Apple Wants More Money From Me!

    It’s been fun watching the rumors fly about that Apple would/would not announce an iPod Video at today’s Special Event. I agree that an iPod is a poor way to watch video, but that it might be a handy way to transport and feed video files to a TV. Now that the announcement is official, I have to admit I am underwhelmed. The unveiling of the iPod nano a little over a month ago had me clicking “Add to Cart” almost immediately. It’s a lot easier to resist the same temptation today. For one thing, I was really expecting something more along the lines of this…
An iPod Video prediction (from smash’s world)than just a slightly wider iPod. It’s really surprising to me, and definitely disappointing, that Apple is sticking with a plain 320×240 size rather than the 16×9 aspect ratio of its own Cinema Display monitors. They should be pushing the widescreen shape just like they’re pushing this as the Year of HD.
    I’m not sure how I feel about the prospect of buying TV shows in the new iTunes 6.0. I can’t say I’m necessarily against it, since it might be convenient to pay a couple bucks to see a show I missed. I can say though that if I’m to own a TV episode I’d prefer something with more repeatability than Lost (as the recent DVD release reminded me) or Desperate Housewives. If Fox hops on board and sells Arrested Development, however, then methinks a new iPod I might buy!
    Then again, I’m once more underwhelmed by the quality of those videos. I sprang for an exclusive U2 video only to find I paid $1.99 for a tiny 320×176 display that’s in mono.

Actual size    I really hope this is just a beginning and that the files will eventually be worth buying, since so far there’s plenty of room for improvement.