The rumor mill has once again started churning, only this time the news is related to the iPod touch and not the next-gen iPhone. It still kind of feels like pre-WWDC doesn’t it?
Wired.com is claiming that one of their sources has revealed that the next generation iPod touch will sport not only a camera, but also a microphone.
“A well-connected source tells us those rumors are on the money, and that Apple’s factories in China are already manufacturing iPod Touch models with integrated cameras and microphones. An Apple spokesman declined to comment when reached by phone.”
This rumor also meshes with the Apple job listings that we discovered way back in April, which indicated Apple was trying to find some engineers to stuff a camera inside of the iPod touch.
Integrating a camera and a microphone into the iPod touch has a lot of upside for everyone involved. Of course sales of the iPod touch would probably increase (maybe at the expense of the iPhone?), and developers would also be able to profit off of more devices without having to do any extra work since both the iPhone and iPod touch would contain many of the same features. The iPod touch could also be a great Wi-Fi mobile phone as long as you are near a hotspot.
Apple usually refreshes the iPod touch in September, so we shall just have to wait and see.
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We’re currently writing a grant to get iTouches in the to hands of 4th graders. These new features would be a definite bonus for the kids!
I currently have a 2nd gen iPod touch. While a microphone and camera are VERY tempting, I think I if I were to spend the money to upgrade, I’d still rather have the iPhone 3GS, so I can eliminate one more device from my pocket.
@Brett I agree.
At what point does an iPod Touch become an iPhone? Apple has already gone down this path with the 13″ MacBook being transformed into a MacBook Pro. So why not just add some wireless capability and a service agreement and call it an iPhone 3G-Not-Quite-S??
I’m glad to see these rumors solidifying as these functions should have been included in the touch from day one. Again, Apple is way late to the show but we’re all just so happy they even showed up. And how about GPS/Compass functionality and wireless n? Those should be in there too.
And finally, I hope this will end all the AT&T bashing. Do you think Verizon would give you wifi? No freakin’ way! Just get an iTouch (even the current 2G) Skype Verizon Mifi = Verizon iPhone and quit whining about the venerable and accomodating AT&T. You don’t know how good you have it with AT&T.
And off topic, this new comment system seems kinda buggy. Keeps sending me back to the top of the post. iTouch 1G OS 3.0
This has been a long time coming and I’ll be interested to see what excuses developers have next about why their apps only work on iPhones and not iPod Touches.
I hope the iPod touch has a better camera than the iPhone 3G S
I love the when i see post like this. because no one know what is true or not.
Do you think there will be a 64 GB Ipod touch? If this happens the Ipod classic will die.
the touch is still too expensive for the classic to die. and people still really like the click wheel.
The iPod touch is a soon to become an iPhone except no phone lol..
The newer iPod touch is probably gonna be faster, since they are working on designing more efficient and faster chips and I hope they include more awesone stuff as well!!
That’s sounds Awesome! I’m definitely getting one if it has a camera AND a microphone, the only thing missing is the phone!
The big question is will the new touch come out in time to get it with the “Back To School” deal. Likely not, but it’s something to think about. I was thinking about getting a new macbook in August during our Tax Free holiday (Save about $95 or so) and also take advantage of the “Back to School” deal, then likely resell the touch on eBay. But if it had a camera and a mic, I’d likely keep it. Decisions decisions.
Cool! Hopefully they will integrate the same autofocus camera used in the iPhone 3GS.
iPod Touch with camera?
Just if it get’s the new iPhone 3G S camera with auto-focus, etc.
I would be more than willing to pay more for the Touch than what It currently costs if they include the right features. I have no doubt that it will include the camera and microphone (apple wouldn’t do video without easy audio input) it should also include the magnomiter, but what I am really hoping for like someone else mentioned is GPS.
I don’t think there needs to be a differentiation between the iPhone and the iPod Touch other than cell phone reception. I would be more than willing to pay a one time $400 price for a device lime this, but i cant afford a $200 iPhone that comes with an $80 bill each month. (that’s at least $1,100 in one year) give me a beefed up touch and I will live within it’s wifi limitations thank you very much.
Slowly narrowing the difference in feature list between iPhone and iTouch. Soon enough the only difference will be phone/text, and with skype and freetxt, iTouch can already do that on wifi I guess.
Interesting. I have the iPod Touch 1G and the only reason I didn’t upgrade to 2G was because I have a mini speaker set and I could live without built in speakers. But now, a camera? Microphone? I’m not so sure. It’s much more tempting to purchase an iPod Touch 3G if it has a camera and a microphone. In addition, there will be so many more apps that will be able to work with the 3G iPod Touch.
Bounce On is a really interesting app. Looks fun.
It’s really cool that they’re adding features to the iTouch, but it really is becoming the iPhone… Soon you’ll have to sign away two years of your life too at&t as well!
Ipod touch with mic? Awesome. Finally can use shazam!
Cool. But I don’t want to drop more money on ANOTHER ipod
Bounce on looks like a sweet game, kinda like mario if you ask me.
Bounce On!, This game is pretty cool!, I have it for my mobile phone
I want it!!!!
I want to win bounce on! i heard it is a great game.
Camera on ipod touch? I am definitely getting this
I think this is just a rumor. Apple wants to keep the iphone the elite i-product so they won’t give the ipod touch a camera.
I think this was imminent. I think AT&T will not like this. If I didn’t own an iPhone, I would definitely get an iPod Touch with all these new features.
Bounce on…sweet. I want this. Looks like an awesome platformer.
The new ipod will sure beat using the stupid earbud mics. the earbud mics SUCK
I agree with the article. If the ipod touch has both camera and mic then iphone sales would go down.
After following the iPhone 3GS rumors for such a long time, I don’t have any faith that any rumors are true until the product is officially revealed by Apple.
Having said that, I do expect the next Touch to have a camera integrated, but not necessarily the microphone. I would not expect the device to have a mic because that would really chip away at the iPhone sales an may create a bit of a backlash for Apple to deal with.
Guess it is about time to post my ipod on craigslist…
I have an iPod Touch 2G and I think that this would be enough to make me upgrade. The mic would make a lot of sense, in fact I would be surprised if it was not included since Apple released the Voice Memos app.
wow i guess i am going to be blowing another 300 plus bucks on an ipod touch. I hope they come out with a 64 gb one. That would be an insta-buy
hmm, very interesting but it would definitely give people less of a reason to buy the iphone. many people want an iphone but cant switch carriers. some consumers may say, “i might as well just get the ipod touch” either way i think its cool.