5 GB iPod Mini In Production?

[MacRumors]

According to sources close to AppleInsider, the previously-rumored revision to the iPod mini line is already in production in Asia. Teaming up with Seagate to produce the revised mini, Apple plans to introduce the new 5 GB model in early 2005. According to the source, Apple plans to build a stockpile of the devices to meet the initial demand.

The new mini is expected to debut alongside a highly anticipated flash memory based iPod in early 2005, possibly at MWSF.

[supafly1703]

and yea, this sounds good

[AidenShaw]

hmmm.... Only 2 of the 7 stories on the main page are about Mac computers.

[Metatron]

I posted first, but when I went back, it was erased. Anywho, I still want video.

[CTerry]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

hmmm.... Only 2 of the 7 stories on the main page are about Mac computers.

Its really more 'Apple' than Mac related.

[1macker1]

I noticed that also. When is MWSF.

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

hmmm.... Only 2 of the 7 stories on the main page are about Mac computers.

[narco]

Just like last year, the new mini will come after Christmas. I wonder how many people will be pissed that their mini is "outdated".

Fishes,
narco.

[Poff]

only 5 gigs, huh? I think that's crappy of Apple. Others have been selling 5gig mini-players for quite some time, now..

[Tulse]

Originally Posted by narco

Just like last year, the new mini will come after Christmas. I wonder how many people will be pissed that their mini is "outdated".

Although people will no doubt be upset, this timing is perfectly reasonable. Apple can barely make enough minis now to keep up with the holiday demand. It makes sense to hold off on the new model until after the Christmas rush, and create new demand with the new version.

[The Red Wolf]

Long before the advent of colour screened, photo displaying to TV iPods there was the G1 iPod. It had five GB of space and was $499. The iPod mini mentioned here is $249 and has 5 GB in almost half the size with more onboard software and advances on almost every front including the superficial aluminum casing and colour schemes. How on earth can that be seen as low end or not worth the money? Come now, the mini is wonderful.

[wPod]

4-5 GB is a slow start. i love the form of the mini, i just want about 15 GB of songs on it. one day it will happen (and probably by then i will want about 20 GB of songs) Its just a nice case to prove that Moore's Law is hard at work!!!

[DrGruv1]

I hope they get the flashpod down to $99 or max ($150 with screen) I'll buy two the day they hit for my niece and nephew ($99 version) I give them itunes gift certificates for xmas and birthdays...

[jxyama]

i imagine they will update more than just the capacity? i mean, "updated mini with 5 GB!" isn't all that significant of news on its own to be the highlight of MWSF.

[jxyama]

Originally Posted by DrGruv1

I hope they get the flashpod down to $99 or max ($150 with screen) I'll buy two the day they hit for my niece and nephew ($99 version) I give them itunes gift certificates for xmas and birthdays...

don't get your hopes up. when was the last time apple offered something so "cheap"?

their success with iPod has been based on making people buy one device despite the $300-500 price, not 2 or 3 devices at $100 each.

[JoePike]

I'll be interested to see what colors apple uses on the new upgraded mini's to differentiate them from the previous models. Hooray for metallic shiny-ness!

BTW, I just got my 40GB iPod photo for Christmas, and it is SWEET.

-Joe

[zelmo]

I was (unrealistically, given the drive sizes announced) hoping for at least a bump to 6GB, or even 8GB. 5GB is still a 25% increase, although it doesn't have a big WOW factor given that many other manufactureres already offer a 5GB version that also does other things like FM and voice recording. I hope Apple does something additional beyond the hd bump.

Feeling optimistic about that 1GB micro for $179 now. Don't know why.

[Chomolungma]

Originally Posted by Poff

only 5 gigs, huh? I think that's crappy of Apple. Others have been selling 5gig mini-players for quite some time, now..

Yeah, but they lack style and ease of use. Style, I think differentiate iPods from all other MP3 players out there.

If you don't get it, you don't get it!

-Chomo

[agentmouthwash]

maybe they will upgrade some of the features, like add a colored screen, or up the battery life to 15 hours. I really hope they come out with different colors this time around. I want a dark blue, or a black one with a white wheel. Please no flower power or Dalmation! !! For those who've been following macs for a while know what i'm talking about.. haha

[johnpaul191]

pricing will probably be the same. the iPods, like Macs, generally stay in a range of prices and the specs just get better.

as for the size of the mini's drive.... it's not up to Apple. Apple uses the biggest drive that is made in that form factor. same with the full iPod. when that 80 gig drive ships in 9 months there is a good chance it will be in an iPod Photo (if there is a demand for it).

if the mini *could* have a 40 gig drive, i bet the regular iPod would go away and only be a Photo model in the large form factor. the drive just doesn't exist right now.

[Stella]

Do 8GB drives even exist?

Originally Posted by powermac666

I was (unrealistically, given the drive sizes announced) hoping for at least a bump to 6GB, or even 8GB. 5GB is still a 25% increase, although it doesn't have a big WOW factor given that many other manufactureres already offer a 5GB version that also does other things like FM and voice recording. I hope Apple does something additional beyond the hd bump.

Feeling optimistic about that 1GB micro for $179 now. Don't know why.

[MacFan26]

Originally Posted by agentmouthwash

Please no flower power or Dalmation! !! For those who've been following macs for a while know what i'm talking about.. haha

haha, yep I'm with you there. Cool news, but I don't understand the demand flash memory. Would they replace the hard drive based iPods or would both versions be available?

[wordmunger]

I think the big story is going to be the release of AAC plus. Sure, the mini will have a bigger HD, but with AAC plus, you'll be able to fit 4,000 songs on it instead of 1,000. That's a BIG story!

[swissmann]

Originally Posted by narco

Just like last year, the new mini will come after Christmas. I wonder how many people will be pissed that their mini is "outdated".

Fishes,
narco.

Apple always does this. Use Christmast to clear out inventory and then release a new product to keep sales up.

I don't understand the stock piling. I just don't see this being such a great update that everyone who doesn't have a mini is going to buy one now...unless they drop the price. Of course I am probably wrong and people will hoard to buy them because they are in new colors or something like that.

[AppleFoussa]

As much as a lot of people are complainning about apple's decision to make flash based iPods, I think it is a great idea. Apple already owns some 93% of HD based MP3 players. Now it is time for Apple to conquer the flash based iPods. Their is a huge oppurtunity out there for them. I believe that it is also why they decided to upgrade the iPod mini to be able to differentiate them more.

[Stella]

Both versions would be available.

A flash iPod player would be cheaper than iPod mini. Remember, just because you maybe able to afford an iPod mini there are people who cannot or cannot not justify the price. However a Flash iPod would be affordable and they'd be happy with it.

The market for flash mp3 based players is far larger than HD mp3 market. Apple wants to tap into the flash market for this reason. An iPod in each market - Flash market, 'low end' hard disc MP3 market and the high end - iPod regular and photo.


=MacFan26]haha, yep I'm with you there. Cool news, but I don't understand the demand flash memory. Would they replace the hard drive based iPods or would both versions be available?[/quote]