Nvidia To Produce Video iPod Multimedia Chip?

[MacRumors]

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

Nvidia may have beaten out Broadcom for the contract to supply Apple with next-generation "true video iPod" chips, according to EE Times.

"Based on our analysis, we believe Nvidia is designed into the next-generation vPod socket at the expense of Broadcom," said Satya Chillara, an analyst with American Technology Research Inc. (Greenwich, Conn.), in a new report.

"We believe the Nvidia chip adds 3D graphics functionality in addition to all of the existing features (such as H.264) that Broadcom supported with the existing vPod," he said.

Today's 5G iPod uses an audio codec processor from Portalplayer and Broadcom's multimedia chip. The rumored "true" video iPod contracts have, until now, been up for grabs. The iPods are currently not expected until early 2007.

[ro2nie]

This could be really nice... especially for games, etc

[IEatApples]

This + the Nintendo thing = FUN

Hmm... + iPhone =

NO, actually just:

[Corozive]

I Want it now

[illegalprelude]

lame. I dont wany my iPod to play games and unless to change the entire design and convince developers to make serious games for it, I got my PSP and its perfect. I dont need to play Frogger and Soliter with my "iGamePod"

But the move with nVidia is nice for future inhancments as maybe they can bump up how the menues look, maybe add a slightly more OS type features instead of just scroll.

[ro2nie]

Originally Posted by IEatApples

This + the Nintendo thing = FUN

Hmm... + iPhone =

NO, actually just:

Yep... this could be it...

[Object-X]

Originally Posted by illegalprelude

lame. I dont wany my iPod to play games and unless to change the entire design and convince developers to make serious games for it, I got my PSP and its perfect. I dont need to play Frogger and Soliter with my "iGamePod"

But the move with nVidia is nice for future inhancments as maybe they can bump up how the menues look, maybe add a slightly more OS type features instead of just scroll.

You may not, but my 5 year old would absolutely love it! He loves anything that's old school arcade. This could be a way for Apple to tap into another market for the iPod...children. My son could care less about music at his age but he loves video games and any device that has them.

Apple added video to the iPod but said it's primary purpose was still music, ie. a music player that just happens to play video. Same thing could happen with games. It's still an iPod for music that just happens to be able to play games or, at least, has more interesting games than it currently has.

You don't sell millions of iPods without selling to a very diverse group of people who have different interests and needs. For the iPod to continue to be ubiquitous, it will have to evolve with chameleon like characteristics.

[Eniregnat]

Apple isn't one to rush it's upgrades. It will trickle out improvements. Better video, then real-time rendering for games, etc... They know how to string along a market. If Apple is worried about M$ product, then they might add gaming up-front, but I doubt it.

[bigandy]

why all the heating up with the damn ipod rumours? i don't want more ipod stuff! i want powermac/macpro stuff at wwdc!

[Nikkobengco]

they should just make and perfect the iPHONE idea. I dont think the iGamePod will work. But hey, who am i to know that. We'll see that when we see that.

Just imagine this, searching a song in your iPHONE by typing the title or song(just like the one in iTUNES), using the keypad of the iPHONE and the songs closest to the one you type will appear.


I like psp, as of this time. . .
but i dont like the idea of iGAMEPOD,as of this time. . .

[dizastor]

Maybe this is where the real video cards from the macbooks ended up?

It's just a joke, but it does seem odd, doesn't it.

(Yes I realize the intel inegrated graphics is probably much better than this particular nVidia chip)

[stunna]

Originally Posted by greenmonsterman

Maybe this is where the real video cards from the macbooks ended up?

It's just a joke, but it does seem odd, doesn't it.

(Yes I realize the intel inegrated graphics is probably much better than this particular nVidia chip)

rofl

Apple going after the PSP type systems?
or really high def hand helds?
This will be very interesting.

[ebuc]

Originally Posted by stunna

rofl

Apple going after the PSP type systems?
or really high def hand helds?
This will be very interesting.

Apple might give iPods some more games, but it really is a device that has stayed audio-oriented for years and will likely stay that way.

Though, being able to play Super Mario on an iPod would out-do any new games on a PSP, so...

[Mainyehc]

Originally Posted by ebuc

Apple might give iPods some more games, but it really is a device that has stayed audio-oriented for years and will likely stay that way.

Though, being able to play Super Mario on an iPod would out-do any new games on a PSP, so...

Defitinely. Make Super Mario Bros 3 run on it, and I'll get one!

[macnews]

I think this is a good thing. I don't know much about Nvidia, other than they make some good video cards and go back and forth with ATI.

I do see potential if they are developing for the iPod perhaps we will get better compatibility with all macs. Also, hopefully this will mean seeing more top of the line video cards in the pro machines. Again, I am no expert but I always read, and see people on these forums bitch, about how the latest Apple offering isn't comparable to what you can get on the PC side. Understand I speak only about desktop machines where you have more video card options.

I would also hope Nvidia has more R&D $$$ than the current provider as this might mean we could actually see a video iPod soon. I think the fight for this market would be pretty huge, espcially given the recent slump in PC sales across the board.

[macnews]

Originally Posted by Mainyehc

Defitinely. Make Super Mario Bros 3 run on it, and I'll get one!

I can't imagine controlling Super Mario 3 with the click wheel!

BTW, Lisbon is a nice city. Very much enjoyed time there.

[BornAgainMac]

Originally Posted by macnews

I can't imagine controlling Super Mario 3 with the click wheel!

I can. Make it turn based.

[MrCrowbar]

Originally Posted by BornAgainMac

I can. Make it turn based.

Pffff!
(Stupid Flanders )

[mackiwi]

I can really see this being used for 3d games.

And the nintendo thing makes sense. Doesn't the new nintendo machine - Wii - let you download old school nintendo games for a few dollars each?

Sounds like something that will be on a new itunes store.

[bloodycape]

This could be only for a higher video quality with out the jerkyness. Hell, ATI and Nvidia are now making chips for phones and similar devices just for the higher video demands. There some true PMP that use AMD cpu and gfx for video performance as its primary goal. I think Apple can use the nvida let say their GoForce 5500 chip or GoForce 4800 or 4000 to lower cost. Then add a unix/linux(open source based) based os like what the touch screen iStation pmps' uses or the Neuros non touch based systeem.

[kev0476]

The great thing about nvidia is they come out with updates that make the graphics cards much faster. me likes!

[dr_lha]

All very interesting, but why does this jackass insist on using the term "vPod"?

[evilgEEk]

3D solitaire. Hot!

I really don't have any interest in playing games on my iPod, well, aside from a game of solitaire every now and then as I'm waiting at the doctor's office or somethin.

I do really like the current iPod interface, simplicity is best in my book. But a better chip is always good.

[GFLPraxis]

Originally Posted by dr_lha

All very interesting, but why does this jackass insist on using the term "vPod"?

Yeah, I know- with Apple's naming scheme it's more likely to be called the "Pod Pro" now

[JackSYi]

Yeah, iPod Pro. I want it.