All Flash iPod Line-up on the Horizon?

VE3OGG writes "Several news reports are taking note of the opinion of Prudential Equity Group analyst Jesse Tortora, who seems to think that an all-flash iPod lineup could be coming in the near future. While some point out that this would ultimately super-inflate the cost of iPod production, Tortora rebukes them: '...the late 2005 Nano transition to flash provides a guide as to the point at which the previously mentioned non-cost advantages of flash memory outweigh the cost premium.' He believes that later this year Apple will unveil either a 32GB or 64GB flash-based Video iPod. Of course, like all good analysts, he also throws out some far-fetched claims. These include: the next round of video iPods will also include an iPhone-esque wide touchscreen, WiFi for Apple TV streaming, and GPS functionality. Will this be the start of a super-high-end iPod line, or perhaps a middle-of-the-road iPod Video?"

Re:New iPod to have atomic battery. And a pony.

[Intocabile]

The atomic battery will corrupt the flash memory and the pony will scratch easily.

I'll wait for the second generation.

Re:60G of flash?

[Anonymous Coward]

Forget about Ogg etc... - I'm more worried about their move to Flash. Macromedia is a terrible format for showing video. They should stick to H.264.

Apple should just go all the way...

[Sciros]

...and develop a Flash-memory-based, forearm-mounted computer with a 7"x2" (or 2.5") touch-sensitive screen. It's hard to fathom how much booty that would kick. iPods are great and all, and the iPhone is rubbish but a proper computer that basically turns you into a sci-fi techie all Predator-style actually interests me. Charging "bases" at home, office, and car means you can keep your art-mounted compy permanently charged.

The screen would need to be that multi-point pressure-sensitive one that the Asian guy from NYU demonstrated recently... wish I remembered the link to the video for that...

And yes there should be "future-proof" versions of various levels, with option including a laser cannon, self-destruct mechanism, retractable blade, Star Wars-style grappling hook, tranquilizer gun, mace spray, and spare tire.

Re:60G of flash?

[dr.badass]

Now make the battery user accessible, and make it play mp3/aac/ogg/flac off directories and not itunes databases and we're all set.

In other words: change everything about it.

Re:60G of flash?

[soft_guy]

while we're at it, why not give it a built in radio and the ability to record from that radio

No, what I want is the ability to send a song to another iPod wirelessly so the other person can listen to it for three days or three plays - whichever comes first - and then have the chance to buy the song. But, I don't want this to work on all songs - just some of them where the record company said it was OK to do this. If they would only add this feature, I'm sure more people would buy iPods.