More Video iPod Reports - Now with Bluetooth?

[Twenty1]

m:robe

Perhaps this was already said, but a full screen iPod would remind me a lot of the existing m:robe by Olympus.

I guess this is already your all-in-one player - music, photos, built in camera, etc;. I don't think it does video...

I do remember one reviewer who said they didn't like it mainly because the screen became too dirty due to finger prints. He was consistantly having to clean the screen because the prints were driving him nuts.

 

[Craigy]

Mmmmm... Me thinks the only reason to put Bluetooth in the new beast is because it's a phone also!

 

[revjay]

Don't Trivialise

With the exception of that little blurb about bluetooth headphones...that whole article was basically a recap of any MacRumor related to the iPod in the last few months...

Nothing new and exciting here...should be hearing about a Media event any day now.

I think you are wrong...the addition of bluetooth would be "huge!"
Think of all the spin off products that would be possible...someone has mentioned Safari...it would certainly help me to keep my ical up to date in an easier fashion.

 

[revjay]

It's Not The Size...It's How You Use It!

Better be AT LEAST 80GB or even 100 GB. I for one don't care about the video thing but much more room for music is fine by me. It has been over a year since the 60GB iPods have been out . I still love by 60GB iPod photo. Never did graduate to the video version since there was never an increase in storage.

Are 100GB 1.8" HD's even available? I don't think they are...

 

[MacMosher]

So no Mac Books? All these rumors are pointing to some sort of handheld device: vpod, iphone, 'communication device'--take your pick. Common Steve, give your computers some love. Give us a killer new Mac Book. The current design is way too old (6,7 years?).

There not denying any claim that there will be a MacBook(I would prefer if we stuck with iBook however). Im almost positive you will not see a phone at this event, I would expect that some time in the fall.

However do not be suprised to see a Vpod. If I had to make a prediction I would say that they will come with both of them, ibook at vpod... hopefully the ibook is a new design like speculations are saying.

Mark

 

[mox358]

What about simplicity ?

With all this talk of Front Row, Safari, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth being built in-to the iPod I can't help but think KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid!!!

Isn't it the simplicity of the iPod that gave it the widespread success it has today? The fact anybody could just pick it up and use it ? I'm just being paranoid today I guess but this article really makes me worry about Apple over complicating the iPod.

And bluetooth is way too slow for syncing music... for calendars, contacts and the like maybe... but for music you wouldn't WANT to sync your music via bluetooth. And if they *do* go that route (shudders...) you still have to plug it in to charge it (and probably more frequently than before) and you might as well just sync then and take advantage of the faster speed.

Again, maybe I'm just paranoid and being cynical today but I see a lot of holes in some of these rumors.

I guess my closing question for everyone is do we really think the iPod needs to add things like this to stay competitive ?

 

[MacMosher]

Perhaps this was already said, but a full screen iPod would remind me a lot of the existing m:robe by Olympus.

I guess this is already your all-in-one player - music, photos, built in camera, etc;. I don't think it does video...

I do remember one reviewer who said they didn't like it mainly because the screen became too dirty due to finger prints. He was consistantly having to clean the screen because the prints were driving him nuts.

Yeah I can imagine that... it would suck I would think. Whats the point of having a video playing if you cant see it?

Aswell I think the blue tooth earphones would be a great idea... but not earbud... like are you guys crazy do you think they can pick up a signal... and you wuld lose them so so easily.

Mark

 

[ScottB]

Wireless sync with itunes is more important for me, but high quality headphones would be nice too

Yeah, that would be cool. I would love to walk into a room and have my iCal items automatically synced to my pocket. While bluetooth headphones would be useful lots of the time, I'm more concerned about sound quality and probably wouldn't use them alot if they didn't match the quality of the current headphones.

 

[ksz]

but... won't bluetooth headphones suck? I doubt the sound quality will be that good.

Not necessarily, if it has enough bandwidth to send the (compressed) digital bitstream to the headphone in real-time. The DAC could be built into the headphone, so you get digital-to-analog conversion done right behind the ear. The Airport Express works in the same way. You send the digital bitstream over to the AE, and D-to-A is performed at the location of the speakers.

Bluetooth on the iPod will also make it wirelessly compatible with car stereo systems (well, with some firmware modifications). I'm waiting for a BT-based iPod that will work with my BMW's iDrive...I know, I may be waiting a looong time, but "seamless integration" of iPod to car means only 1 thing to me: wireless.

 

[bigandy]

but... won't bluetooth headphones suck? I doubt the sound quality will be that good.

i have the "wrap around back of head" style over ear ones. they're BlueTooth. the quality is as good as a £30 ($60) pair of headphones, and the battery life is a good 10 hours. they cost me £40 ($80) including postage. from tiwan.

don't worry about quality or battery life. really, don't.

 

[morespce54]

For me, the prospect of wireless over-the-ear headphones is not necessarily enticing

A stupid questions: since there is so many people with iPod these days, wouldn't there be a chance that bluetooth headphones get mix up at some point?

 

[hyperpasta]

Skeptical

This is getting overboard now.

COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!!

Seriosuly. If Apple sells a 60GB iPod with a 2.5 inch screen for $400, how much do you think a 4-inch touch screened once with Bluetooth would cost? It just doesn't "fit" right.

People need to calm down and expect Apple to deliver something awesome, but rational and not ridiculous. One of the key things I've learned in my rumor-watching is that Apple prefers to take baby steps over huge, mind-blowing awesome ones.

 

[daysleeper]

Would the bluetooth headphones be rechargable? Maybe there would be a plug-in for them on the ipod that would allow them to charge as the ipod charges... this would double as a way to store them when not in use.

 

[revjay]

This is getting overboard now.

COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!!...

Don't forget it has "Pong".

 

[thegreatunknown]

This is getting overboard now.

COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!!

Seriosuly. If Apple sells a 60GB iPod with a 2.5 inch screen for $400, how much do you think a 4-inch touch screened once with Bluetooth would cost? It just doesn't "fit" right.

People need to calm down and expect Apple to deliver something awesome, but rational and not ridiculous. One of the key things I've learned in my rumor-watching is that Apple prefers to take baby steps over huge, mind-blowing awesome ones.

I respect your comments because I believe some of these ideas are getting out of control. however, bluetooth is in all (minus the ipod) of apple's hardware and I expected it a long time ago in the ipod. bluetooth transmitters wouldn't add much to the price but the technology has been lacking (meaning speed and transmission clarity) until just lately.

 

[boncellis]

A stupid questions: since there is so many people with iPod these days, wouldn't there be a chance that bluetooth headphones get mix up at some point?

Not a stupid question at all. I doubt there would be such a problem. If you think about it in terms of bluetooth mice and keyboards, there aren't any interference problems because of the proprietary key that passes between the devices that limits outside (or interfering) communication.

 

[freeny]

why do you want to know? is manhattan good enough for you? or do you want more?

MORE!

I live in Grammercy Park and work on 39th and 3rd. Just being friendly

BTW, This all seems like a big iPod 4/1 JOKE!

 

[hokka]

If They do this...

...then it's another thing that Steve said no to previously, just like the iPod w/video

http://hardware.silicon.com/storage/0,39024649,39152441,00.htm

"Jobs said: "The problem with Bluetooth headphones is that it's not just recharging your iPod, you have to recharge your headphones too. People hate it. There are quality issues - the bandwidth isn't high enough, and even if it does get there some day, people don't want to recharge their headphones."

 

[AlanAudio]

I think that KSZ is thinking along the right lines.

BlueTooth headphones seem like a lot of trouble to replace a wired earbud. Although technically possible, there are practical drawbacks.

Connecting to a car stereo is a much more important task. Steve Jobs did mention some time ago that there were exciting developments to come with in-car-audio. This could be just the way to do that. Manufacturers of car radios already include BlueTooth for integration with cellphones and navigation systems. They could also allow the car stereo controls and steering wheel controls to operate the iPod and show track data on the display.

In the US, many people connect to car stereos via tiny FM transmitters, but they are illegal in some countries and impractical in many more. A well thought-out BlueTooth solution could be universally deployed globally and establish a new standard. FM permits only one way transmission, BlueTooth allows interchange in either direction.

Just out of interest, if an iPod were to have BlueTooth, wouldn't it be likely that the iPod HiFi might also have BlueTooth to allow wireless playback ? Has anybody taken one to bits to see what's inside ? A BlueTooth receiver needn't be visible from the outside and could already be lurking inside, waiting to be enabled.

 

[freeny]

And now this from AppleInsider-
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1611

Analyst predicts new Macs will arrive without media event

By AppleInsider Staff
Published: 03:00 PM EST

Going against the grain, analysts for UBS Investment Research on Tuesday issued a very brief research note, suggesting new Mac products in the June quarter, but predicting Apple is not likely to hold a special media event to do so.

The reliability of the analyst's predictions are currently unknown.

"We continue to believe that Apple will introduce new Intel-based iBooks (important for education) and a larger MacBook Pro in the June quarter," analyst Ben Reitzes wrote. "We forecast Mac units to improve in fiscal third quarter (June) to -1 percent year-over-year from -9 percent year-over-year in fiscal second quarter."

Additionally, the analyst wrote, "We still believe that a new video iPod, download service and new iPods are coming this year by the fall."

Shares of Apple fell over 3 percent (or $2.07) in later afternoon trading to $61.92 as investors reacted to the UBS research note.

-----------------------------------------

If Apple is leaking this stuff as another poster believed in another thread, its not doing their stocks all that good.

 

[kugino]

if BT is indeed in the next ipod (and i highly doubt it is), i hope it's an extra and not standard.

i don't know if a new video ipod is indeed planned for the next couple weeks...but if apple had a mini-event for the mini, ipod HF, and leather cases, they surely would have one for a new ipod...wouldn't they?

 

[mox358]

that's it!

This is getting overboard now.

COMBO APPLEiPHONEVIDEOiPODWITHBLUETOOTHANDWIMAX!!!!1!!ONE!! 1080PMOVIEDOWNLOADSFOR$2!!!!

Seriosuly. If Apple sells a 60GB iPod with a 2.5 inch screen for $400, how much do you think a 4-inch touch screened once with Bluetooth would cost? It just doesn't "fit" right.

People need to calm down and expect Apple to deliver something awesome, but rational and not ridiculous. One of the key things I've learned in my rumor-watching is that Apple prefers to take baby steps over huge, mind-blowing awesome ones.

There. I posted like three long winded posts and you summarized what I was trying to say right there. Thanks!

I agree that Bluetooth as a technology is not a bad idea... but what purpose does it serve in the iPod besides just "being there"? If you don't want to have to charge your headphones and you don't want to sync your music over BT what will putting it in the iPod do ? I highly doubt the auto-syncing of Calendars and Contacts (which is already a tacked-on feature of the iPod) is going to get another feature tacked on to it (especially one which would make it more expensive to produce therefore cutting into Apple's margins).

I guess I just don't get it.

 

[ksz]

...then it's another thing that Steve said no to previously, just like the iPod w/video

http://hardware.silicon.com/storage/0,39024649,39152441,00.htm

"Jobs said: "The problem with Bluetooth headphones is that it's not just recharging your iPod, you have to recharge your headphones too. People hate it. There are quality issues - the bandwidth isn't high enough, and even if it does get there some day, people don't want to recharge their headphones."

I already charge my Motorola Bluetooth headphone (for cell phones) regularly. Fortunately, it's extremely light and yet has a battery that provides many hours (haven't counted the hours) of operation.

Jobs has said several things that seemed to be just cursory statements. According to a statement from Jobs (feel free to search for it), he believes that a video-based iPod is a BAD idea.

If I'm carrying an iPod in my pocket and wearing a Bluetooth headphone without any wires protruding from my clothes to my face, of course I would be willing to charge up my headphone if that's the only drawback...

 

[Swatchman]

ONCE AGAIN I'LL STEP IN....


iPods will not in any shape or form contain Bluetooth technology. It is an expensive alternative to costs compared to wired headphones, these rumor sites are HURTING the marketing efforts and promoting uneeded ideology for the consumer.

Although Bluetooth is a fabulous technology, it is charging two devices and most importantly providing SERVICE (not cost efficient) to a faulty Bluetooth unit, that is the main reasons for no further group discussions.

There is NO Apple events taking place in April. The new MacBook (smaller,lighter,thinner) will debut in spring but the Mobile Me event will not cover it unless that changes.

Signed,
Somebody who knows
(aka Swatchman)

 

[Sunrunner]

I agree. I would love to have a pair of bluetooth headphones, but I would rather that Apple continue to bundle cheap and cheerful wired headphones with the iPod so that I can go out and choose my own bluetooth headphones rather than being forced to pay for whatever Apple chooses to bundle with the iPod. I can see this opening up a whole new segment of the accessories market, as various third party manufacturers scramble to get their own range of bluetooth headphones out there.

As it happens, a friend of mine runs a technology web site and has asked me to review a pair of bluetooth headphones which I will be going to pick up when I meet him for coffee this afternoon. I will be very interested to see how they perform, but most reviews that I've read suggest that the sound quality on bluetooth headphones is not nearly as good as wired headphones. Hopefully, Apple will implement EDR (extended data rate) technology when they add bluetooth functionality to the iPod, as this should resolve the sound quality issue.

Apple already uses EDR Bluetooth in all of their computer lines, so surmising that they would integrate this capability into a BT-capable iPod is not too much of a stretch. While the data rates involved in BT trtansmission does not really lend itself to relatively high-bandwidth uses like safari or iTMS, an extention of the iPod sync capability would be likely, with possible mail synching as well. It is important to note that while BT transmission would not greatly impact battery life, the activity of writing data to the drive would. Thus, expect any such computer-iPod connectivity to be somewhat regulated.

As other posters have suggested, I do not expect that Apple would bundle their iPods with a BT headphone set. Instead, they will likely come with the usual wired headphones but Apple will offer BT headphones as an accessory (much like they already do with the premium in-ear buds).

The most likely vessel for this BT funtionality would by the rumored vPod, which would lend itself to some of these capabilities (such as mail-synching) due to its increased screen real-estate. On the downside, one can extrapolate that a iPod sized screen would cut device battery life roughly in half when compared to a conventional-screen model. For both this reason and for reasons of cost, expect drive capacity to remain stagnate for the short term.