Apple’s latest iPod plays 150 hours of video on a 2.5-inch color display.
Apple has officially released their new line of iPods, all of which include video support. The new generation offers two models: 30 GB and 60 GB. The 30 GB has replaced the 20 GB, offering the same price. The video feature supports Apple’s H.264 format as well as the MPEG-4 format at 30 fps, including a TV-out jack. Apple will start shipping the babies in one week.
SAN JOSE, California (AP) — Apple Computer Inc. unveiled Wednesday an iPod capable of playing videos, evolving the portable music player of choice into a multimedia platform for everything from TV shows to music videos.
Videos will now be sold online alongside songs on Apple’s iTunes Music Store.
Citing a groundbreaking deal with ABC Television Group, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said the online iTunes store will sell episodes of hit shows “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost” for $1.99 each, making them available the day after they air on television for viewing on the new iPod’s 2.5-inch color screen.
Analysts consider Apple’s much-anticipated introduction of a video iPod a test of whether consumers would embrace video on such a small screen. Over-the-air TV services are already available for cell phones but the quality remains substandard.
“It’s never been done before, where you could buy hit TV shows and buy them online the day after they’re shown,” said Jobs whose other company, Pixar Animation Studios Inc., has a long relationship with ABC’s parent, The Walt Disney Co.
Competing portable video players have been available for several years but very little compelling content has been available, and Apple’s move comes amid fledgling initiatives to offer original video programming on the Internet.
[…] It has been a booming year in the tech field. Apple made a few wishes come true this year with the Video iPod, Microsoft unvails the Xbox 360 on time (mind the bugs), Google tried IM, Yahoo! buys like crazy, Vista was introduced (couldn’t they think of a better name?), and much more. Thanks to everyone for making 2005 rock and continue on in 2006. What can be said about 2006? What consol will win the consol wars? Will be impressed with Apple’s upcoming intel line, or will it be mediocre? Are the iPods just a fad? Will Vista be pushed out like ME? OH GOD NO! Will HD DVD or Blu-ray win the movie entertainment war? Whats new instore for Apple? Will the FS for Vista be nothing we expected? But we’d rather leave this to you. Predict for us, the many possible outcomes of the tech world in 2006! […]