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iPod New video iPod rumor

Apple is not going to release a brand new device for video, the market is way too small for it. And they are not going to use a touch screen display to replace the clickwheel, people like real controls with clickable buttons.

In all likelihood Apple will gradually add video capability to the existing iPod line, just like they added photo. It's not a 'killer' feature, but is a nice value added feature to further develop the overall iPod line, especially in a year and a half when even the cheapest iPod has video capability.

What they might do is increase the screen size a bit (there's a little bit of room), with higher resolution. They're not going to increase the physical size of the iPod, as most people are still going to use the iPod primarily for music. They're not going to sacrifice overall usability to increase video playback functionality.

It will of course have video out, just like the iPod Photo currently has. For those who really want a bigger portable screen, some company will come out with a decent portable screen that has a similar footprint, with an integrated battery that will work good with a 'iPod Video'. It will also be white. ;)
 
i'm guessing i'm not the first person to see this as i'm no mac sleuth by any means but possibly itunes is already ready for music videos and the like. when i opened a native quicktime file with itunes it played the video where the cd coverart is usually located and had a little camera icon beside the file's name.

itunesmovies.jpg
 
I do believe that the main purpose of releasing the video iPod is for it to play music videos or clips or short trailers...
HD Movies? Maybe later, i don't think that is Apple's Main purpose of releasing the video iPod...
 
>>I personally hate the idea of a Cell phone - even if it hooks up to a network for talking anywhere, I would have no use for carrying a telephone around with me. Talking on the phone is an activity in itself, requireing your undivided attention-and therefore in my mind doesn't automatically make sense to do anywhere, anytime. I mean-come-on-talking on the phone while at the store? Walking down the street? In your CAR!?!?!?. Sheesh, some folks are dreaming. I've also always hated that Nioka stuffs more and more features into its phones without fixing or caring about their glaring deficiencies in basic usability. ie: (cough* clear signal cough*) and size- 2 pound phone would just be TOO much trouble to carry around. If true, this is yet more evidence that Nioka doesn't really care about the little details that make talking on the phone AT HOME so enjoyable.

MJ-August 1991
 
madmaxmedia said:
They're not going to increase the physical size of the iPod, as most people are still going to use the iPod primarily for music. They're not going to sacrifice overall usability to increase video playback functionality.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with this one...
:D
 
madmaxmedia said:
They're not going to increase the physical size of the iPod, as most people are still going to use the iPod primarily for music. They're not going to sacrifice overall usability to increase video playback functionality.
Click to expand...
I'm not so sure on that guess. Look at how the original iPod has evolved. iPod > iPod mini > iPod photo > iPod shuffle. There is a great difference between the original iPod and the iPod shuffle, granted they do serve the same proper function, that of playing music. But they are targeted to different consumer crowds. And that is likely going to be the case with a video iPod.

I would expect some kind of form-factor modification for a video iPod, but nothing that would heavily stray from the ubiquitous white design. The earlier submitted concept from gizmondo seems a bit too large and awkward to serve as a portable video player. Viewing photos on an iPod looks great, so the resolution quality really isn't an issue; more so, I would expect the screen to be only slightly larger than the existing screen size we are used to. Probably something to perfectly fit the music videos now being sold on the iTMS.

Overall, I am very excited about a video iPod. Having something to quickly watch on my daily bus commutes will be fantastic. I don't expect myself to watch a movie on one, but television shows and music videos will certainly fill my video iPod library. I'm getting anxious to retire this 3G iPod of mine :)
 
i'm guessing i'm not the first person to see this as i'm no mac sleuth by any means but possibly itunes is already ready for music videos and the like.
Click to expand...

Not only that, but there are some video podcasts now too. I suscribed to one (didn't know it was video), and since I have podcasts set to auto-update I got a message from iTunes saying that the podcast wasn't going to be transferred because my device wasn't video-capable.

It doesn't automatically mean that a video-capable iPod is coming, but it was interesting. I guess iTunes can manage PDF's now, I wonder what happens when you try to copy a PDF to your iPod. Maybe a very similar message...

I do believe that the main purpose of releasing the video iPod is for it to play music videos or clips or short trailers...
HD Movies? Maybe later, i don't think that is Apple's Main purpose of releasing the video iPod...
Click to expand...

Another great app would be for playing TV content captured by an Elgato or similar device. I am positive that if and when an iPod Video is released, within 2 months Elgato will release an EyeTV software update that provides iPod Video compatiblity with full iTunes synchronization.

A small screen would be fine IMO for watching sitcoms, last nite's Sportscenter, etc...Since the content is free and very easy to capture, it's less of a big deal than say ripping a DVD.

I just bought a $200 Plextor box that uses the EyeTV software, it's really a nifty device. It encodes to Divx or MPEG4 in hardware (so no PC overhead to convert video), and links to TitanTV.com for full Tivo-like functionality.

It's not a killer feature by any means, but would be really cool IMO.
 
iPod prices

A 512 mb iPod shuffle costs around US$ 280... So, if Apple starts selling Ipod Video's for. lets say US$ 599, it'll probably cost around US$ 1.600 or more here in Brazil... :eek: For instance, it's high unlikely that someday i'll buy a iPod Video, because it's price will be prohibitive for me...

I'm dying to buy an iPod shuffle, but for now prices are a shame! I'll have to wait a little longer to get one... maybe next year...
 
DarkNetworks said:
I do think that Apple would just take the current ipod and let it play videos which means no larger screen...shall see when the real video iPods are out...
Click to expand...


Which makes it next to useless. try using an iPod Photo sometime and bring up a photo. The screen is next to useless trying to pick out details. Great for just viewing a pict but forget trying to see what that person has in her hands. Or name of the bar in the background.
Its too small and too low res. Video would be just as bad on a 2" screen Realistically you need a 3"-4" widescreen to make it anything other then a joke. If Apple simply integrates video into the current form factor of the iPod they may as well write the thing off before it ships. The whole point of an iPod video is to play video. Otherwise you will just go out and get a normal iPod. If Apple does a half***ed job by just slapping video playback in the thing they are screwed. If nothing else the PSP will eat them alive. Again the point of an iPod video is to play video. If that is what a buyer is looking into they are going to glance over at the PSP look at the iPod's smalls screen and say screw that. The only thing that would make the iPod Video better then the PSP is if there is a video store. (Which is also what makes the iPod itself so attractive.) But that would mean Apple is making a major effort into video which to me means they wouldn't do a half***ed job putting video into an ipod.
 
I think they're going to cover the front of a standard iPod with a widescreen and implement a touch screen scroll wheel thingie.

The video iPod will support H.264 video playback of HD content that is sold through the iMovie store on the internal screen as well as be able to hook it up to a HDTV via a dock connector HDMI connection.

Thus totally bypassing Blueray and HD-DVD and making the iPod for video (storing content without the physical media) and bringing HD to the mass market faster.
 
The one thing I'm afraid of with this "video iPod" is the one of the most important factors for portable devices IMO, battery life. I feared what adding a color screen and photo-viewing to the orignial iPod would do for its Battery Life and amazingly it got more battery life playing music then its monochrome counterpart, although I think thats just due to a increase in technology. If the current iPod line was monochrome I'm sure it would get well over 15 hours, not to mention it only gets 5 hours when using it for a slideshow. The same will probably happen with a video iPod, 5 hours for video and 15 for audio. So far the only iPod model I like where its going by keeping its roots (if I wanted a photo viewer, I can do that in my digital cameras screen, or a video viewer I can do that on the screen of my DV Video Camera) but if I want something solely for music, the iPod mini seems the best deal with 18+ REAL WORLD hours of battery life, quicker recharge times, but only offers up to 6 gigs (and I hear the next models going to be 2 gigs of flash? That's nice but can they still release a 8 gig or some bumped up storage model especially if the iPod line is just going to the way of video and probably less-battery life as well). I'm sorry but I highly value battery life, much more then photo/video viewing capabilities in my portable audio player. If wanted a portable media player I probably would've got a Creative, iRiver, or Sony PSP. But I don't need a 2-in-1 or even a all-in-one solution, I just need what the iPod was originally meant to be. Stop working on adding new features (like someone mentioned above) and fix the current problems like gapless-playback and although 18+ hours of battery life in my Mini is plenty, I'd have no argument asking for more - especially the full size iPod's which I would love to see have as much battery as the new Sony's (which get 35+ hours I believe) or the Creative Zen Touch (which is rated at 24+ hours I believe). If not, the only other solution I would support is the possibility for more battery life away from a USB/Firewire/AC-adapter port is user-replaceable or swappable batteries! Although this seems common knowledge and probably should already be offered, but if there not working on increasing the battery life and probably decreasing it with all these new battery-draining features. At least give us a user-replaceable battery that can be switched as easily as they are on iBooks and PowerBooks...
 
Video iPod would be useful

dangit, I want to be able to encode my DVD's (about 100 or so) and carry then around in my pocket and be able to watch them on a television and surround system instead of having to carry around to cd folders filled with movies. In the same way I don't want to carry around all those CD's I am tired of lugging DVD everywhere I want to watch. And also the prospect of being able to watch movies on the go (ala PSP) would be pretty cool as well... just my two cents...
 
tacojohn said:
I think they're going to cover the front of a standard iPod with a widescreen and implement a touch screen scroll wheel thingie.
Click to expand...

Doubt it will be touchscreen. I use my fingers on my PDA and while I don't have the greasiest hands on the planet the screen gets smudged to death in a matter of minutes. Maybe something on the side of the device. A touchpad on the side that you run your finger across to navigate the interface?
 
Has the PSP eaten the iPod or iPod Photo alive? They're completely different devices.

Apple could release a product specialized for video. But the problem is the market size just isn't there. People have been listening to portable music players for years, so the iPod makes sense. A portable video player would be a cool geek toy, but not be a big seller like the iPod.

The alternative route is to add video to existing iPods. It really doesn't add much to the cost, it's just adding new features like they added contacts, games, photos, and now video. The point is not to sell a video player, the point is to further develop the iPod product.

They're going to keep the current lineup, and slap in a 80GB iPod Video at the top. It will be priced relative to the other iPods. So if you want an 80GB iPod for music, or a video iPod you will buy that model (just like the original iPod Photo.) Later, the video feature will trickle down to the other models, and in a year and a half the $299 iPod will have video too. Don't like video? It doesn't matter, it doesn't negatively affect you because the iPod still has the same great form factor and usability as always.

The other huge benefit for Apple is to maintain current pricing levels. If they don't add new features, the price points will erode over time due to competition. Apple doesn't want to be selling $149 regular iPods in 2 years. Actually, neither does anyone else, but either you come out with a cheaper product or you come out with a better product than everyone else.

SiliconAddict said:
Which makes it next to useless. try using an iPod Photo sometime and bring up a photo. The screen is next to useless trying to pick out details. Great for just viewing a pict but forget trying to see what that person has in her hands. Or name of the bar in the background.
Its too small and too low res. Video would be just as bad on a 2" screen Realistically you need a 3"-4" widescreen to make it anything other then a joke. If Apple simply integrates video into the current form factor of the iPod they may as well write the thing off before it ships. The whole point of an iPod video is to play video. Otherwise you will just go out and get a normal iPod. If Apple does a half***ed job by just slapping video playback in the thing they are screwed. If nothing else the PSP will eat them alive. Again the point of an iPod video is to play video. If that is what a buyer is looking into they are going to glance over at the PSP look at the iPod's smalls screen and say screw that. The only thing that would make the iPod Video better then the PSP is if there is a video store. (Which is also what makes the iPod itself so attractive.) But that would mean Apple is making a major effort into video which to me means they wouldn't do a half***ed job putting video into an ipod.
Click to expand...
 
shouldn't those ****s at SHARP make their bluetooth phones compatible with os x first before bragging about something that isn't here yet?
 
You are all missing one thing... "Hi Hi my first post."

I have read this forum for a while now. Well.

The video iPod. I got a photo 60 gb. I love this as I know I have my pictures backed up at all times. I already lost a couple hundred pictures when My hard drive crashed in my new PB. There are two big features that is needed. To be able to back up the movie folder in the User in OS X. This can be by dragging the folder to the iPod and use it as a HD. BUT if we can view the simple once that would be great. iPhoto already supports Video. What is needed now is that the video sequences that we take with our digital cameras can be viewed in our iPods.

With a feature like this we dont need to either plug the camera or computer into the TV when we want to view our digital camera albums.

If we get the ability to show video on a display (read TV) via the iPod that would be cool. We would not need to bring a computer or DVD's to our freinds to watch a movie. Just bring the iPod. Music during the trip and video when you get there.

There are so many options for people if Apple introduces a video function on the iPod.

If I was Apple I would use the tablet design and create a very low end laptop but high end PDA mix. With this users can have a portable video player. I would keep the iPod the same design as people relate to this. It might be borning but people know that the iPod looks like it does. That is good. We as comsumers need to see it in other peoples hands or be (ohh cool). The "ooh cool" people are the trend setters. They will buy a new design while the rest will not do this until they dare to.

Everything with video from apple should be HD format as that is the new standard.

"Apple - Biring on the video. We want it. Dont change the design just more options off diffrent looks, create new product for movie watching."
 
I don't think an iPod Video is going to be that bad.
It might be very cool.

Sure, it has to get a new look, it can't look like the original iPods.
But it would be stupid to ignore the idea of an video device.
It WILL happen, question is if Apple waits too long.
I would rather see them make a product now and and update it later than wait and wait.
 
I'd rather have a home stereo component

airporthd.jpg


This is a mockup I made for Think Secret a week ago. (More pictures & details here)

Yeah, it would be neat if an iPod could play movies, but it would never have enough CPU or battery to play anything in HD. Maybe if you could play music videos on it, that would be cool. But other than long plane rides, it doesn't make sense. And most people would prefer to watch on a laptop in that case.

I'd rather have a home stereo component, like the Airport Express, that feeds video and audio (in high definition and surround) from a Mac, and nothing more. This would keep the price sane.

If could go to iTunes and purchase a DVD quality movie (with all the DVD extras!) and them stream it to my living room I would never purchase a DVD again! There are way more possibilities, like HD feeds of sold out concerts, live (well buffered anyway). Plus, having an external component like this, with a built-in H264 decoder would get around the fact that very few Macs can play full-framerate HD movies anyway.
 
madmaxmedia said:
Has the PSP eaten the iPod or iPod Photo alive? They're completely different devices.
Click to expand...

Not where video is concerned. The only issue with the PSP is the lack of a hard drive. That will be coming out this fall as an addon. The combined total being prob in the ballpark of what an iPod Video will be. Remember Sony is trying to pull a Trojan horse with the PSP. Its being marketed as a game device but there is a reason why they are trying to sell movies that play on it as well.
 
Hattig said:
Bye bye scrollwheel.

Hello touch-sensitive widescreen display with virtual scrollwheel that fills the front of the vPod.
Click to expand...

And hello greasy finger prints all over the screen!! I don't think this is a good idea. Perhaps a linear scroll bar (like on the iRiver MP3 players) off to the side or on the bottom would work better.

Personally, I'd love to see a video iPod and I don't understand all of these people saying it's a stupid idea, yada, yada. Just because YOU wouldn't use it doesn't mean a whole lot of other people would.

I just bought a PSP and it's great for use as a PMP. I record using EyeTV on my Mac and then export to my memory stick. I get about 4hrs of TV on a 1GB memory stick... a full movie at higher video quality will also fit.
Previously, I've used my Treo650 and Zaurus C760 for the same thing and that was just fine.

If they do come out with a vPod, I'd like to see it integrated with a home media center. Perhaps a HMC as a new product or an add of for an existing Mac (like the Mini). I could see downloading TV, movies, music vids, etc. on to it and then taking it over to one of my friend's houses. Since I have a few friends that are Apple fans, this would work out quite well.

In fact, I could do something like that now with my iMac/EyeTV/iPod-mini, but it'd be a much more manual process.
 
What is everyones problem with a video iPod? If you don't want to watch a video on an iPod then don't move a video to your iPod! It will still play music and whatever else you want it to. Its a given (well to me at least) that the iPod will at some point play video. To say that there is no market for it is just plain stupid. There was really no market for mp3 players until the iPod came out. And go back and look at the archives when the iPod was introduced, everyone thought it was going to be a HUGE flop and now...

Here is just one example that people want a "vPod" and want it bad. Not only would they go through all those steps to have a make shift video iPod but then use the wheel like a 1920's picture show crank.

And I'm willing to bet that the ipod dimmensions will not change very much. They might be able to make the screen a little bigger but I don't think we will see anything different like a whole screen to view vids or a much longer iPod to support wide screen.
 
wrxguy said:
call me old fashion but i dont even like the idea of a picture ipod...Yea the album artwork is cool but i like my ipod the way it is...black and white (and kinda blue?) I use it to hold the most amounts of music I can, not pictures of my dogs and what my car looks like...So the idea of a VIDEO ipod just makes me laugh...come on....steve jobs your crazy lol....
Click to expand...

i'm actually sad that they didnt make a black and white high capacity ipod with battery life and storage in mind.
 
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