New iPods on the Horizon 367
RemovableBait writes "Apple Computer plans to introduce more iPods before the end of the year", a company executive said Tuesday. From the article: Executive Vice President Tim Cook didn't say whether the new iPods will come at a press event Apple has scheduled for Wednesday morning. But during a conference call with analysts, he suggested that the iPod Nano won't be the last new iPod of the year."
Plans..? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Plans..? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Plans..? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:No mention of the rumors? (Score:3, Informative)
- iPod: 30GB/60GB with Video - realtime decoding of MPEG4 and H.264. 260,000 colors. Video out.
- FrontRow and PhotoBooth Apps.
- 30GB iPod: $299 - 31% thinner than current 20GB; - 60GB iPod: $399.
- New iPods avail next week. Comes with case
- iMac: $1299 for 17" model with 1.5GHz, $1799 for 20" model with 2.1GHz
- iTunes 6 to be released
- Front Row - comes with new iMacs. Lets you enjoy video/music/pictures fro
Forget slim... (Score:5, Interesting)
How 'bout both? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:How 'bout both? (Score:2)
Re:How 'bout both? (Score:5, Informative)
If it's a fragile scratch-prone thing then I must have a magical nano, cos I'm seeing none of that.
photos at http://www.danamania.com/temp/nano2.jpg [danamania.com] counting upwards. The first image is at one week old, others taken on the days since then - it's almost 3 weeks old now.
Re:How 'bout both? (Score:4, Insightful)
Ding ding ding (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm fed up enough with the quality problems that I'm actually debating buying a PC laptop to replace the iBook. And that real
Re:Ding ding ding (Score:2)
Re:Ding ding ding (Score:2)
I don't need to waste my time on meaningless petitions, or rediculous lawsuits. I, however, can take my money elsewhere.
Re:Forget slim... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Forget slim... (Score:3, Informative)
Video? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Video? (Score:5, Informative)
With h.264 even HD files can be compressed to a manageable size. With iPod's large storage capacity one could easily carry half a dozen movies on it.
With a video out, all you'd need is a TV to plug it in.
The problems are, and I have no idea if they have been solved:
-the battery life for outputting a movie
-is the iPod beefy enough for h.264 decoding? (Possibly, through a dedicated hardware chip)
Here's a good real-world explanation of h.264 and what it can do for HD. [shapeofdays.com]
Re:Video? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Video? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Video? (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't think they do plan on us spending half a day encoding a DVD to h.264. I think they plan on letting us download a pre-encoded TV programme, and charging us for the privelege.
Sure, it's entirely possible that Apple will let us make our own. But I don't think they plan on passing up the opportunity to flog us stuff that saves us the bother.
Re:Video? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Video? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Video? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Video? (Score:3, Informative)
A 600M xvid file will give you a movie at DVD quality.
I'm sure there are lots of other formats out there that will give you just as good, and probably better quality.
Re:Video? (Score:2)
Re:Video? (Score:5, Informative)
It's the same compression used in our HDTV standard. It's intended for use at high bit rates, like HDTV or DVD. You're not going to get any better quality at those bit rates using another encoding scheme.
A 600M xvid file will give you a movie at DVD quality.
No, it won't. It may look similar, and maybe you have to take your eyes off the foreground action to see what xvid is doing to your movies, but I have never, ever seen any xvid rip that comes close to the original DVD.
xvid and other mpeg-4 standards do well at what they're intended for - creating good-looking video at low bit rates. One of the intents of mpeg-4 (including h.264, which is mpeg-4 part 10) is delivery of high-quality movies over the internet. At that, xvid does a good job, but that doesn't mean an xvid movie encoded at 1mbps is going to look anywhere near as good as a DVD encoded at 9mbps. It never will. It's not possible. It will look "good enough" for some people, but not for those who are really interested in quality.
mpeg-2 does not do well at low bit rates required for things like web delivery. This is one big reason why mpeg-4 was created. But if you're talking about encoding a movie such that it looks basically indistinguishable from the original, both mpeg-2 and mpeg-4 are going to require similarly high bit rates. (And yes, I've downloaded Apple's h.264 videos, before anyone brings that up - they are very large, if you've noticed. Some of them hit a couple hundred megabytes for 2-3 minutes of video.)
People get this mixed up; they think because mpeg-4 is newer that it is more advanced than mpeg-2 in every way. It's not. It's better at low bit rates, but even comparing directly at similarly low bit rates, "better" does not mean "perfect". At high bit rates and otherwise identical settings, you can't tell the difference between the two standards.
I encode video both as part of my job and also for laughs at home (and I've tried pretty much everything, including h.264 using Nero Digital, xvid, divx, QuickTime, WM9 and mpeg-2), so I have some level of practical experience with this. At home, I still actually just use mpeg-2 more often than not, because h.264 support is so spotty right now and the quality at the bit rates I use is the same between the two formats. For stuff I want people to download over the web, I've actually gotten better results with WM9 than I have with h.264 yet (probably mainly because playback support of h.264 is so spotty right now).
Re:Video? (Score:2)
Re:Video? (Score:2, Insightful)
The VidPod makes sense, but only if you think beyond there. Right now, the iPod range has around 15 hours of battery when it's just playing music - you're going to get substantially less if you're decoding and displaying video. So 2 hour movies on a tiny screen when the battery is going to cave a
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Video? (Score:2)
iPod Video (Score:4, Interesting)
We will know more later today.
Re:iPod Video (Score:3, Interesting)
Apple has all the software it needs to rip DVDs and encode them in h.264 (good) in house already. All the pieces are already in the operating system (though some right now require a bit of freeware or an upgrade to quicktime pro). They'd just need to slap together an upgrade to iTunes, or else an iTunes-like application, that made it an easy process.
The real issue, though
Wow.. (Score:5, Insightful)
Market Saturation... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:2)
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:5, Interesting)
You forgot to add "and this will be the death of Apple". All companies try to captialise "buzz". The iPod has had a great deal of "buzz" for the past couple of years and Apple have done well to keeping pushing the device so as to differentiate the iPod from the competition. Its not as though other companies, even ones with good brands (Sony Walkman), haven't been trying to steal Apple's thunder over this period. So far Apple have succeeded at beating them off.
What a lot of people ignore when comparing the iPod with the other music players out there is the interface. Not the one the users use but the one that allows it to connect. This is the killer app that the iPod has, something that makes it more than just a portable music player. Look at the number of manufacturers that are offering iPod connectivity in their cars. The iPod will continue to grow, it may lose its buzz but, until someone comes along with something that can take its place, it will still provide a solid revenue stream for Apple.
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:5, Funny)
May I suggest that you, in the future, choose between the phrases "beating them back" and "fending them off?"
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:3, Interesting)
Of course someone else might catch up; Sony has a good chance, and so does Creative. That still doesn't diminish Apple
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:2)
Of course, within two years, 3 of those 6 million will be buying new iPods to replace the ones that are lost/broken,
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:3, Insightful)
What is your point on this? If you work or do anything for a living here, you pretty much need a car to get back and forth. You almost sounded as if this was a 'luxury' thing in comparison to the iPod, but, living here, I can tell you, it is not.
And no...you just can't take public transportation...is isn't practical. One for instance, I'm down here in NOLA, hearing them pitching to build a light, fast train system between NOLA and Baton Rouge.
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:5, Insightful)
Innovation isn't all about coming up with something brand new - in fact, most 'inventions' aren't ground-breaking (read a book on Triz, it spells out the various levels of innovation.)
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:2)
You're kidding, right?
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:2)
I'm not sure what you're talking about with regards to drivers - on the Mac it Just Works(TM) and on the PC it's recognized as a standard USB mass storage device. Yes, you'll need drivers for connection by Firewire on PC, but if you're trying to do that, chances are, you know what you're doing anyway. And DRM is only for
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:2)
Re:Market Saturation... (Score:2)
Sure, the aestheric designs and the marketing have been unsurpassed, but if they were based on a empty promise, on a player that isn't such a delight to use as th
The Dream iPod - music, movies, games, HDD & e (Score:2, Interesting)
Dream iPod - music, movies, games, HDD & email (Score:2)
Re:Dream iPod - music, movies, games, HDD & em (Score:2)
Re:The Dream iPod - music, movies, games, HDD & (Score:2)
So you are 'suffering' along with the laptop masses?
Re:The Dream iPod - music, movies, games, HDD & (Score:2)
Re:The Dream iPod - music, movies, games, HDD & (Score:2)
Re:The Dream iPod - music, movies, games, HDD & (Score:2)
Re:The Dream iPod - music, movies, games, HDD & (Score:2)
The price is too high? I will probably own one, since it might even replace several devices at once.
Will the influx of new Ipods.... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Will the influx of new Ipods.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Will the influx of new Ipods.... (Score:2)
You obviously don't buy Apple products much. They almost never reduce the price on existing models - they just upgrade what you can get at each price point. So the nano isn't likely to cost under $199 anytime soon (or ever), but a year from now you'll be able to get twice the space for that price.
If you want a cheaper iPod, try ebay, or refurbished models in Apple's store.
I know! I know! (Score:4, Funny)
iPod Suppo.
Apple's Special Event (Score:5, Informative)
thinksecret [thinksecret.com]
appleinsider [appleinsider.com]
Or just checkout apple's website later today!
Re:Apple's Special Event - Live Coverage (Score:2, Informative)
One more thing... (Score:4, Interesting)
I wonder -- is preaching to the converted really sustainable though?
Gaps between tracks? (Score:3, Interesting)
I'd love one, but if they still have this problem, then no way. Nobody would buy a CD player that had the same issue.
Re:Gaps between tracks? (Score:4, Informative)
However, iTunes includes the ability to turn your multiple tracks into one big file in order to cut the gap out, if it really bothers you. It seems to be some sort of problem with the way mp3 files decode, as Winamp does it too if you don't use an additional plugin that crossfades on the fly.
Apple (Score:5, Interesting)
They have the QuickTime technology.
They have the UI skills to make a better DVR.
They have the Hardware experience.
Wait and see.
Think about it. Why would you buy a iPod Video? Because, you have episodes of Star Track Enterprise, and Lost on your Apple DVR. You want to take them on the road. You need a Apple iPod Video that allows you to quickly download those programs over firewire right to a little hand held video player.
By Apple introducing a DVR they create instant content for the iPod Video. They are struggling to get the Movie Studios on board. So they need another way to create content for the iPod Video.
With out the Apple DVR where is the added value of a iPod Video?
This story is just wrong. (Score:2, Informative)
Re:This story is just wrong. (Score:2)
The lineup sounds like he's talking about the iPod lineup, but it isn't definite. I think the way he says it implies that there is at least one new iPod, and at least one very new product (a video iPod would fill both categories, but I don't think that's it).
Also, the schedule "by the holiday season" works out to an announcement in the next 2-3 weeks, and a re
Linux!? (Score:4, Insightful)
How about announcing an iTunes client for Linux? Or at the very least, allowing third parties to release iTunes Linux clients and not constantly thwarting their attempts to bring new customers to the platform? I don't run anything but Linux, at work and at home. I haven't bought an iPod yet because I cannot get reliable iTMS services.
Re:Linux!? (Score:2)
Re:Linux!? (Score:5, Insightful)
not trying to be a troll here, but if you put yourself in Apple's shoes, is the R&D budget giving a good ROI by creating an iTunes Linux client?
On top of that, many Linux folks have their entire collection of OGG, which Apple won't bothering supporting either, so an iTunes for Linux that plays MP3 and AAC is simply not value-adding.
They should make one with slashdot access (Score:2, Funny)
Jobs is a Monster (Score:2, Insightful)
They seem to love
Free song of the week (Score:2, Interesting)
Please release a new one today, please! (Score:3, Funny)
Apple, please take note! If you don't release one today, my accountant... er... wife will never let me purchase one of your shiny white products! Her sympathy won't last forever, act today!
$$$ wait a while. (Score:2)
Just an observation (Score:2)
This statement makes no sense: (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Too many choices? (Score:5, Informative)
Nano (2GB or 4GB)
Normal (20GB or 60GB)
3 types, 2 size choices for each, with a nice $50 price difference for each model.
I think Apple are really good when it comes to coming up with a product lineup. It's other suppliers that are too confusing.
It's "good better best" across the product lines (Score:3, Interesting)
This model is one of those Steve Jobs things. Most any other company would have kept the Mini in its lineup when the nano came out, but Jobs believes religiously in giving the consumer a pretty clear set of choices that way.
(Sometimes you can see new product lines coming just by looking for the holes in existi
Re:It's "good better best" across the product line (Score:5, Insightful)
It certainly seems to be a "Jobs thing". From what I remember, you could just watch it happen when he returned to Apple. It's not just an issue of limiting options or anything, it's offering what is basically a standardized lineup with standard naming conventions, and then a little variation in configuration. It's the whole thing. It's called "marketing", and it's one of Jobs' big talents.
You get the iStuff, which is all white plastic consumer goods, and then the PowerStuff, which is all aluminum power-user/business goods. It gets to be pretty clear to the consumer what he's getting himself into. You know exactly which models are "better". They're mostly the same, except the more expensive one is faster, has a couple extra features, etc.
I'm still waiting for a "PowerPod".
And then Apple plays this whole "$50 more" game. More marketing. It's smart. People can say, "You can buy an iPod for only $99!" And that draws people in. They think, well, $100 isn't bad. But then, for $50 more, you can get twice as much memory. But for just $50 more than that, you can get a color screen AND twice as much memory. For just $50 more, you can get a whole lot more memory, 5 times as much. Next thing you know, you're thinking about spending $500 for something where you justified the purchase because it was cheap at $100.
And that's what the "$50 more" game is all about. Make your entry level product cheap enough that people feel like it's silly to think it's "too much money", and then add genuinely useful features at regular and small price increments. Consumers will naturally rise to the highest level of money they're willing to spend.
Re:Too many choices? (Score:2)
This is something I've noticed....and wondered, does anyone ever just
buy the lower model when it is ONLY $50 extra to often double the capacity of the iPod in question?
Re:Too many choices? (Score:2)
Re:Too many choices? (Score:2)
Re:Too many choices? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Too many choices? (Score:3, Informative)
I'm sure the author of this piece http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0006AD
Re:Too many choices? (Score:3, Funny)
I make sure and give written descriptions and model numbers so they can get it right. I give lots of choices, but, I do help them out so as to make sure they get me what I really want...
Re:Too many choices? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Too many choices? (Score:2)
Other companies tend to make 3 or 4 or more models that are all the same s
Re:That's great! (Score:2)
I would want one with removeable everything, meaning if my battery goes out, screen gets scratched, etc, it could be replaced without having to buy a new one. I cannot conceive of how that would work, but it sure would be a nice feature to have.
Re:That's great! (Score:5, Insightful)
I just replaced my iPod battery last month. It was $20, including shipping, and came with a funky little plastic tool for opening up the iPod case. Changing it was easier than a memory upgrade on most laptops.
The hardest part of the entire operation was lining up the pins to plug the hard drive back into the motherboard. That took me all of about thirty seconds.
If you can't change the battery on an iPod while following the instructions that come with almost every replacement battery, you are a goddamn idiot.
Re:That's great! (Score:2)
But the big iPods will probably be getting SOME change, and by the time you get to the store whatever new models are out will be available, so you can still buy it today
Re:One product shop (Score:2, Funny)
Personally, I'd rather have phone that actually makes good phone calls and an mp3 player that plays mp3s instead of depending on one device to do both, but that's just me.
Re:One product shop (Score:2)
Why? There is no reason why a combined device cannot be just as good as the separate ones. Plus, combining saves carrying around data-leads, power cables, two headsets and all of the other stuff. Also, by doubling as my phone, it's insured. If it breaks, gets stolen or whatever, I can have a courier drop off a replacement within 24 hours
Re:One product shop (Score:2)
Halo effect (Score:4, Insightful)
As for whether the move to Intel was a bad idea or not, Apple users have been happy with PowerPC chips for a long time, but dissatisfied with IBM/Moto's ability to get them delivered in a timely fashion. We'll see if Intel can deliver on its promises.
Re:They Better (Score:5, Informative)
I find it interesting that you said this right after Apple announced that sales of Mac-hardware increased by about 50% when compared to last year. If that means that Mac is "dying", I would LOVE to see what it would be like when it's thriving!
Re:They Better (Score:2)
So, because Apple moves to x86, it means that their computers turn in to crap? Uh, OK... Or are you saying that people will use OS X in their Dell's? Unlikely. Some uber-geeks might do it, but regular Joe's will not, and Mac-fans will not do it either.
Sure! Same place, same time?
Re:They Better (Score:5, Funny)
The 1990's called -- they want "Apple is Dying" back.
Re:Video on the iPod (Score:4, Insightful)
Do I want to watch a 10 minute news bulletin podcasted to my iPod? Yes.
Do I want to watch a 22 minute episode of the Simpsons on my iPod? Yes.
Don't think films, think TV.
Re:Video on the iPod (Score:3, Insightful)
Think Jon Stewart's appearance on Crossfire
Think Super-Bowl wardrobe malfunction
Think just about any online video that you'd email your friends [ifilm.com], but since video is sometimes slow to download, think about just handing them your iPod for a second.
(though, as the old adage goes... think porn)
Re:Is it just me... (Score:2)
i-pod=tired [dieselsweeties.com]
What you don't want your T-Shirt?
I'm not going debate you [dieselsweeties.com]
Oh wait this is the internet... oh well
Re:Ogg Support? (Score:4, Insightful)