new iPod touch: thoughts?

[Virgil-TB2]

It's probably a bit early, but there will likely be a new iPod touch coming out before Christmas or maybe even sooner. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or rumours about what features (hardware and software) that it would have and how much it will cost.

Apple doesn't do the "free iPod with laptop" back to school thing unless they are blowing out stock for a refresh so it's almost certain that a new version is in the works.

What will it be like? :)

[aethelbert]

I'll bet good money that it'll have a multi-touch screen.

[Virgil-TB2]

I'll bet good money that it'll have a multi-touch screen.I was thinking more along the lines of will it have a microphone, speakers, or camera.

[Kohkane]

I'm thinking 64gb
Maybe a black back cover instead of metal..
eh, no way it'll have a camera..

[aethelbert]

I was thinking more along the lines of will it have a microphone, speakers, or camera.
Probably none of those. I can't see anything besides a price shift coming where 16GB is 299 and 32 is 399. 64GB is still too expensive.

[razorianfly]

Probably none of those. I can't see anything besides a price shift coming where 16GB is 299 and 32 is 399. 64GB is still too expensive.

100% Agreed. If Apple put speakers or a camera, or both, onto the next revision of iPod touch,
they basically kill the iPhone and the massive market appeal surrounding it.

R-Fly

[cjmal]

It's probably a bit early, but there will likely be a new iPod touch coming out before Christmas or maybe even sooner. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or rumours about what features (hardware and software) that it would have and how much it will cost.

Apple doesn't do the "free iPod with laptop" back to school thing unless they are blowing out stock for a refresh so it's almost certain that a new version is in the works.

What will it be like? :)

If I recall correctly, they've done it before without introducing new iPods. I personally think we'll only see a capacity upgrade in the near future.

[Virgil-TB2]

100% Agreed. If Apple put speakers or a camera, or both, onto the next revision of iPod touch,
they basically kill the iPhone and the massive market appeal surrounding it.

R-FlyWhy is that though? I know it's been the conventional wisdom, but Apple is no longer really selling the iPhone to individuals, the carriers are. Apple will be able to sell them at the same price to AT&T regardless and if you want the "phone" part that would be the only way to get it.

Also, the margins on a touch are likely better than the volume agreements they now have in place with the carriers, no? If Apple undercuts the iPhone with a better touch, wouldn't that only hurt AT&T now?

[Mr Skills]

There's already new functionality on the way with the software updgrade, and they are unlikely to add more power any time soon because it would complicate app development.

So when upgrades come, they will be in terms of higher capacity and higher battery life.

The battery life is an interesting one, because of the fact that they will likely freeze processing power for quite a while. In a year or 18 months we might be seeing massive battery life on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

[Kohkane]

Soo we'll see an iPod touch that'll server food to you :D I cant wait. lol

[razorianfly]

The battery life is an interesting one, because of the fact that they will likely freeze processing power for quite a while. In a year or 18 months we might be seeing massive battery life on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

I doubt it. The original iPod was announced 6 years ago now, and still it's battery life cannot surpass 24 hours
(which in my personal veiw is poor for a $399+ device). Too many features, too much power consumption.

R-Fly

[amusiccale]

Well, if the battery life stays the same, I'd be happy with more power. Unless we see something Atom-based entering the lineup, I'd be content with a capacity upgrade or some small form factor changes, like the iPhone's external volume control buttons.

[PMB]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/N45AP Safari/419.3)

all I want in a new revision is a better RES screen. Nothing more that has a chance of happening

[scialex]

I'm thinking 64gb
Maybe a black back cover instead of metal..
eh, no way it'll have a camera..
agreed
one thing i hope for is it to have is something akin to that music sharing feature on the zune. that would be really cool

[amusiccale]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/N45AP Safari/419.3)

all I want in a new revision is a better RES screen. Nothing more that has a chance of happening

Perhaps even doing something about the black bars on the end and extending the screen size a little bit. With the same resolution on first/second gen iPhones and the first gen Touches, increased size (more Newton-like?:D) rather than resolution is probably the best we can hope for. Or better display of black values. (note: user would not complain in any way about increased resolution)

[MattZani]

Making a Larger more tablet version, running on a cut down version of OS X, apps can be bought through the app store, or loaded on via disc sharing (Stuff Like iWorks and MS Office work on it)

For the current one:
Kill 8Gb
16Gb takes 8Gb Price
32Gb takes 16Gb Price
64Gb Announced
More Colours
Less Scratch sensitive back, but still shiny
Bluetooth Sync/Headphone support
Better Battery
More Powerful

[Kohkane]

Making a Larger more tablet version, running on a cut down version of OS X, apps can be bought through the app store, or loaded on via disc sharing (Stuff Like iWorks and MS Office work on it)

For the current one:
Kill 8Gb
16Gb takes 8Gb Price
32Gb takes 16Gb Price
64Gb Announced
More Colours
Less Scratch sensitive back, but still shiny
Bluetooth Sync/Headphone support
Better Battery
More Powerful
That sounds possible. :eek: Finally someone who wasn't begging for a camera :D

[Mr Skills]

The battery life is an interesting one, because of the fact that they will likely freeze processing power for quite a while. In a year or 18 months we might be seeing massive battery life on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

I doubt it. The original iPod was announced 6 years ago now, and still it's battery life cannot surpass 24 hours
(which in my personal veiw is poor for a $399+ device). Too many features, too much power consumption.

But the iPods have got more powerful, added colour, photos, video... as you said, "Too many features, too much power consumption". My whole point was that they most likely will not make the ipod touch and iphone more powerful for quite a while, to stabilise the development platform. This means, as chips get better and better, they will be using less and less of their relative power. So they will be able to make huge gains on battery life.

The iBook G4s made just before the transition to Intel have batteries that last forever, because the processing technology was so far behind the battery technology by that stage.

For 'internet in your pocket' devices, battery life will be one of the most important selling points.

[BasBreda]

What about Airtunes ?
Or even better, a full Itunes client on the ipod touch / iphone
for access to your media files on your network ?

[whiteness]

Making a Larger more tablet version, running on a cut down version of OS X, apps can be bought through the app store, or loaded on via disc sharing (Stuff Like iWorks and MS Office work on it)

For the current one:
Kill 8Gb
16Gb takes 8Gb Price
32Gb takes 16Gb Price
64Gb Announced
More Colours
Less Scratch sensitive back, but still shiny
Bluetooth Sync/Headphone support
Better Battery
More Powerful

i think its possible to kill iphone...
apple wont do that
and 64gb is too expensive for this year

[ftaok]

Why is that though? I know it's been the conventional wisdom, but Apple is no longer really selling the iPhone to individuals, the carriers are. Apple will be able to sell them at the same price to AT&T regardless and if you want the "phone" part that would be the only way to get it. This is my opinion only ...

While it's sorta true that Apple isn't really selling the iPhone to individuals, it still has Apple's name on it. Regardless of profit margins and such, the iPhone is a huge part of Apple's image. Apple needs the iPhone to sell well in order to maintain the loft stock price. Anything less than hitting the sales targets will crush the stock ... and in the end, the stockholders are who Apple works for.

Also, the margins on a touch are likely better than the volume agreements they now have in place with the carriers, no? If Apple undercuts the iPhone with a better touch, wouldn't that only hurt AT&T now?
Apple hasn't always been a good partner (see Motorola, ATI, IBM, etc), but in this situation, Apple needs AT&T as much as AT&T needs Apple. In fact, Apple may need AT&T more. This applies for the US, not sure about the other countries. Apple doesn't want to canibalize iPhone sales since AT&T could just as easily start pushing other phones, thus preventing Apple from meeting targets.

It's somewhat of a symbiotic relationship.

I would continue to expect iPod touches to lag behind iPhones, at least until the iPhone is more established. As such, I see the next touches to have increased memory and perhaps lower prices. Camera is unlikely and GPS is a real longshot.

ft

[AceFernalld]

I doubt it. The original iPod was announced 6 years ago now, and still it's battery life cannot surpass 24 hours
(which in my personal veiw is poor for a $399+ device). Too many features, too much power consumption.

R-Fly

The $349 iPod classic with 160 GB of storage supposedly has a battery life of 40 hours with audio-playback.

[andybno1]

I cant see them really doing much more with the touch tbh, they will not add any big features to the touch IF they decide to release a new version as this will over shaddow their more important iPhone.

The most I could see them adding is maybe external speakers and bluetooth for headphones. All this talk of camera, multi touch screen, gps etc its all just unrealistic for the touch and will NEVER happen.

[Digital Skunk]

Just for those that haven't noticed, the 32GB model is made out of TWO 16GB cards stuck inside the same case.

Not one 32GB chip.

So having a 64GB model may be a bit of a stretch unless Apple uses some really cheap NAND memory, or finds room for four 16GB chips.

[kymac]

All this talk of camera, multi touch screen, gps etc its all just unrealistic for the touch and will NEVER happen.

multi touch on an ipod touch will never happen you say?? :eek:

[AceFernalld]

All this talk of camera, multi touch screen, gps etc its all just unrealistic for the touch and will NEVER happen.


I lol'd. Apple making a device named "iPod touch" which features a multi-touch screen and runs the same software as the iPhone? No! That's preposterous!

[OffBrand]

Except for the likely additions of 3G, third party applications, and more memory, I don't think it'll differ much from the current crop.

[AceFernalld]

Except for the likely additions of 3G, third party applications, and more memory, I don't think it'll differ much from the current crop.

iPod touch is going to have 3G added...? ;)

[CaptainHaddock]

I imagine the next iPod Touch will have everything the iPhone has (including GPS) except the cell phone radios. Steve has a thing for phones apparently, but even he knows that he can sell everyone in the world an iPod, but not everyone an iPhone.

[Digital Skunk]

The next iPod Touch will have everything the iPhone has, except the AT&T contract due at sign up.

[bndoarn]

multi touch on an ipod touch will never happen you say?? :eek:

doesn't the touch already have multi-touch? this is from apple.com under iPod Touch features "All using incredible Multi-Touch touchscreen technology on a beautiful 3.5-inch display." source (http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features.html)

[Beric]

The next iPod Touch will have everything the iPhone has, except the AT&T contract due at sign up.

I wish so, but have too many fears that it will not be so.

[kymac]

doesn't the touch already have multi-touch? this is from apple.com under iPod Touch features "All using incredible Multi-Touch touchscreen technology on a beautiful 3.5-inch display." source (http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features.html)

haha no the user i quoted said that.. i was being sarcastic.. maybe you should just re read the entire post. haha

[AceFernalld]

doesn't the touch already have multi-touch? this is from apple.com under iPod Touch features "All using incredible Multi-Touch touchscreen technology on a beautiful 3.5-inch display." source (http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features.html)

No no.. He was quoting someone else who actually thought that there would never be Multi-Touch on the iPod touch (which there obviously is already). And the guy you quoted was making a sarcastic comment to the fact that the guy he quoted said there would never be Multi-Touch.

Edit: Just saw kymac's post, damn, beat me to it. BUT OMG, I ACTUALLY GOT IT RIGHT!

[brandon.vong]

Is the iPod touch's screen less sharp/crisp compared to the iPhone?

[sam10685]

I'll bet good money that it'll have a multi-touch screen.

I think the original poster wanted to know about new features.

[sam10685]

100% Agreed. If Apple put speakers or a camera, or both, onto the next revision of iPod touch,
they basically kill the iPhone and the massive market appeal surrounding it.

R-Fly

That same thing was said about a "phone-less iphone".

[Canuckk]

Okay, as for realistic predictions for the next iPod Touch, here's what I think:

-$100 price drop (8GB $199, 16GB $299, 32GB $399)
-Possible 64GB version (yes, the technology is there, it's just expensive) which would sell for $499 (and if it were introduced, the 8GB model would be phased out)
-Minor improvements to the interface (cover flow for movies, improved Safari, etc)
-Slightly smaller form factor (less wasted space on the top and bottom, a tad bit thinner)
-Improved battery life
-Possible built-in speakers (unlikely)
-More scratch and smudge-resilient design
-Wi-Fi sync with iTunes
-New built-in apps, including free games (same idea as iPod Classic/Nano) and potentially iChat
-Possible multiple colours
-September release

No, there will not be a camera, bluetooth, 3G, a phone, GPS or anything like that in the next iPod Touch. Just as Apple proved when they first launched the iPod Touch, it's an iPod, not an iPhone without the phone.

I highly doubt anything drastic is coming for the iPod Touch. None of the above features I listed are drastic; they are mostly progressions of what's already there. And while not everything on my list will come true, I expect at least a portion of it will.

[Beric]

Okay, as for realistic predictions for the next iPod Touch, here's what I think:

-$100 price drop (8GB $199, 16GB $299, 32GB $399)
-Possible 64GB version (yes, the technology is there, it's just expensive) which would sell for $499 (and if it were introduced, the 8GB model would be phased out)
-Minor improvements to the interface (cover flow for movies, improved Safari, etc)
-Slightly smaller form factor (less wasted space on the top and bottom, a tad bit thinner)
-Improved battery life
-Possible built-in speakers (unlikely)
-More scratch and smudge-resilient design
-Wi-Fi sync with iTunes
-New built-in apps, including free games (same idea as iPod Classic/Nano) and potentially iChat
-Possible multiple colours
-September release

No, there will not be a camera, bluetooth, 3G, a phone, GPS or anything like that in the next iPod Touch. Just as Apple proved when they first launched the iPod Touch, it's an iPod, not an iPhone without the phone.

I highly doubt anything drastic is coming for the iPod Touch. None of the above features I listed are drastic; they are mostly progressions of what's already there. And while not everything on my list will come true, I expect at least a portion of it will.

Agree what you said will happen, for the most part, though it's not what I want. :( What I really want IS an iPhone without the phone, but there's no way you can buy the iPhone 3G and not use the phone part.

And Apple would never sell a Touch for $199. It would undercut the Nano. They'll just drop the 8GB for sure, I'll bet.

[MattZani]

Some form of wireless syncing, PLEASE APPLE!

Choice of colours? For the back (Ala 3G iPhone)

[Canuckk]

And Apple would never sell a Touch for $199. It would undercut the Nano. They'll just drop the 8GB for sure, I'll bet.

Yeah, it's likely, but I think they'll also lower the price of the Nano at the same time (September is the annual iPod refresh/new model date), meaning that a $199 8GB Touch isn't out of the question.

[kabunaru]

Just as Apple proved when they first launched the iPod Touch, it's an iPod, not an iPhone without the phone.


To me, the iPod Touch is an iPhone without the phone, bluetooth, camera, GPS, 3G and speakers.

[Eric Lewis]

i just want camera + speakers

thats it..simple!

[kabunaru]

What about a matte screen for a new iPod Touch too?

[nintendofreak93]

all i really want is external speakers. i LOVE playing my music wherever i am.

[ftaok]

all i really want is external speakers. i LOVE playing my music wherever i am.

Personally, I hate any device with external speakers. I mean, who wants to listen to my music (or phone conversations, etc). The nextel phones are the worse.

Anyways, I really hope Apple doesn't offer a speaker for any of the iPods.

But that's my opinion only.

ft

[Mephisto5]

If there will be any sort of redesign I expect it to be comparable to the differences between the 1st & 2nd Gen iPod Nanos.

I hope anyone who said that they wanted 3G on an iPod Touch was joking, if not they'll be up for some major disapointments.

[OffBrand]

I don't care about 3G. If it has it, fine. I'd be content with the current Touch if the price falls down. The only feature I'd want is an FM tuner.

[4DThinker]

I want Bluetooth. It's a cheap chip to add, and Apple already has it in their PCs.

Add a camera, or a 3mp one. Then update the contacts list so we can put photos of our contacts directly into it from the camera. The camera should have an option to shoot photos only as big as the Screen's native resolution. I had an original Treo and you could get a cheap camera to plug into it. It made the contacts list wonderfully useful to see the entry's photo next to the name.

[PMB]

I dont notice that any of you wanting 64gig have noticed that a 64gig upgrade on the air is $999

So if they make a 64gig, it will be around a grand. and NO ONE (save really rich, and dumb people) will buy it

[4DThinker]

I don't really see the point ot 64gb on a pocket device. My total music collection is 14gb, and I only care to listen to 1/4 of it depending on my mood or the season. Movies I put on the Touch get take off after I've watched them. I don't have kids, so don't have a gaggle of photos I keep on it. Although I may but several apps, they will eventually boil down to a few killer ones I want on my Touch all the time. The Touch doesn't generate its own content like your PC does. I don't feel any pressure to get a 16gb Touch much less a 64gb one.

[Canuckk]

I want Bluetooth. It's a cheap chip to add, and Apple already has it in their PCs.

Add a camera, or a 3mp one. Then update the contacts list so we can put photos of our contacts directly into it from the camera. The camera should have an option to shoot photos only as big as the Screen's native resolution. I had an original Treo and you could get a cheap camera to plug into it. It made the contacts list wonderfully useful to see the entry's photo next to the name.

If you're going to add a camera and Bluetooth to an iPod, why not add a phone, GPS and 3G? Oh, wait...

Besides, you can already add photos to your contacts on the current iPod Touch. Just take a picture with something (camera, phone, etc) and put it on your computer, then sync it to your iPod. Go to your contacts on your iPod, tap edit on one, and tap the photo icon that appears (the silhouette) and add a photo from your albums. Easy.

[Insulin Junkie]

I'd like to see them come out with external volume control buttons and a matte aluminum back that doesn't scratch.

[4DThinker]

If you're going to add a camera and Bluetooth to an iPod, why not add a phone, GPS and 3G? Oh, wait...

Besides, you can already add photos to your contacts on the current iPod Touch. Just take a picture with something (camera, phone, etc) and put it on your computer, then sync it to your iPod. Go to your contacts on your iPod, tap edit on one, and tap the photo icon that appears (the silhouette) and add a photo from your albums. Easy.Add GPS too. A <$10 chip. GREAT idea! Skip the phone and 3G, and anything else that costs a monthly fee. Add bluetooth because then you can eliminate wires. It'll help them stay ahead of the competition. The Samsung P2, Insignia Pilot, Philips SA????BT, IBIZA, all have bluetooth for wireless music listening. Once you go Blue you'll never go back.

Yes, I know I can add photos to contacts via a camera, my PC, and a sync cable. Stick a little camera in a new Touch and I can eliminate those 3 steps.

You can always buy an old Touch if you don't need either feature. I see plenty of them in the stores.

[David G.]

I dont notice that any of you wanting 64gig have noticed that a 64gig upgrade on the air is $999

So if they make a 64gig, it will be around a grand. and NO ONE (save really rich, and dumb people) will buy it

The price went down on the SSD upgrade you know.

[aethelbert]

The price went down on the SSD upgrade you know.
The price of that SSD really doesn't have much to do with this seeing as it's completely different than the little chips used in iPods/iPhones. Even if it did, the drive is still too expensive (not to mention too large) to put into the current iPod touch form factor.

[Canuckk]

Add GPS too. A <$10 chip. GREAT idea! Skip the phone and 3G, and anything else that costs a monthly fee. Add bluetooth because then you can eliminate wires. It'll help them stay ahead of the competition. The Samsung P2, Insignia Pilot, Philips SA????BT, IBIZA, all have bluetooth for wireless music listening. Once you go Blue you'll never go back.

Yes, I know I can add photos to contacts via a camera, my PC, and a sync cable. Stick a little camera in a new Touch and I can eliminate those 3 steps.

You can always buy an old Touch if you don't need either feature. I see plenty of them in the stores.

GPS is ridiculously pointless if you only have WiFi to connect to for the actual maps. Unless you want to include ALL the data for the maps. Which takes up a lot of storage space and is something Apple would probably have to license, which costs money and will add to the price of the already-overpriced iPod Touch. Unnecessary addition.

The iPod Touch is already capable of wireless syncing - Apple just needs to create the software updates necessary for it. The Zune already does it through WiFi, it's very possible for the iPod Touch as well. No need for Bluetooth unless Bluetooth headphones suddenly become a reasonably priced and decent quality option. Which they are currently not. Pointless addition.

A camera is an expensive and very unnecessary addition to the iPod Touch. As useful as a camera may be, it's not included in iPods for a reason (the same reason why FM radio, a microphone, etc aren't there either): it's unnecessary, pricey and overall not a sound business decision. Yes, you and a few others may be begging for a camera, but the vast majority will not need, let alone use, a camera. And as nice as it may be to have pictures for every contact you have, it's very easy to do this without an embedded camera. If you ever use your iPod to look at pictures, then you can easily add pictures to any contacts you've ever taken a picture of. And it didn't add a dime to the cost of the iPod Touch. A camera most definitely would. If you want a camera so desperately on your iPod Touch, go buy an old iPhone and deactivate the SIM card, and you have an iPod Touch, plus camera and potential phone. Unnecessary addition.

I'm telling you, unless circumstances change, Apple will NOT add any of these features to the next iPod Touch. Guaranteed.

[PMB]

The price went down on the SSD upgrade you know.

yeah, i saw that after i made that post, it is 599 now, but nevertheless it is still expensive

[4DThinker]

GPS is ridiculously pointless if you only have WiFi to connect to for the actual maps. ... Unnecessary addition. True. As pointless as having the Maps on the Touch without GPS. BTW, once your current location and destination is mapped while in wifi range, the generated list to your destination is persistant. Take it with you for turn by turn directions. I have wifi at home, at work, at coffee, and at half the diners I eat at, although I'd only need it for a second with maps and GPS.

The iPod Touch is already capable of wireless syncing - Apple just needs to create the software updates necessary for it. The Zune already does it through WiFi, it's very possible for the iPod Touch as well. Yes, and Microsoft just needs to create the software update necessary to give the Zune web access. Each update is equally likely, and neither device is yet capable.
No need for Bluetooth unless Bluetooth headphones suddenly become a reasonably priced and decent quality option. Which they are currently not. Pointless addition.Or unless one already has bluetooth in their car, already owns bluetooth headphones, already own a bluetooth adapter for their iPod dock, or anticipated any of the above. Insignia Bluetooth headphones: $49 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8480413&st=insignia+bluetooth+headphones&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1185267960408). I own these, and their quality is easily decent.

A camera is very unnecessary... As useful as a camera may be, it's not included in iPods for a reason...: it's unnecessary, pricey and overall not a sound business decision. Unnecessary addition.You clearly have no idea what a simple 2mp camera component, FM/Bluetooth chip, and mic cost at wholesale in quantities of 10,000 or more. At most these would add $5 to the cost of a Touch, which should be easily offset by lower memory prices. Your business sense is also suspect. Please tell me from where you have your business degree.
I'm telling you, unless circumstances change, Apple will NOT add any of these features to the next iPod Touch. Guaranteed. The whole point of this thread is the assumption and hope that there might be a new Touch. To be new in itself implies there will be some change to the device. Sure seems like changing circumstances to me. Guarantee is a big word. You'll be a liar if they add anything mentioned in this thread. Good luck with that.

4D

[Canuckk]

True. As pointless as having the Maps on the Touch without GPS. BTW, once your current location and destination is mapped while in wifi range, the generated list to your destination is persistant. Take it with you for turn by turn directions. I have wifi at home, at work, at coffee, and at half the diners I eat at, although I'd only need it for a second with maps and GPS.

But you still would need the entire map of the WORLD preloaded if you wanted the GPS to be actually useful (to everyone). And that takes up a lot of space. Besides, Apple will most likely not add a feature that few people will truly take advantage. As nice as it would be to have, I highly doubt it will happen.

Yes, and Microsoft just needs to create the software update necessary to give the Zune web access. Each update is equally likely, and neither device is yet capable.

Are you serious? Wireless syncing is a MUCH smaller addition then a web browser, and it is FAR easier and more likely to implement a wireless syncing feature on the iPod Touch. Think about it. iTunes will soon be controllable from your iPod Touch. Wireless syncing is the next logical iTunes-iPod progression. Yes, it's possible that it won't happen, but if Apple feels the need to add the feature, they WILL add it in a software update (or iPod Touch refresh).

Or unless one already has bluetooth in their car, already owns bluetooth headphones, already own a bluetooth adapter for their iPod dock, or anticipated any of the above. Insignia Bluetooth headphones: $49 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8480413&st=insignia+bluetooth+headphones&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1185267960408). I own these, and their quality is easily decent.

Okay, point taken, but I'm sure that in Apple's eyes it's not worth the effort or money to add Bluetooth at this point, as useful as it may be. This is because not enough people would use the feature to make it worthwhile (or so Apple believes) - the same reason why FM radio and a mic aren't included in any iPods.

You clearly have no idea what a simple 2mp camera component, FM/Bluetooth chip, and mic cost at wholesale in quantities of 10,000 or more. At most these would add $5 to the cost of a Touch, which should be easily offset by lower memory prices. Your business sense is also suspect. Please tell me from where you have your business degree.

You are clearly the one who has no idea why Apple won't simply add a camera to an iPod, or even FM radio, Bluetooth or a mic. It's because Apple doesn't believe enough people will use the feature to make it worthwhile to implement. Yeah, it's nice to have, but it sure isn't necessary for most people, and since Apple wants to make a profit, a $5 camera is going to add at least $10 to the cost of the final product (all design, production, etc costs considered - and knowing Apple, the added cost would probably be higher), which is another $10+ that may push people away from the iPod Touch. Yes, it sure as hell is nice to have, but so is FM radio, Bluetooth, 3G, GPS, a mic, and a toaster. Apple doesn't add all the features people want for a reason, and it's not just to piss a select group of people off.

I don't have a business degree, but it's pretty damned clear that you don't either. You seem to think that just because you want these things, it makes complete sense for Apple to add them. It doesn't.

The whole point of this thread is the assumption and hope that there might be a new Touch. To be new in itself implies there will be some change to the device. Sure seems like changing circumstances to me.

The changing circumstances was referring to changes in the need or demand for Bluetooth, GPS, a camera, etc. Just because a new iPod Touch is pretty much guaranteed to be released, doesn't mean the changes have to be big. Look at the iPod Classic. Or the iPod Nano 2G. Minor changes; a product refresh. That's what we are most likely in store for here. Nothing major.

Believe me, I want all these features just as you do. I just highly doubt any of them are coming.

Guarantee is a big word. You'll be a liar if they add anything mentioned in this thread. Good luck with that.

Oh no, my predictions will be off. It's the end of the world.

I'm pretty sure I'm right. Come September, we'll find out.

[4DThinker]

I'm pretty sure I'm right. Come September, we'll find out.Fair enough. I'm pretty sure I still want bluetooth, and that it will sell more Touches if they add it. GPS not so much. FM not so much. An added camera would double sales of new Touches if the added price was minimal. Of course they would have to thread usefulness of it for email attachment, contact addition, easy upload to photo sharing sites, etc.

I don't have a business degree. I have two design degrees (Interior Architecture, Product Design), and teach product design. It's my clever wife that has the business degree. Yes, she agrees with me. Her car has bluetooth. ;)

[Canuckk]

Fair enough. I'm pretty sure I still want bluetooth, and that it will sell more Touches if they add it. GPS not so much. FM not so much. An added camera would double sales of new Touches if the added price was minimal. Of course they would have to thread usefulness of it for email attachment, contact addition, easy upload to photo sharing sites, etc.

I don't have a business degree. I have two design degrees (Interior Architecture, Product Design), and teach product design. It's my clever wife that has the business degree. Yes, she agrees with me. Her car has bluetooth. ;)

Well yeah, I know it's useful, and I hope that they add Bluetooth; I just don't think they will. As for a camera, yeah, it would boost sales, and is something I'd really want, but again, I'm just not convinced that Apple would add a camera to an iPod.

And the camera could easily be integrated into an iPod Touch software-wise; an iPod Touch's software is just crippled iPhone software, so "uncrippling" the camera software would be a piece of cake.

I'm pretty sure Apple's current mentality is "if you want something that's not on the iPod Touch, get an iPhone".

[gaskan]

I cant see them really doing much more with the touch tbh, they will not add any big features to the touch IF they decide to release a new version as this will over shaddow their more important iPhone.

The most I could see them adding is maybe external speakers and bluetooth for headphones. All this talk of camera, multi touch screen, gps etc its all just unrealistic for the touch and will NEVER happen.



i gota agree with you on this one. the ipod touch doesnt need a camera, or a multi touch screen, or even gps. all that it really needs is a price cut, an external volume control, and external speakers.

[OffBrand]

I dont notice that any of you wanting 64gig have noticed that a 64gig upgrade on the air is $999

So if they make a 64gig, it will be around a grand. and NO ONE (save really rich, and dumb people) will buy itI wouldn't mind, just not at that price or even $600. While 64 is beyond what most people will use, some do have music and video collections close to it. Besides, it's nice to not run out of space anytime soon. It all depends on how it's used.

On that note for you Touch owners, how much memory does the software use up, especially after being jail-broken?

[Duffinator]

Bluetooth Sync/Headphone support
Better BatteryThese two are tops on my list.