Photo iPod -- Apple's first misguided idea in a while.

[jayscheuerle]

It's called the iPod because it was envisioned as being more capable than simply a music player. iPod, not iMusic or iPlayer...

There will be no iPod video because it's illegal to carry movies on anything other than the DVDs they came on (as of now). Therefore, there's no legal content, unlike Photos, where we create our own content. Steve has said as much.

If movies become available online with the same sort of DRM as the AAC files at the ITMS, then there will be a legal venue for the creation of such a player, otherwise a iPod video would simply be seen as a device to store and play pirated movies, regardless of whether you burn them from bought DVDs or not.

iPod Photo would ROCK if it was wireless, with a simple, small plug that popped into the S-Video port on whatever TV you wanted to show the pictures on.

 

[QCassidy352]

I agree with the original poster. I've never really wanted to carry photos around with me, nor do I know anyone who does...

Hey, it could catch on. But I don't really see the demand. Though I must admit, it's cool, in a "just because we can" sort of way.

 

[Peyote]

Heh, I was waiting for one of these threads.

Remember how the original iPod was a bad idea because it was too expensive? Nobody really used MP3 players anyway.

Remember how the iPod mini was a bad idea because it was more than the flash based players, and for $50 more you could get 20GB?

Remember how ITMS was a bad idea because nobody would pay for music when they could download it for free?

Need I go on?

Remember the Newton? The Cube?


Not everything Apple makes is golden, and just because something was a sucess in the past, doesn't mean that something different will be a success in the future.

 

[Peyote]

If movies become available online with the same sort of DRM as the AAC files at the ITMS, then there will be a legal venue for the creation of such a player, otherwise a iPod video would simply be seen as a device to store and play pirated movies, regardless of whether you burn them from bought DVDs or not.

This already exists. Right now you can download rented movies that expire and stop playing. We're not too far from buying digital version of movies. Eventually, I think we'll see an iTunes like app for video...be it Quicktime, or iWatch, or whatever. The biggest hurdle is getting the studios to agree with the DRM scheme...but if the software doesn't exist, how can you convince them? My bet is that the software already exists, and talks are already beginning.

 

[stcanard]

Remember the Newton? The Cube?


Not everything Apple makes is golden, and just because something was a sucess in the past, doesn't mean that something different will be a success in the future.

See my last post when this was brought up on page 2...

 

[Peyote]

See my last post when this was brought up on page 2...

If the Cube was such a great success, it would still be sold. Being a technological marvel doesn't mean a product will do well. Regardless of whether or not you agree on the cube or any other past product, you are not some Apple prophet that has divined that a new or future product will succeed, just because past products have succeeded. Are you one of those people that goes and plays roulette, and when the wheel has a run on hitting red for 8 times in a row, you bet on black?

Now certainly, the possibility of an Apple product succeeding is more determined by more than fate, but to claim that it will do well simply because past products have done well (especially when there are examples of products that haven't done well), is illogical and superstitious.

I like to take a look at the market, the product, the price, and the timing. Those factors determine how well a product does.

 

[jsw]

All I know is this: walking into an Apple Store and playing with a 4G and a Photo, you will do everything you can to get the Photo. It's that much nicer. I just played with them today, and I will be trying to sell my 4G ASAP.

 

[stcanard]

If the Cube was such a great success, it would still be sold. Being a technological marvel doesn't mean a product will do well. Regardless of whether or not you agree on the cube or any other past product, you are not some Apple prophet that has divined that a new or future product will succeed, just because past products have succeeded... [it goes on] ...

Okay take a deep breath. Count to 10. Actually, make it 100. Slowly.

Good.

Now go to page 2 and actually read my post. The one where I respond to the comment about the cube. The one where I explain why I picked the items I did for my examples.

I think you either picked the wrong post or totally misunderstood the intent.

 

[Loge]

This already exists. Right now you can download rented movies that expire and stop playing. We're not too far from buying digital version of movies. Eventually, I think we'll see an iTunes like app for video...be it Quicktime, or iWatch, or whatever. The biggest hurdle is getting the studios to agree with the DRM scheme...but if the software doesn't exist, how can you convince them? My bet is that the software already exists, and talks are already beginning.

Yes, the real sticking problem with video iPod is the copyright issues. One of the reasons why the iPod was successful quickly, was that you could leverage your existing content - you could immediately fill it with the CDs you already had. In a similar way the video iPod would need to be able to seamlessly allow you to transfer content you had already purchased on DVD. While this can be done, it is somewhat awkward and legally questionable. I see the movie industry would prefer you to repurchase your content on files designed for the device, and would baulk at something like iTunes for DVDs. Anyway, we may get there eventually, but it will take time.

 

[stcanard]

Now certainly, the possibility of an Apple product succeeding is more determined by more than fate, but to claim that it will do well simply because past products have done well (especially when there are examples of products that haven't done well), is illogical and superstitious.

Consistent trends in the past are generally considered to be decent predictors of future behaviour. So no, to do so is not illogical, and in fact is the basis of most business.

What is illogical is to take a carefully chosen set of examples, and throw in something unrelated. For instance if somebody were to show an example of a consistent trend in a company nailing price, performance, and feature points in an MP3 player and suggest that's a decent predictor of the performance of the current model, it would be silly to say that's wrong, because after all 15 years ago they made a PDA that failed.

like to take a look at the market, the product, the price, and the timing. Those factors determine how well a product does.

I agree 100%.

Past trends indicate that Apple is doing an amazing job of looking at exactly these factors. They've consistenly nailed a price-point, form factor, and feature list when everyone else thought it would be too expensive (iPod, iPod-mini, ITMS all did this) or people would not be interested.

Past trends indicate that the early adopter crowd is very wrong in their analysis of the appeal of these products to the genaral populace.

Barring a fundamental shift in the paradigm, I see no reason why this should change for the iPod Photo.

I could be wrong. That's the way of trend prediction. But based on Apple's past performance in the music industry (notice again, I'm narrowing the field, the Lisa is not a good counter-example here, even though it was thought to be too expensive at the time) I'm betting there's a better chance of me being right.

 

[OldManJimbo]

As for the Photo iPod, as you say, if it could download your pics from you camera it would be great, but as it is, it's pretty pointless IMO. Same goes for the U2 iPod, it's ugly as hell, red & black!? What are they thinking!?!

To each his own, I guess. The U2 color scheme is the first that's caught my attention and the idea of carrying photos in the iPod has finally got me seriously thinking of buying one.

You guys need to realize that Apple is a grown up company and they've probably done more market research on the iPod w/ photo concept than you can imagine. You may not like it - but I'll bet there are a ton of folks who do.

By the way - Edesignuk, you've changed your Avatar photo. Plastic surgery, or a spa treatment? HAH.

 

[billtanderson]

Exclusivity

I disagree. Exclusivity is fine for low volume products, people want an iPod now because everyone else has an iPod, it is THE music player to have. It is outselling all the others put together, so there is no exclusivity now. There used to be exclusivity some time ago, where it was cool to have the best player that not everyone else had.

This is a good thing for Apple though, if you are the standard of choice you win (think about VHS vs the superior Betamax, or dare I say Windows vs Mac OS X, we might not like it but most people do choose it so MS wins, so the best product does not always win). I don't think that Apple are there just yet with the iPod (look at Sony's sales figures for Walkman products) but they have a very real opportunity to get there.

My thought on iPod Photo is that it is a nice top end prduct which extends the line - it may not be a massive seller, but top-end stuff never is.

I already use my iPod to store my photos - it is the second largest set of data I actually create (after DV movie stuff). For me my photos are particularly important because they are irreplaceable. If I lost my CDs I could but more - it would be expensive, but do-able. If I lose my digital photos they are gone for good, so a backup on an iPod is another safety net. if I can also see them on the iPod then thats a nice touch. Showing them on TV is another nice touch.

Today I can get an iPod to do what my 40GB 3G iPod does, plus store and display photos and album artwork, and do slidshows to my TV, AND it stores 50% more data, and the battery life is doubled and it has the click-wheel, and less than a year after my original purchase this costs £29 more than the one I bought . If all those changes are not enough for you in a year then you will NEVER be satisfied by ANYTHING. Yes it is not cheap, but the top-end never is, and never will be.

I dont care what most of the other products do, they are not iPods, another product would have to be ground-breaking to make me switch platform now. e.g. something which would match the iPod Photo features and add something else special - (a bluetooth headset to project my photos/videos onto my retina - hey I can dream), just making it with a slightly bigger hard-drive or a bit cheaper would not make me switch platforms.

I agree with earlier posters that a direct camera link would be excellent - but only if it was pretty fast and did not completely kill the battery.

Video play to TV would be nice - I have a DV-Cam and do have my own material to use, however unless batteries improve dramatically this is for the future.

Sorry for rambling on.

 

[BWhaler]

Yep. Thats me more or less. Although I do have this plan.

Impress girl with color iPod.

Show her pictures of my one legged dog "lil brudder" with some nice sensitive music.

Its gonna work like a charm.

Man alive, this is one funny post.

 

[abhishekit]

Reading the fabulous reviews from the users on this forum who have already got theirs, especially how fast the scrolling is and how good the screen looks, I guess its not such a misguided idea afterall..

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I don't think it's a bad idea for Apple to keep expanding the functionality of the iPods. However, I think that the iPod line should always contain a pre-ipod photo type iPod that is simpler and (relatively)cheap. And of course, Apple should always be trying to translate the iPod's success into more Mac sales.

 

[cheekyspanky]

I've always been under the impression everyone hates having to sit through relatives holiday snaps, surely this new iPod is a bad thing!

After music, my photos are the most stored thing on my iPod, yet I don't really feel the need to view them, just to know they're on there as a back up if something happens to my pc.

How long til the normal iPods have the colour screen I wonder?

 

[themacman]

an idea

I think it is, but as Steve said in the speech about it there is no content out there yet really for a mass market video iPod. so it makes sense that this is the next step as there IS lots of digital photo content out there- but i would also agree that most probably don't wan't all their pictures with them on the run.

Itunes can sell movies in there music store so u can watch movies on ur ipod

 

[Sharewaredemon]

Itunes can sell movies in there music store so u can watch movies on ur ipod

iTunes can sell their movies in their music store so you can watch movies and your iPod.

(in case anyone had trouble understanding the last post)

Well in theory yes, but there are a few things to thinks about. First, the files would have to be a LOT bigger, which means more server space, which costs Apple more. Also, the file transfers would require broadband, and would still take a long time.

As was stated earlier, the iPod's success was not simply the iTMS, is was the fact that you could LEGALLY put the cds you already owned onto your computer and iPod. Right now there is no legal way to do that with movies, and I highly doubt people will want to buy a movie they already own to put it on their media player.