'Actual' Video iPod in 2006?

[Natron]

I don't think I would care for another iPod with video. Ok, I probably would be interested, but I don't see how a bigger screen would do anything, especially if the resolution is different. If it is, don't all the current videos become obsolete with this new iPod. The only way would be to make the screen bigger, but still be 320x240, and if it's a "true video iPod", then it would be widescreen. It would just suck to have to repurchase all your videos, or reimport from DVD, at least to have them at the best possible quality.

This is not to mention that Steve has said the iPod is about music first. Ok, yea...he could change that at any moment.

Also, I still can't see the Mac mini and the DVR being the same product. It just seems like it would be targeted towards different people. For example, the one thing a good DVR would need is more harddrive space, and I can't see Apple increasing the size of the Mac mini so they can fit a bigger harddrive (3.5"), or more harddrives in for a DVR.

That being said, could this "true video iPod" be the same as a DVR? The best place to watch video is on your TV.

 

[CubaTBird]

apple tends to update their ipods either during the summer or in the early to mid winter months.. so i don't expect an update quite soon.

 

[Porchland]

Maybe Jobs wasn't joking about that huge ass ipod he mentioned in the keynote...

I envision something more along the lines of the current iPod's form factor but with nearly all of the front face as a video display.

Where to put the controls? Jonathan Ive can figure it out!

 

[boombashi]

True video capabilities like what? The current video iPod seems pretty good.

I really only meant a larger high rez screen and possibly higher rez video - I think that is the future, but it could be a while before you can download video from ITMS at DVD or better quality. The iPod video right now is an awesome "ultra" portable video device I'm not knocking it, but I think there is a market for the people that like their 4"-7" portable DVD players...take that screen and add an iPod to it, and you might have something. Some people like the 12" notebooks some like the 17", it's just a matter of how much portability you want or need.

 

[alms]

Actual Video iPod

equals HDTV plus video out.

 

[age234]

I still think they should make some sort of "iPod Duo", basically the shell of a PDA that you slip your iPod into, like the Powerbook Duo of old. It could include a bigger sceen and more apps, and of course, play videos. When you take the iPod out, you go back to the iPod UI, you can still access everything, but in read-only mode. Something like this.

That would be the ultimate, in my opinion.

 

[freeny]

I don't think I would care for another iPod with video. Ok, I probably would be interested, but I don't see how a bigger screen would do anything, especially if the resolution is different. If it is, don't all the current videos become obsolete with this new iPod.

Upgrades like the one you mention with the resolution happen all the time and wouldnt make old video's "obsolete". They would still play. Vinyl to tape, tape to cd, vhs to dvd, dvd to hd, Its just a byproduct of advancing technology. Technology is moving at a much quicker pace these days. As far as my own personal collection of video for the iPod, it would actually be better seeing that I encode to the highest resolution possible. My stuff would look better! Also its not so much the resolution as it is the size of the screen. I would rather "squint" less with a bigger screen.

 

[Doctor Q]

Maybe Jobs wasn't joking about that huge ass ipod he mentioned in the keynote...

The perfect video iPod will have to be stretchable, so you can compress it to a tiny screen or pull it out to a huge size. Because only you can decide on the proper tradeoff between compactness/portability and videoscreen size.

 

[Porchland]

apple tends to update their ipods either during the summer or in the early to mid winter months.. so i don't expect an update quite soon.

Mmmm, not really. I nerdishly keep a spreadsheet for just this sort of thing, and iPod releases have been all over the calendar.

The 1G debuted in October 2001 and refreshed in March 2002.
The 2G debuted in July 2002.
The 3G debuted in April 2003 and refreshed in September 2003.
The 4G debuted in July 2004.
The 5G debuted in October 2005.

The distance between editions of the flagship iPod is 9, 10, 15 and 15 months. With the 5G (video) landing last October, it's only been about four months, but a new video device may be another device rather than the new iPod.

The iPod mini debuted in January 2004.
The iPod shuffle debuted in January 2005.
The iPod nano debuted in September 2005.

September and October are popular because that's when Apple needs to get a product out to get the maxium impact before the Christmas, and January has been popular because of Macworld.

Apple has also made many of its product announcements shortly after the end of a quarter, which, I suspect, is to maximize the impact of the product in the following quarter's earnings and to accurately measure the life cycle of the product by quarter.

I'm thinking announcement of a video device would come around the first of April. Pure speculation.

 

[ksz]

The perfect video iPod will have to be stretchable, so you can compress it to a tiny screen or pull it out to a huge size. Because only you can decide on the proper tradeoff between compactness/portability and videoscreen size.

Last month's issue of PC World or PC Mag (can't remember which) had an image of a rollable OLED screen. The device was either a digital book reader or a digital video player (can't remember which) which rolled up into something resembling a tiny scroll or large pen. To use, you simply unroll the thin OLED sheet and power it on!

If I find it, I'll scan the image.

 

[Porchland]

I think it's be a bad idea. Look at the Archos, it is out for how many years, 4-5? And who cares?!?!
The device gotta do much more than just playing video or music. People won't buy it over a PSP just because it has the Apple logo. Or who knows... 😱

I think the difference is easy availability of good content, ease of transfer to the device and critical mass in the market. Archos doesn't really do any of those.

* iTunes is going to have the content; that is becoming increasingly clear.
* iTunes is also very adept at ease of transfer to devices.
* Apple has shown pretty clearly with iPod that they can push a product to critical mass.

Remember how late Apple was to the MP3 market with the iPod? All the players were small, crappy and there was no market for downloads except Napster and ripping CDs. Things are a little different now.

That's more or less how "Think different" works.

 

[G5Unit]

How about no track wheel? Just make it invisible underneath the white cover stuff! Anyone?

 

[alywa]

Archos

I think it's be a bad idea. Look at the Archos, it is out for how many years, 4-5? And who cares?!?!
The device gotta do much more than just playing video or music. People won't buy it over a PSP just because it has the Apple logo. Or who knows... 😱

Yeah, but you're forgetting that the archos is basically a hard drive with a screen. Yeah, I know it can do DVR functions, but outside of hardcore AV / Computer geeks, that thing just isn't gonna sell.

Now, a vPod integrated with ITMS (iTunes Media Store) is a whole different ballgame. Imagine being able to have a queue of movies (ala netflicks) that will be downloaded to your vPod, suitable for playback on the TV or on the go. That will sell, my friend. In addition, it will do everything the current iPods can, the only downside will be slightly increased size and weight, to counter for the larger screen and battery requirements.

I don't know if I'll get one, but I sure would like to have the option.

-alywa

 

[ITR 81]

I'm thinking announcement of a video device would come around the first of April. Pure speculation.

I was thinking along those same lines around March or April.

But I have a feeling a new iPod Shuffle will make way abit sooner maybe late Feb. or Mar.

 

[iDM]

Anyone interested in a barely used soon to be out-dated iPod 5Gen?

In all honesty you better believe this thing is hitting eBay if these rumors gain more support.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Exactly, look at the Archos 😛


How many video iPods did they sell this holiday season? Nah, people don't want those things 😉 PSP is a much better video playing experience, it's soooo easy to get video on those things and there is so much storage capacity and battery life 😉

Well that's the beauty of it. Apple is force feeding video down people's throat. If you want a large hard drive and no video you can go with. . . . . Ummm someone else I guess.


What I would like to see is a new line of iPods.

(Premium) iPod Video - New form factor. Runs $499-60GB, $599-80GB (Do a limited run on these until its determined if the market really wants them at which point ramp up production. Also do a price break after 6 months.)

(Advanced) iPod with video - Same style as we have now. $299-30GB, $399-60GB
(Standard) iPod Nano - Same style as we have now. $199-4GB, $299-8GB
(Ultra Portable) iPod Shuffle - Slightly longer with Mini LCD. $99-1GB

I think it's be a bad idea. Look at the Archos, it is out for how many years, 4-5? And who cares?!?!
The device gotta do much more than just playing video or music. People won't buy it over a PSP just because it has the Apple logo. Or who knows... 😱

I think it bear repeating that the same could be said of the PMP market until Apple walked in, looked around, and said "Yah I think we can work with this." And the big difference between Apple's offering and Sony's will be umm something around 48GB. I think the max memory stick you can get for the PSP is around 2GB in size. Not including the $200 3rd party addon hard drive that really fattens up the PSP.

Anyone interested in a barely used soon to be out-dated iPod 5Gen?

In all honesty you better believe this thing is hitting eBay if these rumors gain more support.

Honestly. I'm prob going to keep my iPod Photo and use it next to an iPod Video. Mainly because I expect anything that comes out that is a true iPod Video to change form factors at least a bit which would make my inMotion iM7 less then useful. So until I fill up the remaining 11GB of free space on my 60GB I'll prob hang onto this sucker. I've got too much invested in accessories to jump form factors cold turkey.

 

[revfife]

If they release anything (which I doubt right now because of Jobs current commitment to the mac) it will be in addition to the current ipod lines. I could see them rotating the screen to make it true widescreen format.

 

[freeny]

Anyone interested in a barely used soon to be out-dated iPod 5Gen?

In all honesty you better believe this thing is hitting eBay if these rumors gain more support.

Me too! comes with "Invisable Shield" already applied!
Will throw in the case I bought along with all the porn still on it.

 

[nagromme]

Apple was smart to ease into this market (practically a NON-market previously) by offering video as a "take it or leave it" extra in the MUSIC iPod. While offering video content for sale that people can just play on computer or TV as well.

In doing so, have they sparked a broad market for the "real thing," better for video but less portable? Would such a thing actually sell in large quantities now? It's possible, although I think most consumers would still want music and portability first and foremost--and the compact iPods we have today can still send video to TV.

We know video sales have taken off more than expected on iTunes. What I'd be curious to know is, what percentage of the videos sold on iTunes are viewed just on the computer (or output to TV from computer or iPod)? And what percentage are viewed directly on iPod screens?

That would be a clue to the demand for a less-portable iPod with a bigger built-in screen.

What I really HOPE demand exists for (and someday it will, as the Mac platform grows) is a pocketable OS X machine. Something good enough for casual use so you have SOMETHING able to access your stuff when you haven't lugged your laptop along. And yet able to do serious work (at reduced speed) when you attach whatever display and keyboard are handy.

 

[bigandy]

True, but if Apple comes out with a 4" sceen iPod with a 60GB hard drive and decent battery life, the PSP will appear a lot less attractive as a video player...it also has a lot to do with the ease of use of the iPod, and it's integration with iTunes.

the PSP is attractive as a video player?

huh, that's a new one on me...

 

[bigandy]

I think the max memory stick you can get for the PSP is around 2GB in size.

4Gb is the biggest MS Pro Duo now, but not sure if the PSP supports it...

 

[Doozy]

I actually think the video pod is a good idea. When the current ipod came out I thought i would never use the video function, I was wrong. I watch video on my ipod reguarlly at the gym while working out. In fact there are about three regulars who go to the gym and also watch video on their ipod.

If I am not watching video I am listening to a podcast. Right now I wish there were more quality video podcasts, but this will eventually happen.

Here's to 2006. Can't wait to see what apple has come up with.

 

[SiliconAddict]

the PSP is attractive as a video player?

huh, that's a new one on me...

It actually is. The screen is beautiful. Add a 60GB hard drive to the thing and I would be all over it like a 40 year old virgin on . . . never mind. 😀

4Gb is the biggest MS Pro Duo now, but not sure if the PSP supports it...

Huh. Learn something new every day. 🙂

 

[iDM]

Me too! comes with "Invisable Shield" already applied!
Will throw in the case I bought along with all the porn still on it.

I have an invisible shield as well that I applied within seconds of taking off the plastic wrap. This iPod has only been exposed to the elements for about five minutes.

 

[shadowmoses]

4Gb is the biggest MS Pro Duo now, but not sure if the PSP supports it...

That must cost bucket loads, i'm sure the PSP supports it though....

Anyway back to the topic, a proper video iPod is inevitable, and if they manage to relase a widescreen video music player that is still pocketable with a large hard drive i guarentee it will fly off the shelves especially if they introduce video content outside of the USA...

Shadow