OSX Based iPods In August?

[MacRumors]

DigiTimes claims that Wintek has been given the contract award for producing the the panels of Apples upcoming iPod refresh, which DigiTimes notes will be in August. The touch screens will reportedly be similar to the iPhone's touch screen.

Steve Jobs made comments during a town hall meeting of Apple Employees that the Mac OS X group was working on unreleased iPods as well as the desktop OS and iPhone OS. Analyst Gene Munster recently chimed in, stating he believed that the updated iPods would come by Macworld 2008.

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[Poff]

I'm guessing it's too early.. If they released it now, it would cannibalize the iPhone sales. (or, it would have to not incorporate stuff like notes, web-browsing and stuff. Just be a plain iPod. But why produce such an expensive iPod if nothing is gained apart from CoverFlow?

On second hand - I'm just plain stupid. You've got the huge screen for videos - that's enough for me wanting one.

[zombitronic]

Originally Posted by Poff

But why produce such an expensive iPod if nothing is gained apart from CoverFlow?

I'm not sure that it would be that expensive, at least not any more than the current top-of-the-line iPod. When Apple creates a better version of a product of theirs, gen-X usually becomes unavailable through Apple, while gen-Y takes its place and price. I would assume that gen-6 of the iPods, if only an iPod, will follow this same pattern.

[defeated]

this would be nice, would be a device Im willing to pay for, if it has a wi-fi.

[zorinlynx]

Originally Posted by Poff

I'm guessing it's too early.. If they released it now, it would cannibalize the iPhone sales. (or, it would have to not incorporate stuff like notes, web-browsing and stuff. Just be a plain iPod. But why produce such an expensive iPod if nothing is gained apart from CoverFlow?

On second hand - I'm just plain stupid. You've got the huge screen for videos - that's enough for me wanting one.

I don't believe it would cannibalize iPhone sales; rather it would generate more sales from people who:

1) Want a new touch screen iPod,
2) Are happy with their current phone and don't want to change.

That fits this Treo 650 user to a tee, so by releasing such a device, they'd gain a sale they otherwise wouldn't have gotten.

I'm sure many folks are in my category.

[Random Ping]

Originally Posted by Poff

I'm guessing it's too early..

I feel it is too early as well. Something just doesn't smell right.

(Edit: OK, I've changed my mind just a little. If Apple wants to promote the iPod and iPhone for games, then it would make sense for Apple to ditch the current video iPod (which uses the click wheel for input) and go with a touch screen video iPod. This way, game developers would have a consistent platform for game development.)

[yzp]

Originally Posted by Poff

I'm guessing it's too early.. If they released it now, it would cannibalize the iPhone sales. (or, it would have to not incorporate stuff like notes, web-browsing and stuff. Just be a plain iPod. But why produce such an expensive iPod if nothing is gained apart from CoverFlow?

On second hand - I'm just plain stupid. You've got the huge screen for videos - that's enough for me wanting one.

dump for apple, but pretty cool for us!!


not that I'll get one, but it is awesome for apple's prooduct!! I mean, innovation never stops!! Apple is on its way to conqueer the world, again!

[schnico]

Along with a lot of the folks posting here, I also want the new iPod to have WiFi. But I don't think it will come with WiFi and a browser.

Jobs just made it clear that the iPhone is one leg of a new 3-legged-stool strategy. Do you think he is likely to immediately go chopping on the new leg, and also undercut AT&T? I don't. Apple will add WiFi to iPods, but later, not now.

So I believe these new iPods will be similar to iPhones, but will have no phone, no WiFi and of course, then, no browser.

I already have two fine functional iPods (3G and 5G), so I don't see getting this 6G, as I want WiFi and browser too. So instead for my next "iPod" I will get the 12" ultra-micro-mini portable, which I believe will have multi-touch, WiFi, flash storage, and a full OS X, and will be a really butt-kicking iPod. Except for this little detail - it won't fit in my pocket. Oh, and one more thing...it will cost a tad more than a 6G.

[Evangelion]

Originally Posted by Poff

I'm guessing it's too early.. If they released it now, it would cannibalize the iPhone sales.

I'm getting tired of that argument... What does it matter if one hi-margin product cannibalizes sales of another product from the same company? And would it really? Last time I checked, iPhone is a phone, whereas iPod is not. If you want an iPod, why get an iPhone? If you want a phone, you need to buy the iPhone, iPod is not an alternative. If you want a hi-capacity mediaplayer, you need the iPod, iPhone is not an alternative.

And why is everyone concerned about iPod cannibalizing sales of iPhones, but no-one is concered about iPhone cannibalizing iPods?

(or, it would have to not incorporate stuff like notes, web-browsing and stuff. Just be a plain iPod.

It would have the stuff current iPod has, plus bigger screen, new UI and maybe Bluetooth and some other new miscellianeous new features. Of course it would also have more storage-space.

But why produce such an expensive iPod if nothing is gained apart from CoverFlow?

Huh? Bigger screen, kick-ass UI, better design, more features (newer iPods have always had more features than the ones before it). People have kept on rebuying iPods, even though the newer models only offer better screen, more storage and smaller size. And that looks to continue.

[FF_productions]

I can't wait!

[Matteh117]

Touch screen iPod..? Well that sold it for me.

[Aniej]

thus bringing the tally to 200,000,000 iPods v. 1,000,012 zunes.

[bobber205]

Originally Posted by Aniej

thus bringing the tally to 200,000,000 iPods v. 1,000,012 zunes.

That many sold or shipped?

[Eraserhead]

Originally Posted by Aniej

1,000,012 zunes.

Have they actually announced that they sold a million yet or are they still "on track" to selling that many. They haven't had a press release about it yet.

[Thomas2006]

Originally Posted by Aniej

thus bringing the tally to 200,000,000 iPods v. 1,000,012 zunes.

Did Microsoft reach their goal of 1,000,000 Zunes by the end of June?

[hvfsl]

I think it will have wifi. But the main use of wifi will be to share your content with other 6g ipod users, itunes and the Apple TV. Plus you will be able to watch youtube and listen to internet radio when near a wifi hotspot.

Plus in early 2008, UK users will be able to view BBC programmes on the thing with the iPlayer (they are currently developing it for many different platforms), although it will be Windows XP only at first. It has been hinted at that the iPhone is one of those platforms, so as long as the new iPod has wifi, it should be able to do it too.

[swwack91]

and to follow up -

the next iPod won't have WiFi internet like browsing. it would only be there for exchanging content or buying from the iTunes store. maybe youtube... but definitely not full browsing - it would be too much of a PDA like the iPhone.

[mudaudio]

Originally Posted by hvfsl

I think it will have wifi. But the main use of wifi will be to share your content with other 6g ipod users, itunes and the Apple TV. Plus you will be able to watch youtube and listen to internet radio when near a wifi hotspot.

I agree with this.

I think the new iPod will have wifi, but will mimic Apple TV, in that it will allow content streaming across devices, youTube access etc.

Losing the PIM/Internet/comms features, but enabling media streaming ala Apple TV will differentiate from the iPhone, offer a complete 'multimedia' experience (as apposed to communications) - and potentially allow cross selling of the Apple TV as people become familiar with its features and ease of use... If Apple can mimic the iPod/Mac halo effect in this way then Apple TV may beging to get some grounding in the market.

That would be my strategy anyway. Obvious and fair differentiation between iPod/iPhone, with the added benefits of synergy with Apple TV and Front row etc.

ps. I'm sure the hackers would have a field day cracking OS X and installing full functionality etc. but that's another story!

[Stella]

Originally Posted by hvfsl

I think it will have wifi. But the main use of wifi will be to share your content with other 6g ipod users, itunes and the Apple TV. Plus you will be able to watch youtube and listen to internet radio when near a wifi hotspot.

Plus in early 2008, UK users will be able to view BBC programmes on the thing with the iPlayer (they are currently developing it for many different platforms), although it will be Windows XP only at first. It has been hinted at that the iPhone is one of those platforms, so as long as the new iPod has wifi, it should be able to do it too.

iPlayer relies upon micrsoft formats + DRM

Mac development will be evaluated every 6 months.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6236612.stm

[gugy]

My guess is end of October in a special event they will announce the new iPod line.
That way the iPhone news will start to become ordinary and Apple will take advantage of Xmas season shopping.

I believe the iPod 6g will have:
80gig / 120gig $299 / $399
widescreen, touchscreen
wi-fi
everything like the iPhone without the phone.

Bring it on!

[Chosenbydestiny]

Originally Posted by Aniej

thus bringing the tally to 200,000,000 iPods v. 1,000,012 zunes.

Do you mean 12? I haven't seen ONE person out here with a zune. And my friends who work in electronics stores tell me they just collect dust in the stockroom.

[dumbduck]

It does make some sense to have the new ipod come out in August. If you read the Buyer's Guide you see that the last two ipods (5G and 5.5G) came out 11 months apart on the same day. (October 12 and September 12) If Apple stuck to the average then the Ipod would come out on August 12. This isn't likely but I sure as hell hope that it happens.

My 6G Ipod
Widescreen with touch capabilities
80GB (low end) 120 GB (High end)
wifi
Optional Camera (for more money)
OSX
Itunes store
You Tube
Radio
Voice Recording
Speaker Built in (Better than the iPhone's speaker)

[bobber205]

All I really desire in a next gen ipod is the ability to listen to online radio stations/music. That's it.

[whatever]

Originally Posted by dumbduck

It does make some sense to have the new ipod come out in August. If you read the Buyer's Guide you see that the last two ipods (5G and 5.5G) came out 11 months apart on the same day. (October 12 and September 12) If Apple stuck to the average then the Ipod would come out on August 12. This isn't likely but I sure as hell hope that it happens.

My 6G Ipod
Widescreen with touch capabilities
80GB (low end) 120 GB (High end)
wifi
Optional Camera (for more money)
OSX
Itunes store
You Tube
Radio
Voice Recording
Speaker Built in (Better than the iPhone's speaker)

The iTunes store will never be available in a mobile device (iPod or iPhone) mainly because of support issues. Imagine if you will someone sitting in a Starbucks and they hear a Beach Boys song (don't ask why I picked them) which reminds them of their lost youth. They connect into the iTunes Store and download the album. They finish their coffe and and realize that they're late for a meeting, so they rush out, breaking their download connection. Thus forcing them contact support....

Now do you see why this feature will never be available. On the Apple TV someday, but never on an iPod or iPhone.

[Aldyn]

Originally Posted by FF_productions

I can't wait!

ditto