Wireless Internet iPods?

MacRumors · Jan 20, 2006

TimesOnline reports on talks of a Disney buyout of Pixar... but also curiously mentions rumors of a wireless iPod:

Apple is also understood to be working on the next generation of iPods, which would have the ability to connect wirelessly to the internet.

There has long been rumors/speculation on Bluetooth enabled iPods to wireless connect to Speakers/Headphones, however the concept of a true wireless Internet iPod has not been frequently discussed.

We made one previous mention of it in September 2003. At that time, an author was discussing the concept of "Everywhere Internet Audio":

Imagine, if you will, an iPod as a wireless digital ladle. It would dip into a nearly bottomless stream of continual music, scooping up any song you wanted, when you wanted, where you wanted.

It's unclear if The Times is actually aware of such plans or simply has inadvertently misinterpreted circulating rumors, but does make for an interesting concept.

Lacero · Jan 20, 2006

Podcasting for XM radio would be what this iPod could turn out to be. Overblown and pointless. I have no idea what's the fascination with wireless audio, except for bluetooth headphones, which would be great. I hate wires dangling in front of me while working out. But I don't want a wireless iPod. How would you charge them? With microwaves?

arn · Jan 20, 2006

Lacero said:
Podcasting for XM radio would be what this iPod could be.

? I don't understand that.

This would be being able to wirelessly stream on-demand any song out there. A monthly fee would be the most likely model.

arn

iMeowbot · Jan 20, 2006

Since the rumored iPod Boombox is supposed to have some type of wireless capability (AirTunes?), maybe the Times are babbling on about the same story.

I still think that there's a place in the world for a stand-alone iPod variant that isn't tethered to a regular computer.

2nyRiggz · Jan 20, 2006

Macrumors said:
We made one previous mention of it in September 2003. At that time, an author was discussing the concept of "Everywhere Internet Audio":magine, if you will, an iPod as a wireless digital ladle. It would dip into a nearly bottomless stream of continual music, scooping up any song you wanted, when you wanted, where you wanted.

The big shots in the music industry would love the ipod more for this......yea right.

Bless

virus1 · Jan 20, 2006

that would be a brilliant move for disney.. they really need a company like pixar.

elmimmo · Jan 20, 2006

Ha! Jobs is not just Pixar's CEO. He simply OWNS Pixar. Why would he do that for? Money? Jobs, who is already filthy rich, more than time he has got to spend it? No way it is going to happen, unless there is more to this than is being told.

nagromme · Jan 20, 2006

Hmmm... Combine the subscription model with satellite radio and loss of battery life. I'm skeptical.

Probably one of those rumors that has SOMETHING behind it but not what it sounds like.

Also, browsing a "universal jukebox" of music on an iPod, with just a wheel and no keyboard to search with sounds like a pain. What would be better is to do your searching ahead of time on your computer with its nice big screen, keyboard, mouse, and existing Internet connection. Then load your iPod from that. Oh, wait... we already can do that...

wireless digital ladle

Now THAT is a thing I could use. My current ladle's cord gets tangled like you would not believe.

Gherkin · Jan 20, 2006

DO YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THIS?

Eventually you will have your iPod and be able to stream your iTunes library from your computer anywhere you want. You could have your iPod at the coffee shop down the street, and you would be streaming your music from your computer 3 miles away in your apartment. You could be on a roadtrip in California, 2,000 miles away, and streaming your iTunes library from your apartment onto your iPod.

Verizon (and someone else I think?) already have wireless broadband networks. Forget about getting a iPod with a 200 GB harddrive. You won't need it. You will just stream your music and videos ANYWHERE to your iPod. The future of the iPod is without a hardddrive. All the iPod will be in the future is an antenna and a screen, receiving a hi-speed stream of all your music and media files.

Gherkin · Jan 20, 2006

I am pretty drunk and I don't know if what I just posted is technologically feasible. I don't see why not though.

EricNau · Jan 20, 2006

Gherkin said:
DO YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THIS?

Eventually you will have your iPod and be able to stream your iTunes library from your computer anywhere you want. You could have your iPod at the coffee shop down the street, and you would be streaming your music from your computer 3 miles away in your apartment. You could be on a roadtrip in California, 2,000 miles away, and streaming your iTunes library from your apartment onto your iPod.

Verizon (and someone else I think?) already have wireless broadband networks. Forget about getting a iPod with a 200 GB harddrive. You won't need it. You will just stream your music and videos ANYWHERE to your iPod. The future of the iPod is without a hardddrive. All the iPod will be in the future is an antenna and a screen, receiving a hi-speed stream of all your music and media files.

Why do you need to stream music from your computer if your iPod already syncs up with it? I don't think people would buy an iPod without a HDD.

iJaz · Jan 20, 2006

Seems like major news institutions are really in to the Apple rumors, I find that a little bit odd.

arn · Jan 20, 2006

EricNau said:
Why do you need to stream music from your computer if your iPod already syncs up with it? I don't think people would buy an iPod without a HDD.

I think the bigger picture is streaming your music from iTunes Music Store itself, and have access to every song.

arn

Gherkin · Jan 20, 2006

EricNau said:
Why do you need to stream music from your computer if your iPod already syncs up with it? I don't think people would buy an iPod without a HDD.

Dude. You never have to sync up with your iPod ever again. Stream isn't such a good word to use, it has bad connotations (drop outs, inferior quality). I don't know if the wireless broadband networks are this good yet, but I'm talking about a constant, instant connection to your library at home on your iPod, WHEREVER you are. No dropouts, perfect quality.

Gherkin · Jan 20, 2006

arn said:
I think the bigger picture is streaming your music from iTunes Music Store itself, and have access to every song.

arn

Yea, that's important too (and yes, a HUGE selling point). But some people also have a ton of music that isn't on the store and they want access too.

Staffroomer · Jan 20, 2006

iJaz said:
Seems like major news institutions are really in to the Apple rumors, I find that a little bit odd.

LOL, maybe they should team up with MacRumors

Poff · Jan 20, 2006

Well.. dropping the harddrive and adding wireless for streaming from your computer would be cool... as long as you can find a wireless network. Which is not everywhere.......

It would prolly save some battery time, tho..

wasimyaqoob · Jan 20, 2006

If this did actually happen, i would be amazed.

rikers_mailbox · Jan 20, 2006

nagromme said:
wireless digital ladle

Click to expand...

Now THAT is a thing I could use. My current ladle's cord gets tangled like you would not believe.

That's a step up from my analog ladle! It doesn't understand binary.

Gherkin · Jan 20, 2006

Poff said:
Well.. dropping the harddrive and adding wireless for streaming from your computer would be cool... as long as you can find a wireless network. Which is not everywhere.......

It would prolly save some battery time, tho..

Verizon and other companies have wireless broadband networks though. I'm not talking about a coffee shop hot spot. I'm talking you could be standing in a field in the middle of Kansas and you will still be streaming all the music from the iTunes Music Store and from your computer.

Gherkin · Jan 20, 2006

Wow. If Apple would pull through with this idea, they would probably command 95% of the market. It's just such a genius idea. They just have to figure out how to make it cost feasible.

redAPPLE · Jan 20, 2006

arn said:
I think the bigger picture is streaming your music from iTunes Music Store itself, and have access to every song.

arn

so the iPod invisa is not a joke?

michael666 · Jan 20, 2006

Lacero said:
But I don't want a wireless iPod. How would you charge them? With microwaves?

With splashpower of course!

tmornini · Jan 20, 2006

What if your iPod could share...

...it's library, or what you're listening to, or both.

Imagine browsing anyone's library attached to the same wireless network.

Imagine buying music online anywhere you're at.

Imagine coming home and pumping out music through your home stereo via Airtunes, and through the boombox in your bedroom.

All that plus video *will* happen, someday!

--
-- Tom Mornini

iMeowbot · Jan 20, 2006

michael666 said:
With splashpower of course!

Or, er, splash power for that matter

Wireless Internet iPods?

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