be a separate piece of equipment. if they are going to add that functionality to it, they really need to totally integrate it into the iPod itself, and i would hazard a guess that reception would be nothing short of crappy with all the steel on the iPod, not to mention the spinning discs.

Dude.. just because you live in OK... dont rag on us that have GOOD radio stations. I live in Boston and WBCN and several other stations play good music and have news for what is happening in town. I realize you wouldnt want to hear all your bible stations.... LOL!

[e2chris]

I dont have a ipod. I just dont need one. I want osx on it with a color screen. aka PDA I guess... but what is up with the software on it??? Why isnt iTunes on it to play the music? And then with a mini-osx they could have say... iphoto and other iapps even quicktime.. With the hard drive space they have now. Why not?? I havent checked the specs of these hardrived but I heard they are getting close to 2.5 HD speeds. I wonder how long until we start seeing these HD's in laptops. Again I havent checked the specs of the HD. Its a simple click and search but I havent taken the time. Anyway just some thoughts...

[fpnc]

Originally posted by azdude
To be fair, though, the QuickTake was not Apple designed. It was a rebranded Kodak product, IIRC.


Mostly true. However, I worked on the QuickTake project at Apple and it wasn't simply a rebranded Kodak product. Kodak controlled most of the hardware design and managed the manufacturing of the camera. But Apple did a good amount of the host software development and QA and was also involved in the product ID.

[Photorun]

Considering I just (finally) bought my first iPod it'd be very much in line with Apple to release something much more new and cooler.. and probably cheaper than what I bought it for. In fact, I'm hoping to get a G5 as soon as possible just so the G6 will be released a week later.

[mistafro]

I would love to see an FM add-on that plugs in via the Dock connector (bottom), Imagine having the itrip in the top and FM at the bottom, now that is one veristile iPod!! Imagine if you could record the radio on the hard drive while listen!! Heaven!!

[fourthtunz]

Originally posted by shadowfax
hahahahahaha.....


and you guys said Dell was just a copycat. who are they copying on that one? hell, that's the one feature so many of you people were railing for apple to include, and in their warm spirit of innovation they've utterly failed to do so. lol.

Well ya gotta admit dell is a copycat:D
Is the dell unit shipping yet? I would wait for it to ship before I get too excited about it. I didn't think I even wanted an ipod but my wife just got me the 30 gig one for my birthday, oh my god is it cool :cool:
You can use it as an external drive, its pretty fast and its the size of a pack of smokes! You can play a bunch of audio file types with it, charges while it automatically syncs all music,address,notes etc, very cool.
Yeah It will be cool when the make it so it will record audio. I hope they put a mac gui on it and voice recognition, ok make it recognize my smart media reader too:D
daniel

[greenstork]

Originally posted by airbag
I think not. Professional photographers use professional tools - that's what notebooks are for! What pro photographer in his right mind would want to look at his images on a tiny iPod screen instead of a 12/15/17 inch pb??? With the weight of all that heavy photo equipment, what is one small laptop?



I'm not talking about editing or even viewing. I am simply talking about the ability to offload photos while shooting in remote locations, and I stand by my assertion that the iPod would be great for this.

[G3nius]

Ever since the iPod has been released, I have thought it would be a fantastic idea to have the ability, in some form, to store data from a digital camera to the ipod.

You could take your iPod on an extended vacation and never worry about running out of room for photos. Combined with iPhoto this would be a killer app for the iPod.

[SeaFox]

Originally posted by MacKenzie999
I assume you could simply attach a mic to your laptop for classroom recording, couldn't you? although being mainly a desktop guy, i have no idea if laptops have audio in.

Actually what he assumes is a recordable iPod would let you upload your files to the laptop. Apple could pull a Sony NetMD move where the device can record but you can't upload the files digitally to your PC.

[SeaFox]

Originally posted by greenstork
Wow, now that would be an awesome peripheral! If you were on a huge photo shoot, I could think of nothing more useful for a pro photographer than to be able to offload photos to an iPod instead of lugging a laptop along. I could definitely see consumer uses for a flash card reader too, good call.

External storage devices for digital camera images already exist. Most have slots for Compact Flash, etc cards that quickley empty the card, saving the images to the built in hard disks faster than a USB transfer from the camera.

[SeaFox]

Originally posted by e2chris
Dude.. just because you live in OK... dont rag on us that have GOOD radio stations. I live in Boston and WBCN and several other stations play good music and have news for what is happening in town. I realize you wouldnt want to hear all your bible stations.... LOL!

What a stupid comment. Almost all radio stations are owned by media conglomerates now and they all play the same thing. Most of the independant ones are stations the corporates can't buy. Like college radio stations.

[fpnc]

Originally posted by SeaFox
External storage devices for digital camera images already exist. Most have slots for Compact Flash, etc cards that quickley empty the card, saving the images to the built in hard disks faster than a USB transfer from the camera.

That's true, but they are expensive. That's why such a feature would be a nice enhancement or bonus for the iPod. Also, USB 2.0 and Firewire can transfer the data as fast as it could be read from the media storage card (i.e. USB 2.0 and Firewire support transfer rates that far exceed any available flash storage media).

One problem for such a device, there is no secure method to attach a card reader to the iPod. If Apple was planning add-on devices like this then the iPod should have had a "hard" attachment point (i.e. a port that offered screwthreads or a very secure latch, I don't think the current bottom-located docking port is really that robust or strong). Thus, the only way to add a card reader would be via a cable and I don't think that would be as convenient as a hard attached device (think of the cable clutter in your camera bag).

[e2chris]

Originally posted by SeaFox
What a stupid comment. Almost all radio stations are owned by media conglomerates now and they all play the same thing. Most of the independant ones are stations the corporates can't buy. Like college radio stations.

obviously you have never traveled. no radio stations do not play the same things. Some states just have crap for radio.

[instantypo]

Keep in mind that the iPod already carries all your contact's cell phone numbers and - is this correct? - also has a little microphone in the left earbud.

So all Apple has to do is inserting a cell phone module and an extra port to insert your SIM card. And the software possibility to voice record the contact's name.

To receive a call : music is paused and your contact's name is spoken. You take out your left earbud and say your magic word "hello" into the earbud. You get connected and make your call. After the communication the music continues. To quickly end a communication: just double click the central button.

To make a call: iPod menu/extra/contacts/choose contact/double click contact. Music is paused upon connection and continues after the communication.

Using the left earbud to talk has the advantage that surrounding people actually see that your not talking to yourself!

Am I the only one to see this great possibility?

I just don't want to carry both my cell phone and my iPod at the same time.

[manu chao]

Serious cameras already have either USB 2 or Firewire, no need for card readers therefore. The camera software should simply be able to mount external drives (an iPod or a simple harddrive) and transfer photos to it. This feature might exist already and if not, it is up to the camera manufactures to modify their software. The only difference between an iPod and a simple harddrive would be that the iPod is battery powered.

[LimeLite]

It's bad enough with all this speculation and desire to turn the iPod into a card reader, but NO CELL PHONE! People, please, it's an iPod, not a PDA! Apple will not make a PDA, so don't hold your breath.

If anything at all, my bet is that the iPod will become the hardware accessory to iLife. It's already got iTunes, the only other thing it would need is a color screen and slightly new design to give it a larger screen and make it able to slideshow digital pictures and digital movies. I know some of you think it would be too small to watch videos on, but it's at least not too small to show pictures, and these are too abilities that can be given to the iPod without having to do drastic hardware reconfiguration (cell phone...).

Not saying it's going to happen, but just that if the iPod were to evolve, that'd be my bet.

And if you need all that other junk, look to third party accessories.

[e2chris]

This whole ipod thing is rather silly. You know it wont be long before cell phones get these hard drives. Then why the hell would you want a ipod which just plays music?? The future is here... Everything is in place for a future device that will do everything we need/want it to do. Photos/Movies/Music/Phone is very likely to happen within a year. If Apple doesnt do it then someone else will. They would be stupid not to advance the ipod. Yet it is Apple. One button mouse... please...

[SeaFox]

Originally posted by e2chris
obviously you have never traveled. no radio stations do not play the same things. Some states just have crap for radio.

Nonetheless, I object to your assumption that the midwest is some bible-thumping radio heaven. I doubt all the stations in Boston are the bee's knees.

[SeaFox]

Originally posted by instantypo
Keep in mind that the iPod already carries all your contact's cell phone numbers and - is this correct? - also has a little microphone in the left earbud.

It doesn't have a "microphone" in the left ear bud. A microphone is just an earphone working in reverse (in crude terms). It just happens an earbud will work as a mic and because it's mono recording, it's only the left earbud that works.

So all Apple has to do is inserting a cell phone module and an extra port to insert your SIM card. And the software possibility to voice record the contact's name.

To receive a call: music is paused and your contact's name is spoken. You take out your left earbud and say your magic word "hello" into the earbud. You get connected and make your call. After the communication the music continues. To quickly end a communication: just double click the central button.

To make a call: iPod menu/extra/contacts/choose contact/double click contact. Music is paused upon connection and continues after the communication.

That would be cool. And certainly doable.

Am I the only one to see this great possibility?

No, Sony already has an mp3 player that works this way. It pauses music when a cell phone call comes in. I can't remember exactly how the phone and player are linked. I keep thinking a bluetooth headset was involved, but that wouldn't work for the music player.

[Macco]

How about just make the iPod software extensible, so that people and developers could write their own programs to run on the iPod. That way, people wouldn't have to wait for Apple to write in all of the extra features that they want.

Originally posted by fpnc
The idea is not to look at the photos on the iPod (that wouldn't work anyway with only a monochrome, 1-bit display).
Just thought I'd mention, the iPod display is grayscale, not monochrome. You can see this on the edges of the Apple logo on startup, and on the back of the cards in the solitaire game.

[i_am_a_cow]

Originally posted by shadowfax
hahahahahaha.....


and you guys said Dell was just a copycat. who are they copying on that one? hell, that's the one feature so many of you people were railing for apple to include, and in their warm spirit of innovation they've utterly failed to do so. lol.

As was said before, and external mic would be better. It could have an extension maybe on a bendy wire (like those laptop lights). And besides, the ipod did come with built in recording, the headphone jack doubles as audio in. I recorded before with headphnes. you should know this at least. Dell IS copying...

[Ktulu]

I don't know if this is possible but what about a version of an AirPort card added to the iPod so that while you were out you could go into any one of several places that have wireless internet-(Borders for one) and not do anything serious, but maybe check your e-mail and-(wishing very hard) connect to iTMS and download songs directly to your iPod.

Another possible-(albeit farfetched) use for this could also be an iPod sized iSight so that you could use iChat AV on the go.

Just a couple of thought, sorry if they have already been mentioned or comply proven to be impossible. just thought the 2 thing would be neet/innovative/as well as possible well received by a large portion of the iPod/MP3 player public.

[rockman2023]

is this what the ruckus is about?

http://www.vectorelement.com/misc/ipod.pdf

[azdude]

Seeing as how that product was actually released already, no-- that's not what the ruckus is about.

By the way... you can't embed .pdf files... here's the link for others.

http://www.vectorelement.com/misc/ipod.pdf

[rockman2023]

Originally posted by azdude
Seeing as how that product was actually released already, no-- that's not what the ruckus is about.

By the way... you can't embed .pdf files... here's the link for others.

http://www.vectorelement.com/misc/ipod.pdf

Thanks for clearing that up. I didnt know you cant embed pdf files because I can see it in Safari. :confused:

[azdude]

Ok... you caught me using IE. :rolleyes:

EDIT: I'm on campus late... and we're still on 9.2.2. No Safari here, although I use it 100% of the time at home ;)

[rockman2023]

Originally posted by azdude
Ok... you caught me using IE. :rolleyes:

heh heh....
hey everybody, shoud we carry azdude to the burning stake? j/k ;)
I use IE also from time to time; some plugins run content faster on there, but we should leave that for another thread...