Isaiah's Tech

Yes, I'm going to make this one long post of all of the iPods that Apple announced at their event today. First up, we have the new iPod Shuffle. The 2GB model will now go for $59 and the 4GB model will be available for just $79. They also added in a new Special Edition stainless steel model which is $99 for 4GB of storage. The iPod Shuffles are now available in pink, green, and blue models as well.

There were big rumours about the iPod Touch gaining a camera, but that turned out to be false. There is no camera on the new iPod Touches and that's definitely a sad thing for those who were looking forward to it. Nothing entirely too big here, basically. They announced a $199 8GB model, a $299 32GB model, and a $399 64GB model, which is seen above. The look is still the same, and I now hate it because it's been around for too long. Although there is no camera, the CPU did get an upgrade, the 64GB model is said to be "50% faster" and it supports OpenGL, which should make gaming even better.

Apple went on to announce a new iPod Classic that has 160GB of internal storage. Even though the storage was bumped up 40GB, it has the exact same dimensions as the old 120GB model. It's now available for $249.

Last, but definitely not least, it's the new iPod Nanos. These were definitely my favourite iPod announcement. Unlike the iPod Touches, the iPod Nanos do have a camera. The new iPod Nano has: a 2.2-inch display with a 240 x 376 resolution, an FM tuner, a microphone, a speaker, and VGA @ 30fps recording abilities. The dimensions are the exact same as the last Nano but it weighs 1.28 ounces, which is 0.02 ounces lighter than the last model. "Apple claims that the new nano can last up to 24 hours when playing back audio, while video playback should zap the rechargeable battery in just five hours." These Nanos are now available for $149 for the 8GB model and $179 for the 16GB model.

iPod Shuffle: Engadget
iPod Touch: Crunch Gear
iPod Classic: iPod NN, Slash Gear
iPod Nano: Engadget, G4 TV

According to the above photo, that's what it looks like. Could the next iPod Touch have a camera? I hope so, and it would also fit the rumours we've heard about in the past. It's always a possibility that the 3rd generation iPod Touch could have a camera and it would be pretty awesome. I might just have to scoop one up if this happens. The next iPod Touch is rumoured to be available this Fall, so we'll find out in a couple of months.

Update on July 6: According to Electronista, Apple is ordering cameras for all of their iPods. Yes, that includes the tiny little iPod Shuffle. It's still unconfirmed at this time, but by the end of the year we could see the iPod Touch, iPod Nano, and even the iPod Shuffle with a built-in camera.

[Slash Gear]

That is the latest rumour. This excerpt from HardMac says:

- The future iPhone models will have exactly the same shape and size than the current iPhone 3G, despite fakes and rumors circulating.
- Apple should refresh models for the iPod nano and Touch in september. Both should now include a camera, similarly to the iPhone.

This is pretty interesting. The iPod Touch gaining a camera wouldn't be all that shocking, but the iPod Nano to get a camera? That would be kind of weird, but definitely shocking at the same time. It'll catch those not paying attention off guard - for sure. Yesterday, we also heard news about AT&T's Project Charlie, which consists of Charlie 1, Charlie 2, and Charlie 3. We don't know what this means right now, but I'm going to take a guess that it could be the refreshed iPod Touch, iPod Nano, and a possible new iPhone? Just a guess though folks! Your guess is as good as mine.

Update: According to Gizmodo, Project Charlie seems to be 3 new phones. This means that it can't be the refreshed iPod Touch and iPod Nanos. This makes things even more interesting.

[Mac Rumors, Boy Genius (Project Charlie)]

The above picture is what the iPod Touch could look like when Apple decides to launch its refreshed iPod Touches - possibly and probably this year. Apple is going to hold an event on September 7th / 8th and it could deal with their iPod line and not their iTablet. This is because Apple has had the tendency in the past to launch new iPods in the Fall.

Surprisingly enough, the cases of the iPod Touch below match the prototype that is seen above - evident in where the camera is placed. Could the iPod Touches camera be in the middle-top of the PMP or will it be on the side, similar to where the iPhone's camera is placed? We don't know yet, but sources online are saying that we'll know on September 7th / 8th. If the iPod Touch is announced at their Apple event, you'll also see their refreshed iPod Nano line-up, which won't be too surprising. The iPod Touches price points will supposedly be $199 for the 16GB, $299 for the 32GB, and $399 for the 64GB.

[9 to 5 Mac, Stuff.tv]
New iPod Cases: 9 to 5 Mac

Thanks to a case maker, Apple's next iPod Touch could look similar to what you see above. Of course, we already know that the company plans to introduce a new iPod Touch in early September and we know that it should feature a camera on the back. Could the camera on the back of the iPod Touch be in the corner and not in the middle like those prototypes that we've seen a couple of times? We'll really just have to wait and see.

Update: Another 9 to 5 Mac post has leaked the pictures you see below. It clearly shows an Apple case that has a hole in the front for the front-facing camera. Interesting. This could be possible seeing how FaceTime only works over WiFi (unless your iPhone 4 is jailbroken).

[Pocket-Lint]

Apple kicked things off by announcing iOS 4.1 and 4.2 (for the iPad) but that's not what we'll talk about here - you'll have to wait until November for iOS 4.2 on your iPad by the way. We're focusing on the iPod refresh that took place today, and Steve Jobs said that this is the biggest iPod update ever. The first thing he announced was the new iPod Shuffle. After the third-generation failed, they've brought the buttons back in its small factor. It has the clip on the back and comes with 2GB of internal storage. This will cost you $49 and will be available in 5 colours (gray, blue, pink, green, and yellow) each with 15 hours of audio playback. Keep scrolling down for the new iPod Nano.

Next up is the new iPod Nano, which is being touted as a small iPod Touch. As expected, it's a plain (and small) touchscreen with no buttons on the front. On the side there's the volume button and on the back there's a clip which is great if you like to clip it. I put mine in my pocket so that doesn't really matter to me. It has a multitouch display along with 24 hours of audio playback. This reminds me of the third-gen (fat) iPod Nano so let's see how successful this turns out to be. This will come in a bunch of (they say six, I see seven) colours and they're all above for you. The 8GB model will be available for $149 while the 16GB model will only cost $30 more, at $179. iPod Touch next.

Update: The iPod Nano does not have video playback, I repeat does not. You won't be able to watch of your movies or podcasts on this device. Yup, no video playback.

Of course, this event wouldn't be complete without the most important iPod of all, the Touch. This model is even thinner and comes with a flat back. This iPod Touch sports the same retina display you'll find on the iPhone 4 and it also sports the Apple A4 CPU along with iOS 4.1 (with Game Center), 40 hours of audio playback, a front-facing camera, and a rear-facing camera with 720p HD video recording for FaceTime. You can pre-order them right now and they'll be going for $229 for 8GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB. Yes, there's no more 16GB model. They'll be available starting next week in the US (I don't know about the Canadian release dates).

[Engadget]

According to the latest unconfirmed rumour, the prices for the iPod refresh has just been leaked out. They are as follows.




If these price rumours are true, it will definitely stomp the sales of the Zune HD.

There is also another rumour floating around. The other rumour is that the camera-equipped iPods could be delayed. For more information on both topics, just check out the links below. In related news, Apple's event is set to take place in two days, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Cheap iPod Touch: 9 to 5 Mac
iPod Touch With Camera Delayed?: 9 to 5 Mac

The latest job listing from Apple (that has now been changed) lists that they're looking for a Camera Engineering Project Manager (EPM) to bring camera modules to the iPhone and the iPod. This is really interesting and would make the iPod Touch an even more fascinating media player.

The photo you see above is, apparently, a supposed screenshot of "a revised camera app with a video toggle." This is further hinting at video capabilities for the iPhone and possibly even the iPod Touch. We'll see what happens in the near future. The iPhone could also have a slew of other additions, such as: Video Editing, 802.11n wireless connectivity, and an FM transmitter. The supposed 802.11n was found in the latest beta firmware (of course). This will increase WiFi speeds and could be found in a future iPhone / iPod Touch device. The least exciting news is that the latest chip in the iPhone could have an FM transmitter. Personally, I don't think it's needed but I'm sure other people out there would love it. The more features, the merrier!

[Apple Insider, Engadget, The Apple Blog]

We recently heard rumours that Apple is planning to implement a 5MP camera on the back of the iPod Touch that gets introduced this year. Well, apparently, that may be slightly off seeing how a new rumour is stating that the camera on this year's iPod Touch will actually be a 3.2MP sensor - similar to the one in the iPhone 3GS. Last year we heard about the iPod Touch gaining the camera you see above - right in the middle of the back of the PMP. We'll see what gets unveiled this September.

[9 to 5 Mac]

DigiTimes is back at it again, two days in a row, with another Apple rumour. This time we're talking about their thin-and-light notebook and their PMP; I'm, of course, talking about the MacBook Air and the iPod Touch. The rumour states that Apple will be launching a new MacBook Air with an Intel Core 2010 ULV CPU built by Quanta in the second half of this year. This update to the MacBook Air will be the smallest notebook that Apple has since the rumour states that the display with be 11.6-inches.

The other rumour is that the iPod Touch with a 3MP camera will be available in August or September of this year. I'm expecting September, since that's when Apple usually updates their iPod line-up. Also expected is that the iPod Touch will be using the A4 CPU - who knows what it'll be clocked at though.

[Slash Gear]

We've heard this rumour many, many times already so this should come as a surprise to no one. According to a "well connected" insider, China is already making the new iPod Touch and it should be available in two to three months. This launch would cause Microsoft's ZuneHD to fail. The refreshed iPod Touches are said to have a camera and a microphone which would be a great addition and would be perfect for Skype calls over WiFi. The camera is also said to be able to record video, which wouldn't be all that surprising either. If the next iPod Touch has a camera and a built-in microphone, you can sign me up for one.

[Electronista]

I've decided to write another blog before i go to sleep today. My girlfriend's writing a practice exam and since i'm so nice, i've decided to stay up with her and i need something to kill some time. So, here we go, gonna talk about my second love, the HTC Touch HD that was released last Wednesday.

There's a big rumour going around that Apple will be updating their iPod line-up and possibly the biggest update of them all will go to the iPod Touch - of course. To catch up to the iPhone 4, Apple's PMP is rumoured to be getting a 5MP camera on the back (presumably the same as the iPhone 4) with an LED flash, a gyroscope, direct YouTube video uploads, and a front-facing webcam for FaceTime. I'm going to assume that they're going to put their own A4 chip inside as well for the slight speed boost. Of course, this PMP should be running iOS 4.0 as well. As usual, you can expect the iPod refresh to come this September!

Update: According to 9 to 5 Mac, the two pictures below could be the face of the new iPod Touch coming in September of this year. Since there'll be no earpiece in the top, the front-facing camera looks like it could actually be in the center of the PMP, keeping the symmetry of the device.

[Slash Gear]

Many people - including myself - were surprised / disappointed that Apple decided not to go with a camera on the new iPod Touch - instead they added it to the iPod Nano. According to the latest and what looks to be legit news, the iPod Touch with a camera was definitely real. It was most likely an Apple prototype. It looks to me like Apple / Steve Jobs decided that they wouldn't want to lose a tiny bit of profit so they pulled it last minute. This is simply because they only care about the profits and money they make. Thanks Apple.

[Mac Rumors]

I don't know how Vietnam is getting all these leaked Apple products, but Apple must be pissed at this point (unless it's controlled). This actually may not be a final product however, seeing how it has the "DVT-1" mark-up on the back. This is indicating that this model may actually be Apple's first prototype for an iPod Touch with a 2MP camera. Either way, we should be expecting the iPod Touch with a camera this year - we were expecting one last year too. Check out the video below!

Apple is holding an event on Wednesday and it looks like that 3cm x 3cm touchscreen Apple display that leaked way back when will become the next iPod Nano. The photo above is supposedly a case for the iPod Nano and the photos below show another two iPod Nano cases and two shots of a new iPod Touch case which has slots for a camera. Both the iPod Nano and the iPod Touch will have the famous 30-pin connector so that won't change. The iPod Nano should be sporting a 1.7-inch display if the rumours are correct.

[Engadget, Apple Insider]

Two days ago, we saw the Zune HD get pictured again and we also got a glimpse of the slightly new UI. Well yesterday, CNet was one of their first websites out there to get their hands-on with the Microsoft Zune HD. CNet was quick to point out that the 3.3-inch OLED display was "crisp and bright" and that the browser was just like the iPod Touch - thanks to the multitouch gestures. Unfortunately, like the iPod Touch, it was lacking Flash support.

Other things to look forward to in the Zune HD was the sound quality, which was, of course, an improvement over the last Zune. After reading CNet's full review and some brief though last night, I still don't know whether I should choose this or the still unannounced iPod Touch. The iPod Touch has the App Store and that might be enough to pull me in - because the camera isn't a deal-breaker for me.

[Slash Gear]

A new LG touchscreen has made its way to the good old Internet today. The upcoming LG KM900 Arena will have a unique UI. The UI is said to be 3D and it will be named "S-Class." The LG Arena will have a "5 megapixel camera with DVD quality video recording capabilities", DivX playback, Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi. This will probably be announced formally at MWC which is weeks away. I will also point out that, like the Toshiba TG01, it also looks similar to the iPhone.

Motorola has mentioned that Windows Mobile 7 won't be out until 2010. Motorola mentioned this as they made their announcement that they were going to be utilizing Android to try to dig themselves out of the hole that they are in. Windows Mobile 7 is not confirmed to be released in 2010, but that's just what Sanjay Jha from Motorola thinks. It sounds about right though, since WinMo 6.5 should hit us in the summertime.

If you go to gmail.com/tasks on your mobile phone, you will be able to use Gmail Tasks on your iPhone or your Android phone. "The new mobile UI works for Android phones and iPhone, and gives you a quick way to view tasks, create new lists, add new tasks, mark tasks as completed, and that's about it."

Apple Tablet? This looks to me like the rumoured 7-9 inch iPod Touch that was mentioned a while ago (here). It doesn't look exactly like the iPod Touch, so i may be wrong. Atlthough, that was my first thought when i saw this picture. Apple's tablet display was said to be described in a recent patent. This picture shows what the tablet may look like, judging from Apple's patent. "The patent describes several forms of these displays-most of them already in use in current Apple laptops-, describing displays attached to portable computers." I'm sure that we'll hear more about this Apple tablet soon.

No, this is not the iPhone Pro, but instead we see an iPhone 4G Concept. The "fantasy specs" of this phone include: titanium and glass, an OLED screen, 3G, GPS, front camera for iChat, removable battery, 3.2MP camera, video and 32GB of internal memory. I don't really know why these "fantasy specs" include only having a 3.2MP camera. I think Apple should upgrade the camera to 5 megapixels. Both flashes (for the camera and Internet) weren't even asked for, so i guess i'll add those things on the list also. The OLED screen would be a fascinating idea, but that alone would put a hole in our wallets. Maybe one day Apple fanboy, maybe. I thought i'd also point out that Macy Gray will again be the face of the next iPhone... joking.

LG KM900 Arena (and picture): http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_km900_arena_leaks_touchscreen_fans_leap_with_joy-news-769.php
Windows Mobile 7 in 2010: http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/02/03/moto.says.win.mo.7.in.2010/
Gmail Tasks On Your Android or iPhone: http://mashable.com/2009/02/02/gmail-tasks-on-iphone/
Apple Tablet (and picture): http://i.gizmodo.com/5145104/apple-tablet-likely-described-in-patent
iPhone 4G Concept (and picture): http://i.gizmodo.com/5145151/iphone-4g-concept-is-a-macbook-in-a-phone

According to this patent, the next non-touchscreen iPod could have a multi-touch scroll-wheel. The patent was filed in September 5, 2008, so it wasn't too long ago. That's basically it. Take a look at what The Apple Blog had to say below.



[The Apple Blog]

The latest rumour states the Apple is planning to launch a new iPod Touch in the Spring time, this time with that camera. This new iPod Touch is expected to launch in Spring 2010 and we're hoping that it's on par with that iPhone 3GS. That's really all we know, and remember, it's just a rumour right now.

[9 to 5 Mac]