TIME.com features the 4G iPod in its Gadget of the Week, and has an interesting comment in the last two paragraphs:
...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.
If you're thinking about finally getting an iPod, now's your chance. If you're thinking about handing down your current iPod and getting a new one with a bigger hard drive, now's your chance. But don't feel pressured into upgrading, because no major bragging rights will go to the possessors of these latest iPods. That is, not yet.
Does Time know something that the public does not? Is there "one more thing" for the 4G iPod to be announced?
Comments
Re: 4G iPod: Something Coming?
I believe that Apple is holding back a major piece of hardware and software that is connected to the Dock port of the 4G iPod. Apple is waiting... Ummm... Until 60 days prior to Christmas. Supply of 4G iPod is large by this date, Release the new hardware! Issue a 60GB Edition along side this release...
I speculate that this mystery hardware/software has much to do with the portal player chipset and its ability to handle video. Maybe with this new add-on hardware video can be displayed via composite or s-video outputs to a television monitor?
A new release of iPhoto and iMovie? This would futher fuel Apple's desire to push its hardware by making it an exclusive "Mac only" feature?
To me, this makes the most sence, becouse when Steve Jobs is asked about a Video iPod he insists there is no need! Maybe he is against the iPod itself having a display, but not against the idea of using the iPod as a portable media Player!
To further speculate, this new hardware option allows the iPod to record video? a TiVo like Base?
Steve Jobs has been working on that Digital Living room... AirPort Express... DVR-iPod???
Re: 4G iPod: Something Coming?
The main chip (PP5020) has jpeg decoding capabilities and a TV-Out functionality... This could mean maybe apple will develop a picture viewer either on their LCD screen (it would have to be in B/W!!) or they could develop an adapter to plug it into a TV!!! That'd be sweet!!! It also can decode in real-time MJPEGs (which are movie jpegs!!!). Not to mention it can also Encode MP3s which could be used to create mp3 files off of the microphone instead of wav files!
Re: 4G iPod: Something Coming?
I am quite dissappointed with the Gen4 IPod. You shell out $399.00 for the IPod and do not get the remote control with this new version. I had the 3G IPod and it came with the remote control for free. Now I have to shell out an additional $39.99 for the remote with earbuds which I already get with this IPod. What sense does that make? Also, they should invent additional games for the IPod for those long airline trips.