New iPod Touch?

Is there any on the new ipod touch?
What is going to be different?

 

Just cosmetic updates and native firmware 2.1. Roumered to come out September sixth along with the new nano and itunes subscriptions for the US of A.

 

but we can get 2.1 on existing ipod touches right?
any idea on the cosmetic changes?

 

2.1 will almost certainly be available on current ipod touches. However, as with previous updates you are almost certain to have to pay for it. This increases the total cost of ownership of the Touch and personally I think its complete BS that Apple charge for features on the touch updates when by and large other manufacturers do not. The previous firmware has brought with it revenue generating features (amongst others), 2.1 looks to continue that. Charging customers to make money so you can charge them to make money. It sounds like a banking strategy. Jailbreak time.

As for the cosmetic differences the few 3rd party case shots that propose to be for the touch revision don't seem to give much different away. Maybe its because there just isn't that much to give away.

If anyone hasn't bought a touch yet but want to hold on and pick up a great deal 2nd week in september.

 

I'd say GPS is a fairly solid bet.

 

No one and I mean No one other then a select few at apple knows, anything anyone tells you is just speculation.

I really really don't think it will be getting a GPS, that will just add to the price.

 

But if Apple is already requiring folks to pay for apps and the updated firmware, what's a bit more for GPS? Especially if the price drops a bit to be more in line with the iPhone as has been suggested.

 

The price of the iphone is ALOT more then the touch, that's why you have to do a 2-3 year contract to bring down the price. Getting a GPS will make it cost more, Id rather see a cheaper 32gb (around $200) then worry about having a GPS in my mp3 player. I think a camera would be a better choice. Apple is NOT requiring people to pay for apps, it's the people that make the apps. I also believe that if you buy a new ipod touch it will come with the latest firmware.

 

But they do operate a policy of requiring Touch owners to pay for the updated firmware to access those apps from which Apple gain revenue share. Without the update/payment that user is precluded from accessing those features/apps/services. Totally understandable from a technical perspective, IMHO not so if you have to pay to pay to play. Just my opinion.

I think GPS would be a great addition but I can't see it being a feature of the new Touch. It offers nothing to Apple or its partners (like iPhone's carriers) in term of potential revenue generation. It may dilute the focus of the Touch as a mediaplayer in Apple's eyes and defer sales away from $2000 per contract term iPhones. The new rule with Apple is simple and just like any other company: if it doesn't offer potential revenue to them or their partners it won't be offered to consumers. Anyone who has taken a look at the Appstore SDK will see how Apple restrict apps that improve the mp3 playing etc abilities of the Touch/iPhone because it is counter their long-term incremental improvement strategy. They run to a strategy just like any intelligent corporate. The only real exception I can see offhand IMHO is were defense of market share is a priority. Apple really have no problems there as they are at virtual saturation point versus most of their competitors. The next goal will be for them to get people to dump their Classics/5.5G iPods and get the next model of the Touch.

Thats why I reckon we're gonna see
1) Minor cosmetics changes
2) Lower prices to compete with ankle-biter touchscreen mp3 players,
3) A 48gb or 64gb model to get people to dump their Classics
4) Hopefully include bluetooth with AD2P enabled with new Apple BT earphones (long-shot).

But I think the main focus will be on added paid-for services like rentals, itunes subscriptions via firmware updates etc. Like it or not Apple are fast becoming a primarily service based company in terms of the consumer market.

 

The overall rumours are minor cosmetic changes, probably similar to the new iPhone, and there's been some rumours of GPS. Otherwise, the same screen size, maybe more storage space for same price, but yeah. No major redesign expected, especially since the iPhone "leads" the direction of Apple now and the iPhone 3G wasn't radically changed (how much larger can you get from 3.5-inches and still be portable anyway ).

 

I did generalize, Apple does not require payment for the apps, it is the original makers (Apple just gets a share of the revenue as Jurisprudence noted).

As far as the comment about the iPod Touch price being in line with the iPhone, I should have been clearer. I meant the price structure would be more like that of the iPhone in that there might be a price drop so the 8GB would be $199 and the 16GB $299. One can hope can't they? :yes:

 

ahh I see, I think they should maybe change the price difference between them like like $100 for extra 8gb? seems a little much, I know it's apple, but they should be more competitive in this market, since there are other options.

 

I do expect a price drop or "more for same price" for the iPod Touches, either a price drop for the 8 GB model or dropping the 8 GB model altogether and offering 16 GB at that price point.

 

Sam - What about the addition of a 64GB iPod Touch? Maybe 16 @ $299, 32 $399, 64 @ $499?

 

Wow, I don't expect 64 GB yet, that would be really expensive, I'd think. I don't think they can have the $499 price point for 64 GB, but that would be awesome! I think if they can get 64 GB, then they can start finally retiring the iPod Classic (and maybe just leaving the maximum GB model around).

 

I'd like a camera. And one that can take video; you know it is 2008, Apple.

 

I really don't understand why they don't make the iphone able to take video.

But yeah that would be nice for a touch.

 

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10028216-64.html

 

4 TB SSD?! That'd be like $10'000!

 

haha. Probably a lot more than that. I just posted that because I think in the next 24 months HDD's are going to go out the window and SSD will take over fairly quickly.

 

Yes, I agree! Once the price comes down and they iron out any of the "1-year lifespan" rumour/issues, then SSD will completely take over. And its a good thing too, less moving parts means more reliability!

 

Maybe for notebooks, but desktops I don't think so, people have TB's in there desktops. But In 8 years hard drives have come along way (from the 8gb one in my old HP) So yeah probably in 2 years it will be a standard in note books, that's if they can fix the short life span.