“Apple Computer is preparing to unveil the 4th-generation of its flagship iPod music player, reliable sources told AppleInsider last week. Excluding the introduction of the iPod-mini in January, over half a year has passed since the company last update the iPod product-line on September 8th,” Kasper Jade reports for AppleInsider. “While sources could not pin-point a specific day or month of introduction, they said the soon to be released player would boast a 50GB hard disk capable of holding 12,500 songs and carry an approximate cost of $499.”
“Unlike the recent capacity-centric revisions to the iPod line, the 4th-generation iPod will host a number of architectural advancements and new features. Most apparent, sources say, is the presence of a 2-inch color screen for displaying photos stored on the pod, from the palm of your hand,” Jade reports. “The player will reportedly also adopt a video output jack that will allow users to connect their iPods to television sets…”
Full article here.
Meanwhile, for what it’s worth, MacOSRumors is reporting, “A 60GB model may show up later in the year, or more likely, early next year (January or February). However, the overwhelming emphasis for the next two years appears to be on the iPod enclosure and features, rather than the storage that it contains.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Grain(s) of salt and all that. These are rumors only at this point.
Hey, giofoto – are you talking about the 1.2 MB 5.25″ floppy disk or the original 360k version? Would certainly make a difference! I’m sure someone out there will take the time to do the math and report back (not me, however)… I just shudder at the thought of how many it would be and mentally move on.
But back on topic – I really have no interest in a “color” screen – unless it would most definitely, with no doubt, eat up no more (or even less) battery power than the current back-lit screens. I have a 3G 15Gb iPod, which I’m within about 30Mb of maxing out, and of course with lots more CDs to rip. Oh, well – thought it would be enough to hold everything (though, truly, being able to take more than 2,600 songs from ~250 CDs & albums anywhere is pretty a nice thing).
“”Meanwhile, for what it’s worth, MacOSRumors is reporting…”
It’s worth nothing coming from them.”
Hey, at least they have rumors instead of just reporting what appleinsider comes up with.
yea, my 3G ipod was stolen not too long ago so i’m gonna get the 4G when it comes out. Hope it has new features to set it apart from the mini.
Boeing777,
I think they are talking about the 4th generation of iPod (4G) rather than the 4th generation of the PPC chip (G4).
Boeing777,
That was a joke right? You were kidding about the G4 iPod, yes?
People are already about to riot since the iMac only has a G4, if it gets moved to a G5, how will the iPod survive unless they (Apple) move to the 4G iPod? Just ask any anal-yst about how old and lagging the G4 is…. If the iPod doesn’t come up to at least a 4G Apple is DOOMED, DOOMED!! Just ask Enderhurl and Throwup. ; )
“Why any ipod will require the power of a G4 cpu?” – Boeing777
Let’s see,
1. So that you can play 10 songs at the same time?
2. So that you can listen to the whole album in 45 seconds?
3. So that you can laugh on the Microsoft fans’ faces when you tell them you have 1.5GHz processor in your pants?
What else? Ummm…
4. So that you may compose and render a song with your iPod?
5. Hand/pocket warmer? OK, this is not very useful now, but you’ll thank Apple next winter.
Ahhh Poop! I want the iPod with a vibrating alert so I could keep it in my pocket … I mean so I don’t annoy people when my alarm goes off.
Steve Jobs has downplayed tablets and video ipods saying that just because we have the tech doesn’t mean people would buy it. The latest studies coming out indicate that the iPod Mini has the right amount of storage for most consumers. I have 35 gigs of music but usually don’t listen to more than 1-2 playlists — I can’t imagine needing more storage (60 gigs?). I also can’t imagine why I’d want to watch a 2-inch size video, and exactly where I’d want to watch it. On the treadmill at the gym, instead of watching the giant plasma screens? On an airplane, instead of watching the plane’s 4-foot screen or my own 15-inch laptop screen?
The only interesting consumer tech I’d like to see from Apple is a wireless tablet that streams music/photos/video/internet/television. That would solve just about everything I need around the house, as well as when I’m traveling or near a WiFi hotspot. Can you feel me?
check this out:
http://www.2guysamacandawebsite.com/article.php?id=478
Fake Rumor Friday…. or didn’t you notice?
shabaz–
“Who has 60GB of legally purchased music?”
My MusicMac has 95.7 GB (26178 tracks) all bought legally, either from iTMS or ripped from CDs I own.
I want the 120 Gig iPod to be ready for my next buying or ripping spree.
Of course he noticed. It’s called satire, pkradd. Or do you really take yourself so seriously that you can’t laugh at a joke.
Between Cube and iMac I have 90 GB so far, and that is from less than half of my CDs.
iTunes supports WMA now!
Windows only though!
New iTunes/iMovie/Quicktime/iPod + iPod mini updates available now!
And Apple Lossless for archiving.
iTMS now has:
Music videos (playable outside USA)
Film trailers (ditto – can be saved if you have QT Pro)
Radio charts
iMix – Celebrity Playlists for normal people
Color screen for preview pictures and movies is a great idea. If it had video and audio out (or someone made a special dock connector) I could hook it up to the TV in the car and let my kids choose from any of their movies while on a trip, rather than lugging around all those VHS or DVDs. Can you currently turn the screen off while the iPod is still on?
it makes sense that a new generation ipod should be coming soon. remember, apple recently asked stores to take down any of the colorful ipod posters that showed the 3rd gen ipod.
That would be really neat if they made one with a color screen. I hope they make a little camera attachemnt for it so it could record little mpeg-4 videos