Three New iPod Models in 2007?

[MacRumors]

Appleinsider reports that according to their sources, Apple is planning on introducing three distinct iPod models over the next year (2007).

One model is reported to be the long-awaited full Video iPod, but Steve Jobs has "so far been unwilling to commit the marketing and other resources necessary to bring the device to market" until the market response to the iTunes Movie store and iTV can be better gauged.

The identity of the other two iPod models to be introduced over the next year are not known, however, one analyst recently introduced the possibility of a 16GB Flash-based Video iPod to be introduced in the 1st quarter of 2007.

[kskill]

makes sense that jobs would wait until the whole package is ready to release the video ipod.
...but it sucks that we have to wait for that to happen. i'll download a movie or two, i promise.

[MatthewConnelly]

I'm so glad I held off on buying a new iPod. I'll just stick to my 3rd Gen from June 2004 until the next generation come around!

[DMann]

Hopefully, larger flash memory
storage available, and great
new features; wireless, modified
OSX, PDF capabilities, true Quicktime
playback- - totally worth the wait.

[Mgkwho]

I see Apple releasing higher capacity nanos, the new iPod full screen, and iPhone.



So I thought the three models were obvious.


-=|Mgkwho

[chicagdan]

Originally Posted by kskill

makes sense that jobs would wait until the whole package is ready to release the video ipod.
...but it sucks that we have to wait for that to happen. i'll download a movie or two, i promise.

I think this shows why he's Steve Jobs and no one else is ... he's playing this exactly right, he's not going to jump into a marketplace that does not exist and risk tarnishing the iPod brand in the process. So far there doesn't seem to be a huge market for movie downloads and hand-held movie devices. It may never arrive. I thought at first that I'd like to watch TV on my iPod on the train to work, but that lasted maybe a couple of days, I'm back to reading and listening to music.

[arn]

Originally Posted by Mgkwho

I see Apple releasing higher capacity nanos, the new iPod full screen, and iPhone.

So I thought the three models were obvious.

Yep... depends if Apple considers the iPhone an iPod first. would make sense if they did.

arn

[Mgkwho]

Apple/Jobs releases products they know will be a success. Ever since Jobs came back, they've slimmed their product line and produced only necessarily distinct machines.

I remember some article even saying this strategy led to the cutting of almost ready-for-production products.

So it would seem as if this would corroborte AppleInsider's story.

However, there have been rumors that have been "founded on fact" for almost/over a year! Wouldn't you think Jobs has had enough time to assess the situation?

And remember, while Apple sells products that all go together, each is successful as a standalone product. Therefore, the fullscreen iPod should be successful even without iTV!

So I think the iPod can get released and be successful in MacWorld.

---
And yes, arn, I remember you saying during your tv interview that it would likely be an iPod, a music device at heart. I think Apple's strong point is realizing their vision and staying true to the nature of a product. So it would seem as if they would strongly consider the phone a music device at core.

At least the lower-end model. The higher one might replace computers some day :P!!
---

-=|Mgkwho

[thisbechuck]

I must be missing something here-- why would Apple want to develop a 16GB flash video ipod? Isn't the point of flash memory (generally) to keep the size of the unit down? A video ipod smaller than current 1.8inch HDs would be uselessly small. And if the unit is going to be large enough to enjoyably watch movies, why limit yourself to 16GB when the 100GB 1.8HD has just been released?

[spicyapple]

My prediction is Apple will bring back the iPod mini form factor. It'll replace the 30 GB iPod models. The full-screen iPod will be the 80 GB or 100 GB model that also interfaces with iTV. And lastly, the nano form will remain with doubling of hard drive capacity as well as a 50% larger screen/resolution.

[Rocketman]

Looking on the Samsung website 16GB flash has a bandwidth of about 25 megabytes per second. Two of those in a RAID configuration in an allscreen iPod would be sufficient for a true HD experience, even outputing to an HDMI output.

Rocketman

[topgun072003]

So....MWSF or the Tuesday after?

[Mgkwho]

Originally Posted by thisbechuck

I must be missing something here-- why would Apple want to develop a 16GB flash video ipod?

Yes you are missing something.

Flash memory is used in the nanos and shuffle (I think the suffle, right?).

The 16GB drive would be a future nano, possibly in a line of 4, 8, and 16 sizes. Not a regular iPod.

-=|Mgkwho

[spicyapple]

Originally Posted by Rocketman

...a bandwidth of about 25 megabytes per second. Two of those in a RAID configuration in an allscreen iPod would be sufficient for a true HD experience

That's a lot more bandwidth than required. HD video 1080p requires about 12-25 Mbits per second. (2-3 MB/sec), but would require a dedicated DSP. The iPod could decode it, if it were docked.

[aswitcher]

I really hope one has BT and wireless headphone - the year the wires were cut!

Or. imagine a nano built into stylish warp around headphones. Headphones that could still dock with current ipod docks.

[Rocketman]

Originally Posted by spicyapple

That's a lot more bandwidth than required. HD video 1080p requires about 12-25 Mbits per second. (2-3 MB/sec), but would require a dedicated DSP. The iPod could decode it, if it were docked.

I hear ya, but it seems to me limitations in either DSP capacity or bandwidth can be made up for by a caching capacity to send decoded content to the viewer.

Input via 802.11n and/or internal HD and output via flash server. We're talking about a very space limited device here with heavy battery life requirements.

Whatrever they do, I just want it to do essentially everything in one package. TV viewer, iPod, Bookreader, remote, cell phone, videophone, camera, video camera, preferably a CC swipe dongle too.

Rocketman

[Squonk]

Originally Posted by spicyapple

My prediction is Apple will bring back the iPod mini form factor. It'll replace the 30 GB iPod models. The full-screen iPod will be the 80 GB or 100 GB model that also interfaces with iTV. And lastly, the nano form will remain with doubling of hard drive capacity as well as a 50% larger screen/resolution.

Is the Mini that much larger than the Nano really?

Is there room on the Nano for a 50% larger screen? Isn't the screen already stretched close to the edge of it?

I think Apple has the spectrum covered with the shuffle/nano/"bigPod" form factors.

[chicagdan]

Originally Posted by aswitcher

I really hope one has BT and wireless headphone - the year the wires were cut!

Or. imagine a nano built into stylish warp around headphones. Headphones that could still dock with current ipod docks.

Don't you find it ironic that the more we supposedly cut the wires, the more we have to plug these devices in to recharge? BT is a massive pain in the ass on my Moto phone, I turn it off because it kills my battery.

[YoGramMamma]

Originally Posted by thisbechuck

I must be missing something here-- why would Apple want to develop a 16GB flash video ipod? Isn't the point of flash memory (generally) to keep the size of the unit down? A video ipod smaller than current 1.8inch HDs would be uselessly small. And if the unit is going to be large enough to enjoyably watch movies, why limit yourself to 16GB when the 100GB 1.8HD has just been released?

That is one reason for using flash memory. Another reason, more notable in this case is battery life. Flash uses significantly less power that a spinning hard drive. This is why a nano at less than half the size of a video iPod can last 24 hours on a single charge vs the 30GB's 14 or so hours. Flash memory is not necessarly only for making thing smaller. Also remember its more shock proof. They could also replace the space taken up by the 1.8" hard drive now, with a battery the size of what the hard drive used to be, toss in a few flash chips, and this would allow for watching movies a much longer time .. OR it could also free up the available battery power to go to extra processing power needed for decoding larger and/or Higher Definition files.

16 GB is plently to store about 8 or more movies since movies are about 1.5 GB and it would actually allow you to have enough battery life to last you through more than just 1 or 2 movies.

[aswitcher]

Originally Posted by chicagdan

Don't you find it ironic that the more we supposedly cut the wires, the more we have to plug these devices in to recharge? BT is a massive pain in the ass on my Moto phone, I turn it off because it kills my battery.

My wires are the number one reason my music/podcast listening is interrupted as cords catch on clothes, bags and even other people on public transport - usually pulling one or both earphones out. They also get tangled between usess in my bag (even when wound up) and have to be untangled before I can get going.

[OwlsAndApples]

Originally Posted by chicagdan

Don't you find it ironic that the more we supposedly cut the wires, the more we have to plug these devices in to recharge? BT is a massive pain in the ass on my Moto phone, I turn it off because it kills my battery.

I find it ironic that we've spent years developing a wireless communications device when we've had it all along - the letter!

[Rojo]

It totally makes sense that Steve wants to wait and see how movie downloads do, however there's just one problem -- many people (including me) are hesitant to download movies until there's enough support for them. Right now, the music store only has Disney movies, and they can only be seen on the computer (in not so great quality) or in the current 5gen iPods, which many people think are too small for viewing movies.

Until more movie studios offer their movies on iTMS, or the full-screen video iPod shows up, movie downloads aren't going to be as big as they could be -- but if Steve's opting a "wait and see" attitude, things could go nowhere. So it's almost a Catch-22.

Of course iTV could change everything...

[thisbechuck]

Originally Posted by YoGramMamma

That is one reason for using flash memory. Another reason, more notable in this case is battery life. Flash uses significantly less power that a spinning hard drive. This is why a nano at less than half the size of a video iPod can last 24 hours on a single charge vs the 30GB's 14 or so hours. Flash memory is not necessarly only for making thing smaller. Also remember its more shock proof. They could also replace the space taken up by the 1.8" hard drive now, with a battery the size of what the hard drive used to be, toss in a few flash chips, and this would allow for watching movies a much longer time .. OR it could also free up the available battery power to go to extra processing power needed for decoding larger and/or Higher Definition files.

16 GB is plently to store about 8 or more movies since movies are about 1.5 GB and it would actually allow you to have enough battery life to last you through more than just 1 or 2 movies.

Hmm... well yeah, I know that it also uses less battery but I just dont see it making sense. It just seems counter-intuitive. If I had a video ipod I would use it to store movies so I wouldn't have to bring my DVD collection around. Maybe keep it plugged into the car to show movies in the back. If this flash video ipod could only store a few movies at a time, you would have to keep your movies permanently loaded onto your computer, taking up space. My current 80GB drive is barely enough for my software and music, let alone video. Not to mention that the screen would probably be the main power draw in a video ipod, not the hard drive (is this right?). Regarding your shock-proofing comment, I don't see that being a big draw-- jogging while watching your video ipod?

[ziwi]

The iPod video is the one that intrigues me as one can see how it could be used for other purposes - perhaps PDA functions as well as a gaming console like PSP or DS with the rumored games interest. The quality and batterylife need to be outstanding...with all this wireless talk we might as well be cyborgs with or without the wires...

[MrFirework]

I think it's silly to believe that iPods wouldn't see a pretty serious upgrade after the Zune launch. Apple can't, and won't, rest on it laurels. It will continue to innovate, to lead the world in portable media devices.