Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Video iPod is on its Way

Posted by Hemos on from the predictions-for-the-future dept.

An iPod Speculator writes "Is Apple developing a Video iPod? Recent contracts and software releases suggest that a video enabled iPod is forthcoming. If so, what kind of features will it have? I offer some insight into why video is the next step for the iPod and how it might come about in this article."

14 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. umm... by geoffspear · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Just unfounded speculation from some guy who's dumb enough to post a link to his own website on slashdot when he knows (and says, right on the webpage he's linking to) that he's not going to be able to afford the bandwidth to keep the page online. I think I'd prefer some unfounded speculation by someone smarter.

    We could already find this exact same speculation in comments on earlier slashdot stories, too. News? Hardly.

    --
    Don't blame me; I'm never given mod points.
    1. Re:umm... by TheViffer · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Mark this poster as a troll if you wish, but he makes a valid response.

      This article is written by a person "currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science" and thinks red hair is cool. In his spare time he dreams about the next iProduct to be released.

      So what is his article going to be next week? When Apple comes out with dual core Power Mac so that he can replace his Dual 2.7 Power Mac?

      Don't take it the wrong way I am sure Jay means well, but Jay needs more reliable sources then thinksecret and macrumors. A few years out in the real world would not hurt either.

      But I give him credit, he got it past the slashdot editors.

      --
      -- Knowing too much can get you killed, but knowing who knows too much can make you rich.
  2. No Way by north.coaster · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I tend to agree with some of the previous /. posts on this topic. Video makes no sense on a portable iPod device. The iPod is a natual extension to what people already do. Video is not a natural extension.

    1. Re:No Way by OmniVector · · Score: 5, Insightful

      playing video back on a 2" screen is even more than silly, it's downright stupid. it's hard to watch, and impractical based on the usage conditions of an iPod. people simply don't want to watch video on such a small screen nor do they even have the opportunity (kinda hard to watch a show while jogging or driving to work), plus people don't want to watch the same show over. they DO want to hear the same song over and over.

      based on these implications, it's never going to play video on that little screen. however, look at what we now have:
      video out port on the ipod
      video support in itunes
      music video purchasing

      the writing's on the wall. apple will enable a video PLAYBACK on a tv with the new video out port for music videos. this should naturally support any video compatible with whatever it is that itunes 4.8 supports (it doesn't seem to support every codec, only a subset.. gee, maybe because it only supports what the new ipod will support? i think so).

      --
      - tristan
  3. I can't imagine this happening for real by hey! · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Y'know, Apple's learned the form factor lesson from the Newton. The Newton was brilliant, but its form factor embodied a middle of the road compromise that pleased nobody. It was too big for a PIM, to small for a do your serious work on. The clamshell variant (the eMate), however, was the forerunners of the iBooks, which simply scaled it up to the minimum size and specs needed to be a fully functional computer.

    A video playback device in the current iPod form factor is a complete joke -- at best a novelty. However, an iBook sized playback device is plausible, however. If Apple goes that way, look for an innovative approach for how the device functions as part of the users' systems. This is where Apple succeeds and other fail: itunes store -- itunes/Mac -- iPod.

    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
    1. Re:I can't imagine this happening for real by Winterblink · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Enter H.264 (or whatever), the newest codec added to the Quicktime arsenal. Have you seen video encoded with this? There are test files available for download at the quicktime site that have been encoded with full high definition. Check it out here, it's pretty spiffy and the filesize is shockingly low.

      --
      "I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
      -Hoban Washburn
  4. Re:iPod Video by salzbrot · · Score: 2, Insightful
    * Plug a couple into the car to let a couple kids that can't agree on a movie watch whatever they want.

    Just what we need. A couple more kids that think they have to get anything they want right here, right now and never learn to compromise.

    I mean kids cannot agree on which movie to watch in the car?!? In my times we read a book. Sheesh...


  5. Maybe limited support... by hadleyhope · · Score: 3, Insightful
    • iTunes (4.8) can now play song videos.
    • iPhoto (5.0) can now play imported video from digital still cameras.

    So would it make sense for colour screen iPods to support the same?

  6. Re:Forget video support... by nuggetman · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Surely it wouldn't take them that long to code Vorbis support?! :)

    However... is the amount of iPods that would sell because of this feature (or not sell because of lack of this feature) to the vocal minority who clamors for it in every iPod thread here on /. worthwhile to finance development of an offical Vorbis plugin for iTunes/QuickTime plus a firmware upgrade for the iPods?

    --
    ...and that's all there is to it.
  7. Agreed, how the hell does this crap get through? by Biotech9 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is probably the worst thing I've ever seen passed as news on /.
    I've seen plenty of people complaining about Advertisements for people's new sites or products being posted as news stories, and I winced at that review of the Battery Sticker that gave mobile phones longer battery life, but this is an all time low.

    This article is so ridiculously retarded and bereft of any insight, it is not even an educated guess, or any kind of intelligent prediction. Someone using 3 appleinsider links as his sources and also stupid enough to postulate erroneously on the capabilities of the current iPod photo chip's power even though those data are available on the net with a little digging, does not deserve to have his drivel served up to /. readers as news.

    Having said that, this quote made me laugh,

    Their strategy is to release a bare minimum and upgrade if they absolutely have to. This is a major, major flaw of Apple and you can find examples of it over and over in their history (iMac with no way to write data, 12" Powerbook severely underpowered at 867 MHz, iPod photo that cannot actually take photos)


    what an idiot.

  8. Re:the iMac is a PVR for today by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    - G5 processor can decode H.264

    Any processor can decode H.264. Examples can be found on the definitive H.264 site.

    Beefy 1GB Eithernet can get content (from the iMovie Video Store?) in a flash

    Ah, yes, you need a gigabit ethernet connection to go with your fancy new gigabit cable modem. Oh, wait.

    17" and 20" flat screen options also have VESA mounts for dramatic display opportunities

    If you think a 20" screen could ever be considered "dramatic" in any room bigger than an airplane bathroom, you're out of your mind.

  9. Who approves these things? by wtmcgee · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Not only is the article total speculation, the title is worded in a manner that makes it sound like a video iPod is coming, and the proof is below. The link goes to some kid's blog site with his wish list and some links to mac rumor sites.

    I have no problem with some speculation of what's coming next, but this isn't 'news', so let's not label it as such.

    --
    *** For a better tommorow, change your life today ***
  10. Just Because it Says iPod... by chia_monkey · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Simmer down folks. Just because it may have the word "iPod" in the name doesn't mean it's going to have a tiny 1.5" screen. Hell, the iPod Shuffle doesn't even have a screen, yet it still says "iPod". What better way to capitalize on an amazingly successful brand name...use the term "iPod". Use the marketing muscle, the brand awareness, and put out a small video device that all Mac-heads, all trendy people, all geeks, and all consumers will want because "it's an iPod that plays video".

    --

    "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts...for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang
  11. You are so Money and the mods don't even know it by amichalo · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I am fully on board with your insighful comments.

    I don't care what component in my AV arsenal is delivering the media - my wife cares even less.

    If Apple intros a remote that can logically control the devices and allow a PowerMac or iMac in the office to deliver H.264 HD to a flatscreen in the Den while being controled via an Apple Bluetooth remote or what-have-you, then Apple will have a major leg up in the "digital hub" realm.

    And why not? the pieces are all coming together. G5's with H.264 in QuickTime 7, Dual-layer DVD for archiving, VESA mounts on iMacs....

    --
    I only came here to do two things; kick some ass, and drink some beer...looks like we're almost out of beer.