Internet radio iPods due Wednesday?

Sensing a small gap in existing September 5th iPod rumors, vnunet.com is joining the fray and citing an "industry insider" with word on a digital radio iPod. Apparently the device will stream iTunes songs wirelessly, with a "Buy Now" option if the mood strikes. While internet radio has been a feature of iTunes since time began, it's never really been a big thrust for Apple, and to say that we're skeptical about this "report" is a major understatement. We're also not sure Apple is ready to leave its precious digital hub and finally allow consumers to make purchasing decisions on the go, but we're certainly all for it. Let's file this one under "baseless" until tomorrow when all shall be known.

[Thanks, FireFox]

[mark @ Sep 4th 2007 11:14AM]

They are going to support streaming Sirius satellite radio assuming you have a WiFi connection and a Siruis account.

[d @ Sep 4th 2007 12:57PM]

If that were true, and an upgrade made to the iPhone to also allow this, I would be at the store ASAP!

[mark @ Sep 4th 2007 3:50PM]

won't the iPhone already stream Sirius over the Internet - I do it off my BlackJack (company pays for it + data)

[Randy @ Sep 4th 2007 11:12AM]

I want SUBSCRIPTION iTunes just like Rhapsody! Any news on that? This is the only reason I have not switched over to iTunes.

[Killian @ Sep 4th 2007 11:23AM]

that's unfortunate, you're missing out

[L.M.L.Y.P @ Sep 4th 2007 1:30PM]

youre not really missing out on anything. enjoy your money saving subscription, Killian seems to be missing out on his money :(

[Dave A. @ Sep 4th 2007 1:32PM]

Yes, because we all know how much us audiophiles love to *rent* songs.


If you really want a song, you buy it. You don't rent it. This is the only reason I have not switched over to Rhapsody/Napster/etc.

[John @ Sep 4th 2007 1:39PM]

Yes, I'm sure you're an audiophile, listening to that 128kbps AAC goodness you purchase off of iTunes, probably on Skullcandy earbuds, right? Or maybe people who are really concerned about the sound quality of their music just buy the CDs. Try head-fi.org or hydrogenaudio.org if you want to find forums of the actual audiophiles who spend thousands trying to get the highest possible quality sound.

As a disclaimer, I myself am not a true audiophile, but calling iTunes tracks anywhere near audiophile quality is just wrong.

[Mr. Majestic @ Sep 4th 2007 11:13AM]

Security Teams for a certain major retailer with a bullseye as a logo just got emailed a few days ago that apple will release a new product and will start receiving shipments between the 5th and the 8th. The email mentioned the Beatles as well... thought I would throw that in, being the store it is the only thing it could possibly be is a new ipod.

[Mark Sergienko @ Sep 4th 2007 11:14AM]

There's something I don't get about these rumors: how would they do wireless song downloading / internet radio streaming? is it even possible on all US networks aside wifi? Would it work in other countries? Would you have to subscribe to mobile carrier and pay for that? If it's not a phone there's no point.
I think it'll just be new sexy iPod(s) that's it. And some features new on iTunes maybe too. People will buy it anyways.

[Galley @ Sep 4th 2007 4:12PM]

Sprint has had a wireless music store for a few years now.

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 4th 2007 11:14AM]

Wish it could do Slacker.

[allenvanhellen @ Sep 4th 2007 11:17AM]

I hope they wouldn't use Sirius. Sirius radio sounds like crap!

[Pete @ Sep 4th 2007 1:45PM]

You are thinking of Satellite radio. The Sirius Internet streaming radio is better quality than the Satellite version.

[riggs @ Sep 4th 2007 11:37AM]

If it does happen, i bet people are going to call it innovative :\

[thegrey @ Sep 4th 2007 11:20AM]

iPod + pandora.com = gold

[Nikoooo @ Sep 4th 2007 1:00PM]

iPod+Deezer+Pandora= golden bars everywhere!

[Jake @ Sep 4th 2007 11:24AM]

I work at circuit city and we have been out of both of the 30 and 60 gigabyte ipods for a while so i have been thinking something must be going on if we are completely out......i have been waiting for the archos 605 wifi but now that its possible for a new ipod i would like to compare before the big purchase.

[TDG01 @ Sep 4th 2007 11:38AM]

ditto...it's between the new iPod and the Archos 605 wifi....

What i'm particularly curious about is if Apple will maintain the same physical interface so it doesn't make existing iPod accessories obsolete..

[L.M.L.Y.P @ Sep 4th 2007 1:32PM]

I TOO WORK AT CIRCUIT CITY! and i havent seen any of the ipods in stock for the past 2 weeks. least i convert people to Zune buying.heh

[adriangrab @ Sep 4th 2007 11:32AM]

Sounds legit to me...

[@ @ Sep 4th 2007 11:35AM]

The new ipod could have a camera

[JET @ Sep 4th 2007 11:35AM]

Yup, Bullseye Logo pulled all remaining iPod stock off their shelves in a Louisville store yesterday. When I asked if they were getting new models this week, they said "We're not replenishing the current models, if that's what you mean."

JET

[Panathas17 @ Sep 4th 2007 11:36AM]

Who gives a damn about radio?!?!?! BRING ON THE NEW iPods!!!

[g0trice06 @ Sep 4th 2007 11:38AM]

first it was sansa, not it's apple. everyone's going wireless.

[Justin @ Sep 4th 2007 11:45AM]

Technically it was the Zune who was in the wireless fold first. But, really, who remembers that technological abhortion?

[Sean DL @ Sep 4th 2007 11:48AM]

Yeah, it's the hot thing to do...The Zune will be next, and then we will have chips put in our brains so when we THINK of a song but can't remember the name, the iPod will download it for you already!

[Jordan @ Sep 4th 2007 11:45AM]

could an HD radio tuner be in the works. That would be awesome and free!

[Panathas17 @ Sep 4th 2007 11:44AM]

sorry, got a little over-excited... ;)

[Panathas17 @ Sep 4th 2007 11:49AM]

sorry, got a little over-excited... ;)

[websyndicate @ Sep 4th 2007 11:51AM]

the Zune Killer here it comes

[slug @ Sep 4th 2007 11:58AM]

the zune is already dead, it still hasnt made it to the uk!!

[Justin @ Sep 4th 2007 11:56AM]

I think if we see any sort of radio function in this iPod, it would be done solely through iTunes ala Airport Express with AirTunes.

If these players are flash based across the board, many people will be leaving a majority of their library behind on their computer.

With a new "AirTunes" like function, you can stream music from your machine's "Shared" folder in iTunes to your iPod. So while you're in your home you can stream music or, if Apple wanted to take the next step, by sharing your tunes you can access them at any wifi access point by entering your iTMS account info.

I don't see why Apple would want to include Satellite Radio when they want people to listen to iTMS content on their iPod.

[Constable Odo @ Sep 4th 2007 11:58AM]

I'm still concerned about the rumors of only NAND flash-based iPods. Maybe that's all they're introducing tomorrow. I've got my heart set on a 100-120 GB HDD wide-screen iPod. However, I'd be willing to settle on a 64 GB flash model and be happy to foot the premium. A mere 30 GB model would have to accomodate OSX and that would use up precious hard drive space.
I hadn't expected wireless radio, but I'll take it if it's free.

[declan @ Sep 4th 2007 12:07PM]

Apple are going to stream internet radio to iPods when they wont put an FM tuner in them? Very unlikely.

[Satish @ Sep 4th 2007 12:08PM]

A Free Software unlock for iphones :D

[JimS @ Sep 4th 2007 12:12PM]

Sorry to interupt but...

This is a story about digital radio - HD Radio. Not "internet radio". iPods are not going to "stream iTunes".

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Sep 4th 2007 12:52PM]

But that's an idea... Apple already supports sharing network resources over the AirPort Extreme... so why not be able to stream your library over WiFi to an authorized device? Throw something like 12GB in the iPod for video and then stream via WiFi for the music....

Hell, it's better than running around with 80GB hard drives in our pockets... but it does mean WiFi access is a must.

[rey_rodriguez @ Sep 4th 2007 12:17PM]

Can't wait to get the new iPod. I'm praying it's like the phone.

[crashin2U @ Sep 4th 2007 12:31PM]

I know someone on the inside, and he let me in on some seriously hush hush info;

Remember, you heard it here first:
The new iPod will have a cassette player built into it.

How cool is that!

[Phoenixfury @ Sep 4th 2007 1:24PM]

Not cassette, 8-Track. The 8-Track is back and in style like never before! Those kids from the 70's will be thrilled. :)

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Sep 4th 2007 12:48PM]

"We're also not sure Apple is ready to leave its precious digital hub and finally allow consumers to make purchasing decisions on the go..."

Man, you are so off base on that.

The infrastructure already exists for this.

Go sync your iPod and make sure there's a Protected AAC on there. Then delete the track from iTunes. Now sync your iPod again. iTunes will tell you it found iTMS purchases on the iPod and it will ask if you want to transfer them over to the iTunes library.

Done. The wireless store is all ready to go.

[Tim @ Sep 4th 2007 12:49PM]

I agree with Constable Odo. I really want the iPhone Touch with 100-120 GB HDD. If they do the new iPod only in flash, then the absolute most they could do would be 64GB. And it would be a near miracle by Apple to get that in under $600 yet, even with their contract volumes. 32GB is more likely. It will be cool but disappointing to me, because I want high capacity.

So I've decided: I have an 8GB iPhone. If the iPod Touch is indeed HDD based and offers lots of storage, I will sell the iPhone and buy it (and go back to a blackberry). if the iTouch tops at 32GB, I will keep the iPhone and get a 160GB Archos 605. The deal is sealed!

[D @ Sep 4th 2007 12:57PM]

Not likely since the royalty rates are in question. Also, if the new iPods come with built in FM radio I'd buy one just for that alone so as to no longer need the remote.

[Gadget Chick @ Sep 4th 2007 1:14PM]

just checked out itunes and under my ipod's summary tab under update it says its checking again for an update on 9/5/07.. they usually check for updates on the following tuesday...

[Josh @ Sep 4th 2007 1:16PM]

The iTunes store hasn't been updated today (tuesday) like normal. This usually means something new is in the works for it and will be introduced soon (tomorrow probably). So something new is coming for the iTunes store... wireless would be nice, but it could just be the ringtones rumored earlier.

Here's to wishful thinking

[Kerry Saylor @ Sep 4th 2007 1:29PM]

Why can't we just have a built-in FM HD Radio?? Or, just a plain old std. FM radio? That alone would win the hearts of many consumers!

think about all the fitness centers around that broadcast local TV audio via some obscure FM channel internally to the room/building? Can't listen to all that content via the iPod w/o an FM tuner. Make it an HD FM Tuner, and we'll be prepared for the future!

[DW @ Sep 4th 2007 1:50PM]

Steve Jobs has used the, "No one wants radio and wi-fi on iPods" excuse long enough. Heck, even Zunes has those features; no matter how "crippled" one of them may be, at least they HAVE the features.

I'd love to isten to my college radio station on my iPod.

Bring the feature or I'm jumping ship, bro!

[B @ Sep 4th 2007 2:32PM]

So, Apple.com should be going down soon, right?

[Karl Viklund @ Sep 4th 2007 2:41PM]

ROFL. Wtf has happened to that iPod? Haha! So thick! :D