“New features emerging in Apple’s next generation portable media player could enhance connectivity and convenience. However some changes may cause current Apple partners grief,” Daniel Jacobs reports for International Business Times.
Jacobs reports, “In a note delivered to clients on Monday, research analyst Jesse Tortora said that Apple’s next generation video-iPod may include significant changes, adding a larger screen and potentially, internet capabilities. ‘The next gen video ipod[s] are expected to include a wider touch screen, wi-fi and GPS,’ he said.”
Jacobs reports, “The addition of GPS functionality should position the iPod as the central hub for all digital content (music, movies, GPS) in automobiles, the researcher explained.”
Jacobs reports, “Apple may also shift away from hard-drive technology in its next generation video player one analyst contends, causing a potential shakeup in the disk storage market. ‘Our checks indicate that Apple may not proceed with its next generation hard disk drive (HDD) based video iPod design, transitioning instead to NAND flash as soon as late ’07,’ Tortora told clients.”
Full article here.
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Apple debuts iPhone: touchscreen mobile phone + widescreen iPod + Internet communicator – January 09, 2007
Why the hell does a portable media player need gps?
Will it tie into the music, showing where the artist is currently at through their implanted rfid tag?
GPS in an iPod is just plain stupid.
So is XM radio.
AS I said before, look for GPS as an add-on via the dock. I don’t see it as a built-in function anytime soon. But I’d be happy to be wrong. If I am, then it will cost at least $399, and possibly $499 when combined with a 100GB HDD.
Adding GPS functionality (especially if it used Garmin maps) to the ipod would have an incredibly wide appeal once folk understood its applicability. Here in the US most cars still do not have built GPS, and those that do so are only available as an ridiculously expensive option. I own a Garmin Nuvi GPS, which cost me $500 plus $300 for Euro maps – it came installed with US maps. This devise is only second to my ipod and cell phone as my most used gizmo. I now consider it an indispensable devise in my travel. I travel extensively here in the US and Europe and the portability to move the GPS from one vehicle to another (including rental cars), makes it incredibly useful. You need only to used a Garmin GPS once in an unfamiliar city to fully appreciate its value in navigation and locating restaurants, hotels, addresses, stores, etc. Not to mention, helping you not getting lost in the woods. Make no mistake, this would be a great enhancement to the ipod.