Dutch site AppleSpot.nl today reported [Google translation] that the next-generation iPod touch is set to debut in September alongside a new iPhone and will offer 3G data connectivity.
According to the report, the new iPod touch will rely on a SIM card to access GSM networks and will be serviced by traditional carriers in much the same way as the iPhone, although presumably with some sort of data-only plan.
The claim is a dubious one, and AppleSpot.nl has no track record when it comes to rumors, so we are primarily sharing the report for interest and discussion. The topic of 3G capabilities for the iPod touch has arisen several times over the years, in part driven by the hopes of those who would like an "always-on" data connection without the need for an expensive iPhone contract. While Apple has released 3G-capable iPad models that function in a very similar way and offer no-contract data plans, there has been essentially no reliable information that Apple is indeed working on such capabilities for the iPod touch.
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Top Rated Comments
...a different device that they already make.
Because iPhone requires voice contract. If you can get 2GB of data at $30/mo or less you can use Google Voice for unlimited texting and get a Skype plan (and link with your GV#) for $2-6/mo. Much cheaper than an iPhone Data+Voice+Text plan.:apple:
I believe that iCloud is just the version 1.0 of Apple's cloud based ecosystem. If the cloud really is going to become our lifestyle (and business) "hub", you need to be able to reach it at all times.
Having a 3G iPod that works exactly like the 3G iPad, with the same Carrier Plans as they rolled out for iPad makes perfect sense. The iPod with 3G might be a tiny bit thicker, but who cares?
And the earlier poster that commented that Apple should add 3G to the MacBook Air -- that is exactly what Apple needs to do. That would be the tipping point for a lot of people from the PC centered world to a Cloud centered world.
Look, the iPhone is -always- going to be a better phone. It will be getting LTE and other 4G tech. It's the high end mobile device.
For any other iOS based entertainment or productivity, there's an iPod or iPad.
If this rumor is true, Apple just gave me another reason to line up in front of their store.
Bring it on.
Ever since the last Apple event where they showed the "iPod" app becoming "Music" and "Videos" on the iPhone iOS 5, thereby decreasing the use of the "iPod" branding I have been saying that the next "iPod Touch" will be renamed the "iPad Nano". There are several advantages to this:
1) The current iPod Nano is already a touch-based device so "iPod Touch" is confusing.
2) Apple would LOVE to count iPod touch sales as iPad sales. This would be a dagger in the heart of the so-called "5-inch tablets" like the "Dell Streak". For too long the press and analysts have ignored the "iPod Touch" as handheld-tablet device (preferring to count it along with other MP3 players).
3) The iPod "brand" does not translate well into where the iOS devices are going. iPod is for music, but iPad and iPhone are all about "apps" and "cloud" in the "Post-PC era" that Apple likes talking about so much.
From a marketing perspective, this is the perfect time to rename the iPod Touch. And if you are going to do an iPad Nano or iPad Mini, it should have a 3G option, just like its big brother.
For a while there, folks said the iPad was just a big iPhone or iPod Touch, but actually, the iPod Touch is just a little iPad. :)
The ipod has less ram, can't make phone calls, crappy camera, and doesn't look as cool :P.
Maybe with the 3g ipod they're trying to create 2 different versions of the iphone, a cheap one that lacks some features and the expensive one with the full potential.