“Apple Computer Inc. has e-mailed invitations to reporters for a special event next week, prompting speculation on the Internet that the company would unveil a long-rumored iPod that can display videos,” Duncan Martell reports for Reuters. “The invitation from Apple, which is notoriously tight-lipped about its future products, said simply: ‘One more thing…'” Apple declined to comment beyond the invitation.
Martell reports, “Many analysts have said Apple is all but certain to introduce a version of the No. 1 digital music player that can also play video. Most models of the current iPods, in addition to playing music, can also display photos and perform other functions with accessories that are sold separately. ‘There’s a whole generation coming up that doesn’t have a lot in their checking account but will some day, who think this is a cool idea,’ said Roger Kay, president of market research firm Endpoint Technology Associates, referring to a video iPod. ‘It would be a very Jobsian move to say it’s stupid and bring one out anyway,’ Kay said, referring to an iPod that plays video. Kay added that Apple would need to have wrapped up agreements with major studios and record labels over copyright protection and antipiracy technology similar to its FairPlay digital rights management software used in iPods and on its iTunes online music store.”
Full article here.
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Why is everybody so sure that the announcement is the iPod Video? It could just as easily (and, in my opinion, more likely) be upgrades to the PowerBook, iBook, and PowerMac lines.
MW: half
Funny how some analysts said it would next year before the vPod was released.
Why do they even bother trying to figure out what apple is up to? the only times they are right is when someone has actually leaked info to them.
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ANALysts are usually way off, just look at the spread of their iPodsales estimates
Remember when you were mad if you thought about Apple and a flash iPod, video iPod, two botton mouse, or sub $500 machine in the same sentence? It’s been a cold year in hell indeed.
Why does ANYONE bother? Apple does things Apple’s way.
And we all know that they Think Different.
magic word: easy, as in its easy to guess what Apple with do, but only they really know.
You are so right macaddict merritt. We are living large.
It’s all a poopshoot, I’m in the market for a Mac mini just for the SuperDrive, so an iPod that costs just as much just isn’t going to be on my plate anytime soon.
I said many times. We are not going to come out with video on the iPod. Do you people listen??
SeanMon, you are an idiot. You really think Apple would have a PRESS CONFERENCE to announce a speed upgrade to an existing product line? Yeah, right.
I am convinced that next week Jobs will announce the fabled iWalk PDA! I’ve been waiting for this since 2002!
I am bored of these Apple special event annoucements. If they have a produce to launch then just launch the thing without the tease! By the way, my money is on some iPod nano replacement screens … scratch resistant. 3 for $50.
keith in tokyo – I sort of agree.
I want a small tablet with a touch screen that makes use of inkwell – like NEWTON – but also provides that touch screen control of itunes and hifi systems/mac mini etc. either via Bluetooth or through the Airport/express etc.
A video ipod is not going to be much better than a PSP with a 2GB memory stick and the PSP is less than $200 and plays games as well. So if its just a video ipod – for the number of times I’d use it, the truth is a ripped DVD to memory stick and or Sony UMDs with a PSP would still get my vote.
If it is a new device its got to joint hifi & Computer & TV + PDA if its going to push the envelope of what’s out there already. Great design isn’t everything.
Here’s my prediction:
The invitation has theatre curtains in the background- so it’s something to do with movies. My guess is that it’ll be an 80GB iPod with a bigger screen- one that works in portait mode for menus and landscape mode for videos. (The scroll wheel will be smaller to make room) Initially you’ll be able to download music videos or view your own exported iMovies. After launch the demand will be for TV and movie content which will be added to iTunes, but in the meantime users will be able to rip their own purchased DVDs and save in a suitable H264 format for viewing on the iPod video.
Scotty – I hope you’re wrong.
PSP does that and plays games.
the PSP will never touch the iPod. Please. With that big beautiful screen and a … UMD reader insider.. the battery life is pathetic. Plus Sony has not really designed any respectable iTunes competitor to sync with PCs/Macs.. Furthermore.. Sony designed something with such a huge screen that, really, I cannot imagine too many people using the PSP as a music player.
There really isn’t anything tremendous to say about PSP except.. the graphics are gorgeous, but.. um.. rehashed PS2 games and 2hrs of battery life? Yawn.
Is is a new video ipod or a really, really small laptop????
i’m hoping for a large screen attachement for current ipod’s, something that fits on the back of the ipod so you can still use the scroll wheel (cleverly mirrored on the large display that fades out after a few seconds ala apple’s own dvd player) who remembers that attachement that was prototyped a few months ago but got shut down? shut down for a reason
or how about an ipod thats just an entire screen with the scroll wheel under it?
Video iPod?! How totally useless and unimaginative; a completely non-Apple concept. No one watches video on-the-go.
BUT…
Steve could introduce the new Apple Media Store for streaming subscription video, purchased video and audio, as well as free video “Podcasts” of television broadcast programs.
Then he’ll introduce an all new device to utilize this service…
A HD compatible media device for the home with…
• Blue-Ray compatible DVD-RW (saving video)
• Tuner (with TiVo-like abilities)
• Airport (streaming video/audio from iMac, also iMac data backup)
• iPod universal dock for quick and easy transporting of video files and playing the iPod through the TV or stereo (that’s what the adapter is for in the nano box) …and you thought the 60Gb iPod was a waste of space.
Steve has never failed to shock the industry and awe the public. A lame video iPod just isn’t Steve’s style. When will you creatively challenged people ever learn?
Re: Home Media Device
If Apple designs the remote to be very iPod-like, clean lines and eliminating the typical and confusing 30-button remote on most coffee tables, that alone will be a huge hit!
MDN headline: “Analysts: Apple all but certain to introduce video iPod”
Dumb.
Time for a remedial headline writing course.
Finally an Apple PDA again that does video and music. It will need some kind of wireless option though. Cingular data only plans? How many people actually use their Blackberry for voice?
Hmm… what to name it?
I agree with others its an entirely new product and the curtains on the invite while they could just be suggesting a reveal on stage are most likely there very definately as a hint that its video related. Not necessarily iPod maybe home media device. However Scotty’s suggestion is equally compelling and certainly will be the way iPod will go, it has to despite the PSP’s existence or the latter and devices like it (how long before MS develops a handheld) will take over its market eventually.
If the lager iPods can evolve into such a device gradually and maintain success while they do so then with the massive usage (potential and real) they may even be able to eventually compete in games too which in itself will spill over into Macs something that is vital if Macs seriously want to become the home media centre, which brings us full circle as to what will be announced.
iPod SchmiPod…
I want to see new PowerBooks and PowerMacs!!!
The PowerBook is due for a refresh and I’m ready to buy!
A VidiPod seems a pretty lame idea. Little TVs have been around forever and Little DVD players for years. A while back, there was a mini-NYC trend where the homeboyz would sit spreadeagled on the subway (as always) watching an action movie on a portable DVD system. That made me want to run out and buy one! I wondered why not spend a little more get a small laptop and have something useful?!?!
I STILL think that an iBook is a great VidiPod!
I could see a VidiPod connected to a TV or home theatre setup, but isn’t a DVD disk a perfectly acceptable medium? And a LOT cheaper?
Whoever mentioned an Apple branded multi-media device that links hi-fi, TV, etc. and lets you download HD video and burn to your very own disk in your own livingroom or office probably is on to something. I LOVE the idea of an iPod-like remote control that’s MORE than a remote control, with Bluetooth, Wi-fi, the works!
John ; if you are so tired of speculations and apples marketing why bother posting here ? = )
I guess it has something to do with moviedownloads, and maybe a mediacenter-ish Mac Mini with wifi-to-TV …
Mediacenter has been around for soooo long from Microsoft but has never gained any momentum in sales…guess it takes someone like Apple to do that, just as with mp3 players and musicdownloads…
Anyway I very exited…but have learned to keep my expectations low…