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Dubious Claim of 3G in Next-Generation iPod Touch

It would be great, but this would make the iPod Touch as thick as the iPhone (as far as I know, the only main difference between the two is that the iPhone has a bigger antenna and additional circuitry for data and cell phone stuff, which makes the iPhone thicker).

I would definitely get one, as I don't use my phone to call people much. I text from time to time but that's it. A monthly plan would be a gigantic waste of money for me for calls, especially those expensive ones that come with the iPhone.
 
3G iPod touch? Now we're talking.
Around September 27, I can see Apple simplifying the iDevice line to the following: iPhone, iPod & iPad.

iPhone
Wi-Fi + G model, 3 storage size options
One device that plays nice with any/all carriers. Moving to more of an iPad build: glass face, aluminum (or liquid metal?) back. And for better or worse, I could see colored face options.

iPod
Wi-Fi & Wi-Fi + G models, 3 storage size options
Basically, an iPhone minus the phone part. Or, a smaller iPad. Data-only 3G plan option. Also moving to more of an iPad build: glass face, aluminum (or liquid metal?) back. And for better or worse, I could see colored face options. Drop the "classic" (sorry folks) and possibly (though doubtful) even the nano and shuffle. This makes an iPod, an iPod.

iPad
Wi-Fi & Wi-Fi + G models, 3 storage size options
Basically a larger iPod. Keep the same build: glass face, aluminum (or liquid metal?) back. And for better or worse, I could see colored face options. Despite the chatter, I'm still on the fence about adding another HD model to the iPad line. Just make an iPad, an iPad. It's one thing to have Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models in two colors. Adding HD with Wi-FI, Wi-Fi + 3G, and multiple color options... and it starts getting pretty stupid, pretty quick.

Maybe so. Maybe not.
 
lazyrighteye said:
3G iPod touch? Now we're talking.
Around September 27, I can see Apple simplifying the iDevice line to the following: iPhone, iPod & iPad.

iPhone
Wi-Fi + G model, 3 storage size options
One device that plays nice with any/all carriers. Moving to more of an iPad build: glass face, aluminum (or liquid metal?) back. And for better or worse, I could see colored face options.

iPod
Wi-Fi & Wi-Fi + G models, 3 storage size options
Basically, an iPhone minus the phone part. Or, a smaller iPad. Data-only 3G plan option. Also moving to more of an iPad build: glass face, aluminum (or liquid metal?) back. And for better or worse, I could see colored face options. Drop the "classic" (sorry folks) and possibly (though doubtful) even the nano and shuffle. This makes an iPod, an iPod.

iPad
Wi-Fi & Wi-Fi + G models, 3 storage size options
Basically a larger iPod. Keep the same build: glass face, aluminum (or liquid metal?) back. And for better or worse, I could see colored face options. Despite the chatter, I'm still on the fence about adding another HD model to the iPad line. Just make an iPad, an iPad. It's one thing to have Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models in two colors. Adding HD with Wi-FI, Wi-Fi + 3G, and multiple color options... and it starts getting pretty stupid, pretty quick.

Maybe so. Maybe not.
Click to expand...

I don't know how well people have received the new tiny (and weird) iPod Nano, but if it's a success, Apple won't drop it just yet. If it was a failure (maybe it was), then yes, maybe instead of going back to the old Nano, they'll just ditch it altogether. Steve said the Classic won't get discontinued, so I guess that will stay, but it just won't get marketed much, just like now (no mention of it at the iPod event, etc...).
 
This is a product I'd line up to buy (and I've never lined up for any Apple product). I rarely use a phone but use an iPod Touch and would love to get one with 3G and, please, a decent camera.

The iPad doesn't fit in my shirt pocket.
 
i think sooner or later, the iPhone and the iPod touch will merge into one product. I think sooner or later there will be no "phone minutes&sms plans" only data plans.

I think its really time for the industry to set up new standards regarding voice calls and sms&mms. Phones should take advantage that they can connect with wifi.


Imaginebeing able to receive calls through wifi when at home and going from home and the phone would just switch to 3G when outside wifi range, on the same number with no need to change settings.

Now we have separate messaging clients and standards(even devices) for each connection.
 
iScott428 said:
Ummm iPad mini? Basically what it sounds like...
Click to expand...

jayducharme said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8J2 Safari/6533.18.5)

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.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY!

Ever since the last Apple event where they showed the "iPod" app becoming "Music" and "Videos" on the iPhone iOS 5, thereby decreasing the use of the "iPod" branding I have been saying that the next "iPod Touch" will be renamed the "iPad Nano". There are several advantages to this:

1) The current iPod Nano is already a touch-based device so "iPod Touch" is confusing.

2) Apple would LOVE to count iPod touch sales as iPad sales. This would be a dagger in the heart of the so-called "5-inch tablets" like the "Dell Streak". For too long the press and analysts have ignored the "iPod Touch" as handheld-tablet device (preferring to count it along with other MP3 players).

3) The iPod "brand" does not translate well into where the iOS devices are going. iPod is for music, but iPad and iPhone are all about "apps" and "cloud" in the "Post-PC era" that Apple likes talking about so much.

From a marketing perspective, this is the perfect time to rename the iPod Touch. And if you are going to do an iPad Nano or iPad Mini, it should have a 3G option, just like its big brother.

For a while there, folks said the iPad was just a big iPhone or iPod Touch, but actually, the iPod Touch is just a little iPad. :)
 
It makes sense. Apple has been introducing other features that are disruptive to the carriers, for example, the new messaging service.
 
Eventually everything mobile will have one, maybe too early for a iPod? I can't wait to have a 3G Nav in my car! Or have my dog with a 3G/GPS collar :)
 
orfeas0 said:
The ipod has less ram, can't make phone calls, crappy camera, and doesn't look as cool :p.
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.
Click to expand...

iPod Touch although behind the iPhone is still very much a social status device.

iPhone is to Bentley
iPod Touch is to Mercedes Benz
iPod Nano is to Audi
 
Take it to MacBook air as well

Why not make MacBook air (and any other laptop for that matter) capable of being wifi and 3 g. They have the technology. Don't be surprised if new air has that when it is released this week.
 
I'd say this is very unlikely. The main reason the iPhone is twice the thickness of the iPod Touch is because of the 3G radio, associated 3G antennas, and the huge battery to supply said 3G radio. An iPod touch with 3G would need to have the same 3G radios and increased battery size of the iPhone, effectively making it an iPhone that you can't call from. The cost of the hardware would be identical to that of the iPhone, so why would anyone buy it?

Near constant data transmission from the iPhone is the reason for the large battery, and the data transmission would be pretty similar on an iPod, meaning it'd need a huge battery too. That need would make it fatter, and thus, near enough the same size as the iPhone.
 
BC2009 said:
EXACTLY!

Ever since the last Apple event where they showed the "iPod" app becoming "Music" and "Videos" on the iPhone iOS 5, thereby decreasing the use of the "iPod" branding I have been saying that the next "iPod Touch" will be renamed the "iPad Nano".
Click to expand...

Well apple is supposedly introducing a new ipad in september anyway, why couldn't this be it...?
 
yep

...if the ipod touch gets 3g pr 4g capabilities with wifi and their are apps like imessage, text+, line2, skype, etc...i see the carriers becoming phased out/almost going obsolete...who would sign a two year contract with a device like this available that will cost u half as much+ each month with no contract?

...well I would get a 4g hotspot and pay for that on a contract i guess? if 4g was available in my area?
 
hankolerd said:
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.:apple:
Click to expand...

Only if purchased at a subsidized price from a carrier in the US. There are other countries out there.
 
An iPad with 3G costs $130 more than an iPad without 3G. So presumably an iPod Touch with 3G would start at $229+$130 = $359. A 2GB/month service from AT&T, for example, is $25/month, for the months you want it. Cost for 2 years of ownership, with data service every month is $959. And it is less if you don't need data service every month (I've got Wifi most of the time and would only want the data plan when traveling, for instance).

This works out to about half the cost of an iPhone, but of course there is no phone. Doesn't bother me as I pay $40/year for a prepaid phone. It's $270 less than an iPad which doesn't fit in my pocket.
 
Well, have 3G, and with the iCloud and iMessage, then the iPod Touch also can send message and have call! Totally a like a cheaper version of the iPhone, or should named as iPad Mini?
Oh, amazing and crazy!
 
IF Apple keep the price same as today's iPod touch .. well count me in, that would definitely narrow the gap between iPhone and iPod touch even more. A dumb phone for making calls and those rude tasks, accompanied by almost perfect iPod touch with 3g connection should make life easier.

AND for people who asked about "Why not just buy iPhone4 with only data plan?"

Well ... if this iPod rumors become reality, it's $300 cheaper than iPhone 4 !!! with 99% Apple feature available on it. Phone calls and SMS/MMS ain't exactly Apple's feature.

With iPod touch WiFi + 3G you can enjoy whatever Apple throw at it, iCloud, FaceTime anywhere, iMessage .. so yeah .. this feature thousand times better
 
At this point 3G on anything is kinda lame. Let's see Apple push the LTE networks and move all devices to it, and drive all the carriers to offer the real high-speed wireless networks! :)
 
Cheaper iphone than stepped up ipod touch

I guess cheaper iphone will better option than stepped-up ipod touch. but apple doesn't like cheaper things. they should i guess make the shuffled! ipod nano a bit bigger and discard ipod touch altogether.
in todays time wifi only device is useless considering even cheapest of cheap phones can connect to internet using cell and wifi model of ipad doesn't. they should discard wifi only ipod touch and wifi only ipad.
AND please 64GB iphone..please
 
amorya said:
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?
Click to expand...

Lower resolution screen, lower quality camera, and less RAM to name a few reasons.
 
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