More Video iPod Reports - Now with Bluetooth?

MacRumors · Mar 21, 2006, 01:13 PM

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

MacNN reports on a research note released by American Technology Research. According to their analysts, Apple is indeed looking to replace their high end iPod with a new video iPod in the next quarter. New to the rumor is information that the new "widescreen video iPod' would come with Bluetooth headphones.

The addition of Bluetooth to the iPod has been long rumored as well. Apple has also filed patents depicting the use of a wireless iPod.

Apple has been widely expected to have some sort of product announcement surrounding their 30th anniversary (April 1, 2006), but no reliable confirmation has been received. A Page 2 rumor claims Apple is indeed holding a product event on April 1st, but this has not been corroborated.

celebrian23 · Mar 21, 2006, 01:15 PM

I can't wait to find out precisely what apple has under its sleeve! Would it be a complete replacement for the 60GB? Or supplement it?

yankeefan24 · Mar 21, 2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celebrian23

I can't wait to find out precisely what apple has under its sleeve! Would it be a complete replacement for the 60GB? Or supplement it?

The 60GB is "at risk", so it would probably replace it. But knowing apple, anything could happen.

wireless headphones and transfers would be great. Don't have to deal with headphone cords and wires everywhere when i travel.

celebrian23 · Mar 21, 2006, 01:25 PM

If this does come to pass, I'm interested in its size.

jimN · Mar 21, 2006, 01:28 PM

So large colour screen, hdd and bluetooth - with those specs the battery life would be appalling. As it stands the current video ipod only gives you just enough for a 2 hour film, you'd be lucky to get an episode of lost in before this one died.

gregarious119 · Mar 21, 2006, 01:28 PM

With the exception of that little blurb about bluetooth headphones...that whole article was basically a recap of any MacRumor related to the iPod in the last few months...

Nothing new and exciting here...should be hearing about a Media event any day now.

sartinsauce · Mar 21, 2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregarious119

Nothing new and exciting here...should be hearing about a Media event any day now.

Oddly enough, this story references a story from Macnn, but it neglects to mention the story on Macnn that suggests there will be no 30th anniversary event from Apple.

Still, it's nice to see something other than the iPhone rumor. I hope this week isn't going to be limited to more iPod AV and iPhone rumors. There has to be something real and juicy out there.

Maybe new content from ITMS coming soon?
Maybe higher res content from ITMS coming soon?
Maybe more Feature length content from ITMS coming soon?

mark_sloan · Mar 21, 2006, 02:00 PM

I think the key to the iPod moving forward is to act more like a Pod... Just think of all of the add ons you can use with your iPod today... now imagine that there was Bluetooth in there... and now you have a way to add even MORE "extensions". It might still be cost prohibitive, but if they do make a touchscreen iPod then you have more of an extensible "mini" computer that can be a phone, a portable hard drive... etc.

We'll see...

revjay · Mar 21, 2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregarious119

With the exception of that little blurb about bluetooth headphones...that whole article was basically a recap of any MacRumor related to the iPod in the last few months...

Nothing new and exciting here...should be hearing about a Media event any day now.

I think you are wrong...the addition of bluetooth would be "huge!"
Think of all the spin off products that would be possible...someone has mentioned Safari...it would certainly help me to keep my ical up to date in an easier fashion.

Whotheheck · Mar 21, 2006, 01:17 PM

but... won't bluetooth headphones suck? I doubt the sound quality will be that good.

tk421 · Mar 21, 2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whotheheck

but... won't bluetooth headphones suck? I doubt the sound quality will be that good.

And they'd need batteries...

ksz · Mar 21, 2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whotheheck

but... won't bluetooth headphones suck? I doubt the sound quality will be that good.

Not necessarily, if it has enough bandwidth to send the (compressed) digital bitstream to the headphone in real-time. The DAC could be built into the headphone, so you get digital-to-analog conversion done right behind the ear. The Airport Express works in the same way. You send the digital bitstream over to the AE, and D-to-A is performed at the location of the speakers.

Bluetooth on the iPod will also make it wirelessly compatible with car stereo systems (well, with some firmware modifications). I'm waiting for a BT-based iPod that will work with my BMW's iDrive...I know, I may be waiting a looong time, but "seamless integration" of iPod to car means only 1 thing to me: wireless.

bigandy · Mar 21, 2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whotheheck

but... won't bluetooth headphones suck? I doubt the sound quality will be that good.

i have the "wrap around back of head" style over ear ones. they're BlueTooth. the quality is as good as a £30 ($60) pair of headphones, and the battery life is a good 10 hours. they cost me £40 ($80) including postage. from tiwan.

don't worry about quality or battery life. really, don't.

hyperpasta · Mar 21, 2006, 03:43 PM

This is getting overboard now.

COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!!

Seriosuly. If Apple sells a 60GB iPod with a 2.5 inch screen for $400, how much do you think a 4-inch touch screened once with Bluetooth would cost? It just doesn't "fit" right.

People need to calm down and expect Apple to deliver something awesome, but rational and not ridiculous. One of the key things I've learned in my rumor-watching is that Apple prefers to take baby steps over huge, mind-blowing awesome ones.

revjay · Mar 21, 2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperpasta

This is getting overboard now.

COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!!...

Don't forget it has "Pong".

thegreatunknown · Mar 21, 2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperpasta

This is getting overboard now.

COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!!

Seriosuly. If Apple sells a 60GB iPod with a 2.5 inch screen for $400, how much do you think a 4-inch touch screened once with Bluetooth would cost? It just doesn't "fit" right.

People need to calm down and expect Apple to deliver something awesome, but rational and not ridiculous. One of the key things I've learned in my rumor-watching is that Apple prefers to take baby steps over huge, mind-blowing awesome ones.

I respect your comments because I believe some of these ideas are getting out of control. however, bluetooth is in all (minus the ipod) of apple's hardware and I expected it a long time ago in the ipod. bluetooth transmitters wouldn't add much to the price but the technology has been lacking (meaning speed and transmission clarity) until just lately.

AlanAudio · Mar 21, 2006, 04:03 PM

I think that KSZ is thinking along the right lines.

BlueTooth headphones seem like a lot of trouble to replace a wired earbud. Although technically possible, there are practical drawbacks.

Connecting to a car stereo is a much more important task. Steve Jobs did mention some time ago that there were exciting developments to come with in-car-audio. This could be just the way to do that. Manufacturers of car radios already include BlueTooth for integration with cellphones and navigation systems. They could also allow the car stereo controls and steering wheel controls to operate the iPod and show track data on the display.

In the US, many people connect to car stereos via tiny FM transmitters, but they are illegal in some countries and impractical in many more. A well thought-out BlueTooth solution could be universally deployed globally and establish a new standard. FM permits only one way transmission, BlueTooth allows interchange in either direction.

Just out of interest, if an iPod were to have BlueTooth, wouldn't it be likely that the iPod HiFi might also have BlueTooth to allow wireless playback ? Has anybody taken one to bits to see what's inside ? A BlueTooth receiver needn't be visible from the outside and could already be lurking inside, waiting to be enabled.

freeny · Mar 21, 2006, 04:06 PM

And now this from AppleInsider-
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1611

Analyst predicts new Macs will arrive without media event

By AppleInsider Staff
Published: 03:00 PM EST

Going against the grain, analysts for UBS Investment Research on Tuesday issued a very brief research note, suggesting new Mac products in the June quarter, but predicting Apple is not likely to hold a special media event to do so.

The reliability of the analyst's predictions are currently unknown.

"We continue to believe that Apple will introduce new Intel-based iBooks (important for education) and a larger MacBook Pro in the June quarter," analyst Ben Reitzes wrote. "We forecast Mac units to improve in fiscal third quarter (June) to -1 percent year-over-year from -9 percent year-over-year in fiscal second quarter."

Additionally, the analyst wrote, "We still believe that a new video iPod, download service and new iPods are coming this year by the fall."

Shares of Apple fell over 3 percent (or $2.07) in later afternoon trading to $61.92 as investors reacted to the UBS research note.

-----------------------------------------

If Apple is leaking this stuff as another poster believed in another thread, its not doing their stocks all that good.

kugino · Mar 21, 2006, 04:10 PM

if BT is indeed in the next ipod (and i highly doubt it is), i hope it's an extra and not standard.

i don't know if a new video ipod is indeed planned for the next couple weeks...but if apple had a mini-event for the mini, ipod HF, and leather cases, they surely would have one for a new ipod...wouldn't they?

mox358 · Mar 21, 2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperpasta

This is getting overboard now.

COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!!

Seriosuly. If Apple sells a 60GB iPod with a 2.5 inch screen for $400, how much do you think a 4-inch touch screened once with Bluetooth would cost? It just doesn't "fit" right.

People need to calm down and expect Apple to deliver something awesome, but rational and not ridiculous. One of the key things I've learned in my rumor-watching is that Apple prefers to take baby steps over huge, mind-blowing awesome ones.

There. I posted like three long winded posts and you summarized what I was trying to say right there. Thanks!

I agree that Bluetooth as a technology is not a bad idea... but what purpose does it serve in the iPod besides just "being there"? If you don't want to have to charge your headphones and you don't want to sync your music over BT what will putting it in the iPod do ? I highly doubt the auto-syncing of Calendars and Contacts (which is already a tacked-on feature of the iPod) is going to get another feature tacked on to it (especially one which would make it more expensive to produce therefore cutting into Apple's margins).

I guess I just don't get it.

Swatchman · Mar 21, 2006, 04:33 PM

ONCE AGAIN I'LL STEP IN....

iPods will not in any shape or form contain Bluetooth technology. It is an expensive alternative to costs compared to wired headphones, these rumor sites are HURTING the marketing efforts and promoting uneeded ideology for the consumer.

Although Bluetooth is a fabulous technology, it is charging two devices and most importantly providing SERVICE (not cost efficient) to a faulty Bluetooth unit, that is the main reasons for no further group discussions.

There is NO Apple events taking place in April. The new MacBook (smaller,lighter,thinner) will debut in spring but the Mobile Me event will not cover it unless that changes.

Signed,
Somebody who knows
(aka Swatchman)

peharri · Mar 21, 2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mox358

There. I posted like three long winded posts and you summarized what I was trying to say right there. Thanks!

I agree that Bluetooth as a technology is not a bad idea... but what purpose does it serve in the iPod besides just "being there"? If you don't want to have to charge your headphones and you don't want to sync your music over BT what will putting it in the iPod do ? I highly doubt the auto-syncing of Calendars and Contacts (which is already a tacked-on feature of the iPod) is going to get another feature tacked on to it (especially one which would make it more expensive to produce therefore cutting into Apple's margins).

I guess I just don't get it.

Ahem. I think you do get it, you just don't see it as useful for you, which is fine, but, it's cheap, the fact you don't want it doesn't mean you're harmed by its inclusion. As you said: if you don't mind charging your headphones, then you benefit from wireless headphones. You can sync your music over BT, and auto-sync calendars and contacts (which would actually be useful. I, personally, dislike the whole formality of "I must plug in my iPod into my computer to get it up to date": in practice, I don't do it precisely because it's a PITA.

There are other long term advantages. Imagine if the speaker system in your car can automatically detect your iPod and interface with it. Right now, that's just not practical, the best anyone can come up with are those awful cellphone holder things adapted for iPods and the occasional 3.5mm input jack. Now, suppose you don't have to take the iPod out of your pocket, you can select the tracks from the car entertainment unit's console.

The real mystery is why the iPod didn't have BT in it years ago.

sam10685 · Mar 21, 2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whotheheck

but... won't bluetooth headphones suck? I doubt the sound quality will be that good.

never doubt Apple...

dongmin · Mar 21, 2006, 01:19 PM

So no Mac Books?

All these rumors are pointing to some sort of handheld device: vpod, iphone, 'communication device'--take your pick. Common Steve, give your computers some love. Give us a killer new Mac Book. The current design is way too old (6,7 years?).

boncellis · Mar 21, 2006, 01:25 PM

I read something similar about the upcoming possibility of bluetooth compliant iPods, but nothing as extensive as including wireless headphones. For me, the prospect of wireless over-the-ear headphones is not necessarily enticing, but I would appreciate the functionality for a wireless sync with iTunes.

PS--What's with all the newbies excited to post where they posted? Seems more classy to act like you've been there before.

Mar 21, 2006, 01:13 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	More Video iPod Reports - Now with Bluetooth? http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif MacNN reports on a research note released by American Technology Research. According to their analysts, Apple is indeed looking to replace their high end iPod with a new video iPod in the next quarter. New to the rumor is information that the new "widescreen video iPod' would come with Bluetooth headphones. The addition of Bluetooth to the iPod has been long rumored as well. Apple has also filed patents depicting the use of a wireless iPod. Apple has been widely expected to have some sort of product announcement surrounding their 30th anniversary (April 1, 2006), but no reliable confirmation has been received. A Page 2 rumor claims Apple is indeed holding a product event on April 1st, but this has not been corroborated.

Mar 21, 2006, 01:15 PM	#2
celebrian23 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Under the sun	I can't wait to find out precisely what apple has under its sleeve! Would it be a complete replacement for the 60GB? Or supplement it? __________________ C'est la vie !

Mar 21, 2006, 01:25 PM	#4
celebrian23 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Under the sun	If this does come to pass, I'm interested in its size. __________________ C'est la vie !

Mar 21, 2006, 01:28 PM	#5
jimN macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London	So large colour screen, hdd and bluetooth - with those specs the battery life would be appalling. As it stands the current video ipod only gives you just enough for a 2 hour film, you'd be lucky to get an episode of lost in before this one died. __________________ Powerbook G4 1ghz 1.25GB (ready for Leopard) 15gb 3G ipod, 4gb 2G nano (with nike+) & iPhone

Mar 21, 2006, 01:28 PM	#6
gregarious119 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dayton, OH	Sounds like ADT readings MR With the exception of that little blurb about bluetooth headphones...that whole article was basically a recap of any MacRumor related to the iPod in the last few months... Nothing new and exciting here...should be hearing about a Media event any day now.

Mar 21, 2006, 02:00 PM	#8
mark_sloan macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2002	making the iPod more of a "resource" I think the key to the iPod moving forward is to act more like a Pod... Just think of all of the add ons you can use with your iPod today... now imagine that there was Bluetooth in there... and now you have a way to add even MORE "extensions". It might still be cost prohibitive, but if they do make a touchscreen iPod then you have more of an extensible "mini" computer that can be a phone, a portable hard drive... etc. We'll see...

Mar 21, 2006, 01:17 PM	#10
Whotheheck macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2004	but... won't bluetooth headphones suck? I doubt the sound quality will be that good.

Mar 21, 2006, 03:43 PM	#14
hyperpasta macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Jersey	Skeptical This is getting overboard now. COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!! Seriosuly. If Apple sells a 60GB iPod with a 2.5 inch screen for $400, how much do you think a 4-inch touch screened once with Bluetooth would cost? It just doesn't "fit" right. People need to calm down and expect Apple to deliver something awesome, but rational and not ridiculous. One of the key things I've learned in my rumor-watching is that Apple prefers to take baby steps over huge, mind-blowing awesome ones. __________________ Aluminum iMac (Early 2009) 24", 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 640GB HD 10.5 Leopard, iLife '09, iWork '09 First Gen. iPod touch, 8 GB

Mar 21, 2006, 04:03 PM	#17
AlanAudio macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: UK	I think that KSZ is thinking along the right lines. BlueTooth headphones seem like a lot of trouble to replace a wired earbud. Although technically possible, there are practical drawbacks. Connecting to a car stereo is a much more important task. Steve Jobs did mention some time ago that there were exciting developments to come with in-car-audio. This could be just the way to do that. Manufacturers of car radios already include BlueTooth for integration with cellphones and navigation systems. They could also allow the car stereo controls and steering wheel controls to operate the iPod and show track data on the display. In the US, many people connect to car stereos via tiny FM transmitters, but they are illegal in some countries and impractical in many more. A well thought-out BlueTooth solution could be universally deployed globally and establish a new standard. FM permits only one way transmission, BlueTooth allows interchange in either direction. Just out of interest, if an iPod were to have BlueTooth, wouldn't it be likely that the iPod HiFi might also have BlueTooth to allow wireless playback ? Has anybody taken one to bits to see what's inside ? A BlueTooth receiver needn't be visible from the outside and could already be lurking inside, waiting to be enabled.

Mar 21, 2006, 04:06 PM	#18
freeny macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Location: Location:	And now this from AppleInsider- http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1611 Analyst predicts new Macs will arrive without media event By AppleInsider Staff Published: 03:00 PM EST Going against the grain, analysts for UBS Investment Research on Tuesday issued a very brief research note, suggesting new Mac products in the June quarter, but predicting Apple is not likely to hold a special media event to do so. The reliability of the analyst's predictions are currently unknown. "We continue to believe that Apple will introduce new Intel-based iBooks (important for education) and a larger MacBook Pro in the June quarter," analyst Ben Reitzes wrote. "We forecast Mac units to improve in fiscal third quarter (June) to -1 percent year-over-year from -9 percent year-over-year in fiscal second quarter." Additionally, the analyst wrote, "We still believe that a new video iPod, download service and new iPods are coming this year by the fall." Shares of Apple fell over 3 percent (or $2.07) in later afternoon trading to $61.92 as investors reacted to the UBS research note. ----------------------------------------- If Apple is leaking this stuff as another poster believed in another thread, its not doing their stocks all that good.

Mar 21, 2006, 04:10 PM	#19
kugino macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2003	if BT is indeed in the next ipod (and i highly doubt it is), i hope it's an extra and not standard. i don't know if a new video ipod is indeed planned for the next couple weeks...but if apple had a mini-event for the mini, ipod HF, and leather cases, they surely would have one for a new ipod...wouldn't they? __________________ 2.4GHz MBP 32GB white iPhone 3GS first-gen 20" intel iMac Air Extreme, Air Express, Al BT keyboard

Mar 21, 2006, 04:33 PM	#21
Swatchman macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2006	ONCE AGAIN I'LL STEP IN.... iPods will not in any shape or form contain Bluetooth technology. It is an expensive alternative to costs compared to wired headphones, these rumor sites are HURTING the marketing efforts and promoting uneeded ideology for the consumer. Although Bluetooth is a fabulous technology, it is charging two devices and most importantly providing SERVICE (not cost efficient) to a faulty Bluetooth unit, that is the main reasons for no further group discussions. There is NO Apple events taking place in April. The new MacBook (smaller,lighter,thinner) will debut in spring but the Mobile Me event will not cover it unless that changes. Signed, Somebody who knows (aka Swatchman)

Mar 21, 2006, 01:19 PM	#24
dongmin macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2002	So no Mac Books? All these rumors are pointing to some sort of handheld device: vpod, iphone, 'communication device'--take your pick. Common Steve, give your computers some love. Give us a killer new Mac Book. The current design is way too old (6,7 years?).

Mar 21, 2006, 01:25 PM	#25
boncellis macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Salt Lake City	I read something similar about the upcoming possibility of bluetooth compliant iPods, but nothing as extensive as including wireless headphones. For me, the prospect of wireless over-the-ear headphones is not necessarily enticing, but I would appreciate the functionality for a wireless sync with iTunes. PS--What's with all the newbies excited to post where they posted? Seems more classy to act like you've been there before. __________________ * PB Rev. E * 4G iPod

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