I disagree. Video is where it's headed. Full-length movies, etc. I wouldn't care at all about a preview feature, but I'd be thrilled with being able to watch a movie on it. I already watch full-length movies on my cell phone / pda, but the resolution isn't great. If you could get a resolution of 320x320 or better, I would find that to be awesome.
At the end of the day, looking at the big picture, it's all about convergence. Your phone, movie player, radio, mp3 player, pda are all going to be one device. It's not a matter of if, but when. It might take 10 years or whatever, but that's where it'll be at some point. I'd love not having to carry around all these different devices, and I'm sure others feel the same way.
I disagree. Video is where it's headed. Full-length movies, etc.
I just don't know. I'd think it would be a tedious process to encode movies to load on a device to take with you somewhere. Sure, you might do it now and then, but not often. There are lots of DVD players attached to TVs these days, almost everywhere. What would be the advantage of having movies on an iPod over just taking a couple of DVDs with you? If you want to watch movies on a tiny two inch screen, I think that's very unusual.
Not exactly. You're missing the thrust of this rumored "picture" iPod. Viewing on this thing would be for reference only. The *important* part of the rumor is that this iPod would facilitate the transport and presentation of photos on TVs and other devices. Think of the iPod being more like a jump drive with the added ability to preview common data -- photos and movies (and music of course). That's where it's headed. But don't mistake it for a portable DVD/divx player.
Yes, video I think is coming too. But I will not be watching whole DVDs on it. Think of the preview column in the Finder. The iPod screen, if this is true, will work kind of like that. You figure the previews you get there are about the right size for what we're talking about too.
Hmmm not exactly. Video on iPod doesn't necesarily mean DVDs to go, or a mini divx player on a 2 inch screen. I think the iPod's screen will grow (in next gen's iPods, not the 60GB picturePods) to accomodate video playback like RCAs Lyra or Archos' Portable video recorder. Just done elegantly... It's coming... Just like the picturePod.
I do think I have a real reason why this could be "confirmed" - The dock. The current iPod dock has just been discontinued, which seems strange as the 4Gs use the same dock connector. Also, I expect that Apple make a far higher percentage margin on the dock than the iPod (one is full of electronics etc, while the other is just a few connectors in some moulded plastic. So, I expect a new dock to be released soon with the same dock connector, but more inputs/outputs, which would only be useful for an iPod with an increased feature set.
Hmmm not exactly. Video on iPod doesn't necesarily mean DVDs to go, or a mini divx player on a 2 inch screen. I think the iPod's screen will grow (in next gen's iPods, not the 60GB picturePods) to accomodate video playback like RCAs Lyra or Archos' Portable video recorder. Just done elegantly... It's coming... Just like the picturePod.
Hm, not necessarily. If the screen grows, either the scroll wheel goes away and it becomes a touch screen (at which point, it's a Palm too!), or else the case gets bigger and it won't fit so comfortably in your hand or in your pocket. That means it will be a lot less convenient. You'll have to consider whether or not you'll take your blowed-up video iPod with you, and if so, how you're going to carry it around. To me, that's a big strike against the idea of using it as a primary means of watching stuff when its one important benefit over other players -- portability is sacrificed. At that point, you might as well take a portable DVD player with you, or you use it like I said and it's a transport mechanism. Let's not forget competition from cell phones in this market either. That's not to ay it would preclude Apple from making something like this, just that its chances for being a big success are fewer. I guess it's a question of finding the secret formula for watching video on the go, like they did with the current iPod. To me, kids who take the bus are about the only market that would be interested in this thing if it were primarily about video playback.
In fact, I might revise what I said before. Maybe a video iPod's primary role wouldn't be as a transport mechanism, but as a video chat device. Recording or playing media live would be a lot more interesting than mere playback abilities. Obviously, we would have to sit on this idea for a while until technology can do for video what they do for voice now. To me, that would be a HUGE potential market for a video iPod. The playback thing is boring next to that idea!
audio out jack double as video out (like on the iBook)
syncs with iPhoto library
that's it. apple doesn't do revolutionary things anymore. they do evolutionary. as time goes on, the ipod will get more powerful and more features, however, it takes time to develop them and for the market to be prepared for them. Keynote presentation abilities would certainly be awesome but seem unlikely to me. but probably not so down the road. same with video. Apple just wants to provide enough to entice people to upgrade to the new iPod...... if they blew their load then they'd have nothing to entice in another 8 months and they also might make a mistake. they have been very careful with the iPod, almost too careful. Hell, look at the new iPod..... I for sure expected it to mimick the mini and be aluminum in various colors..... i mean, people love choosing a color on the mini and logic would say that a larger ipod in an aluminum colored case would sell better and be desired. yet, they were conservative and maintained the white ipod look.
In fact, I might revise what I said before. Maybe a video iPod's primary role wouldn't be as a transport mechanism, but as a video chat device. Recording or playing media live would be a lot more interesting than mere playback abilities. Obviously, we would have to sit on this idea for a while until technology can do for video what they do for voice now. To me, that would be a HUGE potential market for a video iPod. The playback thing is boring next to that idea!
I hear you! You know what's really interesting? New Gameboys (Nintendo DS is the actual name) come with a touch screen and embedded chat software to let kids chat and draw using any wi-fi hot spot.
My point is, if a $150 dollar device can have backlit color dual screens (one of which is a touch-screen), a stylus, and 10 hour battery life, you'd figure sooner or later a $300-500 dollar device like an iPod someday might include some new gimmicks too, like portable iChat like you just said, and still remain small enough to be a true mobile device... like a cellphone, a gameboy or an iPod. I'm excited about what the iPod could turn into in the future. Apple will just keep adding features in time.
More games, mini screen savers (hey, even cell phones have them), more palm-like functions (color coded calendars will be a great addition), wireless connection to iSync, bluetooth headphones, it's all gonna get squeezed up in there gradually.
Keynote/PowerPoint presentations would rock too. Leave the laptop home! Just take your 'Pod with you and you're all set up for your presentation.
So you're right, there must be some work to make that subset of Cocoa work on Windows XP or they'd advertise Webobjects working on XP.
Um, WebObjects (the development apps, which are Cocoa) does run on XP. Granted, it's now not under development and as a result the tools are older than the Mac ones, but it runs.
I like the thought of the mini dock at the bottom. Maybe it could work like this: press the middle button on the app you want and it switches to it, then press menu to get back to the dock, using the scroll wheel to choose which one you want..
I'm scared of saying anything because of what happened last time a huge feature was announced...
All I can say safely at the moment is that I don't think video is on the roadmap for some time.. The iPod doesn't have that much processing power. Well, not enough to show movies on TV sets anyway. The compression would have to be kind of extreme and there's no point watching a pixellated movie on a TV when you can just slip a DVD in..
for quick file transfer of 1 or 2 images, only bluetooth! bluetooh also fits nicely into the iPod shell.
however, one of the main uses for a photo iPod is to do iPhoto shows on yr television.
for this, bluetooth is too slow.
therefore video/audio out is essential. so, a connector like the one available for the 12 inch Powerbook will be required.
someone else in this thread also mentioned the photo iPod as being able to sync yr entire home directory. this is definitely coming, as it is announced as a feature in Tiger, to work with .mac
look for somesort of tie in with .mac in order to transfer yr photos or make them viewable on the net, etc. apple will not give up with .mac
i think the way that i would use and the main motivation for me to purchase a US$500 device is the portability of having a variety of data always with me. work related files first; then entertainment related files like music and photos. it is a portable, compact hard disk, with limited play back feature set.
my mobile already has bluetooth, music playback, video playback, 1.3 megapixel camera, 2.2 inch TFT screen, and SD removable card. it weighs 128 grams, and is connected to the net 24/7 through gprs.
steve has always said that convergence is at play. he had better get a move on, and pack more features into what has emerged as his main platform (iPod)....
someone else in this thread also mentioned the photo iPod as being able to sync yr entire home directory. this is definitely coming, as it is announced as a feature in Tiger, to work with .mac
look for somesort of tie in with .mac in order to transfer yr photos or make them viewable on the net, etc. apple will not give up with .mac
...
thnx
They had better not give up on .mac!! I pay them way too much per year for that service.
Sheesh, they could have at least bumped up the storage to 1GB.. GMail is free for Pete's sake!
Meh. I guess they know what they're doing. But I still have many irks with .mac, mainly the speed of iDisk and storage space..
The iPod is by far Apple's most popular product, I hope they stick to their original thoughts of Form Follows Function and keep it simple.. I don't want a swiss army knife to play my AAC's on..
The iPod is by far Apple's most popular product, I hope they stick to their original thoughts of Form Follows Function and keep it simple.. I don't want a swiss army knife to play my AAC's on..
I kind of agree. However, if new features can be added without decreasing battery life, making it too complicated or increasing the price, I'm for it. If Apple adds a color screen and photo functions to the $299 model and increases the price, it would be a bad move.
I'd assume they'd use a port like video cameras use - which looks like a stereo headphone jack but separates sound and composite video.
Then again, on the iBook they have a mini VGA port - with VGA, S-Video, and composite? (which, with the adaptor, would take up a fair lump of space!). I guess that's where the dock can help, though you'd hope for a simple connection to a TV to minimise carrying stuff around.
For those comparing iPods to GameBoy DS and mobile phones, consider that they are both sold under a subscription type system. In the case of mobiles, they are heavily subsidised by the service provide, as you have a contract for a year, while the GBDS relies on the royalties from game sales to make a profit, just like any other game console. Apple does not make sufficient money from the ITMS, so the iPod is the profit maker, so while the tech may be comparable, the price is not.
For those comparing iPods to GameBoy DS and mobile phones, consider that they are both sold under a subscription type system. In the case of mobiles, they are heavily subsidised by the service provide, as you have a contract for a year, while the GBDS relies on the royalties from game sales to make a profit, just like any other game console. Apple does not make sufficient money from the ITMS, so the iPod is the profit maker, so while the tech may be comparable, the price is not.
David
Nintendo DS.. Nintendo..
They've been kinda anal about everyone not calling it a Gameboy. Even though it supports Gameboy games.
Comments
At the end of the day, looking at the big picture, it's all about convergence. Your phone, movie player, radio, mp3 player, pda are all going to be one device. It's not a matter of if, but when. It might take 10 years or whatever, but that's where it'll be at some point. I'd love not having to carry around all these different devices, and I'm sure others feel the same way.
Originally posted by jnrjr79
I disagree. Video is where it's headed. Full-length movies, etc.
I just don't know. I'd think it would be a tedious process to encode movies to load on a device to take with you somewhere. Sure, you might do it now and then, but not often. There are lots of DVD players attached to TVs these days, almost everywhere. What would be the advantage of having movies on an iPod over just taking a couple of DVDs with you? If you want to watch movies on a tiny two inch screen, I think that's very unusual.
Originally posted by BuonRotto
Not exactly. You're missing the thrust of this rumored "picture" iPod. Viewing on this thing would be for reference only. The *important* part of the rumor is that this iPod would facilitate the transport and presentation of photos on TVs and other devices. Think of the iPod being more like a jump drive with the added ability to preview common data -- photos and movies (and music of course). That's where it's headed. But don't mistake it for a portable DVD/divx player.
Yes, video I think is coming too. But I will not be watching whole DVDs on it. Think of the preview column in the Finder. The iPod screen, if this is true, will work kind of like that. You figure the previews you get there are about the right size for what we're talking about too.
Hmmm not exactly. Video on iPod doesn't necesarily mean DVDs to go, or a mini divx player on a 2 inch screen. I think the iPod's screen will grow (in next gen's iPods, not the 60GB picturePods) to accomodate video playback like RCAs Lyra or Archos' Portable video recorder. Just done elegantly... It's coming... Just like the picturePod.
David
The PC version interacts only with iTunes and iPhoto (new PC version).
Second, the (HP branded) 60 gig iPod will be capable to connect to an (HP branded) iBeamer for showing pictures (and later on also movies).
The new, small, inexpensive (HP) iBeamer will also be sold by Apple with there-own logo.
The iBeam has a iPod dock an includes an Bose speakersystem.
With the new iPod and iBeam you now have a new way of presenting your stuff.
Originally posted by iMacfan
I do think I have a real reason why this could be "confirmed" - The dock. The current iPod dock has just been discontinued
nope, the dock for the 3G iPod has been discontinued iirc
Originally posted by gar
nope, the dock for the 3G iPod has been discontinued iirc
Ah nuts! - there goes my scoop!
Originally posted by monkeyastronaut
Hmmm not exactly. Video on iPod doesn't necesarily mean DVDs to go, or a mini divx player on a 2 inch screen. I think the iPod's screen will grow (in next gen's iPods, not the 60GB picturePods) to accomodate video playback like RCAs Lyra or Archos' Portable video recorder. Just done elegantly... It's coming... Just like the picturePod.
Hm, not necessarily.
In fact, I might revise what I said before. Maybe a video iPod's primary role wouldn't be as a transport mechanism, but as a video chat device. Recording or playing media live would be a lot more interesting than mere playback abilities. Obviously, we would have to sit on this idea for a while until technology can do for video what they do for voice now. To me, that would be a HUGE potential market for a video iPod. The playback thing is boring next to that idea!
60GB iPod
slightly thicker
audio out jack double as video out (like on the iBook)
syncs with iPhoto library
that's it. apple doesn't do revolutionary things anymore. they do evolutionary. as time goes on, the ipod will get more powerful and more features, however, it takes time to develop them and for the market to be prepared for them. Keynote presentation abilities would certainly be awesome but seem unlikely to me. but probably not so down the road. same with video. Apple just wants to provide enough to entice people to upgrade to the new iPod...... if they blew their load then they'd have nothing to entice in another 8 months and they also might make a mistake. they have been very careful with the iPod, almost too careful. Hell, look at the new iPod..... I for sure expected it to mimick the mini and be aluminum in various colors..... i mean, people love choosing a color on the mini and logic would say that a larger ipod in an aluminum colored case would sell better and be desired. yet, they were conservative and maintained the white ipod look.
Originally posted by BuonRotto
In fact, I might revise what I said before. Maybe a video iPod's primary role wouldn't be as a transport mechanism, but as a video chat device. Recording or playing media live would be a lot more interesting than mere playback abilities. Obviously, we would have to sit on this idea for a while until technology can do for video what they do for voice now. To me, that would be a HUGE potential market for a video iPod. The playback thing is boring next to that idea!
I hear you! You know what's really interesting? New Gameboys (Nintendo DS is the actual name) come with a touch screen and embedded chat software to let kids chat and draw using any wi-fi hot spot.
My point is, if a $150 dollar device can have backlit color dual screens (one of which is a touch-screen), a stylus, and 10 hour battery life, you'd figure sooner or later a $300-500 dollar device like an iPod someday might include some new gimmicks too, like portable iChat like you just said, and still remain small enough to be a true mobile device... like a cellphone, a gameboy or an iPod. I'm excited about what the iPod could turn into in the future. Apple will just keep adding features in time.
More games, mini screen savers (hey, even cell phones have them), more palm-like functions (color coded calendars will be a great addition), wireless connection to iSync, bluetooth headphones, it's all gonna get squeezed up in there gradually.
Keynote/PowerPoint presentations would rock too. Leave the laptop home! Just take your 'Pod with you and you're all set up for your presentation.
Originally posted by GregAlexander
So you're right, there must be some work to make that subset of Cocoa work on Windows XP or they'd advertise Webobjects working on XP.
Um, WebObjects (the development apps, which are Cocoa) does run on XP. Granted, it's now not under development and as a result the tools are older than the Mac ones, but it runs.
Amorya
Originally posted by jt3macmaniac
Check out my concept:
Hey cool concept!!
I like the thought of the mini dock at the bottom. Maybe it could work like this: press the middle button on the app you want and it switches to it, then press menu to get back to the dock, using the scroll wheel to choose which one you want..
I'm scared of saying anything because of what happened last time a huge feature was announced...
All I can say safely at the moment is that I don't think video is on the roadmap for some time.. The iPod doesn't have that much processing power. Well, not enough to show movies on TV sets anyway. The compression would have to be kind of extreme and there's no point watching a pixellated movie on a TV when you can just slip a DVD in..
Photos seem logical at the moment..
Jimzip
wires i hate.
for quick file transfer of 1 or 2 images, only bluetooth! bluetooh also fits nicely into the iPod shell.
however, one of the main uses for a photo iPod is to do iPhoto shows on yr television.
for this, bluetooth is too slow.
therefore video/audio out is essential. so, a connector like the one available for the 12 inch Powerbook will be required.
someone else in this thread also mentioned the photo iPod as being able to sync yr entire home directory. this is definitely coming, as it is announced as a feature in Tiger, to work with .mac
look for somesort of tie in with .mac in order to transfer yr photos or make them viewable on the net, etc. apple will not give up with .mac
i think the way that i would use and the main motivation for me to purchase a US$500 device is the portability of having a variety of data always with me. work related files first; then entertainment related files like music and photos. it is a portable, compact hard disk, with limited play back feature set.
my mobile already has bluetooth, music playback, video playback, 1.3 megapixel camera, 2.2 inch TFT screen, and SD removable card. it weighs 128 grams, and is connected to the net 24/7 through gprs.
steve has always said that convergence is at play. he had better get a move on, and pack more features into what has emerged as his main platform (iPod)....
thnx
Originally posted by niji
...
someone else in this thread also mentioned the photo iPod as being able to sync yr entire home directory. this is definitely coming, as it is announced as a feature in Tiger, to work with .mac
look for somesort of tie in with .mac in order to transfer yr photos or make them viewable on the net, etc. apple will not give up with .mac
...
thnx
They had better not give up on .mac!! I pay them way too much per year for that service.
Sheesh, they could have at least bumped up the storage to 1GB.. GMail is free for Pete's sake!
Meh. I guess they know what they're doing. But I still have many irks with .mac, mainly the speed of iDisk and storage space..
The iPod is by far Apple's most popular product, I hope they stick to their original thoughts of Form Follows Function and keep it simple.. I don't want a swiss army knife to play my AAC's on..
Jimzip
Originally posted by Jimzip
The iPod is by far Apple's most popular product, I hope they stick to their original thoughts of Form Follows Function and keep it simple.. I don't want a swiss army knife to play my AAC's on..
I kind of agree. However, if new features can be added without decreasing battery life, making it too complicated or increasing the price, I'm for it. If Apple adds a color screen and photo functions to the $299 model and increases the price, it would be a bad move.
I'd assume they'd use a port like video cameras use - which looks like a stereo headphone jack but separates sound and composite video.
Then again, on the iBook they have a mini VGA port - with VGA, S-Video, and composite? (which, with the adaptor, would take up a fair lump of space!). I guess that's where the dock can help, though you'd hope for a simple connection to a TV to minimise carrying stuff around.
David
My old Coolpix takes about half a second per image, but a friend's digital camera can zoom through a SD card at lightspeed.
If it can get to 30 per second, (or 25 if you're in a PAL country), there's your video...!
(PS I'm joking about the video, but I do wonder how fast it can load them from the drive.)
Originally posted by iMacfan
For those comparing iPods to GameBoy DS and mobile phones, consider that they are both sold under a subscription type system. In the case of mobiles, they are heavily subsidised by the service provide, as you have a contract for a year, while the GBDS relies on the royalties from game sales to make a profit, just like any other game console. Apple does not make sufficient money from the ITMS, so the iPod is the profit maker, so while the tech may be comparable, the price is not.
David
Nintendo DS.. Nintendo..
They've been kinda anal about everyone not calling it a Gameboy. Even though it supports Gameboy games.
Jimzip