Apple Music Event Sept. 7

[Lepton]

Look at the Moto 680i

I urge you to look very closely at the Motorola 680i phone, here is a link.

Stereo surround speakers. Stereo Bluetooth. Up to 2GB. 320x240 screen. Portrait and Landscape modes. MPEG4 for playing those music videos and news shorts you'll be getting from iTMS. FM radio. Fast transfer to a PC. GSM. MP3. Java. MIDI. Linux based. Sleek. Simple controls. Silvery white. $350. Already in production but not for sale in the USA... yet.

 

[agentkow]

Could something bigger and better than "1000 songs in you pocket" be "Your whole life in your pocket" and this be the long fabled introduction Home on iPod ?

Maybe they are going to announce new iPods and stuff, but then also this software to keep your home account from your Mac on your iPod so it is with you wherever you go: music, photos, movies, documents, applications, games, fonts, everything!

I don't know, just a thought...

 

[susannahyork]

logic

that a video ipod is going to be released on the seventh i cannot say. but logic tells me that if it is possible for apple to release one they must. at some point in the future video will be standard on portable devices, and it already is to some extent. for apple and the ipod to remain at the forefront of portable electronics they have to be the first to release a video device so that the ipod name remains synonymous with portable media. if apple waits to release a video ipod for practicality reasons some other company will beat them to the market place, and apple will lose the very important brand name that they have created.

apple should release the ability to play video on the ipod even if it isn't completley practical now, they will still sell ipods as music players. having the ability to play video will only put the idea of apple and portable video into the consumers mind.

apple must beget the video ipod.

 

[AoWolf]

that a video ipod is going to be released on the seventh i cannot say. but logic tells me that if it is possible for apple to release one they must. at some point in the future video will be standard on portable devices, and it already is to some extent. for apple and the ipod to remain at the forefront of portable electronics they have to be the first to release a video device so that the ipod name remains synonymous with portable media. if apple waits to release a video ipod for practicality reasons some other company will beat them to the market place, and apple will lose the very important brand name that they have created.

apple should release the ability to play video on the ipod even if it isn't completley practical now, they will still sell ipods as music players. having the ability to play video will only put the idea of apple and portable video into the consumers mind.

apple must beget the video ipod.

There are already several HD music/video players. I just know I don't want to watch video on such a small screen. Maybe a video out.

 

[Kobushi]

Forget all this "New iPod" and "iPhone" and "Here we go again" crap

I wanna see what those sexy denim jeans look like!

Apple Jeans (Yes they come in white)

As long as there not those translucent colors that the original iMacs came in. I doh wanna see how much change is in someone's pockets....amongst other things.

 

[Kobushi]

what family guy is that from???

"Fifteen Minutes of Shame" (season 2)

 

[oskar]

I believe that you are on to something here with your comments.

1. Lets see the shuffle has no screen, however its flash based storage.

2. The mini is HD based with a screen and larger than the shuffle.

Rather than have a colour screen on the mini and try to put a screen on the shuffle, let merge both the product lines mini and shuffle.

Now this seems like something more likely. What I think we do need to see soon in iPods is bluetooth. I don't know how much slower it is than using a FireWire cable, but it would come in very handy at times. The iBooks, PowerBooks, and iMac all have standard Bluetooth built in. The middle and highest priced Mac minis, have bluetooth as well. Maybe wireless is the way this is going. I recall Apple patenting the technology some months ago.

 

[madmaxmedia]

I think that a video capable iPod will show up eventually, but I don't think the time is right for it now. Why? Because it would likely be a $499+ item. Remember how Apple got bit by the original iPod photo? They didn't sell too well. I think Apple is preparing for a big holiday season and a $499 iPod has already proven to be a slow seller. Maybe the video iPod will hit at Macworld SF, but I don't think it will hit before then. No, Apple wants a BIG holiday season and $499+ is just too expensive.

Adding video capability to existing color iPods won't cost Apple too much in terms of COGS (actual cost of the product.) They will introduce the iPod Video with a similar strategy as the original Photo, but at a more reasonable price point. $499 sounds about right, as that's the existing price of the largest iPod.

In this way Apple can make a splash but not increase price points. Later, video capability will trickle down to lower-priced iPods.

But I am pretty sure this event will be for the phone, as well as perhaps a flash iPod.

 

[jinzo012]

, as well as perhaps a flash iPod.

Dunno if your new to this "Apple" phenomena but we already got a flash iPod

 

[hyperpasta]

Dunno if your new to this "Apple" phenomena but we already got a flash iPod

I think he means an iPod slim - mini size form factor, holds 500 songs, .5 cm thick.

 

[Flux Harmonic]

If you look at the invite to the event, it basically says that they are going to introduce something huge, something new. I am hereby wagering that whatever it is that's announced on the 7th, it's something that no one has really thought of here, or anywhere else for that matter. Except within the confines of the Apple facility of course.

 

[berkleeboy210]

If you look at the invite to the event, it basically says that they are going to introduce something huge, something new. I am hereby wagering that whatever it is that's announced on the 7th, it's something that no one has really thought of here, or anywhere else for that matter. Except within the confines of the Apple facility of course.

Good Point.

We already know about the phone, that's not a secret. Apple likes to keep things underwraps.

 

[Flying Llama]

I found it, I found it!!!:

Sources report that on Sept. 7, 2005, Apple will change the world by introducing the iPod shuffle A/V. And not just any video, in High Definition, 1080p. Steve Jobs, Apple CEO and founder has said himself that this is the year of HD, and studies have shown that most people enjoy HD because they know its HD. It's all in the head, so no screen needed.

llama

 

[talksalot81]

This has been mentioned before, but in reality a video device isnt half as ground breaking as the original audio. Audio you can use anywhere anytime, you can be skiing, writing an essay or flying the space shuttle and still use it, a video device you cant. While the appeal of a video pod may seem enormous, i think time will show that they arent all that. Most people will quickly find that they either end up watching a movie in little parts (and hence not enjoy the movie) or they will have to set asside a longer time to use it (in which case they will probably decide that they might as well be watching it on a big screen!).

My personal preference is to watch movies on a larger and larger scale.... why would i want to spend a load of money on a small device?

 

[madmaxmedia]

This has been mentioned before, but in reality a video device isnt half as ground breaking as the original audio. Audio you can use anywhere anytime, you can be skiing, writing an essay or flying the space shuttle and still use it, a video device you cant. While the appeal of a video pod may seem enormous, i think time will show that they arent all that. Most people will quickly find that they either end up watching a movie in little parts (and hence not enjoy the movie) or they will have to set asside a longer time to use it (in which case they will probably decide that they might as well be watching it on a big screen!).

My personal preference is to watch movies on a larger and larger scale.... why would i want to spend a load of money on a small device?

When video playback basically comes for free with an iPod, just like photo ability is now on all iPods...

(I don't disagree video is not as big an application, but almost no one is saying that it is.)

 

[Analog Kid]

I don't know how much slower it is than using a FireWire cable, but it would come in very handy at times.

FW/BT2=400/3

You'll want to cable to transfer data, but that should be more than enough for streaming stereo audio.

Worst case CD audio is something like 44000*16*2=1.4Mbps if the receiving end is nothing more than a D/A and a speaker.

Someone who knows more about CD audio is due to smack me at T minus...

 

[Analog Kid]

[I haven't read all 400 earlier posts.]

I hope we get more than a phone, but we need to remember that this event is Apple's not ours.

Even some music executives who favor altering the iTunes service doubt that they will be able to force Mr. Jobs' hand by withholding their music. Instead, they are counting the months until the major wireless phone carriers enter the business of selling songs to mobile phone customers. Since there are many more mobile phones in use than there are iPods, the industry thinking goes, the arrival of a broad mobile music market will erode the leverage Mr. Jobs now holds.

If the industry is waiting for the mobile phone business to break the iPod, then I think a major announcement saying "them is us" would do Apple some good.

 

[TobyM]

what do you guys think of the possibility of adding video ability to the current color ipods, just with a new software?

of course, that would decrease the sells of a new video ipod (if they release one), but also increase the number of possible video or movie customers, if there is some kind of movie/media store. hard to do the math here, if it would be profitable for apple.
on the other hand, they didnt even allow the 4gs with b/w-screen to work with the camera connector

maybe some kind of limited video feature that could be unlocked with new software. the new ipod shouldnt interfere too much with the older units, so that theres still a big incentive for buying the new ipod.

 

[nomad01]

The jeans make me curious as it matches the current iTunes/Gap "favorite song" promotion.

Hey... so maybe it's iJeans??? With a touch sensitive crotch that you have to rub when you need to skip a song or adjust the volume.

Thousands of people with white earbuds, touching themselves inappropriately!

How cool would that be.

Steve

 

[irock]

This has been mentioned before, but in reality a video device isnt half as ground breaking as the original audio. Audio you can use anywhere anytime, you can be skiing, writing an essay or flying the space shuttle and still use it, a video device you cant. While the appeal of a video pod may seem enormous, i think time will show that they arent all that. Most people will quickly find that they either end up watching a movie in little parts (and hence not enjoy the movie) or they will have to set asside a longer time to use it (in which case they will probably decide that they might as well be watching it on a big screen!).

My personal preference is to watch movies on a larger and larger scale.... why would i want to spend a load of money on a small device?

I agree with you that movies should be enjoyed on larger screen.

But my idea of using a video ipod is to have the latest movies trailers, all kinds of video news (CNN, MSNBC, etc.), recorded TV shows on the go.

Usually, when my dad asked me what movies are good, I don't know what to tell him. But if I have a bunch of movie trailers, I can show him the stuff during dinner. That could be useful when we are dining out.

As for news, I spend a lot of time in the subway, 3G in HK SUCKS a$$. Th phone carrier should be shot in the spot at once! The video quality sux, the rate sux. I would rather have pre-downloaded H.264 news clips during those times.

I also watch a lot of Discovery military shows, but didn't find the time to enjoy them. With video iPod, I can repeat playback since a lot of scenes are breathtaking, not to mention showing off to friends the firepower of almighty Bush arsenal.

So, 20GB for 10 Discovery shows; 3GB for movie trailers; 1GB for news; rest are reserved for songs & photos. I think 40GB will suffice.

I take it not everyone uses the same way as I do... since a lot of folks here talk about movie exclusively.

There's some use of FireWire 800 afterall...

 

[talksalot81]

I guess, as shown, there are bound to be those interested in videos for whatever reason. I just have a feeling that the bulk of people will quickly get bored with it.

If video on the go really was so hot, why are people not more interested in ultraportable laptops? They are much much more versatile than any video ipod could be..... admittedly they are bigger, but i personally think anything less than about a 10" screen would give me a headache if i tried concentrating on it for any length of time.

Time will tell on this one i guess

 

[Alasta]

I've always believed that the next significant feature to be added to the iPod would be Wifi capability, which would allow downloads from the iTunes music store from any Wifi hotspot.

If speculation is correct about the iPod video being released next week, I'd like to see Wifi support and a cut-down version of Safari and Mail included. I see it being more than just a video player but, rather, a portable media device. A next generation Newton, as it were.

 

[irock]

I guess, as shown, there are bound to be those interested in videos for whatever reason. I just have a feeling that the bulk of people will quickly get bored with it.

If video on the go really was so hot, why are people not more interested in ultraportable laptops? They are much much more versatile than any video ipod could be..... admittedly they are bigger, but i personally think anything less than about a 10" screen would give me a headache if i tried concentrating on it for any length of time.

Time will tell on this one i guess

Personally, ultraportable computers are way too fragile... I bring my iPod around b/c of it's solid build. Or at least it feels very solid. Ultra portable would be too expensive too. I think you should ask why people are not more interested in offerings from Archos AV-series. I too would get one of those if it offers downloadable content from major video content providers.

Regardless, trying to satisfy consumers' different needs of a video ipod seems to be more difficult than a music iPod. Full length movies, Movie trailers, Downlodable news, Cartoons, P0rn, VideoPodCast...

But I seriously doubt Apple will make a video iPod at this time.. but I do think Apple will debut a limited H.264 playback capability on iPod 5th in the same form factor just to get feedback from analysts and consumers. Jobs doesn't have to make a big splash on this during the keynote... in fact, it's only a bonus feature anyway.

Steve would announce, "okay, now iPod lets you playback H.264 MTV and movie trailers available from iTunes 5... now onto the next thing..."

If popularity surges during the first 6 months, new content will be introduced, and Apple may reconsider rolling out a dedciated video device with a larger screen.

The least it can do is to stop all the video ipod rumors... for a while...

 

[TobyM]

i dont think apple would go the "little step" now and then release the real ipod video in a few months.
that would make the third ipod release in a little more than a half year, and would definitely annoy the buyers.

some people already thought the ipod merge in july was the 5th generation. if there are new ipod on 7th september, just 2 months after that, and then again new ipods some months after that...that would be annoying.

no, if theres a new ipod in a week or at paris expo or even later, it should "last" for a year like the previous generations.
everything else would be unfair for the customers.

 

[Hattig]

I normally prefer to lurk, but I feel the need to say something here only because I think many here may be missing the obvious.

I think that a video capable iPod will show up eventually, but I don't think the time is right for it now. Why? Because it would likely be a $499+ item. Remember how Apple got bit by the original iPod photo? They didn't sell too well. I think Apple is preparing for a big holiday season and a $499 iPod has already proven to be a slow seller. Maybe the video iPod will hit at Macworld SF, but I don't think it will hit before then. No, Apple wants a BIG holiday season and $499+ is just too expensive.

The major cost aspect of the iPod is the hard drive.

The PP5022 will be a really cheap aspect, in fact the iPod Mini uses it already. So apart from that, it is firmware support for videos and software support in iTunes and iTMS.

$499 music players are boutique. So are $499 graphics cards and so on. They exist to make the $299 product look like good value, for marketing, and so on. I don't see why Apple won't move the entire (20GB, 40GB, 80GB) iPod line across to the PP5022, the same firmware, etc. That means $299 iPod Videos in theory - although these will only hold 1000 music videos at around 640x360 resolution, which isn't quite broadcast resolution, but compared to digital music television channels it will still look a lot better.