I’ve got to admit, I’m fairly astounded by all of the media coverage of the new iPod and its video-playing capabilities. While I do think the new iPod is cool, it’s far from revolutionary- There have been hard-drive based portable video devices on the market for years. The interesting side-effect of the new iPod announcement is the sudden interest over portable video, and the impact it’s set to make.
I’ve been a huge proponent of podcasting since the very beginning (probably just over a year, now). The idea that I could take interesting, commercial-free audio shows with me in my car was extremely exciting, and I can credit podcasting with making the 35,000 miles I’ve put on my car in the past year a whole lot less boring. That’s the terrific thing about listening to audio- It’s a secondary activity. I can drive, work out at the gym (yeah, right) or walk the dog and still catch up on my podcasts. However, I couldn’t do any of these things while watching a video.
Second, because video is a visual medium, it’s best experienced on a larger screen. The reason I haven’t been watching portable video isn’t because I haven’t had a way to do it (my cell phone Sony PSP will both play video quite well). Rather, it’s because I haven’t really cared to do it. Video on a small screen leaves something to be desired, and I simply don’t have enough "hostage time" that would allow me to watch portable video in the first place.
I think the most exciting development announced by Steve Jobs at yesterday’s event was the fact that iTunes users can now download television shows for $1.99 a piece. Video over iTunes also offers another possible avenue for video podcasting (vidcasting?) and, if networks besides ABC get in on the action, perhaps a serviceable solution for "TV ala carte." If that’s the case, it would be truly revolutionary.
UPDATE: Word is NBC is also in negotiations with Apple to offer shows via iTunes. Never miss an episode of The Office again! (Maybe.)
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