Last minute Apple rumor roundup: iPhone HD video out, no new iPod touch?
By Nilay Patel 
posted September 9th 2009 11:23AM
posted September 9th 2009 11:23AM
There's also been an interesting press release this morning from Harmon Kardon, which is touting that its new Bridge III iPod / iPhone dock and AVR 2600 and 3600 receivers can "play back HD video from iPod or iPhone products." Seeing as there's no (official) way to even get HD video onto an iPod or iPhone right now, that seems to indicate there's a change a-comin' -- and seeing as we've already gotten the iPhone 3GS to play back 1080p video, the addition of HD video support to at least some of the i-line seems like a no-brainer. We'll see what's true and what's just wishful thinking soon enough -- the liveblog starts in just a little bit!
Update: And just in case you couldn't get enough sketchy cases, Cygnett has some listed on its site that seem to show a new nano screen size, as well as a new touch with a camera. Things are definitely heating up, stay tuned.
Read - AppleInsider leaked list of new iPod models
Read - Harmon Kardon says new dock can play back HD video from iPhone
Somewhat disappointing.
1080p is not demanded though, 720p would be okay
how about effin standard DivX support. Gee
I call bullsh*t. Why dump the prices on existing stock if what's coming today isn't new(er)?
Can you explain to me why any 4" screen needs 1080p? 720P is even overkill for a mobile device. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to be able to record HD content with the phone to watch on a TV later, but there's no point in filling up a 32gig drive with 1080p content for playback when there's no way you can see the extra detail on a 480x320 resolution screen.
Besides, even if they do add 1080p recording it will still be a waste. No better than the camera is on the iphone they might as well record in 720p. That dinky little lens would simply not resolve the extra detail 1080p gives you. So you'd just get larger movies that don't actually look any better.
@ Eric "Can you explain to me why any 4" screen needs 1080p? 720P is even overkill for a mobile device."
This isn't talking about HD playback on the device itself (although it would be nice if the mobile device CAN playback HD without lagging, even if the fully advantage of the HD picture can't be appreciated on the device... if you have an HD copy of a video and want to view in on the run, it would be nice to have that option). This is talking about docks that allow for HD playback from the mobile device, but on a bigger screen, like an HDTV.
@Eric
Practicality is why. I don't want to have 2 videos of the same episode/movie which takes up an extra 1/3 of my HDD disc space because the iPod Touch/iPhone hardware isn't up to snuff. For a company that prides itself on simplification and optimization you'd think this was a no-brainer for Apple.
Tegra needs to be in the iPod Touch/iPhone in order to compete on a processing scale. As it has been mentioned Apple's mobile devices have become notoriously bloated and slow. Something needs to be done beyond a simple speed increase.
32 gig nano pretty please
i hope they have a 64GB iPod Shuffle!
I think the HD output for iPod would be great if they also add simple media center interface to the output. This would be nice entry level media center for mainstream.
http://mymediaexperience.com/2009/08/digital-living-room-is-not-about-technology/
...
I thought the same thing...
they arent going to be as good as the zune hd, especially if the design stays the same
how exactly is the "design" going to stay the same if the device is new? what design are you refering to anyway? the industrial design - probably won't change. the electrical / component design - will deff change. the software design - that goes up with iphone os updates, so maybe but probably not.
Is it me or does anyone else see the idiocy of trying to compare unreleased products and declaring one better than the other? Wait until you have the device in your hand before passing judgement. Doing otherwise makes about as much sense as those reviews for unreleased products that you can read on Amazon, which I am still amazed that they allow.
The Zune will never be a decent rival for the iPods, here in Europe almost nobody has one...
@oneMadRssn: i meant the industrial design which is rumoured to stay the same, it gets boring after a while
@Kelmon: ive held a zune hd and ive held an ipod touch, since the rumours point to a same hardware design i think it is a well constructed argument
LMAO! Let's see. A higher resolution screen than the Zune HD. Double memory capacity (64GB). HD video out, and a processor that easily competes with the tegra. Since nobody is interested in writing apps for Microsoft's flop media player, I have a difficult time seeing the point in the marginal performace benefit of the tegra over the iPod Touch's new chip, which will be the same as the iPhone. That chip, by the way, consumes less power than the tegra.
You and I must have very different ideas of what a "well constructed argument" looks like. Feel free to have another go and this time try comparisons based on your experiences.
@Dax: Read the article next time. All these are in response to the rumor that there'll be no new iPod Touch, and the iPhone 3GS will be getting HD output. No 64GB, no HD video out for the Touch. Lastly it's not really a higher resolution screen, just a different aspect ratio(it actually has lower pixel density so it looks worse).
Ohhh Dax how drunk you are off Steve Jobs nutjuice...sigh
apple store is down!
Probably just some maintenance...
64gb iPod Touch with HD would be a big win. Honestly, the Zune HD looks amazing, but all Apple needs to do is implement HD on the new line and 3G s and M$ is back scratching at it's niche market.
We certainly haven't heard the end of the Zune HD story, yet.
"Applications", and integration with Windows 7 and Xbox 360 are all guaranteed. What, exactly, that all means, remains to be seen.
It could mean sideshow support. It could mean a killer remote app, or exchange support. It could mean MS launches a new xbox controller that you can dock the Zune HD to, both for mobile gaming, and as a secondary display when playing the 360.
All I know is that Tegra is muuch more powerful than any of the internals in Apple's current devices. If MS is able to market the Zune HD as both a Windows accessory, as well as an Xbox accessory, maybe giving out hefty rebates when you purchase a computer or Xbox along with the Zune HD, it's guaranteed to combat the "niche" lable that has plagued the Zune brand in the past. Of course, lest we forget that it's also a break-through standalone device with HD output, HD radio, OLED screen, and TEGRA!
It's gonna get real interesting, folks. I can certainly see myself buying both the Zune HD and new Touch, as long as the Touch brings something new to the table (which it's seeming more and more like it won't..... )
I see this being really minor event. They might even try to down-play-it hinting at a future event.
Yep i'm with you and no stevie jobs
So will the camera even be on the Nano, and is the only new improvement HD?
Letdown, much? =(
Well, on the not so recent pictures of cases for the iPod nano, there is a little rectangle near the top of the back-end of the case. So, I'm going with yes.
"Letdown, much? =("
Yes, the whole event was a total waste of time and I don't know why they bothered!
Oh...
Hang on, it hasn't happened yet and we're passing judgement based on bloody RUMOURS! Much more of this nonsense and I'm going to get my haddock out and start smacking some sense into people. You can decide for yourself if the haddock is a metaphor...
"Hang on, it hasn't happened yet and we're passing judgement based on bloody RUMOURS! "
Well, Kelmon, if those rumors were about a touch tablet or something that made people excited, you wouldn't have an issue with them.
Apple fans use rumors like a drug. Dont be surprised when sometimes the hit isnt that good.*
*This is not an endorsement of drug use of any kind. Just Say No!
EXCUSE ME °_O ????? but what about those new cases for ipod touch
Idk, we'll have to wait 'til 1 to find out if this is really true =/...
People mock the Zune but the ZHD looks to be a pretty decent proposition. Apple would not _suffer_ if they fail to bring out (or at least announce) a new version of the iPod Touch, but it might give MS a bit of a sales bump if there's no 'new' competition on the horizon.
I'm picking up a Zune HD no question if there isn't an iPod Touch to at least make me think otherwise.
live video stream anywhere?
new ipod touch had better have GPS!
(1) Did you read the article? The rumor is there is no new iPod Touch (a rumor I don't believe is true, but your comment has no relevance to the article)
(2) I would be surprised if GPS is included on a new version of the iPod touch... they haven't included it on either of the previous generations despite it being on the iPhone. Why would the start now? I suppose they might want to to increase the possible customer base for the TomTom app, which, at $100 a pop gives Apple a pretty sweet profit margin. But, since the iPhone's GPS is AGPS, and the iPod Touch has no wireless capabilities other than WiFi, would the TomTom app even work since (I'm presuming) it's written for iPhone's AGPS?
I seriously doubt you are ever going to see GPS in the touch. The iPhone doesn't do GPS by satellite signal, it does it by cell tower triangulation. So unless they add cell service to the touch or manage to cram a GPS card in there, and make it a fatter device, then it's something that won't be coming.
128GB iPod Touch with HD video recording as well as playback. HDMI-out via proprietary cable sold for $49.99. Xenon flash as well as LED flash for capturing all of those great moments in perfect clarity.
You heard it here first, folks.
"Now back to Real-Life, Kent"
"Thanks, Bob"
We heard your massive pipe-dream here first? Or are you talking about 2-3 years from now?
No, I'm talking about what is going to be announced today. Wait and see, young ones. Wait and see.
He didn't mention the price for it...$999. get it?
Btw, the increase in size will be just 1.2mm. It's a 3.2 megapixel camera that records HD in 720p and at 24fps. Slow motion video available in HVGA at 300fps.
More info to come.
@kurt711: The Macbook records HD video?
"Xenon flash as well as LED flash for capturing all of those great moments in perfect clarity"
Dear god, no. Direct flash is an abomination that makes pictures look horrible if it is used for anything more than fill-in light. Give me a quality sensor with good ISO performance and a fast lens over flash.
@Kelmon: Haha, of all the things in his comments, the one you pick on is that?
Looks like I still won't have a reason to purchase my first iPod product.
...uh, engadget, stuttering halting video is not getting 1080p playback...
...it is FAILING to get 1080p playback...