new video ipod

I can't understand why people buy these dedicated things because a PDA (with a hard drive) could always do the same thing (and more). However, Apple has made a new IPOD with video capabilities.

Dan

http://teachmedrums.com

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh89759_2005-10-12_18-19-45_n12565344_newsml

http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipod.html

http://www.macrumors.com/

From macrumors:

"Alongside the new iPod is iTunes 6 - which updates many features in the iTunes Music Store and also adds video sales. Apple is offering over 2000 music videos for sale ($1.99 each) and has partnered with television studios to be able to offer online TV Episode sales.

The press release also details over 2000 Music Videos, Pixar Short Films and hit TV shows available through iTunes. Videos are $1.99 a piece. Past and current episodes are available of popular shows including Lost and Desperate Housewives.

Pixar shorts: Boundin', Geri's Game, Luxo Jr. and more are available as well."

some tech specs:

http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html

wikipedia H.264

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264

http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/h264/

It could be worse.

edited to add the link below:

Creating video content with H.264 and QuickTime 7 Pro

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/tutorials/h264.html

Dan:

1) Fewer controls. PDA's have too damned many buttons for the average user who wants to do all these neat things with it, to be able to utilize it effectively. And the ones with the touch screens seem to always get broken screens.

2) I'll paste my repsonse in another thread, here...

Well, when the 4Gen iPod came out, one of the salespeople at Apple asked if I was getting one, and I told him not until it plays video. He asked why..

I create multimedia content, as well as audio. I have a small demo. I want to be able to carry that demo with me, and play it for prospective clients. With a video iPod, I can do that with the supplied S-video breakout cable. It's one more option outside of worrying about whether or not the CD I burned is going to work on someone's computer.

The 2.5 inch screen isn't a whole lot smaller--if at all--than the flip-out LCD panels on most miniDV camcorders, not to mention the portable DVD players people can get at Best Buy for traveling. Granted, it's at the tail end of my acceptable range, but I could deal with it.

Add to it that ABC and Disney are partnered with Apple for program downloading...scenario: Parents pick up an iPod for each of their kids (yeah, they're spoiled but that's another thread). On a trip, each kid can download the stuff they want to watch, not to mention their music, and the parents have an instant babysitter.

It's a smart move and a great move for a company that's coming back from the dead, really. People seem to want to bash Apple for developing this kind of stuff, but it's clearly popular, and is redefining Apple's role unto itself as well as the computer/entertainment markets. They're doing something right.

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