Wireless Internet iPods?

MacRumors.com ^ | 01/20/2006

[Panerai]

TimesOnline reports on talks of a Disney buyout of Pixar... but also curiously mentions rumors of a wireless iPod:

Apple is also understood to be working on the next generation of iPods, which would have the ability to connect wirelessly to the internet. There has long been rumors/speculation on Bluetooth enabled iPods to wireless connect to Speakers/Headphones, however the concept of a true wireless Internet iPod has not been frequently discussed.

We made one previous mention of it in September 2003. At that time, an author was discussing the concept of "Everywhere Internet Audio":

Imagine, if you will, an iPod as a wireless digital ladle. It would dip into a nearly bottomless stream of continual music, scooping up any song you wanted, when you wanted, where you wanted. It's unclear if The Times is actually aware of such plans or simply has inadvertently misinterpreted circulating rumors, but does make for an interesting concept.

Update: Readers point out Apple's recent "Mobile Me" trademark that may be related. Also MobileMag claims that Apple has been looking for RF engineers, "specifically looking for people with EDGE experience". EDGE offers national wireless data network.

[chet_in_ny]

I played with my brother's new Sanyo MM-9000 cell phone for Sprint and the internet was ridiculously fast. I think Sprint uses "EV-DO" technology now. I was amazed and I can't imagine what's in store in 5, 10, 20 years.

[oolatec]

Wireless internet? Bah. How about just WiFi so you could access music from nearby iPods... that's what I would love.

[Terpfen]

They actually have that, though not for iPods. Some Swedish kids programmed a wireless P2P filesharing app that would connect to other devices in the vicinity, allowing you to share songs.

[CBart95]

There are monster sized mega firms stomping around out there at the moment.
Swedish "kids" will end up going the way of MITS Altair and other "pioneers".
Let the Clash O' the Titans Begin!

[martin_fierro]

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[SamAdams76]

I have long envisioned the day when all the world's information will be available on a palm-sized device that can be carried anywhere on the planet.

Therefore, my dreams of becoming a hermit in a cabin in Montana in which I can still access Free Republic, any NFL football game, any piece of music and up-to-the-date information on my stocks on a handheld device that I can carry on a hike deep into the woods are about to come true.

Another option for me is to live in the Mojave desert, far away from everybody yet still connected to the world.

[cyborg]

LOL wow.

[tubebender]

My last Mac update downloaded software called iPhone. Is that old news?

[Mr. Blonde]

Seems like they are trying to keep up with the PSP which is really more of their rival than any other mp3 players. The PSP already has wireless internet connectivity. I'm not sure how well it works though, I have a feeling if Apple does it it will be quite reliable.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Seems like they are trying to keep up with the PSP which is really more of their rival than any other mp3 players.

I'm not sure how much of a rival the PSP is, despite features like the built-in web browser, wireless, and the much nicer screen. The iPod comes with up to 60 GB of storage to store video or audio, while the PSP requires expensive MemoryStick purchases just to get to a barely adequate 2 GB. The PSP is a nice gaming device and can be a handy DVD player replacement, but it's crippled by restrictions and limitations.

[Mr. Blonde]

Its a challenger in that people faced between a PSP or an iPod might be more likey to choose a PSP and memory stick rather than an iPod. There is better battery life for video and the much nicer screen, plus it does have the ability to hold some songs which may be sufficient for some people. And it has a very large built in audience.