Apple Launches A8-Based iPod Touch With 8MP Camera, Adds New Nano and Shuffle Colors

[MacRumors]

Apple today introduced the sixth-generation iPod touch with a 4-inch display, 64-bit A8 chip and M8 motion coprocessor, 8-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera and new colors: blue, pink, silver, space gray, gold and red. 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models are available through the Apple Online Store starting today for $199, $249 and $299 respectively, while a new larger 128GB model was introduced for $399.

The new iPod touch also features 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1, no longer has a loop attachment and comes with iOS 8.4 preinstalled for access to Apple Music and Beats 1. The 128GB and (PRODUCT)RED models will be sold exclusively through Apple, while all other colors and storage capacities should be available through authorized resellers such as Best Buy and Walmart in the near future.

Apple also updated the iPod shuffle and iPod nano with a matching lineup of colors, but no other hardware or storage capacity changes to the devices were made. iPod nano and iPod shuffle maintain their prices of $149 and $49 respectively and currently ship within 1 business day on the Apple Online Store.

"iPod touch gives customers around the world access to Apple Music, the App Store and iOS, the world's most advanced mobile operating system, starting at just $199," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPhone, iPod and iOS Product Marketing. "With big advancements like the A8 chip and the 8 megapixel iSight camera, customers can experience next-level gameplay, take even more beautiful photos and enjoy their favorite music, TV shows and movies."

iPods have become an increasingly minor business for Apple over the past several years, with only 2.6 million units sold in Q4 2014, the last quarter when Apple reported iPod sales. Beyond new colors and storage capacities, Apple had last updated the iPod touch and nano in October 2012 and the iPod shuffle in September 2010.

Article Link: Apple Launches A8-Based iPod Touch With 8MP Camera, Adds New Nano and Shuffle Colors

 

[Steve121178]

It feels like 2005 again when people actually cared about the iPod.

 

[0098386]

Not showing up on the site for me. Macrumors operating from the future: CONFIRMED.

 

[Traverse]

Are you serious? ALL they did was add new colors to the Nano and call it “NEW?” And it's STILL $149 according to Apple's site.

 

[itsOver9000]

nice upgrade for the Touch

 

[QCassidy352]

A8, nice. I thought they'd cheap out with the A7 for sure.

 

[PilotTiny]

The store is still offline

 

[Jaynamo]

About as close as we're going to get to a 4 inch iPhone 6 ...

 

[LewisChapman]

Quite an impressive update for a product nobody actually cares about.

 

[oldmacs]

I knew it was A8!!!! This is the closest the touch has been to the iPhone in specs since the touch 4.

 

[MH01]

damn, was hopping for more than a paint job for the non touch range. Its like apple is not even trying with the ipod , shame.

 

[Godzilla71]

Not up for me either. I see they still have not kicked their 16gb habit yet either.

 

[redheeler]

Not showing up on the site for me. Macrumors operating from the future: CONFIRMED.

Linked in the article: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2015/07/15Apple-Introduces-The-Best-iPod-touch-Yet.html

 

[recoil80]

I'm not buying an iPod but really like them. The next iPhone C should be like the new iPods with touchID, a white bezel and color in the back.

 

[pgiguere1]

I'm surprised by the A8 chip. I was expecting an A7. Pretty impressive for a $199 device (keep in mind even the latest iPad mini doesn't have an A8).

You know what's good about this? Apple shows it's possible to put advanced hardware (same chip and storage options as the iPhone 6) inside a super-small body (4" screen, thinner than an iPhone 6). I wouldn't be surprised if Apple comes up with a 4" iPhone that doesn't suck now.

 

[Slix]

Store is still down, no update on their site yet... Is this for real?

EDIT: There it is!

*goes to buy one*

 

[kevin4]

Does the nano have Apple Music?

 

[MH01]

Quite an impressive update for a product nobody actually cares about.

I still care about iPods, well the non touch ones. So very unimpressive update for me. A slight storage boost would have been welcomed.

 

[Nozuka]

i would like an iphone in that blue color.

 

[Traverse]

The darker Space Grey IS nice though. I hope they use those for the iPhones and iPads.

 

[RainbowIslands]

It's on the Hong Kong Website.
http://www.apple.com/hk/en/ipod-touch/

 

[commander.data]

I knew it was A8!!!! This is the closest the touch has been to the iPhone in specs since the touch 4.

With an A8, I guess that means the iPod Touch line will stay around for a good long while.

I wonder if that 8 MP camera is from the iPhone or is it the one from the iPad Air 2 which is less capable?

 

[andyjam]

Store is back in Australia, looks different!

 

[2457282]

About as close as we're going to get to a 4 inch iPhone 6 ...

I was hoping that they would do something special like extending FaceTime Audio to be able to call any phone number. This would have made the touch a viable cheap phone with the only limitation being that you had to be on wifi (which at least in the US is pretty much all the time). As it is, this is totally underwhelming and will continue to decline in sales IMO.

 

[spaceballl]

Really nice update. This is officially the only way, as of now, to get an A8 CPU in a 4" screen.