Apple's future iPods rumored to get cameras like iPhone
Apple may be planning to add camera functionality to a couple of its next-generation iPod models, according to a new report, which also claims that upcoming iPhones will retain the handsets' existing form factor.
Citing tips passed on from one of its sources, Hardmac, the English-language version of France's MacBidouille, says that when Apple refreshes its iPod touch and iPod nano players later this September, both will feature a camera like the iPhone.
Despite some inaccuracies in Hardmac's earlier batch of rumors, adding a camera to the iPod touch may be a logical step for Apple, in that it would nearly double the market for camera-related applications on the App Store set to explode following the release of next-generation iPhones, which will include video recording capabilities as one of their biggest features.
The assertion that the more affordable and compact iPod nanos will also gain camera functionality is a bit more dubious but shouldn't be ruled out entirely. Although there's no developer platform surrounding the nano to help leverage such a feature, the players do include a built-in photo viewer.
Adding a camera to the nano may be a simple but material enough measure that could help drive upgrade cycles on the part of consumers, some of which may be turned on to the novelty of having rudimentary point-and-shoot capabilities built into a device they carry regularly, doing away for the need to tote a separate device more frequently.
Separately, the report cites the same sources as saying that this year's iPhones will feature "exactly the same shape and size than the current iPhone 3G, despite fakes and rumors circulating." This prediction is fairly consistent with one waged by a self-alleged insider in China, who outlined several specifications rumored for the new handsets in an overseas forum post first discovered by AppleInsider earlier this week.
Citing tips passed on from one of its sources, Hardmac, the English-language version of France's MacBidouille, says that when Apple refreshes its iPod touch and iPod nano players later this September, both will feature a camera like the iPhone.
Despite some inaccuracies in Hardmac's earlier batch of rumors, adding a camera to the iPod touch may be a logical step for Apple, in that it would nearly double the market for camera-related applications on the App Store set to explode following the release of next-generation iPhones, which will include video recording capabilities as one of their biggest features.
The assertion that the more affordable and compact iPod nanos will also gain camera functionality is a bit more dubious but shouldn't be ruled out entirely. Although there's no developer platform surrounding the nano to help leverage such a feature, the players do include a built-in photo viewer.
Adding a camera to the nano may be a simple but material enough measure that could help drive upgrade cycles on the part of consumers, some of which may be turned on to the novelty of having rudimentary point-and-shoot capabilities built into a device they carry regularly, doing away for the need to tote a separate device more frequently.
Separately, the report cites the same sources as saying that this year's iPhones will feature "exactly the same shape and size than the current iPhone 3G, despite fakes and rumors circulating." This prediction is fairly consistent with one waged by a self-alleged insider in China, who outlined several specifications rumored for the new handsets in an overseas forum post first discovered by AppleInsider earlier this week.
Comments
Nifty.
Rumor.
One word for this:
Nifty.
I believe you mean "snappier." No pun intended.
I doubt that the camera would be behind the screen. Nanos are so thin they can't put a headphone jack on the top edge. There doesn't seem to be any other good place to put it, anywhere on the top edge would probably mean pushing the screen down. That's no good. Below the screen isn't so great either. If they do manage to squeeze in a camera, that would probably mean it's using an OLED screen, but that seems like a stretch in itself.
The cameras should geotag and leverage video recording features as well. The iPod is no longer just a music player it's a multimedia and communications device.
I'll be waiting and in September I'll order 4 of these if they have the features I want.
? isn't the shiny back coming back on iPods this year?
The shiny back has never left. It only disappears once in a while and only on the nanos.
I think most people have been wondering all this time why the camera was left off of the iPod touch, so it makes sense to put one in there. I don't see them putting one in the nano unless the nano gets a new form factor that allows it to use the iPhone OS though.
There's no super good reason that it would fail or anything, but it doesn't give the device much of an advantage without the software support that the other models enjoy.
It is certainly a good idea if Apple can improve the camera technology over the current iPhone tech. However the big problem is that many buy a Touch to avoid iPhone's camera. Sad as it may be, camera aren't allowed every where and Touch solved that problem handily. Thus a camera could be seen as a negative for many.
Frankly I kinda wish Apple would punt with the cell phone tech and implement a bigger sensor. That is up the quality to a point and shoot sensor and optics system. It would go a long way on a Touch type device.
Dave
The differentiation is already there. One makes phones calls through a cell carrier the other does not.
As much as I like the iPhone i'm not breaking my Sprint contract to get one. Even a cheapo phone comes with a camera so it's about time to add a camera to a device that Apple's asking 200+ dollars for.
And all of it without AT&T.
Apple may be planning to add camera functionality to a couple of its next-generation iPod models
I'd rather have GPS in the Touch before a camera. Most people with a Touch are probably already toting a phone with camera.
upcoming iPhones will retain the handsets' existing form factor.
this year's iPhones will feature "exactly the same shape and size than the current iPhone 3G, despite fakes and rumors circulating."
Further evidence is new case styles showing up in Apple stores this close to a product update.
It makes a lot of sense on a Touch, especially if a future iphone differentiates itself further with video capabilities. .
They don't have to differentiate. You need phone and 3G data capabilities, you get the iPhone. wifi good enuf? get the touch.
It makes no sense to me that they would put a camera on the touch and not enable video.
Again, the touch surprised even Apple with its success. It's no longer the red-haired stepchild.