More Rumblings on Apple Video iPod

Chris Holland writes "Beyond the WSJ Story, Om Malik gives us inside information obtained by Business 2.0 Magazine about the Apple Video iPod. 'Steve Jobs has spoken with Disney President and soon-to-be CEO Bob Iger about ways to license various Disney content for a video iPod, according to an internal Disney email I have obtained. That could include anything from clips from ESPN and ABC News to short cartoons.' "

Comments

No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[derphilipp]

I don't like these tiny videoplayers - there is no adequate thing for video like an earplug for audio. The only thing where it comes handy if you can connect a TV or a Display to it.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[peterih]

You could carry a really big magnifying glass with you at all times :)

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[NickCatal]

We have already been through this on another thread. DRM would most likely prevent you from displaying it on a large screen.

The idea here is not for long movies, it is for short clips. I personally believe there would be a market for that type of thing. Nevertheless, it would be another "cool feature" for the 5G iPod.

-nick

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Eclypser]

Does nobody remember the video googles? I know Sony made a pair and there were a couple other versions that were available at places like Sharper Image. They had some that you could wear and walk around, but there was a 60" tv projected in front of you. These were terribly expensive and they came out before portable DVD players.
I think that this is the time for that technology to make another attempt at the marketplace.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[SomeoneGotMyNick]

The idea here is not for long movies, it is for short clips. I personally believe there would be a market for that type of thing.

That's what Mattel thought with their Juice Box before they fell from the market. Then again, had Mattel allowed personal video to be played with the SD/MMC adaptor along with the MP3 capabilities, they'd probably still have the item on the market.

Didn't Mattel learn their lesson in the 80's with the Intellivision II when it came to locking out third party addons?

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[OS24Ever]

Amen. I travel on Airplanes - A lot. What I like about the iPod (or any portable media device, but my weapon of choice is iPod), recline my seat the whoppin 3 or so inches you get and tilt my head back.

With current implementation of video devices I'd have to hunch over and squint through my contacts at a little screen, or, a big screen that lasts 30 min without a power cord.

What i'm hoping the Video iPod will be is a mini-DVR. Preview capability maybe on the tiny screen but mainly ment as a DVR for the masses to attach to computers or TV screens like the iPod Photo/New iPod do today.

We'll see, Apple has always managed to surprise me recently (I was a 'no way they'll go Intel as a CPU camp') and I'd like to see what they come up with. Steve J. has said repatedly that he has no intention of doing a video pod.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Anonymous Coward]

In Bob Cringely's latest article "More Shoes", he surmises that retinal scan glasses are on the way:

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20050714. html

"Nearly all of the retinal scan patents are held by Bothell, Washington-based MicroVision, a company I have written about in the past. And from the look of the SEC filings, a lot is happening up there in Bothell. As always I have no insider information at all, but it wouldn't surprise me if Apple introduced a super-high-capacity iPod and a separate retinal-scan display. It will be aimed at the very high end of the price scale, just like the Apple Cinema Display originally cost $4,000 for what now costs less than $1,000. The retinal scan display won't be cheap, but it will be cool, and it will be some permutation of HD, too."

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[kkovach]

Video googles? You did that on purpose. I know you did. I'm a fan, but I'm still not gonna let it slip.

- Kevin

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Anonymous Coward]

I remember nobody bought them because they were tres expensive, weighed a lot and had vga screens (or was it ega..)

Hopefully the lesson manufacturers learned wasn't, "People just don't want these things" but rather, "People don't want half-assed versions of these things"

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[NickCatal]

iPods already have a huge install base, solid software support, media-industry support, and a huge marketing budget.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[bodester17]

Are we going to get an update on Video iPods everyday until they come out? It amazes me how every single apple story makes it as news. "Apple news today, Jobs considers light green for iPod video color."

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Lumpy]

HUH? these things are awesomely useful.

I get to watch the news on the way to work, (ok it was the early morning edition that day but hey) and pick one of the TV shows that was piling up on my replayTV to watch. Nothing like a good episode of mail call or good eats or even SG1 reruns to pass the time, also I am no longer tempted to waste time at home. the commute is a huge time sink, you can not get any real work done during it so use your favorite time waster during that period.

The day's I drive I simply switch to podcasts.

works great. But then I'm content with recording the shows at standard and not the super HD 30Gig a second bitrate. VHS quality is absolutely fine for recorded off TV quality.

Oh and yes, it is easy to convert from replayTV to mpeg4. the only time it records directly is when it records the morning news and I remember to plug it all in on the telly.

now if I could bittorrent the morning news before it was broadcast, that would rock.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Striikerr]

I read an interesting bit on Cringely's page..

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20050714. html

He speculates that Apple will use retinal scanners to project the image into the eye. This actually seems plausable. Leave it to Apple to do something so cool. It would be expensive but people would want one due in part to the coolness factor.. I'd consider getting one if it could be It's at the very end of the article... Here's a snippet.

"...but what about a higher resolution display, possibly a retinal scan display, for the Video iPod? It's the only way to extend Apple's "Year of HD" to its tiniest platform.

Nearly all of the retinal scan patents are held by Bothell, Washington-based MicroVision, a company I have written about in the past. And from the look of the SEC filings, a lot is happening up there in Bothell. As always I have no insider information at all, but it wouldn't surprise me if Apple introduced a super-high-capacity iPod and a separate retinal-scan display. It will be aimed at the very high end of the price scale, just like the Apple Cinema Display originally cost $4,000 for what now costs less than $1,000. The retinal scan display won't be cheap, but it will be cool, and it will be some permutation of HD, too."

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[dan the person]

The only thing where it comes handy if you can connect a TV or a Display to it.

You mean like those ipod things can do?

http://www.apple.com/ipod/color/musicandmore.html

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[kyojin the clown]

any one of these will do exactly what you want;

http://www.archos.com/products/fam_photo_video.htm l

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[yardbird]

Assuming a video iSomething is coming, what is the most likely form factor?

1. current iPod
2. portable DVD player
3. iBook
4. a screenless gadget you attach to your TV to manage video content from your Mac

Only 2 and 4 seem plausible to me.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Afrosheen]

It seems to be a running meme with Steve Jobs that the more he denies something, the more likely it is to happen.

They've been saying they'll never go Intel for over a decade, and yet, here we are, with DRM and market realities (plus speed) to thank for their switch. Personally I never liked anything beyond the 9500 hardware-wise, probably due to IDE and other crap that got added.

With the switch to Intel we'll get to see Apples with SATA and SATA Raid, dual core chips, higher bus speeds, PCI-X, etc. I think overall it'll be a good thing. Lucky for Apple that OSX is fairly easy to port compared to OS9 and it's predecessors.

The video iPod may not be the killer app they want it to be, but you know it'll be 'the coolest thing out there' and people will buy them by the thousands regardless. I can see the kiddies buying them up then paying $2 instead of $1 per song on iTunes to get the videos with the songs. You can listen to the latest Ja Rule and see what a krunk party looks like, G.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[rhesuspieces00]

That gives me an idea. Apple should negotiate with airlines to put a a/v-in jack in all the little LCD sceens in the seatbacks so you can bring youre own programming with you on trips. Now if there were just an easy way to transfer TiVo recorgins to iPod...

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Clock Nova]

I'm suddenly reminded of the office drones in "Brazil", all huddled around those tiny screens with the huge magnifying lenses, watching old TV shows.

I'd rather not share that experience.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[mjpaci]

That's how TVs worked in the past. You wanted to make the image bigger? You installed a magnifying lense on the TV. Granted, this was in the 1950's, but things have a way of coming full circle.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[JWW]

On another thread it was stated that the archos video player had this problem. No one knows about the iPod. The marketability of this product goes waaay up if you can plug it into the tv (even if its limited to svideo output).

Output to a TV could spell the difference between this being a successful product and a total flop.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[ThePlissken]

Not to nitpick but current G5 based systems already have SATA. http://www.apple.com/powermac/expansion.html

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[shotfeel]

Yeah, but does it really make a difference if you're talkiing about a news clip? Kind of like asking if you need a big home stereo system to listen to AM radio.

What I find intriguing, after reading the "Son of iPod" stuff from MS, is that MS has once again missed the boat, and Apple may be right on target.

MS is talking to motion picture studios about selling feature length movies online. Does anyone want to spend $7 to buy and 2 hr to download Lord of the Rings to watch on a 3" screen? *Note all numbers made up as dictated by /. rules.

OTOH Apple is talking short stuff (music videos, sports hilights, news bits, cartoons -think JibJab...) that will only be a dollar or two (some even free). They'll be easy to download, high volume and people might be willing to watch it on a 3" screen (with video out to watch on big screen).

Who do you think is more likely to be a hit with their target market?

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[sydsavage]

With the switch to Intel we'll get to see Apples with SATA and SATA Raid, dual core chips, higher bus speeds, PCI-X, etc.

No switch to Intel necessary for those features, as the current top of the line PowerMacs have all of the above with the exception of dual core chips, which could also be achieved with IBM's recently announced chips. They also have S/PDIF input and output among other cool features most people are unaware of.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[shotfeel]

OTOH, the iPod does allow connecting to any stereo system.

The key might be in only allowing analog out. Now if they would stream DV via Firewire...

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Ucklak]

Don't forget that Fisher Price Pixelvision thing in the early 90's that allowed personal video to be recorded on audio tape.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[shotfeel]

I guess I've never seen Apple say they would never go Intel. I have heard Jobs say they always keep their options open when asked in the past about switching processors. And that was back in the days when Motorola was having trouble ramping up G4 speeds.

Also note that Macs have often used Intel tech. Everything from PCI, to USB, to ethernet controllers, to (even) SATA. Macs have had "Intel Inside" for years (just not the CPU).

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[shotfeel]

Oops. I forgot the iPod already has composite video out for displaying photos on a TV. The parts are already in place.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[AtariAmarok]

"Don't forget that Fisher Price Pixelvision thing in the early 90's that allowed personal video to be recorded on audio tape."

Except that the videos looked like what Frodo saw when he wore the Ring in the Lord of the Rings movies.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Sandor at the Zoo]

Does nobody remember the video googles?

I "inherited" a set, but have never used them. Why, you ask?

Because they have a stereo jack for sound coming off them. And a composite video jack. And a power cord, going to the brick that plugs into the wall.

It's very possibly the worst implementation of a good idea I've yet seen. I'm not sure how to make it better, but hopefully Apple knows. :-)

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Golias]

5. A tiny box attached by a 3' cord to a pair of sunglasses (with ear buds) on which you can bring up a display screen.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[wealthychef]

And yet here you are, reading it and even posting. Hmm. :-)

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Alan Partridge]

Higher bus speeds??

My G5's main memory bus is running at 1.25Ghz.

SATA?

My G5's got a pair of striped SATA disks as well as its SCSI array.

PCI-X?

I've got TWO PCI-X cards in my G5 right now.

Let;'s hope we KEEP these features when transitioning to Intel.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Seanasy]

Cringley is speculating that it will come with a bluetooth retina scan display.

But, you know, it's Cringley so...

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[GrassMunk]

I agree. How awesome would it be to put a bunch of TV shows ( bought through iTunes ) or maybe a movie on the iPod, take to a friends place and watch. Or take to any TV and watch.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Seanasy]

Actually, I'm wrong. It's not bluetooth.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[eXtro]

VGA is about the right resolution for video though, or at least SVGA is. I don't really think this is the direction Apple's going, but if the weight could be reduced and the power hunger satiated video goggles might be right for videos.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[bynary]

While that sounds good in theory, in practice that could be disastrous. Inevitably someone would decide that it's okay to watch pr0n mid-flight.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[bill_mcgonigle]

I did some digging and there maybe some truth to this.

I was highly skeptical on first read.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[soft_guy]

It seems to be a running meme with Steve Jobs that the more he denies something, the more likely it is to happen. They've been saying they'll never go Intel for over a decade, and yet, here we are

I have never heard Steve Jobs say that and I've watched pretty much every WWDC, MacWorld Keynote, and Special Event that has been webcast since he returned to Apple. I certainly heard him talk up the various PowerPC processors as they were introduced, and even put down Intel processors, but I've never heard him say, "There is no way we would ever switch to Intel" or "I promise we won't switch to Intel".

I have never heard him say "We will never make a PDA." I have heard him say that he "didn't like the scribble thing" (Newton). I have heard him point out the various obstacles for a video iPod. I have heard him say "no immediate plans", but that was maybe 2 years ago? If they came out with a video iPod tomorrow, that would not contradict his saying "no immediate plans" 2 years ago.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[2nd Post!]

Probably a single Firewire cable with digital audio (compressed of course), video, and power all together?

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Anonymous Coward]

How long until they add a GSM phone to it?

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[Justabit]

I have just patented the term 'iSight' and will accept bids for it now.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[aug24]

Glasstrons. I really want something like those, and I definitely don't want the 'little glass bit over the top of one lens' that is generally available.

I spent ages a couple of years ago trying to get hold of a pair to try out, but none of the UK Sony franchises would get one without a guaranteed sale, cos they said they couldn't get them from Sony UK on 'sale or return'. Sony UK wouldn't return my calls.

So fuck 'em, I thought.

J.

Re:No adequate thing as earplugs for video

[mblase]

Does nobody remember the video googles?

Don't you mean "Video Google"?

Enough

[Anonymous Coward]

I vote that we stop giving free hype fuel for the apple hype machine.

Re:Enough

[spacedx]

Yes, you are absolutely right -- I would hate to see Slashdot praising one particular platform more than any other.

Next time just keep scrolling.

Re:Enough

[chrome]

I use a mac for work every day, but really this shit is getting ridiculous.

Its just not ... news yet! Its not even been confirmed, or announced. Its just rumours! So why feed the rumour mill?

The things that are beginning to make me stop coming here, after what, ever since /. started?

• The dupes. C'mon. If you, as an editor, can't be bothered to review the submissions properly (remember, there is only 10 or so stories a day!!!) then you, the editor, should fucking resign and let someone else who is more capable and, better yet, INTERESTED in doing the job properly.
• The sycophantic Apple loving. I like Apple kit - as I said, I use a powerbook every day - but stop stop stop stop stop reporting on every little bloody thing they do. Wait until there is actually NEWS. The whole rumour on the shift to intel had how many stories
• The quality of the stories. At the top of the page it says, "News for nerds. Stuff that matters.". Not "News linked to from The Register" or "News linked to from Anandtech" or "News aggregator for anime stuff". There are many, many good news aggregators out there now, people who want to have aggregated news feeds WILL USE A NEWS AGGREGATOR. Slashdot should be original news. Stuff that everyone else isn't reporting on. The stories on the ethanol (while a dupe from a couple of weeks back, and nothing had changed since then) were interesting, for example, and provoked really quite interesting discussion. But no, we have to see more "Apple suck!" comments because someone has helped feed Apple hypemachine yet again.

I've had enough. I don't know why I keep coming back, but I think it's because sometimes, once in 20 or 30 stories posted, there is actually something interesting there that someone has gone out of their way to research and follow through on.

Re:Enough

[justforaday]

If you leave can I have your UID? : D

Re:Enough

[chrome]

hahaha :)

No :)

As much as I'm hating /. these days, I keep coming back for punishment ... unfortunately its a habit now.

Re:Enough

[NeutronCowboy]

Here's a solution - don't come every day. Or better, don't read every story. Do you complain when cnn.com doesn't have an interesting story everyday? Do you complain when not every story in your news aggregator is relevant to you? I can tell you why you're coming back, because it is the same reason I and everyone else keeps coming. For every 20 useless dupes and boring stories, there's something here that isn't picked up anywhere else - or even used by others as a news item (cough*economist*cough). Or even better - submit your own stories.

Re:Enough

[cakesy]

Come on, there is nothing wrong with a Juicy rumour. And say what you like, I thought the last ipod discussion minutes ago was actually one of the more interesting reads of late. Lots of people talking about why it would work, and why it wouldn't. It actually got me thinking about it a lot, something I wouldn't usually spurn a thought over. And I don't even like macs, don't own an ipod. But if it automatically downloaded content overnight for you to view on the journey to work, I think it will find a place.

Re:Enough

[blonde rser]

There are many, many good news aggregators out there now, people who want to have aggregated news feeds WILL USE A NEWS AGGREGATOR. Slashdot should be original news.

But couldn't I just as easily say "There are many, many good original news feeds out there now, people who want to have original news WILL USE AN ORIGINAL NEWS FEED. Slashdot should be news aggregator."

Admittedly I haven't used slashdot for as long as you have but in my recollection it hasn't changed considerably over the years. And it's not like the name "slashdot" suggests it should be anything else than what it is. It's always seemed to me that slashdot's mission is simply to post stories for discussion that the editors would like to post. Yes that is an incredibly narcissistic mission but it turns about people have shown up in the 1,000's to discuss these stories. Just because slashdot is popular it "should" have to change what it does?

Re:Enough

[drotobuso]

The hype machhine is phenomenal, but this is more than hype, this is a step towards the "digital living room." There is a race on to get to the "digital living room" first - a little company called Microsoft is also involved - and it's fascinating to watch the real developments (new products) and the "hype" (news releases about potential products). Apple is winning the race, BTW. The hype is intended to rattle the competition as well as excite the faithful. One way to enjoy the Apple hype is to watch MS and other competitors react to it. - drotobuso http://icold.blogspot.com/

Re:Enough

[FLAGGR]

The whole rumour on the shift to intel had how many stories

It was a rumour for about 1 or 2 stories, before it was confirmed. So, the Intel move isn't a rumour. Furthermore this ipod video stuff has real evidence if you RTFA.

Alas, I agree with you on everything else. I'm using a mac mini right now, when I first got it I was happy /. had so many Apple stories, until I realized most were boring. Slashdot is cool the way it is, even with the dupes (hey, sometimes I miss things the first time around. ex there was an interesting article about 'how to use a computer' circa 1970's awhile ago, which was a dupe from before I arrived here. All original to me) and just regurgettating news is fine, because then it's all in one tiny place for lazy me to check. Also, I get to post on slashdots *wonderful* forums! And shit, get modded completly offtopic.. damn.

Re:Enough

[shotfeel]

I vote that we stop giving free hype fuel for the apple hype machine.

I agree. Let's get back to real stuff like Longhorn, an easy to use Linux GUI, and all that SCO code in the Linux kernal!

\... Runs and hides.

Re:Enough

[Leroy_Brown242]

"Its just not ... news yet! Its not even been confirmed, or announced. Its just rumours! So why feed the rumour mill?"

Because we eat it up, every single time.

Every time they post a story like this, there and hundreds upon hundreds of responces.

Supply and demand. . .

Re:Enough

[aaarrrgggh]

While I agree with you in concept (the quality of stories has been getting worse, and the dupes have always been and continue to be insane), /. has an advantage over many of the rumor sites for discussing Apple rumors:

-Technically stronger user base, not just apple fanboys in discussion.
-More mature user base; not just a bunch of teeny-boppers talking about how l33t something is.
-Moderation system and nested/threaded discussion options. /. should cut back on some of the rumors, or at least keep minor rumors off the front page. At the same time, a lot of apple fans think something big is coming out soon, and can't contain their excitement.

All in all, /. does a better job than any of the other sites I look at out there... but that isn't to say that there is no room for improvement.

Re:Enough

[soft_guy]

And since the grandparent post is interested in important things and Stuf That Matters don't forget that:

In Soviet Russia, real stuff gets back to you!

Re:Enough

[chrome]

Maybe that one story in 10 or 20 is why I keep coming back.

I just guess I'm expecting too much from the editors to get that signal to noise ratio modified upwards a little :)

Re:Enough

[chrome]

But couldn't I just as easily say "There are many, many good original news feeds out there now, people who want to have original news WILL USE AN ORIGINAL NEWS FEED. Slashdot should be news aggregator."

No, not really.

The whole point about /.'s news submission system is that there are thousands of people every day submitting stories. Of those thousands, 15 or 20 get picked. My main complaint is that rather than picking stories that have had thought put into them, the editors choose stories that are just dupes of old stories or, worse, clickfests from other news sites. And I'm sick of needing to use bugmenot to log into the NYT.

The point you hit on there about the discussions. Yes. Thats one good point. /. discussions invariably have one or two incredibly interesting posts that are relevant and contribute something to the whole. Its worth scanning through and looking for the more interesting comments at times.

I guess this is a problem with age. As you get older you look on the past with rose tinted glasses and think "back when I was a lad, /. was actually cool and relevant! Now its just a sycophantic clickfest of dupes!". *sigh*.

Re:Enough

[chrome]

Well, I agree with you there.

Like I said in a previous comment, I think my main issue here is looking back at things with rose tinted glasses.

Still, there is room for improvement. A site redesign wouldn't bloody hurt either. Gah! :)

ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[jmp_nyc]

While I wouldn't want to watch feature films on a 45 minute bus ride to work, it would be great to have a podcast of the hilights of last night's games to watch...
-JMP

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[NickCatal]

Video podcasts would be great! 3G service providers are already doing this, but the quality on an iPod would be much better than a streaming media file. The question then becomes: How much would you be willing to pay the wonderful folks at Disney for the service?

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[buro9]

I used to work for Premium TV and was the poor bugger largely responsible for creating their searchable video archive which included the ability to create videos from clips of soccer games.

Basically video arrived in and was edited down to highlights, and meta data applied to describe each clip within that highlight. The video and meta data is then uploaded, and the end user can search it to watch a specific clip or construct their own highlights packages (want to build a movie of your 20 favourite goals ever? sure thing, etc).

Anyway... this was all designed for the web. The problem that we encountered that I think will be encountered here is the usefulness of the web to display content that has been created for a different medium.

Film of soccer games was specifically created to be viewed on a television. With various presumptions about the size of a viewers TV set.

When reduced in size to fit within a 320x240 area on a web page, and then encoded to be streamable and downloadable with convenience, what do you think happens?

Well firstly, that player who looked huge is only an inch high. Next that white ball he was kicking has become a dot. The ball disappears occasionally. The picture is mostly green.

What needed to be done is that the video should have been reshot with the destination in mind. Wide shots of the pitch do not work when you have a few inches of available on the viewable device. Fast action moments (when most of the skill and elegance of a player is executed) blurs and is not clear when encoded too much.

The same thing applies to almost any other sport.

And importantly... it applies to music videos.

Most music videos are designed for TV playback, a large viewing area. They will not instantly work when transferred to a very small screen. Though they do have a better chance than films which were designed for even larger viewing areas.

On a tangent, Premium TV now work with Playboy TV and the searchable archive I created has been refactored to accomodate porn. Now that is true recognition of the value of the tool I built ;)

On another tangent, imagine video podcasts. Especially when combined with the "build your own highlights" type thing that I mentioned above. iPods would be good devices for talking heads, and to construct documentaries and news from multiple sources and catch up on the latest on the way to work would be cool.

So not all great, but there are some silver linings to such a product.

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[Fahrvergnuugen]

"the searchable archive I created has been refactored to accomodate porn."

Okay, stop holding out on us... Link please?

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[jmp_nyc]

The problem that we encountered that I think will be encountered here is the usefulness of the web to display content that has been created for a different medium.

A good test would be the subscriber statistics from MLB.tv, where Major Leage Baseball allows people to subscribe for a day, month, or full season to watch games live via Real or WindowsMedia. It's far from perfect watching a baseball broadcast designed for tv shown in a 320x240 window, but the number of people who come back and pay again after paying for a single day or single month is probably a good predictor of how many fans would be willing to watch hilights on the sort of screen a vPod is likely to have.
-JMP

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[buro9]

Okay, stop holding out on us... Link please?

You could've guessed it!
http://www.playboy.co.uk/
Of course, it's a paid for subscription product. And no, I'm not giving out free passes or anything... but I know the guys that work there still, and if enough of you want it I could ask them about a load of free trial accounts or something.

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[karnal]

a load of free trial accounts

Ew. Pun intended?

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[Fahrvergnuugen]

Trials? Sure :)

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[Anonymous Coward]

I hate when films are reframed for television. It's just not the original work of art anymore. Exacly the same for sound doubling.

Re:ESPN content, now there's something useful...

[Anonymous Coward]

my heart skipped a beat when i saw the URL you have listed under your username -- the bowlie belle & sebastian forum is one of my favorite places on the internet

Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[Willeh]

Not to sound all doomy & gloomy here, but i seriously question the appeal of video clips on an ipod. Are people really going to sit in the subway/ train and look at britney spears strut her stuff on a teeny tiny screen? For (rumor) 2 bucks a pop?

Especially when MTV and VH1 already pump out the same drek day in, day out.

Ofcourse this is a double edged sword, if the ipod plays itunes clips only that severely limits the appeal (i sure as hell won't pay for videoclips) of the vPod. Then again if the vPod is as open as the iPod is (calm down, ogg users) then Apple stands to gain almost nothing in the way of being a new contect provider.

And i don't think videoclips will be the new iTunes hot item. People want to pay for music because they've been doing it for decades and they are inherently lazy. Clicking together a few songs to listen on the commute to work is a whole different ballgame than downloading videoclips at an even higher pricepoint, especially when this is a "new" type of content. A type of content which has a too narrow appeal of the same techno hipster show-offs who insist they keep their iPod mini's in their hands so they can show it off to the world.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[jasongetsdown]

Especially when MTV and VH1 already pump out the same drek day in, day out.

You've seen music videos on MTV/VH1? All I get is yet another episode of Real World Road Rules Challenge or I Love the Seventies.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[Eclypser]

Especially when MTV and VH1 already pump out the same drek day in, day out.

Was this comment made 5 years ago. MTV and VH1 haven't shown music videos in at least that long. A video iPod might actually make it so people get to watch music videos again.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[LanMan04]

Did you think people would pay $2 or $3 for a 20 second, polyphonic ringtone? Never underestimate the public's need to consume media.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[AtariAmarok]

"Especially when MTV and VH1 already pump out the same drek day in, day out." The only way the video iPod could compete with MTV in its field would be if it was capable of storing and playing a 48-hour "Road Rules" marathon.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[bokmann]

I have given up all hope of trying to predict this stuff afterlearning that ringtones... RINGTONES!!!! are a 3 BILLION+ industry per year.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[Anonymous Coward]

Watching video on a handheld device is already a very common practice in parts of the world where people spend a lot of time on mass transit. Though in the U.S. we drive more than average, there are plenty of people who commute by subway or train.

Also, that MTV/VH1 material that you and I consider drek is very popular with many people.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[BronxBomber]

A type of content which has a too narrow appeal of the same techno hipster show-offs who insist they keep their iPod mini's in their hands so they can show it off to the world.

I keep my mini out because I look like I'm reaching for my twigs and berries through my pocket while I'm fumbling for the next track button.

For me, while not the techno hipster, its mostly just to avoid an indecent exposure rap

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[Walrus99]

I know, I posted this link yesterday, but Cringely thinks that Apple is moving towards providing a retinal scan with the iPod. Brittany Spears projected right into your eyeball! And you thought cell phones were a distraction while driving.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[StarManta.Mini]

Then again if the vPod is as open as the iPod is (calm down, ogg users) then Apple stands to gain almost nothing in the way of being a new contect provider.

Wanna bet? By your logic, iTunes should be selling its fourteenth song right now - not its half billionth.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[sjwaste]

Ha. I second that. I keep my ipod out because I flip songs a lot. I don't like listening on "random" and I'm too impulsive to make playlists.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[luna69]

> Not to sound all doomy & gloomy here, but i
> seriously question the appeal of video clips on an
> ipod.

Agreed.

As I wrote in the comments on the site in TFA:

This thing will be nifty and all, from a geek tech fetish sort of standpoint, but I have to wonder... ...what the hell use will it be for anyone old enough to have a life outside of watching music videos? As noted above, it'll be useless to watch films on, too small and underpowered to be useful for any sort of in-the-field DV watching/storing/editing, and now that broadcast is dead, won't even be as useful as the (never very useful) Sony Watchman back in the day.

Oh, he'll sell a bunch initially to the kind of people who bought the 1st-gen iPod Photo, but unless it has some other MAJOR selling point besides watching short form video (telephone? PDA?), it'll fly like a (beautifully-designed) lead brick.

I'm sure not going to pay several hundred dollars just to watch Amanda Congdon on the bus. I prefer to do that in the privacy of my own home. Heh.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[UttBuggly]

Apple Schmapple....I could care less. I have an iPod Shuffle...the wife has a Mini. We like them but they haven't made us raving syncophants for the cult of Steve. I want two (2) two stinkin' things that no one, including the fruit guys, have managed to produce. 1) A portable device for watching TV and/or movies in COLOR with reasonable fidelity. No, the Sony PSP ain't it. 2) An actual eBook. A device for reading books, magazines, and my own documents from work, etc. that is viewable on a plane or in the car and dirt simple to use. No, I don't need 1 & 2 in one device...they're different needs and should probably be unique to each other. If Apple or *GASP* Microsoft comes up with something like that, they have my money! :o)

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[MustardMan]

...if the vPod is as open as the iPod is (calm down, ogg users) then Apple stands to gain almost nothing in the way of being a new contect provider.

Wait a minute, you're implying that having the video ipod as open as the ipod, in other words capable of playing a few other common formats, will make apple unable to become a new content provider? Funny, I heard people say the same thing when they found out the ipod plays MP3's, and that didn't stop apple from selling a half billion songs via itunes. The quality of the experience and the integration between components has been where apple excels for a long time. People are willing to pay extra for convenience. And, as others have pointed out, the ringtone industry has proven people will play a lot for stupid shit.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[The Cydonian]

Guess you folks in the US are slightly behind in this respect, but out here in Asia, the shift to portable movies has already happened. Most office-goers around me spend time on their morning commute watching video on their PDA's, smart-phones, DVD players and portable media players, mostly by some creative re-rendering

Essentially, don't think "Britney Spears' new video", or "Sin City", but "the latest Smallville episode".

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[kyojin the clown]

i have the orange SPV C500 smartphone. i installed betaplayer and a 512MB miniSD card, and i use it to watch last nights news (captured on my homebrew DVR) on my tube ride in every morning. its bloody great.

yes, smartphone, homebrew DVR etc sounds ultra geeky, but now its set up the capturing etc etc is all automatic. all i have to do is click a few buttons before i get in the shower in the morning and it transfers the video to the phone over bluetooth. im very happy with the video quality, i have used the device to watch a few movies even.

i dont think i could be bothered to carry a seperate device about with me for video, but snice i have the phone on me anyway, its pretty much perfect.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[needacoolnickname]

I think that's only because the companies dupe people into subscribing to their service by ordering one ringtone. Since it takes time to see the charges on the bill and then cancel they do make some money.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[cowscows]

Ringtones aren't about listening to music though, they're about personalizing your phone. It's different. Although it's still ridiculous how much it costs.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[bleaknik]

No, but I guess that's why my phone supports Bluetooth... Stupid Ignorant people who feed the corporate machine by paying lots of money for overpriced MIDIs........................

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Or how about that episode of LOST you missed last week for $1.99?
Or how about a whole season of the Simpsons for $9.99?

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[madgamer]

what perks my interest is the fact that i used to love watching music videos. unfortunately, mtv and vh1 are now the last channels one would turn to for music videos. provide me with a video podcast of a mix of the latest music videos and some great classics and i am sold. it's a great way to sample new music and see some cool narrative filmmaking (though a lot of music videos suck these days, it makes discovering a really good one worthwhile).

there are some classic videos that i would definitely pay money to own. from the perspective of an ipod owner, this would only make sense if the next ipod would have dvi or hdmi output.

and frankly, i can't wait for it to come out so some brilliant person out in geek-land can hack it for interactivity so that one day i can play dragon's lair on my 4g ipod.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[TractorBarry]

Spot on.

And the reason that "movies", "pop videos" and "sports clips" on phones" etc. are being touted ? Because the company execs are overwhelmingly middle aged, middle class males and that's what they understand.

So as usual something will come along that people like to do with portable phones/video players and the fat old baldies will once again whine, scream and pay their "elected representatives" to enshrine their right to your money in law.

Same as it ever was...

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[cmdr_beeftaco]

Especially when MTV and VH1 already pump out the same drek day in, day out.
I watch MTV and VH1 several hours a day and was not aware they play music videos. They play about as many videos as clearchannel radio plays songs.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[rob_squared]

It's also VERY confusing. Because with the right phone, you can download MIDIs yourself from the internet, or even use the clips they have in MP3 format on walmart.com.

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[blueturffan]

I keep my mini out because I look like I'm reaching for my twigs and berries through my pocket while I'm fumbling for the next track button.

Twigs?

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[Anonymous Coward]

Or upload your own MP3's or MIDI files from your computer. If you want ringtones but really don't want to fork over cash for them, it's not that hard. The biggest difficulty is usually finding a phone->serial or phone->USB cable.

Plus, your ringtones will sound different enough that you'll know when someone is calling you, vs. the other 10 people around with phones. After all, how many people nearby would have a phone that plays Mindless Self Indulgence?

Re:Music videos are the new mp3? I think not.

[Anonymous Coward]

I already do this with a sony psp and a mythtv setup that transcodes tv shows with ffmpeg

Is there demand?

[illtron]

While I occasionally see gadget-obsessed teenagers whining for something like this, I really wonder if there's any real demand.

If the iPod has the raw power to play video, I see no reason why Apple shouldn't put the software on it to do so. At the same time, I think that a lot of companies and people are overestimating the appeal of watching pirated movies on a 2-inch screen.

On the other hand, video podcasts would be nice.

On the other other hand, if Apple expects anybody to actually watch video (not just as a novelty), they're going to have to rethink the external interface of the iPod. You can't have a good sized screen and the vertical orientation of the device like it is now. There will have to be some big changes, and I really wonder if Jobs is willing to do that.

Re:Is there demand?

[Anonymous Coward]

How many hands do you have?

Re:Is there demand?

[NickCatal]

If the iPod has the raw power to play video, I see no reason why Apple shouldn't put the software on it to do so. None of the current gen ones don't have the power required to display video. A hardware (H.264?) decoder would most likely be required and thus new iPods would need to be released.

Re:Is there demand?

[Anonymous Coward]

I think that apple have already started to look at alternate forms for the ipod ... I remember a bit a go seeing some patent applications for a tablet like device maybe it was for the ipod video? Granted it I would pretty much never carry such a behemoth around with me but there must be appeal somewhere... Also it is possible at the moment to pipe out of an ipod, my 30gb photo will (if I have the right adapter) show my pics on a TV ... maybe its closer than we think?

Re:Is there demand?

[wootest]

I'm personally concerned, more than the size of the screen, battery life (every full-size iPod provides "up to" 5 hours of "slideshows with music") and acquiring content, about the hard drive. Will these smaller hard drives hold up to the high activity over time? Even with efficient codecs like H.264, DivX or XviD or what have you, most clips would probably be big enough to not fit in cache, which would mean, performance-wise, kicking the HD in the fucking nuts.

Re:Is there demand?

[misterpaperknife]

Does anyone that owns a PSP watch video on it? Somehow I doubt it. Though, my boss's son was desperately trying to rip DVDs and the put them on magic sticks to play on his PSP. He was very disappointed when I explained to him there was no way a full movie would fit on a 256mb flash card in a form even remotely entertaining.

Re:Is there demand?

[jasongetsdown]

I've seen a few people on the train during my morning commute watching what appear to be music videos. Far more often they are playing games with annoying sound effects without the courtesy of using headphones.

Re:Is there demand?

[SneakyNinja]

I do. I ripped by boxed set of 24 Season one to PSP compatable video. Each episode is about 100Mb, so with a little tweaking, you could probably get a movie into 256Mb.

Re:Is there demand?

[swissfondue]

I could envisage watching rocketboom or any other short newscast on a small screen. But that about sums it up.

Re:Is there demand?

[Anonymous Coward]

on the other hand...

on the other hand...

How many hands do you have?!

Re:Is there demand?

[toddestan]

He was very disappointed when I explained to him there was no way a full movie would fit on a 256mb flash card in a form even remotely entertaining.

I've seen 700MB Xvid encodes that were acceptable on a regular computer monitor. Surely for something as low res as a the PSP, an encode 1/3 the size would be fine.

Re:Is there demand?

[The Cydonian]

I don't know if this works for PSP's or not, but yup, it *is* possible to fit a full movie on a 256MB flash card. The concept is to re-render the movie to fit smaller screens; this apparently saves you a lot of space.

Re:Is there demand?

[radish]

Well I watch video on my PSP. Given it's screen size and the codecs in use, 200mb/hr is plenty for really good quality video. If you were happy losing a bit of quality you could easily get a regular length (90min) movie on a 256mb stick - although not LOTR of course.

Re:Is there demand?

[illtron]

Never enough.

Re:Is there demand?

[Refrag]

Changes? There don't have to be any changes. The Ipod's interface is Firewire and has more than enough bandwidth to stream video to an external device.

Re:Is there demand?

[RareEYE]

I agree that I don't like watching movies on small screens there seems to be a portion of the public that does. Take a look at folks purchasing UMD format movies for thier PSP's.

Re:Is there demand?

[mweier]

The biggest change need I can imagine is a larger screen. I would love to be able to watch media on the bus every morning/evening (that's a good hr/day of media I'm missing video on :).

The Archos video players and PSP's already exist, why is it such a big deal that Apple will finally think about following suit? It makes sense, given that Quicktime has been one of the oldest enduring cornerstones to their infiltration of computing on all platforms.

It also makes sense, given that videos can play in iTunes now.

A much bigger advance would be if Apple could figure out how to make Xvid video with MP3 audio play back natively in Quicktime without all the 3rd party dickery that's currently required. Until then I'm looking at having to transcode on hulluva lot of media to H264 (or whatever they use).

Re:Is there demand?

[illtron]

Then what's even the point? Why not just stick video on a DVD player and not have to worry about it. I used to work at Best Buy. People are morons. The average idiot was too stupid to hook up a DVD player when all they had to do is match up colors. Do you think the average person will have any desire to figure out how to hook up an iPod to a TV? They use the iPod because it's simple. I doubt any do that with their photos now. Yes, you can listen to your music through a stereo by hooking the iPod up to one, but most people carry them for listening on the go or in their car. Like I said earlier, if the iPod has the horsepower to play videos, Apple should add the software, and I think that video out would be a great thing to add too. But absolutely Apple is going to get laughed at if they think that that's what people want in a video iPod. Those would be nice features, but a real video iPod will require a screen worth watching, and that will require some changes to the outside of the iPod.

Re:Is there demand?

[illtron]

I think it's a safe bet that a video iPod will support everything that Quicktime supports. They may try to push content providers toward H.264, but they know they need to support what's out there, although I doubt that will include pirated movies.

the ge annual report had info on this

[droops]

this is a pic with a video ipod pictured, from the ge annual report that a listener to my show submitted. now its a mini, so this may just be annual report fluff. http://infonomicon.org/images/ge.jpg

Re:the ge annual report had info on this

[GarfBond]

I think it's fairly obvious those are photoshopped in for the purposes of looking nice and trumping up the company.

Movies are Shared Experiences

[reporter]

Movies are shared experiences. Most people watch movies as a group so that they can laugh together or cry together, at each entertaining scene that unfolds on their television or the silver screen.

When the video cassette recorder (VCR) became popular and economical, theater owners issued dire warnings that the end of the theater was at hand. These warnings were wrong. People go to the theater for reasons beyond just viewing the latest movie. People patronize the theater for social reasons; it is a place to enjoy a shared experience with your friends.

For this reason, the video iPod will not rival the success of the audio iPod. Music is something that many people enjoy by themselves. Witness all the cars equipped with stereos: the lone occupant of the car listens to music on her way to and from work.

The only exception to the above reasoning is pornography. Many people do, indeed, watch pornographic movies alone.

Here's an idea. To spur sales of the video iPod, Apple could offer 10 free jars of Vaselino for each purchase of a video iPod.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[ziggamon2.0]

You are of course right, but don't underestimate the need for video portability:

Whenever you travel (long distance), be it bus, train or plane, people tend to look at a tiny little screen at a long distance, watching some crappy romantic comedy chosen by the stuardesses. Now - you and your traveling partner can easily watch the videos you brought on your iPod. Isn't that worth something?
When travelling short distance, a video iPod wouldn't be bad either, would you not want to checkout the last episode of [Lost/24/Friends/Whatever you watch] in the train on your way to work/school? That's right.

Of course, the need for portable video is far less than for portable audio, but it still exists, and is probably enough to make a video iPod profitable!

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[LutzWalsh]

I disagree... I hat watching movies/tv-series with company, I'd rather watch them my self, and I know I'm not the only one.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[PakProtector]

Music is something that many people enjoy by themselves. Witness all the cars equipped with stereos: the lone occupant of the car listens to music on her way to and from work.

Yep, when you're right, you're right. There's nothing like listening to someone enjoy their music in their car on their loud-ass stereo and their insanely loud base that's rattlin' my fillin's.

Yep, they're certainly enjoying it by themselves, 'cause me and the other commuters who can't hear ourselves think aren't.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[Anonymous Coward]

When the video cassette recorder (VCR) became popular and economical, theater owners issued dire warnings that the end of the theater was at hand. These warnings were wrong.

Not to say that it was right at the time, but DVDs have been bringing about the fall of movie theaters. It may be due to the fact that DVDs for some movies can be had less than 6 months after it comes out in the movie theater. Also, the home theater is now becoming a reality with everyone (or at least everyone that went to the movie theater) having 5.1+ surround sound, DVD players, and a HDTV at home.

You talk a lot about shared experiences, but how about just good old TV? How many times did you and your friends/family gather around and watch one TV show together that wasn't during a meal time? BTW, a video iPod does not mean that the video can/will be displayed on its screen, but it can be output to a TV for instance. Also, look at the surprising success of the PSP's UMD video sales as part of the future (when everyone thought UMD was going to be another Betamax).

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[TimTheFoolMan]

But aside from porn...

Tim

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[dema]

Movies are shared experiences. Most people watch movies as a group so that they can laugh together or cry together, at each entertaining scene that unfolds on their television or the silver screen.

You could say the exact same thing about music. Most people I know love to share music with friends and expose one another to new bands/sounds. This type of "private vs. group" idea can be applied readily to both movies and music. I enjoy watching certain movies with friends, and certain movies on my own -- and the exact same goes for listening to music.

While I agree that a video iPod may not match the success that the audio iPod has, I would say that's only because the market is already full of iPods (:

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[LutzWalsh]

... funny ;), I meant Star Trek/StarGate of course

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[mobosplash]

But movies aren't the only kind of video content. The podcasting phenomenon shows a much more likely video scenario. I use my ipod and podcasting subscriptions to keep up with a lot of radio shows I would normally miss. I think the most popular "vpod" content will be time shifting short format news and sports highlights and opinion to watch on the train/bus or on breaks. This content works fine on a small screen.

The other big thing will be videos of the kids, which ties right into the iMovie thing that Apple is already into.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[LS]

You're totally wrong on this. I'm sure you've been to a symphonic concert or a live rock show or whatever. Music is meant to be heard live with people around you. Listening alone to a recording is SO much weaker, but we often have no other choice than to do so. Don't you ever wish your friend is there during your favorite part of a song so they can experience the same adrenalin/seratonin rush as you?

I think the real difference between video and music is that you can do other things while listening to music, but you can't do anything else while watching video. If anything, music is MORE of a group activity.

LS

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[The Cydonian]

People patronize the theater for social reasons; it is a place to enjoy a shared experience with your friends.

See, taht's where the argument breaks down. You automatically assume "watching video" equates to "watching movies". Not always true; people have television sets in their bedrooms for a reason. (And the reason is not necessarily porno).

To spur sales of the video iPod, Apple could offer 10 free jars of Vaselino for each purchase of a video iPod.

Guess we're in different markets (and cultures, perhaps), but I don't know, I somehow keep thinking that Apple has, in fact, no choice but to add video to an iPod.

I mean, think about it; when you now have smartphones with capacities of a gig and above that play movies and songs rather well, why would anyone want to buy a 20+ gig device that plays music alone? iPod's form factor is, naturally, a significant point here, but still, it can take Apple only so much; after a point, features will become important.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[syphaxplh]

While you are partly right about movies often being a shared experience, it need not always be so. Plenty of people view movies alone, particularly in cases where such movies have limited appeal. For instance, I happen the think the Road to Wellville is one of the best movies ever, while not many people I know share this opinion. No matter, because I enjoy it, and if I feel like watching it on my own (perhaps even in a semi-social setting) a portable video device would allow me to do so. Nevertheless, it seems rather short-sighted to assume that movie content is really the best use for portable devices - I would venture to say, as have others, that short news-oriented, special interest, and other very focused content would be the domain of the Video iPod. What about language tutorials for travelers and other educational content? That could be very useful. Such things are already appearing in the audio podcast arena.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[bleaknik]

I think that portable video players and their providers are (generally speaking) missing a huge potential market.

The iTunes music store (iMovie music store?) should start selling shorter video clips. I'm not talking about music videos, instead I'm talking more like an episodes of Family Guy, the Simpsons, Frasier, Seinfeld, etc. [insert any 30 minute sitcom into this cookie cutter mold]. People are willing to pay $40 for a full season of many of these shows on DVD. Seasons typical consist of 26 or so episodes, so if these were to be sold at $2 a pop, and money could still be made. Of course, this fills the (perceived) needs of many--they get to watch their favorite shows at their leisure, when and where they want. And if Apple were to post those shows the night the episode is aired, people would eat it up.

Hell, the thing that pissed me off about Enterprise (I'm not starting a flame about said show) was that they kept moving it around... Wednesdays, Thursdays (I think), and then Fridays. Wednesdays and Thursdays I could watch it... but Fridays I was always busy. /shrug. (Assuming I didn't know about bittorrent...) If I missed an episode, I could have just pulled open the Apple store, copy it to my iPod, and watch it at my convenience.

This sort of content could easily fill your iPod, and it could revolutionize the TV show distribution business. I see a potential market for this swiss army knife of media players being huge, especially if coupled with a successful, intuitive piece of software that Apple has been known to deliver (not trying to start a more different flame, but iTunes is one of the most intuitive media player's I've used).

But then again, maybe i'm just fantasizing.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[bleaknik]

There's nothing like listening to someone enjoy their music in their car on their loud-ass stereo and their insanely loud base that's rattlin' my fillin's.

All your bass are belong to us. :)

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[PakProtector]

Sir, I have a wisdom tooth that is broken in half and it will not come out, nor can I have it removed. I apologise for the lack of spell-checking, but I'm rather loopy at the moment.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[Anonymous Coward]

Social? Friends?

As a Slashdot reader, these strange concepts frighten and confound me.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[bleaknik]

I'm sorry, Sir, if I have offended you. I was not intended to offend you, rather I just wanted to make a shameless "All Your Base" reference. :)

Good luck with the tooth. I had one of 'em... They suck.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[PakProtector]

You didn't offend me. It's very hard to offend me. Atleast, it's hard to make me angry. The tooth was just particularly painful at that moment and it was manifesting its will, as I do believe it has come alive and is truely some sort of parasite, and is slowly invading my brain via the nerves that go through the jaw, to be known.

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[bleaknik]

Ahh Yes. The damned Teeth-shaped Parasites. They are vicious demons, especially towards the later levels. They once harvested endorphins from my body, and then I became enraged. I tried to defend myself with Resta, but it did me little good. I found my only ailment was the bottle of spoiled rum. And then I died. I was lucky I had another man, otherwise I wouldn't be able to post on slashdot today. ;)

Re:Movies are Shared Experiences

[PakProtector]

Reminds of the time Zoidberg ate me.

Zoidberg: Woo woo woo wooo!

arg... this is not new tech

[idiotdevel]

man... there already is video playing on the original ipod: http://ipodlinux.org/Video_Player I'm masturbating to videos on it right now... it's not bad with the backlight turned on - almost seems like there is color; I could use computer, but this is just so damn cool

Re:arg... this is not new tech

[TeknoHog]

I'm masturbating to videos on it right now...

Thanks for sharing that wonderful thought. I really needed to know that. ;)

Re:arg... this is not new tech

[ekgringo]

Isn't there a "Too much informative" mod?

Re:arg... this is not new tech

[jambarama]

That is the funniest "informative" I've ever seen.

Subscription Service

[Lord Phaeton]

Although I don't see the sale of music videos taking off, I can see a subscription based service doing well. If apple were to create something akin to Avantgo, where people could set preferences of the type of content they would like to receive I think it would be well received. One could sync their Ipod before going to work and watch News/Entertainment clips on the subway/bus.

Who said video is for an iPod?

[amichalo]

What I don't get is how these analysts are making the leap that because Apple is negotiating video content, it must be for the iPod.

OS X Tiger shipped with Quicktime 7, and H.264 which delivers awesome HD video. Slap a beefier processor in the Mac mini that can keep up and you have yourself an Apple DVR.

MP3s. AAC. Music Videos. Disney Cartoons. The Matrix Reloaded Again For The Second Time. What have you. It will play it all.

So enough of this "Apple selling video = iPod Video" nonsense.

Re:Who said video is for an iPod?

[TheRaven64]

Rather than a beefier CPU, I would expect an external device. Picture something like the Airport Express with a H.264 decoder chip in it. You plug it into your TV and speakers and forget about it. When you want to watch H.264 content, you stream the H.264 bytestream to the device and watch it on your TV.

Ideally also add a remote control and a browse interface so it can direct the computer to stream a specific show, pause, fast forward etc.

Re:Who said video is for an iPod?

[renderhead]

Amen! The Slashdot reaction to this information just goes to show how effective Apple's iPod marketing has been. It's taken five short years to create "Apple + multimedia = iPod" in even a techie crowd's minds.

I heard that Apple was going to start making computers, and some of them might even have monitors attached that you could use to watch video. Anyone able to confirm?

Re:Who said video is for an iPod?

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe you could also make it be able to fit into your pocket and carry it around anywhere you go. Maybe have a cool touch sensitive dial on the front and glowing screen.. hmm

Re:Who said video is for an iPod?

[Xugumad]

Sounds great. I've seen existing devices like this, but... well, lets just say, the idea of "Just works" does appeal a lot :)

In particular: If Apple can give me a device that sits underneath my TV, and let me buy episodes (or a licence to watch an episode twice) of TV shows, I'm sold. I can leave the computer to grab the few shows I like, while I'm at work, and watch them when I'm ready.

Re:Who said video is for an iPod?

[Archibald Buttle]

Agreed.

Curiously though the Mac mini has within it what appears to be most of the circuitry for an iPod dock connector.

So if we do have an Apple DVR based on the mini then the iPod would appear to have a role in this world as a portable storage unit, and for good measure it will probably also be able to play movies.

Re:Who said video is for an iPod?

[yanndug]

You are absolutely right. I don't think iPods will be the sole destination for all this content. A Video Airport Express is surely on the way also.

Re:Who said video is for an iPod?

[Absentminded-Artist]

I tend to agree with you. I used iTunes as my major jukebox for 3 years before buying an iPod a few months ago. I had been using the iTMS to purchase music from day one with no iPod to listen to them on. My iMac was my music center/world. I believe people overgeneralize when they claim iTunes exists only to sell iPods, not that there isn't a symbiotic relationship there. I use iTunes to stream music throughout my house. I use iTunes to create smartlists based on specific criteria such as genre, plus my own extensive comment markups (Moody, Sad, Upbeat, Downtempo, Angry, etc.) Even though I have an iPod I simply use iTunes more. The iPod is an extension of what I do with iTunes, not the other way around.

As for video, I bought a few videos that iTunes offered when 4.8 was released. I added some music videos to my iTunes db that I had kicking around. Music videos are cool, but I don't see them as a big buy for me. I would rather buy two songs for that $1.99 than one music video I might watch once or twice a year. But with iTunes 4.9 I replaced ANT as my permanent Vlog viewer/aggreggator. Unlike ANT on the Mac, I could watch vlogs fullscreen. This is the big shift for video in my computer use: Subscribable content via iTunes. In my opinion, this is where video in iTunes is leading up to, this is what all the talks are about, this is what the deals are being made for, not just "vPods".

Now, will Apple release a vPod? Of course they will. They have been adding features to iPods continually to keep them current and relevant. Video on an iPod is inevitable. But it will be a marketing gimmick, not a ground breaking feature. Steve Jobs is still right about portable video. How many people do you know bought a 60gb iPod Photo so they could stop jogging every 4 minutes to watch their iPod display the current song's cover art? How many people do you know who stuff their iPod Photo full of pictures. A small percentage I would hazard. Color screens on iPods are simply marketing hype at worse, a nice upgrade at best. A few people take advantage of the new features, but most still just listen to their iPods to play music. When iPods support videos there will be those who get excited about that, but most will still just listen to music on the things.

Personally, I believe Apple is just putting the infrastructure in place to support movie home delivery they way they sell music online. All this hubbub about video on iPods is just the bell and whistle to grab headlines. The real breaking news will be the movie download service. I expect that in October when they typically make big iTunes/iPod announcements.

It has more uses than MTV!

[ziggamon2.0]

Now, slashdotters need not password protect their computers so that their pr0n is not stolen, they can carry it around with them, wherever they go, safely stored in an iPod in their pocket!

Also, it will make possible this joke:
- Is that an iPod in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?
- Ehhmm... yes... glad to see... eh... you...

Re:It has more uses than MTV!

[Axis of Weasel]

and when they come out with a 700 GB iPod i'll be all set!

Eyeplugs now!

[AtariAmarok]

" They had some that you could wear and walk around, but there was a 60" tv projected in front of you"

This might cause fights in a crowded bus. Additionally, the sight of some guy walking down the street with a 5-foot-wide pornscape projected at all times in front of him will become common. You think there are a lot of complaints now over 5 INCH porn displays inside cars?

Someone needs to invent eyeplugs

Re:Eyeplugs now!

[AnObfuscator]

No, that's not how the tech works. "Video goggles" (at least, the types I've seen) don't actually project an image out in front of you. They use the glasses as a screen, and project a very tiny image on the glasses, which *looks* as big as a 60" TV, and is completely private. in a sense, they *are* "eyeplugs".

Depending on the implementation, the images have varying degrees of opacity, and with most of them, you could theoretically walk down the street while watching Futurama.

Re:Eyeplugs now!

[Cus]

... or playing pacman

Re:Eyeplugs now!

[killtherat]

Depending on the implementation, the images have varying degrees of opacity, and with most of them, you could theoretically walk down the street while watching Futurama.

Studies have shown that driving while talking on a cell phone is four time more dangerous, I can only imagine the problems involved with watching TV.
Most people can't multitask media consumption and other activities. I know that when I'm on the phone, I have to turn off the TV, other wise the person I'm talking to doesn't get a very interesting converstion ('uh huh.. uh huh.. yeah... right....')

Re:Eyeplugs now!

[AnObfuscator]

I completely agree, and have no arguement with that! that's why I mentioned "walking" instead of "driving". ;)

Re:Eyeplugs now!

[NickeB]

Depending on the implementation, the images have varying degrees of opacity, and with most of them, you could theoretically walk down the street while watching Futurama.
Stop that, you're giving me a boner here :/

Re:Eyeplugs now!

[Alan Partridge]

Media consumption?

You DO realise that the media is the thing between you and the content, right?

vPod Shuffle

[Eclypser]

So after the video iPod has been out awhile will Steve announce an ultra portable version without a screen?

Re:vPod Shuffle

[loquacious d]

You're kidding, I know, but think about how cool a video-capable shuffle would actually be. It would be like having a little DVD remote that you could carry around anywhere, plug into any TV, and watch all your movies/TV shows/iMovies/music videos/vidcasts etc. Oh, and it also plays MP3s. Brilliant!

Re:vPod Shuffle

[swiftstream]

Yes, and you'll be grateful it doesn't have a screen, because it will play the frames of the video in random order.

Creating the Demand

[GuitarNeophyte]

There are too many companies who get really famous because of the fact that they looked at the market, saw the need, and filled it. There was a need for the iPod. Apple filled it. Joy of joys. People used to take their CD-players and tape players around, but many couldn't get the full use out of them because they could only hold one CD. Radio was too restrictive because you couldn't choose the content. Enter the iPod. Nice stuff!

Enter the knockoffs. The companies that can't read the market, because they're too big to have real risk-taking guts.

Then the iPod gets big and Apple somehow loses touch with the market. It's a rarity (except for long trips and sharing with friends) that people say, "Man, I wish I could watch a video clip right now." Or at least wanting it to the point that they would pay money for each clip that they put on it. Full Movies, yes, but ESPN recaps, no (though, a few bucks for all ESPN recaps this month would be very impressive).

Step 1: Read the market
Step 2: Find what the market needs
Step 3: Do it
Step 4: Profit
Step 5: Lose the market view
Step 6: Make a new product to ride on your popularity, with a market that doesn't exist yet
Step 7: Cross your fingers

But then again, if they weren't willing to fail, they'd be in the ranks with the big dogs that we tend to not like because they don't take risks (they just copy others). So, uh, even though I won't buy one, best of luck to them. If the market isn't there, at least their operating system rocks :-)

Luke
----
Help your boss understand you: Send them to ChristianNerds.com (The Free Online Computer Encyclopedia)

Re:Creating the Demand

[toddestan]

Enter the knockoffs. The companies that can't read the market, because they're too big to have real risk-taking guts.

Apple wasn't first with the iPod, and if they do end up creating a potable video player - they won't be first with that either.

Re:Creating the Demand

[radish]

Yeah, because there were no mp3 players before the iPod. Please. Apple may have sold a gajillion times more units than anyone else but they were far from the first to come up with that idea. As for video players, again, there are already many devices out there which do everything this mythical video iPod will do. I don't think they're exactly setting the retail channel alight, but who knows what Apples marketing machine can conjure up. That's what Apple really do well - marketing.

Re:Creating the Demand

[Anonymous Coward]

First doesn't matter. Best, on the other hand, is really all that matters.

Re:Creating the Demand

[toddestan]

First doesn't matter. Best, on the other hand, is really all that matters.

Best marketed, that is.

WAIT! Re:Enough

[alexandreracine]

You are right, Is Bill Gates reading on /. ? Because if he his, we could get insides on his competition.

The end of the theatre?

[AtariAmarok]

"When the video cassette recorder (VCR) became popular and economical, theater owners issued dire warnings that the end of the theater was at hand. These warnings were wrong."

It did not happen with the VCR, but there are signs it might be happening now with its successor, the DVD. The current "Hollywood Slump" is being partially blamed on viewers wanting to view the movies on DVD in their home theatre instead. This could really put the regular ol' movie theatre into a tailspin of doom (think bowling alleys): with only arthouses and iMaxes thriving, but in much much smaller numbers.

Re:Ipod

[TheRaven64]

Its about the same when you try to describe to a mac user how they're wasting their time with their computer :P

Speaking as a Mac user, I know exactly how I'm wasting time with my computer. I'm reading Slashdot.

Ah well, back to work.

Dear Apple

[PinkX]

I've become a very loyal customer in the last 2 years. From being a lifetime PC (Linux) user I've completly made the switch, by getting an iBook G4 first and a Powerbook later. I've since then migrated all of the PCs of my small company to Mac computers, and I constantly predicate about the digital lifestyle that you promote.

However, I'd like to request you that please, please, PLEASE add gapless playing to the iPod. How good can it be to listen to the Dark Side Of The Moon (or any other Pink Floyd album for that matter) if there is a frickin' gap between every track, cutting out all the inspiration of such masterpieces. I don't mind if it's added as a global option or as some sort of metadata hack for each track, I want gapless playing on my iPod (and iTunes too).

I can't stress enough how important this feature is for me as for many other users, I think it's by far the most requested one (even than OGG playback!)

Truly yours, a happy but desperate customer.

Re:Dear Apple

[xirtam_work]

I agree with you. However, Slashdot is not the best forum for your request. There is an option in iTunes for sending feedback to Apple. Please by all means use it. I have sent several requests and much feedback to Apple this way, including asking for iPod playback of FLAC and Ogg Vorbis.

Re:Dear Apple

[PinkX]

Already did. Long time ago.

Thanks for your response.

Regards,

Re:Dear Apple

[Anonymous Coward]

Its already there, you just have to chain the tracks when you import them in itunes, unfortunately, this means you have one single file for the whole album, but thats probably what you want in those situations anyway.

You can also choose to chain just a few tracks for situations such as seques.

Re:Dear Apple

[TRRosen]

Uhhh... turn on crossfade to and set to 0 in iTunes and your ipod should do the same... problem solved

Re:Dear Apple

[aarku]

If you are speaking of mp3s, this is actually a fairly hard problem to solve perfectly due to the fact that the gaps are part of the mp3 itself. However, the Rio Karma I guess solves it all right.

Re:Dear Apple

[Anonymous Coward]

This dosent work, for a start the ipod cannot crossfade, so the ipod does not do the same. Secondly the setting crossfade to 0 second hack is not truly gapless there is a small overlap, i dont care if it sounds gapless to you it dosent sound gapless to me for dj mixes, and it drives my ears nuts.

Re:Dear Apple

[jvalenzu]

Dear PinkX;

Album rock is dead. Time to move on.

Sincerely,
Apple

Re:Dear Apple

[Anonymous Coward]

Holy OT. Mods are apprently high today (:

Re:Dear Apple

[sootman]

Good tip. Doing that brings you here:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunes.html
which lets you request new artists, etc. Changing the URL (OMG! I am teh 1337 h4x0r!!!11) to this:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipod.html
looks like a good place to request gapless playback. c'mon, everyone!

Re:Dear Apple

[Drakonian]

+5 Insightful? This is extremely off-topic. Want that feature? Code it, or get someone to code it for you, in iPodLinux. Then enjoy.

Re:Dear Apple

[Refrag]

Agreed.

Re:Dear Apple

[Refrag]

So does WinAmp.

Re:Dear Apple

[grouchomarxist]

Sign the petition.

Re:Dear Apple

[tivoKlr]

Sweet, just did it. I have the same problem with the ipod and pink floyd...

Re:Dear Apple

[tuffy]

All it takes is a glance at the mp3 format spec to realize that gaps are hard to avoid. Because each frame of an mp3 file contains exactly 1152 samples, most often you'll wind up with a frame that contains the end of the song and a bunch of silent samples to fill the rest - thus an audible gap.

To get around this, a player needs to check for silence at the end of the last frame, stop the playback of that file at that point and start playing the next file. Still, that's a nontrivial amount of logic that can be avoided just by using a less sucktastic audio format.

Re:Dear Apple

[Anonymous Coward]

The existing hardware (a single mp3 decoding chip, I think) isn't fast enough to play two mp3s at once or to switch to playing the second seamlessly. It's unlikely that there's a software fix for this, but who knows, maybe.

Ipod's new processor (likely the XScale) is fast enough to do multiple mp3s, and will allow cross fading and seamless playback.

Re:Dear Apple

[ernst_mulder]

The predecessor of iTunes didn't have this problem funny enough. I hate it as well. I sorta solved it by coding differently. When encoding a CD you can link song tracks ("Join CD tracks" menu item). The CD needs to be sorted "playing order" to be able to use it. When you do that the linked tracks will end up as one track in iTunes and therefore play continuously.

Its half a solution, because you can't play the individual songs anymore. Some of my albums are one track now (e.g. the "Since I Left You" CD by "The Avalanches").

The solution would be simple but somehow Apple doesn't see it (I complained and explained to the usual "suggestion" pages on apple.com so many times that I'm probably on their blacklist): Play a gap or a "fade" when songs are played in random order. play gap-less when the next song is the next song on the same CD. How difficult would this be to implement?

I listen to classical music a lot, try to encode something like Bach's Passions in iTunes, it's hell. I can't select individual aria's anymore because I'm forced to link them together.

Off-topic I know...

Re:Dear Apple

[Anonymous Coward]

hrrm.. ipodlinux. now that's off-topic.

Re:Dear Apple

[Tezkah]

I don't even have an iPod, but I know iTunes/iPod can already do this - hell they even list it on the main iTunes site: here

Join Tracks feature
iTunes 4 rips music seamlessly to AAC or MP3 format with a Join Tracks feature that allows you to meld two or more songs into one continuous, gap-free track perfect for listening to classical music, concept rock albums and extended dance mixes.

Ever noticed how ripping some music tracks to MP3 format creates a small gap between songs that interrupts the flow of your music? Thats because many music CDs contain songs that blend into each other, but are separated by track numbers for reference (that is, concept albums, trance/electronic mix albums, classical performances and so on). Suffer the silence no more, since iTunes 4 comes with the new Join Tracks feature that lets you rip two or more tracks as a single, uninterrupted song.

Re:Dear Apple

[Phroggy]

Still, that's a nontrivial amount of logic that can be avoided just by using a less sucktastic audio format.

Out of curiosity, would AAC fit the bill, or does it have the same issue?

Off-base...

[Anonymous Coward]

You're all missing the boat. This video thingy will be a totally new product from Apple.

Other People's Movies

[GuitarNeophyte]

You know how we've all grown to hate when we're in public places and people are sitting there, talking loudly on their cellphones?

Now, we're going to get to the point where we're sitting in public places and see all these little video screens, playing video that we can barely make out enough to know what it is, but just enough to have a shiney spot in the corner of our eye that's distracting and making it so that we can't concentrate. Marvelous.

Luke
----
Help your boss understand what you're talking about: Send them to ChristianNerds.com . We teach computers in a form so basic, even your boss will understand.

Re:Other People's Movies

[thatnerdguy]

I wouldnt want to watch video in public. I've seen someone watching a video on a PSP, and the person sitting beside her kept trying to steal a glance at the screen without being too obvious. If I was her and I caught someone doing that I'd be pissed off!

Re:Other People's Movies

[JWW]

Yes, but at least (most of the time) when people are watching movies, they aren't YELLING at the same time. ;-)

Re:Other People's Movies

[AddressException]

I wouldnt want to watch video in public. I've seen someone watching a video on a PSP, and the person sitting beside her kept trying to steal a glance at the screen without being too obvious. If I was her and I caught someone doing that I'd be pissed off!

Why would you be annoyed? You're still watching it, and your enjoyment shouldn't be affected because some of the photons that would otherwise escape to infinity (or get absorbed by some nearby atoms) are instead going into someone elses retinas.

Re:Other People's Movies

[hunterx11]

Photon infringers make such a loud point about theft being an inaccurate term not because they are truly concerned with correct use of language, but because they want to justify their own photon infringement. Photon infringement may not actually deprive the original owner of their photons, but if not for infringement, people would go out and buy their own photons. Personally, I look forward to the MPAA filing lawsuits against these photocriminals.

Re:Other People's Movies

[shmlco]

Sounds like a great conversation starter to me...

Re:Other People's Movies

[soft_guy]

"I can't help but noticing you are watching midget porn. I LOVE midget porn!"

Re:Other People's Movies

[krakelohm]

"shiney spot in the corner of our eye that's distracting and making it so that we can't concentrate" ... what are you a goldfish?

Re:Other People's Movies

[broody]

Where do you live?

Four out of the last five trips I have taken have had someone sitting in the terminal watching a video. Last time it was "Bringing Down the House".

Gods help you if you fly at DCA or BWI.

iRiver H300

[Sidane]

The iRiver H300 series has had video on it for over a year now through a firmware upgrade, so this is nothing ground breaking. Granted it's 220x176, 10fps on a 2 inch colour screen but it's very watchable. I have several films, tv series and music videos on mine. Ok I don't use the video side of my iRiver that much, but on a long flight or train journey I would. iPod ain't the only MP3 player out there, it wins on style but for functionality it's lagging behind. Shop around people.

Re:iRiver H300

[Anonymous Coward]

Good one. I am tired watching video on my H320 already, and the iPod crowd is getting a bonner just in the anticipation of iPod video.

Remember that you are talking to iPod whores here. For them, if its not in iPod, it doesnt exist.

Just wish Apple changes the color of all iPod to pink. Fits perfectly.

Re:iRiver H300

[The Cydonian]

Oh, there are loads more; as I've been mentioning elsewhere on this thread, most smartphones in the market now can actually play video. So yes, I agree; a video iPod is no great shakes really, in fact, it's more in terms of catching up with the times.

On a slightly different note, is it me, or is Slashdot always super-negative when it comes to new portable devices? Quite a surprisingly conservative reaction, must say, especially for a self-assembled geek community. Perhaps it's got to do with a sort-of generation-gap; guess most /.-tters are in the 25-35 age group, which most decidedly puts them in a generation that didn't grow up on mobiles.

Or perhaps you guys in the US still aren't into mobiles as much we in Asia and Europe are. ;-)

Re:iRiver H300

[Anonymous Coward]

...the iPod crowd is getting a bonner

If you can't spell it, you probably wouldn't know how to use one. :-)

Who needs a screen?

[AtariAmarok]

"So after the video iPod has been out awhile will Steve announce an ultra portable version without a screen?"

Once Apple invents the eyeplug, who needs a screen?

Re:Who needs a screen?

[thadman08]

Wouldn't that be an iPlug?

Archos anyone?

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.archos.com/products/overview/av700_seri es.html?sid=j22324yfbykk4k3b42jk4y

Video isn't the killer app.

[alistair]

I don't think video is the killer app for these things, but photos are with video as a useful secondary function.

I know they have a iPod photo already, but it is essentially a iPod which happens to be able to display photos in a small screen, there photos are clearly the secondary app to music. Yet digital photography is clearly dominating the photo market but most people still struggle to find the right way to carry and display these photos. Printing them out is time consuming and expensive, either at home or the photo lab.

The ideal solution is a device with a screen of a similar size to a standard print which you can pass around friends and family to show off your collection. The interface should be so simple grandparents can use it, and Apple have a clear lead in this area. Add in an interface to iPhoto which rivals the iTunes interface and I think you have a winner.

If you can then watch movies on it then I think this will be a useful secondary app, but not what the real selling point will be for most users.

Re:Video isn't the killer app.

[AnObfuscator]

The ideal solution is a device with a screen of a similar size to a standard print which you can pass around friends and family to show off your collection. The interface should be so simple grandparents can use it, and Apple have a clear lead in this area. Add in an interface to iPhoto which rivals the iTunes interface and I think you have a winner.

Does Apple have a clear lead here? hmmm. I'm not so sure. Have you seen this?

The interface is beautiful and simple. it plays videos flawlessly, and I think it displays photos, as well... and the screen is EXACTLY what you are proposing.

Maybe Sony should work on it's target audience with the PSP...?

Re:Video isn't the killer app.

[WormholeFiend]

Maybe Sony should work on it's target audience with the PSP...?

Maybe Sony should allow people to burn their own movies on those proprietary disks, too?

When they do, I might consider buying one.

Re:Video isn't the killer app.

[solive1]

You can sync your iPod photo and automatically store the original pictures on it. That way, if you're showing your pictures to someone and they want a copy, you can hook up your iPod and get the picture off it. Now yes, it would be nice to have a nice and simple interface to do this in (maybe as an add-on to iTunes).

Someone else mentioned the PSP, which would work, but isn't ideal because of the memory stick costs (unless of course you're already using a camera that uses Memory Stick Pro Duo).

Re:Video isn't the killer app.

[AnObfuscator]

Someone else mentioned the PSP, which would work, but isn't ideal because of the memory stick costs (unless of course you're already using a camera that uses Memory Stick Pro Duo).

but memory stick prices are dropping, while growing in capacity...

also, while there is currently no UMD writer, Sony has licensed UMD tech to a number of other companies. This is paving the way for a UMD burner -- and a UMD would definitely hold enough photos.

However, I agree that an HD is the ideal storage solution... and that's part of what keeps the PSP from being the ideal "personal media center" that it comes so close to being. It's still closer than the iPod, I think.

The best thing about the iPod...

[GuitarNeophyte]

The best thing about the iPod is that you don't have to look at it. Well, that and it plays music. Remember all of the people having to get different headphones so their iPod's wouldn't get stolen? You could stick the iPod in your pocket and get on with life, while it happily lulled you into comfort with its background music or drowned out your uncomfortable surroundings with distracting foreground music.

Now, you have to look at it.

It's like they're trying to get into a small chunk of the PDA market, and a bit of the video game handheld market, but without the majority of their bonus features.

Luke
----
Teach Aunt Martha about the computer the eay way: Send her to ChristianNerds.com, the Free Online Computer Encyclopedia (written in normal-people-speak)

Re:The best thing about the iPod...

[AaronLawrence]

Why are you spamming for your site, with a signature that I can't switch off? Please don't. thanks.

Re:The best thing about the iPod...

[JWW]

It's like they're trying to get into a small chunk of the PDA market, and a bit of the video game handheld market, but without the majority of their bonus features.


PDAs are crappy at playing (and really crappy at storing) video. I'm not sure about the lifedrive, as its straying from the traditional for PDAs, but evey PDA I've had is just poor for playing video.

What I really want is something I can watch shows recorded in Myth on by using either wireless or syncing to a good sized hard drive on the unit. Oh and no I don't want to spend $700 on it either. Maybe the video iPod will get there, or maybe it a device along the path to get there. I sure hope the price is south of $700.

Re:The best thing about the iPod...

[Kesh]

I found one PDA that's great for video: the Tapwave Zodiac. Combined with TCPMP, which takes advantage of the Zodiac's ATI video chip, I can do full-screen 480x320 video at 30 FPS with a good quality MPEG-4 video.

The only drawback is that video takes up huge amounts of space on your SD cards, which are pricey. But, if you're willing to spring for 'em, there's two SD slots on the Zodiac, so you could buy a pair of cheaper cards instead of one large, expensive one.

Re:The best thing about the iPod...

[nmx]

Teach Aunt Martha about the computer the eay way: Send her to ChristianNerds.com, the Free Online Computer Encyclopedia (written in normal-people-speak)

Apparently your idea of "normal-people-speak" is baby talk and misinformation. Apparently, the motherboard of a computer goes inside the CPU and a biological virus is an "inivisible being that gets passed on from one person to another." Also, all the information stored in a computer's memory is software; there's no such thing as data.

Wow.

Televisions Shows

[NFJ25]

I would download and pay (not as much as a DVD of course) to see TV shows in a iPod/PSP... They could even be free if sponsored. It wouldn't compromise DVD sales as quality wouldn't be the same.

iPod Linux

[derEikopf]

I would like to take this wonderful opportunity to recruit for the iPod Linux crew...if they could get some more hackers, perhaps we could see video playing of ALL video files, not just DRMed videos.

Pixar - Jobs - Disney

[slapout]

This is interesting. Esp considering the recent breakup of the Disney/Pixar relationship. (Isn't Steve Jobs still a major player at Pixar?)

Re:Pixar - Jobs - Disney

[doughrama]

Yes, he is.. He owns over half the company.

Re:Pixar - Jobs - Disney

[solive1]

Actually, Disney and Pixar are planning to negotiate a new deal. Jobs hated Eisner, but is willing to work with Iger.

Re:Pixar - Jobs - Disney

[Anonymous Coward]

If you count CEO as "major player", then yes.

Hmmm

[Error629]

The Sony PSP already has this market, in my opinion, and it doesn't seem to be a very big market. I'm sure an Apple product wouldn't be as "open" as the PSP, either.

Re:Hmmm

[Axis of Weasel]

then again not having to buy proprietary memory sticks in order to watch movie sized vids may help it's chances...

Video iPod or Home Appliance?

[flanaganid]

Am I the only one who thinks that this whole idea of a "video iPod" isn't quite a tiny drive with a screen for personal use? Apple knows (and Steve Jobs has said) that the iPod isn't a worthwhile video player. But what if the video iPod isn't really an iPod as we know it? I think it's more a household appliance, likely with some kind of wireless connectivity for use with AirPort Express. Think more like a remote control with built-in content. Look at what's come up in the past. AirPort Express comes out with digital audio support, Apple claims expansion ability. Apple obtains a patent for a remote control device for home applications with wireless connectivity. Apple begins talks with audio content providers to begin to discuss the possibility of video content, after grooming them on the DRM for audio. Now they're talking to Disney. Why would Apple waste their relationships with content providers on a tiny screen? They wouldn't.

Burying the Lead

[DannyO152]

I find it more interesting that Jobs, simultaneously head of Pixar, went and discussed any thing with Iger of Disney. As we recall Pixar and Disney had an acrimonious split and this, reportedly, bothered the market and Disney shareholders. And, Eisner is still putatively running Disney, so talking things over with Iger seems to be a slap at Michael.

Time Warner would also have a huge catalog of animated shorts, so did Jobs talk to them? Have those talks stayed confidential? Could this WSJ report be placed in order to send Time Warner a message to not miss the boat? Is this a thaw in relations and reconciliation between Pixar and Disney? Is Toy Story 3 still in production? Could this be any more soap opera?

Re:Burying the Lead

[adjensen]

I find it more interesting that Jobs, simultaneously head of Pixar, went and discussed any thing with Iger of Disney.

Most of the industry scuttlebutt that I've read has it that Jobs hates Eisner and his attitude, but has nothing against the Disney company per se. It's been a good relationship, although more and more one sided as Pixar scores hit after hit and Disney puts out junk (ala Home on the Range)

That said, perhaps Steve is using such a position to his advantange... getting Disney on board with a video distribution deal would do wonders to push some others in the industry in that direction (they're likely all a little leary about dealing with Apple, given what the music industry has experienced [success, but at the price of being beholden to Apple.])

So, Steve's still looking for a Pixar distribution deal...

Disney would love to get said deal...

Eisner will be gone shortly...

"Hey, Iger. Sign an Apple video agreement, and maybe you can release the next five Pixar films."

Say hello to your new video collection.

[AHuxley]

Will Apple want to sell movies via "itunes" to just any drm 'box' that can do h.264? All that we know about owning video will change with better broadband. Adsl2 and better cable will allow any .com to put a h.264 chip in a drm box and connect it to the end of their fat pipe. A quick download and you have your new or classic movie. The trick will be how to deal with the h.264 data when it moves to the end user. That is where Apple will come in. Do you want to rent it for a day or a week in a .com black box or 'own' it on your Mac for a few $? End users want to be able to find and click on any past download and play it - just like a dvd or cd you own now. No waiting for 5 -15 min for your 'next' rental.

They already did that... at least for iTunes

[Lanoitarus]

I know the option to have no gap exists in itunes. The default is 2 seconds, but you can change it under preferences. Not sure about the ipod.

Re:They already did that... at least for iTunes

[radish]

The iPod cannot play gapless.

Re:They already did that... at least for iTunes

[Refrag]

That option isn't for playing songs in Itunes, it is for burning songs to CDs from Itunes. There is no gapless playback feature for Itunes or the Ipod.

Re:They already did that... at least for iTunes

[SmittyTheBold]

I believe it's a reference to the "crossfade" option. If you set it to zero time, you get a fairly decent approximation of gapless playback.

Handheld on the throne...

[borschski]

Phew. The *great* thing about a video iPod is that I'll no longer have to be in the bathroom trying to watch pr0n and balancing a huge laptop with one hand!

mtvpod

[pintomp3]

i hope itms doesn't go the route of mtv and start off with music videos and later keep rerunning "the real world - cupertino".

Music Videos are just the start

[xirtam_work]

I believe that Apple are using Music videos as a catalyst to start their video service off. They already have good relations with the recording companies due to the success of the iTMS. Music videos are virtually advertisements for their product.

Watching the latest movies on a portable device is not where the market will be at, unless you can plug it into your TV, Plasma/TFT or Projector. The market will be with TV shows and Video-Podcasts.

Music videos are simply a way of getting the ball running.

Response to Sony PSP?

[Mark Gillespie]

I wonder if this is Apples response to Sony PSP. Who wants an iPod that only plays music, when a PSP does that, plays video, and plays games, and has wifi, and browser, and email... Personally, I think the iPod is dead... Long live the next hi tech gadget, the Sony PSP.

Re:Response to Sony PSP?

[chan209]

The problem witht the PSP is the fact that when it comes to the music & movie features of the system both are "broken" as if you want any kind of real storage (not the 32 meg card it comes with), you need to shell out an additional $75-$150.

Re:Response to Sony PSP?

[solive1]

And if you think that the PSP is really good for anything other than playing games, you are indeed mistaken. Unless of course you want to pay for a huge memory card and then, the biggest one is 1 GB, and costs over $100. So unless you have a bunch of memory sticks, then you can only hold a relatively small amount of video at a time. So that's $350 - $400 for a PSP and 1 gig of storage space. The 20 GB iPod color is currently $300. I could reasonably see a 30 - 40 gig iPod video for $400. And yes, I do own a PSP. And I only play games on it.

Who said anything about a 2" screen? - 16x9

[infofreako]

It seems a lot of folks are making the presumption that the current iPod screen would just become color for a video iPod - is that based on anything beyond the photo iPod?

Turn your iPod sideways and flip it over to the nice chome area. I don't have mine in front of me, but I'd guess you could get a 5"-6" 16x9 screen there. Has everyone noticed Apple's dedication to HDTV protocols with iMovie, iDVD, Final Cut Pro, etc. ? Somehow it would be contrary to their mission to give a video iPod a 4X3 when everything else there doing is designed for the future (16x9).

just my 10.

-pjc

Re:Who said anything about a 2" screen? - 16x9

[riversky]

I agree, in fact I think a video iPod will be in a LARGER form factor than the music player. So not only will there be a larger 16x9 screen, the player itself will be larger. Jobs will make it large enough that you will want to watch stuff on it. Perhaps a 8" screen would lead to a thin player that actually has a large battery. The iPod form factor would die out in an hour playing HD MPEG4 content perhaps streaming over WiFi. So larger form factor for a nice sized screen and a large battery! Pehaps twice the size of a Palm.

Forget September

[intmainvoid]

It's coming on the 19th of October

And how much is this going to cost?

[ccgr]

What is the MSRP?

WTF? No Ogg Theora support?

[saddino]

Relax, I kid!

Just getting the inevitable out of the way... ;-)

Yeah...and

[Anonymous Coward]

whos going to waste money on this thing?

A direct comparison of iPod market to iVideo (or whatever) market is ridiculous IMO. Now, if they integrate it I'd understand. It's a logical next-step for an iPod I guess. As for a separate market, I don't think it would work as well. Especially seeing as how cell phones are - for the most part - ready for video content (though not the ability to store it).

As for myself, I gave away my iPod. I don't have a need for it. When I'm in my car on the way to work I listen to the radio (Stern), on the way home, WCBS news and/or WFAN sports. If it's on the weekend, I hook my laptop (I bring it everywhere anyway) up to my car stereo and play shn/flac/mp3 's that way. Total waste for me personally.

so, when's the WSJ getting sued?

[heeeraldo]

Is it just me, or has the WSJ taken over Apple rumor-mongering? They already have a better track record than ThinkSecret... Nick DePlume must be pissed

anything?

[jafac]

Actually, since Apple switched to Intel chips, basically, any crazy rumor anyone told me about Apple now, I'm likely to believe.

For instance, you could tell me that Steve Ballmer inserted a brain parasite into Steve Jobs' ass, and now Steve Jobs is Microsoft's puppet, and Apple will be building Palladium support into OS X, I would believe it.

Never in a million years did I once think Apple would actually switch to x86 chips. I mean - I thought that MAYBE they'd pursue a dual-platform strategy: x86 for iMacs, laptops, and Minis, PPC for servers and high-end workstations. Never thought they'd dump PPC entirely. Just too surreal for me.

Lectures with powerpoint slides? I think so

[aralin]

I don't think music videos or clips of sport games would do it for me, I still want to use iPod at times when I need my eyes for totally different things, like watching where I put my feet, trying to avoid hitting a building and other, while walking home from work.

But I have got my iPod recently and never had time to get used to actually listening to music on it. Instead I listen to podcasts of lectures and presentations. And while some of the speakers and clearly used to audio audience listening on to their speach, some are just too heavily relying on their ppt presentation and the fact their audience can see the graphs and other pictures shown. I can spare a second now and then to look at important slide, then put it back and go on listening.

So what I would really like to see, would be having my iPod as a medium for the presentations. It would not be so hard, some bookmarks in the AAC, some pictures in photo section, it already can do it all, just connect it together...

Isn't it recently that we read about universities buying iPods to their students? Maybe if they would put the lectures on podcasts as well, that would really be a great way to enhance the whole learning experience.

Who to Sue....

[mlmitton]

Why isn't Apple sueing the WSJ and Business 2.0 for revealing information? Is it OK if Business 2.0 does it, but not if a website?

Re:Who to Sue....

[macslut]

I haven't completely read BFAs, but it doesn't seem like either is a case of where someone broke the law or broke a contract with Apple to provide information which was solicited by the publishers.

IANAL, but it seems to me that what the courts are saying is that you can't protect a source if that source broke the law in telling you the information (see WORLD v. Karl Rove) and you can't protect a source if you broke the law in soliciting the source to violate a contract to provide you with information.

And yes, of course on a practical level, the little guys are low hanging fruit.

This is a red herring..

[Another AC]

The real thing that's going to be cool is the Airport Express Video, coming out in January (my prediction)!

With iTunes (software + store) already supporting video, the next logical step is to make a way to stream the video on your computer to your TV(s) over the network.

This is what's going to be awesome: Go to iTMS (they may need a new name!), download a movie for $5, organize with iTunes, watch in HD on any real TV(s) in your house whenever you want, as often as you want, forever!

Re:This is a red herring..

[Winterblink]

It would be cool. Will it happen, though? Can you stream super duper high-def video from a Mac across a wireless network for play on a TV? It takes a very high end dual processor G5 system right now to put it onto the screen. You either decode it first and stream it to the AEV device (I doubt highly that a wireless network will handle it that well), or the device itself will decode a streaming file on the fly. I'd prefer the latter, but I doubt it's possible in a compact form.

Sony psp + mythtv = tv on the go

[Anonymous Coward]

My experience with video on the go is pretty enjoyable. I pvr setup with mythtv that records shows that i want (and auto cuts out commercials) and a user job that uses ffmpeg to encode to psp format. In the morning i can sync last nights episode of jay leno or whatever to my psp.

Here's what it will look like

[Lepton68]

Thinking people won't watch video on a small screen is just wrong. We watch video on small screens all the time right now, on camcorders, portable DVD players, pocket TVs, game devices, and web pages.

And don't just think in terms of feature films. Most things we see on small screens are short form. Movie trailers, music videos, demonstrations, news, video podcasts. It's videos of a couple of minutes that are best suited to watching on the commuter bus or train. But even feature films can work. Try watching Spider Man 2 on the Sony PSP's bright, wide 4" screen. It's really not bad!

No, Apple's vPod won't be the current iPod playing video on its two inch screen. Think different!

Take a PSP and chop off the game controls on the two ends, leaving just the screen. That's about the right form factor. Remove the UMB drive and put in a hard drive. Leave WiFi and the replacable battery in, replace USB with FireWire video I/O. Perhaps use touchscreen, or take the iPod control wheel and put it on the back of the unit. Don't look at me funny like that, think about it!

For functionality, let it play music and video. Let video go out thru FireWire for playback on other devices. Sync and stream in/out thru FireWire or WiFi. And add two more chunks of software: A Web browser so it can connect to the Web over WiFi when you're in the airport or Starbucks. And _Apple Remote Access_ so it can serve as a portable remote screen on any Mac it can see via WiFi. This lets it be a remote control for (or be controled by) any Mac (or VNC PC) in WiFi range or across the Internet world wide. This is big!

Now THAT's a cool, useful, elegant device, and it can be done with decent form factor, cost, and battery life right now. And the iTMS/iSync/ARA infrastructure is already in place. One more thing - use a good OLED screen for it. Those are thinner, brighter, lighter, and use less power than a backlit LCD. The one remaining problem of that technology - limited screen lifetime - is just about solved at this point.

I see it happening next year.

Re:Here's what it will look like

[SamQ]

...And the PSP is lame (anyone interested, usually owns a PS2 and wouldn't pay for a second copy of software). The only thing a vPod would be useful for is to show my country relatives digital versions of the family albums (and Sony already do tiny laptops for that purpose).

The instructions clearly state...

[@madeus]

"Do not masturbate with iPod Shuffle."

pixar

[cparisi]

How about pixar movies? Can Jobs get those?

Good for news (Video Podcasts!!!!)

[cheesy9999]

I would love being able to watch the news on an iPod screen during a commute to work or whatever, and if they make the screen anything like the PSP screen I wouldn't mind watching movies and TV shows.

vPodCasts

[dasdrewid]

I think a lot of people (Apple included) are missing the biggest market for a vPod: vPodCasts.

Think about all the morning business shows that try and cram a full days worth of news into 30 minutes about the time most people are eating breakfast. Imagine, instead, that they made 5-6 5 minute segments, with a little meta-data, and made them available for download. I could choose a couple sources and tell it to download all the segments that related to a certain kind of business. Then when I wake up in the morning, hit download as I crawl out of bed, take a shower, grab my vPod and watch 30 minutes of tailor-made for me news as I eat/run out the door to catch my bus or train. I'll bet some place like the Wall Street Journal could even charge $20-$30 bucks a year for 20-30 minutes of news a day, assuming it was well set up.

Politicos would rejoice, as well. Think about all the Fox News/CNN shows. The majority of the show is a closeup of someone's head and a bit of shoulder. The vPod, assuming it keeps the same size, has a decent enough screen for such a shot, and could probably deal with the occasional cutaway clip. You could then choose to download all news stories involving your party, or involving a certain city, or a certain subject in the same way as the business guys.

While I think the music videos are cool (I'm a huge music video buff, I've something like 40 gigs at home...) and that there will probably be a good number of kids that have them just to be cool ($2 ringtones and $1 phone backgrounds anyone?), I think the killer app for the vPod will be vPodCasts, some free community, some paid commercial. But who knows? It could be something completely different.

Re:vPodCasts

[Anonymous Coward]

I think a lot of people (Apple included) are missing the biggest market for a vPod: vPodCasts.

So the next big thing from Apple will be public access TV on your (i)Pod? lovely. ;)

Time to invest in American flags, folding chairs, and ficus plants, there's going to be a run on them!

Where is As Seen on TV lately?

[quickbrownfox]

S/he seemed to be privy to a lot of solid information and had this to say about the video iPod:

Everybody's wrong about the video iPod thing. A video iPod would be a dumb idea for lots of reasons, some technical, some psychological. If you want to know where we're going with video playback, look not to the iPod but to its considerably less famous little brother, AirPort Express.

The full comment is here.

The Verdict

[CrazyTalk]

No Bluetooth. Less space than a Nomad. Lame.

when are the iPod toaster and refrigerator coming?

[geekee]

See here.

Yes. Its better than looking up and seeing

[crovira]

that the handicapped guy (that ME, God damn it) needs a seat.

I put up with that "If I don't see you, you're not there" kind of sh*t all the time.

One day I'm just going to fall down in the subway car after a particularly energeticn stop (its happened already) and take someone down with me (that happened too already)and crush her friggin' grocery bag (I did.)

But I'd have to be doing it all the time and ripping people's iWhatever out of its orifice before they start behaving like they cared.

No wonder people DON'T call the police number all the time. They're purposefully avoiding paying attention to their surroundings.

Well well. THAT's what they want a tablet for.

[crovira]

Remember the patent issued for an Apple tablet a little while back?

I thought it was a BlueTooth GUI interface for a MacMini. But I was looking for a compelling reason to buy/own one. I mean, I can always SSH in from my desktops to control a MacMini.

It would be great if I didn't already own an iMac and a couple of other boxes though (Linux and Win2k) and I'm not alone, so that can't be it.

Now think about playing videos! A tablet could be used for just such a purpose.

Imagine a tablet with iTunes, a honking great hard drive (a 60+ gigger) and a control wheel or a touch sensitive screen to be a "pretend" wheel.

The audio can still be delivered via ear buds but video's something else. A tablet's the perfect thing. Its big enough and has enough resolution to handle the job (specially if it can synch to a MacMini [I don't think its necessary with their Laptops or desktops.])

Think different indeed. :-)

product technical details?

[E8086]

Portable video player: what's battery life, which are the supported formats and does it have tv-out and how much memory will it have?
My use of portable device playing video is limited to my Sharp Zaurus 5500(ARM 206MHz 32MB RAM, 32MB storage expandable by CF and SD cards 240x320 idsplay) I have a 1GB SD card to I can store about 2hrs of video. The limiting item is the memory, usually have about 16mb free, not enough to watch a 22min tv eps at 200+MB.
Here are the specs of every ipod made so far:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/consumer_ele ctronics/index.html
the higest performance is the 3G/5R 90MHz x 2 32MB for skip free buffer. That would have to be at least doubled to ensure uninterrupted playing of anything larger than a 20MB file.
It will probably be used like that cell phone in that commercial with the guy in the elevator, for movie trailers, sports clips and commercials, not tv eps and movies as I'm sure most of us would like. But that won't prevent those who will be able to afford it from spliting shows into a series of smaller files, similar to the ipod photo video clip "trick" of exporting a clip as frames and hitting the next botton as fast as their thumb will go.

Tooth and eyeball just doesn't make it.

[crovira]

It sounds to friggin' ghastly and ghoulish.

Ew!

Sure you can. Sure you can.

[crovira]

But would I want to pay you anything for it.

The Apple tax, as you call it, is what they charge for their hardware.

And the design is frankly worth it not to have something that looks cobbled together by an amateur. (By the way, I'm saying that you love the technology. That's what amateur means. I'm not casting aspersions on your hardware assembling capabilities.)

I know that its definitely not the cheapest but its is the best designed stuff out there.

Re:Sure you can. Sure you can.

[Gilmoure]

I suppose the part I put in about having to carry around an external monitor and a really long extension cord didn't set off your sarcasm detectors? Will have to work harder next time I try to goof in an Apple story.

Re:Sure you can. Sure you can.

[Anonymous Coward]

Never try sarcasm in an Apple forum. I can tell you they won't get it. Even as a 10 year Machead, I'll get flamed...

Just had a horrid idea. iTMS

[crovira]

will now stand for iToonMovieStore.

(Sorry, its been a long day :-)

Ringtones are about personalizing and showing off

[Augusto]

People use ringtones to set themselves apart, have something unique and to "show off" a bit. None of this really applies to music videos.

Re:Meh. I can build the equivilent whitebox for...

[dcstimm]

Umm, Apple tax? You can get cheaper gadgets else where but hell they are CRAP, apple makes amazing hardware, you get what you pay for.

WAKEY WAKEY Apple

[Anonymous Coward]

Whatever. I've had an Archos AV4100 for a while now. Its got a 100Gig hard drive and plays MPEG-4 videos, MP3s etc, and records off TV, VCR and DVD no problemo so you can copy across your existing "content" for zero cost. I accept that a portable video player is not for everyone, but for me its outstanding as I commute by train for over 3 hours per day and I can store my entire Futurama collection on it plus the full LOTR box set and still have room left over for all my music and photos. All the arguments about screen size are a bit like Creationists' claims over the usefulness of half an eye. Duh, half an eye is better than no eye at all! Play time is about 12 hours for music & 3.5 hours for video, so ok not quite enough for the extended ROTK, but jeez, what do you want?

Match up

[DanThe1Man]

All we need now is a mini Sarah Connor.

Parent poster has three hands?

[Anonymous Coward]

Count 'em. One, two three.

Heads Up Display

[Eclypser]

Actually the people who came up with HUD found that watching tv that is projected in front of someone who is driving actually causes them to keep their eyes on the road.

PB 17" plays divx just fine for 2.5+ hours

[SuperBanana]

I'd have to hunch over and squint through my contacts at a little screen, or, a big screen that lasts 30 min without a power cord.

My 17" powerbook will play over 2 and a half hours of divx video set to "slow" processor speed, using VLC to play it...and supposedly I've only got 4 out of the 5 Ahr (the battery is original, and about 2 years old I think).

Re:PB 17" plays divx just fine for 2.5+ hours

[OS24Ever]

yeah so will my iBook and Powerbook G4, but they're not small like the iPod is.

Video Pod

[ozimac]

I've been looking at this stuff from afar - so please forgive me if this has been written somewhere on this topic (I couldnt find it) ...

I think a VideoPod would be used to transport your VideoPodCasts from your Mac to a portable storage device that could plug into your TV. ie a TIVO-like Apple device.

You probably will be able to watch 'em on the VideoPod itself - but it wouldn't be the only way to watch these files.

Of course it would still be a music player ... a place to store your photos - a place for your ClickStar movies ... but also would allow you to choose which TV shows you wanted to watch in your own time.

That's my guess.

Re:Video Pod

[Mister Snitch]

Video ipods are inevitable. What is generally misunderstood is (1) what it will look like and (2) what people will use it for. Most people will not be buying one for music videos or to watch feature-length films (although they may wind up watching such thiings anyway.) This is a different animal with a different reason for being. We covered the particulars in this post on our site.