True video iPod to sport 3.5-inch display, touch-screen click wheel:

Think Secret can confirm recent rumblings that Apple is nearing completion of a completely revamped video iPod that will shed the ubiquitous mechanical click wheel for a touch screen and will sport a 3.5-inch diagonal display. — Think Secret –
I read this recently and it would make sense in many ways. The Generation 5 (G5) IPOD while functional at displaying video suffers from a small screen and the technology of the mechanical click wheel is also aging. So how do you build a IPOD with a larger screen, still have the convenience of the current controls, without making the overall size any larger. One way would be to make the screen most of one side and use touch screen technology for the controls. That fits with the recent patents Apple has been applying for and if you add WIFI/Bluetooth and enhance some of the other applications (Calendar, To Do, Contacts, etc.) you have a handheld PC.

My son has a Sony PSP. The larger high-rez screen is really nice and can be used for enjoyable movie viewing. It seems that the IPOD may be evolving to include a similar display. I have a Generation 4 IPOD and there have been times I’ve considered purchasing a new IPOD for the video capabilities. I’ll be waiting now to see what Apple introduces a little later this year.

I currently drive about 50 minutes each way to my job and I’ve been using my iPod a lot for listening to Audiobooks during that time. I’ve found it to be a wonderful way to turn that hour and a half plus each day into something productive. I can easily do a couple of books per month…so that’s at least 24 books per year gained from time that would otherwise be less productive.