Wifi/Video iPod?

[MacBytes]

Category: Apple Hardware
Link: Apple seeks iPod engineer with WiFi, video integration experience
Posted on MacBytes.com

Approved by Mudbug

[nagromme]

There was a job posted months ago for the iPod division that needed audio and video codec experience. I seem to remember that being worded differently (no WiFi), but maybe this is that same job posted again. Anyone have a link to that old one?

Anyway, as AI hints, Apple spends money (even paychecks) on experimental R&D. Ideas for "maybe someday." Products that often never see the light.

So this job is interesting to know about, but proves nothing as far as future shipping products.

[macridah]

Originally Posted by nagromme

There was a job posted months ago for the iPod division that needed audio and video codec experience. I seem to remember that being worded differently (no WiFi), but maybe this is that same job posted again. Anyone have a link to that old one?

Anyway, as AI hints, Apple spends money (even paychecks) on experimental R&D. Ideas for "maybe someday." Products that often never see the light.

So this job is interesting to know about, but proves nothing as far as future shipping products.

It doesn't prove or guarantee the new iPod will have WiFi or video integration, but there's a chance. That job posting is 10x better than speculation or rumors.

[eric67]

Originally Posted by MacBytes

Category: Apple Hardware
Link: Apple seeks iPod engineer with WiFi, video integration experience
Posted on MacBytes.com

Approved by Mudbug

just to be nice I think will make sens to quote the real source of info...
this news has been published on August 22nd here
http://www.hardmac.com/niouzcontenu....004-08-22#2713
not your fault I agree, rather unfair Appleinsider

[717]

It al makes sens: we are getting an iTablet based on a iPod. Not an iTablet based on an iBook. Nice spin-off. :-)

[Bendit]

They're just keeping their bases covered and hiring people with a wide range of knowledge incase they ever need to tap in it.

Nothing to see here.

Even if they are investigating it, they are most likely years away from releasing such a product if it's just starting now.

It's more likely that those communiation protocols would be used for remote controls and display tech for higher resolution graphics.

[nagromme]

This also doesn't truly indicate that this position is specifically iPod-related. It's for the iPod division (which for now needs no better name) but I can see the chance of that group releasing other "DLD" products that are NOT iPods sometime.

[jimthorn]

Originally Posted by nagromme

Anyway, as AI hints, Apple spends money (even paychecks) on experimental R&D. Ideas for "maybe someday." Products that often never see the light. So this job is interesting to know about, but proves nothing as far as future shipping products.

That was my first thought too. I hope Apple documents all their experimental projects so that someday we'll see some of the "might have been" goodies.

[aswitcher]

Originally Posted by 717

It al makes sens: we are getting an iTablet based on a iPod. Not an iTablet based on an iBook. Nice spin-off. :-)

I wonder if this thign appears whether it will be from the iPod division or the main Mac comp division...

[seamuskrat]

I think its safe to say that Apple knows these job postings are scrutinized by analysts, competitors, and Mac maniacs alike. So the wording used is carefully crafted.
That said, they cannot go an hire someone for this work and just get started on the project (I hope).

Hopefully this is bringing in some final design engineer to polish off the prototypes or to fill out the development team.

But if you look at the Apple jobs, they have all sorts of highly specific jobs posted all the time. For years this has gone on, and sometimes its lead to tangible products, sometimes not.

7 years ago I applied to Pixar Animation for a "Marine Biologist" job (I am a professor of Marine Biology. Who would have known Finding Nemo was the reason why.... Apple has had similar random jobs over the years.

[0 and A ai]

umm is it just me or did that also say GSM

interesting very interesting

[MacRumors]

Apple Insider has made note of an Apple job listing for an iPod engineer. Readers speculate that the inclusion of several key elements may point at a new direction for the iPod.

The iPod group is looking for a Hardware Engineer. This person will be an individual contributor on a top notch team with responsibilities for the design, implementation, and integration of digital and analog electronics.

Experience in the following areas is important: system integration, digital logic, SDRAM, Flash, ASIC’s, processor selection, ATAPI, various communication protocols (ie: GSM, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, Firewire, and USB), display types and video and analog integration.

While it's not unusual to see job listings for engineers requiring certain skills, this listing marks the first seeking these specific communication protocols in regards to the iPod.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has publicly stated that he feels that video is not in the future of the iPod. However, Time magazine has hinted that the current version of the iPod is a complete rebuild from the ground up, and may contain more bells and whistles than what is currently known.

[JDOG_]

Wireless headphones would be nice. So would song sharing with other iPods, even though it'll really honestly never happen. I could see some wireless integration happen as soon as they find a faster bluetooth-type technology.

Edit: Sweeet, went from post #1 to #13...errr...I don't see anything coming of this job until 2006 at least, but then again I don't work for Apple do I?

[Kingsnapped]

I know everybody is going to jump on this and start talking about tuesday of next week.. but I would be kind of worried if Apple wasn't looking for somebody with these qualifications. If they said "familiar with GPS tracking and X-Ray vision" I would get excited, but this just says that wifi, bluetooth and video may come up in the future, and they want their guy to know their stuff.

[Bunzi2k4]

it looks interesting... but now i feel pathetic with my 15 gig ipod...

haha will if apple can do it, that would be sweet, maybe they will do something with the Itunes Music Store using built-in Wi-Fi, so you can download songs directly to your ipod instead of you're computer!

[Mudbug]

for the record, I don't think there's much to this other than Apple exploring their options.

It's hard to think about how to complete an idea, if you don't know if it's possible or not in the first place. Enter engineers.

[AmigoMac]

I may apply , but I couldn't post here

I'm really happy with my company ...

[hokka]

Slow rumor today? So close to Paris Expo and just this?

http://insanely-great.com/news.php?id=3692

http://www.engadget.com/entry/7165264426338252/

[Doctor Q]

The job listings are identical, except for the Job Requisition ID Numbers.

[beefcake]

I keep hearing about all these secret iPod 4G features, so I stared at my iPod for a few hours, and no, it didn't do anything special.

[slughead]

Time magazine has hinted that the current version of the iPod is a complete rebuild from the ground up, and may contain more bells and whistles than what is currently known.

Well I should hope so..

The Rev.4 iPods had nothing going for them but a lower price and more moving parts.

[DesertDog]

Originally Posted by nagromme

This also doesn't truly indicate that this position is specifically iPod-related. It's for the iPod division (which for now needs no better name) but I can see the chance of that group releasing other "DLD" products that are NOT iPods sometime.

The iPod group is already responsible for things other then just the iPod. Have been for awhile now. For example the iSight came out of them.

[yoda13]

Originally Posted by beefcake

I keep hearing about all these secret iPod 4G features, so I stared at my iPod for a few hours, and no, it didn't do anything special.

roflmao

While it is true that Steve may not see video in the future of the iPod, (neither do I really, as who wants to watch something on a screen that small, of course they will likely come out with something that has features that I have not thought of) I'll bet that he also will want to cover his backside to ensure that the iPod remains the dominant gadget of its type.

[JGowan]

Originally Posted by Bendit

They're just keeping their bases covered... Nothing to see here... Even if they are investigating it, they are most likely years away from releasing such a product if it's just starting now.

Ye of little faith.

First off, their competitors are releasing devices just such as this. Also, the ipod was designed and brought to market in less than a year. That's from scratch. With the 4th Gen iPod already here, adding video and other aspects would in no way take "years" as you claim. Apple has got to figure a way of keeping the momentum going with the ipod,... video has got to be in their future.

[comictimes]

Originally Posted by JGowan

Apple has got to figure a way of keeping the momentum going with the ipod,... video has got to be in their future.

I personally would much rather have them focus on making the ipod as ridiculously tiny and thin as possible rather than give it more features. Or, if they do make a video ipod, I would like for them to make a related product, but split it off from the ipod line. So that you will be able to have your tiny ipod which plays music and does a couple other spiffy things, or your slightly larger physically ipod which can play movies as well as music... that would be good, I think.