The Next iPod

[EV_Ares]

Don't even think about buying an iPod between now and Sept. 5. Apple has invited the press to a "special event" next week in San Francisco. And as usual, Apple won't say what it plans to announce. Or much of anything.

But it doesn't take one of Hewlett-Packard's (nyse: HPQ - news - people ) private detectives to figure out the news will have something to do with the iPod. The invitation, titled "The beat goes on," includes an image of a man, in silhouette, dancing with an iPod on the cover of an album displayed in the style of Apple's (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) "Cover Flow" feature, which allows users to flip through their music on their iPhones or desktop computers.

Here's what else we know: In addition to last month's fresh batch of iMacs, new iPods would explain why Apple guided its current-quarter earnings lower during its latest earnings call citing an upcoming "product transition" (see "Apple Tips Its Hand"). New, potentially pricier parts and shuffling a new product into its stores won't come cheap.

The stake are high. Sales of iPods alone accounted for 29.1% of Apple's sales of $5.4 billion for the quarter ending June 30. And if anything, that understates the iPod's importance. The tiny media players helped Apple crank out $608 million in sales of digital music and accessories. Moreover the halo effect from the hot-selling media players has led to a surge in sales of Apple desktop and laptop computers that has made Apple a player in the computer market once again.

So much for the facts, now for some rampant speculation: Apple's new iPod, or iPods, could include many of the features introduced with Apple's iPhone June 29, such as a large, touch-sensitive display, which isn't available on today's iPods (unless you count the iPhone). And it could sport an aluminum skin, to better match the metal and glass sheathed iPhones and iMacs introduced over the past few months.

(rest of article @ the link)

http://www.forbes.com/home/technology/2007/08/29/ipod-apple-iphone-tech-cx_bc_0829ipod.html

[Rob H.]

1. If it's like a phone-less iPhone with a big hard drive, I'm in

but if it looks like the short, squat mockups I saw last week, no way.

[NYCGirl]

11. That would be the "Nano" next generation (possibly). The "touch iPod" is

something else altogether.

[Rob H.]

12. D'oh! You're right

Here's a mockup of the iPod "Touch". I'd go for this over the iPod Stumpy above.

[NYCGirl]

13. A touch screen iPod will be a real winner for Apple!

Me, I just bought an iPhone, and it has the best iPod ever! I LOVE it.

[AlCzervik]

15. my husband finally activated his iphone last night.

so far so good although to be honest he works for apple, his was free and i'm hoping he'll hand it over to me in a few months.

[NYCGirl]

16. Only one thing better than an iPhone...

a FREE iPhone!


:hi:

[FormerDittoHead]

2. I've heard they're planning on eliminating the hard drives - all chips.

John Dvorak was reporting that Apple plans in Asia were seriously ramping up memory chip production...

[EV_Ares]

4. Heard the same thing; eom.

[Rob H.]

9. I'd take everything Dvorak says with a massive grain of salt

In his past predictions about Apple's plans, he's been completely wrong often enough for his coverage of Apple to be almost completely useless.

[FormerDittoHead]

10. Good point with Dvorak - I remember him ALWAYS being wrong about Intel in the mid 90's

...at least, for a good amount of the time... I recall his 'news' about upcoming RISC chips, etc....

[mondo joe]

3. I'm DYING to get a new laptop, but I'm waiting until after Sept 5th on the off

chance that some upgrade or tweak to the MacBook Pro will be announced. I know it's not likely, but I would be so pissed that I don't want to risk it.

[Johonny]

5. I bought one last year.

The thing is small enough and large enough in memory to last me a while. I guess for the technofetish amongst us it's a must have. But my current one is nice enough.

[quinnox]

6. the one I have is great

The tiny Nano is perfect for me and I don't want or care about a bigger size with added features I won't use. If they make the Nano bigger in size and more power hungry then I'll stick with this one I have.

The only way that I would be interested is if they kept it the same size and added more memory capacity and improved the battery.

[misanthrope]

7. I heard many months back...

...that Apple was going with Flash drive for future iPod models.

[Nickster]

14. Yeah, that's what they use in the Nanos. That's how they can get the Nano so small.

[Bake]

8. I've been waiting to buy one ... guess I'll wait a little longer

I'm really jonesing for the 80 gig model. Can't wait to see what the new one is.

Bake