“Think Video? Apple Computer is reportedly negotiating with major entertainment companies about distributing music videos through its iTunes Music Store that would be viewable on its popular iPod,” sam Gustin writes for The New York Post. “Speculation about a new video-capable iPod has been mounting recently, following Apple’s May release of iTunes 4.8, which introduced video playback into its iTunes software. Shortly thereafter, Apple began bundling music videos with select music downloads, such as the Dave Matthews Band’s new album, ‘Stand Up.'”
“Although current iPods can only display still photos, analysts believe that it is only a matter of time before Apple introduces an iPod capable of playing videos,” Gustin writes. “‘This type of hardware is technologically inevitable,’ said John Barker, President of DZP Marketing Communications. ‘And Apple knows that it needs to invest in it.'”
“Last August, Apple posted a job opening seeking an ‘iPod Hardware System Integrator’ with experience in ‘video and analog integration,’ an indication that it planned to experiment with video on iPods,” Gustin writes. “In April, Apple inked a deal with Alphamosaic, a British chipmaker whose latest powerful chip handles video as well as music.”
Full article here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Selling music videos on Apple’s iTunes makes economic sense – July 19, 2005
Report: Disney considers teaming with Apple to deliver iPod video content – July 19, 2005
Ars Technica peeks at Apple’s portable video plans – July 18, 2005
More info about Apple’s reported iPod+iTunes video talks – July 18, 2005
WSJ: Apple in video iTunes talks, may unveil video iPod by September – July 18, 2005
Whatever. My iPod Photo 60GB can already play video. I pried it open and soldered an AlphaMosaic VideoCore® BCM2705 Multimedia Processor onto it, where the processor was. And I replaced the 60GB hard disk with a new 120. I just watched a pirated HD copy of Star Wars on my TV through the iPod, over DVI. It’s pretty cool. I hope Apple comes out with something better though. I want retinal projection display.
And then I woke up.
Reporting on speculation… these articles are all about each other, and none of them have a source. For the love of god, enough! Find someone who says they’ve spoken to someone at Apple, or at a company that’s selling some parts to Apple or SOMEONE WHO ISN’T JUST ANOTHER REPORTER!
When CBS reports that ABC is reporting something, that’s not news.
STOP THE MADNESS!
When CBS reports anything at all, that’s not news. But I get your point, this iPod video speculation is nothing more than reporting rumors of rumors of rumors…
The technology is available to provide consumers with a product like “iSlate”. Of course only Apple could really do it right, although several other companies are attempting to create some variation of this device. This product would integrate well into the “Digital Lifestyle” philosophy & compliment existing Apple products.
It would provide a screen large enough to actually watch video & view photos, while still being small enough to be portable. It needs to be smaller than a notebook computer, but larger than a PDA. This device could be used in so many different situations that it would have broad appeal in the market. They have an opportunity to impact the industry with the iSlate & iVideo media Store as much as the iPod & iTMS will.
Designed not to be a creative device like a desktop or laptop, but rather a sophisticated display device that communicates seamlessly with other devices via Rendezvous & 802.11, BT, GPRS, FireWire, etc.
Device Size:
8” x 5.0” x .65” (±15oz)
± 1/2 size of a 17” PowerBook
± size of a DVD movie case
small enough to hold with one hand by the bezel (.5” bezel on the sides)
Screen:
±8” LCD (16:9 ratio) -> 800 x 480 pixels minimum (1024 x 600 ideally)
± 1/2 size of 17” PowerBook screen
able to display “640 x 480 material” & DVD (720×480) quality video natively
Battery:
6-9 hour Li-Ion battery
Storage:
1.8” 40GB or 60GB hard drive (additional capacity can come from external devices)
256MB or 512MB RAM
SD slot (w/ adapter for xD & Smart Media)
Processor & OS ?:
Motorola 800 MHz G4 mobile w/ Mac OS X lite or
Intel 500 MHz XScale PXA27x w/ Mac OS Mobile?
Connectivity:
802.11 –> Desktop or Laptop, Stereo, Internet via Wi-Fi hotspots
Bluetooth –> Keyboard, Mouse, PDA, Wireless Headphones, Internet via GSM Phone
FireWire –> iPod, Computer, Hard Drive, DVD/CD writer, Video Camera, iSight
USB 2.0 –> Printer, PDA, Digital Still Camera
mini-DVI w/adapter for:
-> ADC & VGA for larger monitor
-> DVI for video projector or HDTV
-> S-Video for video projector or TV
-> Composite for video projector or TV
Stereo mini out/in
Rendezvous for seamless connectivity to other devices
Input:
Inkwell via touch screen &/or stylus
Keyboard & mouse via Bluetooth or USB
Microphone
Remote control via Bluetooth
Applications:
inkwell, iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, Safari, QuickTime, iSync, Rendezvous, Preview, Mail, iCal, Address Book, Sherlock, iChat AV
Keynote, FileMaker, Quicken, etc.
A/V Formats:
MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, JPEG
Accessories:
Charger, External Battery, Stand, clip for iSight, Portable folding BT keyboard, BT mouse
Headphone w/Microphone boom, quality stereo headphones
Price ??:
$699 to $999
Create a device that is bigger that the largest PDA, Archos or OQO type device, yet smaller than the average notebook or tablet computer. Imagine if you will, holding a device (about the size of a DVD case) away from you anywhere from 12″ to 18″. Obviously a 4″ screen would be inadequate, but a 7″ to 9″ diagonal widescreen would be more than acceptable. It could still be small enough to fit in a stack of books, a briefcase, a large purse, of any number of other carrying cases. It would be something that could be viewed in an office, at home, in a coffee shop, on an airplane or train, or even in the backseat of a car.
The idea is not to see how much visual information one can cram into a small space (3″ to 4″ screens) or replace existing devices like the TV or Video Projector. The idea is to create a device that is a reasonable compromise between portability & “acceptable or pleasurable” viewing for multiple applications & that also complements existing devices. Something that can also plug into a TV or other display for a better viewing experience.
Beyond the innumerable business applications it could fulfill, it could display video & photos on a screen that is much bigger than an Archos type device or PDA, & yet smaller than a notebook computer. It doesn’t need to carry everything all the time, so it doesn’t require a massive hard drive. The internal HD needs only to be large enough for the OS, applications & enough storage to carry material while you away from any connectivity to other devices or the internet.
From a strictly “video perspective”, a large part of its success would hinge upon Apple’s ability to distribute video clips through an online store much like iTMS. This store could provide educational content, business content, news content, & entertainment content beyond just movies . To be truly successful, it must integrate into Apple’s “Digital Lifestyle” strategy, & be truly portable (ubiquitous wireless connectivity & good battery life).
Originally Posted by: lajocaab on Feb 11, 04 | 11:05 pm
I love seeing articles where they say things like “this would be easier if iPods came with jacks and cables that would allow them to be connected to a television.”
Without, of course, realizing that white iPods now ARE photo iPods… which can do that. And which, incidentally, can play presentations, with music and transition effects (loaded on with a third-party app)… which is a nice step in the direction of video…
The PSP can play videos now in the UMD format. This format has become very successful and studios are really jumping on board. Go check out Amazon.com if you don’t believe me. There is lots of Macintosh software that allows you to rip DVDs and watch them on a PSP with a 512MB or 1GB memory stick. By Christmas, 2GB sticks will be available at reasonable prices. Video can be downloaded from psp.connect.com. Don’t get me wrong. I love Apple and my iPod too but if you want to have portable video the PSP is an excellent device with a beautiful screen… and it’s not a rumor! It’s available now.
Video iPod would be good to use with those new Virtual Reality goggles. That would be cool. You couldn’t drive your car or walk down the street with it, but you could watch porn on the street corner!