Possible third generation Apple iPod touch photos surface

[AppleInsider]

An extensive series of photos accompanied by a video claim to show the new upcoming iPod touch, complete with camera, expected to be announced at Apple's anticipated media event this September.

The new evidence, from the blog of The Covino & Rich Show, surfaced this week. While the initial low-quality pictures were met with skepticism, much of that appears to have died after numerous updates with better resolution photos and even a video of the purported device.

The report states that the person who sent the pictures claims to work for Apple, and the device was used for a "durability test," which is why it shows signs of damage. The device has a 2009 date on it, and the pictures include side-by-side comparisons with the 2008 model.

The submitter claims that the phone came from someone who deals phone and iPod parts. He said he believes Apple threw away the device and the dealer somehow obtained it and sold it for parts.

The pictures seem to support the design widely reported to be the new iPod touch, well before the latest pictures surfaced. Numerous third-party case photos have shown that the new update to the device will have a camera centered on its back, unlike the iPhone.

Further supporting the legitimacy of the new photos, some shots include a teardown of the device, showing its inner workings.

"For any blogs asking... this is not a stunt, at least not on our end," the site states. "As far as we know, these photos are 100 percent legit."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Bageljoey]

Apple threw it away? Who knew corporate espionage was so easy!

[ThisIsMike]

I will never understand, in a million years, why this is a big deal. lol, seriously! It's the same form factor, for the same device! Everyone already knew about the camera, so who cares?!

"Oh my god, it's a photo of the new iPod Touch, and it look like, well, it looks like.... the old iPod Touch! With a camera! OOOoooOOOoOOoh!"

Seriously, leak me some photos of the tablet, then we'll talk. Geez.

[MacTripper]

Originally Posted by Bageljoey

Apple threw it away? Who knew corporate espionage was so easy!

Yea, I doubt it's real. Apple most likely destroys any prototype device themselves.

It looks like a PSP altered to be whatever they claim it is.

Not to hard to drill a hole in the back of a used case and stick a camera in there.

Silverback? That's so out of style now. Looks like it's been tumbled in a clothes dryer.

meh...

[Marktrek]

So from now on Apple will not simply throw something away. They will have it shredded, mashed, crushed, destroyed and recycled. All because Steve Jobs could not possibly allow these kind of photos.

[TheToe]

Originally Posted by MacTripper

Yea, I doubt it's real. Apple most likely destroys any prototype device themselves.

Not even "most likely." More like "absolutely." Either destroys or securely guards until release.

Apple is completely totalitarian in protecting their prototypes. Employees get both fired and sued for the slightest leak of an unannounced product.

It would be downright astounding if Apple simply tossed aside a major prototype like a next-gen Touch.

[alectheking]

Anyone ever thought that maybe they said just tossed it away to protect themselves from the real way they acquired it? I am willing to bet it is a real type proto but I also highly doubt it was thrown away.

[Drow_Swordsman]

I don't see why these pictures are a big deal either. This is no surprise to anyone, I don't think.

Seeing these pictures makes me realize how tired I am of the mirrored finish back of the iPods. They only exist to get scratched up, or for people to buy cases for them. I can't believe Apple's kept using them this long.

[Trajectory]

y a w n

[trevc]

I thought at the very least Apple would use one of those blenders from http://www.willitblend.com/

A new camera isn't that exciting ... is it moving to OLED like the Zune, etc., etc.?


As much as I like to hear about new devices, it's that darn tablet I can't wait to see if it's real or not!

[jetset]

i'm hoping for a newer sexy design. eff a camera I have a Canon DSLR. Give me 64GB and 802.11N.

[wobegon]

Originally Posted by trevc

A new camera isn't that exciting ... is it moving to OLED like the Zune, etc., etc.?

I—and I would guess most people—find a camera (which will likely be video capable, which all but guarantees a built-in mic) more exciting (and useful) than an OLED display, let alone an "etc., etc."

[wizard69]

Really nothing more than a camera is not going to do it for this device. Frankly the GPS Nd compass duo would attrack more users. As would some other improvements I can think of.

One example, already mentioned, would be faster WiFi instead of the current throttled implementation. 128GB of flash would be nice too. I'm just concerned that this is to much of a simple rev and not enough of moving forward.


Dave

[wizard69]

I'm really hoping for a major overhaul of the iPod line up. If this becomes the low end Touch and Apple delivers a ightly larger Touch based device I won't care one bit. I'm still advocating for a Newton 2 sized device. That is a wide screen device under seven inches diagonal.

This is very much an iPod device of the Touch mold but offering up a bigger screen. It needs to be carefully sized to allow easy carry on ones person. We aren't talking tablet here at all, rather something smaller and easier to handle.



Dave

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by TheToe

Not even "most likely." More like "absolutely." Either destroys or securely guards until release.

Apple is completely totalitarian in protecting their prototypes. Employees get both fired and sued for the slightest leak of an unannounced product.

It would be downright astounding if Apple simply tossed aside a major prototype like a next-gen Touch.

Well, Apple wouldn't of course just toss a prototype away, and they are the least likely of companies to make a mistake like that also.

This could easily be real though. All it would take is for one of the trusted holders of a prototype to simply claim they dropped it in a lake or whatever and Apple would have to believe them (at least until it turns up on a video on the net).

It should be fairly easy to identify who it was that has this device from the copious amount of info the videos show, so if it is real, it will be childs-play to find out which of their (formerly) trusted testers gave it up.

That's what's so dumb about the people that leak actual videos of products like this. Either they are making things up wholesale, in which case they are pretty much the lamest of the lame, or they are actually leaking something, in which case they are the typical American "moran" and equally lame.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by wizard69

Really nothing more than a camera is not going to do it for this device. Frankly the GPS Nd compass duo would attrack more users. As would some other improvements I can think of....

I'm not sure this is the real thing or just a hoax, but the camera in these pictures and videos looks to have a bigger lens than the one on my 3G. Maybe the 3Gs is the same as this one, but it's possible that the iPod will get a better camera than the other devices.

Also, I would expect the compass to be included in this upgrade given that it would be more trouble to leave it out at this point.

[FuturePastNow]

I have no problem believing a prototype could get out. Apple employees take them home all the time.

That doesn't mean this is real, or if it is real, that the story told is true. Apple wouldn't throw a proto in the trash- if one got out, it was stolen from someone.

[Stormchild]

Fake.

[SpamSandwich]

I don't think so.

[MacTel]

Apple has been sloppy in the last few years. Their special events no longer surprise. Maybe that's a tactic on their part to distract from their real secrets, but who knows. My hopes are that that's true and they release an iPod Nano Touch (esquire) with camera that no know expected (except the camera bit).

When Steve retires let's hope he writes about the secrets at Apple that only he knows. That's a book I'd buy in a hurry.

[Gyokuro]

The camera drill down near the WIFI window is a little too rough for me. I call fake.

As for the Tablet...the Boy Genius Report has an interesting photo. Whatever. It keeps people talking, but let's wait and see. The gap between the glass and the bezel is too wide for me to think it's real.

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by TheToe

Not even "most likely." More like "absolutely." Either destroys or securely guards until release.

Apple is completely totalitarian in protecting their prototypes. Employees get both fired and sued for the slightest leak of an unannounced product.

you forgot about the part where they are tortured and then tossed off a building (and yes that is one version of the China sitch)

also, all this talk about cases. last year there were like 20 different companies with case photos before the 3g phone came out. I think I've seen 1,maybe 2 of these ipod touch with camera cases. anyone seen more

[user_23]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

I'm not sure this is the real thing or just a hoax, but the camera in these pictures and videos looks to have a bigger lens than the one on my 3G. Maybe the 3Gs is the same as this one, but it's possible that the iPod will get a better camera than the other devices.

Also, I would expect the compass to be included in this upgrade given that it would be more trouble to leave it out at this point.

there was a report some time back about Apple purchasing 3 & 5 megapixel cameras. Though, what that might have to do with camera size is a mystery to me.

[irnchriz]

awesome.

An iPod Touch which looks like it has been cleaned with steel wool yet the camera and lens is unscratched.

Looks like some one had way too much time on their hands and thought that they would make up a dummy iPod touch third gen based on the leaked 3rd party case images.

Of course, to make this believable why not say that this device is actually a test unit which has been destroyed then you have an excuse for not showing the camera feature actually working.

[trevc]

Originally Posted by wobegon

I—and I would guess most people—find a camera (which will likely be video capable, which all but guarantees a built-in mic) more exciting (and useful) than an OLED display, let alone an "etc., etc."

The camera although exciting to some people like yourself, it is an expected overdue evolutionary step (along with a mic) and when you see competitors like the Zune HD coming out, it's those etc, etc, (speed? compass? bluetooth?, OLED, cost, or other) that I wonder about.

If you didn't care about what else is new, then I wouldn't think you'd be on these websites.

[enzos]

Originally Posted by wobegon

I—and I would guess most people—find a camera (which will likely be video capable, which all but guarantees a built-in mic) more exciting (and useful) than an OLED display, let alone an "etc., etc."

Agreed, a camera is new capability whereas an OLED screen would be merely an incremental improvement (what! are we competing against Microstupid Zune now?). I guess the little hole is for the mic.

With 64 GB storage I'd buy it! I have a full APS-format SLR kit for proper photography but need to replace the clapped out point-and-shoot for mug shots and happy snaps ... This little beauty would do the job just fine .. coupled maybe to a (3rd party) bluetooth flash. We've been through this before but 3 MP is more than enough for a camera with the crippling optical limitations of a phone camera. So that's $300 saved to discount the cost of the Touch (which is also a pocket computer, note taker, voice recorder, video editor, web browser, Voip [video?] phone, and 5000 song mp3 player).

[success]

I'm so confused with what to buy now. I was going to buy an iPhone 3Gs here in Japan but Softbank just released a solar hybrid by Sharp. It's also water resistant, and has an 8MP camera.

Originally Posted by Engadget

As you might expect, Japanese carrier SoftBank's summer 2009 lineup contains the usual science-fiction array of ridiculously well-equipped handsets -- plus 3G photo frames and a Lenovo IdeaPad S10 with embedded WWAN -- but the real news here might be a pair of lovelies from Sharp.

The mirumo 934SH (pictured left) features a 3-inch external display that can display time, date, weather, news, and other information without consuming any power between changes; sounds like E-Ink, though Sharp describes it simply as a "memory LCD." You've also got an 8 megapixel camera, a waterproof shell, and a UV sensor that can help you determine just how quickly you need to slather on the SPF 30.

Next up is the Solar Hybrid 936SH, a phone suspiciously similar in concept to the device Sharp is working on for SoftBank competitor KDDI au. Clearly the big draw here is the big solar array up front that'll give you one minute of call time or two hours of standby per 10 minutes of charging, but you've still got IPX7 water resistance, an 8 megapixel camera, and a full wide VGA display at your disposal. Look for the 934SH in June and the 936SH in August -- if you happen to be in Japan, anyhow.

So I might buy that as a phone and buy a new iPodTouch in Sept. Yeah two devices sorta defeats the purpose but oh well. I don't want to be stuck with an iPhone that will probably be upgraded soon and this new phone kicks butt.

[SGSStateStudent]

Originally Posted by ThisIsMike

I will never understand, in a million years, why this is a big deal. lol, seriously! It's the same form factor, for the same device! Everyone already knew about the camera, so who cares?!

"Oh my god, it's a photo of the new iPod Touch, and it look like, well, it looks like.... the old iPod Touch! With a camera! OOOoooOOOoOOoh!"

Seriously, leak me some photos of the tablet, then we'll talk. Geez.

Look at all the mock-ups to have a rough idea. There is seriously no clue now as to how the tablet will look like.

[cnocbui]

Originally Posted by enzos

Agreed, a camera is new capability whereas an OLED screen would be merely an incremental improvement (what! are we competing against Microstupid Zune now?). I guess the little hole is for the mic.

OLED is more than incremental IMO, just as a Plama TV beats LED.

We've been through this before but 3 MP is more than enough for a camera with the crippling optical limitations of a phone camera.

Someone should tell Sony then, what with the new Satio having a 12 Mp camera in it.

[Carmissimo]

Originally Posted by ThisIsMike

I will never understand, in a million years, why this is a big deal. lol, seriously! It's the same form factor, for the same device! Everyone already knew about the camera, so who cares?!

"Oh my god, it's a photo of the new iPod Touch, and it look like, well, it looks like.... the old iPod Touch! With a camera! OOOoooOOOoOOoh!"

Seriously, leak me some photos of the tablet, then we'll talk. Geez.

That's my reaction exactly. This is much ado about nothing. Silliest of all is the apparent debate over whether or not this stuff is fake.

I'm sure the new version of the Touch will be a fine device with some cool features but there isn't likely to be any significant surprises to be had by looking at the thing's form factor.

[success]

Originally Posted by cnocbui

OLED is more than incremental IMO, just as a Plama TV beats LED.

Exactly. Just as an escort beats a hooker.

[Maxime]

You would think that in the age of HD camcorders and +10mp digital cameras. We could get decent leaked pictures.

I guess these pictures are always very bad on purpose. lol

[SGSStateStudent]

Originally Posted by Gyokuro

The camera drill down near the WIFI window is a little too rough for me. I call fake.

As for the Tablet...the Boy Genius Report has an interesting photo. Whatever. It keeps people talking, but let's wait and see. The gap between the glass and the bezel is too wide for me to think it's real.

+1. Fake. I bet Apple will not come up with something like that.

[SGSStateStudent]

Originally Posted by Maxime

You would think that in the age of HD camcorders and +10mp digital cameras. We could get decent leaked pictures.

I guess these pictures are always very bad on purpose. lol

Now where's that Nokia 3200 camera phone I threw in my cupboard? ...

[SGSStateStudent]

Originally Posted by success

I'm so confused with what to buy now. I was going to buy an iPhone 3Gs here in Japan but Softbank just released a solar hybrid by Sharp. It's also water resistant, and has an 8MP camera. So I might buy that as a phone and buy a new iPodTouch in Sept. Yeah two devices sorta defeats the purpose but oh well. I don't want to be stuck with an iPhone that will probably be upgraded soon and this new phone kicks butt.

Oh yuck.

[SGSStateStudent]

Originally Posted by FuturePastNow

I have no problem believing a prototype could get out. Apple employees take them home all the time.

That doesn't mean this is real, or if it is real, that the story told is true. Apple wouldn't throw a proto in the trash- if one got out, it was stolen from someone.

+1. Apple would not do that 100%. Plus, the thing looks so scratched up.

[AdamIIGS]

Originally Posted by SGSStateStudent

Plus, the thing looks so scratched up.

So you didn't actually read the story huh.

[wizard69]

Originally Posted by success

Exactly. Just as an escort beats a hooker.

Or just like the "Girl Friend Experience" beats a BJ in a back alley.


Dave

[wizard69]

Originally Posted by success

I'm so confused with what to buy now. I was going to buy an iPhone 3Gs here in Japan but Softbank just released a by Sharp. It's also water resistant, and has an 8MP camera. So I might buy that as a phone and buy a new iPodTouch in Sept. Yeah two devices sorta defeats the purpose but oh well. I don't want to be stuck with an iPhone that will probably be upgraded soon and this new phone kicks butt.

The idea of supplementary solar charging is something I hope Apple picks up on real soon now. However that isn't justification for buying that phone. Niether is the Camera if it doesn't perform well. Hopefully that isn't an issue with this model but some of these high pixel count cameras are just terrible.

In any event the important thing here in my mind is do you want to run a round looking like a deranged geek with a boat load of devices hanging off your belt? Frankly that is the whole point of iPhone, that is to reduce pocket clutter to one device.

Don't dismiss this phone out of hand though, just ask yourself what real value it offers you for the trouble. I know these devices in Japan can be seen as status symbols, but rise above that and ask yourself what exactly is it about this phone that I would use and can't get in an iPhone. The one thing I can assure you of is that once you have the Touch in your pocket that is what you will reach for most times. You will end up with an expensive cell phone that you only use for calls. So turn of the emotional response and analyze that phones worth with cold hard logic and reason. Once you can see past the flash you will be in a better position to make your decision.


Dave

[ecking]

Maybe apple unlocked the 720p video recording capability on this one. So it's real HD unlike zune hd and it also competes with those flip and kodak camcorders.