Next-gen iPod touch rumors heat up: front-facing camera, September release?
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 8th 2010 1:51PM
posted July 8th 2010 1:51PM
It's a bit early to confirm anything just yet, but it's starting to look like Apple might be working on a new iPod touch. The latest of evidence backing up that shocking fact are two separate rumors that cover some familiarly territory, but with a bit more weight than before. The more convincing of those are some purportedly authentic iPod touch parts that have turned up on a number of Chinese websites, which clearly show a hole on the front of the device that's presumably for a front-facing camera. That's backed up by some fresh comments from an exec at UK retailer John Lewis, who said that a major iPod touch refresh is coming in September, and that it will match many of the iPhone 4's features, including a 5-megapixel camera with HD video recording, a gyroscope and, yes, FaceTime support.
booooooooring
@sedo Agreed. Doesn't seem to excite.
@sedo
Actually I like this. It's good because it's a clear step ahead for a standalone PMP.
@sedo
No surprise. Renamed to iPad Nano perhaps?
@sedo Not boring if you pair the iPod touch with an android phone that can do hotspots. I have an iPhone 3G that I'm dumping for the Droid X, and at least I can still use my apps via an ipod touch.
@sedo
Actully i like this update. Now many more people can Facetime instead of only people that have iPhones. I can see this selling really well with people that travel a lot or well grandparents haha.
@sedo
"backing up that shocking fact are two separate rumors "
Ha! Backing up facts with rumors huh?
@sedo crap. I JUST replaced my old iPod.
@ddicted No, renamed iPhone 4's.
@sedo
Time to upgrade my first-gen iPod touch. If this has the same screen as the iPhone4, I will be buying one. Pretty sure this one won't have any antenna issues...
@sedo
at least Apple doesnt have to worry about the antenna on the ipod.
@Center Even better than that. With cool Sidiya proggy called iBluever you can tether it to pretty much any phone with data over Bluetooth! I have my iPad tethered to my Blackberry so I was able to ditch AT&T Data plan completely :)
I take iPod Touches apart all the time (for work at repair shop), and I'm 100% sure that the VGA camera on the iPhone 4 can fit in this new iPod Touch, even it the insides were built the same way as the newer iPod Touches. There's a space large enough in the middle.
@sedo
No contract to sign
No need for bumper
Hold any way I want
No monthly fees
Same features
SOLD!
@peacecrafts
You forgot NO phone.
@okok only Apple Fanboys bought i, because everything Apple does is news on Engadget. When Steve Jobs farts, there's an Engadget article on how Apple is changing the world with a new methane fuel source.
@Center Yeah same thing here, dumping my 3GS for another phone and will consider an iPod touch 4gen if it gets all iPhone 4 features (including facetime on wifi) minus phone function. I would have liked a bigger screen but the ipad lacks too many features for the price.
@Bud92
Oh no we just gave parents something else to do!
If this is a concern any parent has with their child all they have to do is not buy the device. There are still plenty of iPod's out there that don't have this camera. Get one of those.
@Center
Indeed, I always smile when people talk about dumping their iphone for an android or the other way around, cause you can have the best of both worlds, an Android phone (mine: HTC Desire) and iPod touch (mine: 2g). this IS what i've been WAITING for.....and if turns out to be true then i'll be a happier person.
@joe23521
I doubt they've removed wifi.
@joe23521 I am most definitely upgrading my 3rd gen, but no question get this if you have 1st gen, even if it doesn't have the retina display (I will be pissed and confused if it doesn't) but September release? Duh it's the same every year, front facing and back camera? Kinda obvious, but not clear if it even will happen, iPod touch refresh is supposedly coming? DUHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! but if this rumor is true, it is exactly what I had hoped, dual cameras that match iPhone 4, a similar new design, retina display? A4 1ghz or higher hopefully, maybe 64 gb entry level?
@abjc89 You should know they always refresh the iPod line in the fall...after they do the giveaways with the back to school deal...so yeah...after school starts.. :P
@sedo
Obvious, Even More Obvious!
How is this even an article. LOL
@Center That's what I was thinking if this has the "Retina Display" (I know what a joke, all it is is a higher res screen, but oh well) then I will more than likely jump all over this. Ever since I have gotten my Nexus One I have had quite a few apps just sitting in my iTunes. I won't ever leave Android, but I would like to have a great PMP with a high res screen and the App Store's great games.
@sedo
I bloody ain't boring for all the 1st Gen iPod Touch users out there who got nothing when iOS 4 was released. Gimmie iPod Touch 4!! :P
@sedo Your an idiot, this will be the first major refresh for the iPod touch, others only added barely new form factor, then a faster processor + more memory, also Bluetooth, but this will be a conpletly new form, camera finally, drastically improved screen, and some other major new features that aren't just software enhancements , but they will have those too
@sedo if that's boring, idk whats exciting.
@who said what Better than the other way around, don't you think?
@joe23521 I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only one still using a 1st gen
And it makes calls as well as an iPhone 4!
@MarkAnderson
I liked that, I think it's lame that they're putting all those features on, it's going to cannibalize the phone sales
@MarkAnderson
iPodTouchPhone 4?
@VanNorden
Seriously? Could you be any more of a butt-hurt iPhone fanboi? A CONSUMER worrying about a company canabalizing their own sales by improving their existing product line?!?!?! :-\
"What a stupid move! Them giving the iPod touch more features! Now people in Starbucks won't be able to differentiate me from the people who DON'T pay $100/month".
A LOT of people are looking forward to this update. I actually like the name iPad Nano. Makes a lot more sense than keeping the iPod moniker.
@crawdad689 calm down big boy. He was simply stating the facts. It will in fact cut directly into iPhone 4 sales. Coupled with the new iOS4, probably the A4 processor, facetime (hopefuly) the same form factor as the iPhone 4 (or even the ipad) and possibly 128 gb of memory, the iPod touch would effectively cut the need for an iPhone, at least for most people. It would also cut into the iPad's sales, meaning an iPad revamp (or iOS4.x with more bang for your buck features) will be in order to prevent it from becoming obsolete. I, as a consumer, am really excited about the possibility of having a pocket-sized e-reader that can multitask pandora and several other tasks.
In other news, Apple will shoot themselves in the foot if they release this before they fix the reception problem on the iPhone 4. People will freak out.
@TamagotchiSan Ever heard of Android? No? Didn't think so.
@crawdad689
I'm with this guy. I mean, where have the rest of you been? Since it's launch, the iPod Touch received the *majority* of the same features that whatever the current-gen iPhone of the time had - Nothing new there! The latest iPod Touch is simply following along with the same formula.
Stop hating... Just stop it.
@HankG I was referring to an apple product that did all that. I have loved my ipod's until the day their batteries died. I don't want an iPhone 4, I have a palm pre plus and I am more than happy with my unlimited wi-fi tethering with mytether.
I am not an apple fanboy, simply a consumer who is always looking for a great deal and a feature filled device that replaces a few of mine. Isn't that what this site is meant for, educating consumers on the latest technology? I wasn't aware that pointing out the painfully obvious was being a fanboy....
Lastly, yes, I do know what android is. Do you know what be mature is? No? Didn't think so...
@TamagotchiSan Very clever response.
@crawdad689
"Now people in Starbucks won't be able to differentiate me from the people who DON'T pay $100/month".
What is Apple without a little smug??
I will be shocked if the next iPod touch doesn't support FaceTime. Seems pretty logical that apple has built FaceTime around the idea that it will run on a multitude of devices that may or may not be a cellphone. I wouldn't be surprised it it makes the cut on the next Apple TV revision, as well as integration with iChat (duh)
@HAL2000
Especially since it only works on WiFi and with other iPhone 4's, for the time being.
First time iPod ever, EVER, got a camera, and it might get two. The hell?
@tai376 I belive the nano got a camera during the last refresh
@tai376
You're forgetting the iPod Nano. It's okay, that was very forgettable.
@tai376
5th gen ipod nano...
@tai376
Nano has a video-only camera.
Been a long time coming.
It won't play music unless you hold it the right way.
I love you.
@Blaque14K
I will play music - just the volume drops if held naturally.