Just started thinking about the future directions of the iPods. Wanted to run my thoughts by the intelligentsia here, as evidenced by the shredded Latin coming out of the post dispatcher. LOL
What got me started thinking along these lines was that recently I ran up against the chore of selectively removing videos from my 60 GB iPod because my music collection was running out of breathing room. Translation: iPod getting full. To top it off, at around the same time I was adding more video; another 1st season television sitcom with over 20 episodes.
I considered purchasing a new iPod and found that 120GB was the max now, with 160GB available in a discontinued model.
Now consider... The little iPod screen is really inappropriate for video. Although quite clear, it is very small, making for an unsatisfactory viewing experience if one has to share the screen view with another. Solo? I'd say it ain't too bad. Three people at one time and it's crowded.
The Touch screen is much better, but there's not enough capacity for carrying around a lot of video. 32GB just doesn't cut the mustard.
So, I figure the touch will grow in capaciousness with each new future release. It may even get a hard drive. Then I'm thinking ... where's the trade off? Why does it not have a hard drive now? Answer: Battery capacity and usage. The larger LCD must use more battery than that of the smaller iPod screen. We know that spinning HDs use more than solid state memory, so there must be a design trade off there.
But we know that OLEDs are coming, and they use less power than LCDs. And then there's the recent advances in battery technology in the newest iPhone and laptops. To keep the momentum going in iPods, Apple will have to court their existing install base with significant product upgrades.
So, before I go out and purchase that discontinued 160GB iPod with the tiny screen to carry all of my music and video library, should I wait for the iPod with OLED screen and a capacious HD?
I could put off the purchase for another year. Is that long enough? |
