Next-gen iPod touch rumored to get camera, microphone, fairy dust coating
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Jul 21st 2009 2:41PM
posted Jul 21st 2009 2:41PM
According to a "well connected source" in the Wired camp, the iPod mills in China are hard at work as we speak, churning out next-gen iPod Touch models with integrated cameras and microphones. This certainly jibes well with the tips we've received regarding both this device and a cam-equipped nano -- although we're still skeptical about the rumored OLED iPods. The article goes on to suggest that once you add a mic to the mix, all you need is a MiFi and the Skype application for "the iPhone experience" on Verizon's (or Sprint's) network. Seems like an awful lot to go through just to avoid AT&T, but we suppose that it's good to have options.
ooooh Fairy Dust....I wont if its enough to make us fly with it...
I prefer pixie dust coverings myself...
For a glimpse into what is to come on the ipod touch and iphone look up books and there are three listed and you can download for free Third Party Candidate by John Dupuis which is going for 21.95 on Amazaon.
#1 reason I won't buy an iPod touch: mirror backing that scratches when you look at it. I wish it was finished like the iPhone.
I buy my tech for...well...the tech but you aren't wrong. I had mine 5 mins and the back looked like it had just been horse whipped. I just wouldn't NOT have bought it if I knew beforehand. The missing camera, mic and BT AD2P support did give me pause especially since the Touch reports itself as a camera to the PC when I plug it in.
Whoa your eyes can scratch metal? Must be some powerful lazahs.
Hurry up. I don´t care. My Touch diamond is not satisfying me enough. I want this on the side..
Put a skin on it and that problem goes away. Griffin makes a nice skin and even includes a couple of screen protectors in the deal.
Mine, with a skin on, got instead of scratches some spots that don't go away. I took it off since I'd rather have scratches and makes it look used, then spots as if it's been... I don't know what. The skin doesn't solve the problem.
@chad
A2DP is supported in the new iPhone 3.0 software ($9.99 for iPod touch users, ugh). I can finally listen without the worry of pulling the wires while at the gym.
Am I the only one who doesn't care if my portable electronics get scuff/scratched? Obviously, I don't like screen scratches, because they interfere with operation, but otherwise, I kind of like it when my devices look "worn in."
Also brings new meaning to the term 'guilty pleasure'.
Is the fairy Steve Jobs?
Only if by fairy dust they mean Steve Jobs' dead skin skills all over every new ipod.
Gross...
Gross? You talking about Paul's breakfast, try to be nice.
If they decide to do anything with the screen, please make the resolution bigger.. Maybe then I'll think about buying one.
Agreed for it's size the resolution could be bumped up, and if they go in the OLED direction it could be very possible (just pricey).
Widescreen ipod touch wouldn't be too bad.
Doubtful. It wouldn't make sense for them to put a significantly better feature(like a higher res/OLED screen) in the iPod Touch when they just released the iPhone 3GS.
I would like a 16:9 screen, 640x360 at least.
I doubt it would happen though.
I think they want to make the iPhone and the iPod Touch as similar as possible so that OLED screen doesn't seem like it will release anytime soon...
Not going to happen. All the applications are designed for that specific resolution. The best you can hope for is an OLED screen with the same resolution. But as pointed out, they aren't going to put that on an iPod touch when their flagship iPhone doesn't sport it.
I agree with Mark on this. iPhone is Apple's flagship money maker. Any new significant feature will debut on the it first. It makes sense that a mic and camera would be the next new features added to the ipod touch. Voice recording, skype, pictures and video.
Damn if you live in a city/town with public wifi you wouldn't need a monthly bill.
another gen already? I just sold my first gen for a second gen..
hard to keep up with the times ._.
Theres a new iPod touch every September, usually.
Well they've only released 2 iPod touches in the last 2 years. Everyone assumes it will happen again, but to say, "they release an iPod touch every September" based on it happening one time is a tiny bit flawed.
This regular updates to the iPod line irritates me the most, it's annoying to know your brand new iPod is gonna be outdated in a couple months. (same thing does not apply to other manufacturers. At least you never know when the newer model comes out! That's such a relief...)
No GPS? Bummer
It would be stupid putting GPS on a WiFi only device. Imagine trying to get a signal when driving...
It's a media player. lol.
why? all you need is an embedded gps chipset with maps preloaded? not so complicated.
It's amazing how GPS has started getting bundled with always on data connection in our thoughts.
Guys, remember, in the times before we had google maps on the phones, we used to have (still do, but they're a dying breed now) GPS applications which we could install on the phones along with the entire map database for a few continents. They did not need any always-on data connection, just a clear view of the skies.
With TOMTOM iPhone app on the way, addition of a GPS chipset on the iPod touch would be perfect and pretty much obviate the necessity of having a separate PND.
And some people, me included, don't want to be on the AT&T network for various reasons.
Why would it be stupid? The GPS in my car doesn't have cellular capabilities. It also has media player capabilities. :)
@Templarian,
It's much much more than just a media player now. "There's an app for everything...", remember?
why don't they properly embed a GPS chip with its own memory? with the price of Garmins these days, surely the hardware isn't very expensive.
all this A-GPS shit is worthless.
Or it could just have an embedded gps.. Isnt there an "app for that"... navigation software coming to app store soon?
@Maddy, nope doesn't ring a bell.
Switched to a smartphone, my ipod touch was nice for a while, but all the itunes garbage and updates got annoying after a while. They need to badly switch to wifi updates.
Smart phones with OTA updates make life far easier, they could learn something. But then again their own phone is tethered to another device to work.
I think a camera would be stupid and unnecessary. Most people carry phones so it would just be a waste. Besides, I bet they simply added a camera because they couldn't think of another way to improve the iPod Touch.
Where's Paul A. Chapel?
He started talking to himself last time I saw his posts. Maybe he's with Mischa Barton?
Agreed. I think a camera on a pmp is a little unnecessary.
@Mark:
Oh. I'm actually surprised he's not here defending the iPod Touch and then criticizing Microsoft. Guess our favorite troll is no more :(
I always figured that they would just make the iPhone and iPod share the same hardware, perhaps sans the cellular chips to cut down on manufacturing costs.
For the love of Jeehova, do not purposely try to attract this clown!
Except there are many people (myself included) who really would like a WiFi only iPhone. I like the device enough, but I really don't need a cell phone. I'm either somewhere with WiFi, or I'm somewhere I'd really rather not receive any calls (cruising down the freeway at 70MPH included - God kills a kitten and a puppy every time somebody chats on the phone while driving).
Actually, I'd really prefer an Android device. I've got a Google Voice account which would tie into that rather nicely, giving me feature parity (and then some) with the iPhone without the tethering to AT&T.
Well I actually have a camera-less phone, but I know I'm in the extreme minority. If this is true I won't need upgrade my phone.
The Touch isn't just a PMP. It has WiFi and access to the entire app store, including apps that use the camera. Not to mention email for sending pics to people. Also, you wouldn't really need to carry a p&s camera with you if your iPod had a camera, even if you didn't have a phone. There are a lot of potential uses for a camera in the Touch.
Isn't it nice without him? I haven't seem him in a long time and this site is becomming enjoyable again.
It's like some of you actually enjoy having a troll around.
I've been waiting for it to have a Camera and Microphone. I was contemplating buying an iPhone off ebay and just not get it activated just so I wouldn't have to have a silly microphone dongle. And if it did video, then look out! I'd so get the new iPod and a MiFi!
@Zak:
Do you even own an iPod Touch? It's really nothing more than a glorified PMP. Its main leg up on other PMPs is wifi, but that's only advantageous if don't have a data plan for your cellphone or a laptop nearby. I have many apps (both from the App Store and unapproved third party apps), and their novelty wares off rather quickly.
And the camera would in no way replace a decent point-and-shoot. My PowerShot takes pictures that make the iPhone camera look like a toy. It's good for impromptu frivolous shots, but if you actually care at all about image quality the camera doesn't cut it.
I like my iPod Touch, I really do, but I rarely use it for anything other than music. Let's not overstate its qualities.
yea i agree with u and other ppl..... camera is usesless on a PMP, and i dont think its gonna be much of a
"bargain" ;P