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Next Generation iPod Touch to Have Built-in Microphone and Camera?

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Apr 12, 2001
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Wired.com claims that the next generation iPod Touch will contain both a video camera as well as a built-in microphone:
A well-connected source tells us those rumors are on the money, and that Apple’s factories in China are already manufacturing iPod Touch models with integrated cameras and microphones. An Apple spokesman declined to comment when reached by phone.
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In retrospect, the inclusion of a built-in microphone is obvious if the reports of the inclusion of a video camera are to be believed. It has been rumored that the next generation iPod touch will incorporate a video camera when it is updated later this year.

The inclusion of a built-in microphone would make it much easier to take advantage of voice-over-IP applications for the iPod Touch. This would allow the iPod Touch to essentially become a Wi-Fi mobile phone, allowing you to make voice phone calls over the internet when in range of a hotspot. While the currently shipping iPod Touch does support microphones, in order to take advantage of it, an external accessory is required. Apple typically refreshes the iPod Touch in September each year.

Article Link: Next Generation iPod Touch to Have Built-in Microphone and Camera?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/21/next-generation-ipod-touch-to-have-built-in-microphone-and-camera/
Hmm, so whats keeping them from making it a iPhone? And won't this just make people get the iPod instead of the iPhone?
 
I can see them wanting to do this, but yeah, this is basically an iPhone without making calls. With a Mic attached, Things like Skype will be more then enough for some to never need an iPhone.
 
Vandam500 said:
Hmm, so whats keeping them from making it a iPhone? And won't this just make people get the iPod instead of the iPhone?
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The one thing keeping it from being an iPhone is a built in 3g/EVDO card. If it had that there would be no use for a cellular plan. That would be a punch in the gut to the telcos.
 
This would definitely be another killer feature to make the iPod Touch rise well above the PSP and Zune...
 
jshmrsn said:
This would definitely be another killer feature to make the iPod Touch rise well above the PSP and Zune...
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Well the PSP already has Skype and a camera (not built in but whatever). The Zune has neither so lawl at Microsoft.
 
These two new features can boom the existing iPod touch consumer base. Basically turn the iPod touch into that dirt cheap iPhone you always wanted (Just be sure to have Wi-Fi wherever you go).
 
Apple's looking at a solid holiday season this year. Although I'm not expecting a price drop for the 3GS, the new iPods will be priced lower than the ones they'll replace. The popularity of the App Store will no doubt make the iPod touch a worthy upgrade to people even with older iPods. The camera and microphone will make a great addition. If it also gets the magnetometer, faster processor and magnetometer, I'm sold.
 
I don't really doubt the microphone, but I'm doubting the camera a little bit. I would understand if it's a normal non video camera, but a video camera would pull people always from the iPhone, which even had the video ad and everything.

I think there might be a 2MP camera like the ones in iPhone 3G right now.
 
str1f3 said:
The one thing keeping it from being an iPhone is a built in 3g/EVDO card. If it had that there would be no use for a cellular plan. That would be a punch in the gut to the telcos.
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The obvious is that the iPod Touch does NOT a sim slot, a silent/ring switch, a real speaker, a real ear piece speaker and also it does NOT have GPS a compass or Bluetooth.

Those are the differences.

Daremo said:
I can see them wanting to do this, but yeah, this is basically an iPhone without making calls. With a Mic attached, Things like Skype will be more then enough for some to never need an iPhone.
Click to expand...

Vandam500 said:
Hmm, so whats keeping them from making it a iPhone? And won't this just make people get the iPod instead of the iPhone?
Click to expand...

I think it is great too, but call me crazy, I can't HOPE for WIFI everywhere I go to be able to use the phone lol. This will NOT deter people from getting the iPhone that want a PHONE!!! :rolleyes:

sammy2066 said:
I think I might invest in this new iPod Touch. My only gripe with the 3GS is the plastic back. I hate plastic.
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IT IS FOR RECEPTION!!!
 
Soo are we going to see an Macbook Pro-esque line coup? Apple might as well just rename the ipod touch to the iPhone, effecively "crippling" the low end version which does not have cellular capabilities, and of course the 3G version with a cellular radio and bluetooth.

I could see it.
 
Having a microphone would be nice: I could finally replace my antique Palm Tungsten T. The only reason I haven't retired it is because of it's voice recorder.
 
megamanbnmaster said:
I don't really doubt the microphone, but I'm doubting the camera a little bit. I would understand if it's a normal non video camera, but a video camera would pull people always from the iPhone, which even had the video ad and everything.

I think there might be a 2MP camera like the ones in iPhone 3G right now.
Click to expand...

My point exactly.I am pretty sure Apple makes a lot more money off iPhone customers because of the monthly bills tied to the 2 year contracts. Why make the iPod Touch nearly identical to the iPhone? Beats me.
 
MacFly123 said:
The iPod Touch does NOT have GPS or a compass.





I think it is great too, but call me crazy, I can't HOPE for WIFI everywhere I go to be able to use the phone lol. This will NOT deter people from getting the iPhone that want a PHONE!!! :rolleyes:



IT IS FOR RECEPTION!!!
Click to expand...

You don't need a GPS and Compass. With the TomTom GPS hardware coming out, it will more than likely work with an iPod touch. If you had a MiFi, you could not only make phone calls wherever you go but have laptop access as well without having to pay tethering costs.
 
I think a GPS would be useful still for geotagging the pictures you take with it.

Also, it could then take advantage of some of the other apps out there, like Trapster, except you would presumably have to download maps ahead of time.

It could become a nice device for those unwilling or unable to afford the iPhone (I just got my first bill - OUCH!). Or it could even make a handy 2nd device for iPhone users (drain the Touch's battery for GPS while on the road and while taking pictures/video, for example, so that you don't risk losing your phone connectivity).

It would also be a better gateway for people to get into the iPhone. Right now if you want to try an iPhone without the plan, you have to get an iPod Touch, but then you miss out on the camera and GPS, not to mention the constant connectivity, as well as a mic.

That pretty much eliminates 90% of the coolest apps available for the iPhone (unless, at least for some, you want to be stuck to using them within your WiFi network only). This way, people could try out some of the GPS-based apps, microphone based apps, etc. The only thing missing would be the constant connectivity even without WiFi.

This would give people a chance to experience a much broader range of useful apps, which could improve drastically the chances that the buyers of the iPod Touch in the future will become iPhone users sooner than later.
 
Vandam500 said:
My point exactly.I am pretty sure Apple makes a lot more money off iPhone customers because of the monthly bills tied to the 2 year contracts. Why make the iPod Touch nearly identical to the iPhone? Beats me.
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Apple receive no money from contracts, the revenue sharing model ended with the release of the iPhone 3G.

They keep the iPod touch reasonably close to the iPhone in capability to drive up sales of the much cheaper device. 32GB iPod touch is $549 whilst the 32GB iPhone 3GS is $1040.

People who don't want to spend as much money and people who don't want to buy into a 2 year contract will snap up the iPod touch knowing that it can do pretty much the same stuff as the iPhone.

I'm certain that the majority of the 40 million+ iPhone OS 3.0 devices Apple have sold have been iPod touches because they are significantly cheaper than an iPhone and have no requirement for ANY ongoing fees.

It's a fantastic idea to throw a camera into the iPod touch, it opens up camera apps to many more users, introduces a new revenue stream and provides a whole new world of content.
 
I was sure it would come with a mic since OS 3.0 included the voice app, but a camera? All rumors seem to be saying yes.
 
iPod Touch with built-in Microphone and Camera IS A MUST or else a deal breaker for us!
 
Adding a microphone to the iTouch does not turn it in to an iPhone in any shape or form. It's still lacking the actual phone-functionality for starters. You need a bit more than just a microphone to have a phone...

I was actually thinking about this few days ago. Adding a microphone makes sense if you are adding a video-camera. Otherwise the video you would shoot would be silent, unless you had separate microphone attached to the device.
 
There are some other little differences between the iPhone and iPod touch as well. The one that pops into my mind right now is the lack of Public Transportation/Walking Directions in Maps...that was a big issue for me in college, and something I'm very happy about now that I have an iPhone instead of my iPod touch.

str1f3 said:
You don't need a GPS and Compass. With the TomTom GPS hardware coming out, it will more than likely work with an iPod touch. If you had a MiFi, you could not only make phone calls wherever you go but have laptop access as well without having to pay tethering costs.
Click to expand...

The TomTom GPS "hardware" is reportedly just an external GPS antenna to boost the reception, not a GPS receiver. Plus all of the other features.


Having to scrounge up free unprotected WiFi is actually tough with the iPod touch...I've been there. You get lucky sometimes, but when you really need it, you often can't find a network to connect to. And you can't use WiFi while you are moving in a car or walking down the street, for example...
 
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