iPod touch Where will Apple take the iPod Touch next?

[barijazz]

Where will Apple take the iPod Touch next?

Before a company builds a product, it only makes sense to figure out how they can improve it in the future.

The iPhone is lacking 3G, GPS, ect. ect. that a lot of people whine about. But it is in Apple’s best interest to keep them whining… tech is going to keep expanding, but what keeps Apple going is monumental updates (or at least substantial enough to keep people buying them over and over again.)

Where can Apple take the iPod Touch to keep getting repeat customers???

Memory will not be enough to keep people buying them.

A few of my own ideas:

Colors. Colors will be the next generation of iPod Touches. It has been proven with the rest of their iPod line that colors can be an effective way to keep getting buyers.

SilverThorne. SilverThorne processors will cut way back on power consumption, and as batteries get smarter and other innovations occur, battery life will be a major selling point. I would not be surprised if Apple jumped on the “Going Green” bandwagon as they already are with other products such as the MBAir.

GPS. This idea needs a ton of work, but it may be possible by the next update, if not next year. GPS is not useful unless you have a way to get maps when you are out of wifi range. AHA! The SDK is coming out. I would not be surprised if there is eventually a way to download “Map Packs” from Google or others for a fee.

Faster NAND Flash Memory. It will come eventually, but I don’t see the iPod Touch ever getting more than 64 GB of Flash memory. I believe that instead they will keep putting faster memory in it.

iPod Touch ______. The blank stands for a new adjective for small. It will not be Mini due to the negative connotation of the “ipod mini-flop”, and I don’t think it will be called nano either. Any sweet adjective ideas? The smaller Touch will be equal to what the touch is today, and probably wont have some of the sweet features the new “bigger” (regular size) ones have.

For Dreamers:

DVR. As much as I would love to see the Touch get DVR, I don’t see it happening. The Archos 605 wifi has this feature, but I don’t see it coming to the iPod because of Apples TV store… but hey, we can all dream!

Squirting… or something similar. This is the only desirable Zune feature in my mind. How cool would it be to say, “Oh sweet song, pop it over bro!”

Any other ideas? What would you like to see with in a year? Within two?
All input is appreciated.


What about disk mode, flash browsing, and copy-n-paste?

I am sixteen and don't plan on purchasing a new touch until I go to college.

To add to that bluetooth and wireless syncing through isync.

I would like 802.11n because I really really hate g. Faster and more powerful is the way of the future. I would like the ability to use it as a wireless mouse with one half of the screen one click and the other half the other click (If apple does that I called it). And FCP on it. lol

 

[BlakTornado]

TI would like the ability to use it as a wireless mouse with one half of the screen one click and the other half the other click (If apple does that I called it).

What about the other buttons!? D:

You can't have too many mouse buttons! *strokes his Logitech MX Revolution*

 

[ynotds]

It's like 1984 all over again

Nothing since the original Mac has had the open ended potential of the Touch. The SDK and the gradual coming of ubiquitous WiFi are going to see it become vastly more than an iPod but without losing that flavour.

While I've been using iTunes since quite early and the Store since it came down under, I've never considered acquiring a more traditional iPod. I use a pair of 2nd gen Shuffles for music on the go and the Touch when I want to listen to anything in particular, but even more so for viewing things. And I have no wish for it to be a phone or a camera, but I do have other dreams.

Since reverting from my third depressed "mighty" mouse to a reliable one button model, and always preferring the track pad on my MacBook to any mouse, I've been imaging for a while that I should be able to use my USB-connected Touch as an improved hybrid of a track pad and mouse. There really is no point it not being connected when I'm working at my 24 inch iMac.

I also want a larger form factor equivalent to blow away the photo frame market -- something I can give to elderly relatives and friends to open up their world to sharing pictures and stories. The current pixel resolution would be fine, but at a size for fading eyes. In that context good internal speakers and sound input also make sense as would the ability to attach more interesting peripherals such as a minimalist photo/document scanner.

My "practical" justification for the Touch was to be able to carry photos, maps, etc. while out exploring in the bush, so I'm also a vote for GPS.