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4th Generation iPods?

And here's the ad campaign...

Dancing silhouette in front of colored backdrop (preferably the green girl from the Black-Eyed Peas ad).

greengirl.JPG


Camera pans back so that we see the backdrop as a "set" with the silhouette's parents (also silhouettes but older, dad with beer belly) standing off to the side snapping pictures with a consumer digital camera. Music ends, proud parent silhouettes hugging daughter telling her they are so proud of her, what a great dancer she is, etc.

Family walks over to computer, daughter hands Dad the iPod, he docks it, plugs in the camera, cut to screen as photos download into iPhoto. Dad clicks "Sync to iPod" button, grabs iPod, family sits down in front of big-screen TV as Dad plugs iPod into AV jacks. Slide show of pictures begins on TV and whole family dances to Black-Eyed Peas.

Jeff Goldblum voice over "The new iPodAV. Now listen to up to 12,000 songs, view 50,000 photos, or just a whole lot of each."
 
vpalvarez said:
This is similar to what I was thinking. They will nevr have photo viewing for the ipod becasue there is no dominant app for viewing photos on Windows, this would be a major trade off for windows users. They won't justify spendin the money on a devoce they can't use. Apple would have three options:

1) Release iPhoto for Windows (and maybe include it w/ the 4G ipod)
2) Make the 4G ipod sync-able with almost every photo app on windows
3) Not release an ipod capable of viewing photos.

I think option three is the most likely which is fine with me.
Maybe they will release it at the same time that Hp releases theirs.
Click to expand...


Ummm ... the dominant app for viewing photos on Windows XP is included free with every copy and is called "Windows Explorer".

All that the photo-pod would need to do is expose it's "photos" directory as a mass storage device containing photos, and any of the Windows iPhoto wannabe's would start up when it connects and grab the photos just like it was the camera. The only missing link is syncing the iPod library with the Windows library (and dealing with the fact that there are still photos on the device which already exist on the computer and so Windows doesn't have to copy them over). The trick there might be having two folders, one of which is for "new" photos and the other is for "archived" photos.

I don't think an iPhoto for Windows is out of the question. However, I think that the bar is pretty low in Windows world, and the iPod as described previously would certainly sell well.
 
Now, I know this ain't gonna be popular....

Much as cool new features are, well, cool....I don't want any. I really don't want apple to make them standard on all ipods. The ipod is a great way to listen to music, (and piles of it) with incredible portability, and not too unreasonable a price tag, given the pleasure and style of the device. We know, if anybody is going to cut into the niche and take over market share, it's going to be from selling the same thing cheaper. So while a color screen and video capabilities may be a great new thing, and a new corner on the market, unless this somehow magically doesn't cost them any money, they've got to keep a classically functional, simple music carrying ipod. That's why I enjoy mine, and I wouldn't be any measureable ammount happier with extra features (well, compared with the pleasure of constant great music). And, for those who don't want the extra features, the extra cost, or just lack of extra room/smaller size, or other options at the same cost, would be a major drive towards other competitors.

Just my 2 cents.
 
ITR 81 said:
This rumor does sound alot like I thought the 4th gen would be about 6 months ago except for the iPod mini layout.

If it comes out I'll buy the 50GB...as I want to see my digitally stored photo's and seeing things in colour would help my eye sight compared to my 40GB now.
Click to expand...

Yeah! Another accurate prediction by ITR 81. You were off by a half a year, and it's a different device, but what the heck!
 
Videos not movies

nagromme said:
Three things I for one do QUITE often:

1. Show friends photos on my business-card-sized camera's tiny 1.5" screen

2. Show friends photo slideshows on TV from my camera's video jack

3. Wish I had photos on my camera to show, but my camera's empty :)

So yes, I would use a photo iPod if this turned out to be true. Time will tell.
Click to expand...

Hooray! You get it too! Can anyone else see that Apple are probably being smart and launching a new model. Video isn't about movies - it's about videos. hundreds of millions of dollars worth of content that record companies can't sell and would jump to put online. People will watch a 3 minute video on an iPod screen while they hear the tune playing, or make their own MTV via a TV out jack.

The reason that we have so many surround sound formats is that in testing people prefer mediocre video and killer sound to killer video and mediocre sound. The iPod with video playback capability needn't be able to do anything but take a video download from iTMS in order for Apple to make a ton of cash from it. I'd not be surprised to see FW 800 for Apple users. Makes sense with high bandwidth.

Video screens are also an excuse to make the device bigger. Apple would be happy if you bought a big iPod for it's screen and a mini for music only.
 
dontmatter said:
Much as cool new features are, well, cool....I don't want any. I really don't want apple to make them standard on all ipods. The ipod is a great way to listen to music, (and piles of it) with incredible portability, and not too unreasonable a price tag, given the pleasure and style of the device. We know, if anybody is going to cut into the niche and take over market share, it's going to be from selling the same thing cheaper. So while a color screen and video capabilities may be a great new thing, and a new corner on the market, unless this somehow magically doesn't cost them any money, they've got to keep a classically functional, simple music carrying ipod. That's why I enjoy mine, and I wouldn't be any measureable ammount happier with extra features (well, compared with the pleasure of constant great music). And, for those who don't want the extra features, the extra cost, or just lack of extra room/smaller size, or other options at the same cost, would be a major drive towards other competitors.

Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Supposedly the HP iPod will still be based on 3G technology, so you can still have everything you want, albiet in a slighty different exterior and maybe the color might not be what you wany but the music will still be the same, and after all it is all about the music
 
nagromme said:
Three things I for one do QUITE often:

1. Show friends photos on my business-card-sized camera's tiny 1.5" screen

2. Show friends photo slideshows on TV from my camera's video jack

3. Wish I had photos on my camera to show, but my camera's empty :)

So yes, I would use a photo iPod if this turned out to be true. Time will tell.
Click to expand...

I agree with 2/3 of the above ... I just never seem to be near a TV with an RCA jack open and the requisite cable when showing off digicam photos ...

But I just don't get the folks complaining about the small size of the iPod screen when I and just about everyone I know who has a digicam ritualistically passes around the camera to show off the latest pictures. Yes, there's often a "I want a print of that" that comes out, but you can certainly get the gist of most photos (and I suspect that the photoPod would also allow for zooming in on photos like most digicams do).

FWIW, a friend of mine uploaded a handful of family pictures to their cell phone to show them around. Now *that's* a small screen (and poor color)!
 
Battery life and current iPod

I may not be an iPod power-user, but after having had my current 2G iPod for a year, I have no complaints. I, perhaps, really don't use the iPod as much as the next person: about 1-2 times per week, maybe 3 times max, with about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hour use each time.

I don't have any complaints about the battery life, although yes, I have seen websites that claim the iPod's battery life is the pits. Maybe it's because I don't use it as often, or maybe I just got lucky.

I'm definintely interested in the 4G iPod and my biggest wish out of it:

AM/FM tuner: FM alone would be fine.

Something that probably would be interesting would be built-in Bluetooth, and then buy an add-on Bluetooth receiver that plugs into someone's car stereo.
 
Voice idea

A built-in mic is something I've always wanted to see standard, because it takes an output-only device and gives you SOME (and very easy!) form of input when someone tells you a phone # or something. That tips the scales to making an iPod a better PDA than a PDA--for me. (I'll deal with properly inputting the note or phone # when I get back to my Mac.) I have no need or desire for a full PDA, but the basic PDA-like functions of the iPod are a big reason I plan to buy one.

But I had another idea that would be useful and friendly--but mainly just "cool": Allow voice-triggering of songs or playlists, the way cell-phones let you dial by voice. Not useful in every case, but it does have a certain simplicity. If Apple added a mic anyway, this would be something else they might do with it.

(For anyone who is worried that Apple might make the iPod TOO capable and high-end... maybe you should write to Apple and suggest they start a second, entry-level line of iPods ;) )

Battery comment: don't forget that OTHER portable players--almost all of them, have built-in batteries just like iPod does. It helps a player be smaller. Sure, I'd like one that was even easier to swap, but you can do it for under $40 already so it's a minor issue for me. (So is FM... those little things would be neat if they didn't make the iPod bigger, but TV-out for photos, and a mic, would be more important to me!)
 
Stella said:
Mini ipod is aimed at a different market than the other iPods... some ppl do not want to spend $$$ on a iPod, so the minis fit their budget. Likewise, not everyone want a video screen on their mp3 player...
Click to expand...

I completely agree with this statement. That being said, if Apple does come out with this new iPod, I'll get one to sit right next to my mini. I'll keep the mini for when I go out running/biking and use the new iPod for everything else.

Looks like the only iPod that doesn't really meet my needs is the original configuration.
 
When, when WHEN?!!? I would definitely buy a 4G iPod, but how long would I have to wait? Hopefully Apple releases this in the not-too-distant future...
 
If this does happen (which I don't think will be this year)
I think that the Size of the housing and screen may be a little bigger and poss a removeable battery like the (ibook/powerbook)
My 3cents worth.
 
My Apple iPod 4G Wishlist:

1) iPod mini Clickwheel
2) Slightly Sleeker Housing (Aluminum)
3) Better battery life
4) Boost in Storage apacity across the line
5) Updated Display (not neccesarily color but maybe a better backlight, like the mini or maybe a larger display.
6) FM radio
7) Photo viewer (i don't see why apple can't release a different gadget for this to keep the price down on the ipod.


These items are in the order of importance (to me) And I believe that Apple can do it for the SAME price, albiet they may have to take a slightly smaller profit margin. The photo viewing capability is a wonderful innovation, but the majority of the people that would appreciate this enhancement would likely be willing to keep their current ipods and buy a new device that will do this. A I undrerstand that if apple puts a color screen than the price to put this capabilty is almoist nil, which is fine.


What i don't want to see is an ipod that does everything but costs $650 and has a battery life of about 2 hours. I think that their is no harm in having Apple release a photo viewer so long as they keep the price down and battery life up.


My 2 cents
 
Count on this...

There are a couple things we can count on, knowing both recent iPod history and new market trends.

...new iPods WILL be out before summer. Nothing else makes much sense. Why would Apple do a deal with HP which would only dilute their brand and marketshare on the 3G iPod if they had nothing else waiting in the wings? They could sell the current Apple-Branded 3G iPod to outfits like Office Depot, etc. if they just wanted wider distribution. No, Apple will have a 4G iPod out simultaneously (or slightly before) the arrival of the "HP music player" which, I believe, will see a significant price reduction from the current Apple branded version.

...iPods are already at a premium price. Apple will pack as many new features in as they can without raising the price. I'm not an engineer so I don't know what that feature set will be, but you can bet it will not be one that will drive the price above the current 299-499 scheme. So, probably no video features. MS is talking about a 'video iPod' and the prices are around 800 bucks and the device itself is much bigger and heavier than an iPod. No way Apple will do that.

And, finally, can we drop the battery issue? Man, it really alarms me how the Neistats have managed to, almost single-handedly, create a problem out of thin air. It also alarms me that otherwise rational people suddenly take leave of their senses when it comes to this issue. Look folks, I'd love a teeny, tiny battery that costs one dollar and lasts forever too but they just don't exist.

Why does the Dell DJ get 16 hours of battery life? The thing is the size of a small boat. Seriously, you could put your family on it and escape from Cuba with it. Apple could either a. raise the price of the iPod or, b. make the iPod bigger. Those are the only two ways to get battery life better than the iPod has right now.

Which do you want? Me, I'll stick with the 8 hours and tiny form factor.
 
okay, isn't it obvious?

Video out and no mention of a MAJOR enhancment such as play movies. The 4th Gen will have an optional visualizer. Although the viewing of iPhotos is possible I doubt it b/c it would be a "mac only feature" for a little bit (until some Windows guy makes a pastch for a Wondows photo viewer). Good idea though, but I'm sticking with visualizer.
 
I am disapointed that high quality audio-in is not mentioned. Neither in the rumor or from most people here at the forum. So I guess it will be at the bottom of Apples list of possible features then :( For interviews and field recordings and live-music recording it would totally remove the need of DAT-tapes and MiniDiscs (which are always too short).

One other thought: Would it be possible to use the video-out for video-in as well, with a connected iSight? Would make a great mini-dv-cam.
 
Keynote?

colour screen...video output...
Hmmmm......
Is this one step closer to my dream upgrade of being able to load a Keynote presentation (with Keynote player) onto an iPod. How nice it would be to connect the iPod directly to a digital projector and be set for showing a Keynote presentation.

OK.... another side benefit is that it would allow me to purchase it as a "work expense" and still have room for my music library. :)
 
vpalvarez said:
My Apple iPod 4G Wishlist:

1) iPod mini Clickwheel
2) Slightly Sleeker Housing (Aluminum)
3) Better battery life
4) Boost in Storage apacity across the line
5) Updated Display (not neccesarily color but maybe a better backlight, like the mini or maybe a larger display.
6) FM radio
7) Photo viewer (i don't see why apple can't release a different gadget for this to keep the price down on the ipod.

SNIP
My 2 cents
Click to expand...

1,2,3,5 are all a must have for me
4 is always nice
6 is not a bad idea, maybe via the headset option...pretty fine if it recorded it at the same time :)
7 I would really like that with an A/V in/out for photos and video, without messing around with a slow card reader

I would also like a "ipod at home/idisk" feature to take my harddisk working files on the road easily
 
pmcaleer said:
Here is the thing.
...
You do the presentation on your Mac, sync it with the iPod, and you have a portable presentation that requires no laptop nor projector.
...
Click to expand...

Sorry, I'm just picturing a bunch of suits huddled together watching a keynote presentation on a 2" screen... :eek:
 
nagromme said:
Re cameras--attaching a cable is another step too! I'd much rather the step of moving the flash card over than have to carry a cable. That's why my AlBook has a flash reader in the PC Card slot.

In any case, the iPod's NOT likely to get features for pro photographers. Direct camera transfer sounds like too small a market for Apple to put the development effort into. Folks can add a Belkin reader--I suspect that's the best you can hope for.

Personally, I just went for a bigger flash chip :) But then I'm a consumer not a professional photographer.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... You don't want to carry a cable, but you'd carry a PowerBook?

People would rather spend a couple hundred dollars on a fractional GB flash card than invest it in a multi-GB iPod they can use for other things when they don't have their camera?

Heck, direct transfer might even make that little card that came with the camera sufficient.

Belkin reader is worse than a cable-- it's a cable, a box, batteries, and media challenged.

I don't want a color screen to try and watch pictures on the thing. Video out would be ok if I didn't have to pay for it and didn't have to use it. What I would like is the ability to dump images directly from my camera to my iPod.

It wouldn't impact normal operation of the device at all, they could sell the cable as an optional accessory, the current hardware seems to support it (the specs for the current processor say it can act as a USB host, and you gotta think the necessary pins go to that dock connector).

Walkin' the streets, groovin' to the sound, snappin' some shots...
Beautiful...

Different strokes-n-at.
 
Keynote?

Kilchzimmer said:
Is this one step closer to my dream upgrade of being able to load a Keynote presentation (with Keynote player) onto an iPod.
Click to expand...

Forgot to mention for the Windows iPod user, it can allow for playing those so-so, pixalated transition, PowerPoint shows.

other wish list:
1. recording audio.
Not the cheezy FM quality voice notes - but CD quality. I can't imagine this adding to the iPod size or price. Great for ultra portable field recording, audio for use in presentations, videos, etc.. A nice complement to the other Apple audio software. This may put another stake into the sony mini-disc which won't allow me to transfer digital data to my computer.

Too many features to ask for on a small iPod?
This coming from someone who prefers an affordable mobile phone that is just a mobile phone (not a horrible camera, game console, etc.).

- Kz
 
Please address missing audio features first

I hope that the 4g ipod addresses missing features rather than coming up with new ones.

Still waiting for:
Proper recording features (CD quality)
Digital out
Surround sound support
Lossless audio compression (FLOC support?)
Radio support (FM?)

Also waiting for a home hifi version of the ipod ( and not one that requires networking to your mac, using a tv as a gui, etc )
 
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