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Rumors on cheap iPod

http://i.themacmind.com/dark_lotus/ipodflash.jpg

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TheMacMind isn't known in the Mac world as being the source of intel on the latest Apple products, however through an anyonmous tipster (to you! We happen to know this person is 100% valid), we've been tipped off to a whole bevy of facts about the new Flash-based iPod from Apple. We also had this confirmed by a second contact at Apple.

When I first heard about the iPod Flash, I met it with the same scepticism as Daring Fireball did.

AppleInsider brought you the basic concept, but TheMacMind is here to let loose about how the new iPod works, what it looks like, and how it feels! And we're looking forward to being there when it's released at MacWorld San Francisco! (Sorry Steve, we couldn't resist!)

The Meat: Milano cookie. That's the basic principle. I like Tim-Tams, but that's just me. Rounded edges, flat, and tiny. We're looking at something that is about 2.5" long, 1.5" wide, and just .5" thick.

Get this: NO SCREEN. Got a cellphone with one of those flat joysticks? This is apparently how you'll get around on the screenless iPod. Left and right move between songs, up and down change the volume, and pressing straight down will play/pause your music. With any other company, I'd be incredibly doubtful that their techs would be able to pull off anything useable. Scroll through 250 songs in one big list? We're betting Apple has something better up their sleeve, and we'll hopefully be able to tell you about the interface in the next few days. Evenything goes in and out through a full-size FireWire port. Apparently, they are also virtually indestructible. We did a mock up of the iPod Flash in 3D. You can see how big it is compared to a business card (the same size as an iPod mini) and an Apple Firewire cable.

What does that tiny size mean? Well, the iPod Flash is meant to be worn around the neck. Yep, a nice little lanyard will keep the smallest of the iPod family twirling around your neck while jogging.

AppleInsider said "less than $200", but we we're told that the Flash iPod will be priced at $99. Freaking sweet, we're hoping that that's right on the money! There have been reports of storage capacities from 256 MB - 1 GB, which would correlate with that price. This release will make an iPod available to people in any price range.

UPDATE: Some clarification is needed, as I've been going over the topics on Slashdot and talking to readers and the rest of the staff:
a) The image is CG, done by Robert Padbury, so "OMG IT LOOKS FAKE!@!!!!! THE LIGHTING IS WRONG" is in fact, childish to say.
b) 256 MB for $100 is likely. No one ever said the 1 GB version would be $100.
c) The controls: Left and right change songs; up and down change volume; pressing directly in works as play and pause
-Tito Jankowski

Image by Robert Padbury
rpadbury@themacmind.com

Source

Of course, the Mac faithful are notorious for having 'reliable sources' to leak information and pics. The real products often turn out drastically different from the supposed leaks. If you go to the link, it has a comments page full of people with 'reliable sources' saying they know what the real product will be.

However, it's always fun to speculate. I severely doubt Steve and Ives would put out a product not well thought out, especially with something as essential as iPods (well, they did smoke a few spliffs before the Cube debacle.) This iPod without a screen completely blows my mind. I think it could turn out great though, if they have a remote with a screen. Who knows? I'll end up buying one no matter what, especially with a $149 price tag.

What do you think?

Edit: Erm, I just realized this might be better in the Electronics forum, though I think those in the Computer forum will be interested. Please move, Mods, if you feel appropriate.

Looks nice, but I wouldn't pay more than 100$ for a 256MB Ipod. However for a 1GB Ipod, of course.

You know how there are loads of iPod accessories out there?

I am astounded no one seems to have developed a "home docking station" for the iPod. At least I haven't been able to find one.

And I'm not talking about some crumby little speaker system, or a simple recharger for your iPod. I mean a decent unit that you can slip the iPod into, with its own dedicated controls, larger screen, decent audio output jacks... maybe even speakers.

That way you can use the iPod as your home music system, without having to dick around with a Mac/PC or being limited to the crappy little controls.

Oh well...

Mr Mephisto

in australia it is really expensive for mp3 players. Ipod of course is the cheapest dollar per megabyte.

I believe this would be FANTASTIC.. stuff the screen.. well kinda.

i have been waiting for solid state mp3 to get bigger, it is not likely that i will be supporting apple any time soon, but i would be willing to bet that other companies will start producing larger storage solid state devices. i would like to see sizes in at least the 10 gb range though.

10gb solid state would be insanly expensive, 8gb compact flash is about 750 bucks, for that you could buy a whole pc with like a 120gb drive in it :P

My prediction is that the device in production is not a small iPod, but rather a wi-fi remote control that looks and works like an iPod, and interfaces with the Airport Express and AirTunes. It would not have any music storage, but instead would import the XML file from iTunes, which would only require a small amount of flash RAM. It would probably be the form factor of the iPod Mini, but thinner.

If they make one, I will buy it.

you know a 1 GB ipod i would go for...i don't store a lot of music so higher then that would be a waste for me

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you know a 1 GB ipod i would go for...i don't store a lot of music so higher then that would be a waste for me

Ditto. I have an original 5gb and cant even fill half of it. I'd like to get a mini but mine stil lworks fine so theres no need to upgrade. Maybe When the mini gets a color screen with that fancy album art and stuff I'll upgrade :D

Very sweet! I would fork out $100 for a 1GB iPod... espcially seeing that I paid $349 (I think...) for a 128MB Rio 800.

Thanks for the info!

I've seen this kind of thing soooo many times before. The spypics are rarely right and sometimes they will throw things like this out to get people off the trail of what is coming.

This thing might be fun but Apple is selling millions of ipod minis I doubt they would undermine those sales so soon. I'm going to Macworld in January maybe I'll see this there!