Dubious Claim of 3G in Next-Generation iPod Touch

[MacRumors]

Dutch site AppleSpot.nl today reported [Google translation] that the next-generation iPod touch is set to debut in September alongside a new iPhone and will offer 3G data connectivity.

According to the report, the new iPod touch will rely on a SIM card to access GSM networks and will be serviced by traditional carriers in much the same way as the iPhone, although presumably with some sort of data-only plan.

The claim is a dubious one, and AppleSpot.nl has no track record when it comes to rumors, so we are primarily sharing the report for an interest and discussion. The topic of 3G capabilities for the iPod touch has arisen several times over the years, in part driven by the hopes of those who would like an "always-on" data connection without the need for an expensive iPhone contract. While Apple has released 3G-capable iPad models that function in a very similar way and offer no-contract data plans, there has been essentially no reliable information that Apple is indeed working on such capabilities for the iPod touch.

Article Link: Dubious Claim of 3G in Next-Generation iPod Touch

 

[Gav2k]

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iPod + 3G = iPhone!

They won't add it to the iPod!

 

[iLoveMyApple]

Why not just buy an iPhone then?

 

[dethmaShine]

Very positive of this.

More iCloud - More Credit Cards - More Features - More iPods

I think the next iPod will have 3G.

 

[orfeas0]

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iPod + 3G = iPhone!

They won't add it to the iPod!

Why not just buy an iPhone then?

The ipod has less ram, can't make phone calls, crappy camera, and doesn't look as cool .
Maybe with the 3g ipod they're trying to create 2 different versions of the iphone, a cheap one that lacks some features and the expensive one with the full potential.

 

[hankolerd]

Why not just buy an iPhone then?

Because iPhone requires voice contract. If you can get 2GB of data at $30/mo or less you can use Google Voice for unlimited texting and get a Skype plan (and link with your GV#) for $2-6/mo. Much cheaper than an iPhone Data+Voice+Text plan.

 

[itsalexaye]

i might drop my iphone in favor of this.

 

[swarmster]

Why not just negotiate data-only iPhone plans with the carriers? This would require a new case to fit the SIM, radio and antenna, and probably a bigger battery, basically making it a completely different device.

...a different device that they already make.

 

[iScott428]

Ummm iPad mini? Basically what it sounds like...

 

[res1233]

This actually could make sense. iPod Touch WiFi and then iPod Touch WiFi + 3G. Pretty much the same as the iPad. I could see people buying it.

 

[malnar]

Why not just buy an iPhone then?

Easy: some of us barely make any phone calls, so a dirt-cheap pay-as-you-go phone makes a LOT more sense, but we're stuck with the pretty expensive iPhone plan because we actually use a lot of data. My wife and I make one, maybe two calls a day each, and they're short ones. AT&T LOVES me and my wife. If there's a 3G Touch, I'm buying one for each of us as soon as I can get out of my iPhone contract, without a doubt. No problem using an ugly dumbphone. I like the Touch more than the iPhone, design-wise, anyway. Bring it on!

 

[Tyre]

This doesn't make sense for the carriers. Then they will have people clamoring for iPhone data-only plans. I would much rather pay per minute since I rarely make phone calls. Also, with iOS 5 and iMessage, people wouldn't have to pay for text messages and could just use an iPod Touch or would do a data-only iPhone.

 

[jayducharme]

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It would basically be an iPad mini. I think this would be more likely when Apple uses the new LTE chip and only has to produce just one model, presumably without a SIM card.

 

[Ugg]

Because iPhone requires voice contract. If you can get 2GB of data at $30/mo or less you can use Google Voice for unlimited texting and get a Skype plan (and link with your GV#) for $2-6/mo. Much cheaper than an iPhone Data+Voice+Text plan.

My thought exactly. Maybe this is the iPhone 'lite' that's been rumored for so long. I only make a couple of calls a day, a few texts and use the 3G on my Virgin Mobile android phone for maybe a half hour a day. It doesn't make sense to pay $100 a month for the privilege of an iPhone.

I'm not overly fond of Google, but if Virgin Mobile doesn't get the iPhone when Sprint does and the 3G iPod is real, I'll gladly dump VM and buy an iPod.

 

[malnar]

This doesn't make sense for the carriers. Then they will have people clamoring for iPhone data-only plans. I would much rather pay per minute since I rarely make phone calls. Also, with iOS 5 and iMessage, people wouldn't have to pay for text messages and could just use an iPod Touch or would do a data-only iPhone.

You can't get a data-only iPhone, and iMessage isn't going to cost anything extra - it's Apple's way of getting around the ridiculous carrier text messaging plans. It makes perfect sense for the carriers - it's another device they can sell plans for. There are plenty of people who would probably respond to this, like my parents who are reluctant to buy an iPhone but would like to have data availability like I have. (They, like I above, don't make many phone calls and just need something cheap for calls.)

Remember, many questioned the need for an iPad 3G plan, but that's a pretty sensible thing to have available now too, isn't it? I know I questioned it but I sure wish I'd just forked over the extra cash for one so I had it available when I wanted it.

 

[troyblinka]

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I would drop my iPhone for a 3G touch in an instant and just use that with my skype account to makes calls. I would hook up the most basic phone to my cell plan as to not receive a termination fee and then just use that for emergency calling or what not.

 

[Dragonfly26]

Next iPod Touch to get 3G Data, VoIP Connectivity?

http://www.macpost.net/336/ipod-touch-5g-to-get-3g-cellular-data-voip-connectivity/

Apple would not like to make the device bulkier and cannibalize its iPhone sales.

 

[Alchematron]

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I'm all for it!

 

[peacenfunk]

The idea of a 3g ipod touch could work really well not everyone has denspensible amounts of money to keep an iPhone going. Students would buy them. Especially with iMessaging it could give Blackberry Messenger a knock.
I would probably get one. Would want a better camera as well on top

 

[Truffy]

I like this idea!

"Why not get an iPhone?" As stated above, no call package. Nice for those of us who make few calls.

"It's just a mini iPad!" Yes, and "mini" is the operative word, an iPad that fits in your pocket.

 

[itsalexaye]

if your stuck in a contract then the iPod would be cheaper to get and use as a phone and just change your plan over to just data

sounds good to me.

 

[peacenfunk]

I like this idea!

"Why not get an iPhone?" As stated above, no call package. Nice for those of us who make few calls.

"It's just a mini iPad!" Yes, and "mini" is the operative word, an iPad that fits in your pocket.

An iPad mini would be good to replace the iPod touch if it had the same back casing as the iPad 2. My iPod touch is quite scratched and don't really like it scratched.

 

[amorya]

You can get an iPhone and just not get a contract… I hear they've even started selling them SIM-free in America now!

What? Don't want to because they're really expensive? Now, why would a 3G iPod touch be any cheaper?

 

[MacNewsFix]

All I seem to see in classes now days are students texting. In Europe, due to cost, texting is far more common for communicating than voice calls. Once you got back to your dorm room or cyber-cafe, you could use the Wi-Fi network for VOIP. Combine it with a voicemail service, like Google Voice or Skype, and it would be better than what was offered pre-advent of the cell phone.

The budget-conscious student would likely find such an option appealing, especially if Apple is able to swing the month-to-month options available for the iPad. If Apple were to make it closer to a $50 option over the non-3G iPod Touch than the iPad's $100, I think it would be a big hit.

 

[rien333]

If you think about it, it seems pretty logical. It is kind of like a cheaper iPhone, which has been rumored for a long time. What is surprising me is the fact that the site kind of says "Our source is 100% correct and there is noway that there is not going to be a 3G iPod", which is pretty interesting.