iPod supply dwindles as likely Apple event nears

[AppleInsider]

A rumored September 5th special event that would bring new iPods is becoming increasingly likely after checks with multiple sources, AppleInsider has learned.

A verification of the claims from Ars Technica regarding the occasion suggests that Apple has indeed committed to holding the event on the specified date, barring unforeseen circumstances. The presentation is being held on a Wednesday, rather than Apple's habitual Monday or Tuesday, in order to accommodate the Labor Day weekend.

While the list of what would be released at the event is less certain, the report points to at least one new iPod being announced during the event. AppleInsider's own sources maintain that supplies of fifth-generation iPods and iPod nanos have been extremely low or non-existent at high-profile dealers, including Best Buy. This was a strong sign that Apple was clearing channel inventory ahead of completely new replacements, the insiders said.

Recent reports from these sources add that stock of the music players won't be replenished for at least another two weeks, which coincides with the immediate aftermath of the probable Apple event.

And while most of the details of the iPods themselves are unknown, people familiar with the late summer iPod updates claim that as many as four iPod models could be made available within coming weeks, the majority of which would be based on NAND flash memory rather than the hard disks used in fifth-generation models. The direct replacements for the fifth-generation iPod and the iPod nano are said to rely on a heavily modified version of Mac OS X.

Recently, alleged images of the model expected to replace the iPod nano have circulated the web, revealing what appears to be a widened second-generation iPod nano with a larger screen, softer versions of today's nano shell colors, and tapered edges. In most cases, the images have since been pulled at the request of Apple's legal team, though the accuracy of the images is still in dispute.

Investigations into other potential candidates for the September 5th announcements hint at a possible expansion of licenses for iTunes content outside the US, but were unconfirmed as of press time. Apple had promised to deliver movies and other video content to iTunes Stores outside the US sometime in 2007.

[dmbfan]

I can confirm the most recent Best Buy Canada flyer has the 60 gig iPod on sale as "Final Clearance". Hmm...

[trevorlsciact]

Am I the only one who thinks there might be a convergence of the iPod and the iPod nano?

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by trevorlsciact

Am I the only one who thinks there might be a convergence of the iPod and the iPod nano?

Yes.

[waytogobuddy]

if movies and TV are released on ITMS.ca, I'll eat my own bitTorrent

[Commodus]

dmbfan:

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 60GB iPod was discontinued in late 2006, when the 80GB model replaced it. Unless you mistyped.

[Bageljoey]

Originally Posted by trevorlsciact

Am I the only one who thinks there might be a convergence of the iPod and the iPod nano?

Well, if they switch to all flash memory, I wouldn't be as surprised.
I think it would be odd to have 4-8 gig nanos and 8-16 gig iPods even if there is a diffference in screen size...

But I don't think they will drop all of their HDD options. Just don't see it yet.

[Able-X]

I just hope Best Buy runs out of current 30GB's so I can break mine and turn it in for a new one..gotta love that warranty

[nvidia2008]

Those links to the image mockups, those mockups look really really ugly. To me anyway... But yeah w000t new iPods week after next.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

...Recently, alleged images of the model expected to replace the iPod nano have circulated the web, revealing what appears to be a widened second-generation iPod nano with a larger screen, softer versions of today's nano shell colors, and tapered edges. In most cases, the images have since been pulled at the request of Apple's legal team, though the accuracy of the images is still in dispute....

They seem too "fat" somehow, for a "nano".

[Mr. Dirk]

Ultra-portable notebook anyone?...


Anyone?!

[Galley]

My prediction:
nanos: no change except a price drop perhaps
New flash-based "stubby" iPod video with click-wheel and improved interface (8GB, 16GB)
New "iPod Touch" - flash-based touch-screen design similar to the iPhone, with Wi-Fi. Runs on OS X. (16GB, 32GB) Has the ability to stream content via LAN from your iTunes library, thus acting as a portable Apple TV. The iPhone gets the same streaming feature via an update.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dirk

Ultra-portable notebook anyone?...


Anyone?!

There's a greater chance that aliens will spring up from the ground like sunflowers.

[freeny]

The new iPod nano wont be a "wider" version but a "shorter" version. It just looks wider. So the new nano will be about 3/4 the height of the old nano.

This of course is based strictly on the circulating photos...

[SpamSandwich]

I don't think the current photos are accurate.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Galley

My prediction:
nanos: no change except a price drop perhaps
New flash-based "stubby" iPod video with click-wheel and improved interface (8GB, 16GB)
New "iPod Touch" - flash-based touch-screen design similar to the iPhone, with Wi-Fi. Runs on OS X. (16GB, 32GB) Has the ability to stream content via LAN from your iTunes library, thus acting as a portable Apple TV. The iPhone gets the same streaming feature via an update.

While agree that the the new Nanos will probably keep the same form factor, there is no way in hell that a Video iPod will have a max 32GB capacity at double the pricepoint of an 80GB HDD iPod. Does that really make sense to you? HDD based devices are not dead! The only way for Apple to make large capacity Video iPods is to use HDDs.

[icfireball]

those rumored shorter iPods look like fat-kid Zunes. Ack.

[JustBrady]

That nano picture makes me sick to my stomach. Here are 6 reasons it is fake.

1. The lighting is wrong, check out the shadows and light on the iPod, it is the same iPod cut and rotated (and of course the color has been changed using the Hue slider). Apple does not cut and rotate, and if they did, they certainly wouldn't suck at it. This leads me to believe it is fake.

2. Aesthetically speaking it is a failure of design. Apple doesn't make ugly things.

3. The file on top reads nano-flower.psd @ 100%. .psd as we know is a photoshop file. More proof of an altered image.

4. Why take a photo of a screen? Why not just take a screen capture? "Oh oh, because someone sneaked into apple corporate, and took a picture of a poor iPod flower arrangement with their camera phone!"

5. Apple is all about making statements. Steve always talks about the beauty of his products. He uses anodized aluminum because of how bright he can make the iPods. Why tone them down? It is a poor mistake.

5 1/2. Flowers are synonymous with bright colors, and engaging form. Apple WOULD NOT use a flower pattern to show off toned down iPods. Toned down iPods might be targeted at an older demographic. In this case you wouldn't market using a flower pattern anyway!

[Commodus]

Short reply to the "it's fake" crowd:

Apple's lawyers usually only ask multiple sites to pull down the shots if they're legit. It's not always true that they'll ask if it's real (see the iMac keyboard), but if a C&D notice is sent, you know it's real.

The real question is, was this a work-in-progress file or something else that would make it hard to know if what we were seeing was what we would get?

[Rolo]

I reworked the 6G iPod, right.



This isn't a replacement for the nano, just for the iPod. On the left is my idea for a true video iPod.

[josephwinters]

I just recently visited my local Target... 1 ipod in the case left.

[MacTel]

My hope is that one of those new iPods is an updated Shuffle. I like the size of the shuffle but would like a screen for album art, photos, and some video. Oh and a 4Gb Shuffle would be nice too. Make that $79 and I'll buy one ASAP.

An ex-coworker had a Shuffle sized media player with a screen that could playback video and display photos. I didn't catch the brand but I thought that it was something Apple should do with the 3G Shuffle.

[Zandros]

Originally Posted by Commodus

Short reply to the "it's fake" crowd:

Apple's lawyers usually only ask multiple sites to pull down the shots if they're legit. It's not always true that they'll ask if it's real (see the iMac keyboard), but if a C&D notice is sent, you know it's real.

When have Apple sent cease and desist letters about real products? I know they have removed pictures of burnt notebooks et al, but I cannot remember when we've even seen any real pictures. Could just be my memory.

/Adrian

[max_naylor]

Originally Posted by Commodus

Short reply to the "it's fake" crowd:

Apple's lawyers usually only ask multiple sites to pull down the shots if they're legit. It's not always true that they'll ask if it's real (see the iMac keyboard), but if a C&D notice is sent, you know it's real.

Oh don’t be so naïve. Apple’s covering their arse. It doesn’t matter if the picture’s fake or not, they don’t want the veil of secrecy to be lifted. Therefore, whenever a purpotedly “real” image shows up on the Internet, they take it down.

[alek_2]

NEW IPODS!!! Oh boy - I haven't been so excited in a long time;
Well - at least since the ipod nano launch ~ 2 years ago; Still feel a litlle bit
stupid 'though paying $300 + tax ($45 CAN) for Black 4GB; For that kind of money
you'll be able to get iPhone around Csmas time...
Improvements I'd like to see in nano - just longer battery life and smaller overall size;
Screen could be even smaller if you ask me... Just my 2c of worth

[dontlookleft]

oh man...even if the final product is short and fat, it'll be ugly. lets hope something nice comes out on the 5th.

[waytogobuddy]

Originally Posted by Rolo

I reworked the 6G iPod, right.



This isn't a replacement for the nano, just for the iPod. On the left is my idea for a true video iPod.

That's the first chubby iPod I've seen that isn't ugly. Well done. It actually finally makes my (1stG) black nano look old.

I don't think the Touch iPod will have that many software features though; They might as well toss in the telephone radio at that point. If they differentiate it from the iPhone just by putting a HDD in it, I think it would cannibalize.

I think there will be a sweet OSX interface and improved video out.
I would love wifi video streaming (if slingbox can do it...)

Edit: Maybe the next great iphone hack project will be porting all the software apps (Mail, widgets, maps) to the new touch iPod. I doubt Apple would include this functionality in the ipod - even if it could (See other minimalist design decisions of IPods from G1 up)

[salvation666]

Apple is running a promotion for college and university until Sept 16.

Buy a qualifying Mac and iPod from Apple or a participating Apple Authorized Campus Store from June 5, 2007, through September 16, 2007, and receive a mail-in rebate up to $199, except where otherwise required by state law. Terms and conditions apply. Not all Apple products subject to education discount.

I believe they are now getting rid of old iPods. I suspect they will introduce new iPods after the Sept 16 deadline. This is similar to introducing new Apple products at MacWorld after the Christmas shopping season. I suspect they will introduce new iPods after the end of the promotion.

[DHagan4755]

Apple will do what it wants, and that iPod promo be damned. They did it before. I think last year, as a matter of fact.

[reallynotnick]

Originally Posted by salvation666

Apple is running a promotion for college and university until Sept 16.



I believe they are now getting rid of old iPods. I suspect they will introduce new iPods after the Sept 16 deadline. This is similar to introducing new Apple products at MacWorld after the Christmas shopping season. I suspect they will introduce new iPods after the end of the promotion.

Not necessarily, they could release new iPod during the promotion just make it so you can't get the $200 off, I think they did this before, but none the less they could do that. Plus that is a great way to clear the old iPods while still have a full selection of iPods on the shelf (the new ones).

[quinney]

Originally Posted by Zandros

When have Apple sent cease and desist letters about real products? I know they have removed pictures of burnt notebooks et al, but I cannot remember when we've even seen any real pictures. Could just be my memory.

/Adrian

They removed your memory????????

[salvation666]

Originally Posted by reallynotnick

Not necessarily, they could release new iPod during the promotion just make it so you can't get the $200 off, I think they did this before, but none the less they could do that. Plus that is a great way to clear the old iPods while still have a full selection of iPods on the shelf (the new ones).

Indeed, Apple has often sold older machines at higher prices that the new replacements.

[adachis]

Originally Posted by DHagan4755

Apple will do what it wants, and that iPod promo be damned. They did it before. I think last year, as a matter of fact.

I remember last year's 5.5g release being after the school promo (I could be wrong). The 5.5g iPods were released on the 21st of September, I think. I would be surprised if Apple released them now and not at the Paris event.

I mean, you can draw the same conclusions about the MacBook Pros. Stock is dwindling on the 15" models and there's a new 2.8 Ghz Core 2 Duo mobile processor. It's in the iMacs already, why not the MacBook Pros? I'm not saying I think they'll add the option next week, but it's easy to speculate in the same way it is with the iPods. I just feel that Apple has nothing to gain by releasing the iPods a week from Wednesday rather than waiting a couple of weeks for their promo to expire. iPhone sales are still strong, so it's not like they're going to hurt them to wait. I would think it would hurt them to release early.

Releasing them pre-promo seems like a bad move to me, but maybe there's a good reason to do it that I'm just not seeing.

[Zenga]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

Those links to the image mockups, those mockups look really really ugly. To me anyway... But yeah w000t new iPods week after next.

aye!

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by adachis

I mean, you can draw the same conclusions about the MacBook Pros. Stock is dwindling on the 15" models and there's a new 2.8 Ghz Core 2 Duo mobile processor. It's in the iMacs already, why not the MacBook Pros?

Heat and battery life? Right now, you don't get that high clock without some compromise.

Releasing them pre-promo seems like a bad move to me, but maybe there's a good reason to do it that I'm just not seeing.

Even if it's a bad idea, they've done it a couple times before.

[addabox]

Originally Posted by solipsism

While agree that the the new Nanos will probably keep the same form factor, there is no way in hell that a Video iPod will have a max 32GB capacity at double the pricepoint of an 80GB HDD iPod. Does that really make sense to you? HDD based devices are not dead! The only way for Apple to make large capacity Video iPods is to use HDDs.

+++

Absolutely. I can't understand why people think the time is ripe to cut iPod capacity by two thirds while tripling the cost to Apple. Flash will take more and more of the market as capacity rises and costs fall, but at the moment it makes no sense at all for a 60GB iPod, much less 100GB and up.

And there is definitely a market for large capacity iPods, particularly "true video" iPods.

I think people are being influenced by the iPhone's flash only configuration, but there are good reasons to limit the iPhone to flash that don't hold for the iPod.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by addabox

+++

Absolutely. I can't understand why people think the time is ripe to cut iPod capacity by two thirds while tripling the cost to Apple.

Who said that?

All the stories I've seen concede that there may be one HDD model.

[ApplePi]

Guys Apple has done it before, release new ipods while a student discount is going on. Doesn't hurt them. Think about it. If you had to buy a new mac for school and Apple gave you a free $200 off toward last years iPods, would you not take one? If you got a 4gig nano it would be free or only $50 for a 30gig video. Even if the new ones were out and you were buying a new laptop you would be stupid to pass that up. I mean who here is going to say "Just give me the mac, I don't want your free nano because it's last years model"? At the very least you could resell it on ebay. It does two things for Apple, clears out old iPod stock and acts as a promotion to sell macs.

I really hope we get a touch screen iPod with wifi and safari. I know a lot of people think it would cannibalize the iPhone, but who cares, Apple is still selling product. At least they are keeping it in the family. There are a lot of people like me that don't want the phone but want everything else about the product but with more capacity.

If the rumors are true and there will be four ipod lines, then it sounds like Apple is going to introduce one closer to the iPhone price point, which means similar to the iPhone.

That being said...
The iPhone throws a real wrench into the works. I can't see Apple releasing an iPod that is virtually the same (wifi, bluetooth, ect) as the iphone but with 32-160GB of capacity depending on if it uses flash or HDD. The reason is because the iPhone has a small little 4-8GB. Even if Apple were to release a 32GB flash ipod at $600 that did everything but the phone it is going to make the iphone look weak with it's mere 8GB. If they release it with a hard drive it's going to make the iphone look even worse and make the device thicker and drain more power.

Here is what I think we are looking at realistically

iPod 3.5" touchscreen/widescreen/aluminum and glass, (no wifi, no bluetooth, no safari, no camera, and no phone) priced at $400 with 100GB HDD. Taking out the three radios will save on power and cost and allow the entire backplate to be aluminum. Simpler design then the iphone, no fancy chrome ring around the front.

iPod Nano (stubby) - 2" -2.5" screen - video playback - 16GB at $250-$300

iPod Nano (current design) - 4GB $150 or 8GB $200

iPod Shuffle (current design) - 2GB all colors including black - $79 or $89

[Rolo]

If all Apple comes out with is a new iPod that's just the same as all the others except for a screen that's an inch bigger, it'll be a complete non-starter. Apple said the iPhone was the best iPod they ever made. Fine, I agree. Now, it's up to them to really make the best iPod they've ever made with all the design and features of the iPhone but without the phone parts.

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by Rolo

If all Apple comes out with is a new iPod that's just the same as all the others except for a screen that's an inch bigger, it'll be a complete non-starter. Apple said the iPhone was the best iPod they ever made. Fine, I agree. Now, it's up to them to really make the best iPod they've ever made with all the design and features of the iPhone but without the phone parts.

I agree with this post.

(PS: Rolo, sorry that I took out your color/font/size -- I thought it a bit over-the top, and didn't want to assault people's senses again ).