iPod dock connector speculations

[jonathanpoh]

A lot of people are wondering WHY the heck did Apple decide to implement a new, proprietary connector to the new iPods. iPoding also did a dissection and we have seen that the new dock connector has way lot more pins than needed for just power, firewire and USB. Which leads me to believe that this might be a new multi-function port which might lead to several add-ons to the iPod in the future, not unlike some cell phone accessories.

How about:
1) A bluetooth or Airport module to sync your music wirelessly
2) An addon keyboard (can anybody say "Apple PDA"?)
3) Omnidirectional microphone (iDictaphone?) - We already know it has recording capability in the firmware so maybe this is not too far off.
4) Gamepad (World's Most Expensive GameBoy)

So what else can you think of? We can all dream can't we?

[Ben Lovejoy]

It did seem a bit odd to me that with a newly-released gadget, there was no Bluetooth or Wifi support. It would certainly make the device more portable for laptop users if we could do away with the wires when travelling.

Ben

[Jester]

I agree regarding a Bluetooth connection. It would have been a nice addition. As for the iPod becoming a day to day PDA, that would be cool. The problem that I see would be battery life. My Palm Tungsten goes with me everywhere I go and is used constantly. So couple that with the extensive use that my iPod get's, battery life would be at a premium.

[Public Enemy]

I hope your right I wanted all those feautures, to come out and I was dissapointed when they werent released for new iPods. I might change my mine and buy one if your pretty sure that these things will come out in the future. Good post

[jonathanpoh]

heh.. i'm not sure of it at all.. but it would be nice if it were true.. wouldn't it?

[gizmo53]

The keyboard thing would be an easy thing to do, so long as you know how to work with the dock connector. However, remember that the iPod is for Playing music and not for much else (Apple released the Contacts as an afterthought, along with Calendar and Text Notes. The game was originally just an easter egg, and we only recently got two more.

[tastewar]

1. A cable for the car with power supplied from CLP and RCA line-out (perhaps with headphone jack as well).

2. A dock for the car similarly outfitted -- supplies power in and audio out. Maybe car stereo mfr's will start to include iPod slots in radios :-)

3. I hope some of those extra lines on the connector are for control...

[jonathanpoh]

wow, did anybody see the news item on the ipodlounge main page today? about MacWhispers getting some info on not one, but two possible dock products, including one with 802.11g (airport extreme) and rendezvouz..

[mongoos150]

Originally posted by jonathanpoh
A lot of people are wondering WHY the heck did Apple decide to implement a new, proprietary connector to the new iPods. iPoding also did a dissection and we have seen that the new dock connector has way lot more pins than needed for just power, firewire and USB. Which leads me to believe that this might be a new multi-function port which might lead to several add-ons to the iPod in the future, not unlike some cell phone accessories.

How about:
1) A bluetooth or Airport module to sync your music wirelessly
2) An addon keyboard (can anybody say "Apple PDA"?)
3) Omnidirectional microphone (iDictaphone?) - We already know it has recording capability in the firmware so maybe this is not too far off.
4) Gamepad (World's Most Expensive GameBoy)

So what else can you think of? We can all dream can't we?

I have to disagree on number 1 & 2:
1. Syncing wirelessly would most likely take a long time, seeing as how the PocketPC handhelds do this through bluetooth and it takes forever (but it could work with some work on speed).
2. The last thing I want is for the iPod to be is an 'Apple PDA'. I love the simplicity and ease of use of the iPod. Adding this would make the iPod less unique and sophisticated IMHO.

Your other ideas sound great!

[tntracy]

Originally posted by jonathanpoh
<snip>
Which leads me to believe that this might be a new multi-function port which might lead to several add-ons to the iPod in the future, not unlike some cell phone accessories.
<snip>
Very, very possible.

Remember, the original model 5 GB iPod (and later, the original model scrollwheel 10 GB iPods) both had the combo headphone / remote connectors before the remotes were ever announced (which was months later).

Tom

[jonathanpoh]

mongoos: yeah i forgot that current wireless networking still falls way short of the speeds of Firewire.. Unless it's the wireless implementation of Firewire (Firewireless?)

Maybe Bluetooth would not be for synching but wireless accessories like wireless headphones or remote controls. I think some company is already prototyping a IR module.

The other thing i was thinking about the use of Airport in a iPod would be for it to become a portable internet radio receiver.. That would be a real killer. Instead of a normal FM tuner, you get Radio Stations 'playlist' when you're within Airport range and receive streaming audio streams. (oops should I have patented that b4 saying it?)

An in-car dock would be very cool.. that's where i listen to my ipod the most now..