Wifi/Video iPod?

[MacBytes]

Category: Apple Hardware
Link: Apple seeks iPod engineer with WiFi, video integration experience (http://www.macbytes.com/link.php?sid=20040824110606)
Posted on MacBytes.com (http://www.macbytes.com)

Approved by Mudbug

[nagromme]

There was a job posted months ago for the iPod division that needed audio and video codec experience. I seem to remember that being worded differently (no WiFi), but maybe this is that same job posted again. Anyone have a link to that old one?

Anyway, as AI hints, Apple spends money (even paychecks) on experimental R&D. Ideas for "maybe someday." Products that often never see the light.

So this job is interesting to know about, but proves nothing as far as future shipping products.

[macridah]

There was a job posted months ago for the iPod division that needed audio and video codec experience. I seem to remember that being worded differently (no WiFi), but maybe this is that same job posted again. Anyone have a link to that old one?

Anyway, as AI hints, Apple spends money (even paychecks) on experimental R&D. Ideas for "maybe someday." Products that often never see the light.

So this job is interesting to know about, but proves nothing as far as future shipping products.

It doesn't prove or guarantee the new iPod will have WiFi or video integration, but there's a chance. That job posting is 10x better than speculation or rumors.

[eric67]

Category: Apple Hardware
Link: Apple seeks iPod engineer with WiFi, video integration experience (http://www.macbytes.com/link.php?sid=20040824110606)
Posted on MacBytes.com (http://www.macbytes.com)

Approved by Mudbug

just to be nice I think will make sens to quote the real source of info...
this news has been published on August 22nd here
http://www.hardmac.com/niouzcontenu.php?date=2004-08-22#2713
not your fault I agree, rather unfair Appleinsider

[717]

It al makes sens: we are getting an iTablet based on a iPod. Not an iTablet based on an iBook. Nice spin-off. :-)

[Bendit]

They're just keeping their bases covered and hiring people with a wide range of knowledge incase they ever need to tap in it.

Nothing to see here.

Even if they are investigating it, they are most likely years away from releasing such a product if it's just starting now.

It's more likely that those communiation protocols would be used for remote controls and display tech for higher resolution graphics.

[nagromme]

This also doesn't truly indicate that this position is specifically iPod-related. It's for the iPod division (which for now needs no better name) but I can see the chance of that group releasing other "DLD" products that are NOT iPods sometime.

[jimthorn]

Anyway, as AI hints, Apple spends money (even paychecks) on experimental R&D. Ideas for "maybe someday." Products that often never see the light. So this job is interesting to know about, but proves nothing as far as future shipping products.

That was my first thought too. I hope Apple documents all their experimental projects so that someday we'll see some of the "might have been" goodies.

[aswitcher]

It al makes sens: we are getting an iTablet based on a iPod. Not an iTablet based on an iBook. Nice spin-off. :-)

I wonder if this thign appears whether it will be from the iPod division or the main Mac comp division...

[seamuskrat]

I think its safe to say that Apple knows these job postings are scrutinized by analysts, competitors, and Mac maniacs alike. So the wording used is carefully crafted.
That said, they cannot go an hire someone for this work and just get started on the project (I hope).

Hopefully this is bringing in some final design engineer to polish off the prototypes or to fill out the development team.

But if you look at the Apple jobs, they have all sorts of highly specific jobs posted all the time. For years this has gone on, and sometimes its lead to tangible products, sometimes not.

7 years ago I applied to Pixar Animation for a "Marine Biologist" job (I am a professor of Marine Biology. Who would have known Finding Nemo was the reason why.... Apple has had similar random jobs over the years.

[0 and A ai]

umm is it just me or did that also say GSM

interesting very interesting

[MacRumors]

Apple Insider (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=611) has made note of an Apple job listing for an iPod engineer. Readers speculate that the inclusion of several key elements may point at a new direction for the iPod.
The iPod group is looking for a Hardware Engineer. This person will be an individual contributor on a top notch team with responsibilities for the design, implementation, and integration of digital and analog electronics.

Experience in the following areas is important: system integration, digital logic, SDRAM, Flash, ASIC’s, processor selection, ATAPI, various communication protocols (ie: GSM, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, Firewire, and USB), display types and video and analog integration.
While it's not unusual to see job listings for engineers requiring certain skills, this listing marks the first seeking these specific communication protocols in regards to the iPod.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has publicly stated that he feels that video is not in the future of the iPod. However, Time magazine has hinted (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/07/20040729141650.shtml) that the current version of the iPod is a complete rebuild from the ground up, and may contain more bells and whistles than what is currently known.

[JDOG_]

Wireless headphones would be nice. So would song sharing with other iPods, even though it'll really honestly never happen. I could see some wireless integration happen as soon as they find a faster bluetooth-type technology.

Edit: Sweeet, went from post #1 to #13...errr...I don't see anything coming of this job until 2006 at least, but then again I don't work for Apple do I?

[Kingsnapped]

I know everybody is going to jump on this and start talking about tuesday of next week.. but I would be kind of worried if Apple wasn't looking for somebody with these qualifications. If they said "familiar with GPS tracking and X-Ray vision" I would get excited, but this just says that wifi, bluetooth and video may come up in the future, and they want their guy to know their stuff.

[Bunzi2k4]

it looks interesting... but now i feel pathetic with my 15 gig ipod... :(

haha will if apple can do it, that would be sweet, maybe they will do something with the Itunes Music Store using built-in Wi-Fi, so you can download songs directly to your ipod instead of you're computer!

[Mudbug]

for the record, I don't think there's much to this other than Apple exploring their options.

It's hard to think about how to complete an idea, if you don't know if it's possible or not in the first place. Enter engineers.

[AmigoMac]

I may apply :cool: , but I couldn't post here ;)

I'm really happy with my company ... :)

[hokka]

Slow rumor today? So close to Paris Expo and just this? :cool:

http://insanely-great.com/news.php?id=3692

http://www.engadget.com/entry/7165264426338252/

[Doctor Q]

The job listings are identical, except for the Job Requisition ID Numbers.

[beefcake]

I keep hearing about all these secret iPod 4G features, so I stared at my iPod for a few hours, and no, it didn't do anything special.

[slughead]

Time magazine has hinted that the current version of the iPod is a complete rebuild from the ground up, and may contain more bells and whistles than what is currently known.

Well I should hope so..

The Rev.4 iPods had nothing going for them but a lower price and more moving parts.

[DesertDog]

This also doesn't truly indicate that this position is specifically iPod-related. It's for the iPod division (which for now needs no better name) but I can see the chance of that group releasing other "DLD" products that are NOT iPods sometime.

The iPod group is already responsible for things other then just the iPod. Have been for awhile now. For example the iSight came out of them.

[yoda13]

I keep hearing about all these secret iPod 4G features, so I stared at my iPod for a few hours, and no, it didn't do anything special.

roflmao :D

While it is true that Steve may not see video in the future of the iPod, (neither do I really, as who wants to watch something on a screen that small, of course they will likely come out with something that has features that I have not thought of) I'll bet that he also will want to cover his backside to ensure that the iPod remains the dominant gadget of its type.

[JGowan]

They're just keeping their bases covered... Nothing to see here... Even if they are investigating it, they are most likely years away from releasing such a product if it's just starting now.Ye of little faith.

First off, their competitors are releasing devices just such as this. Also, the ipod was designed and brought to market in less than a year. That's from scratch. With the 4th Gen iPod already here, adding video and other aspects would in no way take "years" as you claim. Apple has got to figure a way of keeping the momentum going with the ipod,... video has got to be in their future.

[comictimes]

Apple has got to figure a way of keeping the momentum going with the ipod,... video has got to be in their future.

I personally would much rather have them focus on making the ipod as ridiculously tiny and thin as possible rather than give it more features. Or, if they do make a video ipod, I would like for them to make a related product, but split it off from the ipod line. So that you will be able to have your tiny ipod which plays music and does a couple other spiffy things, or your slightly larger physically ipod which can play movies as well as music... that would be good, I think.

[rendezvouscp]

That was my first thought too. I hope Apple documents all their experimental projects so that someday we'll see some of the "might have been" goodies.

I'm sure they are all well documented, but we'll probably never see them unless someone leaks them.
–Chase

[tex210]

just what are these two processors capable of anyway?

[Abstract]

This also doesn't truly indicate that this position is specifically iPod-related. It's for the iPod division (which for now needs no better name) but I can see the chance of that group releasing other "DLD" products that are NOT iPods sometime.

Agreed. :)

They're just keeping their bases covered and hiring people with a wide range of knowledge incase they ever need to tap in it.

Nothing to see here.


Agreed again.

Just because they hire someone for their iPod division, doesn't mean it's to work on the iPod. The iPod division will be responsible for a bit more than just the iPod and Mini. If this was all that was coming in the future, they don't need a division of their own. They need production help (in all desktop and laptop divisions, as well as iPods) more than anything else. There's something bigger coming.

Let the rumour games begin!! :)

[Wardofsky]

Time magazine has hinted that the current version of the iPod is a complete rebuild from the ground up, and may contain more bells and whistles than what is currently known

I see no use for any bells and/or whistles in the next generation of iPods...

Only if there's an emergency in which I want to rock while attracting attention.

[techgeek]

I see no use for any bells and/or whistles in the next generation of iPods...

Only if there's an emergency in which I want to rock while attracting attention.

ROFL :D

Maybe you could use them to play along to the music??

[ssamani]

I personally would much rather have them focus on making the ipod as ridiculously tiny and thin as possible rather than give it more features. Or, if they do make a video ipod, I would like for them to make a related product, but split it off from the ipod line. So that you will be able to have your tiny ipod which plays music and does a couple other spiffy things, or your slightly larger physically ipod which can play movies as well as music... that would be good, I think.

I reckon they'll keep the iPod brand, but otherwise that's exactly what the iPod mini and the iPod are developing into.

[ssamani]

umm is it just me or did that also say GSM

interesting very interesting

I noticed that as well. I was surprised, because everything else Apple is doing and saying suggested to me that they were going to do a 3G mobile smart phone:

- SJ says PDA's are dead and being replaced by smart phones
- Apple has quietly pushed Quicktime / MPEG-4 adoption into most video capable phones (GSM, GPRS, 3G mobile), whether this be for video calls or video recording / playback
- Made a big deal of their support for 3GPP and other 3G mobile technologies in Quicktime
- released iChat with AV support
- added H.264 support to Quicktime in Tiger (and am sure it will make its way back to Panther at least) and added H.264 support in Tiger iChat
- released the iSight
- released iSync / promised Tiger Sync services, bringing the cell / mobile phone into the digital hub
- tested the waters with iTunes support for Motorola phones

All this basically adds up to me as we are going to do Video-over-IP with iChat/iSight and communication with a yet to be released 3G mobile handset.

Perhaps they got fed up with waiting for 3G mobile adoption, which is going very slowly globally, even in Japan.

Given the size of a 4G iPod compared to say my wonderful new Sony Ericssion P900, its not an outside possibility for an integrated iPod / iPhone, but personally I think it may just be a case of a separate product in the iPod group. May perhaps keep the iPod brand. Unless they find some cunning way to keep BlueTooth battery draining down, then a combined iPod / iPhone will likely be too bulky once you add in all the video, phone, smartphone, etc., circuitry. We'll see.

Sanjay

[Note: when I use the term 3G mobile, I mean the next generation cell phone / mobile phone communication protocol beyond GSM, GPRS, CDMA that's being rolled out in Japan and Europe but is in very early stages in the US, as far as I know. Its confusing given the 3G/4G iPod ]

[ssamani]

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has publicly stated that he feels that video is not in the future of the iPod. However, Time magazine has hinted (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/07/20040729141650.shtml) that the current version of the iPod is a complete rebuild from the ground up, and may contain more bells and whistles than what is currently known.

There was also an article, I can't recall where that stated surprise at the iPod's use of off-the-shelf components. It noted that this allowed the 1G iPod to get to market quickly, but had the down side of using up battery life. This article talked about how much space and battery life they could save by designing single custom ASICs (chips) that integrated the functionality of the multiple chips. It reminded me of the stories of how Woz cut the chip counts in the original Apple I.

Anyway the Time article suggested to me that they had done this at the least, if not add additional functionality as well.

Sanjay

[MentalFabric]

I personally would much rather have them focus on making the ipod as ridiculously tiny and thin as possible rather than give it more features. Or, if they do make a video ipod, I would like for them to make a related product, but split it off from the ipod line. So that you will be able to have your tiny ipod which plays music and does a couple other spiffy things, or your slightly larger physically ipod which can play movies as well as music... that would be good, I think.

iPod mini? :-P although i think apple may introduce the iPod "AV" when they can start selling those 60gb models...

[el greenerino]

interesting, but not anytime soon.

Instead, I think Apple should hire chemists to develop a cheap and scratch-proof plastic for the ipod's outershell.
;)

And am I the only one who misses portable AM/FM radio?

[toughboy]

It doesn't prove or guarantee the new iPod will have WiFi or video integration, but there's a chance. That job posting is 10x better than speculation or rumors.

I dont agree with that.. A company like Apple wouldnt hint the society with a job posting like that, this should be a long-term project which needs extra professional help..

Some of the rumors, on the other hand, comes from insiders of Apple or their relatives or people who somehow are have relationship with Apple and can be more short-term or accurate..

[toughboy]

interesting, but not anytime soon.

Instead, I think Apple should hire chemists to develop a cheap and scratch-proof plastic for the ipod's outershell.
;)

And am I the only one who misses portable AM/FM radio?

As Guns n Roses said in "November rain" You're not the only one"

I wish I had AM/FM radio to listen soccer matches or TV programs broadcasted via radio and other stuff but probably Apple thinks that adding the radio feature would harm the "high quality image" of iPod somehow.. :(

[toughboy]

iPod mini? :-P although i think apple may introduce the iPod "AV" when they can start selling those 60gb models...

an AV model would start at least at 600 USD and I would buy a palmtop instead of iPod AV for that price.. I wish Apple would bring Newton back.. it was "Newton" right?

[webmatthijs]

i really don't think the iPod will ever play movies on its screen. the main places the iPod is made to be listended to is in the car and whilest walking in the streets. neither of those i expect will be usefull for watching movies, on contrary it will be colliding with the laws as it is dangerous whilst driving.

what could be the case though is that in futur you can connect your iPod to your tv and use it as a media player. that would be quite something if they do it.

a wifi ipod>? yeah why not i like the idea ;)

[Mindcrime]

I've seen an iPod-sized "portable media player" (not my name for it, I swear) that is currently in development by a Taiwanese company that makes laptops for other companies like Toshiba and Acer. It's about the same size as a 3G iPod, a little bit wider and sports the following features: 2 megapixel camera, video recording, MP3 playback, audio recording, PIM info, regular old file storage, and "DVD playback" (where the software interface in Windows rips the dvd and then puts it on the P.M.P). The LCD screen is about 3 x 3 inches. It also is WiFi ready. The OS is custom built Linux, so the Windows interface has to re-encode everything that gets transfered over to it via the USB cable. The whole package will probably retail for 750 bucks. I'll post pictures within a few days.

So, it's entirely likely iPod may be going the video/wifi route. Other companies are doing it. Personally, I can't imagine watching video on such a tiny screen. It's almost pointless. But, the tech-addicted won't care. They'll shell out for stuff like that. This particular device will probably fail only because of the propriety OS it's using and the fact that it ONLY works on Windows XP and 2k.

[old_man]

If nothing else, video capabilities in either current or future iPods might be pushed by the established habit to link new songs to videoclips, which seems to be the next profitable market for music entertainment. And then, independently from any Job's assessment, we would be very close to having our Apple PDA.

[superbovine]

Apple Insider (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=611) has made note of an Apple job listing for an iPod engineer. Readers speculate that the inclusion of several key elements may point at a new direction for the iPod.

While it's not unusual to see job listings for engineers requiring certain skills, this listing marks the first seeking these specific communication protocols in regards to the iPod.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has publicly stated that he feels that video is not in the future of the iPod. However, Time magazine has hinted (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/07/20040729141650.shtml) that the current version of the iPod is a complete rebuild from the ground up, and may contain more bells and whistles than what is currently known.

OK, If i had a 4G I would take it apart right now and tell you if it had wifi or bluetooth. Someone with a 4G can open the thing and look for an antenna.

It is interesting they looking for someone with GSM background when the licencsed AAC to mortorola. Perhaps they are related.

[MattG]

WiFiPod -- please Apple!!! :cool:

[virividox]

i am not for a video ipod, but wifi wouldnt be bad, i doubt it would be integrated in the next revision

[gopy]

Regarding the Video iPod, surely I'm not the only one who can figure out that the whole idea behind the Dock Connector was to add more pins for different functionality (i.e. the Flash card reader for photos). Plug iPod into computer, transfer iMovies (etc.). Bring iPod with Dock (so as not to clutter iPod with extra ports) and plug into TV. My personal favorite idea is to be able to hook the iPod up to TiVo and use it as a transportation device to watch TiVo recordings on a TV without TiVo.
Tom

[zelmo]

I personally would much rather have them focus on making the ipod as ridiculously tiny and thin as possible rather than give it more features. Or, if they do make a video ipod, I would like for them to make a related product, but split it off from the ipod line. So that you will be able to have your tiny ipod which plays music and does a couple other spiffy things, or your slightly larger physically ipod which can play movies as well as music... that would be good, I think.

So, you mean there'd be an iPod and a..[wait for it]...PowerPod? :)

[el_aarono]

...the current version of the iPod is a complete rebuild from the ground up, and may contain more bells and whistles than what is currently known.

If Apple is hiring a guy/gal now to put wifi in the 4g. iPod, then they are a little late because my 4g. iPod is sitting right next to me. It would definitely have to be for the 5g., 6g. or 39g. iPod or whatever. So whatever the "bells and whistles" these 4g. iPods have, it likely isn't wifi. That is, if they even have any secret funtionalities. Any newbie here can speculate with just as much accuracy as some dude over at Time magazine. :)

[Dr. Pookey]

When will you understand? The ipod will never capacitate video! At least not in the near future! If you haven't noticed, the *new* ipod still had a monochromatic screeen.

Call me crazy, but with Palm's abandonment of Apple, I'm sure they're *developing* some type of handheld. All those characteristics listed should be used in a handheld. Bluetooth, wifi, flash... c'mon, everyone.

[Deestar]

Here is the actual post on the Apple job website:

Hardware System Intergrator-iPod (https://jobs.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Employment.woa/16/wo/0i7PjbUWTa7Ym2itVkifvw/2.2.22.9.2.0.5.3)

:p

[Sharewaredemon]

I like the idea of being able to purchase music from your ipod over wireless. Can you imagine showing that off to your friends. Of course the song would have to sink in to your library whenever you connect your ipod (something ipods don't do right now). But otherwise, I think that that would be a nifty feature. Also, the video out idea appeals to me as well, as I can put video's I've made onto my iPod and play them through someones TV. Of course I would like it if the size could be lowered without quality loss.

[Windowlicker]

it looks like we apple freaks really want video on our ipods.. any time there's even a small bit of information referring to a possibility that there might be a video ipod possibly under way we go nuts.

well, I for one would like to have one, except if it made the price go up too much since I won't be needing the feature that much. it would make life a bit easier if you could just rip your favorite movies on your ipod and then go over your friend's and plug in the ipod and watch the movie. I guess we'll see in a couple of years.

[sinisterdesign]

I keep hearing about all these secret iPod 4G features, so I stared at my iPod for a few hours, and no, it didn't do anything special.

well, DUH. it waits until you're sleeping.

[wPod]

hidden feature on the 4G iPod is an external attachment that will import video (like hook it to your TV and have an instant DVR) and another attachment that provides wi-fi for the iPod so you can stream music to and control your airport express!!! or instantly download music if you chose.

[g4cubed]

just to be nice I think will make sens to quote the real source of info...
this news has been published on August 22nd here
http://www.hardmac.com/niouzcontenu.php?date=2004-08-22#2713
not your fault I agree, rather unfair Appleinsider
I thought this sounded familiar but couldn't place where I heard it. Nice catch :D


I noticed that as well. I was surprised, because everything else Apple is doing and saying suggested to me that they were going to do a 3G mobile smart phone:

- SJ says PDA's are dead and being replaced by smart phones
- Apple has quietly pushed Quicktime / MPEG-4 adoption into most video capable phones (GSM, GPRS, 3G mobile), whether this be for video calls or video recording / playback
- Made a big deal of their support for 3GPP and other 3G mobile technologies in Quicktime
- released iChat with AV support
- added H.264 support to Quicktime in Tiger (and am sure it will make its way back to Panther at least) and added H.264 support in Tiger iChat
- released the iSight
- released iSync / promised Tiger Sync services, bringing the cell / mobile phone into the digital hub
- tested the waters with iTunes support for Motorola phones

All ...
I think you hit the nail on the head and I agree totally with you on this.

[Longey Nowze]

a while back maybe over a year or more there was a job posting from nVidia that wanted someone who has Mac experience, and that person would work on new/unreleased apple prototypes stuff like that dont rember the exact wording... does anyone remember this? cuz I believe we got the 6800DDL and the 30" Cinema Display out of that... it took awhile though...

MaT

[Lanbrown]

As for the GSM portion, I'm thinking more along the lines of this:
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,6771,47550,00.html
More specifically this:
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,8764,47567,00.html

Nokia was to release that phone, but has since killed it, at least in selling it. They are still showing its capabilities, like streaming video. So when Apple mentioned GSM in the job requisite, I'm thinking it's more along the lines on that functionality. I cannot see Apple doing a phone. Manufacturers are constantly releasing new models, new features are added, etc. I for one would not want an all or nothing device. What happens when it breaks? You have nothing. Not everyone wants a big phone, which is exactly what you would end up with. Finally, the battery life would be terrible, or just the weight of the battery would make the phone heavy.

[Wonder Boy]

And am I the only one who misses portable AM/FM radio?


nope. when there is am/fm in the ipod, that is when i will upgrade. to hell with small screen video.

[G4-power]

As for the GSM portion, I'm thinking more along the lines of this:
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,6771,47550,00.html
More specifically this:
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,8764,47567,00.html

Nokia was to release that phone, but has since killed it, at least in selling it. They are still showing its capabilities, like streaming video. So when Apple mentioned GSM in the job requisite, I'm thinking it's more along the lines on that functionality. I cannot see Apple doing a phone. Manufacturers are constantly releasing new models, new features are added, etc. I for one would not want an all or nothing device. What happens when it breaks? You have nothing. Not everyone wants a big phone, which is exactly what you would end up with. Finally, the battery life would be terrible, or just the weight of the battery would make the phone heavy.

Actually, I think the Nokia 7700 just "hit the shelves". Atleast here in Finland (home of Nokia) I've seen those phones.

I don't believe in any big 4G secrets being hidden that would be unveiled with software/hardware would happen, but something minor could be possible. What I think that they hired a person for planning a future product, something on the lines of an iPhone to an Apple Mac-remote. Who knows...

[Wonder Boy]

WiFiPod -- please Apple!!! :cool:

why? whats the point? is hooking up through the cord that big of a deal? everyone wants this so it must make sense on some level, i'm just not seeing it.

[macridah]

I'm really hoping the iPod gets more apple innovation. The iPod needs to be a step ahead of it's competitors. I think wifi or bluetooth would be jaw dropping added features: wireless headphones, built in fm modulator, bluetooth integration ... boundless features. Video wouldn't be bad either, with the new quicktime coming out support the new codec, movies or movie clips will be smaller. JMHO.

[sinisterdesign]

nope. when there is am/fm in the ipod, that is when i will upgrade. to hell with small screen video.

i'm glad someone still listens to the radio. i bought an iPod to get away from the terrible junk on the radio.

but i will agree w/ you about the wi-fi. what's the point? am i missing something that wi-fi is the holy grail of the iPod?? plugging the iPod into the firewire cable is not that taxing and i already stream music around my house w/ my AXp.

if someone has a really cool application that justifies wi-fi/bluetooth/wi-fire in an iPod, please explain. i'm not that creative when it comes to the uses of technology. wireless headphones would be nice as long as they aren't bulky and don't compromise quality, but that's just something else to power.

[Lanbrown]

why? whats the point? is hooking up through the cord that big of a deal? everyone wants this so it must make sense on some level, i'm just not seeing it.

I think you are forgetting this:
http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

[Lanbrown]

Actually, I think the Nokia 7700 just "hit the shelves". Atleast here in Finland (home of Nokia) I've seen those phones.

I don't believe in any big 4G secrets being hidden that would be unveiled with software/hardware would happen, but something minor could be possible. What I think that they hired a person for planning a future product, something on the lines of an iPhone to an Apple Mac-remote. Who knows...

No, Nokia killed it. The date was nearing and no one even saw any pre-production models and then Nokia finally just killed it.
http://nokia-asia.com/nokia/0,,48180,00.html
Notice the "Not commercially available.
Used only for piloting of mobile media services with key industry partners."
On the Europe site:
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,6771,47550,00.html
"Not commercially available.
Used only for piloting of mobile media services with key industry partners."

When they first showed the phone off, people did say it was slow. It was either that they couldn't get the processor they wanted (not available yet) or the software just wasn't refined enough.

Even though the job requisite says GSM, they are probably referring to 3G services offered by the GSM companies. Streaming video would fall into the category and radio could be another one. Apple could have liked what Nokia showed off and think it would bode well with the future versions of the iPod or it's successor.

[Wonder Boy]

I think you are forgetting this:
http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/


i have aiport express. i plug my ipod into my computer and stream through itunes. so far, its worked great.

[theshadow]

late next week microsoft will go public with their music store, with MS Tunes or whatever they'll call Mediaplayer Ten.

Theyll also extend and extinguish music choice all over Europe with expanded stores.

Apple beware, you are about to get thrashed. Bill has a total strategy for music players, online services, and corporate partners. Rob Glaser is a moron, but make friends and pound your enemies now!

[Lanbrown]

i have aiport express. i plug my ipod into my computer and stream through itunes. so far, its worked great.

The next step would be to remove the computer from the equation.

[guifa]

I still agree with a few of the other posters that it's probably not directly iPod related, rather, iPod division related. If they're looking for someone with experience in audio-visual syncing ... you'd assume anyone can do pretty easily if both files are coming from a HD and it's not so much data that it starts to overwork the system, but, in a case like iChat AV, where the video and audio could easily lose sync, start getting them at different data rates, that sounds more like what they want. Add in wireless technologies, bluetooth and GSM, since you can connect with your phone using iSync, and AIM can send messages via SMS to mobiles, perhaps what's going to be happening is some linking of iChat to videophone chat? Not sure exactly how the implementation would be based, but since the iPod division also does the iSight, it doesn't seem to be too off the mark to be unrealistic.

[AirUncleP]

Apple HR has over/under of 100 posts.
Place your bets.

[Wonder Boy]

The next step would be to remove the computer from the equation.

why? i can navigate better via itunes. i guess it makes sense for people with towers, but i have a laptop. i can plug the ipod in and go where ever and still have complete control. plus i think toting an ipod around the house is just as burdensome as having to control music from a stationary computer.

[tex210]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1522853539774841/

No reason for your media phone to get big and bulky, if it's all seperate, under developement at Motorola. Engadget also running a neat "what will Steve Jobs do next" contest, but I think it's too late to enter.

[sinisterdesign]

... plus i think toting an ipod around the house is just as burdensome as having to control music from a stationary computer.

yup. lord knows i've dropped my poor iPod more than once just taking it to and from the car. i want a remote for my AXp, but not my iPod. it's too chunky and it really doesn't need to meet the concrete floor in my new loft quite yet. give me something small (and preferably rubberized!)

[RadiusMan]

While I think I would love the idea of having a video and wifi capability, I am quite afraid of Apple going over a slippery slope with such a stunningly simple device like the iPod. I am a strong believe in the principle that the more features you give a device, the less it does anyone one of those features well. This is what plagued Nokia's N-Gage and made it such a bad video game system, telephone, etc etc. Apple does not have a track record for doing such things, but it still is possible if they get over confident with such a popular device.

[swissmann]

Wireless nice but not what I really want. I am sick of carrying around my iPod, phone, Palm, and camera. Even if they would combine two of these I would be happy and less heavy in my pockets.

[Lanbrown]

why? i can navigate better via itunes. i guess it makes sense for people with towers, but i have a laptop. i can plug the ipod in and go where ever and still have complete control. plus i think toting an ipod around the house is just as burdensome as having to control music from a stationary computer.

Not everyone has a portable. This would allow you to stream music from the iPod directly to the base station. The point of that base station is its portability; you just plug it into the wall and hook it to the stereo. Try that if you have a PM. So you think carrying around an iPod is as burdensome as a PM or an iMac. What about if you are at a friends house? Isn't it easier to hook the AirPort express up to the stereo, plug it into the wall and you're done?

[Wash!!]

late next week microsoft will go public with their music store, with MS Tunes or whatever they'll call Mediaplayer Ten.

Theyll also extend and extinguish music choice all over Europe with expanded stores.

Apple beware, you are about to get thrashed. Bill has a total strategy for music players, online services, and corporate partners. Rob Glaser is a moron, but make friends and pound your enemies now! :confused:

The iTMS owns 70% of the market that's a lot of songs why when m$ opens its store is going to hurt it, what you think all 3 million + ipod users are going switch to other player just to play microsuck format... and throw away all the money they invested on buying song from itms just because billy boy said so... you really need to get out more :rolleyes:

[Lanbrown]

Wireless nice but not what I really want. I am sick of carrying around my iPod, phone, Palm, and camera. Even if they would combine two of these I would be happy and less heavy in my pockets.

For one, forget about the camera, unless all you want is crappy pictures. The camera function in phones are a joke. The focal length is short and you have plastic lenses, which means the optics are junk. Increasing the megapixels is not an answer is just makes a bigger file with the same lousy picture. Megapixels is not the end all. There are pro level cameras that have a lower pixel count then the consumer cameras, guess which ones take a better picture? The pro level, the optics are better, lower noise and most importantly, you can control the compression or just turn it off. If you want a quick picture, then a camera phone will work. If you want a great picture, use an actual camera.

Get a smart phone, they are available now and you combine the phone and PDA functionality.

[foniks2020]

As may have been mentioned in previous posts.... Video doesn't mean Movies....

Just conjecture, but I'm thinking... WiFi plus video plus iChat equals cool IM device. Add in a microphone and a micro camera.. and you've got a nifty personal communicator for your home network... or office LAN, with iChat like video.

in any case I see many other uses for Video other than watching long movies, which again, nobody wants to watch on a small screen. However, things like music videos, movie trailers, video messages, etc. that are short and brief in content seem to fit purfectly within the range of a handheld device.

[Wonder Boy]

What about if you are at a friends house? Isn't it easier to hook the AirPort express up to the stereo, plug it into the wall and you're done?

i dont have any friends. :cool:

[foniks2020]

well, DUH. it waits until you're sleeping.

Actually it waits until you feed it after midnight! Then it runs and jumps in the toilet and MULTIPLIES... playing 50¢ and Madonna tunes all morning, partying and drinking all your alcohol....

beware the 4G iPod...

[puckhead193]

From what the job requirements are seems like if apple can find this person (s) the new ipod will be PHAT! imagine having to sync your ipod over bluetooth/wifi...wow how lazy are we going to get!!!! I hope they do make an ipod one day with a color screen and video capitilties. but i would perfer they just change the design to be smaller and have much higher HD.

[The Red Wolf]

The job listings are identical, except for the Job Requisition ID Numbers.

That simply means there are two jobs available. Dual, like G5 processors. One for each processor or both for a dual cor... Wait, soilent green is people!

[Vector]

I don't really care if i ever have video capabilities in an iPod. If i wanted to watch video on the go, i sure wouldn't do it on such a small screen. Being able to play video from the ipod through a tv wouldn't be bad, but video on the iPod is not useful to me. Apple would have to change alot of things for a video iPod to get good battery life.

I would love for my iPod to have bluetooth, but only if apple can find some way to keep the current battery life.

[inkswamp]

I don't mean to rain on the parade, but remember that we know from its history that Apple does a lot of R&D into areas that never come to any fruition. Much of it seems to be done to hedge their bets against future trends (remember Marklar, the rumored attempts to make Mac OS run on x86? Remember the PDA? The tablet?) To me, this sounds like that kind of thing. It's probably under development to some degree but I doubt we'll ever see it.

[Lanbrown]

A lot of companies do R&D that never make it into a product, there are times that bits and pieces do. Take a look at the Nokia 7700, they decided not to sell it, but they are still showing it and allowing select companies to get their hands on it. It's more of a proof of concept and expect to see the technology make its ways into other devices.

[AoWolf]

This is all so interesting I doubt apple will make a video ipod because look at portable dvd players they never really took off the screen was too small. I think people want their music separate from their movies. Their are really 3 kinds of people who buy an iPod those who have allot of money to spend and like gadgets, people who love music, and people who do it to be cool or go along with the trend. I guess you could throw in people who buy anything apple. But the point is the music people don't want a video pod and neither do the style people. Apple would do better to make a wifi pda or smart phone the real question is would they be able to make money off of it.

[nacl99]

(remember Marklar, the rumored attempts to make Mac OS run on x86? Remember the PDA? The tablet?)

Was that really called Marklar, like "The Marklars call everything Marklar here on Marklar" -South park?

[Lanbrown]

This is all so interesting I doubt apple will make a video ipod because look at portable dvd players they never really took off the screen was too small. I think people want their music separate from their movies. Their are really 3 kinds of people who buy an iPod those who have allot of money to spend and like gadgets, people who love music, and people who do it to be cool or go along with the trend. I guess you could throw in people who buy anything apple. But the point is the music people don't want a video pod and neither do the style people. Apple would do better to make a wifi pda or smart phone the real question is would they be able to make money off of it.

I say the price was and still is too high. Even now, they are $300+ and what do you really get? Just a DVD player. You could spend more money and get a notebook, it will play DVD's with the right software and a DVD drive, which most come with anyway. The value for the money is low and the market is too small. A Video iPod would have other advantages. Being able to play a stored movie from that device and no need to lug the DVD around. Streaming video is another possibility, both sending a receiving.

[ccrandall77]

Lots of people complain that video on an iPod would be a bad idea because the screen is too small. What makes anyone think that if they enabled video on the device that they'd stick with the same size screen? Perhaps a vPod would be slightly larger, like a standard PDA, whose screen would be fine for viewing videos (do it all the time on my Zaurus and Clie and it works just great).

Despite that, I believe the future for the iPod is with bluetooth and add-on devices (such as wifi-enabled docks, DVR/Video streaming docks, etc.). Even something as simple as an update to the iPod and Airport Express, plus a cable could easily give the iPod wifi-capability.

As I've said before in other threads, I hope Apple opens up the iPod platform to allow 3rd party developers to create cool iPod apps. With a slightly larger screen in color and bluetooth, it'd make for a pretty decent PDA... and with an additional blackberry keyboard plugged into the dock connector, you could enter data into the PIMs, compose SMS messages, play games, etc.

[PDubNYC]

just to be nice I think will make sens to quote the real source of info...
this news has been published on August 22nd here
http://www.hardmac.com/niouzcontenu.php?date=2004-08-22#2713
not your fault I agree, rather unfair Appleinsider

try again, grasshopper. Believe it or not, MacSlash had it on the 19th.

http://macslash.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/19/134215&mode=thread

[bryantm3]

wouldn't it be cool if you worked for apple, and then you got to keep all the prototypes you made, then you kept a video ipod, and people saw you using it and gasped and ****.

[JoePike]

late next week microsoft will go public with their music store, with MS Tunes or whatever they'll call Mediaplayer Ten.

Theyll also extend and extinguish music choice all over Europe with expanded stores.

Apple beware, you are about to get thrashed. Bill has a total strategy for music players, online services, and corporate partners. Rob Glaser is a moron, but make friends and pound your enemies now!

Yeah, we're in for a bunch of trouble here, aren't we Mac fans? All those brainless consumers out there who spend $350 on their garbage Winblows machines will be flooding the MS online music store to purchase MS garbage-encoded music online with their garbage dialup connections so they can play them on their garbage 128MB Rio MP3 players. Watch out!

I give it three days until some hacker figures out a way to spread a nasty chaos-enducing virus by exploiting some inevitable major security flaw in this Microsoft music store, undermining the entire thing and running it into the ground. Mark my words.

But at least we can all agree that Rob Glaser is a moron.

-Joe

[G4-power]

No, Nokia killed it. The date was nearing and no one even saw any pre-production models and then Nokia finally just killed it.
http://nokia-asia.com/nokia/0,,48180,00.html
Notice the "Not commercially available.
Used only for piloting of mobile media services with key industry partners."
On the Europe site:
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,6771,47550,00.html
"Not commercially available.
Used only for piloting of mobile media services with key industry partners."

When they first showed the phone off, people did say it was slow. It was either that they couldn't get the processor they wanted (not available yet) or the software just wasn't refined enough.

Even though the job requisite says GSM, they are probably referring to 3G services offered by the GSM companies. Streaming video would fall into the category and radio could be another one. Apple could have liked what Nokia showed off and think it would bode well with the future versions of the iPod or it's successor.

Oh well, the ones I saw on street must've been prototypes, and I never saw them on shelves then. The Finnish tech magazine Tekniikan Maailma (World of Tech) had an article about the 7700 last year, but they never did say when it was coming, so.

[G4-power]

For one, forget about the camera, unless all you want is crappy pictures. The camera function in phones are a joke. The focal length is short and you have plastic lenses, which means the optics are junk. Increasing the megapixels is not an answer is just makes a bigger file with the same lousy picture. Megapixels is not the end all. There are pro level cameras that have a lower pixel count then the consumer cameras, guess which ones take a better picture? The pro level, the optics are better, lower noise and most importantly, you can control the compression or just turn it off. If you want a quick picture, then a camera phone will work. If you want a great picture, use an actual camera.

Get a smart phone, they are available now and you combine the phone and PDA functionality.

The camera in phones is just a joke unless you use them as phone "desktops pics" or send them as MMS.

[Lanbrown]

Oh well, the ones I saw on street must've been prototypes, and I never saw them on shelves then. The Finnish tech magazine Tekniikan Maailma (World of Tech) had an article about the 7700 last year, but they never did say when it was coming, so.

Sure it wasn't the N-Gage, they both look like a taco and you use them the same way, on it's side. Nokia invented side-talking.

[Lanbrown]

The camera in phones is just a joke unless you use them as phone "desktops pics" or send them as MMS.


Isn't that what I said?

[G4-power]

Their are really 3 kinds of people who buy an iPod those who have allot of money to spend and like gadgets, people who love music, and people who do it to be cool or go along with the trend. I guess you could throw in people who buy anything apple.

I bought an iPod (yes, I bought it, just not yet shipped, darn it, delayed 3 times) because of:
1. I love music, but carrying a big case with 10 CDs and a 400 gram (iPod 158 grams) three-times-bigger-than-an-ipod CD player is nasty. (Plus, I don't like burning CDs, I have to transfer the files first to a computer that has a CD-RW drive, as in a bit newer iBook)
2. I'm a huge Mac fan. It's Apple, the iPod I mean. Wouldn't have thought of a digital music player if there wouldn't have been an iPod option.

[G4-power]

Isn't that what I said?

Well, actually yes. I agreed so much that I had to post. Sorry.

[G4-power]

Sure it wasn't the N-Gage, they both look like a taco and you use them the same way, on it's side. Nokia invented side-talking.

Well, could've been. But I know what a N-Gage looks like. Guess I remember wrong or I'm seeing hallucinations. :p

[Lepton]

Wi-Fi makes sense. Airport Express needs a remote, everyone said so, and Apple winked back a smiling "we know".

I predict an accessory. Small, Wi-Fi, half power (150ft), b only, battery operated, plugs into the iPod, makes it a dynamite remote for your computer. It is not meant for syncing to the computer or streaming out of the iPod, even though it might be possible to do. It is meant to send commands to your computer to run AppleScripts. Scripts will control iTunes, presentations and ALL sorts of things. Scripts reside on the computer but if they are missing a copy is on the iPod and sent to the computer.

Next gen iPods might have this built in.

As for Bluetooth, there is a new profile for it that can stream CD-quality audio to good stereo headphones. We can easily imagine this in an iPod to allow for wireless headphones. I'm up for that!

As for video, we should remember that Apple probably doesn't hire people for the very short term. Someday video will be in handheld Apple devices and the research of this will take a while.

I don't see a video product right away, though I'm dying for one. Apple's pattern is usually not to be first in such obvious products. Note the iPod was not first, it was best. Same with iSight and any number of products. So, let the other guys come out with the first gen of video devices, let them shake it out enough so Apple can see what people REALLY need in such a device and what people REALLY do and can do with it. Then, when the right hardware is available, a dyno-mite product will appear.

I see a video product coming out after the OLED screens are up to speed. Brighter, thinner, lighter, wider view, lower power. Main problem left is limited lifetime. Then, I see a device that is thin, Wi-Fi g, OLED with stylius, and optimized to run Apple Remote Access! In other words it's not as much a stand alone device as it is a remote screen for a real Mac. Now THERE'S a remote!

[Lanbrown]

I don't see the advantage in using "b." Lower power WiFi chips are here, a "b" only version would not be offered. Apple doesn’t sell enough iPods for a company to take that development cost on. Take a look:
http://focus.ti.com/docs/apps/catalog/general/applications.jhtml?templateId=977&path=templatedata/cm/general/data/bband_80211_1250

http://focus.ti.com/docs/apps/catalog/general/applications.jhtml?templateId=1123&path=templatedata/cm/general/data/wire_bluetooth_wlan

Having the iPod install anything on a computer is an exploit that one could use. Sorry, just can't see that happening. Having it wired in and syncing is one thing, but being able to install and run a script is an entirely different matter. The app would need to be aware and thus limit the actions would be limited to a specific app. The computer sees the iPod and thus it is allowed to control the app.

[whooleytoo]

try again, grasshopper. Believe it or not, MacSlash had it on the 19th.

http://macslash.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/19/134215&mode=thread

That's nothing! Apple (https://jobs.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Employment.woa/16/wo/0i7PjbUWTa7Ym2itVkifvw/2.2.22.9.2.0.5.3) had it back on the.. oops, never mind.. ;)

[JoePike]

Wi-Fi makes sense. Airport Express needs a remote, everyone said so, and Apple winked back a smiling "we know".

I predict an accessory. Small, Wi-Fi, half power (150ft), b only, battery operated, plugs into the iPod, makes it a dynamite remote for your computer. It is not meant for syncing to the computer or streaming out of the iPod, even though it might be possible to do. It is meant to send commands to your computer to run AppleScripts. Scripts will control iTunes, presentations and ALL sorts of things. Scripts reside on the computer but if they are missing a copy is on the iPod and sent to the computer.

Next gen iPods might have this built in.

As for Bluetooth, there is a new profile for it that can stream CD-quality audio to good stereo headphones. We can easily imagine this in an iPod to allow for wireless headphones. I'm up for that!

As for video, we should remember that Apple probably doesn't hire people for the very short term. Someday video will be in handheld Apple devices and the research of this will take a while.

I don't see a video product right away, though I'm dying for one. Apple's pattern is usually not to be first in such obvious products. Note the iPod was not first, it was best. Same with iSight and any number of products. So, let the other guys come out with the first gen of video devices, let them shake it out enough so Apple can see what people REALLY need in such a device and what people REALLY do and can do with it. Then, when the right hardware is available, a dyno-mite product will appear.

I see a video product coming out after the OLED screens are up to speed. Brighter, thinner, lighter, wider view, lower power. Main problem left is limited lifetime. Then, I see a device that is thin, Wi-Fi g, OLED with stylius, and optimized to run Apple Remote Access! In other words it's not as much a stand alone device as it is a remote screen for a real Mac. Now THERE'S a remote!

Dude, you're like Ms. Cleo. Are you using a deck of tarot cards or what? "I see this, I don't see that." It's like you're reading Steve Jobs' palm or something! :D

I guess my big question is this: Since I've looked at some teardown pics of the 4G iPod, and there is pretty clearly no antenna in there for either bluetooth or wifi, the only option is to come out with some external attachment device that would likely plug into the dock connector to provide these functionalities, if they become available at all. That being the case, why would said attachments not work with other generations of the iPod featuring the dock connector, i.e. the 3G iPods or the minis?

I'm all for having wireless cababilities built into the iPod, to give it the ability to loop into the AirTunes scene or act as a "whole-mac remote" as you suggest. A wifi gadget to stream music from an iPod to an airport express and into a stereo would be awesome...kinda like a super-duper iTrip...and I guess I could maybe see that happening. But likely not.

And back to what somebody else said earlier, I'd love to have a radio tuner built in. I am a huge baseball fan, and I like listening to game casts on AM radio while doing yard work or at the ball park. I also really really enjoy a local heavy metal radio station on the FM dial, and I like to listen to that station now and again to hear what's new in rock and roll, hear newer artists or newer songs from my favorite artists that I don't have in my collection (yet). Radio helps me find the next song or album I want to buy. It's like...research. I just get tired of commercials in a BIG hurry, and then I start to miss the commercial-free joy of the iPod again. If I could do all that directly from my iPod, I might super-glue those little earbuds to my head.

Lastly, here's a crazy idea. Not sure why nobody has come out with something like this yet...or maybe it exists and I just haven't seen it yet. I want an iPod powered car stereo. Not like the iPodYourBMW stick-it-in-the-glovebox solution, either. I'm talking about an in-dash stereo that has a slot where you could horizontally slide-in and "dock" your iPod. The screen interface and playback controls would then switch from the iPod to the car stereo deck, and you control your songs, albums, playlists, volume, shuffle, etc. right on the face of the stereo deck with regular tactile buttons like you find on any other car stereo. When you get to where you're going, you just "eject" your iPod from the dock, jack in your headphones, and be on your merry way. Now THAT would be sweetness. I'd gladly pay a few hundred bucks for something like that, especially if it were made by Apple. It'd be just like buying a new car stereo and mounting it in the dash, except...way, way cooler. :cool:

-Joe

[tex210]

Lastly, here's a crazy idea. Not sure why nobody has come out with something like this yet...or maybe it exists and I just haven't seen it yet. IIt'd be just like buying a new car stereo and mounting it in the dash, except...way, way cooler. :cool:

-Joe

yeah Alpine is releasing it.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/products/leading_technology/leading_tech_kca-420i.htm
Oh yeah, I used my tarot cards, but no Miss Cleo.
oops, iPod still goes in the glove box...

[myapplseedshurt]

A real rumor! I wonder if that was apples millionth job post (ha ha ha)

[myapplseedshurt]

since it's a new job opening post, the successful candidate will be working on the 5g ipod. In fact, you might say the 5g is in the high level design phase. :)

[mvc]

Yeah, we're in for a bunch of trouble here, aren't we Mac fans? All those brainless consumers out there who spend $350 on their garbage Winblows machines will be flooding the MS online music store to purchase MS garbage-encoded music online with their garbage dialup connections so they can play them on their garbage 128MB Rio MP3 players. Watch out!

I give it three days until some hacker figures out a way to spread a nasty chaos-enducing virus by exploiting some inevitable major security flaw in this Microsoft music store, undermining the entire thing and running it into the ground. Mark my words...

Yeah, the virus will overwrite all the music with Britney Spears tracks that don't actually play properly and blue-screen your player! But no-one buying from the MS store will notice the difference. :(

[akac]

Remember the iPod 4G is completely redesigned hardware and software wise so it could be ready to accept the new hardware while older 3G just can't accept the new hardware.

[dontmatter]

I personally would much rather have them focus on making the ipod as ridiculously tiny and thin as possible rather than give it more features. Or, if they do make a video ipod, I would like for them to make a related product, but split it off from the ipod line. So that you will be able to have your tiny ipod which plays music and does a couple other spiffy things, or your slightly larger physically ipod which can play movies as well as music... that would be good, I think.

Agreed. The ipod does music well, and that's the only thing I want it for. If somebody wants an everything pod, they can, but please don't kill the ipod because you think music will get old, and there have to be new features. Music's been around for thousands of years, and I'm not tired of it yet, are you? If they didn't add a single feature, and just shrunk it down until I put it on my key chain (including wireless headphones) and maybe 350 GB, eventaully, I'd be perfectly happy and willing to buy the next version until then.

[RadiusMan]

Agreed. The ipod does music well, and that's the only thing I want it for. If somebody wants an everything pod, they can, but please don't kill the ipod because you think music will get old, and there have to be new features.
I also agree, as i said in an earlier post (page 3, I think). At first I was skeptical about Apple NOT coming out with a iPod with video capabilities, but after thinking about it logically it really doesn't make sense to do so. The iPod is a music player, and a damn good one at that. Adding video means more expense, a much bigger unit (to account for the huge ass battery needed to power the screen), and bigger hard drives. By adding video (at this time in technology), everything we know and love about the iPod will cease and all for some stupid ability to play videos that one might only use when on a plane or road trip.

It's my experience that people use the iPod when walking to class, driving in the car, jogging, etc, all times which watching a video just isn't feaseable.

[fatfish]

Maybe it's simply that Apple have just lost a guy with all these qualifications and just want to replace him, personally I see nothing striking in this advertisment.

I do however think there is far more mileage in the capabilities of the iPod, but one thing I'm sure will not happen is that apple will make crude developments to make the iPod an all in one gadget.

Video,,, well maybe, but I can't see it being anything as crude as 3G video, maybe an add on that will transmit mpg2 or .mov files to another add on plugged into your scart port on your TV (maybe slideshows produced in iphoto).

Apple won't make any tacky advances, but I'm sure they will make advances. I just don't think this job advertisment is any indication of what they are up to.

[Lepton]

Dude, you're like Ms. Cleo. Are you using a deck of tarot cards or what? "I see this, I don't see that." It's like you're reading Steve Jobs' palm or something! :D

I guess my big question is this: Since I've looked at some teardown pics of the 4G iPod, and there is pretty clearly no antenna in there for either bluetooth or wifi, the only option is to come out with some external attachment device that would likely plug into the dock connector to provide these functionalities, if they become available at all. That being the case, why would said attachments not work with other generations of the iPod featuring the dock connector, i.e. the 3G iPods or the minis?


When it comes to things Mac, I see visions. Oh wait, something's coming in.. I see... you are buying all my software, in vast quantities...

Yes, I do envision a Wi-Fi accessory, something like the Griffin iTrip. Small, fits on most iPods. New iPod firmware not required. The iTrip is an FM transmitter, programmed by special MP3 files you put on your iPod. I can see something like that here. An MP3 with embedded scripts in special tags. I see programmer-types making a simple program so people can embed their own scripts in the MP3s to do - whatever. That's the beauty of it. As for security, I feel it can be handled in various ways. You have encryption on the Wi-Fi link, and the scripts can only do things the user receiving them can.

I'm a software, not a hardware guy, but I believe this could be done right now by any hardware folk who know how to interface with the iPods.

[717]

I wonder if this thign appears whether it will be from the iPod division or the main Mac comp division...

I'd say from the iPod division. They should be better at luring in present iPod users.

:) 717

[skunk]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/02/25/ibm_debuts_pocketsized_pc/

IBM debuts pocket-sized PC
By Tony Smith (tony.smith at theregister.co.uk)
Published Wednesday 25th February 2004 12:36*GMT

IBM Japan has developed a tiny prototype PC that measures just 16 x 8.2 x 2.2cm (6.4 x 3.3 x 0.9in) and weights a mere 300g (10.6oz), the company said today.

For now dubbed the PC Core System, the (literally) pocket PC is based on a 1GHz Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 processor. Inside the case, you'll also find 256MB of memory - it can take up to 512MB - and a 20GB 2.5in hard drive. The machine runs a variety of versions of Windows.
......
snip

In fact, what the PC Core System most reminds us of is Apple's iPod. It may be a hard drive-based music player now, but the iPod already offers basic PIM display functionality, and adding support for still and moving photography would be a doddle. Mac OS X 10.3 was originally planned to allow users to store their Home directories on an iPod. That feature may not have made it to the final cut, but it remains a possibility for future versions of the OS.

At that point you've essentially got a next-generation PDA - or the kind of device today's PDAs are evolving toward (http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/33629.html) - and it's no great surprise to see the machine's processing power grow to allow it to do all the heavy lifting too. Carry your iPod with you during to day to listen to music, read email, check your diary and so on. At home or in the office, you just slide it into your Cinema Display - or a cradle connected to the LCD - and do some work. ®

[sinisterdesign]

Actually it waits until you feed it after midnight! Then it runs and jumps in the toilet and MULTIPLIES... playing 50¢ and Madonna tunes all morning, partying and drinking all your alcohol....

beware the 4G iPod...

if it drank all my alcohol OR played 50¢/Madonna all morning, that iPod wouldn't live long enough to see it's battery life diminish.

[iFaulder]

I would like to see Wifi so you could do some kind of AirTunes thing with the iPod but I'm not to crazy about it having video.

[mac4drew]

It al makes sens: we are getting an iTablet based on a iPod. Not an iTablet based on an iBook. Nice spin-off. :-)
Agreed. That's exactly the first thing I thought when I saw that ad. Good to see I'm not the only one.