Next-gen video iPod still a ways out, sources say
Contrary to persistent rumor and speculation, Apple Inc. does not plan to introduce a sixth-generation of its flagship video iPod digital music player any time soon, AppleInsider has learned.
People consistently familiar with the iPod maker's future music directions say rough estimates for the new video and music player are tracking for the third calendar quarter of the year.
At the same time, however, other well-placed sources have approached specific time frames with caution, explaining that a mix of uncertainties -- in particular those relating to the roll-out of iPhone -- could leave consumers hung up till early next year.
Although Apple eventually intends to break widescreen video capabilities away from the iPhone for a device of similar proportions, sans the cellular capabilities, expectations of first-half 2007 launch are said to be overly ambitious.
Those people familiar with the matter say such a move would serve only to dilute the value of the iPhone and, similarly, the device's worth to wireless carrier AT&T. The findings are consistent with earlier AppleInsider reports, which placed bets against a standalone widescreen video iPod debut early in the year and prior to the company's Apple TV push.
Among the potential challenges believed to be facing Apple ahead of its sixth-generation iPod launch is a required margin of differentiation between the player and iPhone, both of which are expected to carry relatively similar price points upon availability.
Although the consumer electronics company has said its iPhone device will retail for $499 and $599 in 4-gig and 8-gig capacities, the real-world cost to consumers will inevitably fall about $200 for each model, be it through direct subsidization or complimentary wireless service packages.
In its ongoing quest for a preferred and precise iPhone pricing method, Apple last month enlisted the services of a prestigious management consulting firm specializing in go-to-market strategies. Among the firm's recommendations, people familiar with the matter say, were that Apple compel AT&T to give away service plans with each iPhone sale, maintaining the integrity of the device's higher price points.
Should all parties oblige, Apple would maintain a separation of price bands between its next-generation video iPod and its iPhones. However, in the event it take the direct subsidization route -- as a recent
People consistently familiar with the iPod maker's future music directions say rough estimates for the new video and music player are tracking for the third calendar quarter of the year.
At the same time, however, other well-placed sources have approached specific time frames with caution, explaining that a mix of uncertainties -- in particular those relating to the roll-out of iPhone -- could leave consumers hung up till early next year.
Although Apple eventually intends to break widescreen video capabilities away from the iPhone for a device of similar proportions, sans the cellular capabilities, expectations of first-half 2007 launch are said to be overly ambitious.
Those people familiar with the matter say such a move would serve only to dilute the value of the iPhone and, similarly, the device's worth to wireless carrier AT&T. The findings are consistent with earlier AppleInsider reports, which placed bets against a standalone widescreen video iPod debut early in the year and prior to the company's Apple TV push.
Among the potential challenges believed to be facing Apple ahead of its sixth-generation iPod launch is a required margin of differentiation between the player and iPhone, both of which are expected to carry relatively similar price points upon availability.
Although the consumer electronics company has said its iPhone device will retail for $499 and $599 in 4-gig and 8-gig capacities, the real-world cost to consumers will inevitably fall about $200 for each model, be it through direct subsidization or complimentary wireless service packages.
In its ongoing quest for a preferred and precise iPhone pricing method, Apple last month enlisted the services of a prestigious management consulting firm specializing in go-to-market strategies. Among the firm's recommendations, people familiar with the matter say, were that Apple compel AT&T to give away service plans with each iPhone sale, maintaining the integrity of the device's higher price points.
Should all parties oblige, Apple would maintain a separation of price bands between its next-generation video iPod and its iPhones. However, in the event it take the direct subsidization route -- as a recent
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At the same time, however, other well-placed sources have approached specific time frames with caution, explaining that a mix of uncertainties -- in particular those relating to the roll-out of iPhone -- could leave consumers hung up till early next year.
Umm... bollocks. They'll want the 6G touchscreen vidPod out in time for Xmas, come hell or high water.
The only real question is the price (well that and "will there be a flash version?"). Apple may try to milk it at the $399 and $499 pricepoints, at which point a lot of folks will go, "WTF? Only $100 less than iPhone, and there's no phone and no internet?" Early adopters and fanatics won't care, but everyone else will.
Whereas if it came out at $299 and $399 pricepoints, it would absolutely lay waste to everything else in the category. Guess we'll know in about 6-8 months...
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NAND Flash memory prices will come down and make for some super slick iPod. Early adopters of Zune will be jumping out of Windows (pun intended).
Why do they think 8gigs of space for $500 equalls "video iPod"???
At PodPacker we've said it all along. There is no way Apple will release a 6th gen iPod before the release of the iPhone and that there would be no way we would see one until the holidays.
NAND Flash memory prices will come down and make for some super slick iPod. Early adopters of Zune will be jumping out of Windows (pun intended).
I'd believe that Apple would stick with the hard disk for the iPod Video. I also expect Apple to push their OSX Mobile Edition to the 6G iPod. 8)
Early adopters of Zune will be jumping out of Windows (pun intended).
And sorry, the iPhone won't cut it as a suitable substitute for those of us living outside the US.
Then, things that are played most often (higher play counts) would be automatically moved to the FLASH memory upon a sync with iTunes. Other data used less often would be stored on the HARD DRIVE. That way, one could still carry their whole movie/music collection but still be able to save on battery life when viewing/listening to the things they do most often...
Makes sense, no?
Riiiight, just like the iPod Nano is a huge failure because no one but early adopters and fanatics will pay $199 for a Nano when they can get a video iPod for $249.
Contrary to persistent rumor and speculation, Apple Inc. does not plan to introduce a sixth-generation of its flagship video iPod digital music player any time soon, AppleInsider has learned.
There's gonna be a whole lodda wailing and gnashing of teeth over this one, that's for sure!
""WTF? Only $100 less than iPhone, and there's no phone and no internet?" Early adopters and fanatics won't care, but everyone else will."
Riiiight, just like the iPod Nano is a huge failure because no one but early adopters and fanatics will pay $199 for a Nano when they can get a video iPod for $249.
Holy bad analogies, Batman! Nano is WAY smaller than the 5G vidPod, AND flash-based. Two big advantages that differentiate it from the 5G vidPod and prop up its sales.
Next! 8)
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Yeah, that's why the high school kids buy the nano - they all walk around discussing the advantages of solid-state over magnetic memory.
Two reasons the nano is popular:
1. It's cheaper (even if the difference is marginal)
2. It's cuter
And those are the same two reasons that will push the sales of iPods priced $200-$300, iPhone or no iPhone.
"Nano is WAY smaller than the 5G vidPod, AND flash-based. Two big advantages that differentiate it from the 5G vidPod and prop up its sales."
Yeah, that's why the high school kids buy the nano - they all walk around discussing the advantages of solid-state over magnetic memory.
No, but gym rats and joggers (like me) DO care if their iPod breaks. Lots of HD-based Minis did when used to work out lots.
Two reasons the nano is popular:
1. It's cheaper (even if the difference is marginal)
$50? Meh... maybe a little. Poor value for money though, if you care about storage/$ at all.
2. It's cuter
Yeah... that's where the 'WAY smaller' part comes in. Glad you agree.
And those are the same two reasons that will push the sales of iPods priced $200-$300, iPhone or no iPhone.
Re-read my initial post... I said that if the 6G iPod was priced at $299-399, it'd be a huge success. Again, glad you agree. 8)
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""WTF? Only $100 less than iPhone, and there's no phone and no internet?" Early adopters and fanatics won't care, but everyone else will."
Its not unreasonable to expect a wide screen iPod to cost around $400.
however, the stream of software has kind of dried up, leaving many apple die-hards in need of an urgent fix.
What are you talking about? Apple is working on new software. Are you really that eager to pay Apple more money?
steve not saying anything about when leapard, iwork and ilife 07 coming out is starting to get long in the tooth. hope he doesnt screw up the momentum he built up during the last 2 years by starving us to death for new gadgets.
The people who write to internet lists are the only few sitting on pins and needles waiting for Leopard or iLife 07. The rest is the world is out actually living productive lives.
there are some pretty good devices out there with a 30 gig hard drive and a 4 inch screen for way less money.
Get one of those and be happy.
Pretty soon, Joe Average is gonna realize that the emperor has no clothes, other than the iTunes interface.
I doubt many people are worried about when Apple will give them the opportunity to drop another $200 to $300 for a new iPod. But we can clearly see how other mp3 players are quickly catching up to the iPod.
No they really aren't.
There are plenty of players out there with superior sound quality and screens.
How do you qualify this superior sound quality? You trade screen size and quality for device size, weight and battery life. So there is some sacrifice either way.
Even the new Sony video walkman trumps the iPod's vid play back features.
Exactly which features are those?
the black 30GB and 80GB iPods (the most expensive iPods) have stayed in the top 4 electronics items, just like it was pre Xmas. The iPod nanos and shuffles have fallen off on the electronics charts, but Apple still dominates the mp3 player chart with the top 4, 7 of the top 10, 13 of the top 20. (Note the shuffle is now diluted with 5 models instead of just 1.) And the two SanDisk models in the top 10 are being sold at half-price.
So I don't think Apple feels any pressure to introduce something soon. Apple's margins on the iPods are huge and growing as flash prices and hard drive prices are rapidly dropping, so Apple can readily double flash capacities or bump up HD capacities if they feel the need to issue a boost in the coming months to carry them through to new fall models.
Umm... bollocks. They'll want the 6G touchscreen vidPod out in time for Xmas, come hell or high water.
The only real question is the price (well that and "will there be a flash version?"). Apple may try to milk it at the $399 and $499 pricepoints, at which point a lot of folks will go, "WTF? Only $100 less than iPhone, and there's no phone and no internet?" Early adopters and fanatics won't care, but everyone else will.
Whereas if it came out at $299 and $399 pricepoints, it would absolutely lay waste to everything else in the category. Guess we'll know in about 6-8 months...
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What makes you think that Apple is going to RAISE the price of the iPod since you know ... they lowered it to $249 / $349 not too long ago. Even with the touchscreen, you're probably not going to see a price bump unless they absolutely have to. I don't think the public is going to take a price increase one of the most popular consumer electronics devices very well...
Seriously, why did anyone think it would come out any sooner. Regardless of iPhone, Apple would want this product to fresh for Christmas, not Memorial Day.