iPod touch 4th Generation: My Predictions
Last year, many of us were disappointed after the announcement of the iPod Touch at the 9/9/09 iPod event. I don't want to get my hopes up like I did last time, but personally, I was extremely disappointed after the announcement of the "3rd generation" iPod Touch- They barely updated them. This year, Apple will hopefully revamp their Touch line and roll out these awesome (might I add, OVERDUE) features that we have all been waiting for. Please keep in mind that these are my thoughts and predictions and if you don't agree with me, let me know down below in the comments what you thought and what you think Apple will be adding that I didn't put on my list.
Design: Lets start out with a brand new design, finally! I believe that there will be a new design all around. Macrumors.com reported that Apple has "LiquidMetal" in stock and they have been using it in their manufacturing process. This type of metal was used in the iPhone 3G as the SIM card insert/removal tool. It is an advanced metal alloy that has a superior strength to weight ratio and is also very elastic. I believe Apple will be using this metal in their new iPod Touch. Next in the design category is the display. They will keep the 3.5" size, but say hello to the Retina display on the iPod Touch! The Retina display is used the iPhone 4 and is clocked in at 960-by-640 pixels. Apple calls it a Retina display because it displays 326 pixels per inch, which is more than the human eye can see. I think that the new iPod Touch will most definitely get the screen update which would be awesome for just about everything you do on it. Finally, I think Apple will use the same glass technology for the front of the iPod Touch that the iPhone 4 has. Apple claims the same glass is used in airplanes, so it would be great to see this kind of durable glass in the Touch.
Tech specs: When it comes down to the tech specs, Apple doesn't exactly tell us what were getting when it comes to the RAM and processor in the current iPod Touch. Well, I think Apples very own A4 chip will make its way into the iPod Touch. We first saw it in the iPad, then the iPhone 4, and now its time for the iPod Touch to shine. Macrumors.com claim that the A4 chip in the iPhone 4 is clocked in at 1 Ghz, although Apple never confirmed this. Hopefully, if the iPod Touch gets the A4 chip, we will see much improved performance, especially if it has a 1 Ghz chip. I also think the Touch will get 512 Mb of RAM. Apple also doesn't tell us how much RAM were getting BUT the iPhone 4 does have 512 Mb. The iPad has 256 Mb, so it could be either/or. The next internal upgrade is the gyroscope and an improved accelerometer. The gyroscope was introduced in the iPhone 4 and of course since the iPod Touch is marketed as a gaming device, it will 100% get the gyroscope, no if ands or buts.
Lights, camera, action: Of course, we all expected the camera in last years iPod Touch. We did not get that. This year, here is what we will hopefully get- A 5 megapixel camera. A front-facing camera. LED flash. HD video recording. Camera effects (as seen on the iPod nano, kind of like the photobooth and iChat effects). Naturally, I think we will get all of these features. Macrumors.com reported that the iPhones 5 megapixel camera would not fit in the current iPod Touch. Most people would think because of that we wont get 5 megapixels or video recording in the Touch. I think that further proves the redesign theory, and I would love to see it. As for the front-facing camera, many people are skeptical about this. I believe that Facetime will be initiated using screen names. Maybe Apple will update the iOS and add iChat for iPhone and iPod Touch, giving us the ability to video chat others who have iChat, or maybe even anyone with a webcam using skype or something else. The 5 megapixel camera and 720P video recording would just be amazing. Last year, Steve Jobs compared the iPod Nano video camera to the Flip and other pocket video recorders. Well, imagine him showing off this iPod Touch with 720P and 'Tap-to-focus' against the Flip. People wouldn't feel the need to carry digital cameras around with them anymore, all you need is your iPod. Also, iMovie for iPod Touch to edit the videos you took.
Speaker/microphone: An improved speaker, how great would that be! The quality of the speaker on the iPod Touch is not great. Yes, it comes in handy but it has potential to be way better. I also think there will be a built in microphone for all those video chats your going to have with your front facing camera. It also has to have a built in microphone if your going to be recording videos.
Pricing: I think they will upgrade the capacity of the new iPod Touch. 8 Gb unfortunately just doesn't cut it anymore for all the things your going to be doing with this. 16 Gb will make its comeback for $199, following 32 Gb for $299 and 64 Gb $399. One thing that I think Apple will do is continue to sell the old 8 Gb iPod Touch for $99 and many people would get it. It would be great if someone doesn't care for the update and just gets the old one. Apple does this with the iPhone 3GS so maybe we will see this with the Touch.
One more thing? Ah yes, there is always the long awaited "one more thing" at Apples keynotes. This is something I haven't heard anyone say so Im going out on a limb here. The 'one more thing' this year will be the announcement of iPod Touch on AT&T 3G network. Although I don't have any facts what so ever to back this up, I could only imagine how many people would go for this. It would just be epic. I personally would not get a 3G capable iPod Touch- but millions of people would. The price points for Wi-fi and 3G I think would be pretty good, if I was Apple, this is what I would charge for a 3G capable iPod Touch- 16 Gb for $299, 32 Gb for$399, 64 Gb for $499. I think the data rates would be the same for whatever they are charging for the iPad and iPhone.
The bottom line: I could almost guarantee 50% of what I predicted for the iPod Touch. Then again, you just never know. I hope my predictions list is respectable and possible for Apple to do. I have a first generation 8 Gb iPod Touch that I got a couple of months after it came out back in 2007 for my birthday. Its starting to get really slow, battery life is terrible and I cannot upgrade to 4.0. With that being said, if the iPod Touch gets most of these new features, I would update without the blink of an eye. So this is my list and I want to thank you for taking the time to read it. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts and opinions.
Sally Aug 25, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Reader Comments (3)
Ok, I read your post through and through and now I will give my opinion on every single guess that you made.
1- New Design
- Unfortunately as much as I would love to see a makeover, it won't happen. There have been many reports on new screens coming in for the iPods. SCREENS! There will be no backing, nor will it be similar to the iPhone 4. The only reason the iPhone 4 has the new design was because Steve was not there at the beginning of development. I see the same backing for this generation, then Liquid Metal thrown in later.
2- Cameras
- Ok, we've all seen the pictures, there is no question that FaceTime is going on the Touch. However as much as I hate to say this, even as a touch owner, there will be NO camera on the back. It is not what they want/need to put on the iPod. With the iPhone you have a 3G connection wherever you go, letting you share pix. Now let me take that back a little bit though, there could be a camera just like the iPod Nano's camera on the back. That is what I can see, then again that would just make developers get into the code and make an app to make stills. So three options-no camera-kick ass camera-cheap camera with hacking.
I will skip three because both will definitely happen.
Pricing, just the same. I agree they can't raise it up.
3G, excuse my language but this is the only way I can explain it, HELL NO. It just won't happen. This would bring the iPod dangerously close to the iPhone.
That's it man, I think you were right on a lot of things.
WAIT!!!--Retina display was not mentioned because I have no idea, if it does have one, I will get the iPod. If not, 3G iPad will be mine.
AppleTech22, I agree with you in a few respects. Design yeah, and NO WAY are Apple going to canabalize the iPhone by adding 3G. You could just buy an iPod, download Skype and you have an iPhone effectively.
But I do think there is a chance of a back camera on the iPod touch. "It is not what they want/need to put on the iPod." What about the Nano?
I agree with Connor. The design will shift towards that of the iPhone 4, but features wise, I think it will remain the same. However, Apple may upgrade the processor. The Retina display will be an upgrade for sure... Apple also may be bringing this technology to their computer monitors in the future.
As far as a camera goes, there will probably be one present. The Nano and iPhone have one, why not the Touch? With "portable" cameras that shoot 720p becoming more popular, Apple has nothing to lose by adding this feature.