Think Secret thinks we'll see video iPod tomorrow

With all this hype, Apple better announce something huge tomorrow, like a cure for cancer or an end to world hunger, but Think Secret is once again steering us down the path of new video-capable iPods. To quickly recap, first we thought for sure that the "One More Thing" would be a video iPod, then we thought it would be some desktop/notebook upgrades, then we briefly thought it would be an Apple tablet, and now we've come full circle in expecting video once again. Sources have told Think Secret that they expect the new iPods to come in 30GB and 60GB flavors, and though they will support video playback, the main focus will still be on audio. We must say, as much as we love covering every twist and turn of this epic saga, we're counting the hours till this damn announcement so we can just get on with our lives.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Think Secret is now reporting that Apple will announce media partnerships to make broadcast content, video podcasts, and other shorter (music?) videos available — no movies for purchase yet. They claim current iPods can already play video (but this is disabled) — which means an updated firmware might enable movie playback, something not infeasible given the power of the iPod hardware platform.

[Caleb Dewberry @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

maybe they will reveal that the nano is already capable of playing video and release a firmware upgrade. that wouldn't cut in to nano sales like a new video iPod would. first comment?

[John Molina @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Damn you Apple and your trendiness affecting these poor people of Engadget!

Their marketing department is just too good at what they do, it seems.

[Don Wilson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I really hope it's the first Intel-based PowerBook. *crosses fingers, gets out credit card*

[philmcneal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

ya they are very good at creating hype... now at least i have something to do when i first wake up tommorow ;0

[Adex @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I have my heart firmly set on an iPod Video or vPod or whatever Steve Jobs want to call his little contradiction, lol. But seriously the minute that thing is release I'm going to be the first one in line to get it! Will and Grace on the go... Yummy lol...

[violator @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

maybe it's a special version of Nano which you can put inside your car headlights

[lookitzatree @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

That would be completely awesome as long as they manage to give it a decent screen, and keep their famous interface. Also, this would be a nice platform for games wouldnt it? This could also make iPod linux huge...if a video capable iPod was hacked, you could watch many different formats of video on it. Imagine if they could increase the capacity of the nano and do a flash video iPod!

[bob23 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I do not own any ipod NOR do I really want one... BUT if it is a video ipod hell i'm buying it.

[??? @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

If you think of it, although the ipod is an excellent mp3 player, its no the best in every category (features. battery, size), its just well rounded and has awesome marketing....*MarketinG*...its pure marketing

[Mike S @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

You all know if that Apple doesnt come out with a video iPod, or they do and its really shitty, there's gonna be like a HUGE riot outside everyone apple store in the US

[FunkyChicken @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

The suspense is driving everyone nuts. It's almost pure genius. Apparently no one else is able to drum up as much anticipation as Apple does. It's crazy.

[John Molina @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

>maybe it's a special version of Nano which you
>can put inside your car headlights

Haha!!!

>If you think of it, although the ipod is an
>excellent mp3 player, its no the best in every
>category (features. battery, size), its just
>well rounded and has awesome
>marketing....*MarketinG*...its pure marketing

Very true ... Sony's mp3 players are much more practical, but lack software (until the new Connect Player [http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=12184] comes out)

[Dansgil @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I think if Apple introduced a video iPod it would damage nano sales. If Apple does release a video ipod, it'll be after the holiday season. I hope what Caleb Dewberry said will happen. That'll would be awesome. I doubt it though, 2 or 4GB isn't a lot for video

[semi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

i can see the ipod fans, owners of ipods, ipod shuffles and ipod nanos preparing their credit card to order the ipod video...

i wish i had that kinda money...

[lookitzatree @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I dont really think it would hurt nano sales that much. A video iPod would be more expensive, and much larger, really seperating it from the Nano.

[daemon1 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

umm... as well as my ipod, i have a sharp zaurus c3000 with fullscreen divx and video playback... i use the z everywhere for work/home etc.. and i must say... i have probably only watched video on it for a total of 1 hour in the last 6 months...

firstly, the screen is VERY impressive on the Z... no other device ive seen can match it... but in reality... when you're on the move... looking down on a screen just doesnt work... you really need your senses to look at the envrionment around you! thats why with music at least you can listen to music whilst still aware of your environment.

on the other hand, an ipod that connects to your tv and plays divx/video.. much like those new portable hard drive enclosure media players... that would be a much better idea.

so....not really all that excitied about a video ipod

[Brandon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

"i can see the ipod fans, owners of ipods, ipod shuffles and ipod nanos preparing their credit card to order the ipod video...

i wish i had that kinda money..."

thats exactly it, they DONT have that money, they charge it and MOST fail to pay it off within 30 days. If they had it, MOST would use their debit card.

[Teve Torbes @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

With all these people hoping for a video iPod, has anyone stopped to consider what formats Apple will support IF they release one? MPEG4 AVC definately will be supported (QT7 is MPEG4 AVC), but perhaps they will lock it to only allow AVC files in a quicktime wrapper. Or they could take it further and lock out DivX and XviD, that would stop alot of potential video piracy that the studios are worried about. I believe having DivX support requires a license from the DivX group. That would seriously impare the video iPod for me and others who have a collection of video files in DivX/XviD.

A 1.5" screen would also be rediculous for watching video files. Only the craziest of Apple fans would put up with that. But the larger the screen gets, the shorter the battery life gets.

Just watching video files on a portable device devours battery life. Unless you can cache large portions of the video in RAM, the device will be spinning the hard disk alot of the time. Combine that with the MPEG4 decoder working away at decoding video files and you'll be lucky to get 2-3 hours of play time out of the device.

How many people out there have internet connections fast enough even to download video files in a reasonable amount of time? On my cable connectiona 700mb movie or 175MB tv show take quite a bit of time to download. If you aren't lucky enough to have a 3Mbit internet connection, you'll be waiting a LONG time to get the latest episode of the Daily Show downloaded to your iPod.

And of course the argument that alot have issued, most people don't want to watch video on the go. You can do other things while listening to music, doing other things while watching a video is impractical at best.

There are just too many reasons why the world isn't ready for a video iPod. Jobs has already said how Apple isn't really interested in entering niche consumer electronics markets. As far as I can tell, portable video is still a niche market.

If you're dissapointed, don't be. Just get a Zen Vision. It's probably close to the prototype PMP that Apple has sitting in their laboratory somewhere. Of course without the clickwheel. But you probably only have a handful of videos on it anyway, it can't take that long to scroll through that list.

[mr mr @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Apple, please make a media center!!! We all need your expertise in making a set top box that plays our mp3s, videos, dvds, pics etc, in HD of course. Please make it with Apple looks and Apple interface.

[john mark @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

just an observation: the itunes music store has not updated, and it's TUESDAY, which means either they're slacking off or they're working on a big project. It all seems to fit.

[Edwin Avalos @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

If it is indeed a new video ipod i know what my birthday present is :D

this thing would be sexy *drools*

wow i hate hype >.<

[Shig the Unmentionable @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I'm starting to think that what would make the world happiest is if Jobs got up there and promised never to say "One more thing" again.

[ATMear @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Great Points as to Y the vPod would suck. I believe adding wifi or a camera would be nice. Adding the camera could lead to video at some point. Maybe even setting the stage for low end video capturing and sharing. Not opening up as wide as to being an actual PMP device.

[lindsey @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

They could announce an DVR.

[jnasato @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Cancer is preventable with an alkaline diet.

And yes, Apple will hopefully make us all cry like shee shee pantses!

[Maybe @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Maybe it might have an A/V out to watch videos on a TV/home theater setup - who knows?

[richwise @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

A video Ipod is a stupid idea. How can you move around and watch video on a tiny screen? It's like those handheld TV's. How many people do you see walking around with those?

[macewan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

As a certified(able) Linux power user, I'd like to pre-announce my dismay at the fact this Apple product - which may or may not exist - doesn't support .ogg video.

=)

[merkley??? @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

i have a friend whose ex-boyfriend works at apple and she seems to think there is going to be a black powerbook released. she says he told her so.

we'll see.

[modenadude @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I find it rather ironic that I will take the PSATs tomorrow morning, yet my parents are in the San Fransisco area, and will stay there until tomorrow morning.... haha

[G-money @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Agreed-- with the current dimensions, a video iPod is sort of stupid. However, I'm thinking the screen will be slightly larger and the iPod slightly smaller. (Just look at the 'border' around the current screen. Plus, it only makes sense it would have a 16:9 screen and you'd watch it sideway.) Anyway, it seems it only makes sense the price points stay the same at $299 and 399. I think most people want to pay over 300 for an iPod.... so for $299 (30GB) I could get 20 GB of music (my current library) 8 gigs of vids (ripped Simpsons for the go), 1 gig of photos and 1 gig of sensitive file backup. Perfect!

Video on the go at this point is just a novelty, but seems like a fun novelty (redundant perhaps) at the same price point as the current 20 gig color. My hardworking jog companion Shuffle could use a geeky big bro.

[sillyrbt10 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

"A 1.5" screen would also be rediculous for watching video files. Only the craziest of Apple fans would put up with that. But the larger the screen gets, the shorter the battery life gets."

The Bigger the screen gets, the bigger the case gets, the bigger the battery gets, the more life it gets. Checks and Balences:-)

[Brett Dickson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

At least one radio station here in Sydney has been reporting this video iPod story today as if it were fact. This suggests that either they have got some sort of inside info from Apple, or they have been sucked in by the hype as well.

[Strid_2 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Divx or an easy conversion tool (i.e. part of iTunes or closely related), would be the real deal breaker for me. Converting all my videos using 3rd party apps can be a real pain as I have done it for both the PSP and GP32 (Although the Gpx2 no longer has this problem); and do not want to go through that process again. Who knows, my 3rd gen ipod might finally be replaced.

[Mr Yuk @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Cringely predicted it way back in January:
Video added to the iTunes store front and center. Video out on an Airport Express or Mac Mini accessory with the broadcom chipset that supports h.264 (05-YOHD). Maybe a tie-in with a broadband player, maybe Direct TV to deliver content.

With respect to a Vidoe iPod; you can get video with Linux firmware on the current iPods. Apple can supply an upgrade and wa la - video iPods by the millions. Don't they all support a S-Video connection to your large screen of choice? I guess they could offer a dock connect to DVI dongle.

[iCurtain Call @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Does anybody thing the curtain/stage background of the invitation is a clue to the announcement? Last anouncement was what a denim invite, confirming the pocket-size in the nano....so my immediate thought was a movie picture or video iPod.....hadn't seen any related observations......

[nat @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

wutever the thing is, they better not using the same material they used on nano, at least when you using a nano, you dont need to watch it all the time, but if it's a video pod, with a screen full of scrathes? hell no...

[William @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I believe we will see some sort of video iPod announcement. I also believe that if they do it will also be in conjunction with announcing a partnership with TiVo. There were some rumors about TiVo and Apple hooking up and this could be it. I find it very strange that TiVo continues to shut out Mac users from things like TiVoToGo. The reason may be because they are working on something even bigger together.

[Jacob Varghese @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Without a doubt, video to TV will be announced.

Bonjour is now installed with itunes.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bonjour/

Old article that offers a clue:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2003/jan/07rendezvous.html

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Everyone is missing the most interesting aspect of a Video iPod. There is no way that the studios or labels will make movie content available to Apple unless they add DRM technology to Quicktime. The upshot of this is that services like Movielink and Cinemanow can now offer mac users online movie rentals because we have Quicktime with DRM. To me that is an even bigger deal than a Video iPod. FINALLY movie rentals on my PowerBook!!!!

[Mr. Ipod Accessories @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I've been waiting for this news a long time...now on those long flights I have the option to watch videos on my iPod...what a match made in heaven!

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

ah jeeze no no no no please god kill me now no no damn damn crap damn it to hell son of a...

all i want is a 40gb ipod with a single hd platter (so it will be the size of the current 20), maybe better audio quality and battery life, a few extra frills...

i don't want to pay extra (money or bulk) for a video ipod!

[phooky @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

so when exactly is the announcement taking place? what time est?

[Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

San Jose,California at 10:00 AM PST, Im going to be waiting for the iPod, But dont get too excited Apple may dissapoint you. Well im still hoping for a Video iPod.

[Smotchberry @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

This doesn't come as a huge surprise for me as current gen iPods are capable of playing video to some extent. The small screen would be good enough to watch the ocassional music video (of which apple already has started to stock up) and perhaps some short films?

I think it's smart to test the waters out first, because to be honest, the average user would be listening to music at least 80% of the time.

[bryan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

i would have to agree that apple probably wouldnt get into such a niche market with a video ipod. although it would be really cool, its not one of those "why didnt i think of that" guaranteed hits that even your parents end up buying.

i think if the announcement is related to movies as the invite suggests, it has something to do with an itunes video store and some kinda dvr or video airport wireless.

I also think apple would wanna get into the hardware side of digital photography. it seems to be the next big digital thing for mainstream america to adopt, and how cool would it be to have an apple designed, compact camera that could do great pics and video and had an 80 or 100 gig hard drive/long life battery. i guess theres no reason it wouldnt play mp3s as well, and it would obviously play videos, so maybe there is an ipod video....huh. cool.

[pedro @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Just like the ipod photo, my guess is that we'll see an iPod video. It will still be an ipod, whose primary mission is to play music, but will have the added capability of video on a slightly larger screen. Apple has just been extending the ipod with more features, but keeping the mission and form-factor the same.

[Warbles @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Has anyone noticed that, like the Tuesday before the nano was announced, iTMS has not been updated today?

Perhaps a video iPod is spot-on and a major video release is imminent for tomorrow.

[some dude @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I'm sorry but a video ipod is just dumb. I think they've been smart to avoid it so far and I don't think that's going to change. Wow look I can watch video on a 1 inch screen, that's totally smokin'!!!!!

[abood @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

"We must say, as much as we love covering every twist and turn of this epic saga, we’re counting the hours till this damn announcement so we can just get on with our lives"

Lives? What lives?