[Love Calm Quiet]

As of 9am EST I can't get the link on CNET.com homepage to work, but they have a "Stay Plugged In" headline that says:

"MPE Insider: Is Apple working on a video iPod?"

Link opens nothing via Safari or MacIE. Anybody heard any related rumors?

[-Q-]

Not long ago, Apple had a job posting for a position that sounded like video iPod would be one of the responsibilities. I haven't heard much after that. From the interviews with Jobs that I've read, he doesn't seem to think the concept will take off.

[Stogieman]

Bah! According to rumors, Apple has been working on a video iPod for almost 2 years now. I doubt Cnet has any inside info on this. My guess is we won't see a video iPod anytime soon.

[slider]

I really don't see the point in a video ultra handheld device for a couple of reasons. One, you can't use a VidPod couldn't be used in most situations such as exercising ie biking, running. Most people won't be able to do HW while watching a Video. Two those compact DVD players havn't taken off at all, most people would just get a laptop instead. If the screen becomes big enough view a movie, were has the compact hand held design gone? Three, I think the buzz about it is just companies like M$ trying to corner the market or at least be way ahead of everyone else "when" it hits big; trying to be the iPod of the vid world.

Let's face it, watching a video and listening to music are two completely different things. You can listen to anything and do almost anything else at the same time. You can't say the same for a VidPod. I could see if for people who commute on a train or fly a lot, but then again, laptop, one device that does serveral things. In this case a laptop does video viewing quite well.

[djohnson]

Not going to happen. See above reason. Sound like cNet is picking up on a rumor...

[Rev-O]

Just tossing this out, and it actually matters to me not one whit, but what about a Newton reborn? An Apple PDA might make sense to... hell, I don't know who it'd make sense to.

But it could function as an iPod. Maybe even store Dvd movies on it, but the whole copyrights thing would be sticky. Make it a portable HD capable of capturing video straight from a DV source without a tape. load it with iCal, iPhoto, iSync, bluetooth, email, web surfing. Think of something a smidge bigger than an ipod that hinges along the long axis and folds open to reveal a qwerty keyboard on one side and some flavor of color flat panel (OLED?) on the other. Make it anodized aluminum like the minis for the fasion sensitive. A nicely designed and innovative PDA may make someone think of a "video iPod".

I wouldn't buy one, but I'm sure some people might.

[-Q-]

Originally posted by Rev-O:
I wouldn't buy one, but I'm sure some people might.

Not enough people for Apple to make any money.

Creative just introduced the Creative Zen at CES last month and I'll be interested to see how that does as a product. Jobs is right in that people 'consume' movies differently than video and I think a product like the Zen is great for the constant traveller (although most business travellers I know end up doing work on the flights or sleeping) or for the kids to watch while in the car, but it isn't a mass-consumer appeal product.

[nobitacu]

I just ordered a iPod mini, so I won't be looking for another one, even if it can play video for a few years.

Ming