As a longtime follower of all things Apple (read: "fanboy"), I can tell you one thing that won't be happening to the iPod: it won't just get video playback ability. It just doesn't fit with Apple's design philosophy.
The iPod was so revolutionary in that it provided a simple and elegant way for people to enjoy music in a whole new way (yes, other portable music players came first, but nobody else ever really got it "right" like Apple did). Music can be, and often is, quite inspirational...and more importantly, music can be enjoyed in the background while performing other tasks (like driving, working out, painting, etc.). Video playback is more absorbing, and arguably, a lot less inspiring.
So whatever is announced Wednesday won't be merely the ability to watch video on the iPod. However, it could be one of many new features on a new iPod or other new media device. I've given up on trying to guess what Apple will come up with (well, not really, as you'll see...but don't quote me on any of this...), but if it involves portable video, I'd be surprised if it wasn't integrated somehow with QuickTime or even Apple's iLife products. Some wild guesses:
A portable media vault onto which one could stream DV video on-the-fly or unload a full memory card from a digital camera.
A QuickTime-integrated device that offers basic cut/paste NLE functionality (a portable version of "iMovie").
ThinkSecret claims no new iPods, but new Power Mac and PowerBook revisions. I'm gonna go out on a limb and disagree with them on this one...although the "video" announcement could involve a new product line altogether, have a look at the iPod's evolution: it has grown from 4GB to 60GB (arguably, much larger than even the largest personal music collection); it has grown from monochrome to color, with the ability to import and view an iPhoto library (and 3rd party accessories to allow direct-from-camera downloading); the iTunes Music Store has started carrying music videos within the last 18-24 months, and started supporting Podcasts (including video content) within the past 6 months. All of which leads to yet another speculative product:
The iPod as a portable Podcast creation studio: imagine hooking your iSight camera up to your new "iPodcast station" and being able to record yourself wherever, whenever you feel like, editing an uploading all from your portable device.
So, what's up Apple's sleeve? It's really anyone's guess at this point. But given Apple's track record, I really doubt it will simply be video playback capabilities on the iPod.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
My first guess: behind the red courtain is a groundbraking ultra-cool flash based iBook.
Fact: this evolutionary leap is coming to the laptop anyway, and Apple will not let anybody else to be first.
My second guess: the first-of-breed Mactel, probably an iBook. Early delivery of new generation, low power CPU's may well have been among the wedding presents Apple requested from Intel.
My third guess: the iPhone.
Fact: Even MOT CEO said Apple will produce its own phone.
Any of these devices would produce intense market heat, which would add-up to current momentum.
However, flash-memory based devices are specially important in consolidating Apple as a major NAND customer, one with privileged access to low prices, thus generating the kind of virtuous circle Apple needs for a continued dominance in the portable MP3 player market, and for a quantum leap into the strategic laptop market.
And laptops may well be the key point in this strategy for they are posed to displace desktops. And behind it all, there's Mr. Jobs? passion for computers. This was his first love and I think it still is.
I bet all these products are moving in Apple?s pipeline from long ago.
One of them might be ready to be pumped out right now.
Post a Comment