Photo iPod

CNN has picked up on a rumor originally from Think Secret that Apple is planning a new 60GB iPod with photo viewing through iPhoto. It seems like a credible rumor, and Think Secret nailed the specs on the iPod mini and the new iMac before their release.

All in all, it’s not a bad idea. The iPod is one of the best gadgets I’ve ever bought, and digital photography is a major trend. The intersection of the two is a natural fit. On the other hand, is there a big enough market for such a thing? The screen would have to be quite large to compete with the screen on your digital camera, and synchronization would have to be very easy. A direct link to digital cameras using PictBridge technology might be enough to help justify the cost.

I don’t see this as being enough to be a stand-alone device, but as an enhancement to what is already an excellent product, it might not be such a bad idea. Combine that with other features like the ability to see cover art for selected songs (with iTunes already does on Macs and PCs) and a port of Apple’s excellent iPhoto to Windows might be a smart move on Apple’s part. Apple knows their market – giving away iTunes leads someone to buy an iPod, and once you have the iPod you’re more likely to consider an Mac. Adding iPhoto as another inducement to switch could be good.

I’ve been a Mac convert for a while now, and am seriously thinking about picking up a nice new iMac or iBook once Tiger is released. Apple knows a thing or two about product design, and if they can add photo technology to the iPod without a significant increase in cost, it would be a smart move for them to do so. I predicted that the iPod mini would be a flop, and look how that became an overnight success – which only goes to show how those who underestimate Apple seem to always end up having to eat their words later…