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MWSF: More Mini iPod Confirmation and Detail?

—pricing—

does anyone know how much the 5gb harddrives were before Apple introduced the original iPod?

have anybody read into (well, except Enderle) what memory-prices will evolve like in 2004?

in my opinion, Apple is preparing the evolution of storage-capacity—who will need a portable player with 120gb of music?

it will be more likely that capacities in the realms of current iPods is about perfect for most peoples music-librarys; and compression and codecs will likely enhance further along.

this is probably why Apple will use the current iPods hardrive, when capacity gets even bigger, for a new product making use of the enhanced capacaties; weather it be for photos + home on iPod, or include films/video/tv(dvr). even a tablet-format version could be the current iPods harddrive destination as i'm sure that they'd want a big screen (think 17inch pb and 20inch iMac).

the new miPod will surely evolve into the matrix where iPods are today (10-50gb).

this is how Apple could frog leap competition that has yet to recover from original iPod's introduction......

this will leave Apple with a sound matrix; having the best&smallest mp3&4player around at competitive pricing, +introducing a revolutionary product for photo/video/rest of digital hub.....
 
How is apple going to make the iPod fully functional at such a small size? I honestly am very interested to see how they are going to cram a screen, and all the buttons for navigating through the iPod's menu's in something smaller then the current iPods, which are already a little small for my hands.

On the bright side, this will sell unbelievably well in Japan, because they love the smallest possible electronics.

--Waluigi
 
Mini iPods

I'm sure it won't happen, but this is something to consider. I've read somewhere that when the iPods were first on the drawing board, there were three different designs altogether; two of which we are aware of (and the third design is yet to be discovered). One of the designs that we do know about is the unreleased version, the iPod w/removable hard drive. Perhaps this design function will be released at MWSF. Instead of removable hard drives, they will ship with 128mb flash cards with the ability to upgrade to 2GB.

Just my 2¢.

-rtc
 
miniPod as loss leader? Don't think so . . .

Originally posted by backspinner
Maybe, just maybe, they will change their price structure this time (for the music stuff only). Maybe they will sell these miniPods on a loss or very little profit. Just to get a big momentum on the player market, AAC downloads and the music store. Others do this and that works (Dells are initially cheap you now), as long as you can produce in large quantity. With the cheap small devices as bait, the expensive large devices will still sell and maybe even attract more buyers...
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Anything's possible, but neither Jobs nor Apple has much fondness for the low end of the market. Also, I really don't think Apple would deliberately turn their bread-and-butter product into a loss leader.

But hey, we're all guessing, right?
 
smaller iPod
=
touch screen ?
 

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Originally posted by Waluigi
How is apple going to make the iPod fully functional at such a small size? I honestly am very interested to see how they are going to cram a screen, and all the buttons for navigating through the iPod's menu's in something smaller then the current iPods, which are already a little small for my hands.

On the bright side, this will sell unbelievably well in Japan, because they love the smallest possible electronics.

--Waluigi
Click to expand...

Because of the usability issue, I vote for keeping the current form factor, unless Apple has come up with a brand-new interface designed specifically for a smaller unit. As long as you can easily fit the thing in a pocket, a big investment to make it smaller wouldn't help the consumer much. I'd rather the battery life be improved.
 
Originally posted by _aa_
—pricing—

does anyone know how much the 5gb harddrives were before Apple introduced the original iPod?
Click to expand...


The original 5GB Toshiba HD retailed for the same price as iPod when the iPod was introduced ($399)

arn
 
minipod

IF Apple is going for a minipod right now, I believe it will be;
1,5 smaller then current ipod, making it more stretched, like a RC, and with a horizontal scrollpadd, no circular.In all with the same ipod look and feel.
Use a new kind of solid state non-volatile memory, cheaper then flash. And maybe even use E-ink display technology for the smaller display.
I dont see the use of replaceable flashmemory and batteries as an apple solution (too complex)

lets wait and see.....

PS;no colors
 
same form factor

then again, why change a UI winner?...

just the same ipods but thinner, and with these new technologies.
 
could the mini be in reference to a change in thickness more than a change in the other dimensions of the ipod? that would make it weigh less and fit into pockets better, and with only a small change in the length and width the controls could stay the same
 
This is about the music system

Music (for Apple) is an entire system.

iTunes & iTMS for Win and OS X coupled with an iPod are the perfect music system.

In any case, buying in at AUS $529 for the basic version does not make any sense.

Either Apple needs to release a low-cost player or allow iTunes to work with non iPod devices in order to create a system that works for the broad population.

If Apple were not targeting the broad population, then we would not see iTunes for Windows.

Whatever technology the new iPod uses, there has to be one, iTMS has a limited long term future without it.
 
Who's to say that these new 'MiniPods' will be bottom of the range?

If they can get the capacitys large enough [Minimum 10 GB] then they could become middle of the range, and the current iPods would either become 'bottom' of the range, with another product completing Apple's 3 way matrix. Kind of like the eMac, iMac and Powermac.

ePod, iPod and PowerPod anyone?

After all, Apple's theory has often been less is more, and some people might pay for something just because it's smaller IMO, especially if it's got other features such as crossfade or eq or more games.

That's just my theory any way - it's one that I've seen on another site as well and I think it's more likely than the one you're talking about here.

Personally, I'd prefer the MiniPods to be bottom of the range, but with the price problem I can't see it happening.

Come on Apple, prove me wrong!
 
Originally posted by caveman_uk
Am I the only one who thinks $100 ipods are really unlikely? You only have to look at the price of RAM to know that 2GB costs more than $100. As another reader pointed out those IBM minidrives aren't exactly cheap either...

Maybe Apple has found a way of giving reasonably large storage and low price but given their love of margins I doubt it. Something has to give - either it ain't $100 or it ain't multi-GB
Click to expand...

I don't think $100 is going to happen. It's too cheap and no profit margins in it. Remember, iPods make the money, iTMS is the loss leader.

I expect a $199 price point, maybe $179. Breaks the $200 barrier and leaves a bit of room for Apple to make a few bucks.
 
Originally posted by rdowns
Remember, iPods make the money, iTMS is the loss leader.
Click to expand...
What if that is not true? If that is only when operated with few quantities? Maybe they can get a small profit of a $150 player and a lot of these people spending on the music store?
 
Originally posted by caveman_uk
Am I the only one who thinks $100 ipods are really unlikely? You only have to look at the price of RAM to know that 2GB costs more than $100. As another reader pointed out those IBM minidrives aren't exactly cheap either...
Click to expand...

Assuming of course that Apple are supplying the memory. It may not be likely, but what if Apple were to supply just a cheap 128 or 256MB card, but allow you, the customer, to upgrade to any CFII memory you want.

So 100-150$ buys you a (limited) iPod, but you're still likely to splash out some more cash for more memory (as is the case for digital cameras)

Now that may not be the most cost effective way for the customer, but you at least have a choice between a non-upgradeable HD version, or an upgradeable flash memory version. Some people may even be quite happy with carrying around 3 or 4 512MB cards (each with a different playlist).

It seems likely that a lot of potential iPod owners already have a digital camera and have already bought numerous memory cards.

Maybe they could even provide their own branded flash cards (of course they maybe more expensive than other 3rd party cards but might look cooler!)
 
Am i alone in thinking that Flower Power and Dalmation coloured iMacs were really cool and nice looking?

Having a Dalmation iPod would be sweet! But I would want a Blue one otherwise.
 
It's getting more and more confused (about the actual details that is)

Weren't there some ealier rumors indicating the new 'Pods would be ALL plastic as oppose to S/S backed to reduce cost? Then if it's HD based how would the heat be transferred?

And doesn't Lithium-ion based batteries hate heat?

BUT then again...

I've heard horribe stories about Flash based storage solutions, a distributors (not reseller) friend of mine here in Oz stopped selling the 1GB version as it's basically 2 x 512MB soldered together (on top of each other - since there are no commercially/readily available 1GB or more at this time), and so much "leakage" occurs between the two cards have resulted so much data-loss almost all were returned... So I wouldn't trust anything more than 512MB at the moment (until there are a single 1GB+ version available at a reasonable price which is still a few years down the track, or until digital cameras go beyond 20Million pixels or something)

I do like the idea of removable HD/Flash idea, if it turn out to be true I'd say 95% chance it'll be either non-removable (like current HD version) or Apple branded (with a proprietry HD/Card), because Apple likes to control the whole widget and give that flowless experience - I'm sure Apple wouldn't want you buy some crap non-brand thrid party card for the miniPod and when something crap-out you'll blame Apple for it (just look at how a simple battery issue got blown out of proportion).

Anyway, don't know what else to think, but it's confusing the crap out of me :confused:
 
It seems likely that a lot of potential iPod owners already have a digital camera and have already bought numerous memory cards.
Click to expand...

I think you nailed it. Apple will most likely be able to reach a $99 or $149 price point by providing the player. The customer then can use their own memory cards, or buy them as a separate purchase. So if a customer wanted a 1GB iPod-Mini, they could buy the $99 iPod, and use their own 1GB CF2 card. This is the only way I could see Apple price their iPods without adding memory, since Flash and HDs are the priciest components.

As far as the new name for the mini iPods... I think Apple will keep the iPod name as it is a well known brand name, but add the "mini" extension on the end of it, such as iPod-Mini, or iPod/m. I like the last one, sounds smooth rolling off the tongue.
 
The reason why things are getting confusing is that reports are RUMORS. Apple has kept the lid on this very well. There's no doubt that Apple will be introducing a new MP3 player of some type. One RUMOR site reports that there will be two different designs - a low price and mid price version. Again, until Apple unveils the product everything is conjecture. And, by the way, HD drives have come down enormously in price since they were introduced 2 years ago. Apple doesn't pay list price for them. Toshiba has recently increased their manufacturing ability. Prices may be half of what they were two years ago. The original 5 Gig iPod was $500. Now you can buy a 10 Gig for $300. Apple will enter thispart of the market because it appeals to kids and teens (and their parents who don't want to spend $299 for an iPod). Many people don't need to carry around their complete CD collection. 200 to 500 songs is enough for them. 9 days and counting
 
Originally posted by Sir_Giggles
I think you nailed it. Apple will most likely be able to reach a $99 or $149 price point by providing the player. The customer then can use their own memory cards, or buy them as a separate purchase. So if a customer wanted a 1GB iPod-Mini, they could buy the $99 iPod, and use their own 1GB CF2 card. This is the only way I could see Apple price their iPods without adding memory, since Flash and HDs are the priciest components.

As far as the new name for the mini iPods... I think Apple will keep the iPod name as it is a well known brand name, but add the "mini" extension on the end of it, such as iPod-Mini, or iPod/m. I like the last one, sounds smooth rolling off the tongue.
Click to expand...

It all start sounding TOO MUCH like a Sony's Mini Disk Player or their Memory Stick Network Walkmans (which is old tech) - I'm having doubts NOW as it offers no benifit (or can lure) people that have MD players at the moment (minus the recording) - though the top-of-the-line MD Recorder is the same price as a 40GB iPod.

Yeah btw, removable media suck! that's why I bought an iPod!
 
If I ran Apple...

Name of the MinIpod: ePod.

eMac was supposed to be just for education, but since now everybody can buy one.. the iPod for Everbody.. ePod.

Also, what I'd like to see, is the re-introduction of flavors. I thought they were all great (with some obvious exceptions). How about you buy a redesigned flavored eMac, and you can get a matching flavored ePod for $99.

:D
 
in my opinion, Apple is preparing the evolution of storage-capacity—who will need a portable player with 120gb of music?
Click to expand...
I do! My 20GB iPod has been full for a long time, and only has a small fraction of my CD collection on it. Add to that the possibility of keeping your home dir on it, etc. and the larger, the better.

I haven't bothered upgrading to a 40GB, cause it won't solve my space problems (and will shorten my battery life...) I'd love a 80 to 120GB iPod...

Ted
 
Possible Pricing

I was thinking more like this:

1GB $99
2GB $149
4GB $199

10GB $299
20GB $399
40GB $499
 
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