iPod Possibilites?

[AidenShaw]

I dont see this coming. Not when you look at the way Steve ditched flash-based mp3-players. It has to be 1 gig AT LEAST.

Right, just like when, during the intro of the makeup-mirror iMac, Steve dissed the idea of making the computer part of the flat panel display. A horrible idea, Apple would never do it....

 

[Loge]

The strategy behind the smaller flash based player does not really stack up if you just look at the players in isolation. It makes sense in terms of increasing revenue (and defending market share) of the music store. Online music purchasing is becoming more significant and Apple need to look at innovative ways of getting that revenue from those who are not necessarily getting an iPod; the Motorola deal is an example of this. If they are worried about the iPod brand, well they can think of a different name.

They may not do it on Tuesday. But I think they will do it soon.

 

[veedubdrew]

That's the XM Roady 2 and it's been out for a while. It needs a power source and is intended to go from car to home stereo and back. You can see all of its details on Delphi's website.

If they have an XM adapter for the iPod or an XM-capable iPod, I'll probably wet myself. I have my iPod directly connected to my car (iPod your BM...er...Prius?) and if the XM could be used on that connection it would save me from tearing down (http://homepage.mac.com/mtndrew1/PhotoAlbum36.html) my car again to install yet another gadget. I don't know how they'd get an XM antenna on the iPod though. Can't wait for Tuesday!

-Drew

Nope on the XM rumor... here is the new XM device ....
http://www.xm411.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=3164

EDIT: Whoops, looks like I'm stupid. I didn't see the Roady 2 ENCASED in something! Looks like a cool XM gadget.

 

[Lepton]

Flash, 1/4" thick, slots

My prediction is the same front as the iPod Mini, same size, except less than 0.25" thick. Same click wheel same screen, white plastic front, stainless rear. Like a stack of 3 credit cards!

A little built in flash, 128MB. Really, I'm just adding that to account for the rumors of flash chip purchases. I could see one with NO built in flash.

Two, 3, or 4 slots for small, standard memory cards. Let's say two. The key here is the unit can be cheap because it has no flash in it, yet you can say it has a max capacity of 4GB, 8GB, or whatever the max capacity of the cards can be.

Apple won't make cards. But it comes with a low capacity memory card holding some U2 music. Alternately it comes with a CD you can rip with your computer. This has some merit as it makes them install and use iTunes. Also it solves the problem of a preloaded iPod.

$129.99 half the price of the mini.

Color iPod: 60MB, OLED display. $499.99.

 

[SiliconAddict]

If it's not at least a gig or two a flash iPod would certainly be brand degrading -- not what you want.

Why? What is it with people and thinking that less storage == Inferior product?!?? Maybe if Apple was stupid enough not to drop the price accordingly, but a cheaper smaller iPod is simply low end on the product line. Its like saying the Mini isn't as good as a 40GB iPod because it only holds x songs. There is NOTHING inferior about a flash based 512MB-1GB iPod that is as small as say a roll of scotch tape.


PS- I just did a search on shopper.com Cheapest 1GB CF is 74 bucks. In bulk Apple could beat that.

 

[corywoolf]

Flash iPods would go against everything Steve said. However, if Motorola's phones will have iTunes, I think you can only expect them to hold as much as flash-based MP3 player and a Flash iPod would go along with that.

I think, if this rumor means anything at all, the Flash iPod is really just a 2 GB iPod Mini with a low price of near $99 and perhaps a price drop in the iPod Mini to make them comparable with on another. You really can't make the click-wheel and iPod screen any smaller.

I say bogus to this rumor.

The U2 iPod is a possibility. I doubt it'll hold U2's complete library, but maybe several big hits and maybe some unreleased stuff. I'm not really a U2 fan, but it'd be interesting to see what could happen with other artists and iPods. Think about it: Allow the artist to design the iPod's look, add a signature or something on the back, and add some of their greatest tracks.

That elusive color iPod on the other hand...

I want to see some interesting things with iTunes. That'd be more interesting to me for now.

Of course, some new hardware and computer announcements would be nice before MWSF '05.

i agree, i think the flash player is just motorola's new cell phone the razor. it has been on motorola's site for a while as coming soon, its about time for it to be released here. the 26th would make sense for it. so lets see.


we got:

-U2 plays a song or 2
-U2 and steve announce the new 60 gb color ipod
-U2 announces apple is sponsering its tour
-U2 announces that a U2 special edition ipod is due at the release of their album
-motorola announces its itunes cell phone (razor)
-updated software for ilife to be compatible with the new ipods
-U2 closes the show and the audience gets some goodies



thats about all i can think of...

 

[~Shard~]

Apple has recently shown a more conservative approach when adopting new technologies and releasing new products.

WOuld you call the iPod a conservative approach when it was released a few years ago? How about iTMS? Conservative isn't the word I would use....

iPod is a Music Player, period.

Who ever said the iPod was just a music player? Think outside the box, man, the iPod is going to evolve...

There is no business reason that would match apple's strategy behind it.

See my above examples of the iPod and iTMS and think about what you just said.

 

[TWinbrook46636]

Remember last week when Apple annoucned total Q4 revenue had increased 37% since the same quarter last year? Good times.

Times are a-changing. Smart companies adapt to meet the evolving marketplace, and the evolving world, for that matter. Trust me, it's a good thing.

Yes, I realize Apple's overall revenue increased 37% and that's great but do you realize 43% of hardware revenue was from the iPod? It was an easy 43% too and that's what worries me. Producing an iPod is much cheaper and easier than a PowerBook or a PowerMac. They have already separated the hardware divisions into Macintosh vs iPod. They may feel they can take the easy route with the iPod while letting the Macintosh division languish. Why put the time, money and effort into PowerBooks, PowerMacs and iBooks when they can just crank out iPods? Personally I think we are starting to see signs of this. Where does this leave Mac users? This would most certainly not be a good thing.

 

[SBCMac]

Flash iPod

Not sure why nobody else caught this. During the Q4 Financial results, one of the callers asked about Flash based iPods.
The Apple guy replied. "I think there's a variety of opportunities in the iPod space, but I just can't comment on what we may do in the future."

So , I don't think it's totally out of the question that Apple may have this in mind. Otherwise, wouldn't he just outrigth deny that Apple would ever make one?

Go to http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/earningsq404/

Flash based iPod mentioned
start: 52: 00
end: 52:29

 

[fpnc]

IMO, no lower-cost iPod this year

I would very much like to see a well-under $200, flash-memory-based iPod. However, I think there is just about ZERO chance of that happening before Christmas of this year.

Currently, I doubt whether Apple would introduce anything that would undercut the price of the iPod Mini (or risk taking the spotlight off of the Mini or standard iPod). They don't need to, since Steve Jobs has already warned that there may be a shortage of iPods for the remainder of the year. If the iPod Mini is already selling faster than they can make them why would they bother to introduce a new product at a lower cost?

Yes, I realize that there is a market for a $100 to $200 device that would work with iTunes. But, right now Apple probably doesn't want to compete at that price point, at least not against the pre-Christmas sales potential of the iPod Mini. And anyway, flash memory is still a bit too expensive to produce a device that could compare to the Mini (even at a much lower song capacity).

I'm fairly certain that we will eventually see a flash-memory-based iPod. But I expect this will happen only after demand for the current iPods slows. Then perhaps we'll see something when Apple can make decent (for Apple) profit margins on a $100 to $200, flash-memory-based player that provides an "iPod-like" experience. My guess, maybe in another year.

 

[AidenShaw]

Profit?

If the iPod Mini is already selling faster than they can make them why would they bother to introduce a new product at a lower cost?

This is a bit of an oxymoron - they can't sell (deliver) them faster than they can make them. A backorder isn't profit.

On the other hand, if they could sell minis as fast as they can make them, *and* sell 1 or 2 GB flashPods as well - cha-ching!
____

Apple, it used to be a computer company - now it makes lifestyle devices.

 

[Porchland]

It doesn't matter if the flashplayer has only 256 MB of memory. As long as their a free slot, then I have extra memory from my digital camera that I can use to increase it without any additional cost. That is the secret of flashbased players.

And the problem with an Apple flash-based player. Switching out tiny flash cards just doesn't seem to fit into the Apple ethos.

 

[cheekyspanky]

i agree, i think the flash player is just motorola's new cell phone the razor. it has been on motorola's site for a while as coming soon, its about time for it to be released here. the 26th would make sense for it. so lets see.

-motorola announces its itunes cell phone (razor)

I've got myself one of the Motorola V3 RAZR's and it only has 5.5mb of memory onboard and no expansion, so the iTunes compatable phone will likely still be a while yet!

As for the flash iPod, I think it will have to be at least 1GB as this size sounds large to the general consumer - maybe even badged as 1000mb just to emphasise its size compared to rivals. As for the price point, with Apple I think its always best to assume the price you would want to pay, then add 50% and thats what it ends up costing!

I think £129 for a 1GB iPod Micro, which would follow the £179 iPod mini and the £219 iPod 20GB

 

[SiliconAddict]

iPod is a Music Player,

Yes. For now. If it permanently stays that way Apple will lose this market. Period. In 5 years if Apple keeps the same design, same feature set, same everything they will be back into the 2% market share they are in with their PC line. Convergence is the word of the decade. A dedicated music player is cool right now because it’s not practical to add these other features right now. Look at Creative’s MS Media Center device. Holy crap is that thing a brick.

Like it or not you WILL see a photo iPod and eventually a video iPod. It’s inevitable and if you don’t like that you better get ready for a serious disappointment.

 

[~Shard~]

It was an easy 43% too and that's what worries me. Producing an iPod is much cheaper and easier than a PowerBook or a PowerMac.

If you spend any time in the business world you will realize there is no such thing as "easy money" when it comes down to it. Apple busted their butts working on and evolving the iPod, and the fact that is has become such a hit and has become such an icon has put more pressure on Apple if anything to work harder to make the iPod revisions great in order to maintain its advantage. Easy to produce? Only in physical assembly time I'm afraid.

They may feel they can take the easy route with the iPod while letting the Macintosh division languish. Why put the time, money and effort into PowerBooks, PowerMacs and iBooks when they can just crank out iPods? Personally I think we are starting to see signs of this.

See my above comment. It is not as simple as "just cranking out iPods".

The thing you don't seem to realize is what the very nature of Apple is - innovation. Sure, other companies might take the "easy" way out and rest on their laurels, but not Apple. Apple is all about constant striving to be leaders, to innovate and to stay on the leading edge. If you see signs of Apple neglecting all things non-iPod, then perhaps you should look at the latest iBook revisions, the updated Pro tools (FCP HD, Motion, etc.) as of late, Airport Express, the new PowerMacs, the new displays (most notably the 30" monster!), and the G5 iMac - what a marvel of engineering that machine is. Oh and you might as well throw Tiger in there as well.

Is Apple focusing solely on the iPod and neglecting their other lines? Not in the least. They are simply capitalizing on their own genius with respect to the iPod and iTMS and trying to maximize their profits, as any well-run business should do. But as I said above, this requires a lot of hard work, it doesn't come "easy" as you say, and Apple is not foolish enough to neglect every other product line just for the iPod.

As you said yourself:

They have already separated the hardware divisions into Macintosh vs iPod.

Exactly. This was done so that each area could have an equal amount of focus, and one aspect (i.e. the iPod) did not overwhelm hardware development. With 2 distinct departments, Apple can keep its development, projects, product lines and goals separate. Makes sense to me.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Yes, I realize Apple's overall revenue increased 37% and that's great but do you realize 43% of hardware revenue was from the iPod? It was an easy 43% too and that's what worries me. Producing an iPod is much cheaper and easier than a PowerBook or a PowerMac. They have already separated the hardware divisions into Macintosh vs iPod. They may feel they can take the easy route with the iPod while letting the Macintosh division languish. Why put the time, money and effort into PowerBooks, PowerMacs and iBooks when they can just crank out iPods? Personally I think we are starting to see signs of this. Where does this leave Mac users? This would most certainly not be a good thing.

I don't agree. I personally think iPods were introduced as a fallback in case Mac sales totally tanked. As long as Apple has something to rely on other then their computer market we don't have to worry about them going anywhere. No company should ever trust their entire future to one product or in Apple's case one thin product line. iPod and who knows what else down the road will not only keep them profitable but able to continue to cater to the 2% market share Apple owns.

 

[~Shard~]

iPod is a Music Player, period.

One more comment, and to slightly echo SilconAddict's statement, no the iPod is not "a Music Player, period" - you are simply incorrect.

Even now you can store notes on your iPod, check your contacts, your calendar, and guess what - you can even store digital photos on your iPod, or whatever else you may want - it's a portable FireWire hard drive. Just a Music Player? Completely wrong. If the iPod remains "just a music player" it will die a quick death in the upcoming years. It needs to constantly develop and evolve as a media device, (or call it what you want), and Apple is just the type of innovative company to ensure that is exactly what will happen.

 

[ASP272]

If Apple cant make money on an $800 computer then they cant make money on a $99 iPod.

If Apple put out a 1GB Flash based iPod, I don't think the idea would be to make money. Well, at least not like what they make on the big ones. They would more likely just be trying to get the total market share.

 

[SiliconAddict]

The thing you don't seem to realize is what the very nature of Apple is - innovation. Sure, other companies might take the "easy" way out and rest on their laurels, but not Apple. Apple is all about constant striving to be leaders, to innovate and to stay on the leading edge. If you see signs of Apple neglecting all things non-iPod, then perhaps you should look at the latest iBook revisions, the updated Pro tools (FCP HD, Motion, etc.) as of late, Airport Express, the new PowerMacs, the new displays (most notably the 30" monster!), and the G5 iMac - what a marvel of engineering that machine is. Oh and you might as well throw Tiger in there as well.

Shard no offense man but Apple is as far away from hardware innovation as MS is from software innovation. The iPod, PowerBooks, PowerMac, iBook have nothing overly revolutionary in them. The G5? Designed by IBM. The ibook? *shrugs* standard LCD, standard hard drive, RAM, GPU, etc, etc. Ditto with the PowerBooks. 17" PowerBooks that is 1" thin is cool and all but Apple simply took the display from iMac and shoved it into the PowerBook and squeezed the crap out of the components to get it into a 1" thick case. (Consequently this is part of why people complain of the head on those suckers. No enough vents, fans, etc.

Apple's innovation comes in taking ordinary over the counter parts (with exceptions such as the G5.) and dumping them into innovative designed enclosures. Have you ever looked at the compoents of an iPod? Nothing new in there. CPU, RAM, hard drive, controller chips, battery, LCD, etc. No its the way they put it together and the way they created the complete package that is innovative.

In fact there are only a handful of real innovative devices Apple has ever put out. The Pizmo with its ingenious ability to be upgraded. The Newton. The Apple digital camera that was WELL ahead of its time. That is true hardware innovation.

 

[appleface]

talk is cheap

rumor specs:

mini
same 4gb, same $249, slimmer, flash-based, two new colors, twice the battery life

bigi
60gb, no color screen, $499 (add every U2 album including their new release and get the black color for $599)

 

[puckhead193]

how can this happen when steve went publicaly on the record and stated that most people use their "dinky" $50 flash players and then stash them in their drawerer never to be seen again..

So true i bought a 128MB 3 years ago and i used it for a month and has been sitting in the draw ever since.....

I don't understand why they want it black, u can get that done online......

An XM portible player would be nice..if only i could get installed in my car....

 

[appleface]

a pair of shiny lincolns

no way apple will release an ipod smaller than 4gb

 

[joeboy_45101]

I don't like the idea of a flash based iPod, at least with current capacity/price ratios. Let's say that Apple has designed a 1GB Flash iPod SuperMini, that's only going to hold about 250 songs not that much really. 1000 songs is the sweet spot for many people. I believe that a 5GB iPod Mini would, at the current price of $249, be a great product.

 

[appleface]

clarification

i don't think apple is against flash players. i think jobs is opposed to making an ipod with 256mb of storage.

4gb cf cards are affordable now. they are less expensive than microdrives. i'm trying to think of an advantage to using the hardrives that is currently in the minis as opposed to switching them to flash. i can't think of an advantage. can anyone else think of one?

 

[Demon]

i'd love to see a cheaper iPod, Apple is more likely to make their flash based iPod more expensive than the counterparts. So $99 with 1GB would be unlike Apple that i've love to see it. I'll even buy it just to support them! haha.

Need to get a new iPod soon, my 15GB is full. But i don't really like the click wheel, love the 3G buttons much more. But seems like no one agrees... sigh.