2nd Generation iPod Touch: 2.1 Firmware, Speaker, Thinner

[MacRumors]

Apple released the new iPod Touch today at their media event. The new iPod Touch matches up with the rumors, now sporting a curved back but retaining the same storage capacities. Features include:

- 2.1 Firmware
- Built-in speaker, volume controls
- Genius playlist
- Nike+iPod support
- Battery: 36 hours for music, 6 hours for video.
- $229 for 8GB, $299 for 16GB, $399 for 32GB

Apple also appears to be positioning the iPod Touch as a gaming device with a new ad that shows off a number of games and calls it the "funnest iPod ever". Phil Schiller also demonstrated a number of games on stage, including Spore Origins, Real Soccer 2009 and Need for Speed: Undercover.

Spore Origins was released for the iPhone and iPod Touch just yesterday, and a first look gameplay video of Real Soccer 2009 has been posted to TouchArcade.com.

The 2.1 upgrade will be available for free for current iPod Touch owners with Firmware 2.0.

The new iPod Touches should appear at http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/ later today.

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[Eidorian]

The Nano was just as promised beforehand and the Touch is sexy but no GPS. I'm drooling over the built-in speaker though. Not to mention the Touch's insane battery life...

iPhone and Touch are making up Apple's portable game machine market. (LOL Pippen) I wonder what Nintendo is thinking.

 

[Lesser Evets]

Just ordered a 16GB.

I hoped for more, but expected this price and size as a minimal. Speaker is nice!

 

[Apple Ink]

Nothing new was there? Everything was expected (though MR discarded the Nike+)

 

[ChemiosMurphy]

the no GPS is kind of lame. I'm probably still going to buy it since I corrupted my NVRAM on my iPhone.

 

[nagromme]

I never saw how the Touch could ever have dropped anywhere CLOSE to the iPhone's subsidized price, since AT&T pays $300 or more for your iPhone, on top of what you pay.

The speaker is nice--not for music so much (though my iPhone's speaker is acceptable for that in a pinch) but for other uses such as alarm clock, timer, headphone-free gaming and video (YouTube with friends), and email notification (which I assume can be auto-checked while you're in WiFi range).

 

[dasikes]

Has anyone heard if the current generation Touches will receive the Genius Playlist?

I'm assuming so, because they certainly wouldn't leave the iPhone users out of this, so it's got to be nothing more than a software update.

 

[yorkshire]

Got my 8gb ordered!

External speaker is the big plus for me.

 

[drb6]

Is the back of the new Touch brushed silver like iPhone 1? On some pictures on the site it looks that way, on others it looks like the reflective silver.

 

[VaatiKaiba]

I'm slightly disappointed. I had been hoping for at least another colour / plastic backing, and (although I knew this was unlikely) GPS. Nice to see it got a built in speaker.

I was going to get it, but now I'm not sure - Nanos are very tempting... or maybe both!

 

[FSUSem1noles]

More importantly, what is that background on that 3rd touch from the left, that's standing up?

It looks amazing!

 

[panoz7]

"funnest iPod ever".

Are these apple's words? Funnest?

 

[OnaMacSince1989]

Sweet $100 price drop and some nice new features!

 

[Lesser Evets]

Is the back of the new Touch brushed silver like iPhone 1? On some pictures on the site it looks that way, on others it looks like the reflective silver.

Back is stainless. I got engraving and it showed stainless steel.

 

[JG271]

Are these apple's words? Funnest?

Yeah, it is even written on the online apple store!

 

[sam10685]

Really hope it also has a built in microphone.

 

[D 5]

Mic

Mic maybe?

 

[SphericalPear]

not excited!

REALLY LAME

no GPS, no volume increases, no MICROPHONE... the old ipod touch a bit smaller.

sorry, applie, not excited.

just ripping students off to get laptops incl free fake-new ipod before the 15th... of steve.

 

[dasikes]

If there was a mic, it would have been announced.

Don't anyone hold your breath for it.

 

[jarrodtb]

More importantly, what is that background on that 3rd touch from the left, that's standing up?

Tap Tap Revenge

 

[Beric]

A bummer update, too expensive. No GPS.

Speakers? OK. Volume controls? Necessary.

I'll get one, but I'm bummed big time.

The Touch is thin enough!

 

[loggger]

More importantly, what is that background on that 3rd touch from the left, that's standing up?

It looks amazing!

Its a game called tap tap. i think its available for free. had on on my first touch. pretty cool

 

[IJ Reilly]

The speaker is nice--not for music so much (though my iPhone's speaker is acceptable for that in a pinch) but for other uses such as alarm clock, timer, headphone-free gaming and video (YouTube with friends), and email notification (which I assume can be auto-checked while you're in WiFi range).

It's not clear what the speaker is good for. The original touch has resonator which plays alarms and notifications.

 

[gillybean]

More importantly, what is that background on that 3rd touch from the left, that's standing up?

It looks amazing!

That's Tap Tap revolution. It's a free game on the App store, it's been out for a while.

 

[iCantwait]

actually the earphones have a mic and volume control on them, But WHERE ARE THE SPEAKERS, i cant see any?