Apple to Unveil New Flash-based iPods? Digital Radio?

[Jensen]

I would be all over a 32gb flash ipod touch, but I think Apple would need some serious skills to be able to afford to put a 32gb NAND into an ipod costing less than $500.

A 16GB Compact Flash card is $128 at newegg.com. I'm pretty sure Apple could get twice as memory for the same price. I recently bought a 4GB USB drive for $16.

They could make a Flash iPod that is in between the sizes of the current Nano and Video iPods. They could charge $249 for the 16GB version, and $349 for the 32GB version.

$349 for a 120GB or 160GB HD iPod.

 

[rbroady]

Jesus H! That would be freakin cool!

Just imagine it, when you sync your iPod with your home Mac's iTunes, it also transfers the entire list of songs in your home Mac's library. Then, like normal, you drag over the songs that you want to always be on your iPod.

When your iPod has no wifi signal you'll see the songs loaded on your iPod in normal black letters, and the songs that are not currently on the iPod will be greyed out. Then when you get a wifi signal, at work or wherever, suddenly you'll see available ALL the songs in your entire home iTunes library! The songs that are not loaded on the ipod but available over wifi will be listed with a slightly different color and when you hit play on one of those songs there'll be a second or two buffering and then your song sitting on your home computer will start playing on your iPod at work!

Freaking cool!

yea, it just makes sense, its apple best way to delve into flash based ipod's...

it would actually solve so many problems and would truly be the ultimate music collection on the go, i am reeaaalllllyyy hoping for this.

its geniuse if they did that

 

[sblasl]

Safari & Mail is the "internet communicator". YouTube is more part of the iPod family IMHO. It is video after all. Apple & YouTube have revenue sharing agreements as it relates to YouTube, they would stand to make the most with YouTube being on an iPod.

Definitely NO youTube. When the iPhone was introduced, it was shown in the keynote as 3 separate devices merged into one; an iPod, a Phone, and an internet communicator. YouTube is part of the third, hence you won't see it in an iPod.

 

[mackiwi]

bigger shuffle, fat nano, ipod touch, video ipod EOL, Touchscreen games, movie rental

Predictions:

1. Bigger shuffles.

2. Fat nanos (with a new name)

3. ipod touchscreen (8,16 & 32 gig models)

4. Current 5.5g will go end of line but will still be available until stocks dry up. (Nobody i know has ever purchased the high capacity version - everyone has nanos or 30gig video ipods)

5. Big launch for Touchscreen games for new ipod touch & iphone - could be VERY interesting. Why no iphone games yet from apple? they were waiting on the new ipod.

6. Movie rentals???? their time has finally come.

7. And lastly, of course the beatles. maybe Merlin Manns joke about the yellow submarine ipod Touch will finally be a reality. Both ipod touch & beatles anouncements on same day so you never know... (maybe two models in different colours, Yellow submarine & strawberry fields). I would buy one in a heartbeat.

Thoughts???

 

[MacFly123]

Direct wifi connection from anywhere to your home computer would be sick.

Say you forgot to update a few things, go to a wi-fi hotspot, and you can update it from your computer at home, its almost like you have all your music with you.

Just give and take what you want as long as your receiving wi-fi, this almost goes hand in hand with the new direct-link to your computer capabilities on leopard

and if you have this option, whats the need for high capacity ipods? flash will do you perfectly as long as you can swap your music anytime you want.

Now that would be sweet

 

[nemaslov]

Predictions:

1. Bigger shuffles.

2. Fat nanos (with a new name)

3. ipod touchscreen (8,16 & 32 gig models)

4. Current 5.5g will go end of line but will still be available until stocks dry up. (Nobody i know has ever purchased the high capacity version - everyone has nanos or 30gig video ipods)

5. Big launch for Touchscreen games for new ipod touch & iphone - could be VERY interesting. Why no iphone games yet from apple? they were waiting on the new ipod.

6. Movie rentals???? their time has finally come.

7. And lastly, of course the beatles. maybe Merlin Manns joke about the yellow submarine ipod Touch will finally be a reality. Both ipod touch & beatles anouncements on same day so you never know... (maybe two models in different colours, Yellow submarine & strawberry fields). I would buy one in a heartbeat.

Thoughts???

THOUGHTS? YES:
I NEED 120GB OR MORE. THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT THERE.

 

[MacFly123]

Lol

Your wrong

LOL, ok cool, I can accept that if you would like to elaborate

 

[currentinterest]

Expectations a little too lofty?

Though I believe that we will see the new iPods as described, except of cover flow, they will not be so very different in function than current ones with video. If there is WiFi on some, then it will be restricted to iTunes Music Store, perhaps some form of Radio, and YouTube. They will not be a remote control for Apple TV or allow iTunes access at a distance, nor will they have web browsers and email. It is also doubtful there will be 32 GB iPods, but that is a possibility. If Apple does announce 16 or 32 GB iPods, the same capacity iPhone won't be far behind.

The more I think about it there will be four iPods:

Shuffle
Nano video
iPod (video) with 120 GB HD new nano-like enclosure
iPod Touch with WiFi, radio, etc. and 16 or 32 GB NAND Flash

What I am hoping for is HD Movie Rental via Apple TV.

 

[Richard Jones]

Yeah, Apple will have a 120GB widescreen iPod. They would have to have gone retarded to not have that product available.

 

[mackiwi]

THOUGHTS? YES:
I NEED 120GB OR MORE. THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT THERE.

I don't doubt that there are people out there who want higher capacity, and I wonder how many? It would be really interesting to see an estimate somewhere of the numbers.

Im guessing apple has run the numbers and figures they can probably gain more from luring some of the majority who buy nanos to buy the new and more expensive ipodtouch than they would lose from those needing the HDD capacity (who will probably buy the ipodtouch eventually anyway because - its so awesome).

 

[currentinterest]

The HDD iPod, if there is one, may not be widescreen.

I had a 60 GB 5G iPod, got an iPhone 8GB and found I didn't need the 60 GB. Syncing and exchanging content has proved to be so simple that I gave my 60 GB iPod away.

 

[Richard Jones]

The HDD iPod, if there is one, may not be widescreen.

I had a 60 GB 5G iPod, got an iPhone 8GB and found I didn't need the 60 GB. Syncing and exchanging content has proved to be so simple that I gave my 60 GB iPod away.

If Apple updates the iPhone with 16GB of storage on wednesday, i'll probably buy that in that case.

However, Apple will definitely have a hard drive based widescreen iPod.

 

[tmornini]

How many people on here agree with me that any radio feature on the iPod is the stupidest, most worthless feature ever???

It's really useful to people who frequent gyms.

Many of them have TVs playing that you can tune into via FM to hear the TV sound.

My wife works out daily, and this is the *only* thing she'd like to be added to her iPod. She generally listens to her music, but once in a while something interesting is on the TV, and she'd like to be able to tune in...

 

[nemaslov]

I don't doubt that there are people out there who want higher capacity, and I wonder how many? It would be really interesting to see an estimate somewhere of the numbers.

Im guessing apple has run the numbers and figures they can probably gain more from luring some of the majority who buy nanos to buy the new and more expensive ipodtouch than they would lose from those needing the HDD capacity (who will probably buy the ipodtouch eventually anyway because - its so awesome).

Well I assume alot of 80GB pods have sold. Granted not like shuffles and nanos but there is a market for that high end. For more songs and video AND there are many who burn lossless for the quality and actually need a higher capacity pod. It is like iMacs vs. MAC towers. They sell much more iMacs but they keep the high market too for those whose needs are bigger, faster better.

 

[mackiwi]

If Apple updates the iPhone with 16GB of storage on wednesday, i'll probably buy that in that case.

However, Apple will definitely have a hard drive based widescreen iPod.

I don't see apple making the iPodTouch in a HDD version. I cant see them having both a flash based version and HDD version, the difference in thickness and weight would be two much. Plus the battery life would be much worse.

Plus the repair costs for the inevitable faulty hard drives in those tens of millions of ipodTouchs sold this xmas will be something apple will not want.

Face it - the HDD based ipod is dead. D. E. A. D.

Of course i will look like a complete turd tomorrow when Steve Jobs walks on stage to say "FLASH IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE HARD DRIVE!"

 

[tmornini]

AND once and for all will you people freaking realize how stupid it is to expect a phoneless iPhone???

I think that at least some of the new iPods will have WiFi, as this allows a *massive* social attack on the digital living room. Show up at a friends house and be able to play music and video for them without plugging in!

I'd be *amazed* if they didn't include Safari. iPods with Safari would substantially boost Safari's market share, and make it *the* mobile browser.

 

[coryetzkorn]

A 32Gb flash iPod would be perfect. I really hope Apple makes the call to switch to flash. I am out of space on my current 30Gb 5G, but i can handle having to manage my library a bit more in exchange for the many benefits of flash. I really want safari, but WIFI alone would be acceptable. Give me coverflow, PDA features, and some cool stuff that even the iPhone doesn't have yet, and I will be more than satified. I plan on paying $499, but $399 would be the ideal price IMO.

I think they will release a 16 + 32Gb touch. They will update the current ipods with larger hard drives and a new look (most likely aluminum) for those who can't seem to manage their media.

I think everyone needs to remember back to just a couple of years ago when people were extremely happy with 128mb MP3 players that cost a fortune.
We are too spoiled and flash is the future.

 

[Cloudane]

iPod (video) with 120 GB HD new nano-like enclosure
iPod Touch with WiFi, radio, etc. and 16 or 32 GB NAND Flash

An interesting theory, and one that also crossed my mind.

Want more storage? Either learn to be more selective with your songs, or sacrifice the special features and get the traditional model.

This 'iPod Touch' doesn't necessarily have to be the top of the range beastie, it could easily sit beside traditional models.

However, that would make it even *more* like the iPhone............

 

[Richard Jones]

An interesting theory, and one that also crossed my mind.

Want more storage? Either learn to be more selective with your songs, or sacrifice the special features and get the traditional model.

This 'iPod Touch' doesn't necessarily have to be the top of the range beastie, it could easily sit beside traditional models.

However, that would make it even *more* like the iPhone............

16GB and 32GB sizes will make it too close to the iPhone. If they did that, they'd just ditch the new iPod, and release new iPhones with those capacities.

 

[mackiwi]

16GB and 32GB sizes will make it too close to the iPhone. If they did that, they'd just ditch the new iPod, and release new iPhones with those capacities.

I think Cloudane makes an interesting point about the ipodtouch not being the 'beastie' of the ipod line. I'm not sure apple would want more than 3 ipod lines and the iphone though. Plus, once people see the iPod Touch, I'm sure they would have to be a bit retarded to buy a current video ipod just because the hard drive is bigger than the flash based iPod Touch.

Your comment about the ipod being too close to the iphone I dont agree with at all. Why? A lot of people a locked into phone contracts for a long time, they cant just go out and buy an iphone (which is pretty expensive also - i am sure the low end iPod Touch will be a fair bit cheaper than the 4gig iphone). Also more ipods are sold worldwide than in th US - so start thinking anout the rest of the world who dont have an option to buy an iphone. And people might be happy with their current phone.

final point to the iphone cannibalisation camp of people - do you think apples competitors are not going to make iPod Touch equivalents? if apple didn't release it - someone else like creative or (heaven forbid) Microsoft will release a touch screen flash based media player,and actually have cooler stuff than apple. Steve will NEVER allow the Ipod to get beaten in desirability by a ZUNE!!!

 

[Scottuary]

THOUGHTS? YES:
I NEED 120GB OR MORE. THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT THERE.

Have you ever heard of a Smart Playlist?

To be honest, myself or Apple doesn't think there are many of your kind out there. The widescreen iPod will be flash based IMO.

 

[rossgumbrell]

Right ladies and gents, let me tell you how the new ipod will work.

It will incorporate a 16gb flash memory and a 60gb or 120gb HDD.

the 16gb flash will hold OSX, the HDD will hold the content.

An update for itunes will alow a smart ipod management system. by using play counts, it will place the top 14gb of media onto the flash and the remaining onto the HDD. the management system will alow you to 'manually manage' the media on both HDD and flash, allowing you to choose what content is placed onto what storage device.

the touch screen will have a single touch screen, no multi-touch in this one. the new ipod navigation menu (OSX) will be able to incorporate themes. default themes are included (i.e. 'click' wheel interface) but different themes will be able to be purchased from the IMS.

itunes will set up its account on the ipod and media will be able to be downloaded to the ipod through wifi. when content is bought, it will allow the music to be download to the computer for free, and be able to be put onto 3(?) more ipods.

wifi will also be used to stream music wirelessly to airport express. apple will advertise this feature alot to promote sales of its airport express. it would be a direct competitor for other similar systems. i.e. SONOS.

No digital radio, only wifi radio stations registered with itunes.

not sure on pricing...

...i hope apple dont come a knocking at my door!

 

[Cloudane]

I love how people keep stating their beliefs as if they're fact

Funny enough, I suggested almost exactly the same thing with the flash cache earlier.

Good points regarding competition, but let's not forget: Apple don't necessarily compete on features. They compete on style and usability. There's always a better computer or better music player out there, but the style and "fun to use" factor of Apple's gear is where it's at.

 

[macintel4me]

16GB and 32GB sizes will make it too close to the iPhone. If they did that, they'd just ditch the new iPod, and release new iPhones with those capacities.

Nope, I fully disagree. There is a big difference between WiFi iPods and iPhones.

1) Monthly payments of at least $70/month vs $0/month
2) "Always connected" vs. "Probably not connected"

 

[mackiwi]

I love how people keep stating their beliefs as if they're fact

Funny enough, I suggested almost exactly the same thing with the flash cache earlier.

Good points regarding competition, but let's not forget: Apple don't necessarily compete on features. They compete on style and usability. There's always a better computer or better music player out there, but the style and "fun to use" factor of Apple's gear is where it's at.

Yes they are fact. In my head. The smurf & snork in the cowboy costumes told me.

True - apples marketing machine could see the iPoo and I would buy it. Oh wait - I guess that was the brown zune?