Apple Patent
Apple recently filed a patent describing the new Video iPods touch sensitive configuration. The display shows that with the touch sensitive display built into the iPod will allow advanced scrolling capabilities.
Think Secret can confirm recent rumblings that Apple is nearing completion of a completely revamped video iPod that will shed the ubiquitous mechanical click wheel for a touch screen and will sport a 3.5-inch diagonal display.
iPod Widescreen Mockup Image
This video iPod, which has been in development and on the table since before Apple released the 5G iPod last year with video playback, will feature a display that will occupy the entire front face of the device. Sources who have seen the device report that it features a digital click wheel, one that overlays the touch-sensitive display and appears when a finger touches it and disappears when the finger is removed.
Black Widescreen Model
Apple has been working with at least two other companies to perfect the digital click wheel display technology. While not all the engineering was completed in-house by Apple, sources have said Apple could hold an exclusive license on the technologies it borrowed from other developers for a period of time, limiting the ability of competitors to copy Apple’s design.
Additional details concerning the new iPod have yet to be confirmed, including capacity and a release date, although all indications point to the spring, possibly as early as late March or early April. During the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs alluded to a major announcement on or around April 1, Apple’s 30th anniversary as a company.
Landscape and Portrait View
Like previous iPods, sources insist that this video iPod will lack any sort of wireless connectivity, and will continue to connect to televisions using the conventional cabling solution of current models. While other rumors report that you will be able to surf on iTunes music store, capable on this large of a screen, and buy and download music wirelessly to the device.
Apple is notorious for iPod scratching. The latest 1GB iPod nanos seemed to have solved this problem. Apple silently rolled out a slight redesign: a raised edge or lip designed to make the player harder to scratch. This same raised plastic edge could prevent the display from touch screen damage. There is no set price yet for the device but it is expected to replace the current iPod video line with the same price tags. We will just have to wait until April, for the meantime, it wouldn’t be smart to buy an iPod at this time. Thanks to ThinkSecret and AppleInsider for information.
[…] From the rumours floating around over at ThinkSecret and AppleInsider, the next generation iPod is going to be very different from its predecessors. Why you ask? Simply because its going to be one large touch screen, which means video watching will be even more exciting. Through what ThinkSecret and AppleInsider claims to be leaked information ( gee, Apple seems to have leaks all over now, information leaking in every way imaginable! )… […]
[…] AppleInsider and ThinkSecret have gathered information for what the next iPod, that would be the 6th generation for those of you keeping a tally at home. From the presumably leaking information, it will not have a click wheel but rather a touchscreen with OSD to control all of the iPod’s functions. Tech Manifesto has put together a great compilation of all the iPod info, definitely worth a visit. Here are some of the highlights. […]
This is great news. Sooner or later when the excitement wears off, people are going to realize that it is not really a great experience to watch video on the current, tiny iPod screen. With this ‘full screen’ iPod, Apple can rule the market for few more years easily.
[…] The entire front face will be occupied by a 3.5′’ touch-sensitive display; touch it and a digital clickwheel appears. Some gorgeous mockups have appeared — you’re looking at one below: […]
Apple will most ceratinly rule again - with there huge acquisitions of content. It now makes sense why Apple didn’t reformat the widescreen footage they alreay had. Looks rubbish on the 5G iPod with 30% of the screen missing.
The new iPod will be a joy to behold.
[…] LINKS - Apple gives it Developers a free trip[LINK] - Macbook Pro CPU upgrade for free [LINK] - iBook Speculation [LINK] - Video iPod [LINK] - The Special Event a hoax [LINK] - New 1Gb Nano [LINK] - 1 Billion song countdown [LINK] - iPod Hearing Loss Lawsuit [LINK] - Motorola SLVR L7 with iTunes [LINK] - Adobe Lightroom [LINK] […]
[…] Several sites are popularizing this Flickr photo claiming to be a photo of the upcoming full-screen Video iPod. This same source leaked the 5th gen iPod just a week before launch. […]
Does anybody knwo when this new iPod wille be released in Europe?