Rumors Abound On New iPod Models For Back To School Season
According to Chinese sources, Apple is set to to debut a next-generation video iPod in August/September that sports a large, touch-screen panel similar to the iPhone, and two other possible features. The first is the that new video iPod will run on a modified version of Mac OS X, like the iPhone. The second bit of speculation is that the new iPod will include networking capabilities similar to the Zune, which, unknown to many, they actually have obtained a patent for in 2006.
DigiTimes, the Chinese source, which has a 50/50 track record with these types of predictions, states: “The Taiwan-based panel maker will begin shipping capacitive touch screen panels in the second half of 2007. The company noted that its touch screen panels will be used with customers’ own software and ICs.”
As far as the Mobile Mac OS X rumor, during a Apple Town Hall meeting last month, Steve Jobs stated that a division of the company was working diligently on the next-generation iPods that would run an embedded version of the Mac OS X operating system.
The iPod wireless networking action is even more provocative. On September 1, 2006, Apple filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office that describes methods “for delivery of data to a portable electronic device from another electronic device” over a local wireless network.
“In one embodiment, one mobile device discovers another mobile device within its vicinity. The mobile devices can then wirelessly transmit data from one mobile device to the other. Typically, the mobile devices are associated with persons (users). The mobile devices, or their users, can control, request or influence the particular data content being delivered.”
Apple cited specific examples of media data that could be shared between the players including: movies, music videos, photos, games, songs, albums, audiobooks, playlists, podcasts, audio and/or video presentations, news reports, and sports updates.
