Apple May Be Working on 7th-Generation iPod Touch, 2019 iPhones Could Adopt USB-C

[MacRumors]

Apple could have a 7th-generation iPod touch in the works, according to new information shared today by Japanese site Mac Otakara.

Several suppliers at CES 2019 reportedly told Mac Otakara that a 7th-generation iPod touch "might" be in development as a replacement for the 6th-generation version.

The site did not provide details on when an updated iPod touch might launch, nor what features it might include.

Apple last updated the hardware in the iPod touch in July 2015, introducing an A8 chip, an 8-megapixel rear camera, and six color options.

The iPod touch lineup was last tweaked in July 2017 when Apple streamlined the available capacity options (32 and 128GB) and introduced new pricing tiers. Right now, the iPod touch costs $199 for the 32GB version and $299 for the 128GB version, with the higher-capacity model's pricing not too far off from the $329 9.7-inch iPad.

With the iPod shuffle and iPod nano having been discontinued in 2017, Apple's plans for the iPod touch and the iPod family in general have been unclear.

The iPod has seemed to be on its last legs as Apple customers shift to other devices like the iPhone and the iPad, but it's not out of the question that the iPod touch could be updated with more modern hardware like an improved rear camera and a faster A-series chip.

Mac Otakara's report also suggests that the next-generation iPhone coming in 2019 could potentially include a USB-C port. According to "those who are working on it," though, it has not reached a design reference step and whether or not the new iPhones will use USB-C over Lightning is not yet fully established.

This is not the first time we've heard that USB-C could be a feature included in the 2019 iPhone lineup. Atherton Research analyst Jean Baptiste Su recently said that he believes Apple will transition away from Lightning, introducing a USB-C port for the iPhone like it did on the 2018 iPad Pro models.

DigiTimes has also suggested in a vaguely worded report that 2019 iPhones could feature USB-C ports instead of Lightning ports, though it was difficult to tell if it was referring to the ports or a USB-C to Lightning cable for the iPhones.

A swap to USB-C from Lightning has been rumored for years, but the fact that Apple made the transition in the iPad Pro lends more credence to new rumors suggesting the same transition for the 2019 iPhones.

Article Link: Apple May Be Working on 7th-Generation iPod Touch, 2019 iPhones Could Adopt USB-C

 

[Pepe4life]

Simply put, if this year’s iPhone doesn’t have USB-C (and a reasonable price tag), I won’t be upgrading.
It’s annoying as hell to have to carry 2 different cables just to charge my iPad Pro and iPhone.

 

[Enclavean]

Finally i could carry only 1 charger in my backpack

 

[ayaka19]

I thought they phased out the iPod branding? Maybe they'll rebrand it with some other name?

 

[brunozs]

Another iPod would be stupid but USB-C iPhones that's great news

 

[usersince86]

Here's hoping it's actually a smaller iPhone!

And USB-C is a WIN!

 

[bunce66]

they're still pretty popular with young kids. Apple could make them $100 and they'd sell pretty well in poorer countries.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

Would be surprised if they release a device with a home button in 2019. However people do seem to think a new iPad mini is in the cards so perhaps I'm wrong. More unlikely would be a redesign of either of these products, since these are in essence more budget-minded legacy offerings. I also wonder what chip they'd choose to ship with these—I'd hope for at least an A10

 

[sdf]

I'd be absolutely shocked if something so basic to the iPhone as Lightning vs. USB-C was only decided nine months prior to unveiling. In an emergency? Sure. But for something like this, where they could go either way? That would seem very reactionary and panicky. I bet it's already been decided, but the other is a fallback if something goes wrong.

 

[profets]

If they do update the iPod touch, why is it that they have to wait 4 years in between updates? Though I guess the same could be said about some of their other products (iPad mini, Mac Pro, Mac mini..)

 

[myrtlebee]

I thought they phased out the iPod branding? Maybe they'll rebrand it with some other name?

Nope, it’s always been around, just buried in the Music section of their website and in the back of their brick and mortar stores.

 

[Icaras]

I thought they phased out the iPod branding? Maybe they'll rebrand it with some other name?

Why do you figure that? The iPod Touch is still sold on the Apple Store. Its not discontinued.
[doublepost=1547512736][/doublepost]By the way, anyone think Apple might adopt an “all-screen” design with Face ID for the new Touch? If not, then maybe Touch ID at the very least?

 

[otozuz]

The price difference between the iPod touch and the iPhone is incredible. Of course the iPod touch is 3 years old and has less features, but starting at $199. Wow — iPhone 7 starts at $449.

 

[cknibbs]

they're still pretty popular with young kids. Apple could make them $100 and they'd sell pretty well in poorer countries.

This.

Don’t get rid of the iPod line. I would like to see them upgraded to at least a 4.7” screen size, and maybe some upgrades to the internals but that’s it. They are perfect for my kids. My kids don’t need phones as a personal device.

 

[Porco]

Would love to see a flat-edged design like the iPhone 4/5 series and latest iPad Pros. Would be a nice time to announce a new iTunes ALAC store section, make it a new ‘iPod Pro’ focused on quality - a headphone jack, high-quality internal amp/DAC, support for new Airpods with W2 chip for those who like wireless earphones.

(Well, I can dream anyway)

The pessimist in me they’ll probably just remove the home button and headphone jack, make the screen bigger, add the notch, and bump the price.

 

[ThomasJL]

As with products that formerly started under $500 (like the Mac Mini and the iPhone SE), the iPod Touch is a good product to get more people into the macOS and iOS Apple ecosystem. It's good for Apple long-term. However, Tim Cook is a greedy and mediocre MBA bean counter who thinks in terms of short-term profits, so it's no surprise that the iPod Touch hasn't been updated in three-and-a-half years.

 

[Cosmosent]

RE: "The iPod has seemed to be on its last legs as Apple customers shift to other devices like the iPhone and the iPad, ..."

That was BEFORE AAPL Over-Played their Hand & moved their iPhone & iPad product lines so Upscale !

Now, a Revised version has a fairly good chance of good success.

Make NO mistake, Tim Cook & his entire Exec Team are now fighting for their jobs !

If it materializes, Cook & his team would be wise NOT to go cheap with the amount of DRAM in the Next Gen iPod Touch !

I own one of the current Gen iPod Touch devices, & it's very nice for what it is ... though, NOT practical at ALL for any kind of real App Dev work, simply because of it's limited DRAM.

In their mainstream devices, processor Perf has FAR out-paced DRAM availability.

If Cook had software dev experience, he would NOT have made that blunder !

Ask yourself, where are ALL the AR apps he promised ???

Then ask yourself, what prevented them from being developed ??? ... simply put, a lack of DRAM !

 

[aaronhead14]

Good! The 2019 iPhone better have USB-C, or I'm out! Consistency across product lines is a must, especially with Apple products and their ecosystem. It'll be nice to be able to use the same cable for my MacBook, iPad Pro, and iPhone. A dream!

 

[davidg4781]

If iPhone goes USB-C I’m pretty sure I’ll upgrade and get a new MacBook.

I saw a YouTube video about different types of USB-C headphones and the incompatibility with devices. I can’t see Apple going down that road.

 

[Peepo]

A lot of businesses use ipod touch. I know of one very large chain in Canada that uses them in a barcode reader case for inventory control and even capable of POS.

 

[smirking]

...However, Tim Cook is a greedy and mediocre MBA bean counter who thinks in terms of short-term profits, so it's no surprise that the iPod Touch hasn't been updated in three-and-a-half years.

You forgot to mention that he roasts children on a spit and eats them for lunch. I think he also causes traffic. My water heater capacity has gone down. All thanks to Tim Cook.

 

[Jim]

with the abundance of WiFi in urban and even not so urban areas, companies like Xfinity or ATT or Verizon could take an iPod Touch and turn it into a cellular free phone. FaceTime audio or some other app could be used for that function. Because I have Comcast and Verizon it is already on my iPhone. Why not an iPod Touch. It could even tap into the Apple Watch but I am somewhat certain that Apple wouldn't want to go there.

 

[vipergts2207]

Bring on the USB-C iPhone. USB-C everything!

 

[HiVolt]

I doubt they release another iPod touch - especially if it's the same format. Even the kids want larger screens for gaming.

They will probably release an updated iPad mini.

 

[supremedesigner]

Simply put, if this year’s iPhone doesn’t have USB-C (and a reasonable price tag), I won’t be upgrading.
It’s annoying as hell to have to carry 2 different cables just to charge my iPad Pro and iPhone.

Did you try Samsung? They have 10 different ports and no one complain?