New Photo iPod

[Ookii]

Exciting until you read this:

The newest member of the iPod family, iPod Photo comes in two sizes: a 40GB model, available for $499, and a capacious 60GB model that sells for $599. Both feature a razor sharp LCD display that lets you see your photos in vivid color — 65,536 colors, to be exact. And with its built-in backlighting, you’ll be able to admire those photos indoors or out.

and then realize that it's just Steve Jobs doing you from behind.

http://www.apple.com/ipodphoto/

[WayAbvPar]

Do they enable DMCA encryption on your personal photos to keep them 'safe'?

[[F9]Communist]

Why would anyone want that? Are backups on CDs really not good enough?? Seems like a pointless device.

[Big Gulp]

Why would anyone want that? Are backups on CDs really not good enough?? Seems like a pointless device.

I already know a wedding photographer who uses a regular iPod to store his photos instead of carrying a shitload of memsticks on him.  It's the perfect gadget for that type of work, and I assume he'll be picking this up as soon as it hits the shelves.

Of course, that's a pretty small market, I can't see this being picked up by anyone else really.

[Paelos]

If it took the photos in good quality that would be a killer idea. As the product stands now it seems pretty half-assed. As opposed to fully half-assed. Which really wouldn't be half-assed at all.

I need a drink.

[Merusk]

Why would anyone want that? Are backups on CDs really not good enough?? Seems like a pointless device.

I already know a wedding photographer who uses a regular iPod to store his photos instead of carrying a shitload of memsticks on him.  It's the perfect gadget for that type of work, and I assume he'll be picking this up as soon as it hits the shelves.

Of course, that's a pretty small market, I can't see this being picked up by anyone else really.

While wedding photography might be a small market, I imagine it'll appeal to ALL professional photographers who are using digital format.  I'll have to ask my sister her thoughts on this next time I see her.

[Big Gulp]

While wedding photography might be a small market, I imagine it'll appeal to ALL professional photographers who are using digital format.

That's actually what I meant.  Is the number of professional photographers out there really big enough to float a product like this?  I don't think so, but then I suppose that's why they've got such a big price point; to make up for lack of volume sales.

[sidereal]

I think "Seems like a pointless device" is Apple's new byline.

[Krakrok]

I think "Seems like a pointless device" is Apple's new byline.

Or an old business plan. Apple fruits will buy anything with an apple logo on it.

[Bunk]

While wedding photography might be a small market, I imagine it'll appeal to ALL professional photographers who are using digital format.

That's actually what I meant.  Is the number of professional photographers out there really big enough to float a product like this?  I don't think so, but then I suppose that's why they've got such a big price point; to make up for lack of volume sales.

I'm far from a professional photographer, but i can certainly see myself using one of these if it were priced a little lower. A 256 MB stick on my camera's highest setting only holds 92 pictures.  Thats shit all if you are taking pictures at a party or doing serious sight seeing.

At $600 US though, I'd be more inclined to just fork out $300 on a couple more memory sticks.

[Hanzii]

Most professional photographers I know bought an iPod the minute it was possible and never with the intent to use it for money - this is an improvement. But of course now there's plenty of alternatives for those that just want a place for photos and even a few with image viewer as well.

Fo r those that want both the storage space as well as a good MP3 player, the new iPod is cool.
Of course, these are guys that own 5000$ + cameras, so we're not talking everybody.

[Samwise]

At $600 US though, I'd be more inclined to just fork out $300 on a couple more memory sticks.

DING DING DING!  We have a winner!

Why pay $600 for an iPod to use as a storage device when for the same price you can buy a crapload of memory sticks that take up far less space and don't require batteries?

Do you really need 60 gigs for a single photography session?

[sidereal]

Memory sticks my ass.  For $600 you can get http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-154-319&depa=0">2 of these and a lapdance.  Half a terabyte is a lot of storage, and professional photographers are going to be lugging junk around anyway.

[Merusk]

At $600 US though, I'd be more inclined to just fork out $300 on a couple more memory sticks.

DING DING DING!  We have a winner!

Why pay $600 for an iPod to use as a storage device when for the same price you can buy a crapload of memory sticks that take up far less space and don't require batteries?

Do you really need 60 gigs for a single photography session?

Yes.

Pros aren't taking .jpgs they're taking RAW or .TIFF images.  Quite a magnitude of difference in size there.

Memory sticks.  If you get memory in 1gb chunks you're going to have to have 60 of them to match the $600 Ipod.  At about $90 a pop.  Oh look.. you saved -$4800 dollars you smart consumer!

Kids, it's aimed at pros. Sometimes tech gadgets come out that AREN'T aimed at geeks. Shock and awe!

[Righ]

It's aimed at the Prada crowd, not pros.

[Soukyan]

*cough*ripoff*cough*

[Paelos]

It's aimed at the Prada crowd, not pros.

I don't know, they seem to be gunning for a different market.

[Bunk]

Memory sticks my ass.  For $600 you can get http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-154-319&depa=0">2 of these and a lapdance.  Half a terabyte is a lot of storage, and professional photographers are going to be lugging junk around anyway.

Couldn't tell from the link - is it battery powered or plugged in?  Either way, I like the price, didn't know you could get externals that cheap now.

[naum]

It doesn't appeal to me (and I own a 20G iPod), but this kind of thing is something my wife would love to have and be able to show photo galleries to co-workers and relatives, and be able to tote it around a Marlboro sized music player kept in her purse…

[BlackSky]

I don't even need that much storage for my MUSIC (you know, what the iPod is marketed for holding?). I have a Sony MD player I bought last year, thats good enough for me.

[Ookii]

I have a Sony MD player I bought last year, thats good enough for me.

How is that non-mp3 goodness working out for you? I hear you have rip all your cds in their proprietary Atrac3 format, it's the digital music player for the honest person with a lot of free time.

[Hanzii]

Yes.

Pros aren't taking .jpgs they're taking RAW or .TIFF images.  Quite a magnitude of difference in size there.

Memory sticks.  If you get memory in 1gb chunks you're going to have to have 60 of them to match the $600 Ipod.  At about $90 a pop.  Oh look.. you saved -$4800 dollars you smart consumer!

Kids, it's aimed at pros. Sometimes tech gadgets come out that AREN'T aimed at geeks. Shock and awe!

If it had the ability to connect directly to a camera, this would be a great device. Unfortunately that's a $100 Belkin add on to do that, so it's not really for the pros or prosumers - there's other (more functional, less hip, cheaper) alternatives out there for photographers.

This is marketed at those allready in love with the iPod, that go wet over either the colour screen or the extra gigs.

[Big Gulp]

I have a Sony MD player I bought last year, thats good enough for me.

How is that non-mp3 goodness working out for you?

No kidding.  Moving parts that can easily break?  Proprietary discs?  Sign me up!

I mean, really, what use is a minidisc player?  You can buy a Discman that'll read MP3s for $20; cheap media, more storage space.  If you're looking for a cheap solution, there it is.