“The Mac faithful are sure Steve Jobs has something big to announce on Oct. 12,” Arik Hesseldahl writes for BusinessWeek. “An iPod video device? Maybe a new Mac lineup? Both? …As is often the case with Apple product announcements, the tea leaves tell little, the signals are mixed, and the rumor machine has kicked into overdrive. Judging from analysts’ comments, media reports, and chatter on Mac-enthusiast Web sites, it appears all but crystal clear that some kind of update to Apple’s mainstream iPod line is in the offing, and most Apple observers suggested that the long-rumored video-capable version of the iPod is about to become a reality.”
“Jobs has in the past dismissed video as antithetical to the reason the iPod has been successful — the device works because listening to music is a passive activity you can do while doing other things. Watching video is far too active and distracting, he has said. But those criticisms of video seem to have quieted down lately. And Apple hasn’t posted a new music video to its online store for a few months, suggesting that a pay-for-download video service may be the next new feature enabled on iTunes,” Hesseldahl writes.
“New computers are certainly due. The last time Apple upgraded its PowerMac G5 line was in April. And though Apple’s transition to using chips from Intel (INTC ) will get under way in earnest by summer of 2006, Jobs & Co. have said at least one major upgrade of its flagship machines for professionals was due before then,” Hesseldahl writes. “Also among the rumors has been speculation about a change to Apple’s Airport Express wireless networking device. The Airport Express is small Wi-Fi router that also connects to stereo systems and gives users access to the iTunes playlist stored on computers. Apple could update Airport Express so that it connects to a TV screen to stream video stored on the computer… Whatever Jobs is hiding behind the curtain, he has already generated a heavy buzz around the announcement. His last big event was the unveiling of the iPod Nano. So far, the device has been mostly a hit — and a hard act to follow.”
Full article here.
Related articles:
JupiterResearch’s Gartenberg: Apple video iPod is unlikely, but possible – October 07, 2005
Did Steve Jobs already drop subtle hint about upcoming Apple product announcement? – October 06, 2005
BusinessWeek’s Burrows: What’s behind Apple’s red curtain? I’m looking for Macs – October 06, 2005
Report: New iPods sans video, Power Macs, and PowerBooks to debut at Apple’s October 12th event – October 05, 2005
Do the red curtains in Apple’s special event invitation carry hidden meaning? – October 05, 2005
BofA: Apple announcement’s highest probability is video iPod, maybe a new phone or enhanced Mac mini – October 05, 2005
Analysts expect video iPod from Apple, discuss price points – October 05, 2005
BBC 6 Music reports Apple video iPod to be unveiled in London next week – October 05, 2005
Report: Apple’s ‘One More Thing’ special event to feature PowerBook and Power Mac, not video iPod – October 05, 2005
Leaked Apple ‘iPod video’ spy photos? – October 05, 2005
Analysts: Apple all but certain to introduce video iPod – October 05, 2005
Report: Apple to launch video iPod next week – October 04, 2005
Apple invites media to ‘One More Thing’ special event on October 12 – October 04, 2005
Jefferies & Co. analyst: checks indicate Apple started video iPod production last month – October 04, 2005
UBS: Mac momentum continues building, Apple could sell 10 million iPods in holiday quarter – October 03, 2005
RUMOR: Apple to deliver new iPod, Power Mac, PowerBook models this month – October 03, 2005
Apple adds video to iPod trademark – August 03, 2005
Video iPod? Does The Wall Street Journal have a ‘Deep Throat’ inside Apple Computer? – July 25, 2005
Disney CEO Iger meets with Apple, Pixar CEO Steve Jobs to discuss distribution deal, video iPod – July 22, 2005
NY Post: signs point to Apple’s iTunes+iPod video plans – July 19, 2005
Report: Disney considers teaming with Apple to deliver iPod video content – July 19, 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
Cringely: Apple working on HD movie download service and Video iPod – July 15, 2005
Report: Apple Computer to launch ‘Video iPod’ by 2006 – April 11, 2005
Oh baby-Only Apple Computer can create the hype like this…….
Actually, Apple didn’t create the hype.
All Apple did was mail out a non-specific invite. The hype is coming from everyone except Apple.
Actually, Apple didn’t create the hype.
All Apple did was mail out a non-specific invite. The hype is coming from everyone except Apple.
Actually, Apple didn’t create the hype.
All Apple did was mail out a non-specific invite. The hype is coming from everyone except Apple.
Madonna lives in Britain. Perhaps she will be live from the BBC studios to unveil her designer iPod pre-loaded with her music catalog in advance of her new single launching on Oct 17. Also having always been at the forefront of music videos from back in the 80s, she helped to turn MTV into the giant conglomerate that it is now. Her iPod may just include her music video collection.
ITG
I’m telling you guys, it’s the Beatles. Laugh all you want, but I bet this is it. Which if true, by the way, would mean the dispute has been resolved and Apple can now be a label like Sony and the others. Remember, its about the music, stupid.
I just returned from the local Apple store. The line at the registers was about 6 deep in 3 lanes. As I waited patiently to pay for a Wacom tablet I looked around and noticed that almost everyone in the line(s) were buying at least an iPod Nano and many also were packing one or two Shuffles (early Christmas shopping?). Several people were buying iTMS gift cards (easy to spot the ugly purple $50 ones – I was buying one too).
In the front of the store where the island of Nano’s are displayed there were easily 20 people crowded around fondling the little beauties. In general, the store was crowded (as it usually is).
Now there’s some real market analysis.
I went into the local Apple store and people were at least 450 deep in 24 lanes. As I waited patiently with my shopping cart of products I was buying (75 nanos, three computers, 14 iPods of various sizes and shapes and an iSight) someguy pushed by me with three shopping carts full of Apple products and said “Where is the 500 items or less cashier?”
Several people were even buying Apple employees. I picked out a plump one with blond hair and a Nano t-shirt that said “Scratch me…please!”.
Surely Apple could make a more affordable version of this:
http://www.kaleidescape.com/
I went into my Apple store and it was empty. So I left.
MDN Word: scrotum
Laughing in tears at Huge N Shiney’s real market analysis…
Were any customers demanding more cowbell, I wonder?
I’m just psyched about the upcoming Dell press conference. I hear the DJ Ditty XL will hold up to 50 songs and look like a Pez dispenser. Sweet!
COWBELL!… I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT’S WHAT WE NEED TO FINALLY KILL OFF MS!
Have we suddenly been invaded by 10 year olds?
release the new powerbooks and get over with it dammit…oh and fix the screens. the latest rev. has very bad screens. just try to compare the latest 17′ books with last years – put them on your desk and check what happens with the colors on the latest rev. when turning 20 degrees or more. the colors turn yellow-green! this is not a pet bug…i often have to show 3-4 clients some work without having a beamer at hand and they keep asking about the odd color choice. duh.
Maybe he’s announcing the acquisition of Apple Records AND that Kaliedescape thingie…
Music and the whole ball o’wax/shebang!
In one swell foop.
MW: “left” as in what would MS have left, then? Besides malVistaware?
And sure as hell once he announced whatever IT is, every MacWhiner will be in some Mac fourm complaining that it’s not (exciting/unique/cheap/fast/big/tasty) enough and they will wait for the next version of whatever it is.
Just wait and see shall we.
We are announcing a new Keyboard. That’s it.
We are announcing a wireless monitor….
You can wonder why???
I’ve heard they’re about to announce that segway now fully supports the iPod. The kicker is – they added speakers AND a subwoofer to the segway. Additionally they’ll anounce a minor forthcoming update to Keynote to be released sometime before xmas 2008.
I think a video ipod would be mainly for visualations. It would just look cool if u looked at your screen and u saw flying colors.
Apple’s announcement will be “iPods–Now with 30% More Cowbell.” Because you gotta have More Cowbell!
Where was I? Oh yeah. Here’s my prediction, for what it’s worth:
First, it’ll be the official announcement of the Mac mini running 1.5GHz with the faster hard drive.
Next, Steve will announce upgrades to the PowerBook. Probably the MPC7448 with DDR memory and a 1600 x 1024 display.
Next, Steve will announce Dual-Dual Core G5s running at 2.5GHz. I think it’ll be dual 2.3, dual 2.5, quad-2.5 at the same price points. There’s lots more steam in the G5, contrary to popular belief, and I think the PowerMac G5s will be the last machines changed over to Intel in 2007. Remember that the PowerMac buyers are interested in speed, speed, speed–the “performance per watt” spec doesn’t impress them all that much if it means the machines are slower.
My guess on the “One Last Thing…” is the video store. The video store will sell movies and select TV shows in HD. My guess is that ABC’s “Lost” will be the premier TV title available and “The Incredibles” will be the premier movie title. Steve will also announce the Airport Express HD, which will transmit video to a TV via an HDMI connector and S-Video. Apple will also sell adapters for DVI.
No, I don’t think you’ll see a video iPod. But it will definitely be the elephant in the room. Everyone knows it’s coming, it’s only a question of when.
I could see the Video Store being Mac-only. When Apple has the video iPod, you will then see a cross-platform video store.
Peter, I think you have some realistic predictions.
Here’s what I’m hoping for.
1) New PowerBooks with smoking hot new industrial design. The 15″ PowerBook will have a 1600×1024 display while the 17″ model will be full glorious HD. I don’t want to speculate on processors, but as long as all the components are top-notch, I think such a product would be very exciting.
2) New PowerMacs. Here, I think the only thing that will interest anyone is a dual dual-core machine, i.e. a “quad” PowerMac. Anything else will be disappointing, and you can kiss PowerMac sales goodbye. Let the G5 go out in glory, please.
3) Movie store that works like iTMS. This would be a revolution that would be world-shaking in nature. A video iPod would only happen with the launch of such a service. Without a movie store, the video iPod is just a mere curiosity.
Can’t wait till Oct. 12!
Come on people, a video ipod? Can you really imagine yourself watching a movie with subtitles on an ipod size screen?…pfff…it will never happen. Movies were never meant to be watched on small tiny little screens. a laptop maybe, an I pod, no!
Selling movies via ITMS is still a possibility, but you don’t need a video ipod for it to be successful. Video ipod is a dumb idea.
Ok Ok, if Video Pod is introduce, anyone who wants to download 500MB – 2Gig of HD movie from the net?
I would rather go and buy the DVD with extra features.
So watching 2hrs movie on the road, not me mate. I think only Bill Gates and his children. I would rather watching movie at home with a big big screen in a comfortable environment.
Hello Hello?
What ZURA said.
I already have the best moble video player out there, a PowerBook. When it comes to video, size matters. Even those portable DVD players with the 7″ screens are useless. I was at Best Buy the other day and walked past those things. That was the moment that I realized that there may never be a video iPod. Perhaps an iPod that can carry video and send it to a TV via dock, but that would be about all.
Just doesn’t make sense.
An what is with the kiddie posts earlier? Dr Vein E Dick or what ever? come on.
Or maybe we’re finally get that damn 3GHz G5 we’ve been waiting for. D’oh!
Peter, good predictions. Makes sense.
How about a iPod stereo component. Something non-portable to put into your entertainment system, wi-fi, remote, and streaming Apple Radio.
And an installable car version as well. Also wi-fi.
Imagine, from your house to your car, transferring your collection and podcasts. As an added feature, a small screen and a GPS system with Google Maps (beta) and the incredibles for the kids. QuickTime 7.21b4 version required. (its just a mini in a different case! jacked into your car).
Put that on http://www.macvroom.com!
MDN Word: Cowbell
dude,
Not macvroom.com!
Its, http://www.macvroom.com
5 days to go!
If Apple can squeeze a 3.5″ screen onto the iPod, why not? It’ll still be pocket-sized and you can’t say that about the Powerbook. Have you noticed that the Sony PSP is generating quite a few sales for movies on disks?
True that such an iPod will first require a video iTMS. And it’s more likely that an Airport Video Express with a built-in H.264 decoder chip and Firewire will come first. Have you noticed that more and more large HDTVs now have Firewire? Apple will sell the Firewire to HDMI and Firewire to DVI cables for extra.
1) XServe mini (digital hub) run 3 users in a home off one Mac AT THE SAME TIME!!!
2) XSan mini (expandable media storage)
3) Wireless monitors (with optional built in CD/DVD drives) one for each room.
Oh, one more thing…
4) The iTunes media store
Merry Christmas!!!
“who wants to download 500MB – 2Gig of HD movie from the net?”
Well, there’s the price.
“The Incredibles” retails for $29.99. Suppose it was $1.99 for just the movie in 720p. No DVD extras or anything like that, but you could burn the movie to DVD. You might think about doing that…
You bring up a good point about the size and download time, though. I may have been too optimistic about HD. I went to Apple and downloaded a 4:08 music video at 720p. The file was 215MB and it took about 6 minutes to download via my cable modem. So, if we extrapolate, a 40 minute TV Show would take about an hour to download. A two-hour movie would take about three-hours to download. While you could stream it, it would probably still be about 45 minutes from the time you started downloading until you could actually start watching it.
Hm. Makes me want to get FTTP.
I think Apple will update all their Airport products to 108 Mbs and something called the Airport AV will take centre stage in the presentation. This device would feature AV in and out ports and an internal hard drive. It would be used for recording television, managing an iTunes library and running widgets on top of live television (imagine how handy a widget for TV Program Listings would be if your current desktop was the television). It may also be the first Intel-based Apple product. After all, if all it does is manage your media files why not use Intel? We know that OS X and the ILife applications all-ready run on x86 processors. The Media Center and PMC have been total flops but I see no reason why Apple cannot make similar products that do for video what iPod did for music.
iBook nano. A laptop with flash memory replacing the hard drive. Slim, chrome underside, very long battery-life, airport video enabled.
i’m hoping for a finder replacement 😀
friends of me who finally bought an ibook to taste the “superior” os have all sorts of crashes due to finder and handling network shares…. 🙁
hey i can hope can’t i :p
You are all mad.
A lot of what you say is not technically feasible, and if it is, it is technically mad. What is the point of downloading High Definition content, and then putting it on a video iPod? Or burning it to a DVD-R as DVD Video? Both of those applications are standard definition or, in the case of the iPod, less than standard definition (in pixel resolution).
I don’t think this announcement is about speed-bumped Power Macs. I seriously doubt they are going to release a new form-factor PowerBook now, unless that form factor is also used for the first generation Intel based PowerBooks. It would cost Apple a fortune in manufacturing costs. Speed bumped, better screens, better spec – sure -, but that doesn’t justify an announcement like this.
Apple will not start selling long-form video for download (TV, films etc), but they will start with music videos and film trailers – this is on the iTunes store already. They could add to this with video-podcasting, where short news items etc are also available to be subscribed to.
This then begs the question, what are you going to play them on. A video iPod IS a possibility, as is AirPort Express AV, as someone described above, although I don’t think it will have TV integration.
Wireless monitors are pointless – you have to plug them in to a power source anyway.
Xserve mini / Xsan mini. You are taking a piece of professional kit and trying to turn it in to a consumer / domestic item. It certainly won’t be called that, if Apple ever do a ‘Home Media Center’ (they will have a better name – iDrive or something, probably).
“Wireless monitors” must be plugged into a power source only, there are no wires connecting to the mac, feel better now. Of course I’m not going to call it an “Xserve mini” , I’m just describing the concept. Anyways computers are becoming powerful enough to serve more than one user for general purpose computing, so you’re looking at the future.
OK I’v got it… Jobs & Company will start a – – – no, NO, I can’t tell you all yet – – – OK, OK Here goes!
Jobs & Company are going to start a Video Rental Service – YES!
They have upgraded the servers (Xserver’s of course) that have been supporting .Mac & iDrive and are looking for a ROI. Job’s solution is simple – just rent or sale movies!
Here how it works.
You use your new vPod to join and then connect to the new iMovie Store (now we’re going to have two stores) and pick up a flick (just like you do when you go to the video store – blockbuster watch out – but this time no CD’s or what ever to take home) – the iMovie Store downloads the flick to your Mac’s new iMovie Vault (an external hard drive) during the day while your at work and when you get home you watch your flick on your own TV set via your new upgraded Airport Express/iMovie Media Center with built in cable service (you got it – it’s a wireless media tool developed around the Airport Express, the Mac-Min and some Pixar software throw in).
The above solution would required a G4 (QuickSilver 733 or better – that mine) and PC users would follow in time, as always – will maybe, IF THERE ARE ANY LEFT!
Think about it – this solutions gives Jobs & Company a whole range of new movie based products to say that includes
1. vPod – $399.00
2. iMovie Store – Free
3. iMovie Vault – $199.00
4. Airport Express – $49.00
5. iMovie Media Center – $699.00
6. Existing G3 holdouts and early G4 users would also rush to
pick up new iMac’s and G5 Power Mac
7. In addition, the 23” and 32” Apple Monitors will be in short
supply for a while!
AND WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULDN’T SAY YES TO SUCH A SOLUTION – EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO SELL THEIR MOTHERS TO GET THE MONEY.
IT WOULD BE A SLOW STARTING PRODUCT LINE FOE AWHILE BUT IN 3 YEARS TIME – WOW LOOK OUT!
God my mind is spinning – did I just come up with that solution or what – if only!
Will we’ll all know in a few days and who really knows what going to happen but the above would be great! And what if I’m right!
ANY TAKERS OUT THEIR?
Maybe they’ll be expanding the softgoods side of things? Look at how well the iPod socks are selling!
They could have “iSlacks” (for formal wear), “iTurlenecks” (only available in black), “iMacs” (to keep the rain off, (though a name like that’ll never catch on)) and “Lev-i’s” (casual jeans).
Other softgoods (for your “hardgoods”) could be a range of condoms called “ifcuk”, though there’s a danger here that Microsoft (the company, not Bill Gates as his wife’s nicknamed him!) will copy this idea and call their condoms “iSuck”.
The Newton back as a portable video player !
“What is the point of downloading High Definition content, and then putting it on a video iPod? Or burning it to a DVD-R as DVD Video? Both of those applications are standard definition or, in the case of the iPod, less than standard definition (in pixel resolution).”
The rationale for downloading it as HD is that there’s more you can do with it. Remember, it’s alot easier to sample down than it is to sample up. So if I got my video in 720p, for example, it’s alot easier to sample down to NTSC or less (in the case of an iPod video) than it would be to turn an NTSC signal into 720p (or, worse, 1080p).
So if Apple were to be selling HD video with H.264 compression and they were to end up with the most popular way for consumers to purchase video (the iMovie Video Store), when Blu-Ray players became available, Apple would be in a prime position to sell new machines with the appropriate DVD burners.
“Apple will not start selling long-form video for download (TV, films etc), but they will start with music videos and film trailers – this is on the iTunes store already. They could add to this with video-podcasting, where short news items etc are also available to be subscribed to.”
The issue I have with this is “compelling content.” While I agree that Movie Trailers, Music Videos, and short news pieces are fun, they’re not the kind of thing that’s going to push a “movie” store to the top of the heap. Also, Movie Trailers and news pieces are temporary. Are you really going to spend money on a movie trailer?
On the other hand, television shows are something else. Imagine all seasons of “Seinfeld” or “Friends” being available for download. Grab your favorite episodes. The only reason I agree with you about movies is the length of time necessary to download them for most people.
You guys are all fscking hilarious! Just laughing my ass off reading this.
It’s possible that all this evolution in the iPod line is intended to eventually lead to a pocket Mac. The vPod will be like an iMac G5 in your pocket, except that it won’t run OS X. That may come later, after Apple has gained market and mind share in your pocket. Some of the chips that Intel will be developing may be crucial to this development.
Just as Jobs has said in the past that Apple won’t make a video iPod, and yet here they are doing so, Jobs has said that Apple won’t make a pocket Mac. He’s said that he doesn’t want to compete with the Palm or the Pocket PC, but I bet that’s exactly what he wants to do. Not a lot of handhelds are sold compared to computers, but Apple is a niche market anyway, so selling a million or so (or more) pocket Macs each year will be good for Apple’s bottom line.
Jobs hasn’t forgotten the Newton, even though he’s the one who killed it–he may also want to be the one to resurrect it (the power of death and life in his hands!).
I’m hoping for some sort of video content available through the iTunes movie store.
Could it be the BBC will announce they are offering all their content for sale through the store? I’d like to download the British series “The Office.” If they just had the BBC, PBS and PIXAR, that would actually be a lot of content. I also think with Bit Torrent, movie studios are realizing they are going to have to offer a legal way to download films.
I think the Newton will come back as a remote control device that works with AirPortExpressAV.
A video iPod would be good for news clips or short fiunny clips from Leno, Letterman or The Daily Show. Also to take to your friends to watch videos or something.
Why is this web-site so slow? I can barely load it sometimes? I know they get a lot of traffic on some days, but it is always one of the slowest websites.
I’m waiting for a bluetooth cam for the iPod, so I can do upskirts pics
Maybe Jobs is just going to wish the Jews Happy New Year, since October 12 is the Eve of Yom Kippur
Well if an iBook nano were ever released I would sell my iBook immediately and buy one of those.