Back and Forth: True Video iPod In December?

[MacRumors]

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TrustedReviews.com claims that an "extremely well informed exec" at a firm that makes "made for iPod" products has indicated that the "official 6G iPod" would be announced in December 2006. While we're not so sure how much we believe a "made for iPod" company (other than Apple) would be privy to this information, the report does echo a recent Engadget post quoting reliable sources saying that the "true video iPod" would be coming soon.

ThinkSecret, one of the most outspoken rumor sites on the upcoming product, has gone back and forth on the subject of when the new iPod would be introduced, most recently settling on an early 2007 timeframe.

A recap of some recent rumors on the "true" Video iPod:
- nVidia to produce the multimedia chip?
- eBook reader capability?
- Wireless capability?

[Danksi]

How about announced in December, but shipping early next year and a million people try to carefully instruct their sibblings not to buy them an iPod for Xmas - but perhaps Apple Store vouchers instead

[P-Worm]

This is something that I am really excited for. I want to be able to take all of my movies with me. My big question is if there will be a way to hook up to a television.

P-Worm

[mdntcallr]

Well, they could announce it, and offer pre-order programs for apple.com and it would be important for offering Pre-Orders for the other major Ipod Retailers.

[alec]

December is a little late... considering a fair amount of the consuming proleteriat does their shopping on Thanksgiving weekend for Christmas

[Chundles]

Originally Posted by alec

December is a little late... considering a fair amount of the consuming proleteriat does their shopping on Thanksgiving weekend for Christmas

Well, we don't have a Thanksgiving weekend down here so it wouldn't matter for us. Nor do they have one in Europe or Asia. It's just the US/Canada that do Thanksgiving and even those are on different weekends.

Anytime before Christmas would be cool so long as it's not going to replace the whole iPod lineup because I'm damn sure I'm getting a 5.5G for my birthday in about 5 weeks time.

[Shotglass]

I wouldn't care if they released or shipped it early next year, I need more time to save money But it's sad for you other people with well-paid jobs. Good point on thanksgiving, Chundles.

[DwightSchrute]

I don't think Apple is dumb enough ot release it in December. Think of all the 5.5G returns they would have. While they could obviously still sell the unopened 5.5Gs think of all the time their employees would waste accepting returns when they could be selling more iPods and computers. I think it will either be out before Thanksgiving or sometime next year.

[timmillwood]

why would they bring it out after thanks giving, wouldn't that be a load of the iPod market missed?

[VanMac]

Never ending rumor, but that's what they are for.

Regardless, I would likely buy one just for geeking out with it on the subway.

[Jarbo]

It'd be really nice if it we actually TRUE this time.

My 3G ipod is barely holding a charge and I have been holding out for the "True Video Pod" before upgrading.

[Bregalad]

The product is undoubtedly real, but announcing it in December, or even at MWSF in January, would be the height of stupidity. They'd miss the Christmas buying season and piss off both the buyers and recipients of new iPods. That's probably 20 million people in the US alone who would be angry with Apple.

The fancy new video iPod should be announced, and begin shipping in volume, in April. That gives plenty of time for Christmas bills to be paid, the novelty of Christmas presents to wear off, and at least 8 weeks in all states before the public schools shut down for summer.

[bbydon]

Yeah just like apple notified all its 3rd party venders about the 2G nano...so that they can have all there cases docks ready.

Oh wait...none of them had anything ready and most still don't

[bdj21ya]

Originally Posted by P-Worm

This is something that I am really excited for. I want to be able to take all of my movies with me. My big question is if there will be a way to hook up to a television.

P-Worm

That's your question? Well, I've got good news for you. Yes, yes there will be a way. I haven't seen it for myself, but judging by the fact that the current iPod connects to a TV just fine, I'd say it's a safe bet the next one will too.

[jellomizer]

There has been much talk about this "True" Video iPod. Isn't there already a Video iPod? What makes it True vs. Fake. I know there have been rumors and Photoshop mockups on what others think should be the True Video iPod and they show patents that Apple file. But I am not sure I want to replace the Scrool Wheel with a touch screen, I do like having tactile feedback on where my hand is, as well you can really smuge up the screen you are looking at, and it is easy to loose that little stylist. While I am waiting for a Core 2 Duo Mac Book Pro and I may get an iPod for me at the same time. I am not sure what we would be really missing with the true video iPod except for shorter battery life and a smugged screen.

[Applespider]

If it's coming before Christmas, then it needs to be announced in early November to give everyone the option to ask for the 5.5G (which I think they'd keep) or the higher priced 6G video iPod. When Zune announced their date of 14 November, I did wonder if we'd see an Apple event invitation for around the same time to steal their thunder...

December for an announcement is too late; there's not enough time for Apple's resellers to get behind it or for Apple to stock them up for it - and there are a lot of iPods sold by resellers.

[war]

Does anyone think that Jobs will release the Generation 6 iPod around the same time the Zune is released? The press coverage of the new iPod would put the Zune release a small story in the back of the newspaper. The new iPod would get all the headlines and MS would not get that much attention with their release. If you look at it from a marketing standpoint it would make a lot of sense. All the tech stories would revolve around the release of the new iPod, PS3, and the Wii. How could the Zune compete with that when all of the coverage is going to the heavy hitters? Jobs knows how to handle to press so I think that this really makes sense. Any thoughts?

[ziwi]

That would be a great move to steal the Zune thunder and make people focus on the "new" iPod. That would seem ot be the best idea I have read here, but alas is it even true that there is this "new" hardware...

[Snowy_River]

Could you imagine...

This device is a stand-alone video player, but is also designed to wirelessly partner to the iTV. When it is connected to the iTV, the iPod itself could work simply as a remote control, displaying all the appropriate controls on its screen to allow you to fast forward, rewind, pause, etc.

Now that would be cool!

[shadowlander]

Originally Posted by war

The press coverage of the new iPod would put the Zune release a small story in the back of the newspaper.

Or...would the new Zune release coverage put the new iPod release in the back of the newspaper? Not sure which way it would go...

[bdj21ya]

Originally Posted by shadowlander

Or...would the new Zune release coverage put the new iPod release in the back of the newspaper? Not sure which way it would go...

I'm quite sure of which way it would go. Are you a betting man?

[shadowlander]

Originally Posted by bdj21ya

I'm quite sure of which way it would go. Are you a betting man?

I know which way I'd like it to go, but I also know that it's M$ we're dealing with...and wondered about what connections they had in the press.

[Squonk]

In recent history, say the last five years, has Apple ever released new products in the Holiday belt (between Thanksgiving(US of course) and Christmas)? Nothing for me comes to mind.

But I do recall that Apple has head the release of new products for MacWorld when you'd think that they just missed the boat of the holiday shopping season.

My thougth is that the Apple intro will take the wind out of the Zune's press releases. So, how about 6G iPod introduction date = Zune Intro date + 7 days.

Anyone?

[gauriemma]

Originally Posted by shadowlander

Or...would the new Zune release coverage put the new iPod release in the back of the newspaper? Not sure which way it would go...

Have you seen the billboards for the Zune? They look like they're from 1979. And not in a funky retro way, either. If that's their best shot, Apple has nothing to worry about.

[Shayne R]

Originally Posted by war

Does anyone think that Jobs will release the Generation 6 iPod around the same time the Zune is released? The press coverage of the new iPod would put the Zune release a small story in the back of the newspaper. The new iPod would get all the headlines and MS would not get that much attention with their release. If you look at it from a marketing standpoint it would make a lot of sense. All the tech stories would revolve around the release of the new iPod, PS3, and the Wii. How could the Zune compete with that when all of the coverage is going to the heavy hitters? Jobs knows how to handle to press so I think that this really makes sense. Any thoughts?

I agree fully. With the forthcoming ps3 shortage, and launch of the wii and zune, apple will need something to attract attention to them for this holiday.