World of Apple

As you’ve almost certainly read an image of the iPod Video has apparently been leaked. We’ve contacted some “sources” and we’ve analysed it through Photoshop and our conclusion is…This is the greatest fake we’ve ever seen. In fact it’s so good that we can’t make a call on this one.

We’ve been informed that the Chinese writing on the what looks like iPod Dock connector reads “This side up”.

The problem we’re suffering here is that we have no sense of scale, some have pointed out that this could be an (old) iMac Display. We will therefore leave the decision up too you.

[Update 1] We’re receiving so many contradictory reports on this, its incredible, we’ve had everything from colour bars to the shape and size of barcode. So we’re going to further discuss the points related to this very intriguing image. In the next few days we’ll be writing up a rumour roundup for next Tuesday’s Special Event, be sure to read it to get the latest scoop.

Firstly cast your mind back to October, the image below was leaked a matter of hours before the release of the 5G iPod, at the time it was said to be ugly, unsuitable for watching videos on or the most popular one, Photoshopped. Most notable about this image is the similar environment the image appears to have been taken in. On the fake point of view, the barcode types do not match between the images but its by no means a point to sway us.

A second image has also appeared which is supposedly the rear of the unit, we quite simply do not believe this.

This is not something we would of immediately looked at but it sure is an interesting point, the colour bars used on the units display appear not be any kind of standard displays. The standard type of colour bar is described as SMPTE bars showing RGB colours on a LCD display (pictured below). The fact that the purported image uses what appears to be non standard bars is by no means a big thing but is certainly something to take into consideration.

Finally we took the image into Photoshop and gave it a good once over first of all we can confirm that this image has been deliberately reduced in quality, if you take a look at the image below and look at the black squiggle in the bottom right you’ll serious artefacts around the black. In the original this is clearly been put there to rub out a web address and is not part of the original photo, suggesting severe reduction in picture quality (possibly deliberately).

Looking at the image you’ll noticed a border coming from the top of the unit, very similar to that of current iPods but it suddenly stops as it reaches the bottom of the unit, this could be the angle we’re viewing it at but at a closer look there is some evident airbrushing to help conceal a join of some type. Also note the sticker on the unit, it looks very much superimposed at such a zoom level, but its true that the glow of the colour bars below does show through slightly on the label.

We’ll keep you updated on everything we hear.