Apple Contracting For Multimedia Chips?
In an unconfirmed report published at SiliconValleyWatcher.com, Apple has contracted to use a new multimedia chip from Broadcom, who aquired Cambridge, UK based Alphamosaic in 2004.
From the press release about the new chips:
This new technology could be used to create a video version of the iPod, with high-resolution graphics, game playing possibilities, digital photographs, as well as wireless communication options. Alternatively it could open the gate for a new wave of multimedia devices yet to be introduced.
From the press release about the new chips:
Building on the success of the VC01, Alphamosaic is now sampling VC02, the world's most advanced mobile multimedia processor. The VC02 can display video on 3.5 inch color LCDs and capture 8 megapixel images, making it ideal for watching TV, making videos or taking studio-quality photos on a cellphone.
This new technology could be used to create a video version of the iPod, with high-resolution graphics, game playing possibilities, digital photographs, as well as wireless communication options. Alternatively it could open the gate for a new wave of multimedia devices yet to be introduced.
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90 months ago
The mind boggles, what will they do with this little beauty...interesting...
90 months ago
jack of all trades, master of none. apple should learn from other's failures.
90 months ago
jack of all trades, master of none. apple should learn from other's failures.
i mostly think like this (for pdas, phones, media players) but you could say the same of a computer.
we all know that aint true for computers now.
what i'd like to see is an ipod size device that can capture video/audio/stills and then play it back (with tv out or airvideo :) for video).
it's not impossible that we cold head this way with decent video codecs (h264).
anyway....
90 months ago
Clearly, video is the next big thing at Apple. If you look at how music progressed, first we had iTunes, with the "Rip Mix Burn" ads, then out came the iPod, then later the Music store, now iPods are selling like crazy and the music store is doing very well.
With video, Apple is still in the early stages; good content creation and management software, but no video equivalent of the iPod, no Movie store, etc. Partly, they are simply waiting for the right hardware technology (like larger 2.5 inch drives, faster embedded processors, better LCD screens, cheaper HDTV circuitry, etc.) and this multimedia chip is part of that technology.
One can easily see the progression though. In the next few years we'll probably see a video iPod with a small screen but also HDTV-out, so you can show your iMovie HD creations without having to burn a Blue-ray DVD at all, and you can watch your H.264-encoded movies purchased and downloaded from the Apple Movie store either on the small screen of your 200 GB video iPod (using Hitachi drives?), or on an HDTV connected to it, or stream it over your 802.11n network to a video-capable Airport Express plugged into your HDTV...
Steve probably had all of this worked out back in 1998, and has just been waiting for technology to catch up to him.
With video, Apple is still in the early stages; good content creation and management software, but no video equivalent of the iPod, no Movie store, etc. Partly, they are simply waiting for the right hardware technology (like larger 2.5 inch drives, faster embedded processors, better LCD screens, cheaper HDTV circuitry, etc.) and this multimedia chip is part of that technology.
One can easily see the progression though. In the next few years we'll probably see a video iPod with a small screen but also HDTV-out, so you can show your iMovie HD creations without having to burn a Blue-ray DVD at all, and you can watch your H.264-encoded movies purchased and downloaded from the Apple Movie store either on the small screen of your 200 GB video iPod (using Hitachi drives?), or on an HDTV connected to it, or stream it over your 802.11n network to a video-capable Airport Express plugged into your HDTV...
Steve probably had all of this worked out back in 1998, and has just been waiting for technology to catch up to him.
90 months ago
Heck, after buying my iPod, I've become convinced that in general, MP3 players need to incorporate strong PDA features. Just imagine the iPod loaded with a new version of the NewtonOS (I'm just throwing this in here for Newton fans), PalmOS Cobalt, or a mini-version of OS X.
I don't want cell phones to kill PDAs because its counter-productive since the trend in cell phones are to shrink the form factor whereas with PDAs, you want as much screen as possible within reason. Cell phones are fine for simple calendar features and songs for ringtones, but other features kill the battery life which is supposed to be devoted to talk time. Non North American markets want the most features possible on their cell phones because dedicated computers were generally cost prohibitive (since computer makers didn't subsidize hardware through a subscription component) and monopolistic national telephone companies refused to offer ISP services at a flat rate for traditional modem connections.
Similarly, the Sony PSP would be even better if it came bundled with PalmOS or Symbian. Not to mention iTunes Music Store compatibility...
I don't want cell phones to kill PDAs because its counter-productive since the trend in cell phones are to shrink the form factor whereas with PDAs, you want as much screen as possible within reason. Cell phones are fine for simple calendar features and songs for ringtones, but other features kill the battery life which is supposed to be devoted to talk time. Non North American markets want the most features possible on their cell phones because dedicated computers were generally cost prohibitive (since computer makers didn't subsidize hardware through a subscription component) and monopolistic national telephone companies refused to offer ISP services at a flat rate for traditional modem connections.
Similarly, the Sony PSP would be even better if it came bundled with PalmOS or Symbian. Not to mention iTunes Music Store compatibility...
90 months ago
I think Apple needs to come out with their own "iPod killer" this may be the key.
90 months ago
...what i'd like to see is an ipod size device that can capture video/audio/stills and then play it back (with tv out or airvideo :) for video)...
so, you want a... video camera?[ Read All Comments ]
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