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Apple Splitting iPod Touch Lineup Between Current and New Designs, Increasing Color Options for iPod Shuffle and New Nano?

Friday September 7, 2012 9:32 am PDT by Eric Slivka
9to5Mac shares some details on Apple's apparent plans for updated iPods reportedly set to be introduced alongside the iPhone 5 at next Wednesday's media event. Based on the information that appears to come from part numbers in inventory systems, Apple will reportedly be making at least minor changes to three of the current iPod lines.

- iPod shuffle: Apple is said be making minor changes at the most to the entry-level music player, with the biggest change perhaps being the availability of eight different colors compared to the five color options on the current model. The current $49 pricing is likely to remain in effect, but it is unclear if the current 2 GB capacity will carry over to the new models.

- iPod nano: Cases for a larger, redesigned iPod nano have begun surfacing, and 9to5Mac's report indicates that a new code name for the device is indeed suggesting more than a minor refresh. The new iPod nano is also said to come in eight different colors, up from the current seven color options. Interestingly, the report indicates that Apple may streamline the iPod nano lineup by offering only a single storage capacity, compared to the current 8 GB and 16 GB options. The report says that pricing is likely to be similar to the current high-end iPod nano price, but it incorrectly states that price as $169 when it is actually $149 after last year's price drop.


- iPod touch: Apple is also expected to update the iPod touch, with several rumors and part leaks pointing to the device gaining a similar 4-inch display to that apparently coming to the iPhone 5. But today's report indicates that Apple may take a hybrid approach to its lineup, releasing a tweaked version of the current design at the low-end while bringing the significant redesign to the higher-end models.
This new entry level configuration is said to be tweaked. We’re not sure what this tweak refers to, but we speculate that it has to do with a either (or a combination of) a smaller dock connector, new packaging/iOS 6 pre-installed, or a bump in the base storage capacity configuration.

We’ve also received information that points to new iPods at $299 and $399 price points. We believe these to be redesigned versions of the two top iPod touch models.
The report says that these new $299/$399 iPod models presumed to be the iPod touch will come in "multiple variations" beyond the capacity differences implied by the two different price points. The report speculates that these variations could be related to multiple color options, but it is unclear how many of these options there are for each model and Apple of course already offers the iPod touch in both black and white.

Related Roundup: iPod touch
Tag: 9to5mac.com
Buyer's Guide: iPod Touch (Neutral)
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Tones2
93 months ago

I do not understand how anyone could use 128GB. It is simply unreasonably large amount of storage space. It is incredibly hard to use 128GB worth of music (assuming one uses them for music and not storing hundreds of apps they don't open), I mean that is just WAY too many songs to choose from, like you would literally never listen to most of them. Generally you listen to certain groups of songs you like, and most of them you never end up playing, like I have so many songs on my 8GB iPod Touch that I literally never play because I just don't feel like listening to them. It's just for those people who want every song they own, no matter how many plays it has on their device (0 being the majority) just because.


Ugh. Not this again. :rolleyes:
Rating: 18 Votes
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bushido
93 months ago
with a price that high i wonder how they could justify an iPad Mini at a similiar price point hm
Rating: 10 Votes
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BornAgainApple
93 months ago
I'm confused. Whatever happened to simplicity?
Rating: 9 Votes
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wkadamsjr
93 months ago

with a price that high i wonder how they could justify an iPad Mini at a similiar price point hm


I was actually wondering that myself. Something tells me the iPad Mini is the "new iPod Touch"...
Rating: 8 Votes
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chrmjenkins
93 months ago
They've got to do something to make the touch attractive with a sub $300 iPad mini.
Rating: 8 Votes
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jagolden
93 months ago

If Apple thinks that a 4" iPod Touch can compete with the 7" Kindle Fire and Kindle FIRE HD offerings at the same price point, then they have lost touch. Say what you want about the Kindle Fire being plastic, etc. They have 1280x800 screens spread over 7" of real estate and 16 GB for $199. That is what the current 3.5" 8 GB iPod Touch costs. The original Kindle Fire didn't have great specs or great reviews, but these new ones look to be addressing that while maintaining crazy low prices.


Let's see you put that Kindle Fire in your pants or shirt pocket.;)
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
djscooterb
93 months ago
Amazon's new Kindle Fire models will be very disruptive

If Apple thinks that a 4" iPod Touch can compete with the 7" Kindle Fire and Kindle FIRE HD offerings at the same price point, then they have lost touch. Say what you want about the Kindle Fire being plastic, etc. They have 1280x800 screens spread over 7" of real estate and 16 GB for $199. That is what the current 3.5" 8 GB iPod Touch costs. The original Kindle Fire didn't have great specs or great reviews, but these new ones look to be addressing that while maintaining crazy low prices.
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
jeffy.dee-lux
93 months ago

Only a fool will pay 300 for a Touch when they can get 9 inch tablet for the same price. Keep trying, Apple.


Have you ever noticed how you can fit an iPod in your pocket?
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
George Zip
93 months ago

I do not understand how anyone could use 128GB. It is simply unreasonably large amount of storage space. It is incredibly hard to use 128GB worth of music (assuming one uses them for music and not storing hundreds of apps they don't open), I mean that is just WAY too many songs to choose from, like you would literally never listen to most of them. Generally you listen to certain groups of songs you like, and most of them you never end up playing, like I have so many songs on my 8GB iPod Touch that I literally never play because I just don't feel like listening to them. It's just for those people who want every song they own, no matter how many plays it has on their device (0 being the majority) just because.


Man, I'm really tired of the "if I don't need it NOBODY does" people...
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
jagolden
93 months ago

I do not understand how anyone could use 128GB. It is simply unreasonably large amount of storage space. It is incredibly hard to use 128GB worth of music (assuming one uses them for music and not storing hundreds of apps they don't open), I mean that is just WAY too many songs to choose from, like you would literally never listen to most of them. Generally you listen to certain groups of songs you like, and most of them you never end up playing, like I have so many songs on my 8GB iPod Touch that I literally never play because I just don't feel like listening to them. It's just for those people who want every song they own, no matter how many plays it has on their device (0 being the majority) just because.


Well, let's see.
I have:
21,796 songs in my library
1,236 TV shows in my library
140 audio books in my library
121 movies in my library (no counting the unfiled ones)

It's easy to fill up 128GB. Especially if you don't want to manage your content that often.:)

EDIT: Oh yeah, how about carrying along some favorite photos, too.
Rating: 5 Votes

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