Apple's Media Event on Wednesday - iPod and Apple TV Rumors and Speculation

[The Wedge]

The current Shuffle has no buttons, the buttons are on the earphone cable. The Nano would get the same cable, so you could operate it without using the touch screen. So the operation for this new square touch screen thing would be exactly the same as for the Shuffle.

Great so you're stuck using Apple's crappy headphones. Or else buy another accessory so you can use your own. I have a newer shuffle and that is my only gripe. Since the controls are now down where the shuffle it is it kind of defeats the purpose of the whole thing (easy access to the controls near your ear while working out etc.). Not to mention the extra accessory takes up amost just as much space as the shuffle.

Honestly earbuds are the dumbest invention. Does anyone seriously use these things? They don't stay in your ears for more than a minute. Forget it if you're actually moving, as in running or some other kind of exercise.

 

[MacHiavelli]

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't an iPod Touch with 3G called an iPhone?

People mean an iPod Touch with 3G would give an on-the-road data connection . . . . but not the ability to make calls (unless you could use something like Skype or Gmail phone calls over the 3G data network).

Bit like having a 3G modem/dongle for your laptop or a 3G iPad.

 

[kavika411]

uh... there would be a standard remote, something like the macbook media remote, and your ipad/ipod/iphone could be an "enhanced" remote.

Exactly. I may be reiterating what others are saying (I don't have time to go through this whole thread), but surely they will sell the new Apple/iTV with one of those white remotes (which at least gets the job done on media consumption through the device) and with the ability to have a more full experience, and take advantage of the new apps, with either the iPhone or iPod Touch. I'm not well-versed on the bluetooth magic trackpad, but I'd bet it works with the new device as well - perhaps you can buy one at a discount if you purchase it with the new Apple/iTV. I don't think it's coincidence that Apple pushed the magic trackpad out a few weeks before the new Apple/iTV - the timing suggests to me that it has grander ambitions than merely, well, as a trackpad.

[Fingers crossed that my two-year old Apple TV will support iOS4.]

 

[WiiMarioHacker]

Could the "make your own app" rumor actually be "Project Marble" we heard about a while back?

It's obvious it is not Xcode 4, we already have the Developer Preview.

Any ideas?

People mean an that iPod Touch with 3G would give an on-the-road data connection . . . . but not the ability to make calls (unless you could use something like Skype or Gmail phone calls over the 3G data network).

Not to mention free Facebook Friend calling via the Vonage app, which is free.

 

[ChrisGonzales90]

and thats the point of the 3G touch. Its not to make phone calls silly.

and people keep saying they want a smaller touch. Whats then point?

 

[FlyinggPenguin]

64G iPod Touch is a must buy for all my pics and vids.

Then its an iPad for the games.

This keeps my iPhone 4 smart!

think of all the chicks you'll get. *sarcasm*

 

[mackiwi]

The share price is now driven by the iPhone and Mac sales. iPod and all of the media elements will have little effect. Two things are causing the share prices to go sideways.... the overall economy and market, Andoid surpassing the iPhone in unit volume. Once Apple is able to get the supply chain caught up, sales will forge ahead, and the share price will too.

You forgot iPad, which will contribute more than 1 billion profit this year. And the iPod touch /iPad /iPhone all contribute to app sales to.

I agree apples music only products are of little importance to the cashflow now (shuffle, nano & classic), but they do one important thing: they keep out competitors from entering the market at the seemingly unimportant low end of the PMP market and introducing people to an alternative ecosystem for media and apps that they then may consider for bigger future purchases in the smartphone/tablet categories.

Oh and appletv could potentially be a large pusher of near future revenue for apple - it could be it's first razor & blade product strategy:sell the box at a low margin and hope to make a lot of profits from its cut of games, rentals & cable channel subscriptions, potentially worth $100s of dollars per user per year.

 

[bpfesq]

I haven't scanned all of the posts, but it seems like few are mentioning the announcement of iOS4 for the iPad. I'd really appreciate that update as soon as possible!!!

 

[iZac]

Build-an-app sounds great fun!

It would be a great way for customers to genuinely sculpt their own unique user experiences, and provide a good inroad for people who are mildly inquisitive into the commercial app developing process.

 

[ChrisGonzales90]

I can just see it. Bunch of apps looking like myspace profiles

 

[javaGuru]

Again with those cases. Square case after square case after square case. And why do we assume it's gonna be the nano. It could be a shuffle. People.

I was actually thinking the same thing.

 

[javaGuru]

I haven't scanned all of the posts, but it seems like few are mentioning the announcement of iOS4 for the iPad. I'd really appreciate that update as soon as possible!!!

My guess is that they will release iOS 4 beta to developers tomorrow.

 

[whatever]

The "new" iPod Nano is actually the "new" iPod shuffle.

 

[mackiwi]

I was actually thinking the same thing.

Well if the shuffle gets a touch screen that let's you select tracks etc, then it effectively replaces the nano & shuffle.

And if that has a touch screen then there is no way the current nano will stay around with a non-touch screen.

Theme for the new iPod ads? The doors, "touch me baby, can't you see that I am not afraid...." all iPods will be touch (the classic exempted - if it survives).

 

[MacHandmedown]

Any speculation that the new square iPod would be able to be a bike computer?

Looks like the perfect size for my handlebars I would get one in a heartbeat if it could run bike, running, etc. apps...

 

[JPTech]

I'm not sure I like where this is going. If they truly are phasing out the "old" iPod OS in favor of all iOS devices (which, admittedly, makes sense), I will be very disappointed. I lost my iPod Nano 4G a few years back, bought an iPod Touch 2G, and regretted it. I don't like, want, or need the extra features of iOS (I have something that can surf the web and all that already-it's called a computer!), and if my only choices will be a stripped-down, nothing-but-music, low-capacity "touch shuffle" (nano?) or the touch... well, I'd have to scour eBay for some 5G nanos.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Again with those cases. Square case after square case after square case. And why do we assume it's gonna be the nano. It could be a shuffle. People.

Because you add a camera to the touch and the nano has no real place in the line up -- it does everything the nano now does plus apps. By shrinking the nano Apple can EOL the shuffle, thus consolidate the line. I will not be too shocked if Apple kills the classic too if it offers up a 128GB touch.

I don't like, want, or need the extra features of iOS (I have something that can surf the web and all that already-it's called a computer!)....

OK, so don't use the extra features. It's not a requirement. And you can put your computer in your pocket? Neat trick. (BTW you sound like my 70 y.o. mother a few years ago when I advised her to get a GPS in her new car. She said she could use a paper map. Ha! Of course I did talk her into the GPS. She hates paper maps now.

 

[JPTech]

What if it's not the Nano and not the Shuffle, but an entirely new iPod? They would then keep the the Nano and the Shuffle, maybe discontinue the Classic, and just add a new one to the line... It's a huge change from the current Nano, why not keep the Nano then?

That's what I'm hoping... seriously, why would they do something so drastic to the nano and still call it that? EDIT: But on the other hand, why would they keep the shuffle?!

 

[JPTech]

No need for any of the products rumored, but it'd be nice to see what they have up their sleeves.

I think that's the bottom line

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Exactly. I may be reiterating what others are saying (I don't have time to go through this whole thread), but surely they will sell the new Apple/iTV with one of those white remotes (which at least gets the job done on media consumption through the device) and with the ability to have a more full experience, and take advantage of the new apps, with either the iPhone or iPod Touch. I'm not well-versed on the bluetooth magic trackpad, but I'd bet it works with the new device as well - perhaps you can buy one at a discount if you purchase it with the new Apple/iTV. I don't think it's coincidence that Apple pushed the magic trackpad out a few weeks before the new Apple/iTV - the timing suggests to me that it has grander ambitions than merely, well, as a trackpad.

[Fingers crossed that my two-year old Apple TV will support iOS4.]

I don't see how it could work with the trackpad. It would then become an iOS interface with a mouse pointer. Navigating it would be nearly as miserable as navigating menus on the Wii.

The required iOS remote doesn't make sense either. One of the greatest things about the Apple TV is how its ultra-simple remote lets you navigate far easier than 100 button remotes on other set top boxes. It's because of the Apple TV's clean interface design. The Remote app is nice, but I almost never use it. The remote is always there and always ready to go. To use my iPhone, I have to press the home button, slide to unlock, find the app, wait for it to launch, and wait for it to connect. Then when I want to use it again, the screen has re-locked and I have to do it all over again.

 

[Dekimasu]

Music adds to my productivity. Distractions, including the Internet and applications, subtract from it. I'll get any iPod that's nano-sized or smaller with 32GB of storage... as long as there's no apps included. If there are, it will be no sale or I'll go to the old nano.

 

[slavetonone]

Event Access

Does anyone know how one would get access to this event? I am in town for the VMWare conference and it is right next door!

Thanks!

 

[ChrisGonzales90]

I'm sure we will see a stripped down iOS sooner or later. (no apps or wifi. Just music, video and "extras" that are the same you'll find on the iPod OS)

and plus how can internet distract you?

 

[Repo]

EDIT: But on the other hand, why would they keep the shuffle?!

The shuffle is great for working out.

 

[ChrisGonzales90]

Does anyone know how one would get access to this event? I am in town for the VMWare conference and it is right next door!

Thanks!

You need a pass and you also need to be a member of the media. Its not open to the public.