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JimiMac · Apr 3, 2004, 12:05 AM

Now that we all are taking digital pictures, we need a portable device that you can load pictures into so you can show them to friends and family. This is the main complaint from a lot of my friends who still like prints for that reason, easy to show and share. It's not always convenient to drag everyone over to a computer, or email every pic to someone, or print every pic just to show it to friends. Seems like apple could do a better/similar version of RCA's Lyra A/V? Possibly make something like it as the new iPod? I have felt for a while that the next evolution of the iPod is to become a device that you can not only have your songs with you, but also your pics and movies. It should be made to sync with iphoto when you connect it to your Mac. Anything like this in the works?

Zadian · Apr 3, 2004, 06:32 AM

To be highly portable such a device has to be small. It's not really fun to watch pictures on a small display. A bigger display would result in an expensive device that isn't highly portable anymore.

I have a 12" iBook and normally use it to show my pictures. It has one big problem - like most TFT displays have - the picture quality is dependent form the viewing angle. TFT displays aren't suited to display pictures to a group of people at a close range.

The only reason for such a device would be to plug it into a TV - but then, wouldn't it be much cheaper and easier to use a DVD-Player and a picture DVD?

Such a device like a video iPod is just a gadget made out of the dream of geeks - nobody would use it in real life as it would be to expensive and would have no real use.

I will stay with my iBook (or picture DVDs) and connect it to the TV if I want to show some pictures to friends or my family.

JimiMac · Apr 3, 2004, 08:04 AM

Check out the RCA Lyra A/V. If Apple could produce something similar, it would be great. If the display and device were approximately 4x6", that it the same as holding a print in your hand, and like a print, you some times have to angle it to see it in the best light, no big deal. To make it more than just a picture viewing device, it would be nice if it handled music and the other features of the current iPod, yet Apple may see this as a totally separate device, but there is a limit to how many gadgets I can carry around. by the way, the RCA device retails for about $350, same range as the iPod.

SAgent0068 · Apr 4, 2004, 01:06 PM

I would think you could show them the pics on the lcd on the back of your camera? or <shameless plug>share them on the web using something like myPhoto?</shameless plug>

mishap · Apr 4, 2004, 03:40 PM

neah.

...and wrong forum

GORDYmac · Apr 5, 2004, 09:09 AM

I don't think movies are necessary, but the iPod, I think, will have better digital photo support on the next model.

sumsugar · Apr 5, 2004, 07:32 PM

Slightly off topic but here goes. Try dragging an image file (.jpeg, tif, gif, etc) over the iPhoto icon in the dock and see what happens. NOTHING. I have been a mac addict since the mac began and the simple fact that you can't drag a PHOTO over the iPhoto icon to open it has to be one of the most non-mac like things apple has ever done. Not that this is a real issue for day to day work but it is one of those things that just aint right.