“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.