Analysts predict 4GB and 8GB iPod nanos with video

Take the following information with the usual grain of salt; when it comes to speculation about Apple's intentions, nothing is ever certain until the esteemed Mr. Jobs is on stage, product in hand, delivering the pitch. This time around, we have word from AppleInsider that American Technology Research analysts are reporting that their most recent "checks" indicate impending capacity doubling for the iPod nano line-- to 4GB and 8GB -- as well as the addition of "basic video capabilities," in models to be released during the "September quarter."  If true, none of these developments would be all that shocking, as the current nanos already have sharp little color screens, and storage boosts are just a natural part of any digital audio player's lifecycle. ATR's Shaw Wu also seemingly contradicted earlier AppleInsider info when he cited an anticipated June/July release window for the as-yet-unannounced 13.3-inch Intel-powered Macbook laptop, which AI had previously suggested would be available sometime before June.

[Alex Wilks @ May 1st 2006 3:54PM]

More storage is a nice concept but I don't feel those screens are really adequate in terms of size for video personally.

[jiawei725 @ May 1st 2006 3:56PM]

Included accessories: Earbud headphones, USB cable, Dock Adapter, MAGNIFIER, and $50 coupon for eye-exam.

[Saluki @ May 1st 2006 4:01PM]

ok, be honest. Who actually watches video on their ipod? I mean I bought a clip off iTunes right when it came out, but to this date I have not watched another clip on my iPod. Thats why I have a PSP

[GadgetGav @ May 1st 2006 4:08PM]

I wish I had that job... surf the web for product rumors and then republish them as 'analysis'.

[Brian Stuckey @ May 1st 2006 4:10PM]

The screen is nice and having video on the nano defiantly would increase the cool-factor. Unless it had a video-out, I can�t see it actually being useful. It is hard enough to see on my reguar iPod w/video. In regards to your question, Saluki, buying clips does get $$$. I love Bit Torrent & QuickTime Pro � that way you can still get your clips on the iPod but much cheaper. HandBrake is great for converting DVDs to iPod format (the queue feature is a godsend for converting TV show discs) I think some DVR software will even automate recording shows & converting them to iPod format.

[Todd @ May 1st 2006 4:14PM]

iPods are cool looking, but way to expensive. My iRiver U10 was only 149 and it does way more stuff than any iPod.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8562065510019728120&q=planetboredom.net

Apple needs to step it up, or risk becomming pase with their ultra-fickle user base.

T

[Blurb @ May 1st 2006 4:14PM]

Talk about iPod overload. Apple is going to milk it for all it's worth until the very end.

[Oliver @ May 1st 2006 4:18PM]

Damn, I bought a nano on saturday. Don't care about the video at all, but 8gb would have been nice.

[DSP @ May 1st 2006 4:29PM]

#5, stop trolling the iriver U10 holds a mere 1 gig or 512 megs. It is a ton worse then ANY of the nano's and costs more. the U10 1 Gig costs $249. thats more then the 1 gig nano. Heck the 512 meg iRiver is the only POS thats competative price wise at $199.
DOn't believe me? well go to the web site:
http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/U10/

As I said iPod=Best and #5 post = Troll

-DSP-

[Disgriuntled Reader @ May 1st 2006 4:29PM]

Dear Engadget,


Please stop using the phrase "take this with a grain of salt", is it me or is it getting annoying?

Sincerely,

D. Reader

[PEZ @ May 1st 2006 4:35PM]

Apple intends on moving the click wheel more towards the bottom, then flipping the screen sideways, and making it wider (16:9) and allowing .mov's to be played on them.

Its pretty simple. A sideways nano with video.

Sign me up.

[David @ May 1st 2006 4:40PM]

An 8GB Nano would cost at least $350, and probably closer to $400 unless Apple is willing to take a loss on these. Wouldn't this screw up their pricing scheme? Sure, 8GB of flash is nice, but is it really that much more attractive than a $300 20GB iPod?

[Echid @ May 1st 2006 4:51PM]

@3 Totally true, I rarely use my iPod for video, its battery life is so short and the screen is so small that it is basically pointless.

[Paul @ May 1st 2006 4:55PM]

David - not sure where you've been since the nano came out last year - but the price of flash memory has dropped siginificantly.

Frankly, I think a memory bump up is quite overdue for the nano.

[caleb @ May 1st 2006 5:01PM]

@Saluki (Was #3)
I do. Every week I download Lost copy to my ipod. I then use the video out to watch it on the TV. Obviously I don't have a VCR/DVR. Additionally it allows me to be the *consumer* as opposed to the *product* which for me is a much better feeling.

[anon @ May 1st 2006 5:07PM]

Does anyone actually have an iPod with Video? If you hold it like you would a mobile phone when looking for a phone number then watching video is quite easy.

Size of screen + distance from screen = viewing ability.

I, personally, want to get one of those video googles (about $900USD) with it's 1 inch screens only a couple inches from your eyes. It's equivilant to watching a 12 foot display. PLus, I imagine that this will assist in gaming as there is low overhead and the use of stereo displays may eventually result in true depth perception and 3-D gaming (you turn your head, your character turns).

[Hunter @ May 1st 2006 5:14PM]

It's hard enough to look at photos on the nano, I can't imagine watching video on one.

I do, however, love my my iPod with video. I was watching KiTH: Brain Candy at work yesterday and often watch Futurama if time allows.

[David @ May 1st 2006 5:23PM]

The cheapest 8GB flash on newegg is still $200. Add in the cost of the additional components plus retail markup and an 8GB nano could easily cost $350. Prices have come down since last year, but they certainly haven't come down enough to permit Apple to sell an 8GB nano for less than the 20GB iPod.

[Matt @ May 1st 2006 5:27PM]

Hmm probably not. I have to say that the Nano screen is so small, even cover art is hard to see, so I just don�t see the point of adding video, it�s just not practical to watch for any length of time. To be fair I think that the big daddy iPod screen is too small to watch movies, let alone the Nano. The big daddy is ok for music videos and showing comedy adverts and the like to mates in the pub, but that�s all.

I am of course slightly biased by the fact that the PSP kicks the iPod�s ass in this respect. Having had one for a few months now, I can say that the PSP screen is beautifully sharp and watching a movie on it on the train is quite comfortable, with the added plus that you can have a couple of spare batteries in your pocket for long journeys. Some might say that the MS Pro Duo is the limiting factor, but you can get a 2gb card for �60 from ebay, which will easily hold 2 movies.

[Adam @ May 1st 2006 5:29PM]

Stupid.

[Alex Franklin @ May 1st 2006 5:31PM]

What the hell #12 a ipod mini with 6gb of space cost$ $250 and a four gb nano cost $250 and can play video using ipod linux so how would a 8gb cost $350 or $400.

And also since a nano could play video why wouldnt apple just but out an update for them, just like they did for bootcamp.

[craig @ May 1st 2006 5:32PM]

since when has apple purchased memory from newegg?

with quanitity discounts and special deals set up with samsung, or whoever is supplying the memory, the price is going to be much lower than what you just said.

[Greg @ May 1st 2006 5:39PM]

Apple does not buy flash memory at newegg's prices. Nowhere near newegg's prices.

[Lionel Mandrake @ May 1st 2006 5:46PM]

Expect the flash makers to provide 2x the amount of flash capacity for the same cost every year for the next few years. (This has a fairly chilling effect on the guys making the 6 to 8 GB 1-inch HD's). So an 8 GB Nano makes total sense. Apple can exercise an option to match the current 4 GB Nano price once the initial early adopter geeks (who historically will pay anything) buy theirs at premium prices.

[Raider @ May 1st 2006 5:47PM]

LOL 1.5" inch MOVIES LOL

[Tomas @ May 1st 2006 5:57PM]

Build me a video iPod with a flexible screen that pops out of the side and rolls onto my desk. Then maybe I'll buy one to watch movies.

[Pfft @ May 1st 2006 6:02PM]

#19

Not a challenge; if Apple does buy bigger flash mem from anyone, you can bet they're getting a damn better deal than buying at newegg.

[Rob @ May 1st 2006 6:08PM]

all I have to add is that I'm glad I know the effects of high volume inventories and no one else seems to get it.. yay for accounting and finance!

[Robotx25 @ May 1st 2006 6:08PM]

personally Im happy with my creative zen photo. Kind of chunky but for $249 I get 8gb of storage and fm capabilities (although I never listen to the radio)

I also have the Zen M video which has a better looking screen than IPOD video but doesnt have a cool service like ITunes so thats the drawback

[James Rice @ May 1st 2006 6:13PM]

I have both a nano and a 5G ipod... and except for the first week I had it, I don't watch video on the big ipod, let alone the nano...

[Stewf @ May 1st 2006 6:21PM]

It's MacBook. Cap B. I know it's anal, but you guys are smart enough to spell the products correctly.

[Anthony @ May 1st 2006 7:05PM]

To: Disgriuntled Reader

I just searched "grain of salt" & find they've only used it a little over 20 times since 2004. You should probably take those #'s with a pinch of paprika, however, as there are a few hybrids I seem to recall reading.

[themar @ May 1st 2006 7:15PM]

This one has been in the pipeline for a while. I have a friend who's been working on the ad campaign since Xmas. He brought a prototype with him last time I saw him and, yes, it's a working nano video. Not for me, though. Screen's too small still.

[Baxter Madu @ May 1st 2006 7:18PM]

Hey dorks,

When photos came to the small screen of the ipod nano, the world didn't end, did it? As time passed all model ranges get all features passed on (ie, color screen, photo capability, what's next.. oh yeah! video).

Personally, I love the nano's size and I really wish it could do video, instead I have to use my Treo for that, which is kind of blah. Can't wait, if anything September can't come soon enough (the nano debuted around September 05, didn't it).

[Anonymous @ May 1st 2006 7:29PM]

It's capital. Not an abbreviation. I know it's anal, but you guys are smart enough to spell words correctly.

[Kapila Wimalaratne @ May 1st 2006 8:02PM]

8GB iPod nano with video would be sweet - I'd buy it in a second.

Kap

[siruis @ May 1st 2006 8:11PM]

It is hard enough to see on my reguar iPod w/video. In regards to your question, buying clips does get dollars.

[nojok3 @ May 1st 2006 8:20PM]

themar are you sure the ipod nano didnt have linux to play the video on it

[diulei @ May 1st 2006 8:20PM]

Video is cool and all, but yes, as it is now, way too small of a screen. However, it would still be nice to load short little clips of you and your friends for fun, kind of like a novelty.

[Speedmetal @ May 1st 2006 9:40PM]

Re: watching video on the 5G iPod... I find watching TV shows and music videos to be just fine. In fact, I've loaded well over 300 TV shows and videos for watching on the way to work. Movies aren't great yet, but anything in standard 4:3 mode views fine.

As for video on the nano, I'm a bit sceptical on that one because I've looked at photos on my wife's nano and they are a little hard to see clearly, so video would likely just cause me eye strain.

[Jeremy @ May 1st 2006 11:40PM]

Someone is going to break their eyes. :(

[DM @ May 2nd 2006 5:06AM]

#42 "I think apple is the largest selling company of ipods"

LMAO!

[griv @ May 2nd 2006 5:29AM]

I run podzilla on my 4GB nano and watch videos on the 25 min train ride to work. anything cartoony is fine, mainly stuff I've watched before. beats staring out the window. :)

[Aaron @ May 2nd 2006 7:08AM]

Here's a tip I found, for those of you that aren't loving the video feature on the 5G iPod: You know those video-out cables that come with camcorders? The usual composite Y/W/R on one end, and the headphone-size jack on the other? Plug one of those into your iPod's headphone jack (if you don't have one of these cords, you can pick one up at Radio Shack or whatever for just a few $) and instead of plugging the yellow end into the yellow jack on your TV as you normally would, plug the red one into the yellow, the yellow into the white, and the white into the red (an easy way to remember this order is to line them up as they would go normally, then just put the red first instead of last). Turn on TV out in the iPod's video settings and there you have it. Using the highest quality video the iPod can handle, you can watch near-DVD quality movies on any TV with a little thing that fits in your pocket.

Now don't tell me that isn't cool. Also, if you were wondering, I use DVD Decrypter for ripping and Videora iPod Converter for transcoding. Both are free, however DVD Decrypter can be hard to find as it was discontinued. Videora iPod Converter is great because it can directly transcode the VOBs from a DVD rip, but it doesn't start out with the settings that I like to use. If you check out their forums and experiment a little, you can get an idea of what what settings will work best for what you want.

You should be able to get at least 2.5 hours of watching in there on a full charge, maybe a little more. Unfortunately the 5G iPod doesn't come with a standalone charger which is really what would make this complete, but I still had the one that came with my 4G.

Sorry for writing such a long post, I try not to do that. Just thought this stuff might be helpful to someone.

[ty @ May 2nd 2006 11:45AM]

I had a 4gb nano before (it wa stolen) .. anyways, i wont be getting another iPod. I hated the touch wheel controls, give me a real wheel with tactile feedback.

There are better multi-gig mp3 players out there now.

[Dave @ May 2nd 2006 11:45AM]

If there's an 8 gig nano, it might sell for about $300. Yes, the 4 gig is now $250, but I'm sure Apple will get a sweet deal for the memory just like it did last time.

Whether you care about video or not, 8 gigs of flash is nice.

[Louis @ May 3rd 2006 6:05PM]

If this prediction gets real, I'll defenitly buy it. A iPod with 8 Gb of space is a so good idea.

[Nephersir @ Aug 1st 2006 6:34PM]

Sandisk Sansa already has these capabilities ( 6gb and video) and at least, there is a radio tuner on it.

[PAT @ Jul 15th 2007 12:52PM]

CAN ALL IPOD NANOS PLAY VIDEOS? IF NOT WHICH ONES? CAUSE I REALLY WANT AN IPOD THAT'LL PLAY VIDEOS FOR MY CONSTANT LONG TRIPS BUT I DONT WANT ANYTHING AS FAT AND BIG AS THE IPOD VIDEO SIMPLY BECAUSE I WANT SOMETHING THAT DOESNT LOOK EXTRA BOYISH AND LIKE I SAID B4 BIG.

[dakshata @ Oct 12th 2007 5:32PM]

hey i wanna play video on my nano 4gb..
cn yone plz help??
u cn play only those videos tht r available on i store??
if i wana add my own videos thn hw cn i add thm??
plz nyone tell me...
dakshata
india