The Beat Goes On: Nano, Touch, Beatles, Wireless?

[cammo427]

My predictions for the 5th

New iPod nano with cover flow and click wheel, somewhere in between the size of the current nano and the current video iPod in brushed aluminum. Colors, blue, green, pink, red, black, silver, and orange. 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB flash based drives. $179, $229, $279. Thats it for the nano.

Touch screen iPod will just be called iPod offered in 40GB and 80GB versions. Wifi enabled with Safari, good version of iCal, and Mail. I would really like it if they incorporated a decent point and shoot camera, but that is probably not going to happen. These will be priced at $399 and $499.

I really like the idea of a camera... and bluetooth earbuds. That would be superior.

 

[OldTimey]

... and there is no doubt that the iPhone cannibalizes sales of iPods

and no doubt, in my mind that a wifi iPod would dip into iPhone sales.

1. Millions of people are tied to Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and other wireless carriers. They will not buy an iPhone and the iPhone does NOT cannibalize the iPod market from this segment. Yet others simply don't like AT&T and won't switch (anytime soon).

The number of people who switched to Cingular just to get an iPhone is unprecedented in the world of cellular communications...at least 30% of all iPhone buyers are switchers...I think the number is actually higher...and once the phone is unlocked in 1.5 yrs, then what? Not a factor.

2. There are others who are waiting for iPhone 2 with G3, MMS, Exchange Support, Video Camera, GPS, and the kitchen sink. The iPhone again does not cannibalize the iPod market from this segment.

This will probably happen around the time the iPhone is available to all US carriers.

3. The iPod is sold in MANY more countries than the iPhone (which is currently sold in one). The iPhone again does not cannibalilze the iPod market from the international segment.

Not for much longer.

4. The iPhone is limited to 8GB. Newer iPods might double the flash capacity and maybe even double the hard disk capacity of existing models. Even iPhone owners might justify the purchase of a 120GB or 160GB iPod.

This is possible! I won't be one of those people though!

5. The iPhone starts at $500 and incurs a minimum monthly charge of $60. The iPod starts at $80 and incurs a monthly charge of $0 for eternity. You can buy one for yourself, your friends, your family.

How does this relate to a wifi iPod dipping into iPhone sales?

 

[madmaxmedia]

This is all spot on, and exactly what I have been saying as well. It's much better for iPods to 'steal' iPhone sales than some other company's device.

A $500 iPod or a $500-$600 iPhone, Apple wins either way. The Zune already has wifi, their next version could easily include MSN, a browser, etc. I don't think these are end-all be-all features, but Apple has already developed the best mobile browser on the market, and an awesome touchscreen OS X UI to control it all. If you really NEED mobile internet, then the iPod won't do because you need to have a wifi signal (for the 99% of the population that doesn't have free city-provided wifi or whatever.)

At the end of the day, pricing is the main issue. 8GB of flash is not cheap, but neither is a 120 GB HD. Factor in that Apple is not getting a small but significant downstream revenue from cell service, and all this means that a top-of-the-line iPod with big HD and wifi isn't going to be cheap. But people are going to want it. It still may be that the parts will all cost too much, and Apple will forgo wifi...for now.

I also agree that the 'fat nano' will actually a flash-based successor to the 5.5G iPod. Flash-based players get smaller, not bigger, and the Nano will not change. This new player will slot in between the nano and iPod Touch, have up to 16 or maybe 32GB of storage, so customers will still have a complete range of price points to choose from (since the iPod Touch may very well start at $400 for say 30GB and wifi.)

In the long run, these are all wireless multi-function devices. Apple just wants to make sure everyone who has such a device, has an Apple one. Having a few different products to cover different user needs helps ensure this result (just as having a few different iPod models ensures there's a 'right' iPod for everyone.)

With all this banter of "oh the full screen ipod won't have wifi or be crippled ie. no Safari" from the peeps on this thread. I think you all need to remember what Apple (Steve Jobs) said when asked if the iPhone would impact iPod sales. If there's going to be any canibalisation of the iPod market it's better that Apple's the one to do it. Couple that with the most recent quarter's report which stated that their upcoming estimates included a large product transition that would reduce profitability in Q3 ie. now. They are prepared for cross product pillaging. Apple's not going to sit idly by whilst Zune or some other pretender to the thrown snatches the crown just because Apple doesn't want to impact the iPhone sales, which applies to a small percentage of the overall market, ie. limited to US and customers at end of mobile contract/prepared to bend over. Of course they are going to provide the features if they believe we want them. Sure as ducks are ducks and geese are geese, they know how big a handheld like the iPhone minus the phone is going to be. Hell thats why they could agree to a 5 year exclusitivity contract with AT&T, because they know anyone who can't have/stand them will buy the high end iPod instead. I also suspect the backup plan if the iPhone service contract could not be agreed with any provider was to release iPhone as an iPod minus the GSM radio. How else could they justify the 2 year development time of rebuilding OS X embedded for ARM without all the service agreements in place. They knew from day 1 the technologies were destined for an iPod if the iPhone didn't fly.

Caveat emptor: The point made about cost of components is a valid one, the funky screen & flash memory are pretty pricey. Therefore i don't expect to buy an iPod touch or whatever it's called for less than $400 & it will have a hard drive. Hence the fugly inbetween flash fatPod, also lended credance by the rumor that there's 4 ipod models. Shuffle/Nano/fatPod/Touch.

M.

 

[Don Bagles]

New iPod nano with cover flow and click wheel, somewhere in between the size of the current nano and the current video iPod in brushed aluminum. Colors, blue, green, pink, red, black, silver, and orange. 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB flash based drives. $179, $229, $279. Thats it for the nano.

Touch screen iPod will just be called iPod offered in 40GB and 80GB versions. Wifi enabled with Safari, good version of iCal, and Mail. I would really like it if they incorporated a decent point and shoot camera, but that is probably not going to happen. These will be priced at $399 and $499.

I really like the idea of a camera... and bluetooth earbuds. That would be superior.

You have GOT to be kidding me. Apple came out with 80GB iPods over a year ago, and you think they won't have a model that has a larger hard drive than that?

 

[rbroady]

If you really NEED mobile internet, then the iPod won't do because you need to have a wifi signal (for the 99% of the population that doesn't have free city-provided wifi or whatever.)

great point, i think the wi-fi enabled ipod w/ browser is much more appealing to anyone living in a city.

beyond that, it has use only in your own home, at a university, coffee shop w/ wifi type deals...

it just doesnt have the diversity of the iphone

if its price is up towards 450-500, what does apple care if it takes away from iphone sales, either way its money in the pocket, and its not going couse the iphone will just vanish. the iphone seems like more of a long term product, they have a ways to go with it, and why should that halt there best selling product?

 

[Don Bagles]

When I think about wanting a new iPod.. the reason is primarily to be able to watch my entire movie collection on a screen bigger than the 5.5G iPod.

For me, the discussion of whether or not I want a cell phone is a completely different one.

Do you guys realize that if someone needs an iPhone, an iPod with Wi-Fi CANNOT function as a replacement?

Are you insane!?!?! There is no way an iPod can dip into iPhone sales unless the potential iPhone buyer didn't really want it... and in that case, they buy the ****ing iPod instead and apple still makes their money.

The iPod cannot replace the iPhone unless it has EDGE and phone service.

 

[72930]

The iPod cannot replace the iPhone unless it has EDGE and phone service.

A fullscreen iPod and a cheap phone can negate the need for an iPhone...and make some people who were going to buy two Apple products buy only one

 

[Don Bagles]

A fullscreen iPod and a cheap phone can negate the need for an iPhone...and make some people who were going to buy two Apple products buy only one

But other companies aren't going to stop making cheap phones.....

Maybe Apple should make a cheap phone?

What you're saying doesn't make much sense.

Even if the iPod doesn't have Wi-Fi, ESPECIALLY if the iPod doesn't have Wi-Fi, that's what alot of people will be doing. There's nothing apple can do about that.

 

[cammo427]

You have GOT to be kidding me. Apple came out with 80GB iPods over a year ago, and you think they won't have a model that has a larger hard drive than that?

haha. true. how about 80GB and 120GB same price?

On a different note, I have T-mobile phone service and I am completely satisfied with my service. My entire family gets unlimited texting for 10 bucks a month and 1000 minutes for like 60. 10 bucks for an extra line. we are sitting at about 110 bucks after taxes. Not a bad deal.

At&t on the other hand is a whole lot more expensive, and the iPhone is pretty expensive as well. I don't even want to get in the prices there... and a 2 year required service agreement.

So in conclusion, an iPod that does everything an iPhone does, minus the phone part and consequently minus 120+ dollars a month for a decent plan, I think a wifi enabled iPod would be beautiful.

If they had a plan that enabled 3G on the "iPod touch" for say 10 or 15 bucks a month so I could access my internet, email, AIM anywhere I wanted to, I would be willing pay that.

psh, none of this is even gonna happen...

 

[rbroady]

haha. true. how about 80GB and 120GB same price?

On a different note, I have T-mobile phone service and I am completely satisfied with my service. My entire family gets unlimited texting for 10 bucks a month and 1000 minutes for like 60. 10 bucks for an extra line. we are sitting at about 110 bucks after taxes. Not a bad deal.

At&t on the other hand is a whole lot more expensive, and the iPhone is pretty expensive as well. I don't even want to get in the prices there... and a 2 year required service agreement.

So in conclusion, an iPod that does everything an iPhone does, minus the phone part and consequently minus 120+ dollars a month for a decent plan, I think a wifi enabled iPod would be beautiful.

If they had a plan that enabled 3G on the "iPod touch" for say 10 or 15 bucks a month so I could access my internet, email, AIM anywhere I wanted to, I would be willing pay that.

psh, none of this is even gonna happen...

apple needs to make iSatalite and iCelltower

i think that would make everyone happy, all iphones running off apple's phone service

 

[cammo427]

apple needs to make iSatalite and iCelltower

i think that would make everyone happy, all iphones running off apple's phone service

wouldn't that be ideal.

really expensive though...

 

[CWallace]

Don't forget that an iPod with WiFi might have wireless media capabilities the iPhone doesn't have.

Hopefully that functionality will be announced simultaneously in iPhone Update 1.0.3.

 

[madmaxmedia]

The iPod cannot replace the iPhone unless it has EDGE and phone service.

In which case, it actually IS an iPhone!

 

[OldTimey]

The iPod cannot replace the iPhone unless it has EDGE and phone service.

no, but a combination of a WIFI iPod w/ Safari, and any run of the mill EDGE capable cel phone, (I have basic web access, gmail, and google maps on my nokia 6030, +80 hrs standby battery time) can come close. Not everyone cares about having 'one device'.

 

[madmaxmedia]

Which is exactly why a wifi iPod would sell a lot.

Some sales would overlap with the iPhone. But the total combined market is far larger than either product alone.

Personally, I would guess that wifi will not be in the next iPod, at least not with stuff like Safari, iChat, etc. (I'm hoping though.) But it will come sooner or later, simply because other companies are starting to incorporate those features. And Apple has already developed a killer implementation of them- that's really the kicker.

no, but a combination of a WIFI iPod w/ Safari, and any run of the mill EDGE capable cel phone, (I have basic web access, gmail, and google maps on my nokia 6030, +80 hrs standby battery time) can come close. Not everyone cares about having 'one device'.

 

[CWallace]

no, but a combination of a WIFI iPod w/ Safari, and any run of the mill EDGE capable cel phone, (I have basic web access, gmail, and google maps on my nokia 6030, +80 hrs standby battery time) can come close. Not everyone cares about having 'one device'.

I argued that at first, but have come to realize one of the great things about my iPhone is it replaces my 8GB Nano, my Razr, and my PDA (which also allowed me to watch movies) with one, single, unified device.

So I've come to agree with Don Bagles and the others who say "let the iPod have WiFi and Safari". All I ask is that if they add any new software-based functionality to the iPod, they also add it to the iPhone.

 

[homeboy]

I hope the new iPod can run bootcamp so that I can rock windows mobile on it.

 

[i0Nic]

The new iPod will not have wifi. Apple won't cannibalise sales of the iPhone. The iPod doesn't need wifi, only a bunch of internet geeks want it, and we only make a small percentage of overall iPod sales.

The big feature in this generation will be a widescreen video player with multi-touch, and it will sell like hotcakes. Why add wifi and cut sales of the iPhone in the process? It makes no sense. Just because the Zune has wifi doesn't mean the iPod will have wifi, Apple has shown time and time again that they DO NOT aim to compete spec wise with other players, otherwise they would've had FM radio and bluetooth by now.

You'd have to be bonkers to think the ipod will be a phoneless iPhone.

If it was a phoneless iPhone, I would freaking love it. I would buy it and not bother with the iPhone for a long time. And THAT is precisely why the new iPod won't have safari, mail etc.

However, it may have a beefed up iCal style app, and some other things like that.

But NO WIFI.

Also, No wireless iTunes store either, if that's what you think wifi will be used for. Apple's philosophy on the buying experience revolves around the computer, not on-the-go purchases. Management of music takes place at home, not on the run. Example - you can't make saveable playlists on the iPod.

It's going to be so annoying after the keynote to come on these forums and read all the stupid threads 'OMG LAME KEYNOTE, I WANT WIFI! '

You want wifi? get an iPhone, cause the iPod won't have it.

 

[72930]

After the initial huge development, iPod Linux for this could be awesome (BTW, where the hell is iPhone Linux?)

 

[homeboy]

The new iPod will not have wifi. Apple won't cannibalise sales of the iPhone. The iPod doesn't need wifi, only a bunch of internet geeks want it, and we only make a small percentage of overall iPod sales.

The big feature in this generation will be a widescreen video player with multi-touch, and it will sell like hotcakes. Why add wifi and cut sales of the iPhone in the process? It makes no sense. Just because the Zune has wifi doesn't mean the iPod will have wifi, Apple has shown time and time again that they DO NOT aim to compete spec wise with other players, otherwise they would've had FM radio and bluetooth by now.

You'd have to be bonkers to think the ipod will be a phoneless iPhone.

If it was a phoneless iPhone, I would freaking love it. I would buy it and not bother with the iPhone for a long time. And THAT is precisely why the new iPod won't have safari, mail etc.

However, it may have a beefed up iCal style app, and some other things like that.

But NO WIFI.

Also, No wireless iTunes store either, if that's what you think wifi will be used for. Apple's philosophy on the buying experience revolves around the computer, not on-the-go purchases. Management of music takes place at home, not on the run. Example - you can't make saveable playlists on the iPod.

It's going to be so annoying after the keynote to come on these forums and read all the stupid threads 'OMG LAME KEYNOTE, I WANT WIFI! '

You want wifi? get an iPhone, cause the iPod won't have it.

Sooner or later the iPod will have WiFi for several purposes. The use as a wireless frontrow/itunes remote, iTunes shopping and syncing on the go/at starbucks!! and perhaps even streaming from a computer. It's all apart of the plan. The ability to save and edit playlists will be the iPod with touch screen.

 

[i0Nic]

Sooner or later the iPod will have WiFi for several purposes. The use as a wireless frontrow/itunes remote, iTunes shopping and syncing on the go/at starbucks!! and perhaps even streaming from a computer. It's all apart of the plan. The ability to save and edit playlists will be the iPod with touch screen.

Yeah later, but not sooner.

 

[Bimmi]

I still think it's going to go down like this:

– No significant changes to shuffle or nano form factors. nano retains standard iPod OS, does not get video capability. New colors and enhanced storage for both.

– The leaked "fatPod" is the new standard-model iPod. HDD-based with OS X. Range of colors as depicted.

– Full-screen video iPod with limited touch controls becomes top-of-the-line model. HDD-based, though possibly hybrid HDD/flash for battery conservation. Far more limited in functionality than iPhone, but with much greater storage capacity.

Wi-fi could go either way, but I suspect that's more likely to come with the next rev, after the iPhone has cooled down somewhat. I don't see anything like "phoneless iPhone" functionality coming to the iPod anytime soon.

So there 'tis. If I'm right, do I get a cookie?

 

[elcid]

I hope the new iPod can run bootcamp so that I can rock windows mobile on it.

No one commented on this but....LOL. Thats amazing. The possibilities are endless.


Maybe even CS3 with a full screen WACOM pad.

 

[Don Bagles]

I still think it's going to go down like this:

– No significant changes to shuffle or nano form factors. Nano retains standard iPod OS, does not get video capability. New colors and enhanced storage for both.

– The leaked "fatPod" is the new standard-model iPod. HDD-based with OS X. Range of colors as depicted.

– Full-screen video iPod with limited touch controls becomes top-of-the-line model. HDD-based, though possibly hybrid HDD/flash for battery conservation. Far more limited in functionality than iPhone, but with much greater storage capacity.

Wi-fi could go either way, but I suspect that's more likely to come with the next rev, after the iPhone has cooled down somewhat. I don't see anything like "phoneless iPhone" functionality coming to the iPod anytime soon.

So there 'tis. If I'm right, do I get a cookie?

*chuckle*

"Far more limited in functionality than iPhone, but with much greater storage capacity".

You obviously bought an iPhone yourself, and are hoping that it's functionality will remain greater than that of the iPod.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the iPod will be incredible, no matter what Apple does with it.

 

[8bitrevolution]

Someone said that, if the iPod had wifi, it would have to have gone through the FCC for approval. If that's the case, wouldn't virtually every new Apple product sporting wireless have to go through that process? The iPhone is, to my knowledge, the only product that Steve Jobs announced early for fear of the FCC revealing it. Are they approving the device as a whole or just the wireless functionality of the device?

If it's just the wireless functionality, then the iPod may not have had to pass through the FCC.

I'm not saying any of this validates wifi being in a 6th gen iPod. But that could explain why nothing has been leaked by the FCC.

Also, people are saying wifi would jack up the price quite a bit. But look at the Zune - nice big screen and wifi at the same price point as the iPod. Once again, people are predicting multi-touch which will probably add to cost, but I don't think the inclusion of wifi necessarily means a hike in price.