April Fools - Apple today announced the PowerPod, the world’s smallest portable video and music player with integrated video and digital camera. The device can hold over 1,000 songs or 100 movies and will be available in the summer of 2004 for $699 from the Apple Store and Apple Authorized Resellers throughout the U.S. The PowerPod is a half-inch thick, encased in an ultra-portable lightweight durable body and is available in 20, 40 and 60GB models.

The PowerPod features a hi-resolution 5 x 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD and a 1.2 megapixel integrated digital camera, users can record and view movies while on the go or perform wireless video messaging while connected via a WiFi network. The dual external speakers can be used for audio playback for movies or for private listening with an external headphone jack. It also features an integrated microphone for video conferencing.

With a 400Mhz RISC processor the USB 2.0 and FireWire handheld runs on the new Mac OS Portable OS. Basically, a stripped down version with PDA and Video functionality intended primarily for Video recording and playback, instant messaging, web browsing, email and address book.