iPod Video Photo

[lars steenhoff]

I have absolutely no doubt that the photograph is real, but it's not of an iPod.

The display is a standard colour bar and grey scale signal which is routinely used to test video monitors. A video iPod won't be able to digitise all by itself, just as an iPod can't load CDs without having a computer to do it.

Nobody would digitise such a trivially simple test signal to test a video iPod, they'd either use something that looked more cool ( like the Bono photo ) or they'd use a more complex test pattern which would reveal more information.

This is simply a photograph of a nice-looking LCD video screen. The connector is way too large to be an Apple one and it's probably carrying the power and video signal to this LCD screen. The Apple sticker has been put there to make it look like an Apple part, but as has been pointed out before, is from something else. All the more proof that it's a set-up.

I bet if somebody looks hard enough, somewhere on-line there will be the original picture and it won't have the heavy black squiggles in the lower right.

It could be an image from the video ipod's built in service menu, just to see if the brightness and the collors are correct.
It surely would be strange to see Bono pop up in a service menu.

 

[sartinsauce]

It surely would be strange to see Bono pop up in a service menu.

Yeah, like he doesn't pop up enough already. Maybe an image of SJ, smiling in a black turtleneck. You know, like the Kodak Girl test/calibration image.

Speaking of which, does anyone have a high quality digital Kodak Girl? Kodak won't give or sell me one.

 

[iShane]

Looks pretty legit to me. But what's with the screen? I couldn't wait until Tuesday before but now...wow.

 

[UKmac man]

It would be cool if it had a Front row like interface, wouldn't it?

 

[Balli]

I think this photo is real, but I have a few questions.

1. What do we expect the capacity of this thing to be? (Especially if the rumours of ripping DVDs is true).

2. What will the battery life be, with a large, bright screen like that?

3. Are there any rumours of Apple embedding PDA like functionality to this thing?

 

[gekko513]

I'll throw this into the pot... When I first saw this, I went for a hunt through our mainframe ordering system for Apple orders. We've got no iPod orders confirmed from Apple for the future which given I work for a company that sell a lot of iPods is surprising.

Also surprising is the number of 60GB iPods that are 'outstanding' on the most recent two invoices. They are the slower sellers by a mail of all the iPods and I wonder whether perhaps this 'new' video iPod might replace the 60G one - since you 'need' more space for videos than music. Thus allowing them to increase prices for the 60GB while keeping the 30GB music/basic video at the 'market' level.

Interesting. It makes sense to me to not drop the current iPod entirely since, if this is true, I can't image they're able to get the price down to $299 for a low capacity version.

 

[mrgreen4242]

there are some problems with this in my mind

1. the battary consumption will be rubbish.

2. it's not exactly fun, not unless this is a red herring, only to make way for a tablet mac.

Battery life could be OK. Intels XScale chips are decent on power, and it could be larger than an iPod, meaning more room for battery... to be useful I think it'd need to get 4 hours of life, which is possible, I'd say.

It COULD be fun, with the right software. Aside from movie, photo slideshows, etc that we already have in iPods, I was thinking:

1) Built in speaker for a more 'group' experience
2) "Fun" photobooth style editing software
3) Digicam (not a great one, but something that is decent, like a good cellphone cam)
4) Touch screen interfaced games... like Snood, etc. Start selling them through iTunes
5) WiFi for iChat, etc.

 

[Daveway]

I'm 99% sure this is the real thing. Its so Apple with the polycarbonate-double injected plastics, etc.

All we need is one more pic. They're all going to come from oversees just like the 5G.

 

[AlanAudio]

If that kind of test screen is being used, why not use it on an iPod screen also?

It could be an image from the video ipod's built in service menu, just to see if the brightness and the collors are correct.
It surely would be strange to see Bono pop up in a service menu.

A video iPod displays a digital signal, it won't be fed with a video feed. A digital signal needs to be compressed on a computer, so the image would most likely be generated on a computer. It's quite absurd to imagine that they'd try to replicate a standard analogue test signal, when they could actually create a more meaningful image for less effort.

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch. If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front.

It's just a video screen faked up to look like it might be a video iPod.

I would suggest that some of you are gullible, but it's unfair on those with a limited vocabulary as they can't look it up, due to the anomaly where the word 'gullible' was accidentally deleted from all major on-line dictionaries several years ago.

 

[Diatribe]

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch.

The 5G iPod for example...

If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front.

Name me one iPod that does...

 

[powerbook911]

I think there is a good possibility this is real. Even if it isn't, this is essentially what the next iPod will probably look like.

However, I think its too early for Apple to release a new iPod. I mean, good grief, the iPod with Video playback has only been out a few months. I think a later spring, or even late summer/fall release, for a completely new player would make more sense.

I mean, if this comes out now, what will be the new hot item, this fall?

 

[UKmac man]

here's a mock up of it with front row quick in photoshop



obviouly without the DVD bit, unless it is a tablet mac thingy, then it would be there, maybe...

 

[yg17]

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch.

http://guides.macrumors.com/Gallery_of_Apple_Leaks_and_Prototypes

5G iPod, 4G iPod, Quicksilver G4, iMac G4, G4 Cubs, iMac G3.

If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front.

The current iPods don't have the Apple name or logo on the front. Hell, neither does my PMG5, and if you really want another example, the only place you'll find Apple's name or logo on my Apple Keyboard (not counting the Apple keys) is the bottom.

 

[Diatribe]

I think there is a good possibility this is real. Even if it isn't, this is essentially what the next iPod will probably look like.

However, I think its too early for Apple to release a new iPod. I mean, good grief, the iPod with Video playback has only been out a few months. I think a later spring, or even late summer/fall release, for a completely new player would make more sense.

I mean, if this comes out now, what will be the new hot item, this fall?

Think about it, it is the same thing Apple did with the iPod photo before it became the standard. Replace the top iPod with that and in 4-5 months the entire line.

 

[Boardslippy]

iPod Video - How about 'Mac Pocket' ?

I'm new to these forums, but i've been following Apple for the last 5 years or so, the more i read about the new patents connected with this new 'video ipod' and others mentioning touch screens etc they all show OSX, the new Video iPod would have to be pretty high spec for people to go for it after such a short time of announcing the 5G iPods, so maybe this handheld device is more than an ipod maybe a mac in your pocket, cross between the rumored tablet mac and an iPod, just imagine... PSP killer, microsoft handheld killer, i dunno i just feel that the iPod needs a replacement something that pushes things forward again the same way the iPod did. Just wondered what people thought?

 

[mrgreen4242]

A video iPod displays a digital signal, it won't be fed with a video feed. A digital signal needs to be compressed on a computer, so the image would most likely be generated on a computer. It's quite absurd to imagine that they'd try to replicate a standard analogue test signal, when they could actually create a more meaningful image for less effort.

By all means believe in this picture if it makes you happy, but tell me how often you see an accurate unofficial photograph of an Apple product prior to launch. If you're not convinced by that, think about the chances of Apple releasing a product where neither their name nor logo are visible on the front.

It's just a video screen faked up to look like it might be a video iPod.

I would suggest that some of you are gullible, but it's unfair on those with a limited vocabulary as they can't look it up, due to the anomaly where the word 'gullible' was accidentally deleted from all major on-line dictionaries several years ago.

Kind of an ass, aren't you? Ok, well, let's start with the 5G iPod photo leak. There's one accurate unofficial pre-production photo for you.

And let's look at EVERY SINGLE iPod ever made. None of them have the Apple logo or name on the front.

If you're going to be an condescending jerk at least have SOME clue what you are talking about.

 

[-M7-]

what I find interesting is, that the surrounding case looks to be higher than the screen. (from the vertical perspective of the lower right corner the distance to the screen is smaller than in the lower left corner, which has a wider angle from the 90 degree angle when watched from the top) Maybe to get a better grip on the edges?

Seems so real!

 

[sartinsauce]

I really want this to be real, as much or more than I wanted the tablet rumors to be true before the "...One more thing" event.

However, it's a little fishy that this showed up just as the speculation about next week's event was winding down.

 

[R.Youden]

If this is real (which I believe it is) then I dont think it will replace the iPod out at the moment. What we have at the moment is a device capable of playing video, but its main feature is still music. I can see this being very much more orientated towards video. If this has front row enabled then it would be a killer but I think it is unlikely as people claim that front row was 'sluggish' on an iMac G5 so what will it do on an iPod?

I think this could be part of a grand master plan by Apple to take over the whole Digital world. We shall see...

 

[jouster]

The thing is that if it's not... Apple will have themselves secured the MP3/video player market for ages, looking at all their patents regarding this design. If this is true it is game over for Creative/MS/Amazon/etc.

Since Creative and others have video players shipping right now, and have had for quite some time, I'd say their prior art is pretty well established. If you think that those patents will somehow prevent them from selling such products and permit only Apple to do so, you couldn't be more wrong.

 

[lorien]

Good find, but a few problems I have with it..
First, compare it to the size of the hand that is holding it. It looks to be about the size of my nano. 2nd, it looks like the pic was taken inside of a broom closet. Since it looks like the broom closet is becomming the new elevator, I pronounce this a real picture...of a nano sized touh screen ipod....yeah right....it looks real though.

P.S. this was posted 2 days ago.

I agree, look at this comparison where both hands are in a similar position

 

[TMA]

...It's quite absurd to imagine that they'd try to replicate a standard analogue test signal, when they could actually create a more meaningful image for less effort....

What on earth are you talking about? What better way to test a display than using a series of bright and contrasting colours!? And even if there are other ways who's to say that this device we're talking about doesn't have 150 different tests already built into its memory. They're just images.

The rest of your post makes little sense to be honest.

 

[jouster]

I have absolutely no doubt that the photograph is real, but it's not of an iPod.

++

 

[Diatribe]

Since Creative and others have video players shipping right now, and have had for quite some time, I'd say their prior art is pretty well established. If you think that those patents will somehow prevent them from selling such products and permit only Apple to do so, you couldn't be more wrong.

Never said anything about video players being patented. I was referring to the touch screen display used on this device, which they'll not be able to copy and which, just as the scroll wheel, will be a determining factor in it's success.

 

[MacFan782040]

If it's real, that would be cool. BUT I don't think this should replace the 5G iPod with Video. That's silly... It would eat up so much battery life, get scratched up, and you can't change a song or volume from "feeling" the clickwheel with your fingers.

If this is a new product, like a WI-FI mac tablet new Newton thinger, then bring it on. But don't call it an iPod.