Big Day for Pod Lovers


It appears that Apple has invited all its favorite journalists to come to their Cupertino, CA headquarters on Tuesday, February 28th for what’s suggested to be a product unveiling.


The invitation which went out to journalists features a calendar with nothing but “FEBRUARY 28” written on it.
Of course, its all part of the game to keep everyone guessing for as long as possible, a time honoured tradition generates speculation and allows people like me to write crap about it.


My guess is that a new pod is highly unlikely, though there is a lot of hype about a new video iPod. I suggest it’ll be some kind of a tie-in – no doubt superb – that we’ll all run out and buy before its obsolete.


Watch this space – more news on Feb. 28th

Ryan Katz over at Think Secret says that Apple is nearing completion of a completely revamped video iPod that will shed the ubiquitous mechanical click wheel for a touch screen and will sport a 3.5-inch diagonal display. Is this what Steve Jobs was hinting to been a major announcement on 1st of April ? The smart money says it is. Read the article here

Apple's recent introduction of the Video iPod has sent shockwaves throughout the media industry. Although they're trying to downplay it (see the Rupert Murdoch piece below), there's scramble on to prepare for the anticipated shift in society's viewing habits.


One of the key areas is advertising. The Video iPod allows consumers to view movies & TV shows commercial-free and this frightens the industry. The inevitable swing, therefore will be towards product placement and product integration on the shows themselves.


Product placement – Where the product (bottle,box. etc.) is set within range of a movie or TV Camera
Product Integration – Where the product becomes part of the story


Says Robert P. Lawrence of the San Diego Tribune:

With digital video recorders and VCRs making it easier for viewers to zap past commercials, and with DVDs offering more chances to see shows without the ads, advertisers want their products smack in the middle of the programmes – where they can't be avoided. Apple's recent introduction of the video iPod, which allows TV shows to be viewed commercial-free, has only increased the perceived need for injecting products into the programmes themselves.

Patrick Quinn of PQ Media estimated product-placement spending in all media last year at $3.46 billion, a 30.5 percent increase over 2004's total. TV's share jumped 46.4 percent, to $1.87 billion. Most of that is in the form of "barter." The advertiser buys commercials in a show, then pays a premium to get a mention in the script. Should the Video iPod prove as successful as its audio counterpart, the increase in product placement/integration is certain to rocket to dangerous levels.


Although 47% of Americans claim that they don't mind product placement and 20% say they've never noticed it, this perception is bound to change as it becomes more blatant, which may cause a counterproductive backlash which the industry needs to avoid.


In these uncertain times, media companies are walking a tightrope and with billions of dollars in revenue at stake, they can ill-afford to fall off.


Here we are witnessing another example of how 'Big Entertainment' is talking out of both sides of its mouth - downplaying the impact of the Video iPod while simultaneously planning to monetarize it.

Rupert Murdoch, In an interview with Newsweek says he is not impressed with Apples Itunes Video store.

How many people really want to get video on a tiny screen when they already have TiVo or a similar service from their cable company or DirecTV?" Murdoch said in the Newsweek interview. "What's been announced so far with iPod and Disney and NBC is very small-time at the moment.

I don't think Rupert Murdoch gets it, or perhaps because he doesn't own it, he doesn't want to get it, but the Ipod Video is not just about last night's TV show, Itunes is constantly adding content from major content producers. Only yesterday VH1 were adding new podcasts to iTunes and I think Murdoch will be the loser if he chooses to ignore this "small time" medium .
Also Rupert, just so you know. With the realease of the new docking station from DLO , you don't have to watch on a tiny screen, you can view your content on the big screen, thus the Ipod becomes a device to move content from the Net to the Living Room.

I find it hard to believe that he's not aware of this, so I think he would rather play it down. Murdoch is 74 and is hardly going to be the world authority on getting the best out of an iPod video, but put it in the hands of my kids, who then watch the video podcasts that they like, add to that the fact that they can plug it into the TV to watch it like regular TV and for the next generation, it looks like a rival to digital TV.


The Apple Video Ipod has sold almost 2 million units in the US alone since its release in OCT 2005 according to research firm NPD The way people watch content is changing and Mr Murdoch doesn't like that, especially when its something that isn't his. more on this story at CNET

From the early days of Napster, I have always had an MP3 player. My first was a Diamond Multimedia Rio PMP300, back in the late 90's, and ever since I've been hooked. I've had them in various guises, but it was after being at a friends house one day in November 2001, when he unveiled his new toy, that I began my relationship with 'The Pod'. This was the first generation iPod, and I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Naturally, it was soon on top of that year's Christmas list and I have owned nothing else (except other iPods) from that day forth. The iPod has since taken the market by storm and now within the family we have everything from the iPod Video, iPod Mini, and The iPod Nano. Even my Mother-in-law got a iPod Nano from Christmas this year.


But of course the iPod is only half the story. Since the iPods arrived on the market, a multitude of accessories have been developed to complement Apple's personal entertainment device. Today you can buy everything from speakers, docking stations, FM receivers so you can tune your ipod into your car stereo, to a nice fancy case to keep the pod looking good. The list is endless. And now with the advent of the new video iPod, we are going to see even more new devices. This is one of the reasons why we 'love The Pod'.


So this site's objective is to try and keep you up to date with what's happening in the world of the iPod, from the iPod family to the accessories that surround it. Its our ope that 'love the Pod' will bring you the and and useful tips to help you make the most of your iPod.


We want interaction with this site, so please, don't be shy on commenting on what you see here.


Thanks


Dave The Gooner

Love the Pod Crew