Touch Screen Video iPod Coming Soon?

MacRumors · Feb 9, 2006, 09:54 AM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Think Secret claims knowledge of a completely new version of the iPod whose main goal in life is video playback.

The new machine will reportedly have a 3.5-inch diagonal display and use a touch screen instead of the current click wheel.

Details concerning capacity of the device and release date aren't yet available, but according to the article release could be as early as late March or early April.

ibook30 · Feb 9, 2006, 09:56 AM

Touch screen sounds good- but I can't imagine they would cripple the music abilities to build a purely video ipod ("main goal in life...").
Surprised that it could come out so soon!

stefman · Feb 9, 2006, 09:56 AM

I want one!

clayj · Feb 9, 2006, 09:56 AM

That SNL sketch with Jobs releasing a new model of iPod every 3 minutes or so is becoming less and less of a joke all the time.

Enterprise8875 · Feb 9, 2006, 09:56 AM

Wow that would be cool! But i dont see Apple releasing something so soon after the 5G iPod. I mean I just got the thing.

utah_boy2 · Feb 9, 2006, 09:58 AM

I'll take one please!! it sounds Awesome!

Chaszmyr · Feb 9, 2006, 09:59 AM

If this comes bundled with a software solution for ripping DVDs I think it would be ridiculously successful. However, I don't think it will, so it will only be hugely successful. Apple will increase the number of videos sold via iTMS, and those of us in the know can rely on Handbrake for DVD ripping.

The only concern I have, is everyone's videos (including those on iTMS) are made for the resolution that the 5G iPod uses... Presumably the native resolution on this new device will be very different, will it support the lower res videos, or will everyone need a whole new collection of videos?

grapes911 · Feb 9, 2006, 10:00 AM

I get enough finger prints on my screen as is. No thank you.

freeny · Feb 9, 2006, 10:00 AM

Ill take 3!!!

As to Chaszmyr note, If you want the resolution to be the same as the screen, then yes. But Ive watched 320x240 Lost episodes via the a/v cable on a 640x480 screen and it still looks perfect. No complaints here.

calebjohnston · Feb 9, 2006, 10:00 AM

well the reason they can keep making them constantly is because people are just compulsive buyers. just because something new and flashy comes out, doesn't mean you need to get it right away. I know people that have like 4 or 5 ipods. All basically the same functions outside of a color screen.

miketcool · Feb 9, 2006, 10:01 AM

iPod Gesture coming to a Tuesday near you!

stridey · Feb 9, 2006, 10:03 AM

Somehow this seems highly unlikely. The iPod is still fore and foremost a music player, and a video playback device where you constantly touch the screen will look crappy as anything.

HiRez · Feb 9, 2006, 10:03 AM

Sounds reasonable based on the patents they just filed, but I still think paying two dollars for one episode of a low-res, compressed, DRM-ed tv show is insane.

alywa · Feb 9, 2006, 10:04 AM

My gut feeling is this will be a vPod... not meant to replace the 5G ipod, but truly a multimedia device. Likely larger (will have to be to include enough battery to run the thing for over 2 hours), and will work in harmony with televisions (more so than the current 5G iPod).

At the same time, I predict the announcement of the first feature-length movies available on the iTMS, obviously Pixar and Disney. Oh, and I think they will be in 480p widescreen format.

This is going to be huge, maybe not so much in hardware sales, but in movie sales / ? rentals.

Apple has shown the media content providers that downloadable video is feasible... they have shown the public they can provide a quality product at a good price... they now need us to accept a new paradigm in movie distribution outside of the DVD. They did it with the CD, and they will succeed in this new endeavor as well.

-alywa

Chaszmyr · Feb 9, 2006, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grapes911

I get enough finger prints on my screen as is. No thank you.

Two words: Invisible Shield

ScottB · Feb 9, 2006, 10:05 AM

That sounds very cool, and quite realistic. I was exspecting macs at the anniversary, but this would go down with the press well. However, sounds too good to be true.

Chaszmyr · Feb 9, 2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alywa

My gut feeling is this will be a vPod... not meant to replace the 5G ipod, but truly a multimedia device.

As far as the name "vPod," who knows... But I think it's more than safe to say it will not replace the 5G iPod.

utah_boy2 · Feb 9, 2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alywa

My gut feeling is this will be a vPod... not meant to replace the 5G ipod

Then you have to carry around two iPods, One for music one for movies? that seems stupid to me.

miloblithe · Feb 9, 2006, 10:07 AM

I can't imagine a touch-screen iPod being a very good music player. There has to be some physicality to the buttons for it to work well as a portable device. Touch screens are necessarily slower to use and require looking at the screen to use.

As for the resolution issue, I think that the current video resolution of iTunes videos would be plenty for a 3.5" display.

Lord Sandwich · Feb 9, 2006, 10:07 AM

Meh. I have a 5G and while I do load a lot of videos onto it, it's still just a novelty to me. Video on-the-go is a cumbersome activity and I'd never buy into a dedicated player unless they could fit the screen onto a pair of glasses.

freeny · Feb 9, 2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stridey

Somehow this seems highly unlikely. The iPod is still fore and foremost a music player, and a video playback device where you constantly touch the screen will look crappy as anything.

Im gonna take a bet that you were also one of the group that doubted the original video iPod?
You must remember that there are all different types in this world and just because you only want a music player doesnt mean there isnt a market for a video player. I for instance and at least 4 others I know cant wait for this thing!

FOR SALE! One lightly used 60gb 5G iPod. aluminum case and invisable shield included.

big · Feb 9, 2006, 10:08 AM

of course.. new iPod in the mail, delivery set for today

Chaszmyr · Feb 9, 2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miloblithe

As for the resolution issue, I think that the current video resolution of iTunes videos would be plenty for a 3.5" display.

I'm not disagreeing. I don't own a 5G iPod, so I'm not sure, but I think that for videos to play on it they have to be the precise resolution of the screen.

alywa · Feb 9, 2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utah_boy2

Then you have to carry around two iPods, One for music one for movies? that seems stupid to me.

Of course not... the vPod will play music as well. That much is obvious.

As far as resolution of the downloads... I'm thinking this device is meant to replace your DVD player at home, in addition to being portable. So, progressive scan quality (480p) would be important for home playback. The screen's resolution won't need to be that high, and would probably conserve battery if it was lower (say around 320). Onboard scaling would take care of these issues.

EricNau · Feb 9, 2006, 10:12 AM

I don't think that Apple would make an iPod purely for video. And I dislike the touch screen idea, too many fingerprints!

I do not want one.

Feb 9, 2006, 09:54 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Touch Screen Video iPod Coming Soon? http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif Think Secret claims knowledge of a completely new version of the iPod whose main goal in life is video playback. The new machine will reportedly have a 3.5-inch diagonal display and use a touch screen instead of the current click wheel. Details concerning capacity of the device and release date aren't yet available, but according to the article release could be as early as late March or early April.

Feb 9, 2006, 09:56 AM	#2
ibook30 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 2,000 light years from home	Touch screen sounds good- but I can't imagine they would cripple the music abilities to build a purely video ipod ("main goal in life..."). Surprised that it could come out so soon! __________________

Feb 9, 2006, 09:56 AM	#4
clayj macrumors 601 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: 1123,6536,5321	That SNL sketch with Jobs releasing a new model of iPod every 3 minutes or so is becoming less and less of a joke all the time. __________________ mba guru mac pro 2.8 ghz 8 core 14 gb ram 4 tb hd 30" acd \| macbook air 1.8 ghz 64 gb ssd \| mac minis 2.0 ghz c2d 1.66 ghz cd \| iphone 3G \| ipods x4

Feb 9, 2006, 09:58 AM	#6
utah_boy2 macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2003	I'll take one please!! it sounds Awesome! __________________ Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. --Dr. Seuss

Feb 9, 2006, 10:00 AM	#8
grapes911 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East Fallowfield, PA	I get enough finger prints on my screen as is. No thank you. __________________ I hate sigs, but not as much as I hate "Official" threads started by unofficial people.

Feb 9, 2006, 09:56 AM	#3
stefman macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002	I want one!

Feb 9, 2006, 09:56 AM	#5
Enterprise8875 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2005	Wow that would be cool! But i dont see Apple releasing something so soon after the 5G iPod. I mean I just got the thing.

Feb 9, 2006, 09:59 AM	#7
Chaszmyr macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boulder, CO	If this comes bundled with a software solution for ripping DVDs I think it would be ridiculously successful. However, I don't think it will, so it will only be hugely successful. Apple will increase the number of videos sold via iTMS, and those of us in the know can rely on Handbrake for DVD ripping. The only concern I have, is everyone's videos (including those on iTMS) are made for the resolution that the 5G iPod uses... Presumably the native resolution on this new device will be very different, will it support the lower res videos, or will everyone need a whole new collection of videos?

Feb 9, 2006, 10:00 AM	#9
freeny macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Location: Location:	Ill take 3!!! As to Chaszmyr note, If you want the resolution to be the same as the screen, then yes. But Ive watched 320x240 Lost episodes via the a/v cable on a 640x480 screen and it still looks perfect. No complaints here.

Feb 9, 2006, 10:00 AM	#10
calebjohnston macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2006	well the reason they can keep making them constantly is because people are just compulsive buyers. just because something new and flashy comes out, doesn't mean you need to get it right away. I know people that have like 4 or 5 ipods. All basically the same functions outside of a color screen.

Feb 9, 2006, 10:01 AM	#11
miketcool macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2003	Ummmm... iPod Gesture coming to a Tuesday near you!

Feb 9, 2006, 10:03 AM	#12
stridey macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Massachusetts, Connecticut	Somehow this seems highly unlikely. The iPod is still fore and foremost a music player, and a video playback device where you constantly touch the screen will look crappy as anything. __________________ "Can't help it, I'm a born lever puller." Stridey: Macs, Music, Politics, and College. iBook G4 1.33Ghz, 1.2GB RAM, 60GB HD, 10.4.6

Feb 9, 2006, 10:03 AM	#13
HiRez macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA	Sounds reasonable based on the patents they just filed, but I still think paying two dollars for one episode of a low-res, compressed, DRM-ed tv show is insane. __________________ Go outside, the graphics are amazing!

Feb 9, 2006, 10:04 AM	#14
alywa macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2004	Won't replace 5G iPod My gut feeling is this will be a vPod... not meant to replace the 5G ipod, but truly a multimedia device. Likely larger (will have to be to include enough battery to run the thing for over 2 hours), and will work in harmony with televisions (more so than the current 5G iPod). At the same time, I predict the announcement of the first feature-length movies available on the iTMS, obviously Pixar and Disney. Oh, and I think they will be in 480p widescreen format. This is going to be huge, maybe not so much in hardware sales, but in movie sales / ? rentals. Apple has shown the media content providers that downloadable video is feasible... they have shown the public they can provide a quality product at a good price... they now need us to accept a new paradigm in movie distribution outside of the DVD. They did it with the CD, and they will succeed in this new endeavor as well. -alywa

Feb 9, 2006, 10:05 AM	#16
ScottB macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Britain	That sounds very cool, and quite realistic. I was exspecting macs at the anniversary, but this would go down with the press well. However, sounds too good to be true.

Feb 9, 2006, 10:07 AM	#19
miloblithe macrumors 68020 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington, DC	I can't imagine a touch-screen iPod being a very good music player. There has to be some physicality to the buttons for it to work well as a portable device. Touch screens are necessarily slower to use and require looking at the screen to use. As for the resolution issue, I think that the current video resolution of iTunes videos would be plenty for a 3.5" display.

Feb 9, 2006, 10:07 AM	#20
Lord Sandwich macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2005	Meh. I have a 5G and while I do load a lot of videos onto it, it's still just a novelty to me. Video on-the-go is a cumbersome activity and I'd never buy into a dedicated player unless they could fit the screen onto a pair of glasses.

Feb 9, 2006, 10:08 AM	#22
big macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2002	of course.. new iPod in the mail, delivery set for today __________________ akk

Feb 9, 2006, 10:12 AM	#25
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	I don't think that Apple would make an iPod purely for video. And I dislike the touch screen idea, too many fingerprints! I do not want one. __________________ November is Pancreatic Caner Awareness Month www.PanCan.org \| Get Involved

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode