Video iPod by September?
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jul 18, 2005 at 10:59am
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has repeatedly said he doesn’t see the viability of an video iPod, but the Internet is abuzz with talk that this is going to happen—and sooner than expected.
Apple has been talking to several major recording companies, looking to license the sale of music videos through the popular iTunes music site, The Wall Street Journal is reporting. (A paid subscription is required to read the online article.) While it might be tempting to dismiss the report, remember that The Journal broke the story about Apple transitioning to Intel processors.
Negotiations are an indication that Apple is moving to release a device that plays video files, possibly by September, according to The Journal. Analysts see the development as likely because of Apple’s strength in video software, including the QuickTime movie format and video-editing software, such as Final Cut Pro and iMovie. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment to The Journal.
The newspaper adds that so far, commercial movie download services haven’t met with much success, nor have devices already on the market allowing users to transfer video files from their computers. The Wall Street Journal says that Apple has initiated talks with four major music companies, Warner Music Group Corp. EMI Group PLC, Vivendi Universal SA’s Universal Music Group and Sony BMG about licensing the music videos for sale.
Previously, Jobs has downplayed the consumer appeal of watching feature-length movies on portable devices with small screens, according to the newspaper. But some analysts note that the CEO hasn’t spoken out against all forms of video on portable devices, such as TV shows and other short-form video content.
In April of this year the SiliconValleyWatcher reported that Apple had signed a contract to use the powerful video, image, and music chips designed by Alphamosaic. Some think Apple might use Alphamosaic chips as the common core of a family of iPod devices that could include camera, gaming and wireless connectivity products/features.
“I believe [a video iPod] is inevitable,” Richard Doherty, an analyst with Envisioneering Group, a research and consulting firm told CNN Money.
Also note that after Apple released iTunes 4.8 in May, the began bundling a select batch of videos with some of the music albums available through its iTunes Music Store. Most of the videos were bundled with music tracks for an additional 99 cent premium. Merrill Lynch analyst Steve Milunovich issued a report at the time saying support for digital music videos in iTunes could allow Apple to work with the music industry to deliver a profitable outlet for the clips.
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
John Says:
Wow! Everyone figured as much for music videos. The bigger question is are they doing movies for a portable device?
The WSJ article didn’t have much to say there, other than that others are not yet successful.
I stick with my contention that Apple is not going beyond the music video and video podcasts (news, sports highlights, comedy routines, etc) while still using the 2” iPod display.
By the way, other than .99 music videos, I don’t see people willing to pay for video podcasts on an iPod.
If Apple does move forward with movies, it will only be for the home entertainment center product, until the tablet comes along.
Posted on July 18, 2005