Contrary to persistent rumor and speculation, Apple Inc. does not plan to introduce a sixth-generation of its flagship video iPod digital music player any time soon, AppleInsider has learned.
At the same time, however, other well-placed sources have approached specific time frames with caution, explaining that a mix of uncertainties — in particular those relating to the roll-out of iPhone — could leave consumers hung up till early next year.
Although Apple eventually intends to break widescreen video capabilities away from the iPhone for a device of similar proportions, sans the cellular capabilities, expectations of first-half 2007 launch are said to be overly ambitious.
Those people familiar with the matter say such a move would serve only to dilute the value of the iPhone and, similarly, the device's worth to wireless carrier AT&T. The findings are consistent with earlier AppleInsider reports, which placed bets against a standalone widescreen video iPod debut early in the year and prior to the company's Apple TV push.
Among the potential challenges believed to be facing Apple ahead of its sixth-generation iPod launch is a required margin of differentiation between the player and iPhone, both of which are expected to carry relatively similar price points upon availability.
Although the consumer electronics company has said its iPhone device will retail for $499 and $599 in 4-gig and 8-gig capacities, the real-world cost to consumers will inevitably fall about $200 for each model, be it through direct subsidization or complimentary wireless service packages.
In its ongoing quest for a preferred and precise iPhone pricing method, Apple last month enlisted the services of a prestigious management consulting firm specializing in go-to-market strategies. Among the firm's recommendations, people familiar with the matter say, were that Apple compel AT&T to give away service plans with each iPhone sale, maintaining the integrity of the device's higher price points.
Should all parties oblige, Apple would maintain a separation of price bands between its next-generation video iPod and its iPhones. However, in the event it take the direct subsidization route — as a recent pricing survey suggests — the key to differentiation could rely heavily on advances in solid-state memory.
With rapid price declines affecting the NAND flash market, Apple has reportedly initiated prototype mockup and other exploratory techniques as it anticipates a shift in the flagship iPods away from 1.8-inch hard disk drives and towards all NAND flash.
Come late this year or early next, a combo of discounts in NAND flash pricing and Apple's long-term supplier agreements could allow the company to deliver an all-flash player with an approximate 32GB capacity. Such a move would also pave the way for significant increases in battery performance and give way to slimmer, sleeker designs.
62 Comments
It seems like Apple has learned from Motorola's business strategy mistakes with the RAZR phones and is being cautiously smart with pricing.
Umm... bollocks. They'll want the 6G touchscreen vidPod out in time for Xmas, come hell or high water.
The only real question is the price (well that and "will there be a flash version?"). Apple may try to milk it at the $399 and $499 pricepoints, at which point a lot of folks will go, "WTF? Only $100 less than iPhone, and there's no phone and no internet?" Early adopters and fanatics won't care, but everyone else will.
Whereas if it came out at $299 and $399 pricepoints, it would absolutely lay waste to everything else in the category. Guess we'll know in about 6-8 months...
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At PodPacker we've said it all along. There is no way Apple will release a 6th gen iPod before the release of the iPhone and that there would be no way we would see one until the holidays.
NAND Flash memory prices will come down and make for some super slick iPod. Early adopters of Zune will be jumping out of Windows (pun intended).
apple has been gaining momentum because it has been offering a steady stream of cool stuff. however, the stream of software has kind of dried up, leaving many apple die-hards in need of an urgent fix. should apple make the mistake to bet the farm on the iphone, this might just blow up in their face. nobody is going to buy a $600 phone just to look at videos on a larger screen that the ipod! therre are some pretty good devices out there with a 30 gig hard drive and a 4 inch screen for way less money. steve not saying anything about when leapard, iwork and ilife 07 coming out is starting to get long in the tooth. hope he doesnt screw up the momentum he built up during the last 2 years by starving us to death for new gadgets.
Apple, if you think I will buy an iPhone to get widescreen video your are wrong!
Why do they think 8gigs of space for $500 equalls "video iPod"???