Next Generation iPhone-like iPod
Reports from Taiwan suggest that Apple may launch next month a new iPod that looks, feels and works like an iPhone, but without the phone part.
DigiTimes, a Taiwan-based publication that often leaks details about local companies that make electronic components for companies worldwide, says Taiwan-based Wintek has won a large touchscreen display contract for Apple’s next media player.
Other reports suggest the next-generation iPod could come out as late as January, which would allow the iPhone to dominate 2007 holiday sales.
If Apple does ship an iPhone-like iPod, it would likely prove popular. Millions want the advanced, multitouch interface of the iPhone, but balk at moving to AT&T, dumping their 80GB iPods for 8GB iPhones, or moving from a 3G phone to EDGE data speeds.
Assuming new iPods run OS X as rumored, and come in at reasonable prices (such as under $300 as one analyst predicted) Apple would probably kill stand-alone DVD movie-player gadgets for good.
The downside for Apple might be damage to iPhone sales. A next-gen iPod could also create a conundrum for iPhone users who bought the expensive phone for the iPod functionality, which will likely be superior in the stand-alone iPod.
Free software gives PC access from iPhone
An independent developer named Nate True modified an open source application that provides remote access to a PC desktop to work on Apple iPhones. The result is WebVNC, the first remote-desktop application for the iPhone. The application, which is free, reportedly works over both EDGE and Wi-Fi iPhone connections. Once connected, you can use your desktop PC from anywhere, and even zoom and pan on the desktop. Next generation iPhone-like iPod via [computerworld]
[...] of the iPhone going on sale, technology fans and gadget geeks were already speculating what the next-generation version of the device would look [...]