If, and it's a big IF, we see a camera on the iPod Touch 3G we'll also see GPS. Why? One word - iPhoto. One of the big new features introdcued in the latest version was geo-tagging photos. For that to work you NEED a GPS to provide location data to the camera. Doesn't make sense to build that entire eco-system and then not include the (very cheap) hardware that is needed to provide that cruicial data.
Again, at this point we can only speculate but I wouldn't be surprised to see a plastic case ala iPhone if we get a GPS. The metal case would likely interfere too much with the GPS signal. Microphone I think is a 50/50 as it really does take the iPod dangerously close to the iPhone but I could maybe see Apple including the iPhone headphones with the iPod. Not sure about that one.
Personally I'd expect something that's more incremental update than revolution. Certainly the new processor and GPU from the iPhone, double the capacity of the the 2G and only small overall design tweaks. 50/50 on camera, GPS and microphone and no chance on earth of 3G data connection.
We're not getting GPS, period.
I'll elaborate on this later on in my post.
iPhone juristriction? Yea, better not put Wifi or iphone apps on a Touch. Bluetooth? That's an iPhone feature stay away! No sense giving the Touch a contact list, as there is no way to call from it. The closer Apple makes the Touch to the iPhone the more they sell. They aren't the idiots you suggest they must be.
Hardware that should have been there from the first? There was no bluetooth chip in the 1st gen Touch. Broadcom makes radio chips, and in the same spot Apple put the WiFi/Bluetooth chip, and for probably the same cost, they can put a WiFi/Bluetooth/FM chip. For all we know that's the chip in the 2nd gen right now. It took them a year to "turn on" the bluetooth aspect of that chip. Won't surprise me a bit to discover they turn on FM with 3.5 firmware (for another $10), or the 3rd gen gets a slightly better radio chip for the same price.
Unnecessary? Yes, there are web radio stations. They are great until you're out of WiFi range (or your power goes out) and the weather turns sour. Radio survives today because it give you local news and weather. The majority of the world won't find their local news on a web radio station, and no one's weather app will work if the power goes out.
You are insulting Apple to suggest they don't get this when the rest of the industry does.
How about we wait and see?
Actually, the bluetooth chip that was "enabled" is the Nike + chip. A Nike + chip is nothing but a regular bluetooth chip. Apple just decided to lock it to only Nike +. Now, they've opened it up.
I've seen a lot of threads with people wanting tons of things for the new iPod. Although it is all speculation, and your guess is as good as mine, I'm trying to be realistic as to what the new Touch will have, based on Apple's history.
Plastic Backing: No
We all hate the metal backing of the iPod, but I don't expect that to change. It has been the backing of all of Apple's highest end iPods, and there seems to be no reason to change it. I think Apple likes the fact that it scratches so easily, it makes people want to buy new ones every year. Although there's no doubt a plastic backing would be welcome by many, I don't think it will happen.
64 GB: Yes
Seems logical. I don't think that Apple likes having the same maximum capacity on both the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The iPod is meant to be a media device more so than the iPhone, so it's only logical that the highest end model have more capacity. I would expect 16, 32, and 64 gig models replacing the current lineup and the same price points.
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating: Yes
Apple quietly put this on the iPhone 3GS, meaning it's not a huge deal. Apple usually likes to play up even minor additions (i.e. MMS and Video Recording). So the fact they didn't play this up tells me its rather simple and I expect it to reach the iPod, also quietly.
Camera: Yes
Call me crazy, but I think this is going to happen. One reason was an Apple job listing looking for people to work on cameras for the iPod. The second reason is logical. Apple's 2G Touch was a very incremental update. It changed its appearance slightly, added a volume rocker, a speaker, and several other small changes. This was a very small upgrade, and Apple is not usually known to do 2 minor upgrades on iPods back-to-back. I think many people resisted the temptation to upgrade from 1G to 2G, and Apple needs to do something big to the iPod to get people to upgrade. So even though it's a toss up, I'm predicting it will have the same camera as the iPhone with video recording. It's the slam dunk new feature that Apple could use to drive sales of the device.
GPS: No
Would love to have it, but I just have a gut feeling you won't see it on this iPod. Can't explain it, just don't think it will happen.
Microphone: Yes
The inclusion of the Voice Memos application on the iPod Touch 3.0 software sealed the deal on this for me. It makes no sense to have a non removable app like that on the Touch if very few of its owners can use it. Out of the box, every iPod user should be able to use every Apple application, including Voice Memos. Although, I'm not necessarily saying the microphone will be on the device. In fact I think it's more likely the microphone will be on the headphones, similar to the iPhone's headphones. Just expect there to be a microphone somewhere inside the Touch's packaging.
3G: No
I don't know why anyone thinks this is possible. The iPod is not a cell phone.
Thinner: Yes
But only slightly. Ever so slightly. Likely unnoticeable.
Better battery life, faster performance: Yes
This is a given, every Apple product is always more battery efficient and faster than the previous model. It will be interesting though to see just how much better they get. The battery will likely only get incrementally better, but the faster performance is a tough one. It will definitely be faster, but whether it is incremental like the 2G Touch, or considerably faster like the iPhone 3GS, remains to be seen. I'm leaning more towards 3GS.
Compass: No
I think the average person is only going to use the compass on the 3GS to aid in using the GPS. Since the iPod won't have GPS (in my opinion), the compass is almost useless.
Voice Control: Yes
This makes sense. Since I believe a microphone will be included with every device, it's logical to include this feature.
Front-facing camera: No
This will never happen on any iPod. Apple is all about clean design. Nothing looks worse than a camera protruding out on the front of the device. It's ugly and I don't think Apple believes enough people would use the feature to warrant its inclusion.
Better speaker: Yes
The speaker on the 2G Touch is lackluster. Better speakers exist for the iPhone. Expect an upgrade, even though it likely won't be heavily advertised.
AM/FM Tuner: No
People have wanted this forever, and it will never happen. Never has, never will. Even more so now that there are apps that let you listen to radio over the internet.
Aluminum unibody design: No
While I could potentially see this in the future, you won't see it on the 3G Touch. I expect the Touch's physical design to remain very similar to the 2G model. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if it's identical (aside from the camera on the back).
So that's all I could think of, if I come up with more I'll update the thread. I think that the biggest new feature of the device will be a camera, and that will be Apple's biggest selling point. They can not do another incremental update to this device, and the only plausible huge feature they can add is a camera, so I think they're going to do it. A lot of people don't think they will, but two years ago we didn't think an iPod would ever have internet and look at the device now. We can't imagine it without it. So in my opinion, look for the new iPod Touch this September to include a camera, as well as the other features I described above.
I agree with most of those, but I just don't agree with the thinner aspect. I believe that the form factor will be the same.
Also, I might as well bring up 3G and the Compass now.
The 3G network is maintained by AT&T. Opening the iPod Touch up to it would take the iPhone sales away, and that's something that Apple's not interested in doing. For the compass, it's simple. We don't need it. The iPod Touch is now marketed as a gaming device. How many games in the App Store have you seen that utilize a compass?
You know, I can't really describe the GPS thing. I tried to type a reason but I don't have one. That's one of those things that's just a gut feeling. I just don't think they'll do it, for no good reason lol. I'm not arguing your point, it would be a great feature that I myself would love to have. I just have a feeling they won't do it, at least not for this model.
I'll explain this later on.
It would be pointless to have GPS if you only have Wi-Fi connectivity. Not very useful.
Exactly.
GPS does not require any sort of connection.
Well here's what I'm not sure about. Does GPS need Wi-Fi to work? GPS units in your car don't use internet correct? If GPS on an iPod needs Wi-Fi, then its pointless. If not, it would be useful, though I still don't think you'll see it yet.
GPS doesn't need wifi to work, but then you would need to have all of the map data pre-loaded already onto the touch which would take up space.
You're correct on this one.
I believe the GPS applications that are going to be released for the iPhone are going to take up about a gig or so of space. Not terrible
I was under the impression it was more, I'm not sure about this one.
I too have this inner gut feeling that GPS won't happen. However, I'll argue just the same why GPS will happen, and why any other arguments are wrong, simply because I want it to happen.
The "find my iPod" feature is actually probably the strongest current argument for why the Touch will have GPS. The numerous iPhone applications dealing with GPS may also be a clue.
GPS does not require WiFi. Period. Any questions?
The size of the GPS chip is a bit of a problem, however. A bit more thickness might be necessary, unless Apple really can fit it in. I definitely see GPs in the next update, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be in this one.
GPS doesn't require Wi-Fi if your maps are preloaded. FindMyiPod will require WiFi, I'll explain later.
i disagree about a few things. IMO i think there is a tiny miniscule possibility for GPS. for one the Find My iPod feature is too unreliable using skyhook, it needs GPS for it to be reliable. also, with the release a 3.0 there's going to be a lot of new navigation apps including TomTom so this would create more money for apple. also i think the magnetometer (a.k.a. digital compass) will be there even if it doesn't get GPS. the magnetometer can be used for more things than just a compass, including game controls. so if they're going for "the funnest iPod ever", i think they'll add those extra controls. imagine the possibilities with the magnetometer + the accelerometer.
FindMyiPod requires Wi-Fi, I'll explain later in this post.
Also, like I mentioned, I don't believe there are any games utilizing the magnetometer (digital compass) yet.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) does not use wifi. Location based applications that do use wifi are not GPS, they are cheap imitations.
I would say that a GPS device that is dependent on internet access (of any form) is not very useful.
You are correct. They however, are talking about loading the maps. That requires Wi-Fi if they are not predownloaded.
I don't know why people keep arguing that you need cell towers in order for gps to work
TomTom, Garmin ,etc do not use cell towers they use GPS satellites. /facepalm
That's because the maps are downloaded.
The compass is not just for navigation, and almost certainly *will* be in the new Touch.
I'm not so sure about this.
There are at least three threads active right now where this has been beaten to death!
GPS does *not* need any extra services. Have you ever looked at a GPS system in a car? Where's the WiFi or Cell access there?
It's a completely passive system. The GPS device does not 'connect' to anything. Please go read wikipedia, or just use the damn search function on this forum.
Okay. This made me a bit angry, I don't know why.
I'm going to explain why GPS won't be in the next iPod Touch.
First, the most compelling use for GPS is for a feature known as FindMyiPhone. How it works:
You go home, discover your iPhone's missing.
You open up a web browser, find out where your iPhone is.
The iPhone receives the data through the 3G/2G cellular network. (By data, I mean the request to enable GPS)
The iPhone determines where it is.
The iPhone uses the 3G/2G cellular network to "call home" and report where it is.
That's precisely why FindMyiPod won't work. GPS is a one way street. GPS uses a few satellites up in the air, that tell the chip where it is. The chip is
not capable of sending any data up into the satellite. The satellite also doesn't send any data to the chip.
If you want to find your iPod, you've got to know where it is.
GPS solves that. However, it's unable to "call home", to let you know where it is. The only way to do this is to connect to a Wi-Fi network.
In all honesty, if the thief has stolen an iPod before, he'll know to turn it off, or at least not connect to the internet with it. Also, the chances of you going online, looking for your iPod, probably won't collide with his connecting to a Wi-Fi network with your iPod.
Next, all an iPod Touch can do with GPS is act like a standalone GPS unit. With a battery that weak, and that many background processes, I know for certain that it will never replace a proper GPS unit in your car.
Lastly, there is absolutely no reason for Apple to include a GPS. Apple includes everything for a purpose, when they can develop software for it. Apple released the GPS on the iPhone because it came with the software to use it, Google Maps. The iPod Touch cannot use it, due to the lack of a cellular data network. Apple released a "BlueTooth chip" in the 2nd Generation iPod Touch, because Nike + used it. They introduced a digital compass in the 3rd generation iPhone, because it had the capability to use it. Introducing the iPod Touch with a GPS would make Apple bundle software with the iPod.
The software Apple would have to bundle is a bunch of offline maps, which then gets you into the mayhem of licensing issues. This is one reason Apple didn't bundle it with the 3G/3GS iPhones.
In conclusion, having a GPS in the iPod Touch would make it more expensive, and there are absolutely no reasons for Apple to add it. Apple is a company, it is based off profit. It cannot, and will not, make a profit adding a standalone GPS chip to the iPod Touch.
Agreed (thought I don't think an iPod will ever get 3G, that makes no sense from Apple's standpoint).
Nothing they put on an iPod (save a Phone and Texting) will hurt the iPhone's sales one bit. The iPhone is first and foremost a communications device, while the iPod is first and foremost a multimedia and music device. Neither product will ever cannibalize the others sales because they are aimed at two different groups of people. I don't think anyone is going to balk at purchasing an iPhone if they include a camera on an iPod, just like I don't think anyone is going to balk at buying an iPod and get an iPhone instead if the next Touch doesn't have a camera. They are two separate markets, and as long as the iPhone remains the only device capable of phone and text (it obviously will), nothing you can add to either will hurt the others sales.
I don't think you understand the current market. Many people buying an iPhone nowadays solely for the data network. Having a robust browser like Mobile Safari anywhere you go is a truly amazing thing.
The iPod Touch has been destroying the iPhone market. They are not two completely different things. The iPhone is not, "first and foremost a communications device". If you paid any attention when Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, you would know that it is three things: A multimedia device, A Phone, and the Internet in your Pocket. When an iPod Touch takes up two of these, you have a problem.
If nothing added would hurt the other product, what has Apple been doing?
Where's the GPS, 3G, what's wrong with Apple?
The end of the story is that 3G will never appear on the iPod Touch. Doing so is going into iPhone territory.
I can text through email, and use VoiceIP. What exactly is the difference between an iPod Touch and an iPhone anymore?
An iPod is an iPod. An iPhone is an iPhone. It will forever remain that way.
I was under the assumption that if a device has 3G you could use it with any carrier that has it and your not tied to one specific carrier + you do not have to use it or activate it if you do not want to
With wifi though you still have to go from place to place in order to get a connection not the same level of freedom as a constant data connection. Unless of course you live somewhere like NYC where wifi is abundant so it is kinda like having a constant data connection.
I think it would be kinda cool if the touch did have it but i'm not holding my breath. I just hope more carriers will get the mifi device or a 3G modem for the dock connector comes out. Verizon and Sprint $60 for a 5gb cap is just ridiculous
That's not true. With 3G, you cannot move from carrier to carrier. If you want to use GSM networks, (networks with a SIM card- like AT&T and T-Mobile) you can only use AT&T or T-Mobile. Their 3G frequencies are different, so you can't switch between them. This is precisely why the 3G/3GS iPhones cannot function at 3G speed on T-Mobile's network.
If you go with CDMA, there's no roaming to other countries. Almost all the plans for data I've seen require some sort of contract, be it Verizon, Sprint, and so forth.
Another interesting point that somehow only just occurred to me. If Apple includes a camera on the new iPod with video recording, it would have to have a microphone on the device, because video needs sound and Apple can't expect people to have their headphones connected whenever they want to take video. So if you see video recording, you'll see a microphone. Just a thought...
That's a good point. I suppose Apple will have to include a microphone if it's serious about the camera.
