The picture, sent to Mac enthusiast site MacShrine, shows what looks like a Video iPod device with a screen taking up practically the entire module. In the picture, the screen is filled with two test patterns, as well as a label that appears to include a code referencing Mac’s OS X operating system.
Despite the likelihood of the picture being a fake, the image does coincide with a number of plans Apple filed three weeks ago with the U.S. Patent Office for the company’s next Video iPod Player.
The patent, called "Mode-based graphical user interfaces for touch sensitive input devices," includes a number of references to touch screens and methods of implementing user interfaces with displays. A drawing of the proposed player looks similar to the picture in question.
No official word has been given by representatives at Apple as to what plans are in store for the next Video iPod line, but the company no doubt has given thought to the largest criticism of its incredibly popular player: the tiny 2.5” screen.
Technology expert and Mac enthusiast Crystal Hall, however, was doubtful Apple could make the recent photo a reality.
“They would be lucky if the battery lasts two hours with a screen that size,” Hall told XBiz via email. “All the iPods have pretty horrible battery life. And, frankly, I don’t understand why anybody would want to watch video on those tiny screens to begin with, even if they could make it the size of the whole player.”
Despite size limitation, many adult companies have raced to make their video content iPod-compatible, and for good reason: Last week, CNN reported that mobile porn on devices such as the Video iPod and Sony PSP is so popular that the number of downloads is nearly equivalent to mainstream videos.
