According to MacMagazine, Apple is said to be holding a special event next week. The report claims that the event will announce the next generation iPod Touch which is likely to feature one or more cameras, FaceTime support and even a gyroscope.
While the arrival of such an iPod Touch is almost a certainly, we have to question the dates. Apple traditionally holds their annual iPod refresh event in September. So, if the rumor is true, why would they be breaking the September cycle now? It almost has to be more than just the iPod Touch.
The iPod Touch is like a distant relative to the rest of the iPod Family. Sure, they all play music and have ‘iPod’ in the name, but that is about where the similarities end. The iPod is more kin to the iPad and iPhone than any of the devices it happens to share its name with.
I suspect that we will see Apple announce the new iPod Touch along with the smaller versions of the iPad. It might sound crazy, but I think we could even see Apple change the name of the iPod Touch to something else to help set it apart, perhaps ‘iPad Memo’ or ‘iPad Mini’? It would be a more accurate name.
- iPad with a 9.7 inch screen is the Apple answer to a tablet and netbook.
- iPad with a 7 inch screen (iPad Book or iPad Mini?) would be the Apple answer to the current eBook readers, and a bit cheaper than the larger iPad.
- iPod Touch with a 3.5 inch screen is the Apple answer to the PDA, Digital Voice Recorder and mobile gaming devices. Just one step below the iPhone, but still more of an iPad.
Even without a name change, simply separating the iOS powered iPod Touch form the rest of the iPod lineup would still leave Apple in a position where they could announce new iPods (Nano, Shuffle and Classic) during the usual September event.
The next version of iLife
Another rumor that we have seen lately is that iLife ’11 might make a release this month. I actually expected it to happen today, but it is just as likely to happen next Tuesday. The updated iLife could certainly cause Apple to hold an event sooner than September.
The updated version of iLife (some call it iLife ’10, while others are referring to it as iLife ’11) is rumored to include a new and unique product, but what is it?
iLife is traditionally focused on the digital lifestyle; iPhoto, iMovie and iWeb allow you to edit and manage photos, movies, and well, webpages. I suspect that Apple’s new iLife application will be something that allows users to write their own books, and then have them published on Apple’s iBookstore. It may even be accompanied by an “iPublisher” app (or whatever they call it) for the iPad. With the product being part of the iLife package, it could then pull photos and videos from the library allowing users to create rich media publications.
Just missed the ‘Back-to-school’ window
If Apple does release the updated iPod Touch or new iPads this month, they are a bit late to catch the back-to-school group. Most schools have already begun or will begin next week. Those potential customers likely purchased a iPod Touch, iPad or MacBook during the last few weeks or over the weekend during the ‘Tax Free Weekend’ held in many states.
Even if they missed the back-to-school window, Apple will still sell a ton of their touch devices.
