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Apple Launches Video Podcasting For iTunes
phaedo00 writes "Apple has launched support for video podcasting in the Podcast section of the iTMS. Ars Technica has a decent write up of the news along with speculation on what this means in the way of a video iPod and Apple's recent application for a patent on the phrase 'iPodcast.'" From the article: "The quiet, fanfare-less launch (in fact, it's not even clear when it was launched) is a bit surprising for the company, but there may be a reason: there's not too many video podcasts out there in the wild. Furthermore, video podcasts are currently only playable on your computer, although it seems clear enough that a video iPod is on the way. If you didn't believe it before, you should definitely believe it now. For now, it looks like video podcasting support is limited."
I know the idea of a video capable iPod hasn't been too enticing around here as users complain of small screen areas. I have to say, however, that after purchasing an iRiver H340 and flashing the Korean firmware I love the ability to play video if the fancy strikes me. The screen is big enough to make it worth it to watch movies or tv shows on a flight (or on my lunch break).
I'd be really interested to see what Apple can do for video on a portable jukebox. iRiver's implementation, while nice, seems a bit 'after the fact' so I know there is potential.
why read or write when you can listen or speak?
TV was made for losers like this.
Trolling is a art,
I bet they're surpirised to hear of this "new" functionality....
there's not too many video podcasts out there in the wild.
Actually, there is a very interesting graph in this month's Technology Review concerning podcasts. The graph shows the percentage of podcasts available by subject, versus the percentage of podcasts viewed by subject. Music is, of course, the genre that most podcasts are in, and the genre that most people view. However, erotica is one of the smallest genres by availablilty, and one of the largest by viewership. Porn driving technology again, it seems. :)
I know the article says that video podcasting support in iTunes has been around for a while, but why on earth have we not heard about this before? I follow most of the rumor sites, and this hasn't been addressed, and yet it seems like the best evidence for the video iPod. This is the first I've head of this.
I have to wonder if Apple isn't promoting this feature because they're not sure how to bill it. Without a video iPod, it doesn't fit well within their "package deal" of the iTMS, iPod, and iTunes.
They would release a firmware update that would enable video playback on all current Ipod models. This would boost customer loyalty, satisfaction, and increase sales of Ipods across the board.
Then, Apple could simultaniously release a new "accessory" for the Ipod. It would be a line of larger portable screens. The screens could have some sort of dock(maybe on the side) that the Ipod could snap into and feed video out to the portable screen while letting you use the clickwheel for control.
Doing something like this would give ipod owners a new "item" to purchase if they so chose. And, I imagine it would sell very well because now, in addition to entire music collections, you could have entire movie collections with an optional screen to get good viewing off of.
Of course, later apple could release a "video ipod" model as well with improved video out quality and perhaps a larger built in screen for ipod owners to "upgrade" to when their old ipods finally wear out.
It would be a win win situation for everyone and boost apple's hardware sales across the board.
You are who you are, let no one tell you different. But, never close your mind to a new point of view.