[xtremekinetix]

So, it's old news that the 4G iPod was named by Time as its Gadget Of The Week. What is interesting, though, is that Wilson Rothman, in his article, references several "secret features" that have yet to be unveiled by Apple:

"But you should know that internally the new iPod is a ground-up reconstruction, and its really compelling applications — the ones that very well might get the goat of anyone unable or unwilling to upgrade — are still secret. All that Apple is saying is that there's more to this than what's being publicized."

One can only wonder how the iPod may develop over the next year or so. Perhaps Apple has plans to extend it into different applications besides carrying and playing music (e.g. a small plug-in LCD screen for watching movies stored on the iPod's HD). Anyone else have any ideas on what these secret features might be and what might be in store?

[dav]

Originally posted by xtremekinetix:
Anyone else have any ideas on what these secret features might be and what might be in store?

hmmm, could it have anything to do with h.264/avc?

don't think viewing photos/imovies on that small a screen is compelling, but if it could store those and display them on a tv via a cable, i could see that working. a 60gb model would help.

[b00tang]

Oh and let the speculation begin. Though it would be nice to quiet all the grouchy 3g users who don't want to upgrade. I can't believe how downplayed the extended battery life of the 4g is, its one of the major reasons i am upgrading from my 2g.

maybe the secret feature is "no really 12 hours of battery life. weren't you paying attention when we said it the first time"

EDIT: oh i guess i should also say "don't respond to my battery life rant" since I suppose it is off topic and unfair to the thread

[gametime10]

Not sure if anyone noticed this but if you go in the Setings menu, there's a setting for Main Menu... in there, under extras, there two new menu options "Photo Import" and "Voice Memos". Perhaps these have something to do w/ these secret features?

[HotSoup]

Originally posted by gametime10:
Not sure if anyone noticed this but if you go in the Setings menu, there's a setting for Main Menu... in there, under extras, there two new menu options "Photo Import" and "Voice Memos". Perhaps these have something to do w/ these secret features?

That is 3G stuff if i'm correct. They are probably for the photo hardrive & voice recorder accessories.

[TailsToo]

It's a secret mind control device. Steve Jobs will activate it this fall to get everyone to see The Incredibles!

[andreas_g4]

Maybe Tiger will employ features like "home-on-iPod", where you can have your Data stored on your iPod.

I expect a narrower integration with Mac OS X and it's iApps.

It would ba also a cool feature when Apple could manage that your Computer can only be turned on/logged in when YOUR iPod is connected. Of course optionally.

[m2bored]

Originally posted by andreas_g4:

It would ba also a cool feature when Apple could manage that your Computer can only be turned on/logged in when YOUR iPod is connected. Of course optionally. [/B]

Now that is a truly interesting idea!

I wonder if the serial number of the ipod is hard-coded into it anywhere...it could use that to identify the ipod

[rmac]

The latest iPod sw update was supposed to add one new feature, shuffle play. There might be something wrong with the update though since I wasn't able to install it. All it was saying was that I already had the latest version...oh well.

Anyway, iPod is basically just a hard disk so with software updates it could be turned to do anything. Shuffle is probably most useful new feature at the moment since at least I'm not very interested in listening my songs always in alphabetical order...

[MOTHERWELL]

Originally posted by andreas_g4:
Maybe Tiger will employ features like "home-on-iPod", where you can have your Data stored on your iPod.

I expect a narrower integration with Mac OS X and it's iApps.

It would ba also a cool feature when Apple could manage that your Computer can only be turned on/logged in when YOUR iPod is connected. Of course optionally.

That is what I am waiting for! I hate using other peoples computers to check my email.

[Thilo Ettelt]

Since the audiobooks can be pitched now, I think Apple has implemented audio effects. Thus I would expect:

- cross over
- scratching

and probably more DJ functions...


- Thilo

[Parky]

Originally posted by rmac:
The latest iPod sw update was supposed to add one new feature, shuffle play. There might be something wrong with the update though since I wasn't able to install it. All it was saying was that I already had the latest version...oh well.

Anyway, iPod is basically just a hard disk so with software updates it could be turned to do anything. Shuffle is probably most useful new feature at the moment since at least I'm not very interested in listening my songs always in alphabetical order...

There are no software updates for 1G, 2G or 3G iPods.

Yes they did release a new version but it if for the 4G version only and none of the new features are available for the older models.

Ian

[Krusty]

Guys, you're all missing the boat here. Apple doesn't like to mix up and crossover functionality with devices like the iPod. Whatever the secret features are, I'd be willing to bet almost 100% that it will be music related -- NOT h.264 video support.

Also .. why would Apple need to add special functionality/circuitry to the iPod to implement "home on iPod" ? This seems like it would be handled easily enough through software.

Based on those two assumptions, I offer the following speculation:
What's the hot new music/iTunes related item right now ? That's right - AirTunes.
I'd be willing to bet that the special functionality of the 4G iPod is that it will accept/handle a dock attachment housing a wireless card. It'd be too expensive, too useless for most people, and draw too much battery and take up too much space to put inside every iPod. An iPod, enabled thusly, would be able to stream music to all the same devices that Air Tunes can (e.g. an "Ouput to" menu item where you choose "Living Room Stereo", "John's computer". "Kitchen", whatever -- just like though Air Tunes-enabled iTunes). It'd be Rendevous enabled so that walking into an Air Tunes enabled area would allow the iPod to play whatever was locally available AND serve up to locally available music outlets including other enabled iPods in the vicinity

Think of these possibilites:
iPod users on a subway, sharing music on their way to work ... all ad hoc.

A hip coffee house where you can walk in and stream from their music library -- any song YOU choose (or even submit your music thru their hi-fi).

Go to a house party (or even a workplace)... same idea as above .. you get the picture

Of course, it will be an extra cost add-on for dockable 4G iPods -- I'm guessing the secret feature is the circuitry necessary to recognize and utilize such an add-on.

Whatta ya'll think ?

edit:
[one more far out idea]
Voice recorder built-in to the add-on. Record and send, or directly stream voice memos between computers/iPods in local range
[/one more far out idea]

[MOTHERWELL]

I dont see the point of having an iPod that can send music to my speakers when my computer can do the same thing. I just got an aiport express and I am happy that I no longer have to have my ipod anywhere near my home stereo.

What I am hoping will soon become a reality is wireless headphones. Just imagine how liberating it would be!

[EmmEff]

I am speculating some sort of inexpensive add-on that will turn the iPod into a remote control w/display for Air Tunes/Airport Express.

[Krusty]

Originally posted by MOTHERWELL:
I dont see the point of having an iPod that can send music to my speakers when my computer can do the same thing. I just got an aiport express and I am happy that I no longer have to have my ipod anywhere near my home stereo.

What I am hoping will soon become a reality is wireless headphones. Just imagine how liberating it would be!

hmmm .. if it is a wireless attachment of some sort, i don't see why headphones would be outta the question. Also, the point of having an iPod that can send to speakers/other computers/other iPods isn't necessarily for use in your own home ... but rather for mobile use. It would essentially make the iPod a "remote control w/display for Air Tunes/Airport Express" that EmmEff is hoping for + being able to receive (or "tune in") to other local streaming music sources.

Also, since the standard for Wireless Firewire was recently adopted, there's no reason it couldn't also act as a high speed wireless external drive (think "Home on iPod" where you can go to a friend's house, cafe, library or lab and log in to your own home folder from an iPod that you never take out of your pocket).

Whatever it is, I'm putting my money on something wireless/AirTunes related. Apple won't make the mistake of making a device that tries to fill too many niches (video player, etc) .. I think they'll keep any new features in the sphere of music and wireless/AirTunes seems to be their "Next Big Thing".

[MikeD]

Originally posted by Krusty:
That's right - AirTunes.
I'd be willing to bet that the special functionality of the 4G iPod is that it will accept/handle a dock attachment housing a wireless card. It'd be too expensive, too useless for most people, and draw too much battery and take up too much space to put inside every iPod. An iPod, enabled thusly, would be able to stream music to all the same devices that Air Tunes can (e.g. an "Ouput to" menu item where you choose "Living Room Stereo", "John's computer". "Kitchen", whatever -- just like though Air Tunes-enabled iTunes). It'd be Rendevous enabled so that walking into an Air Tunes enabled area would allow the iPod to play whatever was locally available AND serve up to locally available music outlets including other enabled iPods in the vicinity

But wouldn't all these people have to be carrying a dock in addition to their iPods?

Mike

[an0therdumbsn]

This open music sharing wireless idea is completly out of the question for apple. They just got their music store in full swing over in Europe the LAST thing they want to do is piss off the record labels by creating a portable kazaa.
Although that would be a VERY cool feature to have due to the many different possible uses for the technology.

[ntsc]

well presumably it would work like the current iTunes sharing implementation not Kazza sharing idea.

Record companies don't seem to have a problem with iTunes sharing, really ... well much ... -ish.

[Krusty]

Originally posted by MikeD:
But wouldn't all these people have to be carrying a dock in addition to their iPods?

Mike

Sorry, I meant an attachment for the dock connector on the iPod -- not something that would require you to carry a dock with you. As far as the music sharing .. the same exact thing can be done right now (it would just require a wireless laptop than just an iPod)

Still, I don't have anything to back up my claims for specific functionality ... but I definitely think it will have something to do with AirTunes/wireless. Essentially this would solve the "remote contro"l issue with AirTunes as you could control both the song (be it on your iPod or in a different AirTunes location) and where it gets played.

Just my 2 cents.