Apple still at work on true video iPod?

It's essentially what everyone's expected and speculated by this point (us included), but ThinkSecret's latest iPod rumor plays into everyone's hopes that Apple's got a proper video iPod in development. According to TS, they can confirm that Apple's next device will have a 3.5-inch display (the current 5G iPod has a 2.5-incher) and will shed the clickwheel entirely for a virtual UI with input via a touchscreen. We know they've got their Mac tablet patents together on this kind of tech and have presumably been doing the dev work to make it happen (their last patent specifically showed an iPod-like virtual clickwheel touch interface in spec). Will this strange new device support Portal Player's new all singing all dancing WiFi / Bluetooth A2DP chipset for the killer 6G video iPod everyone's been hoping for? We can't say, sonny, but the rumor mill's tilt is that we could find out in late March or early April, when Apple celebrates its 30th birthday.

[KevinFreitas @ Feb 9th 2006 10:09AM]

I've fought the Apple machine up to this point but a truly video-centric iPod just might tip me over the edge. I'm interested to see what comes next.

Oh, and a tablet would be a welcome announcement -- that Newton I bought a year ago to add to my handheld collection is looking a bit dated.

[Seth @ Feb 10th 2007 11:03AM]

I see a Zune killer, not that Zune needs to be killed, but I own one and like the horizantal feature which you use to watch videos, not that theres any videos you can get to watch! But I hope that this rumor is legitimate and that the price will not exceed $250.

[Gordy @ Feb 9th 2006 10:11AM]

Nope. Too soon. I wouldn't expect to total revamp like this until late this year. Current iPod designs tend to stick for a year, at least.

Not to mention, our 'sratch-aversed' brethren may have put the whole touch screen paradigm out of Apple's minds.

[crabby @ Feb 9th 2006 10:20AM]

I'm not sure a virtual clickwheel on a touch screen would be very nice. Seems like it would be awkward without some tactile feedback to keep your finger in the circle.

[Kaegan Donnelly @ Feb 9th 2006 10:22AM]

I doubt it would be released as a replacement to the 5G iPod, but rather as a more expensive version. Much the same way that they released the iPod Photo way back when. Let's just hope that people will actually buy it, unlike the iPod Photo before it replaced the 4G as the iPod Colour and took on the same pricing scheme.

[MA @ Feb 9th 2006 10:23AM]

If these rumors are true, I wonder what Apple will do about all those customers who will complain about how dirty their iPod screens will be getting due to their extensive smudging of the screen.

Also, with today's iPod, when it freezes, you can hold the Menu and Middle button and it will reboot. What would happen when your virtual Menu button freezes? How do you reset the thing (other than waiting for the batteries to die)?

I feel so outdated, even though I just got my 5G Video iPod just two months ago. Ugh.

[Ionizer @ Feb 9th 2006 10:24AM]

Choosing a video device this year is going to be tough. Do I get the Gigabeat + MCE(have already), PS3 + PSP (already have), or the Video iPod + iTunes. Probably all of them.

[Scutter @ Feb 9th 2006 10:24AM]

I would surprised if the device has all of the features listed (including bluetooth). Apple likes to do small improvements. Whether this is so they can be first to market or whether it is to pave the way for future upgrades, I don't know.

[Quake97 @ Feb 9th 2006 10:25AM]

I highly doubt the next iPod will be touchscreen. I think they'll just move the buttons to the top/side of the device. A touch screen would really increase the cost and I don't really think that many people care about a touchscreen, I don't.

[PG @ Feb 9th 2006 10:28AM]

if they can keep it slim like the current generation of ipod this will be very nice. it is funny how they had recently patented the touch screen for the "tablet" and now we hear rumblings of this... i am looking forward to seeing both... its not unlike Apple to come up with something special for their anniv.

[Dale @ Feb 9th 2006 10:34AM]

I think they should put the touch wheel on the back. Seriously. Pick up your iPod, turn it sideways, and imagine a wheel on the back . . . see how easy that would be to use? And it keeps the screen smudge free for the most part.

[n8 @ Oct 10th 2006 12:42PM]

I have been thinking the same thing for a long time. Just put the wheel on the back. Navigating is mostly intuitive anyway, Apple designed the iPod to be so. A rear mounted scrollwheel opens the entire front for video and gets rid of the smudgey screen problem. For those super enthusiastic about a touch screen, make it optional. Perhaps easier said than done, but it's all speculative at this point isn't it.

[Matt @ Feb 9th 2006 10:35AM]

I've been staunchly anti-iPod up to this point, but this would probably change my mind. I have a Vision:m right now that I use for videos, and it's great, but I really wish it was widescreen.

[ChrisP @ Feb 9th 2006 10:37AM]

What if the user interface was like that of Front Row?

[Snukah @ Feb 9th 2006 10:38AM]

Wow I feel sorry for the 4 million people and counting who bought G5 ipods. If this thing does come out it'll just blow the current ipod outta the water, but it makes sense though.. Apple stressed that the G5 ipod isn't a VIDEO ipod or called it a video ipod at all. Makes me wonder if this thing will just be a stand alone video player rather than a media player. What do you guys think?

[Joern @ Feb 9th 2006 10:39AM]

I doubt seriously that there would be a virtual click wheel. You (not me, I have clean fingers) would smear your screen all the time .... just seems to unpractical .....

[Douglas Berry @ Feb 9th 2006 10:45AM]

Personally, I don't feel like a touch-wheel, while being cool, can be implemented comfortably enough to suit my taste without having some kind of palm-conforming device that would look like crap on the iPod.

However, if the image in this photo is close, I'll buy an iPod the day that it is released.

My only suggestion upon improvement would be some kind of detachable interface for the iPod. Ideally this would be a scroll system via an eye tracking device like those found in some camcorders. This is entirely possible, and even feasible, given the price of a new 60g Video is close to that of some low-mid range digital camcorders.

/just dreamin'

[theCardinal @ Feb 9th 2006 11:08AM]

I know the photoshop image shows a touch-wheel integrated directly into a touch screen but I'd imagine if Apple did go down the touchscreen road the translation of the touch-wheel wouldn't be quite as literal.
I could imagine a system where clockwise circles, drawn anywhere on the screen would scroll down and anti-clockwise circles scroll up. For the four buttons: perhaps the screen could be divided in quadrants and a tap in the relevant one would perform the desired action.

[PodMonkeys @ Feb 9th 2006 11:11AM]

Something like this would be stupid awesome! :D

I could see them going touch screen, but I could also see side buttons. Getting the screen smudged up would not be Apple clean, but neither would buttons on the side. I was rather a fan of the Gen 3 ipod touch controls, versus the click wheel, so I wouldn't mind seeing those type buttons on the top/side. They could even have a slide bar, instead of a wheel.

[zed @ Feb 9th 2006 11:12AM]

Even AFTER Apple comes out with a video iPod, they are still wondering about when a video iPod will be out! This is too much, get back to work!!

[Derek @ Feb 9th 2006 11:15AM]

Was there any doubt that the 5G videos were just a stop-gap? I could never understand what all the fuss was about. From the looks of this, 6G is going to be huge, and I'll definitely be on the bandwagon. My 30gb photo seems so archaic to me.

[Alex @ Feb 9th 2006 11:18AM]

How about... a new "Newton" w/ BT, Wifi, and Front Row?
If Palm can make "Life Drive", Apple can do something similar (or better)? Heck, throw in the phone capability too (or as a add-on like iPod's FM remote), make it a Treo + Life Drive + iPod!

Then I'll buy it, for ~$600-700.

[skype_fan @ Feb 9th 2006 11:18AM]

Some people bored ?

Today another day of filling up the news with Apple rumor No. 212 ?

How about Weblogs Inc starts their own Apple rumor blog ?
Getting tired of this photoshop context with a bit text bites.

[Alcaron @ Feb 9th 2006 11:19AM]

Fantastic, so until April or March I get to hear every Apple related post comment on this supposed rumor.

This is almost as funny as the post yesterday regarding the PortalPlayer update and the authors note that they were sure it would only be a matter of time until the rumor mill started spinning it out...which is funny since they basically STARTED the rumor, and are perpetuating it even with this post.

But the tone was very "oh we're sure everyone else will start this rumor". lol

[Steve @ Feb 9th 2006 11:19AM]

Re #8 : touch wheel on the back? Why don't you think about that a little more. How the heck are you gonna use the touch wheel on the back while the screen is on the front? turn the touch wheel, flip it over and see what song/video you're on, then flip it over again?

Please use just a slight modicum of brainpower before making comments.

[Mike @ Feb 9th 2006 11:30AM]

Do you look at your keyboard while you type Steve or can you not handle it? Why don't you give other people's ideas a chance. I don't think a scroll wheel on the back is a ridiculous idea. Flip your iPod over and try scrolling... its actually a pretty comfortable motion.

[Excuse me for my terrible grammar @ Feb 9th 2006 11:37AM]

What I hope... what I hope... They better to have subtitle or Closed Caption optional!

[Frank @ Feb 9th 2006 11:37AM]

The iPod click/touch-wheel is nice, not holy.
In case Apple wants to construct an easy to handle iPod video device with a relatively big (wide-)screen, they will, very likely, have to drop the classic iPod construction. Putting Click-wheel-like functionality on the sides or back of the "iPod Cinema" may actually work quite nicely.
The connectivity aspect is also of importance, I guess WLAN or WUSB may do the trick. Both techniques are, however, quite power consuming. Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR may be an option but offers "only" 3 Mbps.
And eh... I'm sure Apple wishes to extend their big-time iTunes Music Stores profits to the worls of video!

[MS @ Feb 9th 2006 11:41AM]

#19 - The idea of a wheel on the back is totally sensible - for those of us that can move our fingers without having to look where they're going...

[Saber @ Feb 9th 2006 11:42AM]

Another thing to think about with this is the battery. If this is gonna be used for primarily videos the batteries have to be way better then the 5G iPod, especially so with a bigger screen. Backlighting that thing will suck the battery down quick.

[Kenny @ Feb 9th 2006 11:46AM]

To prevent scratching on a virtual UI screen Apple should really consider the touchscreen to be made of high quality glass, not the scratch prone plastic used now...

[jefch @ Feb 9th 2006 11:57AM]

Let's just hope is not priced outrageously expensive like the 20th anniversary mac was in its time...

[daniel @ Feb 9th 2006 11:59AM]

dont iriver already have a touchscreen mp3 player with plans to implement touchscreens priducts across their range looks like apple may be borrwing ideas

[leon @ Feb 9th 2006 12:06PM]

That thing, if true, better come with a decent case otherwise it�ll be scratched to junk within hours.

[carl @ Feb 9th 2006 12:09PM]

Hey, see that Motorola slider phone a few posts down? All apple has to do is replicate that sliding form factor, and put a clickwheel where the keypad is, leaving the top real estate for the biggest widescreen they can fit. Then when you're not using the clickwheel, slide it shut and all you have left is the screen.

Or they could even use a clam shell design where the screen starts out facing inward (like a phone). You could flip it open, swivel it 180 degrees, and shut it, screen out. Voila, all you see is screen, and the touchpad is inside. Flip up the screen to get to it.

Seems easy enough...

And since I'm dreaming, may as well make it a phone with wifi/BT, and make it compatible with my subscription WMAs. That'll happen right? by Gen 14, I'm sure.

[alex @ Feb 9th 2006 12:29PM]

sounds interesting, the ipod video seems to be something to test the water with by apple, particular in regards to content distribution via itunes.

I'd be wary of a touchscreen interface, as I think it would get dirty/scratch easily, so if it does happen i'll wait until a case with a screen protector arrives.

I do like the idea of the touchwheel on the back, as console controllers and touch typing prove that you don't need to look at something to use it effectively.

[Carvalhinho @ Feb 9th 2006 12:46PM]

You don't get it?

Steve Jobs saying: "IPOD with 10" screen"
then this:
hrmpf

and then seeing this:
NYU

It will be a Video IPOD but not with the Format we know already... it will be bigger... and have lot's of other functions...

[Carvalhinho @ Feb 9th 2006 12:48PM]

damns links :)

hrmpf:
http://hrmpf.com/wordpress/48/new-apple-patents/

NYU:
http://mrl.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/

[Carvalhinho @ Feb 9th 2006 12:52PM]

aaaa... just copy past them into your browser... :)

[Scarpad @ Feb 9th 2006 12:55PM]

Well I have a 5G and I also have a PDA I would'nt really see a need to Upgrade. I think they should just stick to the 5G until those 32GB flash memory modules Toshiba have come down in price.

[japlecz @ Feb 9th 2006 12:58PM]

i'd like to see new intel NOT-SO-POCKET PC, they are going to unveil in March, branded the same way as the MacBook Pro, perhaps Apple can make full feature computer with OSX, frontrow and touchscreen... it would be great, i hope i'm not bigger dreamer than boys in apple are:)))

[Mike @ Feb 9th 2006 1:27PM]

Iriver uses a 4 side screen interface. The whole front tilts and clicks. I say go out and get a cowon a2. Which that mock up looks like anyway without the face buttons of the A2.

[Jonathan @ Feb 9th 2006 1:30PM]

WOW� i am in absolute shock. I mean this HAS TO BE TRUE if 3 separate sources are reporting it. Sites have been wrong before about these types of things but when the nano and the video ipod came out just about every site agreed that something �likewise� was going to be released� look at the accuracy in the reports here people!

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/touch-screen-video-ipod-claimed-in-development/

... I must say i am really confused though� the article said the screen will be 3.5 in ... but yet the clickwheel will conver the entire front of the �digital� ipod� so is the new ipod going to be a little midget pod only about the size of a little square box?... i hope these to be true because the 5th gen is god awful when it comes to converting and battery life and a new one so close would be great but apple hardly ever does what the customer predicts� go look in the �future ipods forum� on ilounge.com and see how many mock ups of these there are!... im sure apple has something cool up their sleeves because there is no way in hell i am going to be constantly touching a screen that like an ipod screen if it scratches that easily and apple wouldnt be that irresponsible with all the lawsuits theyve been facing lately� WOO HOO!!! NEW IPODS IN UNDER 2 MONTHS!

[Acksaw @ Feb 9th 2006 1:30PM]

Umm, iRiver U10?

[lefty.crupps @ Feb 9th 2006 2:02PM]

#5, why not go with the Neuros 442?
http://www.neurosaudio.com/store/prod_442.asp

[rojo @ Feb 9th 2006 2:16PM]

I would like to thank carl #33 for stating something that no one seems to think is a feasible possibility. Although a touchscreen would be cool.. it wouldn't be nearly as practical as a slider do to smudging, resetting issues, ect. If I were a betting man, which I am, I would bet that you get an ipod with a slide down click wheel. I bet on things I think would be cool, so I'm probably wrong. But I think it would be sweet

[garoo @ Feb 9th 2006 2:17PM]

For mockup aficionados: http://www.ff00aa.com/en/space/2006/02/09/183240/

Not sure whether they'd stick with the iPod interface or go all Front Row, so I made both.

[Gordy @ Feb 9th 2006 2:46PM]

What's the deal with hyperlinks here?

[Matt E. @ Feb 9th 2006 2:57PM]

Didn't Apple buyout Fingerworks?
fingerworks.com

[Bo Kristensen @ Feb 9th 2006 3:05PM]

I predicted this earlier this summer and even mocked up what it will look like on my website. Here is the rendering I did:

http://www.bolicious.com/studio/Design/5thgen.jpg