60 GB Color Screen Photo-Capable iPod?

[Mudbug]

ThinkSecret has published a rumor of a new 4th generation iPod featuring a previously rumored Toshiba 60 GB hard drive. In addition to the rumored size increase the new iPod is said to have a 2-inch color liquid crystal display, iPhoto synchronization, audio/video-out capabilities, and will sell for $499. Form factor is not expected to change, although the new iPod will be slightly thicker and heavier than the present 20 and 40 GB models.

The 2-inch color screen is identical in size to other iPods, but will sport a higher resolution for photo viewing. However, the new device's real shining feature will be its video-out port, which will enable users to tote their photo galleries with them, ready to be plugged into any television for big-screen viewing.

The 60GB iPod will feature only rudimentary built-in software for viewing photos, with no editing tools, sources say. Photo albums will be navigated in a similar fashion to music playlists, and a slideshow feature will provide transitions with user-specified background music, similar to iPhoto. Synchronizing features similar to iTunes will also be added to iPhoto.

[Mudbug]

I fixed the thread issue... whoops. :)

[nagromme]

Sign me up!

Photo slideshows WITH music, output to TV OR on the small screen (I show photos on my camera all the time, after all) is much smarter than a tiny movie player in a not-so-compact MS device.

And album art display--fun by itself, even more fun with a TV :)

(The smaller iPods could use this too, I think.)

[noel4r]

Great, I just bought a 4G 20GB iPod. The day I buy a G5 will be the month before they release a G6.

[ibjoshua]

Maybe I shouldn't have been in such a hurry to buy my 20GB last week.
This sounds nice.

i_b_joshua

[narco]

Man, I can use one. I almost filled my 40 gig.

I hope you can do more with the color screen -- if it's just a normal iPod screen, except in color, then that'd be kind of lame.

.narco

[Object-X]

I have often thought that the iPod would eventualy include iPhoto integration, but what about Windows users? Will this mean the porting of the iLife apps to Windows? How can they add a feature like this an exclude the majority of iPod users? If they want to sell them then they will have to offer Windows support. And of course if they port iLife why not everything else? They will make a killing on the software sales alone.

[FelixDerKater]

I hope they have some new battery to put in that thing.

[ojames]

Sounds like an AppleInsider story from March:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=393

they had the scoop after all, it appears.

OJ

[DreaminDirector]

What about the ability to import photos? Or at least an elegant solution (freakin' Belkin...).

Sounds good to me at any rate... my 2G 10GB ipod's getting full.

[rendezvouscp]

Let's see some photos! No, really, this poses two problems: no market to PC users unless the begin porting iPhoto or use another PC app, and power. Interesting concept though.
–Chase

[quackattack]

I hope they have some new battery to put in that thing.

agreed, that color screen could really be a battery hog. none the less, I WANT ONE!!! :D

[PlaceofDis]

the size could push me to upgrade from my 15 which is unable to hold my library anymore, but i would like to see just a plain 60gb iPod as well, i dont need all the other fluff to be honest, but cool nonetheless

[Manzana]

but what about video? That would really be killer if you could play your .avi's or .mov's!

[Bastich]

It's about time, but it will be almost pointless unless the screen is made considerably larger. And I want a proper memory card reader!

[technocoy]

I'll take one please!

[QCassidy352]

I hope you can do more with the color screen -- if it's just a normal iPod screen, except in color, then that'd be kind of lame.

What do you mean? The point of the color screen is so you can view photos... what else do you want? :confused:

Frankly, I'm not sure about this one... who wants to carry all of their digital pictures with them everywhere?

[Chaszmyr]

I wouldn't believe it if anyone other than ThinkSecret had reported it. I look forward to it!

[quackattack]

i have a feeling that viewing images on the screen will be less than impressive.... the video out really has potential. I also wouldn't count on movies, that is going to require alot of power out of that little iPod. To be honest I am just happy to see it up to 60gb, I have out grown my 30.

[mowogg]

Let's see some photos! No, really, this poses two problems: no market to PC users unless the begin porting iPhoto or use another PC app, and power. Interesting concept though.
–Chase

Probably wouldn't need iPhoto for the PC, just a sync option added to iTunes to upload the raw files. Windows XP already has image browsing software built in.
I would expect a .1 upgrade to both iTunes Mac and Windows to accommodate the image transfer.
I agree about the need for a big-butt battery. Even the small screen will eat it up. Color cell phones show that.

[nagromme]

Re who wants to carry all your photos... I do! I'm always being asked to show something, or wanting to show something, and don't have my PB on hand. And you could load it with images from Keynote etc. and give presentations with audio too. I know, not the main idea... but useful for some.

Re playing .movs... yes that would be fun, but just for little clips (like my still cam will take). It's not vital, and not for feature films.

Re lack of editing tools :D I don't know why that TS note cracks me up.

Re PC support: at worst, they'd just drag the photos into the folder. Just like Notes. And third-party apps would spring up to automate this for sure, even without Win iPhoto. (But iPhoto is one of my favorite apps, and I'm sure it would go over well for Windows.)

Re screen size: My camera's screen is 1.6" and I show photos on that all the time. Plus TV output makes this even more ideal.

[~Shard~]

Great news! It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise though, as we knew Toshiba was indeed manufacturing these drives a while ago. Still though, the color screen would be a nice touch, although my first concern would be what that does to the iPod's battery life. Perhaps Apple's efforts to increase battery life in the 4G iPods will be all for not now with a color screen sucking all that extra juice up. ;) Regardless, great news, and I can't wait to see this thing!

[~Shard~]

i have a feeling that viewing images on the screen will be less than impressive.... the video out really has potential. I also wouldn't count on movies, that is going to require alot of power out of that little iPod. To be honest I am just happy to see it up to 60gb, I have out grown my 30.

I agree - unless Apple builds one hell of a color screen into this thing, viewing pictures on the iPod itself will probably be less than stellar - and if APple did build an amazing screen into it, you can kiss your battery life good bye. ;) I think the screen will be useful for previewing and whatnot, but the new iPod will really shine when it comes to this video out port, and being able to run slideshows, etc. from the iPod. That's going to be slick! :cool:

And yes, although movies would be cool, they, too would drain the battery fairly significantly, and Jobs has said before that this wasn't the aim of the iPod - yet, at least. ;) I think playing video clips will be wishful thinking, but the photo aspect is great and quite viable.

[ifjake]

eh color screens are lame. the new iRiver player has a color screen, and it looks lame. that and it's trying to be the antiPod, with black plastic instead of white. but the screen is still lame. but if it's absolutely necessary, no one's stopping anyone from buying what they absolutely must have.

[jackieonasses]

Movies would be hard if not impossiable on the batteries used by apple...


I really really believe that apple will make a 60gig and have video-out, but i don't think they will have a color screen. they might but i dont thinks so. IF they do have iphoto integration, they WON'T port iPhoto to pc. they will have another product (like musicmatch) or a crappier version for them.

[iPost]

It sounds cool, but I really got turned off when I read that it's thicker and heavier than the current iPod. I want portable devices to go smaller and lighter, not larger. I love my iPod Mini -- have already bought two, and I rarely use my other full-size iPods now. I don't think I'd buy another full-size iPod, especially if it is larger.

But I guess that's the way it goes... in order to give you more features, you have to go bigger before you can eventually make it smaller.

Looks like I'll have to wait a little longer for that color-screen iPod Mini.

[~Shard~]

Re who wants to carry all your photos... I do! I'm always being asked to show something, or wanting to show something, and don't have my PB on hand.

Exactly - I just returned form my backpacking trip through Eastern Europe and everyone is wanting to see my photos. Well, until I print physical copies of some of my digital photos, or set up my website for people to view them, I really have no way other than my camera's LCD to show them - and I don't even have a PowerBook either!

Re screen size: My camera's screen is 1.6" and I show photos on that all the time. Plus TV output makes this even more ideal.

I agree - as I said before, the screen would definitely be adequate to preview photos, etc, just as a digital camera's screen does the trick, but this thing would really shine when it comes to that video out port. That's going to be great, and it's exciting to watch the iPod evolve like this. :cool:

[~Shard~]

It sounds cool, but I really got turned off when I read that it's thicker and heavier than the current iPod. I want portable devices to go smaller and lighter, not larger. I love my iPod Mini -- have already bought two, and I rarely use my other full-size iPods now. I don't think I'd buy another full-size iPod, especially if it is larger.

But I guess that's the way it goes... in order to give you more features, you have to go bigger before you can eventually make it smaller.

I'm sure when they say heavier and larger it's a relative term - just like the current 40 GB iPod is technically "larger" and "heavier" than the 20 GB, even though it's in actuality only .1 inches thicker and .6 ounces heavier. ;)

[nagromme]

I agree, having it be thicker is a shame. I wanted a Mini just for the physical size (convenience AND geek-toy factor). But if it's not much over .75" thick I can stomach it for the new functionality. (If it's the same .69" size as the 40 GB I'll be even happier. But maybe the thickness is needed for battery, not just HD.)

Also, I don't care if batt life is lower. Every iPod in history has gotten longer playback than I personally need. And I'd charge it daily anyway just from habit, so being able to "skip a day" doesn't matter to me.

(I'd say AI really did have the scoop back in March as posted above. Now they've followed up tonight: http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=683 Nothing new there though.)

[quackattack]

It sounds cool, but I really got turned off when I read that it's thicker and heavier than the current iPod. I want portable devices to go smaller and lighter, not larger. I love my iPod Mini -- have already bought two, and I rarely use my other full-size iPods now. I don't think I'd buy another full-size iPod, especially if it is larger.

I think it really depends on how much larger. I have a 3rd Gen 30gb, which is larger than the current 40gb. If it is the same size as mine, i won't mind. If it is bigger than that it could be an issue. I would hope apple wouldn't release something that is significantly larger.

[dizastor]

Anyone else happy to see a rumor on Macrumors front page again, rather than just news and security updates.

Yay for the new iPod too.

[iMeowbot]

I have often thought that the iPod would eventualy include iPhoto integration, but what about Windows users? Will this mean the porting of the iLife apps to Windows?
HP already do a decent job in the consumer photo area, having needed to offer that to support the printer business. Covering the functionality from that end would make a lot of sense.

[Dr. Dastardly]

This sounds like it might just become a new line, like powerpod or something. I don't see this going much in the way of the "i" crowd. But with all the 60 gig harddrive, video out, and color screen I know alot of "power" users would buy it. They would line up if it was all brushed aluminum casing. :p

[JDOG_]

Best rumor of the past couple of months IMHO. I'm also excited that it's coming from ThinkSecret instead of some other site, they've got had great sources over the last year or so.

Now where to get that pesky $499....

[fredwick]

i do not believe

[iMeowbot]

But maybe the thickness is needed for battery, not just HD.
Color LCDs need more powerful backlights than their mono counterparts, and they tend to need the lights on much more often. For an iPod-sized device to serve as a reasonable thumbnail viewer, a much more powerful battery would be in order.

[Sir_Giggles]

iPods are for music!!! I don't want all this video/photo crappy bloat!!! Look at what happened to Real and Netscape. Looks like Apple is following the same path.

[BakedBeans]

now thats a dang juicy rumor/rumour

[Dr. Dastardly]

I always thought if this did happen then it would be oled. :(

[QCassidy352]

Exactly - I just returned form my backpacking trip through Eastern Europe and everyone is wanting to see my photos. Well, until I print physical copies of some of my digital photos, or set up my website for people to view them, I really have no way other than my camera's LCD to show them - and I don't even have a PowerBook either!

Honestly, it seems silly to me. So people will huddle around your ipod to look at pictures on a 2" screen? I know that I wouldn't want to see someone else's pictures on that screen, nor would I want to show mine that way. No one is going to be all that upset if they have to wait a few days to see my vacation photos (either printed or online).

It's another little gadget that no one really needs until Apple (or some other tech company) tells you that you need it. Like a camera in your cell phone. :rolleyes: Now the original ipod is different. Apple didn't create the demand for a better portable music player - people have been looking for better "walkmen" since portable radios were invented. The ipod was meeting a demand. But I don't think there's really a pre-existing demand for this...

But hey, if it makes you happy...

[stefman]

I am soooo ready to order one!! :D

I can't wait!!

[Dr. Dastardly]

iPods are for music!!! I don't want all this video/photo crappy bloat!!! Look at what happened to Real and Netscape. Looks like Apple is following the same path.
I doubt its real. Even Steve Jobs said "It's about the music stupid"

[AliensAreFuzzy]

Funny, really.

Honestly, I don't see it happening.

[jimthorn]

It's still about the music. These are just bonus features. I probably wouldn't use the photo feature much, though a crisp color screen would be nice, especially if you could see the album art. And how about a tiny version of the iTunes visualizer?

Personally, I'd just be happy if the iPod had a high-quality recording ability, like a line-in (unlike the "voice recording" in the current ones).

[nagromme]

Honestly, it seems silly to me. So people will huddle around your ipod to look at pictures on a 2" screen?

They most certainly will--that's not even open for speculation, it's done all the time: look how much people huddle around little 1.5" screens on cameras already, which have limited capacity. And you're overlooking TV out.

People WILL want to be able to show any photo, any time. That's so much better than what people already do all the time.

Yes, this is a non-music extra, not a core feature. BUT it's still the expected $499... and iPods already have LOTS of non-music features. Heck, iPods already have PHOTO features--ones a lot less widely appealing than this.

Then add music to your slideshows and suddenly photos really DO integrate with the key iPod function.

BTW, here's the rumored size (TS says 2 mm thicker and the same in the other dimensions): .77 inches thick. That's about as thick as I'd accept... but I still hope the rumor's true :)

[Sir_Giggles]

the new iPod is said to have a 2-inch color liquid crystal display, iPhoto synchronization, audio/video-out capabilities, and will sell for $499...The 2-inch color screen... the new device's real shining feature will be its video-out port... rudimentary built-in software for viewing photos, with no editing tools, sources say.

Hmmm.. for just slightly double the price I could get one with a powerful 1 GHz processor, a massive 12" color LCD screen, 5 hours of battery life, plus photo-editing and video-editing software. The price also includes the ability to transfer my photos and music to CD for archiving. Plus it has an integrated DVD player and I can surf the web and check my email.. did I mention all this for JUST DOUBLE THE PRICE.

[broken_keyboard]

I don't think it will have video. The whole beauty of the iPod is the auto sync thing. So easy, just plug in and automatically syncs with your iTunes. I can see how the same thing would work with iPhoto, but with video the files are just too big. If autosync is not possible I don't think they will do it...

[nagromme]

Hmmm.. for just slightly double the price I could get one with a powerful 1 GHz processor, a massive 12" color LCD screen, 5 hours of battery life, plus photo-editing and video-editing software.

The iBook's great, no doubt. But it won't fit in your pocket. A photo-display solution that you don't have WITH you is, at that moment, useless.

I bought a supercompact camera because "if it's too big to have with me, then what's the point?" The same could be said of showing photos... I run slideshows with music from my PowerBook all the time. And yet I'm often asked to (or want to) show stuff and can't because I don't HAVE my PB with me.

[coolfactor]

iPods are for music!!! I don't want all this video/photo crappy bloat!!! Look at what happened to Real and Netscape. Looks like Apple is following the same path.

It's obvious this is coming. Apple wants the iPod to be a "media device", and media includes more mediums than sound.

The new iPod will be priced at the high-end, and won't replace, but rather complement the existing family of iPod (full-size, mini, and HP). Remember HP *just* started distributed iPod and that's going to be going on for months and months using the current specs.

I just discovered the concept of "podcasts", which is a huge revolution born of the "iPod platform", and that's more than music in itself. Apple has created more than a music player, but a platform on which new ideas, services, and experiences can be discovered.

Keep an open mind.

[JFreak]

i'd be happy with even a simple "backup your iphoto library into ipod via isync" feature, even if the photos would not be viewable with the device. on the other hand, i bought the 20GB version the day they announced the 4G models, so i'm not actually in the market for a new one...

[macguymike]

I'm sure when they say heavier and larger it's a relative term - just like the current 40 GB iPod is technically "larger" and "heavier" than the 20 GB, even though it's in actuality only .1 inches thicker and .6 ounces heavier. ;)


And yet it's definitely noticable when you're comparing them physically.

[macridah]

awesome ... but i wonder how the battery life will be affected.

[nero007]

Hmmm.. for just slightly double the price I could get one with a powerful 1 GHz processor, a massive 12" color LCD screen, 5 hours of battery life, plus photo-editing and video-editing software. The price also includes the ability to transfer my photos and music to CD for archiving. Plus it has an integrated DVD player and I can surf the web and check my email.. did I mention all this for JUST DOUBLE THE PRICE.

Should be fun walking around on the streets listening to music from that things. Would you try to fit it in your pocket to or just have a really big belt clip?

[Xtremehkr]

Making the best even better. Ok, enough cliches. Leave to Apple to bring us into the digital world in a manner that is both functional and stylish.


I have to wonder though, what the hell has M$ been up to lately? Have they lost all direction or what?

[Superdrive]

So if the iPod is about the music, since this one is about more than the music, could this carry the title of something more than "iPod". Especially since it is in it's own division of Apple, I would not be surprised to see some other products added to the line besides the "iPod."

-superdrive

[munkle]

I'll hold judgement till more reports are released. What would be nice, if something like this does come along, would be the ability to import photos directly from a digital camera, so the pod could act as a viewer and a storage bank for photos until you're back at your computer. I for one always seem to fill up my memory card faster than I realise and would make it truly useful rather than a nice gimmick.

[IIvan]

i dont think this is going to happen at all. the ipod is for music.. maybe this'll be the iVid or something.. now if theyd just lower the price...

[James Craner]

While I am skeptical of battery life, I think this is a great idea if true. I agree with others than looking at small pictures on the screen is hardly the best way to show off photo's, but hooking the iPod up the TV screen at family and friends houses is quite cool. However I think the biggest plus is an up to date backup of your Photo's 'cos once they are gone you can never recreate them. I know that each time you add photo's to your collection you should back them up, but in reality how many actually do this each time? I confess I normally only back up mine once every couple of months, or after a particularly important occasion.

Finally as far as Windows users are concerned we now have an additional reason for them to switch to the Mac. Yes you can manually add your photo's using a PC, buy if you had a Mac it would automatically sync.

I want one.

[Eric_Z]

This is perfect for movienights with my friends, instead of having to bring 10-15 DVDs with me to choose from, I'd just bring one iPod with my DVDs ripped onto it. The 2" screen would be more then enough to show small previews to my friends when we're arguing about wich one too look at.

Unfortunately it's going to be too expensive for me, but hey that's what dreams are for. :D

[Wigletbill]

I have been waiting for the 60GB and the extras make it all better! I just passed 56GB of tunes and I listen to every one of them every day (grin). No seriously... I will get it the day it is announced!


I'm happy :D :D :D :D :D

[JFreak]

I have to wonder though, what the hell has M$ been up to lately? Have they lost all direction or what?

has microsoft had a direction? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[JFreak]

The 2" screen would be more then enough

yep. that brings my 100" home theater screen to shame :D :D :D

[rikers_mailbox]

Any chance the screen will be OLED instead of LCD? I've seen a couple of cameras with OLED screens and they look pretty nice. OLEDs use less power too. . .

[AmigoMac]

Yeahhhh! I love this company! :D :D

I'll order immediately ....

[kilpajr]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought driving an external display such as a TV required a LOT of power. I think viewing pictures on the iPod would be a nice feature but being able to view them on an external display would be awesome.

I think a color screen on the iPod would be awesome if they could bring some of the Mac UI over. However, I can't see them doing this just on the top model. It seems like they would have to have two versions of everything to do this. Also, PC compatibility would require something like iPhoto I think and it would be stupid IMHO to give away too much software that some people might switch to get.

[iProbot]

I have often thought that the iPod would eventualy include iPhoto integration, but what about Windows users? Will this mean the porting of the iLife apps to Windows? How can they add a feature like this an exclude the majority of iPod users? If they want to sell them then they will have to offer Windows support. And of course if they port iLife why not everything else? They will make a killing on the software sales alone.

you got a point right there!!! :D

[zevic]

Any chance the screen will be OLED instead of LCD? I've seen a couple of cameras with OLED screens and they look pretty nice. OLEDs use less power too. . .

This is just speculation, but Kodak owns most of the patents to OLED technology...and who do you get when you click on "order prints" in iphoto?

You guessed it...Kodak.

Maybe there is some sort of other relationship there?

[pascalpp]

I have often thought that the iPod would eventualy include iPhoto integration, but what about Windows users? Will this mean the porting of the iLife apps to Windows? How can they add a feature like this an exclude the majority of iPod users? If they want to sell them then they will have to offer Windows support. And of course if they port iLife why not everything else? They will make a killing on the software sales alone.

They could easily ship the 60gb iPod without porting iPhoto to Windows. Scads of Windows users will buy it just for the larger hard drive. When they find out they can do more with it if they get a Mac, then... SOME of them will get a Mac the next time they're on the market for a new computer.

[Diatribe]

Perhaps Apple's efforts to increase battery life in the 4G iPods will be all for not now with a color screen sucking all that extra juice up.

I don't have a link but I do remember Toshiba saying that these drives use a lot less power... so that might even the powerdrain from the display out.

I also heard them say that they'd be small than the current 40GB drives... so why exactly would the thing be bigger?

[Diatribe]

This is sooo funny. Again you have all these people naysaying. Just like they did with the first iPod and just like they did with the iPod mini. I mean seriously, Apple has had a lot of success lately with their product decisions and IF they release it, people will buy it. And all those naysayers will be wrong. As always. :D
Note: I am not trying to make it seem like Apple is the most ingenious company out there and cannot make mistakes but you cannot quite ignore their success with their product ideas lately.

[Rod Rod]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought driving an external display such as a TV required a LOT of power. I think viewing pictures on the iPod would be a nice feature but being able to view them on an external display would be awesome.

An A/V out does not require a lot of power at all. TVs have their own power. Headphones take about the same amount of power.

[macidiot]

It'd be nice to be able to display album artwork for the song that is playing...

[Loge]

It'd be nice to be able to display album artwork for the song that is playing...

Definitely, as you get into the thousands of songs, it can be hard to remember what came from what; the album art is a good prompt.

Having friends gather round a color screen to view photos is a good way of showing off the device to more potential iPod buyers without actually, er, showing off.

And the color screen would make the note reading/calendar/address book functionality more usable (just need a 3rd party to make a small detachable keyboard).

[evilgEEk]

No video capabilities....phew! :D

I just bought a 4G 20gig and I would be kicking myself into tomorrow if this new ipod had video capabilities...so again....phew! :D

I'm not too excited about lugging around all my digital photos around with me, granted it could be useful in some circumstances, but for me personally it's no big deal.

I would think that video is the next step though, or will Apple stop here?

[swissmann]

I think this is a small step to video on the iPod. Not that I would want to watch movies on a 2 inch screen but on my home theater system with something like AirTunes video style.

[QFace]

God damn, that sounds fing sweet

[Digipimp]

ooooooooooh a $500 photo player for your TV big deal. At least make it play Quicktime files via the video output if you want me to get excited.

[Loge]

While the new features will cause extra drain on the battery, the new 60GB drives are supposed to have lower power consumption, as well as increased shock resistance. I wonder if they'll also start using Toshiba's new 30GB drive in some of the other iPod models.

[chihchengpeng]

It sounds to me like this new iPod (or whatever) is a step in the direction of being able to store digital movies along with music. Video out? It's inevitable that movies and tv are going to be downloadable one day, just like music is now, and maybe Steve Jobs is positioning Apple to get their foot in the door of that movement as well.

I mean, can anyone else explain why the hell there is .mov integration with iTunes?

[marvbloke]

I also heard them say that they'd be small than the current 40GB drives... so why exactly would the thing be bigger?
Probably to fit the extra "video out" hardware in.

[ntg]

If they finally get to use the OLED technology they have reportedly been investing in for a couple of years (http://www.thinksecret.com/news/oled.html) then I don't see any problem with creating this iPhoto-compatible iPod.

And as Swissman mentioned, and I have thought since AirportExpress was launched, I can see a video version using the h.264 codec over wireless firewire being released a short while after (with maybe an add-on wifi sender to take the video out from this new iPhotoPod)

I'd buy at least two.

Nig.

[rdowns]

I don't have a link but I do remember Toshiba saying that these drives use a lot less power... so that might even the powerdrain from the display out.

I also heard them say that they'd be small than the current 40GB drives... so why exactly would the thing be bigger?

Bigger capacity battery?

[TorbX]

I have often thought that the iPod would eventualy include iPhoto integration, but what about Windows users? Will this mean the porting of the iLife apps to Windows? How can they add a feature like this an exclude the majority of iPod users? If they want to sell them then they will have to offer Windows support. And of course if they port iLife why not everything else? They will make a killing on the software sales alone.

Relax, they'll sync "My Photos".

[Demon]

wow. that price is just as amazing... can't they lower the cost? Apple makes everything in China already, probably pay then 3 cents an hour. bastards.

[SiliconAddict]

WHEN?!?! I've held off getting an iPod for 6 months now because I want a 60GB hard drive so I can fit all my tracks onto it. I’m going on another road trip in late November. Come on Apple. Get your dang butt in gear with these iPods!!

[SiliconAddict]

agreed, that color screen could really be a battery hog. none the less, I WANT ONE!!! :D

Color screens aren't that much more power hungry then any other type of screen. Its the backlighting where the power gets chewed up. That and the size of the screen. Look at the game boy advanced to get an idea of how solid battery life can be.

[Diatribe]

Bigger capacity battery?

That may very well be. But do you really think the color display would drain that much power for them to have a bigger battery?
If it doesn't, just ugrading the battery would leave a capacity gap between the 20/40GB and the 60GB, which I think would not be smart.

[SiliconAddict]

I have to wonder though, what the hell has M$ been up to lately? Have they lost all direction or what?


Nope. In typical MS fashion they are letting their OEM's do the work. MS does OS's and software. Their OEM's do the hardware:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/portablemediacenter/default.mspx
So far there are only two right now. This is the same boat Pocket PC was in when it was released in 2000. Four years later with little real work on the part of MS they are in a dead heat with Palm. I think this is going to be how it plays out with music/multimedia players. Time will tell. The one thing definitely going for the iPod is size. Even a slightly larger iPod is still way smaller then the devices shown in the link above. Those devices are in the size range of handhelds rather then PDA size devices. DO you really want to listen to your music on such a honking huge device. Jack of all trades master of none comes to mind.

[edesignuk]

I don't wanna look at photos on the move, or on a crappy 2" screen, much less do I want to carry around something that's bigger and heavier than the current 40GB and has an even shorter battery life :rolleyes:

[BWhaler]

I think the new iPod sounds great.

With that said, I am a mini convert now. I laughed like most people did when I saw the price, but after owning one and getting used to the size, I am hooked. I really don't need to see album art or show pictures, and 2K songs is enough for me to take around with me.

I just like the smaller size. Doesn't bulge in my suit jacket. Doesn't have the mirrored back which is so easy to scratch.

When I use my wife's iPod now and then, it just feels bulky.

Give me a revised mini with a 10 gig drive, and I'll buy it.

[SiliconAddict]

I don't wanna look at photos on the move, or on a crappy 2" screen, much less do I want to carry around something that's bigger and heavier than the current 40GB and has an even shorter battery life :rolleyes:


Note: I don't wanna look at photos on the move, or on a crappy 2" screen, much less do I want to carry around something that's bigger and heavier than the current 40GB and has an even shorter battery life.



You might not but some of us sure do. I'm a shutterbug. I take pictures all the time. I would love to have a venue to show them off. Printing them out is not an option. I would have several thousand pictures cluttering up my desk if I did that. Dragging a laptop around also isn’t an option. This leaves the iPod as a good 3rd option. I can’t wait.

[edesignuk]

You might not but some of us sure do. I'm a shutterbug. I take pictures all the time. I would love to have a venue to show them off. Printing them out is not an option. I would have several thousand pictures cluttering up my desk if I did that. Dragging a laptop around also isn’t an option. This leaves the iPod as a good 3rd option. I can’t wait.That's nice for you. So what, I can't express my opinion now?

[Diatribe]

That's nice for you. So what, I can't express my opinion now.

Nope. :D
Unless you specifically state that a comment is solely your opinion and is not to influence other people or generalize a certain opinion generating the impression that everyone feels this way, signing a specific contract to post only under these conditions.... nope you cannot. :p :D

[jtquick2001]

is anyone forgeting that apple stopped selling the ipod dock? I mean think about it. the dock can be set next to the tv plugged into the tv and charged on a another outlet. videos can only be played once connected to the dock. photos can be viewed with out it so you can show them off at work.

and this will not be released until after tiger is released so that it uses H.264. it doesnt seem to hard to me.

[slipper]

lol i knew about this rumor months ago...

http://www.geocities.com/acs_shoe/misc/vPodiPod.jpg

:D :D :D

[jtquick2001]

lol i knew about this rumor months ago...

http://www.geocities.com/acs_shoe/misc/vPodiPod.jpg

:D :D :D


Dude I like that!

[devman]

remember one of the recent iPhoto updates added the ability to check for iPhoto software updates from within iPhoto itself. At the time, the discussions seemed to be about the fact that the only reason you would add that function when we already have the system-wide software update capability, was if iPhoto as going to be ported to windows. But, at the time, there didn't seem to be enough of a reason to support the speculation of a port.

If you combine that with this rumor, then maybe it does make sense. Several in this thread have already said you would want iPhoto on windows to do the synch (I know you don't *have* to do it that way) but maybe this was the reason the iPhoto software update functiion was added.

[nagromme]

i dont think this is going to happen at all. the ipod is for music..
The iPod is already for music first, but also for many other things (including some photo stuff already) second. (And there's no reason to assume the new photo features will be marketed as being as important as music anyway.)

Re video: too little processor power for good quality, I think. At most this is "a step" as some have said... as opposed to a misstep like MS :)

Re OLED: those still go bad after a year or two don't they? If not, then cool :)

Re backlight power: I've heard of color LCD screens that can use front-light (aka room/sunlight), making them much like the current B&W iPod screens. Backlighting can be turned on briefly or as needed, but is not necessary like with a laptop. Anyone know of devices with color that work that way?

Re Apple not selling the dock anymore: they only dropped one certain model of dock. (I think they dropped the 3G-only dock, since the new 4G dock works with 4G too? Something like that. The current dock was not dropped.)


Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought driving an external display such as a TV required a LOT of power.
No, lots of cameras have TV-out built in. My business-card sized Pentax Optio S has TV out and can even run slideshows and low-quality video with sound. And it doesn't use much battery to do it. That's what has made me think for a long time of doing the same thing better with an iPod.

PS, to tie this in with other rumors... maybe this is why the iPod menu item was renamed specifically "Music." And if you take this device and the iMac G5, you probably account for nearly all the Apple tablet and handheld rumors from the past year.

[Diatribe]

remember one of the recent iPhoto updates added the ability to check for iPhoto software updates from within iPhoto itself. At the time, the discussions seemed to be about the fact that the only reason you would add that function when we already have the system-wide software update capability, was if iPhoto as going to be ported to windows. But, at the time, there didn't seem to be enough of a reason to support the speculation of a port.

If you combine that with this rumor, then maybe it does make sense. Several in this thread have already said you would want iPhoto on windows to do the synch (I know you don't *have* to do it that way) but maybe this was the reason the iPhoto software update functiion was added.

Why add it for the mac version then, when you could have simply added it for the windows version? Don't think that makes too much sense.

[Trimix]

It's obvious this is coming. Apple wants the iPod to be a "media device", and media includes more mediums than sound.

The new iPod will be priced at the high-end, and won't replace, but rather complement the existing family of iPod (full-size, mini, and HP). Remember HP *just* started distributed iPod and that's going to be going on for months and months using the current specs.

I just discovered the concept of "podcasts", which is a huge revolution born of the "iPod platform", and that's more than music in itself. Apple has created more than a music player, but a platform on which new ideas, services, and experiences can be discovered.

Keep an open mind.

I think your view is spot on - The ipod is just a medium to carry around things digital, music, photos, books ? whatever comes to mind.
Over here you can get on ski-lifts by having a special Swatch-watch and move it in front of a sensor at the lifts. How cool would that be if the ipod could do that too ? Battery technology is not there yet, but I would instinctively not rule out a video ipod in 5 years down the road. Ultimately Apple will put in what the consumers demand. (Satellite Navigation for Runners à la Garmin, Heart Rate Monitor (Pulsar) - whatever -

Anyway nice to see forward looking posts like yours. Cheers.

[Jonm]

Suppose it'll be useful for some people — but I just want my iPod to play music. Sounds like another case of Apple doing it because they can. Still, if it sells what the heck?
I just hope we're not going to see ALL iPods boast the photo feature as they upgrade the range.

[BornAgainMac]

I bet within 6 to 8 months, a 40 GB iPod will sell for around $299 as drive prices go down. New products need to be made to keep the excitment up. A flash version of the iPod and an iPod that has additional features to take advantage of the disk space as noted in this rumor.

[mactarkus]

I don't see anything in the name "iPod" that implies music. While that has been the primary focus, I believe the "Pod" is a portable version of the the digital "Hub", which the iMac has become. It's about time, Apple had some real features beyond MP3 playing to make it a real "iPod" and not just an "iMusic" with a few seldom used add-ons (calendar/addresses/notes/etc).

So if the iPod is about the music, since this one is about more than the music, could this carry the title of something more than "iPod". Especially since it is in it's own division of Apple, I would not be surprised to see some other products added to the line besides the "iPod."

-superdrive

[Stella]

What do you expect?

Apple *have* to compete with the video players. They'll give you an option - if you don't want the video iPod you can still get the regular iPod.

Anyway.. *that* is my next iPod. I hope its not just a rumour. iPhoto integration would be excellent and a natural progression with the iLive apps.

[beerman]

Let's see some photos! No, really, this poses two problems: no market to PC users unless the begin porting iPhoto or use another PC app, and power. Interesting concept though.
–Chase

See some photos?! Pull your head out, man! Read the story....AGAIN! IT LOOKS JUST LIKE THE CURRENT iPOD! There's nothing to see that you can't see at apple.com!

It's laughable some of the comments people make when they don't use common sense.

[James Craner]

Ultimately Apple will put in what the consumers demand. (Satellite Navigation for Runners à la Garmin, Heart Rate Monitor (Pulsar) - whatever -


Sorry I can't agree with you on that, if Apple does what consumers want we would have a two button, scroll wheel mouse, and a cheap headless Mac.

[MarcelV]

Wouldn't it be great to be able to run Keynote presentations on this thing? Video-out would make it possible. And we have next and previous buttons....

[mactarkus]

While I actually enjoyed Shrek and for once it didn't fall on the heals of a similar Pixar movie looking to capitalize on its popularity (e.g. Pixar's Bug's Life then DW's Antz and Pixar's Nemo then DW's Shark Tale), I doubt very seriously that Steve would ever show Shrek on the screen of a video capable iPod.


How about this instead?

Dude I like that!

[maresboys]

does anyone have any knowledge of the ARCHOS AV400?
looks like they have it all covered!......not sure when its available but if it's as good as it looks I won't be upgrading my 20G with another ipod.

http://www.archos.com/products/overview/av400_series.html

[DWKlink]

To all those who think that a 2" Color LCD is useless - how many of you own digital cameras? Take pictures with that screen. Check pictures on that screen. Show pictures to others on that screen.

Sure its not as nice as seeing them on a 20" monitor. But it is big enough to be useful - and its bigger than a lot of cameras that only have 1.8" screens.

A friend of mine got one of the new iRiver HD players, and the first thing i noticed was the display. It was a higher resolution than the iPods and had much nicer icons and layout. I think that you all are underestimating the power that a nice crisp color display can have on the overall impact of the iPod.

Apple has to keep evolving this product if it wants to remain on top. And as long as it doesn't eat into battery life (and hopefully with a higher capacity - slightly thicker battery maybe they can keep it over the 10 hour mark) I think this is a great step in the evolution.

[jeffbistrong]

I am really liking this new revision, all these new and useful features . . . the color screen being able to display picutures . . . totally draining the battery right. . . isnt the battery not that good as it is?

[zelmo]

This is the next logical step in the evolution of the iPod product line, as well as the next piece in the digital hub puzzle. Sure, it won't do everything that everyone wants (record TV, play video), and does some things that other people don't care about (store photo's, connect to a TV). Get over it.

If Apple had announced a 4G 60GB iPod at $499 back when they announced the other two 4G models, everyone would have cheered. Now here it comes, but with additional features (a color screen, iPhoto capability, and video out) with no additional price bump, and people are complaining? Great! Don't buy one, it'll make it easier for me to get mine.

[Porchland]

I have often thought that the iPod would eventualy include iPhoto integration, but what about Windows users? Will this mean the porting of the iLife apps to Windows? How can they add a feature like this an exclude the majority of iPod users? If they want to sell them then they will have to offer Windows support. And of course if they port iLife why not everything else? They will make a killing on the software sales alone.

That's an interesting connundrum for Apple. They want to sell iPods, but they also want to promote Macs. They want to make features available on the iPod across platforms, but they don't want to canibalize iLife by making it work on Windows.

I wouldn't be surprised to see iPhoto become available for Windows, but I don't think the full iLife suite will anytime soon. iTunes is basically a loss-leader for the iPod, and I think Apple would treat iPhoto the same way. If Apple made the full suite available for Windows, it would have to be to profit from the sale of iLife and (partly) at the expense of future Mac sales. Choosing Windows software over Mac hardware doesn't seem practical.

[tariqali666]

The rumour says that the device will be marketed as holding 20,000 songs.

That to me seems wrong. Didn't apple kick up a fuss a while back with sony cos they advertised high sound-track holding capability, but didn't mention a dirty low bit-rate? For 60 gigs to hold 20,000 , the bit-rate needs to be about 96 kbps.

My opinion on this? Whatever. Want 60 gigs, but not fussed about the whole photo malarky.

[Diatribe]

This is the next logical step in the evolution of the iPod product line, as well as the next piece in the digital hub puzzle. Sure, it won't do everything that everyone wants (record TV, play video), and does some things that other people don't care about (store photo's, connect to a TV). Get over it.

If Apple had announced a 4G 60GB iPod at $499 back when they announced the other two 4G models, everyone would have cheered. Now here it comes, but with additional features (a color screen, iPhoto capability, and video out) with no additional price bump, and people are complaining? Great! Don't buy one, it'll make it easier for me to get mine.

Exactly. Somebody had to say it. :D

[Wonder Boy]

i dont take enough (if any) digital pics that i would need to load, store, and show them from my ipod. 60 gigs sounds good, but i only have 900 songs on my 30 giger, so this is of little interest.

now if the ipod had radio built it, well, they might sway me.

[Porchland]

Suppose it'll be useful for some people — but I just want my iPod to play music. Sounds like another case of Apple doing it because they can. Still, if it sells what the heck?
I just hope we're not going to see ALL iPods boast the photo feature as they upgrade the range.

Why would you care if your iPod had the new feature or not if you're not going to use it and the price is the same? You would at least get the benefit of the color screen.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the iPod mini become the "music" iPod and the white iPod continue to move into multimedia.

[AoWolf]

When I first read this I was thinking, Oh MY Goodness! the realists have lost control over macrumors! But seriously think secret does have some credibility. I wonder though if this would look more like a PDA/tablet.

[jcshas]

I give up, I can't play the iPod upgrade game any more! I started with a 2 gen 10 gig and then soon upgraded to the 20 gig. Filled that up in no time at all, and so I upgraded to a 3rd gen 30 gig. 30 gig wasnt enough so I upgraded to a 3rd gen 40 gig. Apple relased the click-wheel iPod, and so I sold my 3rd gen 40 gig for a 4th gen 40 gig click wheel. (pause) Are they taking pre-orders yet? :)

[Porchland]

WHEN?!?! I've held off getting an iPod for 6 months now because I want a 60GB hard drive so I can fit all my tracks onto it. I’m going on another road trip in late November. Come on Apple. Get your dang butt in gear with these iPods!!

Are you going to Tibet -- by foot? Bigger drives will certainly hold bigger music collections, but I definitely see Apple targeting bigger drives at other types of media. I would say the average iTunes music collection -- even excluding the 100-tracks-or-less crowd -- is no more than 10 GB. There are certainly larger collections out there, but Apple is reaching a point where a bigger drive isn't as important to music.

Photos and video, though, are certainly going to require more capacity.

I would really like to see the new scalable codec used to promote multiple versions of videos. This way iTunes (iMedia?) would know the difference between sending a feed to an iPod (small bandwidth) and sending a feed to an HDTV (large bandwidth). One day Apple will be in the video download business, and some sort of tool for managing multiple versions would allow Apple to scale for small and large devices.

Given unlimited storage capacity, though, there's no need for scaling. Everything fits. So as portable drives get larger, the need for versions gets smaller.

[Stewie]

but what about video? That would really be killer if you could play your .avi's or .mov's!

Exactly. I can't imagine going somewhere whipping out my iPod and cable to plug into someone's TV to show pictures of my vaction. How annoying would that be. "Hey did I show you the 25,000 pictures I took when I went to last weeks 'insert local annoying event of your choice'

I doubt I would get invited back if I tried that.

[zelmo]

Exactly. I can't imagine going somewhere whipping out my iPod and cable to plug into someone's TV to show pictures of my vaction. How annoying would that be. "Hey did I show you the 25,000 pictures I took when I went to last weeks 'insert local annoying event of your choice'

I doubt I would get invited back if I tried that.

True, that would be pretty annoying. OTOH, I'd love to visit my mom and let her see all the latest pictures of her grandson without printing them out or lugging around the laptop all the time. This would be cool.

Of course, being able to play video to a TV would be cooler. Don't worry, we'll get there. Baby steps.

[zim]

While I actually enjoyed Shrek and for once it didn't fall on the heals of a similar Pixar movie looking to capitalize on its popularity (e.g. Pixar's Bug's Life then DW's Antz and Pixar's Nemo then DW's Shark Tale), I doubt very seriously that Steve would ever show Shrek on the screen of a video capable iPod.


How about this instead?

Have you ever thought that Shrek was Dreamworks answer to Monsters? I also hate how they seem to run out and buy up all the big name actors for voice overs, as if that is going to make the experience somehow better.

I like this idea, photo iPod but, I keep thinking that this is a prototype and I am sure Apple has all sorts of prototypes floating around. Currently I use the Blekin reader and although it works and is an amazing thing to have, it could be better so I am happy to hear of this development.

If Apple came out with the 60GB iPod with a color screen tomorrow, I think I would still upgrade my 3G to the 20GB 4G only because I would want them to find a way to reduce the size and weight. When palm first came out with their color devices, I remember them also being heavier and a bit bulkier then the normal ones.

iPhoto on the iPod, it's a good thing ;)

[Mr. Anderson]

If you can hook one of these up to a digital camera it would be a great way to download the images in the field or on a trip without having to bring your computer.

This is the sort of thing I've been waiting for actually. Especially with an 8 MP camera - it will be a huge deal.

I'm wondering if they'll use OLED displays instead of LCD?

D

[denm316]

My 15gb is almost full and have been waiting for a wothwhile feature to upgrade to a new one. This would cause me to upgrade. I would have also liked to have buetooth wireless earphones added too.

[rosalindavenue]

I nominate Picasa, which is now owned by google and available for free download. It has most of the pluses of iphoto-- timelines, quick fixes, etc., and it also leaves your picture files where they are without creating new ones. A little app to move picasa pix or albums to the ipod would do nicely.

[Mr. Anderson]

My 15gb is almost full and have been waiting for a wothwhile feature to upgrade to a new one. This would cause me to upgrade. I would have also liked to have buetooth wireless earphones added too.

The more features, the more required power.... And you'd have to have batteries in your headphones as well...

I don't think that will be happening any time soon.

Are there any 3rd party providers that offer BT Headphones? You'd probably see those first before you'd get one with an iPod.

D

[agreenster]

While I actually enjoyed Shrek and for once it didn't fall on the heals of a similar Pixar movie looking to capitalize on its popularity (e.g. Pixar's Bug's Life then DW's Antz and Pixar's Nemo then DW's Shark Tale)

Antz came out before A Bug's Life, but it has been rumored that Katzenberg blatantly ripped off the idea of an insect movie and pushed production to have it released before Pixar's.

About the portable video issue:

While I think it's probably cool to be able to play small mpegs, avi's, and movs on your iPod, we'll never see full length movies on an Apple handheld portable. Like Steve said, music can be plugged into your head almost any time, but not a movie. The ONLY market for a portable movie device is long trips (most minivans already have that solution covered, and most planes have that solution as well). Otherwise, you'd rather have your big-screen home theater and killer sound system. And if you REALLY want a portable video device, get an Apple laptop.

[jbembe]

I would have also liked to have buetooth wireless earphones added too.

OOOOOH! Yeah, include ones manufactured from Shure that would be great!!!


As for the vPod, sorta gimmicky. It might be cool to display cover art from albums and have iPhoto portability, but not really a useful function for me on any regular basis. However, with 60gigs I would finally be able to get my entire compressed library on an iPod. Someday I'll be able to get my entire lossless library on the iPod!!!! :D

[Neodym]

I have a Digicam with integrated TV-Out. But as a TV only has a physical resolution of something around 768x576 (PAL), Megapixel photos look pretty bad when shown without proper scaling beforehand. Maybe they could include a real-time scaling at the time of sync to relief the Pod from heavy CPU load (battery life!), but without proper scaling the pictures will not look good on the "big screen"...

Cheers
Neo

[zim]

If you can hook one of these up to a digital camera it would be a great way to download the images in the field or on a trip without having to bring your computer.

This is the sort of thing I've been waiting for actually. Especially with an 8 MP camera - it will be a huge deal.

I'm wondering if they'll use OLED displays instead of LCD?

D

Technically you already can. I have the 4G iPod, 20GB model, and the Blekin media reader. We went to Ireland last year and came back with 1600 photos from our Nikon D70.

Nikon was suppose to come out with a FC reader, sort of like the iPod. It was to sport a color screen, xGB drive etc... but it never surfaced. This is an area in market where there are some no name branded devices, would be nice to see Apple really do something here. My current set up works for me, 2 256FC cards, the Belkin media reader and the iPod, but it could be improved with the ability to view photos on the iPod, just view for confirmation that yes it is indeed there.

Off to Vermont, along with all the other lemmings, taking my iPod etc.. celebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary!

[mainstreetmark]

Here's a good idea for all you complainers.

If you don't want a device that's half an ounce heavier or happens to be able to hold your entire photolibrary, or you don't want a color screen, then don't friggin' buy one.

The iPod's current screen isn't much different than looking at wallet photos, and if you've ever met someone with any kind of infant, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Looking at pics on an iPod certainly doesn't exclude your printing them out or using iPhoto, it's just an additional source of amusement.

Honestly...


Oh, and I think it'd be groovy to *not* support XP's "My Photos". It could draw people to the Mac. "Here's a cool iPod. If you bought a Mac for your next computer, you get all this extra functionality"

[Stewie]

Why would you care if your iPod had the new feature or not if you're not going to use it and the price is the same? You would at least get the benefit of the color screen.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the iPod mini become the "music" iPod and the white iPod continue to move into multimedia.

But with the 'benefit' of a color screen you will also get the side effect of shorter battery life.

[goatsniper]

I bet the pron addicts are gonna love this!

I can see it now... "Hey Jimmy, what's taking so long in the bathroom?" "Nothing mom, I'm just umm... playing with my handheld!" :D

[bartelby]

As I have no need for a colour screen or video output I can order my 40GB iPod with the Cram and Jam promo, with the knowledge that I won't be p*ssed off, missing the update.

[Diatribe]

But with the 'benefit' of a color screen you will also get the side effect of shorter battery life.

Sheeesh. Quit it already. :mad: This is really getting annoying. Has anyone reviewed one? Has anyone used one? Has anyone even seen one? NO. You haven't. And since Toshiba said those new drives would need less power it is more than likely that this will even the color display out.
If it does not, complain then. But until then don't state assumptions as facts.
Sorry, but I am just really tired of this.

[ASP272]

My question is whether or not battery life will be affected. There are batteries out there for the current iPod that extend it's life past 8 hours. Will Apple invest in a better battery to combat the drain of the color LCD? Photo transition effects surely won't help battery life either. We'll just have to see the specs. It's exciting that Apple might finally be moving towards a more evolved iPod.

[catch07]

Video out via dock connector cable ???

Hidden features in 4G iPods ???

Who's to say that current iPod users will not be able to upgrade their iPod software and use their iPods as "Media" storage devices?

Mini, 20GB, 40GB, 60GB Color Screen...all with video output, photo management, iPhoto Syncing.

[goatsniper]

Why is everyone complaining about the 60GB specs? Have we forgotten so soon? :confused:

Check this out:
5GB model Height: 4.0 in, Width: 2.4 in, Depth: 0.78 in, Weight: 6.5 oz

The 60GB will be no larger (in fact, a shade less) than the original 5GB! With a color screen and TV out. That's progress in my book. ;)

[ASP272]

Sheeesh. Quit it already. :mad: This is really getting annoying. Has anyone reviewed one? Has anyone used one? Has anyone even seen one? NO. You haven't. And since Toshiba said those new drives would need less power it is more than likely that this will even the color display out.


Oops. Sorry Diatribe for my tidbit of skepticism. You may be right about power consumption. It's all speculation at this point.

[Diatribe]

Oops. Sorry Diatribe for my tidbit of skepticism. You may be right about power consumption. It's all speculation at this point.

I wasn't talking about you, you just had a concern and a question. This went out to all the people stating their opinions(or more like repeating other's opinions) as facts. And yes, it's all speculation, that's why I do not get some people already complaining about things they have no idea of whether they are true or not.

[sirjimithy]

I agree that Apple should not include support for the 'My Pictures' feature of XP. It's not anywhere near as useful or functional as iPhoto. I also can't see a Windows version of iPhoto any time soon, either. They might package it with a decent 3rd party shareware app, like they did with MusicMatch Jukebox when the iPod was first officially supported under Windows. But (from being one of the first on the front line to support iPod users with MMJB) with how much of a pain it was to support the iPod with poorly written and less-than-intuitive third-party software, I'd feel bad for my former support reps.

[zelmo]

I wasn't talking about you, you just had a concern and a question. This went out to all the people stating their opinions(or more like repeating other's opinions) as facts. And yes, it's all speculation, that's why I do not get some people already complaining about things they have no idea of whether they are true or not.

But people LIKE to complain. I am particularly amused by people who complain about an Apple product they have no need for. It's kind of like a man complaining about the size of tampons, or me complaining about a comb. :eek:

[zelmo]

I agree that Apple should not include support for the 'My Pictures' feature of XP. It's not anywhere near as useful or functional as iPhoto. I also can't see a Windows version of iPhoto any time soon, either. They might package it with a decent 3rd party shareware app, like they did with MusicMatch Jukebox when the iPod was first officially supported under Windows. But (from being one of the first on the front line to support iPod users with MMJB) with how much of a pain it was to support the iPod with poorly written and less-than-intuitive third-party software, I'd feel bad for my former support reps.

I hope there is no Windows version of iPhoto in the pipeline. While iTunes and iPhoto are arguably the least compellings apps in the iLife suite, and therefore no great loss if they are PC compatible, Apple needs to make sure PC users have a reason to want to make the Switch. Use your iPod for music, you PC lovin' consumer, but if you want the really cool stuff, you'll have to step up to a Mac.

[wPod]

if this comes out, i bet someone will have a mod for playing videos really soon! might not be the best quailty (i doubt they can drop a very video-powerful chip in an iPod right now) but cool non the less. . .


but i still want wi-fi in mine to hook to airport express!!!!! till then ill hold on to my 1st gen 10GB

[sirjimithy]

Playing videos isn't only a matter of hardware, it's also a matter of software. Keep in mind that the iPod's software has so far been relatively unhackable. However, wi-fi to stream it to airport express would be cool. I love my airport express (connected to my receiver of course) and to be able to control the tunes from the couch instead of going over to the PC or Mac would be kickin.

[SiliconAddict]

Are you going to Tibet -- by foot? Bigger drives will certainly hold bigger music collections, but I definitely see Apple targeting bigger drives at other types of media. I would say the average iTunes music collection -- even excluding the 100-tracks-or-less crowd -- is no more than 10 GB. There are certainly larger collections out there, but Apple is reaching a point where a bigger drive isn't as important to music.


Hmmm you must have not read my post close enough. I will highlight the specifics for you:

I want a 60GB hard drive so I can fit all my tracks onto it

A 40GB drive will not fit all my tracks of which I now have 41.2GB's of tracks. If I only wanted a hand full of my music with me at any given time I would have bought a mini in Spring.
But that isn't what I'm shooting for. If I'm in the mood for, lets say the Beach Boys I want access to that. If I'm in the mood for some NIN I want access to that. If I want to listen to Robin Williams I want access to that. I don't want to dick with play lists. I don't want to worry about space on my iPod. I just want to plug in the device sync it and go. I don't think I'm asking too much and I don't think a 60GB drive is asking too much either.

[macguymike]

They could easily ship the 60gb iPod without porting iPhoto to Windows. Scads of Windows users will buy it just for the larger hard drive. When they find out they can do more with it if they get a Mac, then... SOME of them will get a Mac the next time they're on the market for a new computer.

I think it's already been pointed out a zillion times that if Apple ported more of iLife to Windows, it would take a huge bite out of one of the main selling points for buying a Mac and thus there would be fewer migrations from Windows to Mac.

In other words, iLife + Windows = Don't hold your breath. :p

[Stewie]

Sheeesh. Quit it already. :mad: This is really getting annoying. Has anyone reviewed one? Has anyone used one? Has anyone even seen one? NO. You haven't. And since Toshiba said those new drives would need less power it is more than likely that this will even the color display out.
If it does not, complain then. But until then don't state assumptions as facts.
Sorry, but I am just really tired of this.

It is entirely possible that the new iPods will retain the same battery life as the current models. I am just taking a guess that when you add more features and more power sucking processes and devices (color screen) to it, will take more power to run it. If you aren't increasing the size of the device by much, then that tells me there won't be a huge increase in available battery power. Look at other devices that went to color screens the battery life in those devices always took a huge hit. When Palms went to color screens the battery life went to crap. When cell phones started using color screens, battery life went downhill. Battery technology is simply not keeping up with the other advancements in electronics. Also you have to consider what chips apple will need to put in the ipod to allow it to handle the processing of images. Those chips are going to need to draw power as well.

[cxny]

How do they do that? This would be my third five hundred dollar iPod if I'm crazy enough to go there. I may hold out for an even bigger HD this time around, but Album Art? That is killer.

[corywoolf]

when, my friends, when, will they release this masterpiece? i have a 40gb now and can trade it into compusa and get a new one for FREE! please someone, give me an idea, i have been waiting for months to trade in my 3g 40gb ipod!

thank you all :eek:

[Mr. Anderson]

My question is whether or not battery life will be affected. There are batteries out there for the current iPod that extend it's life past 8 hours. Will Apple invest in a better battery to combat the drain of the color LCD? Photo transition effects surely won't help battery life either. We'll just have to see the specs. It's exciting that Apple might finally be moving towards a more evolved iPod.

Ok, if they go to an OLED display instead of a LCD display (given the size of the screen, its quite possible) it will have lower power consumption - that and a more efficient drive might off set the viewing of pics and keep the battery life at a decent level.

D

[AmigoMac]

I do think apple will go with Picasa for the Wintel crowd, as already said... MWSF 05 will be the latest date for the release, IMO, but before X-mas will make me a lot happier!!! I have been waiting a lot for this!!!, I hope this to be true...

[corywoolf]

the people who invented the disposable cell phone battery need to create a disposable ipod battery. sell them in target/ walmart. it would be a big hit. theres lots of times i see my ipod battery is low when i thought i charged it, then FOR a TEMPORARY solution you can use a four hour cheap battery to get by. it isnt a terrible idea, but i know apple dislikes pollution and would see that as bad marketing.

[guez]

I think this is probably inevtiable, but it is also the beginning of the end. Of course, Apple needs to compete with all the feature-bloated mp3 players out there. The problem is which features to add: color screen, handwriting recognition (for data entry), camera (after all, if you already have a screen), cell phone, a web browser, etc.? Pretty soon you have a very expensive PDA that has lost much of the iPod's appeal and elegance.

As much as I love Apple (and Mac, and the iPod), I think that the future is in feature bloat, not elegant design (look what happened to Palm). And lots of people do feature bloat better than Apple (e.g. Microsoft, Dell, etc.). This doesn't make me happy, but there you are.

sigh

[sirjimithy]

the people who invented the disposable cell phone battery need to create a disposable ipod battery. sell them in target/ walmart. it would be a big hit. theres lots of times i see my ipod battery is low when i thought i charged it, then FOR a TEMPORARY solution you can use a four hour cheap battery to get by. it isnt a terrible idea, but i know apple dislikes pollution and would see that as bad marketing.

You can do this. It's called the Belkin Battery Pack. 4 AA batteries and this accessory. Bam! Extra 12-15 hours of battery life.

[t300]

You will all be in amazement when this beast comes out. You just wait...You all will want one and it will be awesome. I can't WAIT!


And yes, this does mean iPhoto for Windows...

[sirjimithy]

when, my friends, when, will they release this masterpiece? i have a 40gb now and can trade it into compusa and get a new one for FREE! please someone, give me an idea, i have been waiting for months to trade in my 3g 40gb ipod!

thank you all :eek:

Ok, I tried to ignore this, but I just can't. Ok man, this is a RUMOR site.. say it with me.. RU-MOR. We don't even know 100% that this is true, let alone when it will happen. Very few Apple employees even know if this is true. Trust me, I was an iPod support rep, and they didn't tell me anything in advance. According to the RUMOR, it should be out within 30-60 days.

[mariner77]

ThinkSecret has published a rumor of a new 4th generation iPod featuring a previously rumored Toshiba 60 GB hard drive. In addition to the rumored size increase the new iPod is said to have a 2-inch color liquid crystal display, iPhoto synchronization, audio/video-out capabilities, and will sell for $499. Form factor is not expected to change, although the new iPod will be slightly thicker and heavier than the present 20 and 40 GB models.

The 2-inch color screen is identical in size to other iPods, but will sport a higher resolution for photo viewing. However, the new device's real shining feature will be its video-out port, which will enable users to tote their photo galleries with them, ready to be plugged into any television for big-screen viewing.

The 60GB iPod will feature only rudimentary built-in software for viewing photos, with no editing tools, sources say. Photo albums will be navigated in a similar fashion to music playlists, and a slideshow feature will provide transitions with user-specified background music, similar to iPhoto. Synchronizing features similar to iTunes will also be added to iPhoto.

I'd love to give a presentation using only my iPod!!! That'll be so COOL! :D

[movabi]

its about time... i hope this is true

[rluttman]

First, if this doesn't appeal to you that's fine. Don't buy it.

But, like other, this does appeal to me. Maybe not right now at $500.

I understand that the technology is problematic right now. But is it good enough? I don't know enough about some of the technical details like battery life and screen resolution. But I do see more and more people using camera cell phones, I even see video phones being advertised.

The point is not whether a 2" screen on an iPod makes the perfect picture viewing experience. Running pictures through Photoshop and viewing them on a 20" monitor is way better. But if I want to see / show pictures right here, right now is the iPod good enough?

If I am on vacation taking pictures and Belkining them into the iPod I would like to see them. And show them to other people, right there. I'll photoshop them and print 'em / web 'em later to get from good enough to great. Plug the pod into the back of grandma's TV to show her a slide show? That's cool, and I don't have to lug the laptop to do it.

Do I want to watch Shrek on my iPod? No. Would it be cool to watch a movie trailer while I'm at the theater trying to decide? Yeah. Or weather channel / CNN / sports headlines/highlight clips I downloaded this morning before going to work? Yeah maybe. Too old to stay up 'til 2am watching playoff games from the west coast, at least not every night.

I've got audiobooks on mine. Podcasting looks interesting. I use it to back up important files. I use it as a read only calendar / address book.

If all you want is music on your iPod, cool. But the more I use this little gizmo (a 15gb) the more I would like it to do. And the more I think it can do. Inevitably, the wolves will circle around Apple's iTunes/ITMS/iPod winner. Stevie and the troops need to keep innovating to keep ahead, and expanding the iPod to support digitizing more and more of my iLife seems like a smart move. Apple has a great track record of taking emerging technologies (laser printers, 3.5 inch disks, GUI, WiFI, MP3 players, etc) and making completely new products.

The Time magazine article a while back hinted at secret new features in the new iPod, other rumors have hinted at radio and wireless. Doesn't seem to me that expanding ITMS to handle other file formats would be too hard, so selling other media like video shouldn't be too hard. Interesting things will come out of Duke and other colleges experimenting with iPod/ITMS.

I think we will see interesting new versions of iPod emerging, and probably a stratifying of the product based on capabilities as much as physical and disk size.

My little, personal, wish list:

- Even half-assed video. Movie trailers, news/sports/weather clips, slide shows. I've watched enough little Quicktime movies on my laptop to be used to 'em. Hook it to the TV is even better.

- Wireless so I can use Airport Express from the couch. Or remote the TV!

- A plug-in camera gizmo so I can take the pictures with the iPod. If a cell phone can do it, why not the iPod?

- A way to enter contact / calendar info on the go. Wouldn't need the Palm Pilot anymore.

- Karaoke!!!! I've got the lyrics, I've got the song; scroll the text file while the music plays and you're there. OK, just kidding.

Whether this is a valid rumor, I have no idea. But I hope it is. If Apple is really serious about digital hub and iLife, adding this kind of technology to iPod / iTunes is necessary.

Nuff Ced, McGready



-

[Poff]

Ability to play movies will come sooner or later.. I've always been of that opinion, at least. Ok, so Steve talks about how "noone" likes to watch video on a small screen. BUT. Storing video on your iPod and watching it on a big, fat TV with big, fat sound; he's never said anything about that. :D

It will come, my friend. As all the competitors get it, Apple will have to aswell to stay in the market. I'm not saying they will have to do it in 1 year, or maybe even in 5 years.. What I'm saying is sooner is better than later. Apple likes to be pioneers. They still can be. Sort of..


(btw. I wonder what features Jobs was talking about, that might be in the iPods allready existing..?)

[themacman]

will there be color in anyway on this ipod? from the caseing to the screen?

[jayscheuerle]

wow. that price is just as amazing... can't they lower the cost? Apple makes everything in China already, probably pay then 3 cents an hour. bastards.

Maybe they should raise the price and pay the workers a decent wage or bring the production back home?

[jayscheuerle]

Here's a good idea for all you complainers.

The iPod's current screen isn't much different than looking at wallet photos, and if you've ever met someone with any kind of infant, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Looking at pics on an iPod certainly doesn't exclude your printing them out or using iPhoto, it's just an additional source of amusement.

Honestly...


It's all in the resolution. Consider that your same sized wallet photo contains the equivalent of 300ppi+ compared to 72ppi tops in the lcd for an iPod. The sparkle in your kid's eye would simply be a white block taking up half the iris on a tiny, crappy lcd screen. There's really no comparison.

Video won't/shouldn't happen. Steaming video would have the drive's churning like crazy. Are these tiny drives even fast enough to stream full-screen video with sound?

Pictures on a TV would be nice. Especially if there was an easy/quick way to connect...

This won't just be an added feature. Apple almost always features a "breakthrough" of some sorts when they broaden a market... OLEDs may be it. AV out sounds close enough. Wireless?

Wait for the spin...

[~Shard~]

iPods are for music!!! I don't want all this video/photo crappy bloat!!! Look at what happened to Real and Netscape. Looks like Apple is following the same path.

Are you one of the same people who complained that cell phones were just for phoning people? Damn all that text messaging, video screens, games, built-in digital cameras and PDA-like abilities, they're just going to kill the cell phone! :rolleyes: ;)

[~Shard~]

Honestly, it seems silly to me. So people will huddle around your ipod to look at pictures on a 2" screen? I know that I wouldn't want to see someone else's pictures on that screen, nor would I want to show mine that way. No one is going to be all that upset if they have to wait a
few days to see my vacation photos (either printed or online).

It’s not ideal, but many people still do it. As I was traveling through Eastern Europe I ran into many, many people who wanted to see my photos from the previous places I had been, so I would show them on my camera’s LCD, and it worked just fine – this would be the case with this iPod as well. But, above all else, as I stated in my other post, the big feature is video out, as viewing the pictures on a monitor is much more advantageous than a 2” screen.

It's another little gadget that no one really needs until Apple (or some other tech company) tells you that you need it. Like a camera in your cell phone. Now the original ipod is different. Apple didn't create the demand for a better portable music player - people have been looking for better "walkmen" since portable radios were invented. The ipod was meeting a
demand. But I don't think there's really a pre-existing demand for this...

Yah, because cameras in cell phones aren't useful at all and haven't
caught on... :p ;)

[narco]

What do you mean? The point of the color screen is so you can view photos... what else do you want? :confused:

Frankly, I'm not sure about this one... who wants to carry all of their digital pictures with them everywhere?

Oh yeah, forgot about that :)

I wouldnt want to carry my digital photos in an iPod -- what if you lose it?

.narco

[virividox]

battery life battery life battery life :)

sounds promising but i thing i wont get a new ipod until mine is truly busted up

[~Shard~]

Hmmm.. for just slightly double the price I could get one with a powerful 1 GHz processor, a massive 12" color LCD screen, 5 hours of
battery life, plus photo-editing and video-editing software. The price also includes the ability to transfer my photos and music to CD for archiving. Plus it has an integrated DVD player and I can surf the web and check my email.. did I mention all this for JUST DOUBLE THE PRICE.

Yah, but an iBook is not as portable as iPod. You won't always have an iBook with you when people ask to see your photos, and it’s easier if you have iPod - plus, I'd hate to see the size of the belt clip you'd need for your iBook. Or are you planning on just putting it in your pocket? :p ;) Hmm, although it might be cool to see iPod ads with the dancing silhouettes, dancing with an iBook - that could get really dangerous. ;) :cool:

[~Shard~]

I wouldnt want to carry my digital photos in an iPod -- what if you lose it?

Well, it depends. If you're traveling for a long time and have simply transferred your digital photos onto your iPod to free up your camera's memory card, then your risk of losing your iPod is the same as your camera, so you're no better off. Otherwise, if you mean storing your photos in general on the iPod, no, I wouldn't store the only copies of my photos on an iPod, nor would I store the only copy of any important data of mine in one location. In the case of photos, I would maybe have a copy of some on my iPod, and my main collection on my Mac, via iPhoto, then backed up on disc.

[sinisterdesign]

PLEASE let this be true. this is the only reason i haven't replaced my 2G 20GB. it's been full for a WHILE. i haven't dumped any new music to it in months, but i've been holding off for a bump in features for a new iPod. the 4G is great, but i couldn't justify an upgrade since mine is still working.

[~Shard~]

And yet it's definitely noticable when you're comparing them physically.

Yes, noticeable, but is it a big deal in the grand scheme of things? I have a 20 GB iPod and I don't find my buddy's 40 GB iPod to be mammoth, cumbersome and weighing me down when I use it... ;)

[ijimk]

Sweet now i can wwatch movies at work. Oh apple you are my hero. Watch the LOTR trilogy at work and get paid. SWEEEEEET!

[~Shard~]

ooooooooh ooooooooooh a $500 photo player for your TV big deal. At least make it play Quicktime files via the video output if you want me to get excited.

A $500 photo player?!? Um, this thing is an iPod - it wouldn't be just a photo player, it also is somewhat well known for playing music. Maybe you've heard of it before, the iPod, iTunes? Or have you been living in a cave, on Mars, with your eyes shut, and your fingers in your ears the past few years? :p ;) :cool:

[~Shard~]

Exactly. I can't imagine going somewhere whipping out my iPod and cable to plug into someone's TV to show pictures of my vaction. How annoying would that be. "Hey did I show you the 25,000 pictures I took when I went to last weeks 'insert local annoying event of your choice'

I doubt I would get invited back if I tried that.

It really depends on the situation though. I just returned from backpacking through Eastern Europe, and everyone, from my friends, family and co-workers are all harassing me on when they'll be able to see my photos. Yes, I'll have the digital photos printed off soon, and yes, I'll have them up on a website soon, but it would still be nice to go over to a friend's place and give him or her a slideshow of what I saw and did. And an iPod would be a lot nicer to carry around than an PowerBook for those purposes.

But if you personally can't imagine doing that, then fine - maybe it's just that you just take boring photos. :p ;)

[sirjimithy]

Are you one of the same people who complained that cell phones were just for phoning people? Damn all that text messaging, video screens, games, built-in digital cameras and PDA-like abilities, they're just going to kill the cell phone! :rolleyes: ;)

They DID kill the cell phone. These technologies designed for 13 year old girls are getting out of hand. If you want a digital camera, get a digital camera. If you want to play games, get a GBA. All of these technologies are almost useless on phones anyway. Most camera phones take really horrible quality photos, and the games are half impossible to play because you're using a keypad. It's all BS for the mindless masses. And please, quit with the ringtones! A phone should sound like a phone, not an orchestra or the latest Hilary Duff single.

[Lepton]

I'm going to guess the video out will be on a new dock. The dock will have an S-Video or component or composite video, an optical audio out, and a power connection, something like that, and you sit by and attach it to your stereo and/or TV.

I'm also going to guess that the latest 4G iPods will ALSO get the very same abilities, will plug into the same dock, it's just that they will show the pictures only in monochrome. That's the secret feature they've been hinting at.

[salmon]

My digital camera (Kodak DX 6840) has a bigger screen (2.2")... although it doesn't play MP3s :D

I'm still waiting for a tablet that I can use as an MP3 player... something like this (http://www.screenmedia.no).

The iPods must be due for an update very soon though, especially the minis - it's been a while.

[dejo]

While I actually enjoyed Shrek and for once it didn't fall on the heals of a similar Pixar movie looking to capitalize on its popularity (e.g. Pixar's Bug's Life then DW's Antz and Pixar's Nemo then DW's Shark Tale), I doubt very seriously that Steve would ever show Shrek on the screen of a video capable iPod.

I heard Shrek was made in response to DW hearing that Pixar was working on a monster movie. Somehow they managed to get their's (Shrek) released sooner (18 May 2001) than Pixar's (Monsters, Inc. - 2 Nov 2001)

[JLS]

If your taking all these photos that everyone wants to see, its likely you will have your digital camera with an LCD to view the images on anyway.

And about the people arguing about mobile phones - I have a 3G phone with more features you can shake a stick at, but they are all crap. The camera is too poor to use really, the mp3 player is rubbish and it takes ages to get tracks onto it, the GPS is not very accurate, the reception is so bad calls cut out every 10 mins and not forgetting the battery life is too poor to use it for more than 2 days anyway. The phone is bigger and heavier than the moon, and I regret ever buying it.

Thats why I also carry around a nice titanium 2001 vintage Nokia with a grey screen that has a battery life of a week and crystal clear calls. Colour is fun, but not worth the price in the war on battery life.

[macidiot]

Re backlight power: I've heard of color LCD screens that can use front-light (aka room/sunlight), making them much like the current B&W iPod screens. Backlighting can be turned on briefly or as needed, but is not necessary like with a laptop. Anyone know of devices with color that work that way?


I think most color screen cell phones have this setup. At least my Nokia does.

[BJNY]

For viewing photos, I have my eye on Epson's recently announced P-2000 which also offers movie & music playback, connects to a TV, and reads compact flash & SD cards.

http://www.i-love-epson.co.jp/products/photofine/p2000/p20001.htm

[vikolaf]

60GB Cool but it's been on the market for a while (what about 80?)
Photos? Cool because not that many people have 60GB of music unless they rip the songs at very high quality. Useful? not really unless you show your friends pictures all the time.

[macidiot]

They DID kill the cell phone. These technologies designed for 13 year old girls are getting out of hand. If you want a digital camera, get a digital camera. If you want to play games, get a GBA. All of these technologies are almost useless on phones anyway. Most camera phones take really horrible quality photos, and the games are half impossible to play because you're using a keypad. It's all BS for the mindless masses. And please, quit with the ringtones! A phone should sound like a phone, not an orchestra or the latest Hilary Duff single.

Amen brother. It'd be nice to have a cell phone that was actually good at making a phone calls. Makes me of the eDork episode of Aqua Teen... :D

[MacOldTimer]

For what it's worth, I was given some information about an iPod that is being developed that includes a cell phone. Evidently it's early in the development process and no planned release date. When listening to music, if the phone rings, the music is muted and the ring tone is heard. Guess it is supposed to work similar to the OnStar system in vehicles. A feature supposedly being explored was that when put on hold you would listen to your own music not the normal "on hold" elevator music. Supposedly the earliest the phone feature/option could be released would be Q3 2005. It might be nice to have less devices to carry around but how much stuff can you cram into an iPod before it becomes an overly complicated beast?

[Fourbin]

Wouldn't this be a 5th Generation iPod? It's extremely different than the 4th...

[AmigoMac]

For viewing photos, I have my eye on Epson's recently announced P-2000 which also offers movie & music playback, connects to a TV, and reads compact flash & SD cards.

http://www.i-love-epson.co.jp/products/photofine/p2000/p20001.htm

God! That thing looks nice, is it also a camera? I haven't got the whole idea of the features, but if it's also a camera... I will switch to epson in a second... after I buy one of those *things*

[vitaboy]

60GB Cool but it's been on the market for a while (what about 80?)
Photos? Cool because not that many people have 60GB of music unless they rip the songs at very high quality. Useful? not really unless you show your friends pictures all the time.

It would be plenty useful if the iPod would be able to allow you to download photos from any digital camera via a special USB cable. Can you imagine how many professional photographers would kill to have a portable 60 GB hard drive - no more swapping expensive little memory cards. Heck, I have a 256 MB card on my 5MP camera, and that fills up pretty fast on road trips. An iPhoto-capable iPod would be a godsend.

Then once those photos are downloaded, the next time you hook up your iPod to your Mac, voila, iPhoto autosyncs with it.

No wonder Apple named it "iPod" and not "iMusic."

iTunes = autosyncing for your iPod's music
iPhoto = autosyncing for your iPod's photos

At least, that's the hope!

[The Red Wolf]

I don't think any of you will be happy until you have a portable Mac. Until that time happens, (if it happens) can we leave the iPod alone? Doesn't anyone feel nostalgic when they look at an iPod screen and think on the look of the original versions of the Macintosh. Keep the monochrome screen for the music playing portable FireWire HD known as the iPod. I don't want colour while driving at night. I want music. Do I need 60 GB? No. Do other people sure, if the truly have enough music to fill it. Optional HD size might be nice. But until there is a portable fully functional, wireless G6 Macintosh with a HID and a voice activated interface, sporting a 3.5 TeraByte HD... I'm not interested. Call that i(Something or other). Don't call it an iPod.

[nagromme]

If your taking all these photos that everyone wants to see, its likely you will have your digital camera with an LCD to view the images on anyway.

Sure, I use my digital cam that way--it even had TV out. But your digital cam can only hold a few photos--especially if you leave room to TAKE pictures--not your whole library.

[JLS]

Sure, I use my digital cam that way--it even had TV out. But your digital cam can only hold a few photos--especially if you leave room to TAKE pictures--not your whole library.


Well might I just point out that memory cards are really cheap, I have a 256mb one in my Nikon 5700, and on 'normal' quality I can store over 200 photos. I can't see myself wanting to show people more than that at once, and showing people old photos (i.e. your archives) can't seem that exciting either.

[maya]

Is it my imagination or is this new imgPod going to be introduced for Mac users and then with version 2 or 3 it will be introduced with Windows users along with iPhoto. Same thing they did with the original iPod, first test it on the mac users and then bring it to windows users along with the software.

Anyone also piece that the 4 gig flash cards might be for this as a buffer system so this product will be responsive and drain less power which sorting information for music and images. I mean 4 gigs is pretty decent to load over a 100 images and songs. Thus the thickness. The colour lcd screen I wonder what they are going to do about the whole lawsuit with Honeywell, only time will tell.

Would this be a great products it might be it sure is targeted towards that ONE person in every family like GarageBand is targeted towards to as well, in America. So it would not concern me as to why Apple knows this is a small neglected market and is providing for them, since once they have they trust these people will be long standing Apple customers since there were listening when no one else was.

I only hope that Apple gives you the option to turn the Colour screen to Black and White since it will help to push the battery a little longer.

I think Apple is set its eye on the 8-14 hour battery life for now, there are not in the market as of now to offer 60 hours of playback.

Besides looking at the PSP which only get about 60-900 mins, this new iPod looks great compared to it, and if only it plays music, views photos, or able to connect to present PRESENTATIONS.

It's a fine welcome to the Pod family. :D


Update does it seem that Apple is moving towards the digital camera area next, they have already done it once before. I would not be surprised if they do it again, seems they are testing the image portable sector in the Pod form factor. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST PEOPLE. :)

[FasterSoonerNow]

What if this iPod can show the album artwork while listening to a song?

That'd be damn cool... but I think ThinkSecret might have mentioned it. :(

[dejo]

I put together this list back around the time the first rumors of a color iPod screen were floating around:

- Album covers

- Music videos

- Visualizations

- Color solitaire! (I hate having to remember which suits are which colors)

- Old-school video games (Asteroid, Space Invaders, etc.)

- Cartoons (regular video might not look so great on a small screen but cartoons, like The Simpsons or South Park, might be ok)

- Photo browsing

[maya]

Wouldn't this be a 5th Generation iPod? It's extremely different than the 4th...


It more like the beginning of a new Pod family, some could call it a spin-off, not really a 5th Gen. Its a 4th Gen extended. Partially due to not having the hardware parts available in time for introduction, not Apples fault.

[t300]

Update does it seem that Apple is moving towards the digital camera area next, they have already done it once before. I would not be surprised if they do it again, seems they are testing the image portable sector in the Pod form factor. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST PEOPLE. :)

Apple does and not will not make cameras anymore for the same reason they don't make printers anymore...Because they know other companies simply do it better. They have and will leave those mediums to Epson, Canon, HP, etc.

[Mr_Ed]

I'm pretty excited about this rumor and I hope it is true. I have a 2nd gen iPod and I also do digital photography.

I do have one question about it: Will I still have to buy a separate device to upload CF (or other) cards from the camera? I would expect the answer is "yes" so that you can buy whatever media adapter your situation requires, but it would be yet another gadget I would have to lug around.

(Sorry if this question was asked already. Didn't feel like looking through 250-300 posts :))

[MarcelV]

I'm going to guess the video out will be on a new dock. The dock will have an S-Video or component or composite video, an optical audio out, and a power connection, something like that, and you sit by and attach it to your stereo and/or TV.

For the 4G I don't see this happening. It will just branded as their first iPod with photo capability. But it's probably not far from the truth for a 5G device (mid next year). Having h.264 built in, and the little thing can become suddenly a PVR. Little screen for in the subway, large screen for at home. hmmm..... just a thought.

[~Shard~]

They DID kill the cell phone. These technologies designed for 13 year old girls are getting out of hand. If you want a digital camera, get a digital camera. If you want to play games, get a GBA. All of these technologies are almost useless on phones anyway. Most camera phones take really horrible quality photos, and the games are half impossible to play because you're using a keypad. It's all BS for the mindless masses. And please, quit with the ringtones! A phone should sound like a phone, not an orchestra or the latest Hilary Duff single.


Actually, this is true, I should have explained my point better. All these new cell phone features for the most part are crap and/or useless, don’t work right, are a novelty, etc., so in this context, yes, they have killed the cell phone. But I was referring to things in terms of sales and popularity. Even though all of these bells and whistles have been added, cell phones are just as popular if not moreso, and these additional features, whether they’re crap or not, have not killed cell phones in terms of sales, etc.

Now you might say this could e the case with this photo iPod – Apple is introducing additional functionality that might not work the best, etc. Well, Apple engineers seem to focus countless amounts of time and effort in getting things right, so I don’t think this will be an issue, (if they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it right), and I definitely don’t think new functionality like this will diminish iPod sales and popularity. It’s just the next logical progression.

Plus, no one ever said the iPod was strictly an MP3 player – who says it has to be only that, and can never be anything else? :cool:

[shooterlv]

http://mrwsoftware.com/archive.cgi?archive=showrumor&page=12.txt

[~Shard~]

Apple does and not will not make cameras anymore for the same reason they don't make printers anymore...Because they know other companies simply do it better. They have and will leave those mediums to Epson, Canon, HP, etc.

Precisely - it's the same reason Apple doesn't make a 2-button mouse. ;) <runs for cover>

[Mr_Ed]

It would be plenty useful if the iPod would be able to allow you to download photos from any digital camera via a special USB cable. Can you imagine how many professional photographers would kill to have a portable 60 GB hard drive - no more swapping expensive little memory cards. Heck, I have a 256 MB card on my 5MP camera, and that fills up pretty fast on road trips. An iPhoto-capable iPod would be a godsend.

Then once those photos are downloaded, the next time you hook up your iPod to your Mac, voila, iPhoto autosyncs with it.

No wonder Apple named it "iPod" and not "iMusic."

iTunes = autosyncing for your iPod's music
iPhoto = autosyncing for your iPod's photos

At least, that's the hope!
Yeah, I love the idea of the iPhoto "sync" and being able to offload your photos from your camera, but with most cameras today (though this should change with newer models) you only have a USB 1.1 interface. To say that offloading a 1GB CF card full of 6.1MP photos (as I do) over USB 1.1 takes a while is an understatement! :) I use a FireWire CF reader at home and that makes a huge difference. I'm sure it is a similar situation for a USB 2.0 reader.

I guess my point is that a USB 2.0 interface would be adequate but would cut out a lot of currently used cameras. Maybe an external reader hooked up to the iPod makes more sense since this could be USB 2.0 (or FireWire) and you can have your "high speed" offloads regardless of what your camera's interface is. The down side would be:

1) An extra gadget to carry with you
2) Power source for the reader. Not sure the iPod could power it (it might be able to) but even then, it would be an additional drain on the iPod's battery.

[maya]

Oh yeah, forgot about that :)

I wouldnt want to carry my digital photos in an iPod -- what if you lose it?

.narco


I agree, with your on this. Apple needs to create a Password system to lock and unlock the iPod.

Have the user input a password to activate the iPod to user, however when you stop using it it automatically locks needing to put a password to open it up again. This can be an option for people if they want the security or not. Plus in its locked state it will still be able to charge.

By using the touch scroll wheel you can have a combination of clicks for example : click > play > fast forward > play > menu > rewind and the password is created by the user so, only you have access to the content. Use Encryption as Panther users for the Home folder it would be unique to the market and no one else has done this. :D

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST. :)

[JDOG_]

Somebody want to get a mockup together for fun's sake?

I'd also like to see Apple make a built-to-order clickwheel color option so you could get different colors going on with that. I'd dig a yellow or blue one.

[whooleytoo]

Fingers crossed for an iPod SDK. Please.. oh please..

[dejo]

Yeah, I love the idea of the iPhoto "sync" and being able to offload your photos from your camera, but with most cameras today (though this should change with newer models) you only have a USB 1.1 interface. To say that offloading a 1GB CF card full of 6.1MP photos (as I do) over USB 1.1 takes a while is an understatement! :) I use a FireWire CF reader at home and that makes a huge difference. I'm sure it is a similar situation for a USB 2.0 reader.

I guess my point is that a USB 2.0 interface would be adequate but would cut out a lot of currently used cameras. Maybe an external reader hooked up to the iPod makes more sense since this could be USB 2.0 (or FireWire) and you can have your "high speed" offloads regardless of what your camera's interface is. The down side would be:

1) An extra gadget to carry with you
2) Power source for the reader. Not sure the iPod could power it (it might be able to) but even then, it would be an additional drain on the iPod's battery.

Belkin already makes such a device. It's called the Media Reader for iPod and uses FireWire to transfer the images.

[maya]

Apple does and not will not make cameras anymore for the same reason they don't make printers anymore...Because they know other companies simply do it better. They have and will leave those mediums to Epson, Canon, HP, etc.

You are joking right. :rolleyes: Other companies also make mp3 players etc...and images being viewed on portable cameras,etc... It didn't stop Apple to make the iPod, there have seen that it was done however not correctly according to Apple standards and so they created the iPod, I feel there will do the same for a digital camera.

They also have iPod accessories, other companies also make did that stop them, NOPE. There also make VERSA mounts for the NEW Cinema Display and NEW iMac G5, do other companies make VERSA mounts YEP, did that stop Apple NOPE.

Put it this way they made a digital camera before, they have the technology however there are testing the water once again to not make mistake again. Remember that markets always change so what seemed like a good idea over 10 years back might have had failed due to the markets, however its 10 years so its not really the same issue.

Should Apple make printers, IMHO they should stay away from it. Since they promote the "DIGITAL LIFESTYLE" nothing digital about a physical printout and they also offer iPhoto print orders via Kodak via they site....so its covered.

To print GOOD text all you need is a Samsung laser monochrome printer. Not expensive at all.If you want to print colour images quickly buy the colour laser printer. Doon't really see a Mass business in printers these days, it might change over time.

[macidiot]

I put together this list back around the time the first rumors of a color iPod screen were floating around:

- Album covers

- Music videos

- Visualizations

- Color solitaire! (I hate having to remember which suits are which colors)

- Old-school video games (Asteroid, Space Invaders, etc.)

- Cartoons (regular video might not look so great on a small screen but cartoons, like The Simpsons or South Park, might be ok)

- Photo browsing

I think visualizations would be great. Its fairly stupid in itunes but would be pretty cool on the ipod screen. Definitely would add to the bling of the ipod. As every pc and auto-modder knows, adding garish lighting clearly improves performance. And flashing, blinking lights? Even better. Now if they could only figure out how to get a strobe light and smoke machine into the ipod...does Belkin or Griffin make a disco ball add-on? The iBall? Something like this? (http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=1722824&sz=6&cat=&dept=&sf=EC0028&gs=&subcat=&attr=&o=-RI)

:eek: ;)

[Gatorman]

Great, I just bought a 4G 20GB iPod. The day I buy a G5 will be the month before they release a G6.


I know how you feel. :(

I just bought my 4G 20 GB in August. I still love it, though. I guess we're in the same boat. Of course, my problem will be that when I'm going to need a laptop next fall, the G5 Powerbooks will come out just after I've purchased my G4.

[dejo]

Somebody want to get a mockup together for fun's sake?

Here's what one might look like with Album Cover being shown:

http://homepage.mac.com/dejo/.Public/Color-Screen-iPod.jpg

[johnnyjibbs]

I have to say I'm not overly convinced, but if they can keep the battery life up then there's nothing really to complain about. It would be 60GB for the price of the old 40 after all.

However, I'm not sure if Apple would want to do this because it confuses the main purpose of the iPod - it's stupidly simple function of playing music. And the colour screen would just be eating into battery for no purpose most of the time. Finally, I'm not entirely convinced that I'd want to spend that much time looking at my photos on the move, certainly not in the same way as wanting to listen to music.

However, as I said, if this can be added without any conceived disadvantage of it being there, then I'm all for it. It will only be a matter of time before this sort of technology starts to slip into other products.

[Mr_Ed]

Belkin already makes such a device. It's called the Media Reader for iPod and uses FireWire to transfer the images.
I know. My comment addressed a suggestion to cut out an external reader completely and include the ability to connect the camera directly to the iPod. Not a "stretch" for a the iPod from a hardware point of view (it already supports FireWire and USB 2.0) and I suspect it would need relatively minor firmware upgrade to read "standard" USB based cameras. My only concern was that with many current and older cameras, you would not have the "option" to offload your pictures any faster than the camera's interface would allow, but you would with an external reader.

[Edit: spelling]

[maya]

Precisely - it's the same reason Apple doesn't make a 2-button mouse. ;) <runs for cover>

LOL, Apple doesn't make a 2 or even a 3 button mouse is because if they did they would contradict themselves since they have already stated that the Mac OS, was supposed to be the simplest to input information with a mouse thus one button. It's supposed to be simple and easy to use which even your elderly relatives can use without thinking about it. ;) :D

[Eniregnat]

The killer app. isn’t the ability to show color photos on the fly or even to broadcast them to a video screen, as people who have this need likely have a PowerBook or iBook with video and sound out. There really isn’t a need for this feature, but the feature could be a side benefit of the bigger want.

The killer application is the iPod drive and media managers and accompany the iPod. The simple interface and the The iPod is quickly moving towards what Jobs once saw it as, as mass media storage. With the real-time video and audio out, other manufactures will be able to create whole new kinds devices to add onto the iPod, like a camera. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Airport Express evolves with the iPod to allow compressed streamed video, or at least stills.
Really, before color I expect 802.1g or BT, as the cards for both of those are now tiny. Besides, native FireWire would help vidographers, photographers, and musicians. Imagin recording directly to dirive or for musicians- high quality multi-track with time codes and midi.
Given all of this the iPod might eventually evolve into a “super” media drive that can be slotted into laptops, cameras, recorders, PDAs and other multi-media devices. A solidstate iPod might make sense as the base for a number of aftermarket synergystic devices.

Post Script: Do we really need to share our photos? Slide shows are like dreams, if I am not in them, I don’t care.

[Mr_Ed]

LOL, Apple doesn't make a 2 or even a 3 button mouse is because if they did they would contradict themselves since they have already stated that the Mac OS, was supposed to be the simplest to input information with a mouse thus one button. It's supposed to be simple and easy to use which even your elderly relatives can use without thinking about it. ;) :D
:D Yeah! With some of my relatives, if you give them more than one button, you can bet they will press the wrong one!! :D

[SiliconAddict]

Are you one of the same people who complained that cell phones were just for phoning people? Damn all that text messaging, video screens, games, built-in digital cameras and PDA-like abilities, they're just going to kill the cell phone! :rolleyes: ;)

I don't know about Giggles but yes. Yes I am one of those people. Give me a cell phone that can go a week on standby and 8 hours of talktime. I'm sick of having to plug my phone in every 2.5 days because some dumb*** company is more concerned if they can drop a widescreen projection TV in their phone instead of trying to get better battery life.

That being said unlike the phone industry I think Apple knows where its priorities are. They know people prize a long battery life on their MP3 player. If they implement this don't expect a huge drop in playback times. Apple isn't stupid. Arrogant yes. Stupid no.

[macidiot]

LOL, Apple doesn't make a 2 or even a 3 button mouse is because if they did they would contradict themselves since they have already stated that the Mac OS, was supposed to be the simplest to input information with a mouse thus one button. It's supposed to be simple and easy to use which even your elderly relatives can use without thinking about it. ;) :D

I'm ok with Apple sticking with a one-button mouse for the "dexterity-challenged." ;) But its lame that you have to pay for something that just ends up in the drawer if you want 2 buttons or a scroll. I have a pile of unused Apple mice... Besides, considering that the 2-button mouse is now the standard, isn't a one button mouse now the more confusing device?

[niall2]

Could it be that we were waiting for two things for the next iPod...a larger disk AND the new 2.2 inch VGA LCD (http://www.i4u.com/article2157.html)?

[sirjimithy]

:D Yeah! With some of my relatives, if you give them more than one button, you can bet they will press the wrong one!! :D

You would not believe the number of people I've given Windows iPod support to that you tell them to click on something, and every time you tell them to click, they ask: "left click or right click?"

Apple started making the one-button mouse for this reason, and apparently it's still necessary for a lot of people. Personally, I think we can avoid this problem, by requiring a special license to own a computer. Pass the test, then you can buy a computer.

[SiliconAddict]

:D Yeah! With some of my relatives, if you give them more than one button, you can bet they will press the wrong one!! :D

No offense dude but your relatives should have all the sharp corners in their house padded if they can't figure out a two-button mouse. I know this is a major heated debate from time to time on the boards and won't take it further then this but I will say that if grade school kids can figure it out grown up adults should NOT have a problem.
You might want to refer your relatives to These guys (http://www.georgiacarpet.com/) assuming they know how to press the buttons on a phone. ;)

[jared_kipe]

Power won't be as big of an issue if it were to contain an OLED instead of a LCD. Of course they have an estimated lifespan of only 10,000 hours of continuous use. But thats still 417 days of always on time, so if you only use it for 4 hours a day you could get almost 7 years out of it. I think this is acceptable for an ipod screen's lifespan. OLEDs are cheaper and more energy effective, not to mention usually have better color response.

[agentmouthwash]

The photo feature will also allow you to view other artist content like additional photos & lyrics.

Hook your ipod up to your TV, view the lyrics and sing the songs Kareoke style using the built-in mic on your wireless isight (version2).

Then you mix down the song in garageband and sell it on itunes!

[lostngone]

WOW!!! Think about it, Porn!!!; But 60gigs. isn't that a bit small for music and porn?

Is that a iPod in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

[headhighguy]

Well, after closely observing Apple's product launches for the past 18 months, the 60GB, Color LCD, IPhoto, Video-Out Ipod has got to be a rumor. Here's my thoughts about it.

1. 60 GB Harddrive. Yes, it would be a feasable option, also logical to do for apple to increase storage space to the best music player ever released. However, does anybody really need 60 GB of space? 90% of all people have actually less then 10GB of music on their harddrives. When I saw the introduction of the 4G iPod, I was pleasantly surprised that there was no 60 GB version, and it really made sense to me, because there is only a small percentage of people that really use the additional space that the 40GB model doesn't provide.

2. Color LCD. When I read color LCD, I thought, and the battery life? When I read 2" color LCD, I knew it had to be a rumor. Here's why. If apple integrates a color LCD to view pictures, it wouldn't be as small as the existing 2" lcd screen. Apple always has focused on superior quality in their display products. a 2" lcd would simply not be up to their standards. Well, if they would implement a larger screen, possibly covering the entire face of the ipod, it became more credible, however, in contrast, how much would that take burden to the battery life.

3. iPhoto sync. Great idea. But it would require to come up with a windows version of iPhoto. That's actually doable and would be quite an enlightenment for the windows world. It sounds feasable and would greatly make sense to add the additional disk space. However, it couldn't convince me all the way, because of the color lcd screen issue.

4. Video Out port. This is a joke. If apple seriously comes out with a video out port on the ipod, it would just not make sense at all. Here's why. You would have to have a cable at hand in order to use the photo feature. This means you would have to possibly carry it with you. A company that has a strategy in place to mobilize peoples music and possibly photos in such an excellent way, cannot make an addition to their product line that requires you to carry a cable or anything like that. Apple has shown with the airport express that they are going away from cables. I'm confident enough that Apple would not come out with a portable device that sports a port that requires you to have any kind of cable with you. If at all, it had to be wireless. We all know that technology is not yet advanced and standardized enough to send video/picture data wirelessly to a tv set.

Conclusion:
This new device got to be a rumor, because it has too many specs that would violate the strategy that apple has shown in their recent product releases. The screen would have been too small, as well as the video-out port that requires to use a cable is not convincing to me to believe it is part of the new leading edge portable music (media) player. I could imagine iphoto for windows and the larger hdd for additional space that photos may take up.

My proposal:
A new future iPod in my opinion would sport a WiFi interface for wireless synchronization (no dock required/or optional) and compatibility with Airport Express in order to stream music from the ipod to your stereo, wirelessly. That is in my opinion the only logical extension that apple could make to the market's leading music player as the ipod is now. No picture support, no color lcd, no video out. it all doesn't make sense to apple's strategy right now. Video and picture support had to be implemented into a completely new product.

[t300]

You are joking right. :rolleyes: Other companies also make mp3 players etc...and images being viewed on portable cameras,etc... It didn't stop Apple to make the iPod, there have seen that it was done however not correctly according to Apple standards and so they created the iPod, I feel there will do the same for a digital camera.


Uh, no...I'm not joking. Apple paved the way for MP3 player's, so that situation can't even compare. Get your facts straight, newb.

[maya]

No offense dude but your relatives should have all the sharp corners in their house padded if they can't figure out a two-button mouse. I know this is a major heated debate from time to time on the boards and won't take it further then this but I will say that if grade school kids can figure it out grown up adults should NOT have a problem.
You might want to refer your relatives to These guys (http://www.georgiacarpet.com/) assuming they know how to press the buttons on a phone. ;)


The concept of a virtual world in a box, is not common sense to an elder who is in they 50+ and beyond. Its new to grasp new things when you are elderly and the research shows this. TO press one button is much easier to remember than to remember to click left or right or even a middle button(with 3 button mice). See where the problem lies, Apple is trying to be friendly to all they customers not just the Teens or the people under 50 group. It's a great approach IMHO, if you want a muti button mouse buy one however its a "Apple Standard" to have one button for simplicity.

It doesn't mean his elderly relatives are ignorant it's, hard for them to grasp. Have you ever put yourself in 18th Century and tried to plow a field, you will find it hard even with some experience since your muscle mass and physical limits are not compared to those who were living during the 18th century. However that said you brain is far more evolved than the 18th century person.

There is always a good and bad point about everything, don't argue that just because you think IYO a muti mouse is great that its well suited for all.

[areyouwishing]

This just makes me realize that someone needs to come out with an iPod for Photos... not a dual function device.

You take the form factor of a packet of photos that you would get from Costco, or Wal-Mart and you put Hard Drive, 6x4" LCD, and Battery together in that small of package and you have a useful little device for displaying photos. This would completely replace getting prints made the way iPods and the music store replaced the way we get cds.

The big challenge with photos right now is distribution, if im having a conversation with a person and I want to show photos, how do i do that without my camera, or computer, or prints? Apple is trying to answer this question but i think the iPod form factor is just too small.

[whooleytoo]

Here's what one might look like with Album Cover being shown:

http://homepage.mac.com/dejo/.Public/Color-Screen-iPod.jpg

I doubt if the album cover will be fullscreen - unless the song info & controls fade in and out (but the iPod doesn't have a lot of grunt).

Would look nice though!

[maya]

Uh, no...I'm not kidding. Apple paved the way for MP3 player's, so that situation can't even compare. Get your facts straight, newb.


Yes, they did for Mp3 players however doesn't mean they cannot innovate the digital camera as well.

What with the negative attitude, I am not a newbie, I am a member I lost my password so I had to create a new account. :(

That is what happens when you are away from your computer for a long time and someone meddles with your system. :(

Doen't mean just because IYO I am a newbie I am a moron, you have a very skewed attitude towards new comers.


note: I previous name was "må¥å".


take care.

[CalfCanuck]

The killer application is the iPod drive and media managers and accompany the iPod. The simple interface and the The iPod is quickly moving towards what Jobs once saw it as, as mass media storage.
Given all of this the iPod might eventually evolve into a “super” media drive that can be slotted into laptops, cameras, recorders, PDAs and other multi-media devices. A solidstate iPod might make sense as the base for a number of aftermarket synergystic devices.

Yes!

The photo market (just to explore one example) must be over $100 Billion a year, and the last few years have seen a radical shift from traditional film to digital cameras. But there are no elegant solutions for what to do with all those new digital pictures.

I'm sure the average household spends far more on cameras and developing than music, so Apple's sync'ing their "digital hub" with this sector makes SO much sense, regardless of the "iPods are for music" nonsense spouted by many here.

[sirjimithy]

Well, after closely observing Apple's product launches for that past 18 months, the 60GB, Color LCD, IPhoto, Video-Out Ipod has got to be a rumor. Here's my thoughts about it.

1. 60 GB Harddrive. Yes, it would be a feasable option, also logical to do for apple to increase storage space to the best music player ever released. However, does anybody really need 60 GB of space? 90% of all people have actually less then 10GB of music on their harddrives. When I saw the introduction of the 4G iPod, I was pleasantly surprised that there was no 60 GB version, and it really made sense to me, because there is only a small percentage of people that really use the additional space that the 40GB model doesn't provide.

2. Color LCD. When I read color LCD, I thought, and the battery life? When I read 2" color LCD, I knew it had to be a rumor. Here's why. If apple integrates a color LCD to view pictures, it wouldn't be as small as the existing 2" lcd screen. Apple always has focused on superior quality in their display products. a 2" lcd would simply not be up to their standards. Well, if they would implement a larger screen, possibly covering the entire face of the ipod, it became more credible, however, in contrast, how much would that take burden to the battery life.

3. iPhoto sync. Great idea. But it would require to come up with a windows version of iPhoto. That's actually doable and would be quite an enlightenment for the windows world. It sounds feasable and would greatly make sense to add the additional disk space. However, it couldn't convince me all the way, because of the color lcd screen issue.

4. Video Out port. This is a joke. If apple seriously comes out with a video out port on the ipod, it would just not make sense at all. Here's why. You would have to have a cable at hand in order to use the photo feature. This means you would have to possibly carry it with you. A company that has a strategy in place to mobilize peoples music and possibly photos in such an excellent way, cannot make an addition to their product line that requires you to carry a cable or anything like that. Apple has shown with the airport express that they are going away from cables. I'm confident enough that Apple would not come out with a portable device that sports a port that requires you to have any kind of cable with you. If at all, it had to be wireless. We all know that technology is not yet advanced and standardized enough to send video/picture data wirelessly to a tv set.

Conclusion:
This new device got to be a rumor, because it has too many specs that would violate the strategy that apple has shown in their recent product releases. The screen would have been too small, as well as the video-out port that requires to use a cable is not convincing to me to believe it is part of the new leading edge portable music (media) player. I could imagine iphoto for windows and the larger hdd for additional space that photos may take up.

My proposal:
A new future iPod in my opinion would sport WiFi interface for wireless synchronization (no dock required/or optional) and compatibility with Airport Express in order to stream music from the ipod to your stereo, wirelessly. That is in my opinion the only logical extension that apple could make to the market's leading music player as the ipod is now. No picture support, no color lcd, no video out. it all doesn't make sense to apple's strategy right now. Video and picture support had to be implemented into a completely new product.


Steve also said that he wouldn't make an iMac with the rest of the computer glommed on to the back of the LCD. Not that I disagree with you, because I see your point. Now if the iPod could stream video to the AirPort Express, and that audio out port on the airport express was really an a/v port (like on the older iBooks), and you could stream your pictures that way.. eh?? eh, maybe not.. This is just getting silly now.

[maya]

I'm ok with Apple sticking with a one-button mouse for the "dexterity-challenged." ;) But its lame that you have to pay for something that just ends up in the drawer if you want 2 buttons or a scroll. I have a pile of unused Apple mice... Besides, considering that the 2-button mouse is now the standard, isn't a one button mouse now the more confusing device?


LOL, pass those one button mice here. I will welcome them for an art project. :D

Well just because you have learned to use a multi button mouse doesn't mean that the elderly can absorb this information quickly as you have. It takes time, pratice and a transition period. If you like multi button mice great go spend the extra money on it. Apple has already said it looks to the best interest of ALL users meaning children and elderly also included, if you are working I am sure the extra 10-20 USD will not burn a hole in your pocket. Maybe other mouse companies should have a trade in program. Trade in an Apple mouse and get a 2 button one for 5 dollar more or something. Scroll wheels are popular however again same situation as the above.

[t300]

Yes, they did for Mp3 players however doesn't mean they cannot innovate the digital camera as well.

What with the negative attitude, I am not a newbie, I am a member I lost my password so I had to create a new account. :(

That is what happens when you are away from your computer for a long time and someone meddles with your system. :(

Doen't mean just because IYO I am a newbie I am a moron, you have a very skewed attitude towards new comers.


note: I previous name was "må¥å".


take care.


Apple DID innovate the digital camera...The Quicktake 200 paved the way for them all. Then other companies took over, as usual, and Apple knew then, and know now, that there is no reason to compete.

[sirjimithy]

FYI, if you're talking about the computer mouse, the plural is mouses, not mice. Just saying... ;)

[Mr_Ed]

WOW!!! Think about it, Porn!!!; But 60gigs. isn't that a bit small for music and porn?

Is that a iPod in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Geez! 60GB not enough for music and porn?!?! Oh wait . . . I just noticed you are in Alaska . . . . ;) :D

[melgross]

Power won't be as big of an issue if it were to contain an OLED instead of a LCD. Of course they have an estimated lifespan of only 10,000 hours of continuous use. But thats still 417 days of always on time, so if you only use it for 4 hours a day you could get almost 7 years out of it. I think this is acceptable for an ipod screen's lifespan. OLEDs are cheaper and more energy effective, not to mention usually have better color response.

I agree. This is what I've been thinking as well. I just don't know if Apple has gotten hold of one that would meet their specs as yet.

The battery life shouldn't be an issue. There are batteries out there that already give the 40G model 23 hours. There's one that's supposed to give 40. I'm sure that with Apple's buying power, if they wanted to, they could use one of these, and solve that problem.

My thought goes further. I believe that Apple is going to split the two lines of iPods apart.

The mini will remain the music iPod, with increasingly larger HD's. They will always have a significantly smaller capacity. Their screen will also always be smaller, thus, less useful for higher resolutions.

The full size unit is a different matter. The HD's are approaching the size of desktop models of only a year or so ago with the 60. Toshiba, and others are, no doubt, designing 80's, 100's and even larger.

With this capacity, no one who puts music on the player can complain that new features are compromising their ability to store music.

With the new hires that Apple seems to be making, it seems as though they and others will be able to write apps that make this device even more versatile than ever. If, in doing this they include some API's from X, the device would be able to run simple versions of some software, such as Keynote (which someone suggested earlier), and others, not so much to build a presentation and such, but to present them.

With a small color screen this would allow control from these programs, even though the device itself couldn't be used directly as a viewer. I don't think that the application of viewing photo's on a Tv would be the end purpose of this, but rather a way of getting people used to the concept of hooking it up to something other than an audio system. Sort of a come-on. Kodak tried to do this when they originally came out with the Photo CD. It failed miserably for that purpose.

My conclusion (even though I have a lot more uses for it than I mentioned, for lack of space) is that this IS the digital center that Apple is coming out with. They are slowly sneaking it in. I believe that Apple had all of this in mind when they first came out with the iPod, but couldn't implement it, for the technology was not up to it. But that is changing.

Apple is being patient. When there are millions of these in people's hands, people in all walks of life, then Apple won't see the resistance to such a device that they would have if they simply came out with it, full born, like Athena, from the head of Zeus.

People will trust their iPods, and by extension, Apple. Therefore the reaction will be more of the order of "Hey, look at what my iPod can do now!" Rather than "What's this thing? It looks too complicated."

I do think that they will stay away from cameras though. There is nothing that Apple can add to that experience that would be compelling. Apple's first camera's were designed, and made by Kodak.

[maya]

Apple DID innovate the digital camera...The Quicktake 200 paved the way for them all. Then other companies took over, as usual, and Apple knew then, and know now, that there is no reason to compete.

If I remember correctly Apple was in partnership with Kodak on they first digital camera. However bad marketing and management ruined the whole situation.

With Jobs back who know they "might" come up with a better digital camera GUI. Don't render anything out of the picture, this is Apple. They never really said anything in regards to a digital camera, they said no HandHeld Computer (Palm), and no portable video player.

And even if you look they have been experimenting with iSight, and iPod, and the whole idea of iPhoto.

It would not surprise me if they have something cooking up in the near future.

I wish the iPod had a digital camera built-in or as an add on, would be so much better than to transfer the RAW or Jpeg files from flash to iPod.

Save a step. :D

Update: There are other companies that also make computers, lcd screens, VERSA mounts, iPod accessories, software for digital video, music, etc....

In that case why is Apple still making what others still make, the reason they do it better. HANDS DOWN.

There used to be other HDD MP3 players before iPod however Apple still sort out to making it. And I see no difference with a digital camera. They have done it with the iSight and Cinema Displays, so who knows.

[CalfCanuck]

Technically you already can. I have the 4G iPod, 20GB model, and the Blekin media reader. We went to Ireland last year and came back with 1600 photos from our Nikon D70.

If this rumor of a photo capable iPod is true, Apple will need to provide a better solution than the transfer speed of the Belkin device.

Rated by Belkin at 750 KBps, (and 30 percent slower with checking on), they state that a 128 MB card transfers in 3-5 minutes. But that's 30-40 minutes for a 1 GB card, (not including the error checking feature). :eek: Those of us who shoot a couple of GB per day have better ways to spend 2 hours.

This is yet another example of how an elegant solution still eludes us.

[Edit - what's up with the red "belkin" lettering? I'm not pusing them! Seems like it's being put in by the thread, not me...][Edit 2 - now they're gone again - what's up?]

[maya]

FYI, if you're talking about the computer mouse, the plural is mouses, not mice. Just saying... ;)

Actually according to British English Language there is NO mouses.

single - plural

mouse - mice (NOT MOUSES)

Island - Isles (NOT ISLANDS)


there are more, however I believe you need to read a little more British English Language where it originated and not mangle the language. ;)

[dejo]

Apple has shown with the airport express that they are going away from cables.

Hmm, last I checked you still needed cables to hook up your Airport Express to a home audio system, Ethernet connection or to share a USB printer. So, although I agree, Apple is going away from cables, the Airport Express is not the ultimate example of that strategy.

[Mr_Ed]

No offense dude but your relatives should have all the sharp corners in their house padded if they can't figure out a two-button mouse. I know this is a major heated debate from time to time on the boards and won't take it further then this but I will say that if grade school kids can figure it out grown up adults should NOT have a problem.
You might want to refer your relatives to These guys (http://www.georgiacarpet.com/) assuming they know how to press the buttons on a phone. ;)
Maya already posted a good response to this but I want to add that I have found that modern technology (and specifically "buttons" of any type) and SOME people simply do not mix, at least not without some training and coaxing. The meaning (ie. "behavior") of a particular button when compared to another button that looks alike is not always obvious.

Remember that for many older "technophobes," their previous exposure to user interfaces that some engineer thought were intuitive include things like alarm clocks, VCR timers, microwave ovens, and ATMs. You and I may not have trouble figuring those out, but that does not make them any more intuitive than a puck with a cable and two or three (unlabeled, often identical) buttons on one end :)

[maya]

Hmm, last I checked you still needed cables to hook up your Airport Express to a home audio system, Ethernet connection or to share a USB printer. So, although I agree, Apple is going away from cables, the Airport Express is not the ultimate example of that strategy.

All AE does is minimize cable clutter. Plain and Simple. :)


The less cables the better, since this is in benefit for the PowerBook and iBook, there can make them thinner in the future. Once Flash Drives are cheaper and I mean the 1 gig and beyond ones, we will see the death of Optical Drives as with the iMac put the rest the floppy drives.

Once this starts and those 0.85 inch drives have a long life unlike the iPod 1 inch drives with 20k hours life. We will see raid PowerBooks with multiple 0.85 inch HDD running at 10 gigs or more each. <-- crossing fingers. :D

[mactarkus]

Today I spent the better part of the morning running errands. Knowing I would be waiting in lines an appreciable amount of time, I grabbed a magazine for the trip (PC Gamer -- don't hate me because I have a PC strictly to play the latest games). Had I owned a video iPod, I would have taken it instead. I could have offloaded a couple of TV shows and watched them when:

1) While I was waiting at the hospital to get blood drawn for an annual physical. (20 minutes)

2) While I was enjoying a calorie-rich breakfast (after 12 hours of fasting for my blood test) at a nearby fast-food joint (15 minutes)

3) While I waited for my Venti Java-Chip (again, more calories) to be made. (5 minutes)

4) While I found myself killing about a half-hour for the dry cleaners to open because because I managed to do all of the above before 0900. (30 minutes)

5) While I waited at Chili's for my wife to join me for Lunch. (10 minutes)

All of this time adds up and each of these instances is well suited for me to sit and watch a video while killing time. Instead, I read my magazine, which worked really well too. And you know what? 80 minutes of waiting seemed like nothing at all, and I would have rather watched nearly four sitcoms (Scrubs, Simpsons perhaps) after fast forwarding through commercials than read about the hottest PC game I'll begrudgingly buy for my HP.

[sinisterdesign]

This is just speculation, but Kodak owns most of the patents to OLED technology...and who do you get when you click on "order prints" in iphoto?

You guessed it...Kodak.

Maybe there is some sort of other relationship there?

that may be a stretch, but a nice one. i, too, have been waiting to see more products w/ OLEDs. i've also been waiting anxiously for a color screen iPod.

i know people are whining that 2" is too small to view photos. would i RATHER view my photos on my Cinema Display? sure. do i carry my Cinema Display w/ me to work and in my car? not hardly.

also, since when has a small screen stopped cell phone users from viewing photos? how many mobiles w/ stupid little cameras have been sold the past couple years? do i want a camera in my iPod? of course not, but viewing some album art and photos from a party would be a lot of fun.

bring it on, Apple. i'll gladly shell out $500 that i don't need to be spending right now...

[dejo]

Rated by Belkin at 750 KBps

According to the Belkin page I'm looking at (here (http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201526&pcount=&Product_Id=158350)), the transfer rate is actually 300KBps.

So, for 1GB that would take approx. 58 minutes.

[CalfCanuck]

i know people are whining that 2" is too small to view photos. would i RATHER view my photos on my Cinema Display? sure. do i carry my Cinema Display w/ me to work and in my car? not hardly.

bring it on, Apple. i'll gladly shell out $500 that i don't need to be spending right now...

Exactly.

And the latest $8000 pro model DSLR cameras also ship with 2 inch displays - they have a zoom feature for detail, if you need it.

[JLS]

However that said you brain is far more evolved than the 18th century person.


LOL.. this wins the award for the dumbest thing ever said.

Humans have been around for over 160,000 years, and you think major evolution occured in the last 300 years?!

If you went back to 1750 say, with a computer (in Doc Browns delorian..obviously) they would have the same mental ability to learn how to use it as anyone here in 2004.

[t300]

This is easily the best rumor in a while...It's going to be a long 2 months. :p

[sirjimithy]

Actually according to British English Language there is NO mouses.

single - plural

mouse - mice (NOT MOUSES)

Island - Isles (NOT ISLANDS)


there are more, however I believe you need to read a little more British English Language where it originated and not mangle the language. ;)

I apologize, after keeping an open mind and doing some actual reasearch (a rarity on message boards nowadays) I stand corrected. Both "mice" and "mouses" are appropriate. Carry on :)