Touch-screen iPods by August?

Now that the iPhone is out, the Apple rumor mongers have shifted their attention to the next generation iPod. Well, some of them anyway. Specifically, will it or won't it feature a device-wide touch-screen running OS X -- a stripped down iPhone if you will. Enter DigiTimes, with their hit-or-miss record of Taiwanese sources, who are calling for a touch-screen iPod to launch in August. Sources at "upstream suppliers" claim that WinTek -- a former iPod panel supplier back in the black-and-white iPod days -- won the order for the capacitive touch screen panels. With Jobs himself calling the iPhone the "best iPod yet," we certainly don't doubt that Apple's working on a touch-screen iPod (possibly with WiFi). Our only question is will it arrive before January's MacWorld or not.

[Thanks, Ben]

[jaapV @ Jul 11th 2007 8:34AM]

The best Apple news since months.
This can be a device I'd actually be interested in. Not like the over-hyped iPhone.

[JT @ Jul 11th 2007 9:21AM]

the best news??????? no new ipods! ipod video is good enough

[Grant @ Jul 11th 2007 9:21AM]

i completely agree,
i've been waiting for this for over a year now.

ever since the iPhone was announced i was waiting for an iPod with similar features.... and then we wound up with an iPod with a brighter screen, longer battery life, and games... quite the let down.

[JT @ Jul 11th 2007 9:43AM]

dIePOD

[TurkishLookaLike @ Jul 11th 2007 9:45AM]

pIePod

[Ireland @ Jul 11th 2007 10:21AM]

New iPods before Christmas? Do we really need to call this a rumor, even if it's technically untrue, it's obviously still gonna happen. If I had to take a guess though--seen as Digitimes is doing it--I'd say it'd more like be September or October for the new iPods.

[jonathan @ Jul 11th 2007 5:04PM]

yes, thank you!, i'm getting sick of my video, i got it in december of 2004 (that's when i came out right? or 2005, i forgot). i've been looking forward to this device, the only reason i'd consider the iphone was just for the ipod features but that would the most moronic waste of money.

i want full screen ipod, NOW

[Generox4trek @ Sep 7th 2007 11:03AM]

The new iPod nano has been released, im not sure if the new ipod classic has been released. the ipod classic is basically the ipod video with 120/160 gb's of memory. and the ipod touch will be released on 9-28-2007

[Deputy Doffoos @ Jul 11th 2007 8:34AM]

Lets hope for a price under $300 FTW!!!

[Nick @ Jul 11th 2007 11:56AM]

I would say expect near the same price scheme that presently exists. Apple has tended to just update the spechs and keep the price points relatively the same for the iPods.

[Sneakz @ Jul 11th 2007 8:35AM]

Trust me, the new iPod will be out this September. In the past years, all iPod revisions have been in September, not August. Lat year "5.5"G iPod with Video was just to stall as Apple hadn't had even time and resources dedicated to a 6G iPod.

[Sneakz @ Jul 11th 2007 8:38AM]

Wow, I clearly cannot type this early in the morning.

Trust me, the new iPod will be out this September. In the past years, all iPod revisions have been in September, not August. Last years "5.5"G iPod with Video was just to stall as Apple didn't have enough time and resources dedicated to a 6G iPod as the iPhone was in development stages.

[homer @ Jul 11th 2007 8:36AM]

i wont have wi-fi for sure, otherwise the iphone sell will drop!

[Sneakz @ Jul 11th 2007 8:44AM]

Take note of one thing though. A iPod with Wi-Fi will delay it's launch. As we all know. Apple would rather announce an iPod than have the FCC or Industry Canada expose it for them. If that's the case, the iPod could be announced maybe sometime in August and Jobs will probably hope to can get it approved for a October release so he can ca$h in on Christmas sales.

[jasondefaoite @ Jul 11th 2007 9:09AM]

Why? I don't recall the iMac, Mac mini etc being 'pre-announced' by FCC, and they contain wireless. This whole FCC thing delaying the iPhone is a myth. Yes, it has intentional radiators on board, but apple could have performed the submittal asking for a delay in grant of approval. FCC only publish this stuff online when you are certified. You don't need certification till you want to sell the device on the market, so you delay that portion of it. The iPhone wasn't released in Jan because it wasn't ready in Jan.

[Constable Odo @ Jul 11th 2007 11:45AM]

I have a feeling that WiFi won't be included. I'll bet Apple tears out all communication guts. I wish it would have WiFi for streaming movies over a home network, but I'll settle for an iPod MT without it. Just as long as the battery life is good and it can hold at least 80 GB of files. And if somehow Perian can be patched in to play DivX and XviD, I'd be extremely happy.

[Nick @ Jul 11th 2007 12:04PM]

i wont complain over no Wi-fi, communications functionality (phone,sms,safari), and youtube being ripped out.. but i would be mad if they decided to pull everything but ipod functionality (iCal,Notes,Contacts,Photos) because finally we would have an iPod that really makes those secondary iPod functions shine much more than they used to.

[Jugomugo @ Jul 11th 2007 8:49AM]

A simplistic touch screen iPod with the right price point would really kick up some major sales again. Heck, I'd probably consider getting one.



Of course, I'd still like a non-cellular based iPhone for use as a PDA.

[Zeus the God @ Jul 11th 2007 8:50AM]

Again and again and again! ALWAYS WITH THE APPLE STUFF!!! I now have "Apple" permanently seared into my corneas. Thanks Engadget...

[Rand @ Jul 11th 2007 8:51AM]

The iPod needs FCC certs whether it has WiFi or not. But you are quite correct September-October is the sweet spot to get product in stores for Christmas. If Apple doesn't release something, their Christmas quarter performance is going to be very bleak.

[Muu @ Jul 11th 2007 9:02AM]

Wouldn't a touch-screen ipod cause some major sales disruptions to the iphone? I can't really imagine that Apple would make the touchscreen more standard only months after the phone has released. Maybe a few months after the phone lands in Europe (lest they wear out its novelty before it even arrives).

[andres @ Jul 11th 2007 9:03AM]

i'll put my money on it that it won't have wifi.

[andrew harrison @ Jul 11th 2007 9:03AM]

i'd put money on a new iPod before christmas, but I don't know if they'd release it as early as August.

I'm in the market for one - I'll buy i the day it's relased, so the sooner the better, but I don't think it will be August.

[ForumMaster @ Jul 11th 2007 9:05AM]

if they do this right and make it have the shell of the iPhone, yet without the phone functions, this could be a hit. assuming they price this under $300, i'm in!

my mini is getting a bit long in the tooth...

[JT @ Jul 11th 2007 9:08AM]

I think these new ipods are fake and they will never bring out a new model! Why would anybody want an OS X ipod?

one word.............LAME

[TurkishLookaLike @ Jul 11th 2007 9:22AM]

Your so right, apple would never release a new iPod. Why would they want market domination? Why would want more revenue? Why would they want to improve there product? Why would they? Just Why?


@ JT - You comment is so stupid! Just one word for you LAME!

[JT @ Jul 11th 2007 9:29AM]

@- TurkishLookAlike

How can you call yourself a lookalike of a turk? the only way you will be called a turk is if you are wearing a fez and a fake moustache. Only then can you call yourself a turkish lookalike. Can you fit an ipod under your fez?

[TurkishLookaLike @ Jul 11th 2007 9:35AM]

Maybe I am wearing those items of clothing so I can call myself a Turkish Look-a-Like.

Also my Fez is iPod Compatible.

You know Apple Will be releasing a new version of the iPod very soon, you are just in denial about it. With your LAME 5.5G iPod, that will be out dated. Maybe one day you will be able to be to come to turns with your illness. Your Sick! You can't go around telling people the iPod wont ever be updated! You need help! Please seek medical attention!!

Let the 6G Roll! 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G 6G

[Ireland @ Jul 11th 2007 10:23AM]

"Why would anybody want an OS X ipod?"
Two reasons; iPhone + OS X

[jason @ Jul 11th 2007 9:13AM]

I better start saving up money for it but I expect it to come out in september and hopefully its around $300

[jiggy @ Jul 11th 2007 9:17AM]

Yeah they'll never bring out another ipod. Seriously, Apple don't want to make money.

[JT @ Jul 11th 2007 9:19AM]

SAY NOT TO IPODS

[TurkishLookaLike @ Jul 11th 2007 9:26AM]

Say Yes!!!

[Right Behind You @ Jul 11th 2007 9:30AM]

I think that a new ipod is a definate, technology is always adavancing and moving forward. Why stick with the old when you can have the fresh and new? JT's just scared of moving on, perhaps he had an insecure childhood.

[murph @ Jul 11th 2007 9:31AM]

A2DP or don't even bother releasing it...

[Homeboy @ Jul 11th 2007 9:34AM]

The iPhone has WiFi and bluetooth but you can't use them for syncing or file transferring. Therefore you can forget either technologies in the new iPod.

either way I'm looking forward to an all touch screen ipod, hopefully with a 32GB SSD drive. I'm ready to upgrade.

[Dan @ Jul 11th 2007 9:43AM]

I don't believe it will have wifi as well, but may come with an iPhone-like dock for syncing with your computer.

I do place my bets it will have Bluetooth for wireless headphones however.

[daedalus @ Jul 11th 2007 10:05AM]

anyone remember back in the day when the iPod had an 'iPhone like dock for syncing with your computer'?


WALL CHARGER REDUX FTW!!

[Eric Gruber @ Jul 11th 2007 10:18AM]

I've been a Mac guy for 15 years and I love my iPod, but I'm getting tired of waiting on Apple to produce one with the features we all now know can be done.

The iPhone, minus the phone and with more storage, would be perfect for me. But I'm only waiting until September. After that, I'm going with the Archos 605. It has Wi-Fi, DVR if you buy the dock, and a touchscreen interface.

[tiuk @ Jul 11th 2007 10:23AM]

Anyone know if the 5/5.5G iPod is the longest running model? Seems like it's been forever since it debuted.

Not that I really mind, my girlfriend got me one in January 2006 for my birthday, so I've had the latest for over a year ;)

[Andreas @ Jul 11th 2007 10:33AM]

To begin selling an iPod with wifi worldwide before the European launch of iPhone doesn't sound very likely. I'd like the next iPod to have wifi with airtunes and safari but I too think it's competing too much with the iPhone and AT&T's involvement.

Yeeyeeyee.. we'll see.
I guess a lot of people like myself are in a position where their old 10GB iPod is getting a little dated and the idea of a new iPod is getting more and more realistic. If is the iPhone without wifi and phone, but has all the rest. That's fine by me.

[KR @ Jul 11th 2007 10:33AM]

I wouldn't count on new iPods until after mid-September. They currently have the student "Buy a Mac, get a free Nano" deal going on, which ends Sept 16. It's usually after this that updated iPods hit. So I'd say anywhere from Sept 17 to the January keynote is fair game for iPod updates.

[Frank @ Jul 11th 2007 11:06AM]

By then the Mac mobile OS will be hacked for voip. no need for At&T!

[Jeff @ Jul 11th 2007 11:29AM]

OSX on an iPod makes zero sense. The reason it's on the iPhone is because the iPhone is not really a phone at all, it's a portable computer that also happens to make calls. Is that what people want from an iPod? There are different expectations there.

I don't want a massive piece of bloatware on my iPod slowing down my system and taking up 700MB worth of space that I could be using to store music or videos. The whole point of the iPod anyway is that it does one thing and does it very simply - it plays media. There's just absolutely no reason you need to run freakin' UNIX on an iPod.

There's no doubt Apple is working on new iPods. But I would be shocked if they include OSX. If they do, I will not be buying one - in fact I'll rush out to buy a 5.5G while they're still around. (I've got a 4G now, and have been waiting for the "big" upgrade; but if OSX is part of it, then I don't want it.)

[Constable Odo @ Jul 11th 2007 12:01PM]

OSX Lite for iPods? Who the heck knows. I think the ARM processor is capable of running OSX without slowdowns. The iPhone interface is pretty snappy. I'm willing to buy an iPod MT even if it does run the full version of OSX Leopard. Yes, it does seem like overkill, but if it's required for the Multi-touch GUI, then I want it. The top-of-the-line iPod will mostly likely have 120 GB, so I'm not going to quibble about 1 GB.
I do see your point, however.

[Rich @ Jul 11th 2007 11:32AM]

iPhone - GSM radio + 100GB HDD would be heaven for me.

I've already got a very capable phone (HSDPA, much better camera, MMS, proper Bluetooth support, proper 3rd party app support, etc.) and I refuse to downgrade to an iPhone.

All I want is an iPod with a big screen and a big HDD for video. Take my money, please Apple!

[Erik @ Jul 11th 2007 11:37AM]

If the new iPod is indeed announced and at the right price point...well, it may "convert" me.

(Sansa owner)

[perkypoi @ Jul 11th 2007 11:45AM]

I agree with JT. OS x ipods wont work! EVER

[TurkishLookaLike @ Jul 11th 2007 11:48AM]

u d0nt no nethin u t4rd

[JT @ Jul 11th 2007 11:57AM]

leet talk wot a nerdy turkey!