Vol 19, Issue 44

October 31, 2005

What Could Apple Build Next?

By Kevin Krewell

Apple Computer recently upgraded its widely popular iPOD with new models that are thinner, have a larger LCD screen, and now offer video-playback capability (although with only a 320- x 240-pixel resolution). Apple also upgraded the iMAC, PowerBook, and Power MAC G5 computers. October was a very busy month for Apple. With that orgy of new products behind us and the excruciating long wait for the highly anticipated video iPOD over, we were inspired to think about what could be/should be the next breakthrough product for the innovative personal computer/personal media company. I've decided to offer some of our thoughts for Steve (Jobs) to consider.

A simple extension of the iPOD with video would be to take the new iPOD and allow it not only to play video but also to record video. (The new iPOD doesn't have a new name like iVPOD to describe the new capability; and shouldn't Apple rename iTunes, now that iTunes sells videos?) The Broadcom MPEG4 video chip used in the new iPOD to add the video capability supports encoding video in addition to decoding it. With the addition of a video input and with an internal timer, the expanded iPOD with video could be used to connect to your cable or satellite decoder box or to regular TV and used to record shows, much like a miniature, portable (although low-fidelity) TiVO. This could make recording TV shows for the video iPOD relatively easy and free. It would be a whole lot easier than the process it would take today to record a TV show on a TiVO box; transfer that capture through the TiVO-to-go connection to a PC; transcode it for iPOD-compatible video; and then import it into iTunes and, finally, transfer it to the iPOD. Obviously, a cumbersome process today, but one that could be simplified with a relatively minor change to the existing product.

Video input could also inspire the iPOD add-on community to build small video cameras to attach to the iPOD, turning it into a hard-drive-based video recorder.

After the lukewarm response to the Motorola ROKR phone (with built-in iPOD music player), Apple may want to take a stab at its own version of a cellphone. (Insert your own visual of a Photoshop image, with the iPOD circular control dial on the front of a sleek white cellphone or with an antenna sticking out of an iPOD.) The market is huge and very susceptible to fashion statements. Apple could create any number of interesting phone concepts.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs introducing a number of new products on October 12, 2005. Photo by MPR

Can Apple and Intel, Together, Change the World?

We know that Apple will move to the Intel processor family in 2006. With the recent revelation that Intel is exploring very-low-power x86 processors, is there a better partner for Intel to explore this technology with than Apple? While Apple's exploration of early PDA technology (the Newton) was largely a market failure, some of the basic concepts and lessons learned led to the modern PDA market.

A number of small startups and even some large Japanese manufacturers have been exploring handheld-size PC systems, but with little traction in the market. Apple's expertise in refining concepts and finding the right user-friendly industrial design and user interface could provide the crucial missing factor needed to develop a breakthrough handheld-PC product. Apple is in the unique position of controlling the complete package, from industrial design, to board design, to operating-system software. The company could develop the entire user experience, completely optimized for this usage model. Intel is very interested in extending the reach of its x86 processor architecture, and Apple could provide the vehicle to turn the idea into a product.

Clearing Up the Digital Camera's User Interface

At Microprocessor Report, we have a number of photographic enthusiasts on the present staff, as there also were on the former staff. As we've moved from film cameras to digital cameras, we have been disappointed that the user interface has become overly complex, with numerous multifunction menus and controls. My old Olympus OM-1 single-lens-reflex (SLR) manual film camera was easy to use. Its analog meter was clearly visible in the viewfinder, was easy to adjust for proper exposure, and could produce wonderful pictures. The Nikon D70 digital SLR, with numerous programmable modes, multiple metering modes, and multifunction controls, is not the model of simplicity—that is, unless you treat it as just a point-and-shoot camera and desire little or no creative input into the picture. With a good eye and access to the manual controls of the OM-1, I had absolute and direct control over focus, f-stop, and shutter speed; and with the push of one button, I could preview depth of field. With the Nikon, I need to attend a daylong course to gain that level of control over the camera—where I can learn to control the camera and not the other way around.

If, in the race toward feature-creep, camera companies have lost the vision of making cameras that are easy to operate, I view this situation as the perfect opportunity for an outside company to remake the interface and help us retake control, reducing the complexity of modern digital cameras. Apple's sophisticated simplicity would be a welcome entry into this market.

While I don't want give the impression that Apple has a monopoly on intelligent product design, the company has shown a knack for making technology products that are fresh, modern, and more intuitive to use. And these are some markets that could still reward really cool stuff.