Intel iBooks, Video iPod, Digital Entertainment in April?

Macworld.co.uk reports on Needham & Co analyst comments about what they expect from Apple in the coming months. One item expected is the Intel iBook, around April 2006, near Apple's 30th year anniversary.

While some of the information appears speculative, the analyst claims that a video iPod will indeed arrive soon:

According to our sources, the screen on the video iPod will occupy the entire front of the current iPod with a touch-activated scroll wheel. Assuming the same form factor as the current iPod, this move will increase the size of the screen three-fold.

This corresponds to recent rumors that a touch-screen iPod is in the works. This technology would also tie in recently revealed Gesture user-interface patents from Apple. The same analyst also predicted an "actual" video iPod in the first half of this year. While some fan-created video iPod images have recently surfaced, we have received some confirmation that actual prototypes of similar devices have been seen at Apple.

Meanwhile, he revives rumors of the Mac mini home media server:

"Our sources indicate that this product was not finished in time for Macworld"

The Mac mini as a digital hub was first rumored back in November 2005. The specs at that time included Front Row 2.0, "TiVo-Killer" DVR, iPod Dock and a 3.5" hard drive. The target date for this media appliance remains in question.