Prediction: iPod will become the new PDA

I'll step out on a limb and make a prediction: The iPod will be the next Palm Pilot/PDA... and everyone will have one.

I base my reasoning on the idea that the iPhone interface is too good to be left to just the "iPhone". After all, Jobs did proclaim that it was a Phone, an iPod and a Internet Browser all in one unit.

I believe that before we see iPhone sales begin to eat into iPod sales, Apple will be wise enough to introduce an iPod with the same OS that is running on the iPhone. However, this iPod will come with everything needed to be a PDA already installed. It will become the universal PDA with the largest user base as more people opt to get an iPod or upgrade. The key to this is the fact that the iPod is primarily a music player that just works. Add some basic PIM features with a touch screen, vivid colors and a fantastic user interface and before you know it... everyone has a PDA, even if they didn't want / need one.

I just cannot imagine Apple leaving their flagship product, the iPod stay stagnant any longer than it has to. It can perhaps last one more minor update but after that, they'll need to either upgrade it in order to keep up with the market and demands of the public. The iPod Video is rather long in the tooth now as I've had mine for almost a year... the longest period I've kept ANY iPod since it's introduction 5 years ago.

We'll see what happens next...