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Apple to Unveil New Flash-based iPods? Digital Radio?
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The one and only feature I'd like to see in the new iPod is the ability to play music wirelessly to nearby speakers. Bluetooth or whatever. This would be excellent for using it in a car. Imagine getting into your car and never taking the iPod out of your pocket. It syncs up with the car's Bluetooth-capable stereo and begins playing. And of course like my iPod-compatible JVC stereo, it should also show track info on the car's display and use the car's buttons to control the iPod.
We just bought a new car the other day with one of those "intelligent key" systems - you open the door and turn on the car without ever touching the key or taking it out of your pocket. It just has to be on your person. Really convenient. That reminded me of the upcoming iPod refresh. I believe the technology is there to do this now. It would be excellent to see it happen in this coming generation, or hopefully no later than the one after it. Are you "listening," Apple?
We just bought a new car the other day with one of those "intelligent key" systems - you open the door and turn on the car without ever touching the key or taking it out of your pocket. It just has to be on your person. Really convenient. That reminded me of the upcoming iPod refresh. I believe the technology is there to do this now. It would be excellent to see it happen in this coming generation, or hopefully no later than the one after it. Are you "listening," Apple?
Flash based storage = battery life. Radio why I can still remember radio. Used to listen to it back in the day.
Or what about something like an FM transmitter. Just something simple that could be useful!
This could be an all Flash based line up
I mentioned this in an earlier post. At the last conference call where Apple gave, once again, conservative guidance, the reason cited was that the company was introducing "transition" products. My guess at that time, and now is that it means transitioning to all flash based product line, even if the capacity is only 16, possibly 32 GB of storage. This may result in lower margins for Apple as well as a loss in sales to those wanting more capacity, hence the caution if forecasting the quarter. There may be one top end HD model in the $399 to $449 price range. If there is, it will likely be the last one.
I mentioned this in an earlier post. At the last conference call where Apple gave, once again, conservative guidance, the reason cited was that the company was introducing "transition" products. My guess at that time, and now is that it means transitioning to all flash based product line, even if the capacity is only 16, possibly 32 GB of storage. This may result in lower margins for Apple as well as a loss in sales to those wanting more capacity, hence the caution if forecasting the quarter. There may be one top end HD model in the $399 to $449 price range. If there is, it will likely be the last one.
All of those hard-working engineers and factory personnel in China must be heartbroken to have lost this contract to Tawiwan.
How many more people are going to completely misunderstand/misread this post?
If they're moving to flash then I'll be waiting for the price on flash to come down and a REAL iPod to come out next year or the year after. I want 100+ gigs of storage, not 30 or 60. I have a 30 gig iPod Photo already and there's no reason for me to upgrade to something that doesn't offer me the ability to put a ton of music and movies on the device. Flash is currently way too expensive per gig vs. what hard drive offers.
I still refuse to believe the "all flash storage" thing. It'd be a big step down in terms of storage, half their entire customer base would be pissed off. Either that or they'd somehow manage an 80GB flash (an industry first), and it'd cost an absolute fortune.
Radio/Buy-Now I can sort of believe, but not actual radio in terms of HD Radio (which would piss off the Europeans) or DAB Radio (which would piss off the Americans) or a combo (which would complicate the device and be difficult to manufacture). Internet Radio, i.e. live podcasts over Wifi? Yes, absolutely. I've seen and used desk-based Wifi internet radios and they're brilliant - a handheld one would rock bigtime. Then a buy-it-now button which lets you buy the song currently playing on the podcast and download it straight to the iPod (assuming the station supports it?) Certainly, great idea.
Whether they do a phoneless iPhone... well, we'll see. I still think that yes, there's enough demand for them to do one, at a high price so that it doesn't interfere with iPhone profits.
Radio/Buy-Now I can sort of believe, but not actual radio in terms of HD Radio (which would piss off the Europeans) or DAB Radio (which would piss off the Americans) or a combo (which would complicate the device and be difficult to manufacture). Internet Radio, i.e. live podcasts over Wifi? Yes, absolutely. I've seen and used desk-based Wifi internet radios and they're brilliant - a handheld one would rock bigtime. Then a buy-it-now button which lets you buy the song currently playing on the podcast and download it straight to the iPod (assuming the station supports it?) Certainly, great idea.
Whether they do a phoneless iPhone... well, we'll see. I still think that yes, there's enough demand for them to do one, at a high price so that it doesn't interfere with iPhone profits.
I could see all of the models going to flash but Apple leaving the current iPods available for those who want a ton of space (at least for a while.)
16GB Touch - $299
32GB Touch - $399
60GB Video - $299
120GB Video - $399
16GB Touch - $299
32GB Touch - $399
60GB Video - $299
120GB Video - $399
I would be very surprised if Apple put flash memory in the iPod video (IE: The high-end iPod). A 64gb SSD retails for $1300 on Newegg... a 32gb SSD retails for at least $400... putting anything less than 32gb in the new iPod would be a step down from what they currently offer.
A 32gb SSD MIGHT be possible on the lowest level iPod video... just because it would obviously be cheaper for Apple if they were to buy in mass quantities. However, Apple's not going to ditch the large part of their market that is looking forward to a >80gb iPod. In my opinion, anyways.
Actually I thought the theory of four new iPod models had some serious merit. Possibly the iPod Touch, the iPod Video ("fatpod"), an ipod similar to the current nano aimed at the fitness market, and something equivalent to the ipod shuffle. We'll see on Wednesday I guess.
A 32gb SSD MIGHT be possible on the lowest level iPod video... just because it would obviously be cheaper for Apple if they were to buy in mass quantities. However, Apple's not going to ditch the large part of their market that is looking forward to a >80gb iPod. In my opinion, anyways.
Actually I thought the theory of four new iPod models had some serious merit. Possibly the iPod Touch, the iPod Video ("fatpod"), an ipod similar to the current nano aimed at the fitness market, and something equivalent to the ipod shuffle. We'll see on Wednesday I guess.
Are you on crack? iPod is for media, iPhone is for communication.
You think the only thing people are paying extra for in the iPhone is the cell phone capability? Of course not. People paying the premium for an iPhone are buying it for the cell phone capabilities and the internet capabilities like web browsing and email, etc. For the next couple of years there's absolutely no chance that Apple will be releasing an iPod that can do general internet duties.
While I would love to have a full iPhone without the cellphone part, I agree with motulist. Apple has generally done a pretty good job of differentiating product groups. Apple probably doesn't want to blur the lines too much between the iPhone and the iPod.
DAB implimentation...
...could be really interesting. Much more choice for the user than across traditional FM/AM services (in the UK at least). If the iTunes store tie-in is tidily done (i.e. download a song immediately if connected to WLAN, or to queue and download at first available opportunity either on connection to WLAN or on syncing with Mac), then this could be rocket-fuel for iTunes music sales.
If the DAB stuff is intended to encourage iTunes music sales then we will at some stage, although possibly not on the 5th, see this trickle down into the Nano.
To offer DAB functionality could also be a sweetener to offset the smaller storage capacities if the anticipated transition to NAND Flash does transpire.
...could be really interesting. Much more choice for the user than across traditional FM/AM services (in the UK at least). If the iTunes store tie-in is tidily done (i.e. download a song immediately if connected to WLAN, or to queue and download at first available opportunity either on connection to WLAN or on syncing with Mac), then this could be rocket-fuel for iTunes music sales.
If the DAB stuff is intended to encourage iTunes music sales then we will at some stage, although possibly not on the 5th, see this trickle down into the Nano.
To offer DAB functionality could also be a sweetener to offset the smaller storage capacities if the anticipated transition to NAND Flash does transpire.
You're probably right (for now). Don't be surprised to see Apple implement something from the Cisco settlement in a future handheld. VOIP on a wifi enabled handheld could be very compelling.
I want to upgrade but not if they use flash memory. With the push of Apple towards T.V. shows and movies, I need a lot of space. I am hoping for at least 160gb maybe even 300gb of space.
I'm sure this has been discussed, but does anyone know what portion of total iPod sales are represented by the 80 gb models? My guess is it is pretty small compared to the Nano/Mini/Shuffle and even 30 gb models. They could keep something in the 80 or even 120 gb range in a 5.5 model with the new touch at a max of 32gb and still sell a ton...until the shear numbers drive flash prices down further.
I'd predict a hybrid. Flash drives aren't large enough and hard drives are too slow, so why not a small flash drive, maybe 128mb, for system software, and a hard drive for media storage. It would be a lot better - no waiting to boot from the hard drive, and it only spins up to play media, not when it's using other apps like iCal, Address Book, etc.
Bluetooth for cellphone integration?
I saw a media player the other day that had bluetooth, so when you got a call on your cellphone you could leave the cellphone in your pocket and answer it via your media player.
While I doubt that Apple would do this (because it blurs the line between iPod and iPhone), I think it would be a nice feature: a wide-screen, touch-screen video iPod that can make/receive calls through your existing cellphone via bluetooth.
I saw a media player the other day that had bluetooth, so when you got a call on your cellphone you could leave the cellphone in your pocket and answer it via your media player.
While I doubt that Apple would do this (because it blurs the line between iPod and iPhone), I think it would be a nice feature: a wide-screen, touch-screen video iPod that can make/receive calls through your existing cellphone via bluetooth.
I think their non-competition clause with AT&T will prevent us from seeing any Apple VOIP handhelds anytime in the next few years.
300 gb would be approximately a 380% increase in storage capacity over the current high end iPod's capacity right now. I don't think the max iPod capacity has ever jumped up more than about 200 something %. So don't hold your breath.
What about this.........
A 32g flash version promoting a slimmer profile and longer battery life
And a 100+ hdd based for more storage.... at the same price of say.. $399?
The cost of making either would have to be similar and it gives consumers an option based on their needs.
A 32g flash version promoting a slimmer profile and longer battery life
And a 100+ hdd based for more storage.... at the same price of say.. $399?
The cost of making either would have to be similar and it gives consumers an option based on their needs.