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Apple iPod with Video and WiFi Capabilities?

An anonymous reader writes "Apple is currently seeking an engineer for its iPod hardware division. However, they are not looking for just any engineer. They are seeking an engineer with WiFi and Video integration experience. 'The iPod group is looking for a Hardware Engineer. Experience in the following areas is important: system integration, digital logic, SDRAM, Flash, ASIC's, processor selection, ATAPI, various communication protocols (ie: GSM, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, Firewire, and USB), display types and video and analog integration.'"

225 comments

  1. Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    How much does this cost? Or is it free for Apple?

    1. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by BoldAC · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Plus... there is no proof of this. This is just some blind quote from some random site! As far as we know, this guy made this up.

      I know slashdot isn't "the press" but something to suggest that this is something more than randomly created news would be interesting.

      New profit model:
      1. Write interest, speculative quote
      2. Make guesses about the quote
      3. Get slashdot to bump your article
      4. Google ads on make-up article
      5. Profit!

    2. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by strictfoo · · Score: 0, Troll

      Good question. Probably free considering how much slashdot's editors wack off about each typcial boring Apple news items.

      So, Apple posted an ad to hire a guy with audio and video experience! Amazing. Because I know with most companies they typically are only looking for people that only have the required experience needed for a job in it's current state. Companies never ever look for employees who might have some skill sets outside of the required ones.

      And how long does it take to go through the whole hiring process, and then get them up to speed on a very important product? 6 months? More?

      --
      I've just signed legislation that'll outlaw Russia forever. We'll begin bombing in five minutes.
    3. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by mrchaotica · · Score: 1

      I recall people complaining about that profit model here for a while now...

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    4. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whoever the new rookie may be, he's gonna be famous when he finally fills that job because this stupid story's been everywhere.

    5. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by strictfoo · · Score: 4, Informative

      There are a number of real apple job postings related to the iPod, but none feature the word video. It appears this "news" is completely bogus.

      Here are the jobs:
      Hardware System Integrator - iPod
      Hardware System Integrator - iPod
      Hardware System Integrator - iPod SPG

      Now, how easy would that have been for the slashdot editors to check? Took me about 1 minute.

      --
      I've just signed legislation that'll outlaw Russia forever. We'll begin bombing in five minutes.
    6. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Jason1729 · · Score: 4, Informative

      I read about this last Tuesday on Apple Insider

      It has more details on the source of the rumor, and this is very old news that's been spreading around the web for a week. It was also on Macrumors and several other sites last week.

      Jason
      ProfQuotes

    7. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Rosyna · · Score: 5, Informative

      They have removed the various protocols from the listing due to various rumor sites.

      The listings did, in fact, say bluetooth and 802.11 just a week ago when i checked it.

    8. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Solder+Fumes · · Score: 2, Insightful

      There's no way to prove that the rumor sites had anything to do with it. Maybe they didn't get any responses, and someone told HR that "we're looking for digital, analog, video, Bluetooth, WiFi, and ASIC" didn't mean find one superhuman with skills in all of those very specialized fields.

    9. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by iammaxus · · Score: 1

      Very old news that's been spreading around the web for a week, eh?

    10. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For tech speculation news, a week is a very long time.

    11. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by SilentChris · · Score: 1

      "this is very old news that's been spreading around the web for a week"

      It's scary that we now consider news more than a week dated "old".

    12. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by timts · · Score: 0

      the entire apple doesnot have some one like that to work part time for ipod division?

    13. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Lars+T. · · Score: 1
      Given that this "news" is almost a week old, Apple could have easily taken it down, either just to fool people who want to check whether the job posting is there, or because somebody already has taken the job.

      Anyway, this of course means a WiFi/video iPod is not in development yet, IOW we'll have to wait a bit for it to come out.

      --

      Lars T.

      To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck

    14. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by l1_wulf · · Score: 1

      I often see "news" on other sites a week or more after originally seeing it covered on Slashdot. For something that has already made its rounds on a number of other sites a week ago it doesn't meet the usual bar of Slashdot standards.

      I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's all relative -- if I want to read about somthing from a week ago on Slashdot, I'm used to going to the search engine, not the front page...

    15. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by pilybaby · · Score: 2, Funny

      I still think this is a better business model

      1) Collect Underpants
      2) ....
      3) Profit

      I'm surprised more companies don't follow it.

    16. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by abdulla · · Score: 1

      Maybe that job was filled? These could be other jobs Apple is still offering.

    17. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by DAldredge · · Score: 1

      Yes. /. used to be one of the first to report news items.

    18. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Basehart · · Score: 1

      "/. used to be one of the first to report news items."

      /. still is one of the first to report news items, but it also works well as a source for older news (two or three days) that most of us may have seen already but which had a related discussion board with comments of little or no interest.

      The delay of the next major version of Windows, for example, wasn't exactly a /. exclusive but it didn't stop me from spending a chunk of my time at /. reading comments.

    19. Re:Slashdot's posting help wanted ads now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think they already filled the position.

  2. salary? by ack154 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Lifetime supply of iPods!

    1. Re:salary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can get that without working for Apple... Free iPods

      I'll give away a GMail invite to the first 3 people who complete a Netscape or Blockbuster offer (because they're instantaneous credit. You can cancel as soon as the offer credit goes through, usually within 1 day.)

  3. Career choice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well I'd apply, but I'm too busy hanging around Slashdot.

  4. What??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What is this, Monster.com? We get product ads as articles, now we get ads for people to make new products as articles so we can get more products and therefore new articles?

    My head is going to explode....

    1. Re:What??? by Stevyn · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yeah, it's one thing when it's articles based entirely on speculation but are at least written by columnists.

      Now articles are appearing based on what's in the classifieds? Next we're going to see headlines like this:

      "Bill Gates is looking for whores!"

      with a link to:

      "Seattle, Washington local single white male is seeking hot blonde."

    2. Re:What??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bill Gates is married with child[ren].

    3. Re:What??? by smc13 · · Score: 1

      Gates is married.

    4. Re:What??? by mothz · · Score: 1

      Yeah, is our economy really that bad that the creation of a single new job deserves recognition on the /. front page?

    5. Re:What??? by Stevyn · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I know he's married. It was a joke. "Married white male" isn't something one sees in the classifieds too often.

  5. Ok, we know /. is anti-M$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    But to make the frontpage ad-space for Apple... is beyond me.

    1. Re:Ok, we know /. is anti-M$ by joeldg · · Score: 1

      no kidding..
      what the hell is going on?

      lets all submit our resumes as a story on slashdot and see if we can get a large audience for our job searches?

      Better yet, lets submit stories that are nothing but amazon affiliate links?

      sigh

    2. Re:Ok, we know /. is anti-M$ by anthonyclark · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's simple, really. /. is a privately owned site. It isn't the BBC with some kind of public charter that specifically says 'we are unbiased'.

      Plus the /. crew love apple hardware :-)

      --
      ----- Documentation is worth it just to be able to answer all your mail with 'RTFM' - Alan Cox.
    3. Re:Ok, we know /. is anti-M$ by slashdot.org · · Score: 1

      Plus the /. crew love apple hardware :-)

      And that's why they probably should create a seperate iPod topic, so we can choose to not see these sort of useless articles.

      But fair enough, it's their site and I don't subscribe so not a lot to complain about.

  6. very likely that it's likely? by randyest · · Score: 5, Funny

    From TFA:

    "The iPod group is looking for a Hardware Engineer. This person will be an individual contributor on a top notch team with responsibilities for the design, implementation, and integration of digital and analog electronics. Experience in the following areas is important: system integration, digital logic, SDRAM, Flash, ASIC's, processor selection, ATAPI, various communication protocols (ie: GSM, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, Firewire, and USB), display types and video and analog integration."

    Does this mean we are very likely to see an iPod with a video display and capable of sending and receiving music via WiFi? This is very likely.

    What strange language the author uses there. Is he answering his own question about whether it's very likely by saying yes, it's very likely? Or is he saying that it's very likely that it's "very likely?"

    I think it's very likely that I'm confused ;)

    --
    everything in moderation
    1. Re:very likely that it's likely? by ack154 · · Score: 4, Funny

      And I think it's very likely that anyone what reads your post will be MORE confused... :p

    2. Re:very likely that it's likely? by Wordsmith · · Score: 4, Funny

      With apologies to Brian Regan:

      It's many more more likelier. Moosen.

    3. Re:very likely that it's likely? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No! It's very likely that they are very likely to misunderstand his very unlikely post.

    4. Re:very likely that it's likely? by gryphokk · · Score: 5, Funny


      It's like, "How much more likely could it be?" and the answer is "None. None more likely."

      --
      And you, madam, are very ugly. In the morning, I shall be sober.
    5. Re:very likely that it's likely? by kzinti · · Score: 1

      I think it's very likely that I'm confused ;)

      <grin>

      What's likely is that the author is jumping to conclusions. The first thing you do (well, maybe the second or third) before designing for production is to build a prototype. That seems likely. Whether you and I see a video- and wifi-capable iPod is a prediction best made with chicken bones or dice.

    6. Re:very likely that it's likely? by AgentCooper · · Score: 1

      For those who aren't clued in, this is a reference to the excellent mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap."

    7. Re:very likely that it's likely? by WaltFrench · · Score: 1

      So this person will be selected sometime in the next 2 months, and start working on a whole range of issues that might get used in future products...

      IIRC, Apple split off an iPod division from their Mac lines to concentrate on consumer entertainment devices, and this person's capabilities could go into a whole range of potential devices that have nothing to do with a video iPod... they could just be covering their bases. And in any case, I wouldn't look for a product to result a few months after they hire somebody with kitchen sink skills.

      --
      "Inquiring Minds Want to Know!"
  7. Expanded iPod by fussili · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, Apple's already moved into the 'home broadcast' sector with the Airport express streaming music via 802.11 protocols, so it wouldn't seem too far a stretch for them to start streaming video or DVDs around your house, perhaps onto a vPod.

    However the amount of battery consumption for such a beast would be epic.

    1. Re:Expanded iPod by Donjo · · Score: 1, Funny

      They can't name it vPod! It doesn't have an "i" in it anywhere, maybe ivPod or maybe we could throw in some crafty words like "life" or "motion" to attract the artsy types. Wait, they already did that.

    2. Re:Expanded iPod by vwjeff · · Score: 4, Funny

      They could call it the ivpod.

      The ivpod. The only digital music player you can wire directly into your veins!!

    3. Re:Expanded iPod by quecojones · · Score: 1

      They'd probably call it the iPodAV (like they did with iChat -> iChatAV).

      --
      "PROFANITY is the inevitable literary crutch of the inarticulate MOTHER FUCKER." -- some PC user
    4. Re:Expanded iPod by Aqua+OS+X · · Score: 1

      Ya, but remember, "video" doesn't always mean "Movies, shows, shorts, etc" in the hardware world. Apple could be looking for someone who is familiar with displays.

      --
      "Things are more moderner than before- bigger, and yet smaller- it's computers-- San Dimas High School football RULES!"
  8. Job Requirements by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Experience in the following areas is important: system integration, digital logic, SDRAM, Flash, ASIC's, processor selection, ATAPI, various communication protocols (ie: GSM, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, Firewire, and USB), display types and video and analog integration.

    So they're looking for someone with experience designing video iPods. Not asking much are they?

    1. Re:Job Requirements by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As long as you have three years Microsoft Longhorn experience, I'm sure you'll be fine.

  9. Hopefully They will... by Donjo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...set the standard for this sort of thing and give other people something to copy off of so we can start getting some better products of this type. I really thought they would have jumped on this bandwagon a while ago....

    1. Re:Hopefully They will... by dasmegabyte · · Score: 1

      Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's all wait for Apple to spend a ton of cash on research and development to make a cool UI for video devices, and they we can all just steal the interface instead of buying their shit!

      God. No wonder Apple patents everything.

      --
      Hey freaks: now you're ju
    2. Re:Hopefully They will... by jerzee_devil · · Score: 1

      Its a wonder why that hasn't happened with their OS....... wait, never mind.

  10. Synapse by FauxPasIII · · Score: 2, Funny

    Obviously they're running into troubles... their adapter can't overcome the bandwith limitations of wireless handhelds. The
    picture goes fuzzy...

    --
    25% Funny, 25% Insightful, 25% Informative, 25% Troll
    1. Re:Synapse by clbyjack81 · · Score: 1
      their adapter can't overcome the bandwith limitations of wireless handhelds. The picture goes fuzzy...

      So you're saying they need Miles?

      --
      Cole's Axiom: The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant. The population is growing.
  11. Disinformation? by sulli · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I wouldn't put too much stock in a job ad. If I were Apple I would add as much miscellany to the ad posting as possible to distract the competition.

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
    1. Re:Disinformation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Which would completely eliminate the purpose of listing a job ad...

      Don't you list necessary skills relevant to the job, not disinformation to distract over zealous rumor mongers?

    2. Re:Disinformation? by lukewarmfusion · · Score: 1

      I'm not sure that the competition will come up with a really "competitive" device on such short notice. It doesn't sound like Apple's just starting to think about this, but imagine if you were working for [insert other portable media device manufacturer here] and saw this ad? Would you immediately start spending money to try and come up with it, or would you let Apple create a market for it? I doubt that many companies would pour the money required into something like this without a solid business plan and strategy.

      But I agree that it's silly to rely on a job listing for news.

    3. Re:Disinformation? by AKAImBatman · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Assuming this job ad is real, it wouldn't be that big of a surprise. For one, Apple did the same thing amid the rumors that iTunes would be ported to Windows. Apple later confirmed this. For another, I thought that Apple had already stated that video was a direction they were considering taking the iPod. Why are we bothering with this front page post when we already know it's coming?

      Besides, Microsoft has already started releasing specs for their own portable multimedia handhelds. Apple announcing that they're working on one doesn't change things a bit. You see, Apple doesn't want to be first. They want to be second so they can learn from their competitor's mistakes. Just like they did with the iPod. :-)

    4. Re:Disinformation? by sulli · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Not necessarily. Supply a long list of (possibly) relevant skills, and then narrow down requirements when you meet with the candidate under NDA. If you're trying to keep plans top-secret, this is a good way to do it - it's not as if Apple had any shortage of candidates to hire, or they hired solely based on the response to an online ad.

      --

      sulli
      RTFJ.
    5. Re:Disinformation? by el-spectre · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Are you kidding? Have you ever seen an IT job description? Most of the ones I've seen are long lists of technologies (that are often mutually exclusive), written to be as vague as possible. I've seen junior programmer positions w/requirements that would make a Senior Architect nervous...

      --
      "Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel." - A.B.
    6. Re:Disinformation? by stratjakt · · Score: 5, Funny

      Sure, I saw one today that wanted 10+ years of C# experience.

      Luckily I have access to that hyperbolic time chamber. It's hard to code in there though, this pointy headed glowing guy is always throwing energy beams at me.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
    7. Re:Disinformation? by SpecBear · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is how things are done in the post-boom IT hiring world. You see, it works like this:

      Skillset requirements list = What we want you to do plus some buzzwords some manager read in a magazine that are supposed to be "hot" right now. Example: "Must have 3+ years experience with ASP, J2EE, MSSQL, Oracle, IIS, Apache and Photoshop."

      Position title = What we're willing to pay you. Example: "Seeking intern with the following skills..."

    8. Re:Disinformation? by twiddlingbits · · Score: 1

      they just set the salary level so that only an H1-B/recent grad will take it, and if no one applies with the skills for that pay then they outsource it to India by stating no one here meets the requirements. Then in press releases about job losses they lament the poor education system that does not produce those skills in graduates.

    9. Re:Disinformation? by dasmegabyte · · Score: 4, Insightful

      C# is the conceptual child of C++ and Java. If you have three or four years of C#, another three of Java, and another three of C++, I'd take you over a guy who's had, say, 9 years of C and six months of C#. Or a background in perl or something. "10+ years of C# experience" takes less newspaper then "10+ years of programming experience in object oriented languages, at least two of which should be in C#"

      Of course, it could also be written by a complete idiot.

      --
      Hey freaks: now you're ju
    10. Re:Disinformation? by dasmegabyte · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I disagree. Apple doesn't mind being first (Firewire, Quartz Extreme, colored cases, etc). They don't mind being second or third, either. Apple develops at its own pace, using their own research which may or may not include ideas from competetors, and releases products when they're well designed and ready for prime time. If Apple is searching for a video and wireless development team now, expect to wait at least two years for a video ipod.

      --
      Hey freaks: now you're ju
    11. Re:Disinformation? by mranchovy · · Score: 1

      Of course, it could also be written by a complete idiot.

      Or someone in HR. And usually, only tech-savvy HR people looking at resumes are likely to know that C, C++ and C# are related, meaning the HR drone will tell the hiring manager he/she can't find any qualified people, even if they've looked at plenty of resumes from people with plenty of experience in C or C++.

      --
      I am so smart!
      I am so smart!
      S-M-R-T!
      I mean S-M-A-R-T!
    12. Re:Disinformation? by udecker · · Score: 1

      I think it's a bit shortsighted to think that any list of relevant skills doesn't include what a company is looking for. I mean, if you know Bluetooth really really well, you'll probably at worst understand the fundamentals of 802.11x. Why not just narrow it down to "experience with standard wireless protocols?"

      Here's one from the current Apple Job site:

      Title: RF Hardware Engineer - iPod
      Req. ID: 2171396
      Location: Santa Clara Valley, California
      Country: United States

      The iPod Division is looking for an RF hardware engineer.

      This person will work as a member of a cross-functional team responsible for design, implementation, and system integration. Needs to have knowledge of communication circuits and interest in physical principles utilized in modern radio communication devices, thorough knowledge of modulation methods, coding, compression or encryption. Also essential is a working knowledge of EM fields and antennas as applied to radio communication devices.

      Additional consideration will be given to experience with standard wireless protocols. Duties include system simulation including channel impairments and interference, schematic capture, guidance of PCB design, prototype bring-up and debugging, hardware bug tracking, functional verification, signal characterization, and manufacturing support. Assist and track progress of groups who qualify the product such as Reliability, EMC, Certification and Safety. The candidate will be responsible for transitioning product to manufacturing and this may involve international travel to manufacturing sites.

      BSEE required; MSEE desired
      5+ years experience in RF hardware design
      Consumer electronics experience desired

    13. Re:Disinformation? by Aggrav8d · · Score: 1

      Maybe what they're really looking for is someone who such a fabulous liar that the interviewer will believe the tall tale (s)he tells.

  12. 2 things by StevenHenderson · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Two thoughts:

    1) Why do they feel the need to complicate the iPod? People love the fact that it does one primary thing, and does it brilliantly. The iPod is expensive enough without any more frills.

    2) If they are just looking for an engineer now, just think how long before any product sees the light of day.

    1. Re:2 things by artemis67 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Considering that their Airport Extreme is geared towards wirelessly serving up music from your computer to your stereo system, making the iPod wireless is just a natural evolution.

    2. Re:2 things by CdBee · · Score: 1

      I'd imagine they want the skills for another unrelated media product (set-top box?), but its convenient to advertise it for iPods...

      That said, they did advertise the iTunes for Windows dev job openly before admitting the product was pending.

      --
      I have been a user for about 10 years. This ends Feb 2014. The site's been ruined. I'm off. Dice, FU
    3. Re:2 things by s_mencer · · Score: 2, Insightful

      who says they are going to complicate the iPod. perhaps they are just looking to the engineers from the iPod group to come out with a NEW device. they did a great job designing the iPod, now maybe they will design a great video device.

    4. Re:2 things by attam · · Score: 1

      If they are just looking for an engineer now, just think how long before any product sees the light of day.

      just because they are looking for anotherengineer now, doesn't mean this project (whatever it may be) hasn't been underway for some time now. perhaps they lost a member of the team and are looking for a replacement or something.
      as for the first part of your post, who says this media wi-fi thingamabobber will be an iPod replacement? perhaps it (if "it" in fact exists) will just be another member of the iPod family. like an iPodAV or something like that.

    5. Re:2 things by StevenHenderson · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I know it might be a "different" ipod, but I guess I am just personlly biased against portable video players. Maybe if Apple makes one, though, it might be what it takes to get me into them. Love my ipod. :)

    6. Re:2 things by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "1) Why do they feel the need to complicate the iPod? People love the fact that it does one primary thing, and does it brilliantly. The iPod is expensive enough without any more frills."

      a.) Complication? Eventually the market will be saturated. There is competition out there. They need to distinguish themselves to keep getting new sales. Besides, how much more complicated would it really be? It's all passive entertainment.

      b.) The iPod's not being sold at cost. They have some wiggle room on the price. Chances are, they'd provide an iTunes like service for video. In that event, they could sell the hardware at a loss.

      "2) If they are just looking for an engineer now, just think how long before any product sees the light of day."

      Need input. Maybe somebody left and theyw ant a replacement. That could mean we'd see something in 2-3 months. Maybe they need somebody just to get started, that could mean as much as 18 months. Maybe they're just testing the market. Sorry, really can't help ya here.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    7. Re:2 things by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Why do they feel the need to complicate the iPod?

      Here's what I want: an iPod that automatically trades songs with all the iPods in the vicinity. No internet connection, just p2p wifi and Rendezvous.

      For a bonus, open the programming so people can hack their own trading protocols.

    8. Re:2 things by StevenHenderson · · Score: 1

      EXCELLENT point. Via wifi or bluetooth or whatever, this would be great. Sort of like "beaming" things on a Palm...

    9. Re:2 things by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 1

      Even if they are looking for an engineer with wireless and video experience, it doesn't necessarily mean that the iPod is going to change a lot, or become significantly more complex. The iPod DOES have a display; maybe it needs optimizing. The iPod connects to various devices, so maybe cordless updating of your music is an option. (Cordless updating whenever you got near to your computer would be a simplification in some ways.)

      I wouldn't worry about Apple putting out a video iPod or a wireless super-iPod all-in-one doohickey. Sometimes experience in diverse areas gives you an advantage even if you aren't directly working on those things in your current position.

    10. Re:2 things by SilentChris · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "does one primary thing, and does it brilliantly"

      Meh. I own one, and while I think it's the best MP3 player on the market, I wouldn't call it "brilliant". The fact that I've had to restore on 2 different generations is reason enough to call it "great, but not perfect".

    11. Re:2 things by kitzilla · · Score: 2, Insightful
      1) Why do they feel the need to complicate the iPod? People love the fact that it does one primary thing, and does it brilliantly. The iPod is expensive enough without any more frills.

      A Wi-Fi iPod will allow you to stream internet broadcasts. It will be the beginning of a terrestrial competitor to what we now know as radio.

      Worth doing.

      --
      This is my post. There are many others like it. If you don't like what you read here, go try one of the others.
  13. Isn't it enough already? by ceeam · · Score: 1

    What's up with it? Yes, a small HDD with an old cellphone level electronics. $300 bucks it is not IMO. With "Video and WiFi" it won't be below $600 I guess and there are clearly better ways to spend them on quite cool gadgets.

  14. Diamonds by Klar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm supprised they aren't looking for more jewlers after making P Diddy a diamond iPod.. damn

  15. Sigh... by Rxke · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Not again, please.... Macrumors had this too, and a gazillion other messageboards, I'd bet.

    Everytime Apple hires someone, people want to think it has to do something with the iPod.

    They make pretty good computers too, you know?

    1. Re:Sigh... by Rxke · · Score: 1

      Sigh. Forget it, I'm a jerk, didn't even RTFH (headline)....

    2. Re:Sigh... by tciny · · Score: 2

      It's a job posting of the iPod hardware division tho, so I doubt they'll hire people for developing anything different than just what their name implies.

    3. Re:Sigh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Their computers dont run half of the hardware out there, are not expandable in case the default hardware configs don't work for you, don't support 90% of existing software applications out there, and cost more than the market is willing to pay for this lower-quality product.

      Their digital music players on the other hand are a pretty well-designed product with content back-end where people can purchase legal music as much as they want. I've seen people love their iPods, I've never seen a person like their Apple computer, it's always some weird stuff like their FTP client does not work properly, or C# compiler hangs up.

    4. Re:Sigh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You have never seen a person like their Apple computer.
      Perhaps this will help you...

      I love my iBook.

  16. job requirements can lie by Infonaut · · Score: 4, Informative
    I remember seeing plenty of ads in the DC metro area back in the mid-90s, in which corporations were seeking Java programmers with 5-8 years experience. I'm not kidding.

    Obviously Apple knows their job announcements are scrutinized, and it wouldn't surprise me if they were casting a broader net than they need to be, as insurance against future needs that may or may not materialize.

    --
    Read the EFF's Fair Use FAQ
    1. Re: job requirements can lie by Mark+Hood · · Score: 1

      Obviously Apple knows their job announcements are scrutinized, and it wouldn't surprise me if they were casting a broader net than they need to be, as insurance against future needs that may or may not materialize.

      Or they might just want to futz with the rumour sites... SlashDot included :)

      Mark

      --
      Liked this comment? Why not buy me something nice
  17. How very surpirsing by tciny · · Score: 1

    This was just a question of time. I'm rather surprised it took this long.

    But still, I'm really looking forward to this.
    I just doubt this new iPod will be as small it's predecessors...

  18. Next in the news by jsrlepage · · Score: 1

    KDLab iPod futuristic design (ispec) comes to life! View at http://66.216.122.95/_content/_reel/_movies/ispec. htm

    --
    This is my opinion. Everyone has a right to my opinion.
  19. salary?-Another "cluster" joke. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Lifetime supply of iPods!"

    Make a Beowulf Cluster of those.

  20. I thought the iPod already had wi-fi and video.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I guess they're recruiting an engineer to write the firmware upgrade that will magicaly unlock color, video, and wi-fi in my new iPod. Hope it doesn't take too long...

  21. Logical Next Step by Maestro4k · · Score: 3, Insightful
    This isn't too surprising, it's a logical next step to take since digital video runs a close 2nd behind digital music in terms of popularity online. It'd also be a bit of a boon to portable video devices since not having to waste power to spin a disk would give longer battery life.

    The only thing I wonder about is how the MPAA and its member companies will take this. Hopefully Apple's talked to them already or is in the process or they could find themselves with a wonderful videoPod without any way to get movies for it legally. Given their success with iTunes and the iTunes store I'm inclined to believe they have this worked out already though.

    I wasn't as excited about the iPod since I have a portable CD/Mp3 player and it works fine for me. I would be quite excited and interested in a video device though.

    1. Re:Logical Next Step by H_Fisher · · Score: 1
      The only thing I wonder about is how the MPAA and its member companies will take this. Hopefully Apple's talked to them already or is in the process or they could find themselves with a wonderful videoPod without any way to get movies for it legally.

      It's certainly an interesting concept - but how will it work? Remember, this is the industry behind ideas such as "disposable" DVDs and making it a felony to videotape a movie in the theater (with stronger punishments than you might get in some places for actually stealing a DVD from a store).

      I find it hard to believe that the MPAA will like this idea; I find it harder to believe that, if they do help Apple out, it will be a good deal for the consumer. "Buy our heavily-DRMed, no-special-features stream of All Dogs Go To Heaven for $4 ... wait, nobody's buying it? Damn pirates!"

  22. iP0D by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ur n3w 1 570p 5|-|0p 4 pr0n

    Not only carries music, but it'll take in 40 gigs worth of divx or mpeg for your viewing "pleasure"

    Included in the posh packaging is the new ipod, battery charger, headphones, and hand lotion. How thoughtful, Apple. Thanks.

  23. My guess goes for revamped Airport Express by Trurl's+Machine · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I think in the next future Apple will improve its often underlooked yet very interesting piece of hardware - the Airport Express base station. Since we have now iTunes music streaming to your home stereo system, video streaming to your home cinema system sounds like the next logical step. I'd rather expect this "engineer" to work in this field. I don't believe in video iPod as it would be simply not feasible. You can walk the street and listen to the music, you can't walk the street and watch a movie (especially not on a 3-inch screen). At least not unless Apple introduces some nano-implants allowing the movie to be streamed wirelessly directly to your retina...

    1. Re:My guess goes for revamped Airport Express by Kiryat+Malachi · · Score: 1

      I'd actually guess iPod capable of streaming directly to an AirEx without needing a computer.

      --

      ---
      Mod me down, you fucking twits. Go ahead. I dare you.
      (I read with sigs off.)
  24. More Streaming Stuff by Orange+Apple · · Score: 1

    Now what? Streaming video from iTunes, i likie the one they have for music over teh network...

    --
    Eat My Bad Karma...
  25. Ipod + Airtunes by Emugamer · · Score: 1

    I just setup airtunes in my house (2 seperate places) and I have to say its been a lot of fun... with an Ipod wirelessly connected into it, I could see it being a whole lot easier, especially with friends coming over and bringing their own party list without the hassle of bringing them into the computer room

  26. Nothing succeeds like success. by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 3, Funny

    I wish job postings for *my* company made it to Slashdot's front page on a Monday afternoon.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

    1. Re:Nothing succeeds like success. by Solder+Fumes · · Score: 1

      If you're hiring electrical engineers go ahead and post it here, because I'm looking. If Slashdot posts one want ad, might as well keep going!

  27. Re: engineer by EmperorKagato · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why only one engineer? I could understand if there is a hiring budget or time constraint(getting the new employees up to speed). If I was in charge or necessary resources for the project i would consider hiring more than just one. No telling what may happen(the Engineer's a control freak etc...)

    --
    ----- You know you have ego issues when you register a domain in your name.
  28. I've been wondering when this would be announced. by zymurgyboy · · Score: 2, Insightful
    It seems like a natural progression for the device. What I really want to know is what sort of WiFi they're looking into. Will it simply stream music and not video? If Apple does intend for this to stream video as well, as the "article" implies, 802.11* works well enough for audio, but the chop factor gets to be a big problem with video.

    No mention of ultra wide band in there. It would be interesting if they tried it though. The iPod might have enough buy-in with consumers to make this technology finally take off.

    --
    If you never make mistakes, it's probably because you're not doing anything.
  29. Output to Tv? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They better put some output to a tv on this thing...
    Internet porn on the big screen, baby! Just how it was meant to be.

  30. The Ultimate Plugin? by Dark+Paladin · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Apple should probably know by now that the iPod has a lot of "value added" potential, outside of the music player.

    It functions exceptionally as an MP3/AAC/AIFF/Audible player - no dispute about that. It works well as an audio recorder from what I've heard. And it also functions "decently" as a calendar/address book/note taker.

    Apple might be seeing something beyond a "video iPod". Personally, based on what Mr. Jobs has said, I'd be surprised if it went that route. Most people I know don't care to be watching video as they walk/exercise/work/drive.

    But what if the iPod became more of a hub? Take the current Airport Express device - 802.11 device plus audio player and print server. What if your iPod could wirelessly transmit audio to it, so you wouldn't need another computer on all the time - just pick up the iPod, and it would be like a little remote. Or you enter the room with your iPod, and the Airport Express starts playing what's on there, so you have seamless music from your earphones to your speakers.

    Imagine if that could be done with video as well - just take the videos you made with iMovie or one of Apple's major movie editors, and plunk it onto the iPod. Now you can go to the other room and demo the movie on the TV set.

    Remember how The Lord of the Rings was downloaded onto iPods and transferred to the editing room? Imagine a digital video camera that, instead of a small tape, just plugged in an iPod - direct from video to hard drive, and then just plug it into the computer and edit away. Or, if you have a digital camera, same thing - and now you can wirelessly transmit those photos to your computer for editing/emailing and the like.

    So rather than a "video iPod", I wonder if Apple won't make the iPod an extension of the "digital hub" idea. Of course, knowing Apple, those features will work best with a Mac - but if they get other companies like HP to jump on the bandwagon and support these functions with their devices and software, Apple won't care - they'll still be selling iPods and cashing in the checks at the bank.

    Of course, just an idea. I could be wrong.

    1. Re:The Ultimate Plugin? by dasmegabyte · · Score: 1

      It is indeed a strange world where our stereo components are dumb terminals but our remotes are full of music.

      --
      Hey freaks: now you're ju
  31. Archos functionality + Apple design = the a nswer by deltwalrus · · Score: 1

    The iPod is elegant, but (IMnot-soHO) lags behind in features.

    The Archos AV4xx is kludgy, but plays tons of formats and has lots of bells and whistles.

    Methinks Apple ought to hire away the Archos engineers and bring function to their proven form.

    ----

    --
    --- "When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I can think at all..."
  32. Re:it shows you that... by jared_hanson · · Score: 5, Informative

    /me raises hand.

    I usually don't reply to ACs, but the Objective-C bashing is just ignorant. Objective-C is not used much outside of the Mac OS X development community, but that does not make it a bad language. I've programmed fairly extensively in it, and I can say that it is a truly incredible language that makes tasks really simple. It is a true object oriented language (everything inherits from NSObject) yet you still get to keep pointers, which gives you a lot of power as well. It has the power of C++ and the ease of use of Java or C#.

    I have yet to meet anyone with significant experience in Objective-C who can say they dislike the language.

    --
    -- Fighting mediocrity one bad post at a time.
  33. Mind Control! by zorgaliscious · · Score: 2, Funny

    Its a cover. With WiFi and BT it's going to be a way for Apple to control the masses with portable Reality Distortion Field generators everywhere!

  34. Re:Archos functionality + Apple design = the a nsw by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    bells and whistles != good device.

  35. Perks by slipnslidemaster · · Score: 0

    I wonder what the perks are for this position?

    Do they supply the propeller hats or are you reimbursed?

    Do you get to pick your color pocket protector or are you issued the standard rainbow colored one?

    --


    "What the hell is an aluminum falcon?"
  36. Not feasible?!? by El · · Score: 2

    I don't believe in video iPod as it would be simply not feasible. More like already been done Maybe not sellable, but that's a different issue. Here's a hint: video out is pretty cheap and easy to implement, so that 3-inch screen is NOT a limitation. Look at how many people are buying DVD players for their cars. Look at the cars that are already iPod ready. Now put 2 and 2 together!

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

    1. Re:Not feasible?!? by Trurl's+Machine · · Score: 2, Funny

      Maybe not sellable, but that's a different issue.

      I'd say it's a quite important issue for a commercial enterprise :-).

    2. Re:Not feasible?!? by huchida · · Score: 1

      A video iPod could be just the thing for long commutes and frequent fliers. I lived an hour outside NYC and had to take the train an hour and a half each way, every day for a while... I would've loved something like that. Sure, most Americans drive-- but on the East Coast, in the Bay Area, in Europe and Asia there are millions and millions with similar commutes.

      Add video-out, and the 3-inch-screen complaints are meaningless. It's a handheld VCR. Anyway, a tiny screen is more watchable than you might think-- or have you never played a Game Boy?

      And add to the mix a download service, where you can stock the thing with movies and TV shows for a fee. Make whole runs of TV series available, including back episodes and shows that have been long off the air. Accept independent and foreign programming so we would have access to a wider range of options-- and give "alternative" filmmakers an outlet, just as iTunes is open to many "alternative" musicians.

      Ehh, just dreaming.

  37. Don't hold your breath by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Even if this is iPod related, you are looking at two years at least before someone can come in, get a design finalized and send it to manufacturing.

  38. Bad form to mod down... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    c'mon, it's funny...and interesting.

    Why mod down? Have some fun. Lighten up.br.

  39. Plug-ons by mveloso · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You'd think that all this stuff (wi-fi, video) could be plug-ons for the iPod, much like the Media Reader and microphone.

    Why burden the base unit down with this stuff when you can blast it to a plug-on? As long as the firmware supports it, of course.

    1. Re:Plug-ons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thats exactly what I am wanting (since I don't want to buy a new iPod). I would much rather an "AirPod Dock" that my iPod slides into that transmits wirelessly to my AirPort Express, or perhaps a unit that my iPod slides into and my iSight connects to to give me a portable webcam, just a few concept ideas.

  40. OK, if no one else will say it, I will... by spirit_fingers · · Score: 0

    Just give us iPods with frickin' lasers attached!

  41. job description continues: by ColonBlow · · Score: 1, Funny

    Must be willing to be the marketing division's bitch and have no ethical qualms with charging $400 for an mp3 player. Previous employment at Real Networks a plus.

    --
    free online diet tracking.
    1. Re:job description continues: by proj_2501 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      the pricing of anything other than basic human requirements is not an ethical concern.

  42. Re:it shows you that... by jcr · · Score: 3, Funny

    It has the power of C++ and the ease of use of Java or C#.

    Ouch!

    I know Obj-C isn't perfect, but saying it has the ease of use of Java or C# is a bit harsh.

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  43. Shipping by The_Rippa · · Score: 2, Funny

    Here's a request from Apple: Instead of working on wifi, make enough of the fucking iPods you have now so that every retailer but you isn't backordered for weeks!

    1. Re:Shipping by jhurshman · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If I recall correctly, the difficulty in obtaining iPods is more due to the constrained supply of the Toshiba hard drives they are built around than to anything Apple has control over.

      --

      Do not speak unless you can improve on the silence.
  44. Re:I've been wondering when this would be announce by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    but the chop factor gets to be a big problem with video not neccessarily if they devise their own airy fairy proprietary streaming protocol which will naturally be incompatible with everything else out there.

  45. Re: engineer by SteveM · · Score: 1

    Why only one engineer?

    Because this is a replacement position for an already existing project team.

    SteveM

  46. Re: engineer by slungsolow · · Score: 1

    The single engineer is probably being brought in to work on an existing proof of concept. I am sure that this first engineer is just a pebble in the pond. Soon enough they'll get together a whole team

    On a side note.. I think that the next iPod should have some kind of celluar integration. It would be nice to talk about with a 60 GB hard drive that does more than play music and solitare. It would also be nice to walk about with a picture phone that does more than ring when I am needed.

    Think of the space in my pockets man. please

  47. Re:it shows you that... by jcr · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Who the heck would want to program in Objective-C?

    More people than you think, AC.. We get a *lot* of applications for every open req around here.

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  48. how could this not be true? by Hollins · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This particular story may be a hoax, as others have pointed out, but how could Apple not be looking to add wireless to the iPod?

    Wireless means:

    • no cables when synchronizing
    • play songs on the stereo while holding the iPod on the couch
    • share songs with people you don't know (and can't see) at the airport (ok, less likely given DRM, but cool).

    With mp3 functionality being integrated into all-in-one cellphones, Apple could also being looking into this market, which may be critical for the survival of the iPod. And who better than Apple to give a simple interface that controls all these functions? BTW, I'm willing to give out gmail invites in exchange for completed referrals at freeipods.com.

    1. Re:how could this not be true? by user32.ExitWindowsEx · · Score: 1
      I still say the ultimate goal is to dump video over a special dock and send a 5.1 ch audio feed over the APE's optical out.

      that would give apple the power to open an iMovie Video Store and offer DVD-quality stuff, as soon as the bandwidth (or codec) is upon us.

      p.s. someone help me, please! I have 4 gmail invites and only need 4 people to complete an offer. sign up for infone or netscape...no fees, i get credit asap, and you can cancel it in a week or so.

      --
      "Evil will always triumph because good is dumb." -- Dark Helmet
    2. Re:how could this not be true? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      eeeew. you've been infected with pyramid marketing! get out of here fag!!!!

    3. Re:how could this not be true? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Asshole.

  49. Archos has a handheld music/video player shipping. by TheNME · · Score: 0

    More "innovation" from apple.

    --
    Windows sux. Am I cool now?
  50. no video by rfernand79 · · Score: 1

    Steve Jobs has been clear in the past: there will be no video iPod. He thinks the movie industry is different from the music industry. A good prediction is adding wireless capabilities and enhanced display - think " iTunes' visualization mode. Groovy.

  51. better coverage by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    From last week on The Register: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/25/apple_ipod _wifi/

  52. How can I get one of this... by NeoCode · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Oh vanity, thou name is a dimond studded ipod

    1. Re:How can I get one of this... by .com+b4+.storm · · Score: 1

      The possessive is "thy" and not "thou." "Oh vanity, you name is..." doesn't make much sense, now does it? ;)

      (yes, I am an English major...)

      --
      "Wow, you're like some kind of superhero able to ward off happiness and success at every turn."
      -- Ryan Stiles
  53. Apple Psyops... by macthulhu · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I think they get together in the boardroom once in a while and come up with stories to mess with people. Apple has a history of setting the bar on new tech, yet they don't (for various reasons) often get the credit for doing so. Perhaps it's a dual effort... Their "competitors" get thrown into confusion trying to figure out who they'll need to reverse engineer the product as soon as it's available, and the forums on places like /. go crazy trying to speculate what it is, and how it will perform... despite complete ignorance to what the product is.

    If I were running Apple, I would do it just to read what all of us armchair quarterback types have to say about it. Think about it... People's guesses may be combinations of tech that Apple didn't think of yet, and they get free market feasability research at the same time. Plus, it's funny.

    Of course, if I were running Apple I'd stop making products that get handled a lot out of white plastic (iPods, keyboards, and the like).

    --

    Someday a real rain is gonna come...

  54. Re: engineer by shadow303 · · Score: 1

    They probably already have a team put together and just need to fill it out a bit more.

    --
    I've got a mind like a steel trap - it's got an animal's foot stuck in it.
  55. WiFi may be the way to go. by Art_Vandelai · · Score: 1
    This may be the iPod solution I was looking for.

    I was looking for a way that I can have my iPod close at hand while sitting outside the house in the backyard, and playing the music through speakers in the backyard, without having to use a computer or a remote control to do it, and without having to keep an amp/receiver outdoors.

    iTrip can do it, but only with the degradation of sound quality that comes with broadcasting low power FM signals. And I want the full functionality and ease of use of my iPod - a PC/remote control setup wouldn't do, since a remote with an LCD would cost almost as much as the iPod does.

    Since there are products that allow music to be WiFi'd from a PC to a stereo, having an outbound Wi-Fi signal sending music out from the iPod to the stereo is the next step. Of course, someone from the RIAA will find some way to make it more difficult for me to have such a convenient way to enjoy my entire CD collection. Neighbourhood WiFi music sharing, anyone?

  56. Re:it shows you that... by merlin_jim · · Score: 1

    I have yet to meet anyone with significant experience in Objective-C who can say they dislike the language.

    Not that I like or dislike Objective-C (never used it), but this statement hardly proves anything. All the ones that disliked it didn't hang around long enough to get significant experience... and its not like Java or .NET where you pretty much have to know one (or both) to be employed in corporate america these days...

    --
    I am disrespectful to dirt! Can you see that I am serious?!
  57. Archos by stratjakt · · Score: 0, Troll

    Archos already has 'em. They connect to the PC as a USB drive too, so there's no proprietary OS-specific BS.

    I just wanted to mention this now, because in a year or two when Apple releases their video-iPod, the zealots will come out in droves claiming Apple "invented" it and everything else is a rip-off of Apple's design.

    Just like they claim Apple invented the mouse, GUI based OS, portable MP3 player, WiFi, the laser printer, LCD monitor, etc..

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
    1. Re:Archos by smart.id · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yep, you're right. Archos already has the Video iPod. *cough* Did they do some kind of deal with Apple like HP?

      --
      blog & fiction: jd87
    2. Re:Archos by stratjakt · · Score: 1

      Must have, everyone knows Apple is about to invent the handheld video player in the next few years.

      No doubt they paid a bundle to license all that tech Apple hasn't invented yet.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  58. I qualify with my A+ cert!! by Mateito · · Score: 4, Funny
    Experience in the following areas is important:

    system integration - Check. I installed Samba last week

    digital logic - Check. That's ones and zeros, right?

    SDRAM - Check. I use that in my camera

    Flash - Check. I flashed my DVD-rom thingy to be region free

    ASIC - Um. That's like a CPU for a nintendo.

    processor selection - Check. AMD beats Intel every time. Only fan boys use Intel.

    ATAPI - Check. I've installed Harddrives before

    various communication protocols (ie: GSM, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, Firewire, and USB) - Check: I've got a GSM phone and a USB flash drive.

    display types and video and analog integration. - Check. How easy peasy! Just match the colors on the cable plugs and the sockets.

    Apple, here I come!

    Wonder if I should change my name to "iMateito"?

    1. Re:I qualify with my A+ cert!! by Kiryat+Malachi · · Score: 1

      Not to whip out my nerd dick, but the Nintendo's CPU wasn't an ASIC, it was just a general purpose micro (6502 to be specific).

      ASICs are exactly what the acronym implies - application specific integrated circuits. Your car uses a metric ton of them (VR sensor processors, airbag sensor, Hall effect sensor processor, knock detection, misfire detection, etc.) just in the engine compartment. MP3 decoding chips are ASICs. CPUs are not.

      --

      ---
      Mod me down, you fucking twits. Go ahead. I dare you.
      (I read with sigs off.)
  59. Re:it shows you that... by jared_hanson · · Score: 3, Funny

    You're right. Obj-C is so much better that those two its not even funny.

    The only reason I'm replying is to congratulate you on the benign post. Oh god, lame hex humor. I truly apologize. If I wasn't programming registers on a chip today that joke would never have happened. I promise. I'm going to crawl into a corner now.

    --
    -- Fighting mediocrity one bad post at a time.
  60. I love my iPod, but really.... by Omega1045 · · Score: 2, Insightful
    I just bought an iPod (new 20gb with the click wheel, 12 hour bat) about 3 weeks ago and I love it. It is easily the highest quality electronic device I have ever owned or used.

    That being said, do we really care about an Apple job posting? I think bluetooth or Wifi integration would be very cool in the iPod. But this story just seems down right silly. If Sony posted an ad in their Walkman division for the same skills would it be noticed? What about Rio? We don't even know what this means, and speculation before they have even gotten going on the hiring process just seems like a waste of time.

    This is pre-vaporware, if there is such a thing.

    --

    Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein

  61. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  62. Does such a person actually exist? by theparanoidcynic · · Score: 1

    They're basically asking for an engineer with the strength of three ordinary engineers.

    --
    Only in a Slashdot fantasy can a Slackware install turn into several hours of sex . . . . .
  63. Battery drain is the Achilles heel by calstraycat · · Score: 2, Insightful

    People regularly complain about the iPod's relatively small battery capacity. A video iPod would be much worse.

    Ninety percent of the time, an iPod does nothing more than decode MP3's from a RAM cache and drive a pair of headphones.

    If you add to that a backlit color LCD, a WiFi transceiver and video decoding, you'd be lucky to get an hour's worth of play time. For that reason, I don't expect to see a video iPod any time soon.

  64. Jebus... by jayhawk88 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...how'd you like to be a member of that interview team?

    "OK, we need to find someone that can take our flagship, multi-million dollar product and add a layer of function and complexity onto it not yet realized in the electronics field anywhere."

    I mean, unless the designers of the Walkman or Gameboy come strolling in, what kind of candidate is it going to take to fill this position?

  65. The iPod as data repository by Deep+Fried+Geekboy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The iPod's core functionality for me is as a data repository. That includes music, so it plugs into my car stereo. But it is also one of my backup drives, and emergency boot disk, plus it has all my contacts and calendars on it. Mine is one of the old ones so it doesn't record audio, but if it did I would certainly make use of that functionality.

    I could care less if I can watch movies on it -- I think the portable movie-player market is tiny anyway. Functionality that WOULD be great for me would be a firewire CF card-reader that was fast enough to transfer 1GB microdrives while I'm shooting with my 1Ds. The current Belkin adapter is simply too slow to be of use.

    It makes sense to add wireless to the iPod because as I say its core functionality seems to be data storage and data streaming. It does NOT want to be a portmanteau data-display device. I really hope they don't go there.

    Of course once it has some wireless capability, you're gonna be able to check email with it, right?

    --

    I'm not wrong. You haven't thought about it hard enough.

  66. Does no one else have an Apple ID? by Have+Blue · · Score: 5, Informative
    Sign into Apple's job site and go to job requisition ID 2142016 . You should find this:
    The iPod group is looking for a Hardware Engineer. This person will be an individual contributor on a top notch team with responsibilities for the design, implementation, and integration of digital and analog electronics. The applicant should be familiar with computer system architecture and digital design. Duties include schematic capture, prototype bring-up and debugging, hardware bug tracking, functional verification, signal characterization, and manufacturing support.

    The ideal candidate is someone from a consumer electronics background dealing with high volume, low power, high quality products.

    Required Experience:
    • BS/MS EE or equivalent required.
    • Must have great EE fundamentals.
    • 5+ years overall experience needed, 3+ years in a lead role preferred.
    • Experience in the following areas is important: system integration, digital logic, SDRAM, Flash, ASIC's, processor selection, ATAPI, various communication protocols, display types and analog integration.
    • Broad experience: both digital and analog.
    • Experience building actual products in labs.
    Note that there is nothing in there about video or wireless; the parenthetical expression in the article text was added by the reporter and the video integration comment is completely out of left field. This is either extremely wishful thinking on the part of Overclockers Club or an outright fabrication.
    1. Re:Does no one else have an Apple ID? by singularity · · Score: 1
      In addition, if you search for job #2164666, you see a slightly different opening paragraph:


      The iPod and Special Projects Group (SPG), the team that invented the iPod and iSight, is looking for a Hardware Engineer. This person will be an individual contributor on a top notch team with responsibilities for the design, implementation, and integration of digital and analog electronics.


      Yeah, the group that also came up with the iSight has no reason to be looking at "display types".

      I would be interested in seeing who, exactly, added the parentheses (among the other changes)

      So they want someone with good EE experience and experience in digital and analog audio and visual. Does this not make sense to anyone reading it?
      --
      - (c) 2018 Hank Zimmerman
    2. Re:Does no one else have an Apple ID? by slashdot.org · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Of course you failed to mention the other alternative, which is that Apple _removed_ that section. (which is, what it sounds like, what happened)

      Still, looking at job adds is an old trick for competitors and journalist to 'research' a company, and Apple of all places should know that.

      On the other hand, it's not terribly reliable though. I've known plenty of companies that posted job openings that did not exist, just to get competitors on the wrong foot.

      So this 'news' really isn't 'news'. What it basically says is either:
      a) Apple is going to do something with video; their job add said so and then they tried to cover it up, see?
      or:
      b) Apple wants there to be some spread of rumors about video; they released a fake job add and then deleted certain parts to make it more believable.

      (b) is maybe too tin-foil, but if I can think of it, I'm sure the people at Apple can too.

  67. Ho hum by vurg · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm not buying another iPod unless it can cook.

  68. Is this free for Apple? by mykepredko · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I would think that a want ad posted on /. would be the worst case scenario for any HR department. Instead of looking at three or four people that do have the requisite knowledge and skills, Apple is going to be so overwhelmed with thousands of people claiming to have experience in all the areas ("hey, I hooked up my own WiFi network at home, can plug in USB flash disk keys and I can almost always transfer my digital videos") that they are going to go nuts vetting and responding.

    A more interesting story might be is hearing how Apple worked through all the applications this piece generated.

    myke

  69. Re:it shows you that... by jcr · · Score: 1

    The only reason I'm replying is to congratulate you on the benign post.

    Which post?

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  70. It would take... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Given the number of competitors to the iPod market (HP, Microsoft, (sur)RealNetworks, etc.), it would help a company like apple to post a fake job offer, to make the competitors think the next iPod will have all these features.

    Of course, Apple is not known for slick advertising, media savvy, and tight control of their message. The iPod group probably posted the job offer without thinking about the implications.

    Yea right. Look, people. If the job were legit, it would just say "Apple is looking for..." instead of the "iPod group is looking for...". Apple is not stupid; they like to restrict knowledge of their products. This is a red herring.

  71. Why is Apple beating out Sony? by xtermin8 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I would think that with the library of music and movies Sony owns, and its electronic audio/video division, it should be way ahead of the computer company. Will Sony come out with a next-generation portable entertainment device? Will Apple beat them to the punch? Stay tuned!

  72. Re:it shows you that... by jared_hanson · · Score: 1

    The one I replied to (#10111001). That in hex is 0xB9. Oh man, you're killing me here by making me point out how lame that was. I'm trying so hard to not bust out in laughter, and yet I realize it not all that funny. Now, back to my corner.

    --
    -- Fighting mediocrity one bad post at a time.
  73. You're right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "but that does not make it a bad language."

    No, that doesn't make it a bad language. Its general suckiness makes it a bad language. The fact that its only available on the Mac, makes it humorous to Apple-freaks the world over.

  74. Old news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Good grief...

    Slashdot is falling wayyyyyyy behind the times. Guys, this "news" is almost 3 weeks old.

  75. Just to point out the obvious by Cyberllama · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Keep in mind that the ipod already has a screen, the requirements listed don't necessarily mean that they plan on improving on it any. "Display types and video and analog integration . . ." knowledge would probably be necessary for the existing ipods as well.

    My guess? They'll make an ipod with a color screen, but it probably still won't do video.

    1. Re:Just to point out the obvious by abdulla · · Score: 1

      It could display album art and stuff.

  76. Speculating on Vaporware... by Billy+the+Mountain · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...looks a whole lot more intelligent now that people have started speculating on the meaning of job postings :\

    I think that Sig I saw was correct after all: The earth's intelligence if finite yet the population is growing.

    BTM

    --
    That was the turning point of my life--I went from negative zero to positive zero.
  77. In other words... by Eric_Cartman_South_P · · Score: 1
    One iPod every 18 months.

  78. another nice feature... by eagl · · Score: 1, Troll

    Why not stuff a GPS in there too? That would be cool. Sell a ruggedized version with optional topo map software, maybe even a location-based voice note taking setup. The hardware is all out there, just begging to be integrated. DeLorme has packages with all the hardware and software alreay put together, so there's even a potential tech partner to help them avoid re-inventing the wheel.

  79. Re:it shows you that... by niktesla · · Score: 1
    #10111001 benign post

    Nice:) It may be be lame, but I like it.

    --
    I've discovered a remarkable proof, but this margin is too small to contain it...
  80. more likely ... by for_usenet · · Score: 2, Informative

    If this link/posting was indeed true, I would think this would be more for someone working on the video version of the airport express base station, as the audio/WiFi version is already out there.

    Little steps at a time folks, little steps ...

  81. Still no radio? by s7uar7 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You can keep your wi-fi and video, the main thing that puts me off buying an iPod is the lack of FM radio for listening to sport & talk radio. Seriously, how much would it cost Apple to add such a simple feature?

  82. Apple OQO by weenis · · Score: 1, Interesting

    my hopes and dreams see an apple version of the OQO . . . now that would me me cream my pantz!

    1. Re:Apple OQO by dasmegabyte · · Score: 1

      You mean a small, light, nearly handheld device with a hard drive and robust OS?

      Or do you mean a bunch of hyperbolic promises and hardware specs that keep improving while press claims an actual device is always in immanent release?

      --
      Hey freaks: now you're ju
    2. Re:Apple OQO by DAldredge · · Score: 1

      Are you talking about the OQO or the G5 iMac?

    3. Re:Apple OQO by Moofie · · Score: 1

      Show me one Apple source that has been hyping the G5 iMac. No, go ahead, I'll wait.

      Apple's been very up front about the fact that they had some planning and supply issues, which is why the G5 iMac was delayed, and they've got nothing in the channel right now. This is MILES from what OQO's been doing for, like, ever.

      --
      Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
    4. Re:Apple OQO by DAldredge · · Score: 1

      Apple has been, maybe not to the general public but they have been promoting it to their large institutional investors as some of them have become concerned with Apple not having a sub 1000 iMac on the market. It's a big reason why they had to announce the delay that caused their stock to take a 4% hit. If they had been upfront the stock would not have taken such a hit and they would not have had to stop taking iMac orders becuse they had stop iMac production.

    5. Re:Apple OQO by Moofie · · Score: 1

      So why does this make Apple like OQO, which is vying for King of Vaporware with Duke Nukem Forever?

      Apple has not been hyping the G5 iMac to the rafters. OQO has been hyping themselves to the rafters, with no product forthcoming.

      Apple may well have made a different set of mistakes, but they are not, as the post I replied to implied, like OQO.

      --
      Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
  83. new slashdot modifier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    -6: Outright Lie

  84. Important distinction by realinvalidname · · Score: 3, Insightful

    iPod group, not necessarily iPod product. It's possible that this group will evolve into a multi-faceted consumer electronics effort, but there's no point in Apple publicly acknowledging as much now. So for now, they call it the "iPod" group, after its one product.

    Or, maybe someone actually wants to watch videos on a twinkie little 2" screen.

    --realinvalidname

  85. what?!? by xo0m · · Score: 1

    shouldn't they have someone who could do all that on their staff already???

  86. Re:Speaking of Apple and Free... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  87. Why work at Apple? by superpulpsicle · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Especially under Steve Jobs, who's notorious for a nasty attitude toward engineers. Isn't it just a hostile environment.

    If you were that good of an engineer why work at Apple? Why not pick and choose. Go to Creativelabs/Sony and give them an edge and more.

    1. Re:Why work at Apple? by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 1

      Because you want to create the next iPod, rather than, say, the next Muvo or Walkman MP3.

      I mean, what will look better on your resume 10 years from now, "Worked on the iPod Mini2" or "Worked on the Zen Muvo"?

  88. me too! by SethJohnson · · Score: 1


    I would talk to those headhunter companies in Washington, DC, and they would hand me all these job descriptions. Hal Kinion was one of them, I think. They would want 10 years of Java programming experience. I would tell them that Java was only invented two years ago. They would just give me a blank stare like, "Well, this one goes to eleven."
  89. Re:The only thing more stupid by One_6453 · · Score: 1

    Say what you might but he is worth $230+ million and you AC are worth only your name.

  90. It's a lot like the Portable Media Center! by callipygian-showsyst · · Score: 1, Interesting
    Gee, it's a lot like the Portable Media Center! Cupertino, start your photocopiers!

    I hope there are enough Pixo people left at Apple to write the software.

    1. Re:It's a lot like the Portable Media Center! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      C'mon folks! This perfectly reasonable post has been modded down by Mac "fanboys" (probably paid agents of Apple Computer)

  91. Visualizations by xombo · · Score: 1

    Is it not also possible that Apple simply wants to add visualizations to the screen while music is playing? It seems logical that they would extend this feature to the portable player if it ever sported a nice color LCD. Imagine how much more attention their products would attract while walking down the street if they were a mobile acid trip.

  92. Easy, Apple by Laimbrane · · Score: 1

    Simply send us an application, get five (5) of your friends to send us an application and we'll send you a free engineer.* * Bi-monthly service charges may apply.

  93. So what's phase two? by empaler · · Score: 1

    [Silence]
    Gnome 1: Hey, what's phase two?!
    Gnome 2: Phase one we collect underpants.
    Gnome 1: Ya, ya, ya. But what about phase two?
    [Silence]
    Gnome 2: Well phase three is profit. Get it?

  94. I Have My OWN Ad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    WANTED: Editor for major news copy/paste site. Must be able to SPELL CORRECTLY, and be willing to actually VERIFY STORIES' VERACITY BEFORE FUCKING POSTING THEM.

    Must like Apple very very very much and be willing to moderate Apple-worship up without regard for the truth. Must give lip service to Linux but not actually have a clue about it (must not actually use it). Must be willing to joke about Windows, but must have at least one XP box which you claim is for "gaming only".

    Shavers, bathers, and non-virgins need not apply.
    1. Re:I Have My OWN Ad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ROTFL! Shit! Way too funny dude! You nailed it!

  95. Maybe some functions for existing iPods too by macemoneta · · Score: 1

    My wife just got a new iPod for her birthday. I noticed that when resetting, the screen sometimes turns blue and shows yellow stripes for a few seconds, even though the user interface is monochrome. I wondered why Apple would put a color screen on a monochrome device, perhaps now we know.

    --

    Can You Say Linux? I Knew That You Could.

  96. Re:No wifi/video..but maybe a built in FM transmit by Oculus+Habent · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Remote sounds most likely. I see a couple possibilities...

    1. AirTunes-capable überDock. Play AirTunes from your iPod over 802.11g with a Bluetooth remote. This would involve the various protocols: FireWire & USB for the dock, 802.11g for the network, Bluetooth for the remote...

    2. iPod PVR? Store video to your iPod & play it at any A/V capable dock or computer. Not, repeat not to play video on your iPod. Just as you can purchase audio copies of various radio broadcasts, you could purchase video copies of television programs at the Apple Media Store. Same simple anti-copy restrictions would apply. H.264 codec w/ FairPlay wrapper?

    I don't see Apple putting the time and money into making the iPod more expensive for a feature set that so few people will use (wireless xfer, video iPod).

    --
    That what was all this school was for... to teach us how to solve our own problems. -- janeowit
  97. Re:The only thing more stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    True Dat

  98. Is this real? by sokoban · · Score: 1

    Why don't they just call it the tackyPod? Or excuse me, "tacyPod". Seriously, how more dumb or wasteful can you get than a diamond iPod? The bling has gotten out of control. What's next, lil Kim's diamond encrusted tampons? 50 Cent's diamond Crack Pipe? Nelly's Diamond band-aid?

    --
    09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 is the magic number.
  99. Re: engineer by taylortbb · · Score: 1

    I've actually been thinking about that, look at the Blackberry by RIM (http://www.rim.com/). Having used one I can say the device is rather small, about 1 cm thick (thats 2/5 of an inch) and fits comterably in your hand.

    I'm certain adding a hard drive wouldn't be too hard, you might need some firmware upgrades but the iPod does just fine with a tiny CPU.

    I doubt it would be too hard to build them together, maybe make it a bit thicker but not quites as wide (2 - 2.5 cm thick, somewhere a little under current width). And there you go, you've got GSM / GPRS connectivity (for phone and data), data connections to view your e-mail and browse the web, maybe build the iTunes music store into the device, and a HD for your music. You might have to settle for an iPod mini hard drive (but I doubt it) however even that would make a sweet device, who cares about video when you have all that? Sure it'd be nice, but I'd rather see a phone/data device first.

  100. Ipod or multimedia device? by Krypto420 · · Score: 1

    It would be really cool to see Apple expand the capabilities of the iPod. However, I would like to see it if the price were to remain relatively the same. I'm mean an MP3 player is an MP3 player, but the extra functionality for the price would be cool!

  101. And Windoze is secure??? by ynotds · · Score: 0, Troll

    You could only ever expect his ads to be misleading.

    Case closed!

    --
    -- Our systemic servants do not good masters make.
  102. Airport Express? by bidule · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Hold your horses. Why does it have to be iPod?

    Couldn't it just be a sign of further developments around Airport Express?

    Or is it that /. RDF is becoming stronger than Jobs?

    --
    ID: the nose did not occur naturally, how would we wear glasses otherwise? (apologies to Voltaire)
  103. This ad was posted this February... by mattyohe · · Score: 1
    --
    - what is the definition of simultanagnosia?! I've been meaning to look it up!
  104. the job is for Tapeless Video recording by Ralph+Spoilsport · · Score: 1
    This has been written on the wall since day one. You get an iPod-savvy video camera, hook up the firewire ipod to it, and start recording in full DV.

    When you hit pause or stop on the camera, it automatically saves end of file, and is then ready to start a new clip. the clips are all arranged on the iPod drive. You then take your iPod home and transfer data to your computer and edit the mess.

    Advantages?
    1. No "Log and Capture" bullshit. It's already in a Quicktime file.
    2. A 40gig iPod holds more video than a video tape. DV runs 13gigs an hour. Your average tape is an hour, some are 90 minutes. A 40gig iPod holds about 3 hours of DV.
    3. No need to store boxes of tapes. A 120 gig drive will hold about 9 hours of video. A decent DV tape still costs about $5, so that's about $50 (with tax) for the tape alone. How much is your time worth blown in log and capture? (price of 120 gig drive) - $50?

    The wireless end of it probably has to do with recording conferences in iChat, or sending cheezola videos to your buddies in iChat or some video conferencing software. Or, there might be some idea of transferring video from iPod to computer for editing wirelessly. Seems kind of stupid to me, but you never know.

    But the tapeless video recording is so needed - how do you think they did star wars? With tape? Nope. Banks of drives.

    RS

    --
    Shoes for Industry. Shoes for the Dead.
  105. Last Post! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    take that su[kers!

  106. Re:No wifi/video..but maybe a built in FM transmit by scottgfx · · Score: 1

    YMRMFS?

    You May Require Multiple Folded Socks?

    Yeti Might Regurgitate Mandible Fractured Sustenance?

    --
    It's mandatory to wash your hands before returning to the land of Dairy Queen.
  107. Re:No wifi/video..but maybe a built in FM transmit by Oculus+Habent · · Score: 0

    You May Remember Me From Such...

    --
    That what was all this school was for... to teach us how to solve our own problems. -- janeowit
  108. ipod + airport express by klez23 · · Score: 1

    seems obvious: they'll add 802.11, and let you stream music to your stereo through an airport express.