2GB Mini-iPods in Janaury?

I think something like this would be fantastic...I would love to have a smaller iPod for when I go work out...not that the iPod is too big or bulky, because it is not...but I would like to have an iPod that you can strap around your arm while working out...that would be cool

I don't care for a smaller iPod, but for a less expensive one.
The 100 bucks iPod idea just rocks!

Bring'em on, Apple!

As soon as I read the report about Toshiba's 1" drives starting production shortly, I immediately thought of mini-iPods. I think this rumors is pretty logical and these would fit a different market than the larger iPods.

Apple already make different size iMacs, iBooks and Powerbooks so why not iPods!

Looking forward to Macworld San Fran, but worried that no Steve Jobs Keynote announcement has been made - yet.

Originally posted by Macrumors
According to a new report, Apple has been demoing a new product to select insiders. The new device is reportedly a 2GB "mini" iPod, and has been noted to come in a variety of colors. Expected introduction of the new low-end iPods are in January 2004.

Some recent rumors have hinted at low end iPods coming from Apple, with subsequent corroboration.

While Apple presently use Toshiba's 1.8" hard drives in existing iPod devices, Toshiba will be introducing 1" hard drives at the Consumer Electronics Show, also in January 2004.

Exciting, if true. But I wouldn't get your hopes up on this mini-pod costing less than $199; $169 would be a stretch me thinks. I like the idea of variety of colors: Apple's definitely targetting kids with this one.

Multiple colors
All-plastic body
smaller screen, smaller scroll
no remote, no dock, no case
no accessories via firewire adaptor
2 gb HDD (--> 500 songs or 33 hours of music)
extra games
$169

God how i'd love to see cheaper, lower-capacity iPods released. That's the only reason I haven't bought an iPod yet, I just can't afford it right now.

But the thing is, will Apple make revenue from this? From my perspective, the way Apple makes money is to charge a premium for the low-volumes of stock they sell compared to Dell or HP who sell in high numbers to gain their revenue. So would Apple gain a cut for themselves with a cheaper iPod?

Anyways, 2GB is enough to hold about half of my music library, and that's OK, I only listen to one half all the time anyways.....

Why does everyone thing that these would be disked based? An IPod that small could very well be flashed based. Actually it would be really groovee if the unit accepted compact flash cards.

I'm all for minidisk technology and all, but there are cost issues that could be addressed with an all solid state device. Not to mention increased reliability. Sure flash has its own issues but make that a replaceable item and about all that there is left ot fail is the battery.

Thanks
Dave

Originally posted by Macrumors
According to a new report, Apple has been demoing a new product to select insiders. The new device is reportedly a 2GB "mini" iPod, and has been noted to come in a variety of colors. Expected introduction of the new low-end iPods are in January 2004.

Some recent rumors have hinted at low end iPods coming from Apple, with subsequent corroboration.

While Apple presently use Toshiba's 1.8" hard drives in existing iPod devices, Toshiba will be introducing 1" hard drives at the Consumer Electronics Show, also in January 2004.

I think this would be a great move for Apple. While the iPod is no loss leader, I think iTunes could really be a money maker if you get enough people buying on a regular basis. Priced at or around $100-$200, this would help drive interest.

It would also help introduce people to the other Apple products like iMacs, ibooks and the pro line. All around win for Apple, not to mention a great way to squash all the johnny come lately's with their online music stores.

i wonder if they will use these new drives. Wouldn't that make them relatively expensive?

2GB is easily enough music to last me until I connect up to a computer again. It's still so much better then going on holiday with a cache of cds.

Just because it is 2GB doesn't mean it will be that much less expensive. I think 199 would be the bottom. We'll probably see the 10GB go to 249, so the upsell will be easier. Maybe a new 60GB iPod for 499 for those who use their iPods for more than Music.

What excites me about a 2GB iPod would be an even smaller form factor. It could be small enough to plug into a Digital camera and the new Digital video cameras directly and give you 2GB, that would open the iPod up to a much larger market. Seeing that 256MB Flash cards are going for around that much anyway.

Hope its true.

Another thought is that now with Hitachi and another even cheaper chinese manufacturer among the 1.8" drive manufactures, with Apple's iPod volume, the pricing pressure on Toshiba has got to be huge. I am speculating that Apple sells at least a Million iPods this quarter. The economy of scale for them has got to be tremendous.