7th-gen iPod touch with Face ID hinted at in iOS 11 GM code
Though largely neglected in recent years, the iPod line could soon get a fresh upgrade to keep it relevant in the era of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, code from the leaked iOS 11 golden master suggests.
The GM makes reference to a device labeled only as "iPod8,1," frequent leak source Benjamin Geskin said on Monday. In one string within setup.app, the code even includes the line "Unlock you iPod with your Face," suggesting it will support Apple's Face ID technology coming to the iPhone X.
Geskin suggested however that a new iPod was merely possible, and that it probably wouldn't have Face ID in practice -- instead, Apple may simply be future-proofing its code.
Apple would presumably release a new version of the iPod touch, having eliminated all other iPod models. The Touch was last updated in 2015, and equipped with a 4-inch display, an underclocked A8 processor, and between 16 and 128 gigabytes of storage.
A new version would presumably jump to an A9 or A10 chip, and improve storage options to be consistent with other recent Apple devices. That could potentially involve adding a 256-gigabyte version, and/or making the base capacity 64 gigabytes instead of 32.
iPods have become increasingly sidelined in light of smartphone ownership in Apple's main markets, and to a lesser extent the popularity of the iPad and Apple Watch. The iPod touch continues to serve some niches however, such as kids, fitness, or simply home-based media control.
Apple could announce a new iPod at its Sept. 12 press event, but might also choose to launch it later or more quietly, preferring not to divert attention from new iPhone, Apple Watch, and Apple TV models.
The GM makes reference to a device labeled only as "iPod8,1," frequent leak source Benjamin Geskin said on Monday. In one string within setup.app, the code even includes the line "Unlock you iPod with your Face," suggesting it will support Apple's Face ID technology coming to the iPhone X.
Geskin suggested however that a new iPod was merely possible, and that it probably wouldn't have Face ID in practice -- instead, Apple may simply be future-proofing its code.
Apple would presumably release a new version of the iPod touch, having eliminated all other iPod models. The Touch was last updated in 2015, and equipped with a 4-inch display, an underclocked A8 processor, and between 16 and 128 gigabytes of storage.
A new version would presumably jump to an A9 or A10 chip, and improve storage options to be consistent with other recent Apple devices. That could potentially involve adding a 256-gigabyte version, and/or making the base capacity 64 gigabytes instead of 32.
iPods have become increasingly sidelined in light of smartphone ownership in Apple's main markets, and to a lesser extent the popularity of the iPad and Apple Watch. The iPod touch continues to serve some niches however, such as kids, fitness, or simply home-based media control.
Apple could announce a new iPod at its Sept. 12 press event, but might also choose to launch it later or more quietly, preferring not to divert attention from new iPhone, Apple Watch, and Apple TV models.
Comments
Why not? The string canPerformMultiBiometrics discovered in a previous leak should point to something tangible...
It would be a very small iPad.
Please have FM radio on a new iPod Touch. I'll soon need to replace my agonizing iPod Nano with FM and Apple has discontinued the line.
I was looking into an iPod touch with a Bad Elf GPS for off the grid turn-by-turn GPS all while having a multi-functional device.
Having radio for news, talk radio and music would make it even more independent of networks.
To save money I was even thinking of ditching my smart phone for a flip phone since I could iMessage, FaceTime, game and surf with this as long as I have WiFi.
So I'm very much hoping this new iPod is true and hope it does have a radio.
I hadn't pulled the trigger because the store recently ran out of refurbs for 128GB iPod touches, now I'll wait even if it is a few more dollars upfront.
Still Face ID on this would make more sense with multiple user accounts. Even if just a parent and child account by why stop at two.
I still lament the death of the 160GB Classic, arguably the finest iPod (portable music device?) ever built, so yes... 256GB would be a respectable replacement. 512GB would be even better. The touch interface is just okay but the click wheel was much better in terms of an easy to use music player. Too much going on with the touch. I just want a device that plays music and plays it well! I'd rather Apple focus on sound quality and ease of use rather than bells and whistles. Even bringing back something like the 5th generation nano with some added touch capability, shedloads of storage and good audio processing would be great.