Does anyone have any opinions about a revised iPod? They came out, what, almost a year ago? I really want to buy one, but I want to see what new features Apple might put in.
Well, the only thing they can really do to revise the iPod is either change the hard drive (which they've done already, and will likely do again) or update the software. I could also see a sound-in/record feature being added, which would require new hardware, but perhaps it would be a new piece of hardware that plugs into the FW port and allows you to record, instead of having to buy a new iPod.
Hell, maybe they'll release the 10 GB iPod as the consumer model, and then the Pro-series "PowerPod" which has a 20 GB hard drive and a number of new rip/mix/burn features built right into the device. The PowerPod could be used as a CD/Minidisc player, PDA, MP3 player, MP3 recorder, or even a DVD player if they released a small LCD screen to attach to it. Only problem with that is it may get so expensive with all those features that people will just get an iBook instead.
I hate having to pack my Walkman and my iPod whenever I travel anywhere, just in case I feel like listening to the news or a ballgame instead of my music library...
and either an internal mic, or an external mic input(or both) for recording....market it as a perfect solution for digital musicians who want to sample things...or something like that.
fm tuner? why not...I don't listen to the radio(except NPR KCRW)but alot of people do.
IU wonder if Inkwell can run on two 90 MHz StrongARM processors. eriously dudes, I think I duggested this over at MacNN for MWNY...
5GB iPod $299
10GB iPod $399
20GB iPod with touchscreen and Apple PDA apps $499
I think that Apple can make an excellent PDA out of the iPod.
You won't be able to watch videos though. Or open word documents. Not yet.
Once battery technology has become good enough for an Ipod-battery-size sample to support an IBM small drive or a MicroDrive and a 500 MHz G4 for, say, five hours, then you can run OS X on your palm and do all sorts of stuff.
Let's say thatthe Pro iPod. ProPod?...
comes out in 2004.
Physically larger than the current iPod. Most of front surface is touchscreen. Pen gets a little slot in the side. Battery is improved version of the same tech that's in the iPod right now, so a slightly larger version would power iPod functions - MP3 playing and adress boo checking, and other PDA stuff, for say 10 or 12hours.
This runs on strongARM, and boots in 2 seconds.
When you want your computer, push a button or a software button, and the 500 MHz G4 starts. Or faster - remember, we want as much batterylife aspossible. OS X starts. A full OS X, mind you, no wimpy X CE.
Takes 70-80 seconds to start up. My 500 MHz G3 iMac takes 90.
Fully useful OS X computer. With a different UI, looks like - the desktop is just too small on a 3 by 3 inch screen.
I don't know how to manage keyboard input. I'nm in favor of Apple adopting a new way fof inputting letters -I've seen a bunch of neokeyboards that involve pressing down sequences of five buttons - one handed! to get different letters. It'll take training to use, but full speed typing is faster than on a QWERTY keyboard.
Well Luca and Wrong, Archos already has a player/recorder that does those things. So 2004 is probably right for the rotting Apple version.
The Archos has a built in mic that can record audio. It can also record video, take pictures and can auto-download data from SM and CF memory cards. Yes some options are needed to do all of these things.
Now if they add a tuner, I think it would be the ultimate multimedia device.
Just like I don't use my stereo cabinet for filing papers, I would rather not keep my data and music in the same electronic device either.
Apple should upgrade the iPod 's hard drive to 20GB and 40GB storage capacities like the Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox 3. There is no reason not to do this. Price? The Nomad is cheaper at 20GB. ($347-$399)
Apple should also reduce the price of the 5GB and 10GB iPod's to $199 and $299 respectively. With every hard drive update, they should keep two available hard drive options and price them at the aforementioned reduced prices.
[quote] Apple should upgrade the iPod 's hard drive to 20GB and 40GB storage capacities like the Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox 3. There is no reason not to do this. Price? The Nomad is cheaper at 20GB. ($347-$399) <hr></blockquote>
These are enitrely different drives! The nomad used a 2.5" laptop drive in it. They are much cheaper, and come in larger sizes. Apple uses a PC card drive made by Toshiba. there currently is no bigger than 20gig.
how about a bluetooth enabled iPod? Apple is clearly jumping into the bluetooth arena with their $50 dongle. Why not download songs wirelessly? too slow? could still use firewire for moving big chunks of music and for charging the unit, but to move one or two songs at a time, seems perfect.
<strong>how about a bluetooth enabled iPod? Apple is clearly jumping into the bluetooth arena with their $50 dongle. Why not download songs wirelessly? too slow? could still use firewire for moving big chunks of music and for charging the unit, but to move one or two songs at a time, seems perfect.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I personally would love one feature: wireless headphones. Imagine having the iPod in a pocket or backpack while listening to music, no need to be constrained. Isn't this what Apple is all about?- lifting constraints from consumer technology? Is this possible technically with current Bluetooth or maybe future advantages to wireless technology?
<strong>I personally would love one feature: wireless headphones. Imagine having the iPod in a pocket or backpack while listening to music, no need to be constrained. Isn't this what Apple is all about?- lifting constraints from consumer technology? Is this possible technically with current Bluetooth or maybe future advantages to wireless technology?</strong><hr></blockquote>
There was a large article in the NY Times "circuits" section last week (I think) about the planned uses for bluetooth--one of which was wireless headphones and microphones.
[correction] It is the coverstory in today's NY Times "Circuits" section. And just think, if your bluetooth enabled cellphone rings while you are listening to music you can answer it without taking the phone out and taking off your headphones!
<strong>how about a bluetooth enabled iPod? Apple is clearly jumping into the bluetooth arena with their $50 dongle. Why not download songs wirelessly? too slow? could still use firewire for moving big chunks of music and for charging the unit, but to move one or two songs at a time, seems perfect.</strong><hr></blockquote>
This is a list I made to help me choose which portable hard drive/MP3 player I wanted to drop a lot of dough on. I posted it previously in another subject, but I'll post it again because it will be more relevant here. The iPod is neat, but to me it is seriously overpriced and needs a few more things added. I only favor USB2.0 because it's backwards compatible and will work on Mac's USB and PC USB.
Here it is:
-Buying an iPod reminds me of my friend who wants a HD Cinema display when he could pay $1,500 hundred dollars less(!!!!!) and buy a larger, sharper, and obviously WAY, WAY less expensive Sony Professional CRT. All you get with the Apple version is cool factor. He keeps arguing about how light it is, so what, are you ever going to move it? No, it will just sit there are on your desk, what a waste of $1,500 dollars if you ask me. Ok, ok, sorry, I'm just very adamant about payment money for things, especially when there are better versions for cheaper, but obviously everyone has their features they want.
I too would love to see a wireless headphones feature........BUT- if it takes already this long for Apple to come out with a remote, i donT see wireless happening for another 2 years. GRRR.
Comments
Well, the only thing they can really do to revise the iPod is either change the hard drive (which they've done already, and will likely do again) or update the software. I could also see a sound-in/record feature being added, which would require new hardware, but perhaps it would be a new piece of hardware that plugs into the FW port and allows you to record, instead of having to buy a new iPod.
Hell, maybe they'll release the 10 GB iPod as the consumer model, and then the Pro-series "PowerPod" which has a 20 GB hard drive and a number of new rip/mix/burn features built right into the device. The PowerPod could be used as a CD/Minidisc player, PDA, MP3 player, MP3 recorder, or even a DVD player if they released a small LCD screen to attach to it. Only problem with that is it may get so expensive with all those features that people will just get an iBook instead.
I hate having to pack my Walkman and my iPod whenever I travel anywhere, just in case I feel like listening to the news or a ballgame instead of my music library...
20 gig
and either an internal mic, or an external mic input(or both) for recording....market it as a perfect solution for digital musicians who want to sample things...or something like that.
fm tuner? why not...I don't listen to the radio(except NPR KCRW)but alot of people do.
5GB iPod $299
10GB iPod $399
20GB iPod with touchscreen and Apple PDA apps $499
I think that Apple can make an excellent PDA out of the iPod.
You won't be able to watch videos though. Or open word documents. Not yet.
Once battery technology has become good enough for an Ipod-battery-size sample to support an IBM small drive or a MicroDrive and a 500 MHz G4 for, say, five hours, then you can run OS X on your palm and do all sorts of stuff.
Let's say thatthe Pro iPod. ProPod?...
comes out in 2004.
Physically larger than the current iPod. Most of front surface is touchscreen. Pen gets a little slot in the side. Battery is improved version of the same tech that's in the iPod right now, so a slightly larger version would power iPod functions - MP3 playing and adress boo checking, and other PDA stuff, for say 10 or 12hours.
This runs on strongARM, and boots in 2 seconds.
When you want your computer, push a button or a software button, and the 500 MHz G4 starts. Or faster - remember, we want as much batterylife aspossible. OS X starts. A full OS X, mind you, no wimpy X CE.
Takes 70-80 seconds to start up. My 500 MHz G3 iMac takes 90.
Fully useful OS X computer. With a different UI, looks like - the desktop is just too small on a 3 by 3 inch screen.
I don't know how to manage keyboard input. I'nm in favor of Apple adopting a new way fof inputting letters -I've seen a bunch of neokeyboards that involve pressing down sequences of five buttons - one handed! to get different letters. It'll take training to use, but full speed typing is faster than on a QWERTY keyboard.
The Archos has a built in mic that can record audio. It can also record video, take pictures and can auto-download data from SM and CF memory cards. Yes some options are needed to do all of these things.
Now if they add a tuner, I think it would be the ultimate multimedia device.
Just like I don't use my stereo cabinet for filing papers, I would rather not keep my data and music in the same electronic device either.
Apple should also reduce the price of the 5GB and 10GB iPod's to $199 and $299 respectively. With every hard drive update, they should keep two available hard drive options and price them at the aforementioned reduced prices.
Let's do this.
[ 05-16-2002: Message edited by: sjpsu ]</p>
These are enitrely different drives! The nomad used a 2.5" laptop drive in it. They are much cheaper, and come in larger sizes. Apple uses a PC card drive made by Toshiba. there currently is no bigger than 20gig.
[ 05-16-2002: Message edited by: warpd ]</p>
<strong>how about a bluetooth enabled iPod? Apple is clearly jumping into the bluetooth arena with their $50 dongle. Why not download songs wirelessly? too slow? could still use firewire for moving big chunks of music and for charging the unit, but to move one or two songs at a time, seems perfect.</strong><hr></blockquote>
gigawire?
<strong>
gigawire?</strong><hr></blockquote>
does anyone know for sure what gigawire is aside from an apple trademark? Is it wired or wireless transmission?
<strong>I personally would love one feature: wireless headphones. Imagine having the iPod in a pocket or backpack while listening to music, no need to be constrained. Isn't this what Apple is all about?- lifting constraints from consumer technology? Is this possible technically with current Bluetooth or maybe future advantages to wireless technology?</strong><hr></blockquote>
There was a large article in the NY Times "circuits" section last week (I think) about the planned uses for bluetooth--one of which was wireless headphones and microphones.
[correction] It is the coverstory in today's NY Times "Circuits" section. And just think, if your bluetooth enabled cellphone rings while you are listening to music you can answer it without taking the phone out and taking off your headphones!
[ 05-16-2002: Message edited by: blzabub ]</p>
Lets see:
Heavier
Larger
Shorter battery life
UMMM.... no.
<strong>how about a bluetooth enabled iPod? Apple is clearly jumping into the bluetooth arena with their $50 dongle. Why not download songs wirelessly? too slow? could still use firewire for moving big chunks of music and for charging the unit, but to move one or two songs at a time, seems perfect.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Nah, still waaaaaay to slow IMHO.
Here it is:
-Buying an iPod reminds me of my friend who wants a HD Cinema display when he could pay $1,500 hundred dollars less(!!!!!) and buy a larger, sharper, and obviously WAY, WAY less expensive Sony Professional CRT. All you get with the Apple version is cool factor. He keeps arguing about how light it is, so what, are you ever going to move it? No, it will just sit there are on your desk, what a waste of $1,500 dollars if you ask me. Ok, ok, sorry, I'm just very adamant about payment money for things, especially when there are better versions for cheaper, but obviously everyone has their features they want.
Sony's CRT - <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio/displays/professional.shtml"; target="_blank">HERE</a>
AND (to be fair)
Apple's HD Cinema Display- <a href="http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/222/wo/AbteY0BrnDrKJZPLs61/1.3.0.3.30.8.3.0.13.0"; target="_blank">HERE</a>
-Sorry for ranting, CFPC
[ 05-16-2002: Message edited by: ConvertedFromPC ]</p>