02/09/2006, 10:45am, EST
Thursday, February 9th
Apple: birthday surprises on April Fools?
Wolf cited saying that his source indicate the new version will feature a screen that occupies the entire front of the iPod, and utilize a touch-activated scroll screen that may incorporate Apple's recent touch-screen gesture patent). If the "real" video iPod retains the same form factor as the current-generation iPod, the new screen will be three times as large, delivering an entirely new experience for video watching.
"In our opinion, the rapid increase in the iTMS’s video offerings is a strong signal that an iPod with a much larger screen is on the way," says Wolf. Apple has added to the amount of video content available at iTunes with the addition of Showtime series, MTV, COMEDY CENTRAL, Nickelodeon, ESPN, and more, fueling the video iPod speculation. Wolf also predicted the addition of more content as the relationship with Disney becomes stronger.
"In view of Apple’s increasingly cozy relationship with Disney, we would not be surprised to see ESPN’s Sport Center show up at the store in the near future," Wold said his research reprt. "In our opinion, the rapid increase in the iTMS’s video offerings is a strong signal that an iPod with a much larger screen is on the way."
In addition, he noted reports of Apple shutting down production of the current generation of the video-iPod.
"The other event that could signal the imminent arrival of the video iPod are reports coming out of Asia that Apple has materially reduced its orders of the iPod with video viewing capabilities that it introduced last October. One hypothesis is that sales of this model have fallen below Apple’s previous expectations for he quarter. An equally plausible hypothesis is that Apple is draining inventories of the iPod from the distribution channel in advance of its introduction of the new model."
Wolf also speculated on the possible release of a new Mac mini for use as a "digital content management and delivery device for the living room," indicating that a new version is in the works.
Wolf maintains a 'hold' rating on Apple stock.
Filed under: Apple
, 
, 14
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
Top
subscribe to comments
for this article
In fact, I would think that more of a precedent has been set -- even a small one -- for celebration of Apple's birthday rather than that of the Macintosh. Sadly I have no inside knowledge, just speculation.
(And, did you mean prognosticating?)
Where did you get this quote? All it says above is that he mentioned it was their birthday. Big f'ing deal. That's like saying "Hey, next month is Black History Month", and everyone then assuming they'll be releasing a MLK version of the iPod or something.
Funny thing, Apple always seems to be looking at the future while everyone else that doubts them is looking at the present or the past.
The TAM wasn't a Steve Jobs thing. And it certainly wasn't anything to be really proud of. It was a $7500 computer, people. That's right. 7500 freakin' dollars. That sounds like apple. Make an overpriced product, call it a special edition, and see how many suckers....er....I mean loyal customers..... buy it. Answer. Not many.
Oh, yes, funny. Love how Apple looked so far into the futire they missed the whole CD-RW revolution. And how they're looking forward always seems to screw over their current users who have to pay more for a computer, then more for all the additional crap they need to buy because Apple's latest offering of this or that makes their current peripherals 'obsolete'.