X-bit labs

Apple’s Video iPod Delayed – Report.

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 04/14/2006 | 01:16 PM ]

Apple Computer, who makes the world’s most popular digital music player, may be facing difficulties with releasing video version of the iPod, according to media reports. The technology-related problems reportedly emerged and made Apple to redesign the new iPod.

According to Think Secret web-site, certain technology-related issues emerged with the touch-screen display of the new video iPod and the actual manufacturer of appropriate components had to go back to the drawing board and redesign the display. Apple reportedly expects the new iPod to be ready by calendar Q4 2006, in enough time for the holiday buying season.

Originally it was reported that the new “true” video iPod will have 3.5” colour touch screen that will serve for both video and navigation purposes. Those, who have seen the device, reportedly said that it would have 3.5” display that will occupy the entire front face of the gadget. The new iPod features a digital click wheel, one that overlays the touch-sensitive display and appears when a finger touches it and disappears when the finger is removed.

Currently it is unclear whether Apple plans to equip the new iPod video products with larger hard disk drives than today’s 40GB, but it is known that the new iPod video were designed to connect to TV-sets using conventional cables used on current models.

Additionally, numerous sources have indicated that Apple will not release the new video iPod without an agreement to sell movies via its online store, but on the other hand, the store will not open without the video iPod, the web-site reckons. The impasse in negotiations with Hollywood studios lies in the terms of sale: Apple wants to trade movies affordably a-la-carte as it does with music, but Hollywood reportedly wants a subscription deal.

Apple sold 14 million of iPod players in Q4 2005 and since the introduction of the player in 2001, the company shipped more than 42 million of units. Nevertheless, some of the rivals were quicker compared to Apple in terms of starting to sell large-screen handheld digital media players.