An imaginative Apple fan's iPhone concept design
Currently Apple-related rumour-mongering is centred on the imminent release of a 3G iPhone, but let's return for a moment to that other Apple icon: the iPod.
The last batch of iPods — including the iPod Touch and updated versions of the Classic and Nano — came out in September 2007. Going by Apple's usual release schedule, we're likely to see fresh additions to the line-up in September 2008. But what will the updates consist of?
Rumours surrounding the second-gen iPhone mention haptics — or tactile feedback — technology, as well as a GPS. If these phone features are revealed at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June, we're likely to see them on Apple's music players shortly after. This happened in 2007: when the iPod Touch debuted its interface it was virtually identical to that of the January iPhone. Breathless bloggers relaying information from the product announcement keynote even referred to the player as the "iPhone without a phone".
With all that in mind, here comes the fun bit: group participation. We want to know what you would like to see in the next iPod. What would it look like? What features would it have? Leave your comments below and we'll assemble a portrait of the perfect music player. Oh, and no need to feel bound by the constraints of reality.
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Craig
02/05/2008 04:25 PM
i would like to see a camera in the ipod touch. Even a simple camera would be good. This is so you can take a photo and then email it off, to family and friends when your on holidays. A GPS in the touch would be nice to work with google maps. but i cant see this happening.
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Brennanc
02/05/2008 08:56 PM
One of the biggest annoyances I have with my iPod is its extremely severe lack of scratch resistence. Why should we have to be so riduculously careful with a product we paid several hundreds of dollars for? Mobile phone makers produce scratch resistent handsets. So should apple with their ipods. The scroll wheel is not likely to be phased out anytime soon. They WONT have expandable memory. It just wouldn't be practical in an iPod and never will be. Could Apple introduce a touchscreen UI to other iPods? Possibly. How strange that would look on a nano. This is doubtful though because it would bump up the price significantly. Perhaps built in bluetooth that is only useable with other iPods or apple headphones is possible??? For some reason I can picture the classic and nano featuring larger screens that extend all the way to the edges of the devices. This would make them look even sleeker. imagine an iPod like the LG shine or chocolate. The touch wheel is invisible when not in use behind a glass like glossy surface that gently fades in and out when used and can even play light shows in sync with the music!!! Hmmm... has that been done already? The whole front is one seamless design. Damn it... now im drueling
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Dededee!
03/05/2008 01:22 AM
Well I wouldn't mind having a simple 2.0p digital camera for itouch but since it's an mp3, i doubt that would happen. Bluetooth would be essential for wireless communication like ipod to ipod messaging and data sharing for itouch users and others with Bluetooth. Built-in speaker with a decent sound output is also a great addition for itouch since there has been some complaints about it. Storage? It's fine as it is.
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Shawn
03/05/2008 09:07 AM
I would like a bigger screen for the Touch. A 5 inch screen would be perfect! GPS is unlikely since there would be no cell phone access. I also want something an eBook reader for a bigger touch.
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iconfess
03/05/2008 10:39 AM
Haptics schmaptics. My iPod needs to sense my mood with the accuracy of a 1950's bartender. It should know when I'm happy, hungry, horny, late for work, suicidal or ovulating. It should know what I had for breakfast and queue tracks accordingly. I'm not sure how exactly -- perhaps it can monitor my text messages or heart rate -- the logistics really don't concern me, just make it happen. But hey, if we're tossing reality, let's go with some simple drag & drop or compatibility with all common audio formats.
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icedragon
04/05/2008 10:46 AM
I want expandable memory using the cheap microSD card. I want a an FM tuner. I want MEGABASS. I want 32 gb of storage on the nano. I want bluetooth for file transfer.
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djc.crowlz
04/05/2008 08:06 PM
How about an ipod having bluetooth that communicates with your phone, so when you receive a call it silences the music and you can just talk on you headphones, (granted it had a microphone built in like iphone headphones). that would be really handy.
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Prince
04/05/2008 08:48 PM
How about the ability to communicate with all other ipods in the vicinity, view what they are currently playing and wirelessly tune into them? Could be good for a chat up line..."Hey like that song you're listening to. The Backstreet Boys are just soooo cool."
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Mike
05/05/2008 12:04 AM
The ability to add tracks to the current playlist
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domino_m
05/05/2008 12:35 AM
An iPod Shuffle with a screen and more controls... that would be plesent. 64GB Touch, with GPS. A return to the old Shape for nano's... i miss the old shape.
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J
05/05/2008 04:22 PM
FM/AM radio built in. I love my iRiver because it has an FM radio.
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fernie
05/05/2008 05:33 PM
Bluetooth for the nano and a bigger screen. Camera on the touch. GPS. Scratch resistant screen body made from silicon. TV tuner
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fernie
05/05/2008 05:36 PM
Bluetooth for the nano and a bigger screen. Camera on the touch. GPS. Scratch resistant screen body made from silicon. TV tuner
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Hjalmar
05/05/2008 06:17 PM
expandable memory, ablility to delete songs on da ipod, ability to sync to 1 itunes and thn put da songs on da ipod onto anoda itunes, bluetooth, GPS, calculator, camera, touch screen (for all the ranges), scratch resistant back and scren, built in fm radio, ability to have a wallpaper, changable skin, inbuilt speakers, internet, the ability to text from my ipod but i dont need to call, its able to change from portrate to landscape when i tilt it, more games, better batery life, quicker way to sync, hd tv,
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Arie
06/05/2008 12:14 PM
I have only a very modest request. Make reminders and notes synchronise between the Mac and the iPod Touch/iPhone... so simple really and I'm mystified as to why it wasn't done in the first place. I was all excited when the add-on software for the iPod Touch came out and it included notes... only to find they don't synch with the notes in iCal/Mail... grrrr..... Some games for the iPod Touch/iPhone would be nice too but I'm sure that's happening very soon.
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Hermes
06/05/2008 03:42 PM
Bluetooth, GPS, FM radio, easier Sync to Mac, USB 3.0 or FW800 and Camera. That should do it :) Oh heck - thrown in a mobile phone as well and call it Iphone :)
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Moonmonkey
07/05/2008 10:46 AM
Haptic feedback, a rear facing camera and bluetooth (for keyboards and earphones)
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delux
07/05/2008 01:17 PM
For Classic - Wireless Sync. More Case Colours. Bluetooth. Customizable UI appearance. 3rd party apps. Radio. Skip song function on ear phone so i dont need to pull it out of my pocket to change song. Car FM tuner.
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Pablo
07/05/2008 10:39 PM
I think music on your ipod should be incorporated into podcasts to make it more like a radio program, breaking up the talk.
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Jake
09/05/2008 05:26 PM
My request is very simple and applies both to the itouch and iphone. I would like to be able to view the calendar by week in addition to the day and month view surely this is a basic calendar function!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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2che
11/05/2008 10:02 AM
how about playing the usual DiVx as format and mp3 without the usual conversion, fm/bluetooth transmitter built it and gps capability
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lordofthesheep
12/05/2008 04:17 PM
An unpopular product. I really don't see why iPods should be the generic term and most common product.
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IPODS_FOREVER
12/05/2008 04:45 PM
A camera in the Touch, Classic and Nano, and Wi-fi, to share media between different iPods. And different themes!
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geek
14/05/2008 06:06 AM
I really like my shuffle. Would like the charger interface more like the original shuffle, e.g. USB
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protoncannon
16/05/2008 09:49 PM
I want to be able to delete my songs on the IPOD. Give me powerful bass. Give me an AM/FM tuner. Give me bluetooth. Give me expandable memory with cheap microSD cards. Give me 16 GB of space. All in the NANO.
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Brackenwood_Airsack
31/05/2008 02:31 AM
I, personally, would like to see Bluetooth on iPods. Not only for file sharing, but also for wireless headphones. I have a Nokia 6120 Classic, and i use the Nokia Bluetooth Headphones. These are very good headphones and are very convenient, due to the lack of wires. I also agree with previous posts about a larger screen and a camera.
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jayendra
13/06/2008 08:47 PM
Can you record audio on Ipods with out that attachable belkin thingy? I'm looking to buy a portable music device - 27yo guy music teacher - specs I want. 1. Ability to record audio 2. Good quality preamps (i.e. It sounds great bass n all) 3. scrolling interface and easy to manage playlists. 4. Long battery life. 5. Sturdy construction. 6. Easy to use but flexible firmware/file copying. But definatley the recording thing. How about a button that gives you 2 seconds to enter a voice operated command i.e "search santana" - kinda like dragon naturally speak software.
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Robwoozle
31/07/2008 06:55 AM
I would like iTunes to allow the user to specify where the library xml file is stored. Currently it is in MyDocuments and cannot be altered. This is a problem if your MyDocuments folder is synced with a network.
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