Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iTS, Rumors, iTunes
Video Store? Sure, right after Ogg Vorbis...
Jordan over at our sibling-site, DownloadSquad, notes that Ars Technica has declared the rumors of Apple offering an iTunes Video Store "official" because of some icons found embedded in iTunes 5.I, for one, seriously doubt it. Here's why: Exhibit A. Apple can not really announce an effective iTunes Video Store until they have a video iPod. Considering they just launched a brand new iPod line with the iPod nano, I don't think the Video iPod has any chance of materializing within the next 6 months. Exhibit B. Apple has had many odd and various icons embedded in iTunes for many iterations with absolutely no materialization of any utilization of those icons whatsoever. For example, there have been Ogg Vorbis icons for well over a year now, but iTunes still doesn't support Ogg Vorbis.
Why do they do this? My personal theory is that Apple coders plant little distractions like this in the code just to mess with all the rumor and fan sites. Remember when the Microsoft code was leaked and there were a bunch of comments in the code, like "This is a really ugly f-ing hack"? That's the same thing going on with the Mac coders, except they actually *enjoy* the product they are working on, so they build little fun things into it rather than embedding the code with complaints and curses. This is just my theory though. They could announce a Video Store tomorrow for all I know. Nothing surprises me ever since the great Intel changeover announcement of aught five.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
D said 4:13PM on 9-19-2005
Well, I don't think there needs to be a video iPod before the store sells videos. It's already including videos with some albums, right? Along those lines, at least the first iteration of video sales on iTunes will be a little more mundane than a full-bore Hollywood distribution revolution: they will sell music videos. Rumours of deals with the labels have cropped up now and then, and it kinda makes sense. I'd still see movie/TV show downloads coming eventually, but the music video thing will come first and allow Apple to test the infrastructure before breaking out the heavy-duty gigabyte downloads. I'm guessing a movie store and pod will materialize some time in the latter half of next year, giving current iPod owners something to ask Santa for.
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Dan said 4:17PM on 9-19-2005
I think they do it just to hedge their bets. Sure iTunes doesn't support Ogg Vorbis now and may not ever, but it could. So why not have some icons for things that could possibly show up in the future...
or maybe the artist is sending subtle suggestions to the developers...
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Robert Knight said 4:23PM on 9-19-2005
If you open iTunes, blink 30 times real fast, and hold your breath for 25 seconds, you'll see Steve Jobs naked holding a video iPod connected to 3.0 Ghz G5 Powerbook with an "Asteroid" Garageband breakout box.
I'm with C.K. on this. Video is definitely coming, but the existence of icons is no proof as to when.
But if it happens tomorrow, it IS CK's fault for not getting it right!
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Sean Flanagan said 4:47PM on 9-19-2005
The very icons noted in the Ars Technica article are apparently already being used by iTunes 5. There are no secrets. Download the CrookZ vodcast, or any other vodcast now available, via the podcast directory on the iTMS. Once it finishes downloading, look at the icon next to the finished download in your "Podcasts" list. Call me crazy, but that's the icon to which they're referring for this "official" announcement.
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Joe Stillwell said 4:53PM on 9-19-2005
I don't think Apple needs a video iPod to start a video store. They do need some Mac to TV interface though. Kind of like the Airport Express. If I could get an Airport Video Express with a remote and play iTunes video content on my TV as easily as I can play TV from my DVR I would buy it in a second.
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woneffe said 5:01PM on 9-19-2005
I don't think we need to see a vPod in order to see videos in iTunes either. As has been pointed out, there already are videos in the iTunes store, and you can add QuickTime files to your iTunes library. It's well on its way. I see the tabs in in iTunes5 as more of a sign of a future video store than any icons hidden in the code. The tabs introduce a new way to sort content. Eventually we could see the tabs being used to split the library into Music Video, Movies, TV, Music, Audio Books... rather than having smart playlists have to serve that function.
I would see updates to iDVD integrating it with iTunes and updates to the AirPort allowing video streaming to the living room (which is probably already possible, though not advertised) as a more important step than a vPod. And beyond memory issues with large video files, there really shouldn't be any reason that the current iPod form couldn't be used at least as a way to carry videos around with you, if not as a device that would allow one to watch videos on the go.
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Gordon Werner said 5:26PM on 9-19-2005
so can anyone explain why apple doesn't include OGG Vorbis and WMA files? it would seem to be a good way to capture those users with iTunes.
Add to that ... I wish iTunes could convert FLAC files to ALAC (Apple Lossless) automatically ... or at least be able to read/play FLAC files.
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Eric said 9:30PM on 9-19-2005
I disagree, I think they need either a video iPod or they need to sell real hollywood movies. Can you imagine what a flop a music video store would be? You can watch pretty much any music video you want online for free, no one would buy them. Also, you just bought a song that you can't take with you, so either you pay twice or you make customers choose which is better, and I think most people like music for the music.
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kingster8 said 8:07AM on 9-24-2005
Have you ever misspelled a word on an apple URL? It takes you to an "oops" page
Try going to www.apple.com/movies ... Forbidden
An Accident... I think not
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Dave said 1:06AM on 9-20-2005
Well, considering the video ipod has already been invented, maybe it's not much of a stretch?
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2005/09/how_to_play_video_on_ipods_wit.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
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holophile said 1:15AM on 9-20-2005
I won't bother to add my 2 cents b/c it's all been said already, but I have found it interesting (for the past couple of weeks, anyway) that they haven't posted any music videos in over a month. The new iPod commercial doesn't count!
It's the only thing I look forward to about "New Music Tuesdays". Or, at least, I used to look forward to. b/c I could see them only offering the small ones for free but charging for the larger resolution version.
Don't you just hate when you get charged for things you used to get for free???
ooops. maybe that's just the drug addict in me talking again.
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Al Willis said 2:56AM on 9-20-2005
The video iPod is most likely already done. Now, it's a matter of doing the deals with the content providers. Video podcasts already work in iTunes; it would be simple for Apple to add music videos and clips from ESPN, CNN, CNBC, etc. in lovely H.264.
Even without a video iPod, these things make sense. There are certain programs I would rather watch on my PowerBook when I'm commuting or otherwise have time to kill.
Ideally, Apple would introduce the video iPod just before the holiday shopping season. Talk about a halo effect for the holidays...
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J.T. Mill said 6:31AM on 9-20-2005
Personally, I think that whoever they pay to design the icons has a really good deal on doing things in bulk. Apple decided to save some money by making him design all the icons they could possibly ever use rather than having to call him back and pay him more for whenever they release a product/service/format.
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Daniel David said 9:25AM on 9-20-2005
I gotta disagree with you here C.K., I do think there will be a video iPod within the next 6 months. Here is my reasoning:
The nano shows a move toward flash memory based audio players from Appple. Soon, the memory capacity of the nano will skyrocket, with 32GB NAND chips being on the market. Of course these nanos will not be cheap, but they will be available.
Therefore, Apple has to do something to give their full size iPod consumer appeal. If the nano has a color screen, and does everything it's big brother does, and will soon match its storage capacity, something has to give.
For this reason, the traditional iPod will be replaced with the video iPod within the next 6 months. Steve is on top of the audio player market, and with a flood of PMD coming on the market, Apple will respond.
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Chris said 12:12PM on 9-20-2005
I don't know anyone who wants to carry video around and watch it on a 2 inch screen - especially when you can get portable DVD players with bigger screens cheaper than Apple branded hardware will cost.
I believe a networked "iMedia" solution that used a small (dare I say "mini") footprint hardware device that connected to my television, and connected to my other computers as well as a store that sold HD video along with music would convince me to get rid of the TiVo I have loved for nearly 5 years.
Take the portability out of the equation. Give me DVR, iTunes, iPhoto, HD video, and internet in one device that connects to my television and I order one today.
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gv said 3:01AM on 10-18-2005
Heh heh. Found this post while searching for some info about video downloads. I wouldn't have believed it either a month ago.
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