Steve Jobs knows how to deliver and do it big. Apple’s latest event was full of surprises (and a few disappointments). Apple iPod had been upstaged by iPhone and iPad for quite some time. The new iPod Touch got FaceTime, a retina display, and a decent camera. Apple wants iPod Touch owners to use their device as a mobile gaming device. iPod Touch’s A4 processor should make playing more sophisticated games possible. Besides, Game Center (another new service by Apple) will allow gamers to play against others around the globe using their iPod Touch.

Apple iPod Touch 4G is expected to sell like hot cakes, but consumers will want to give Apple TV and iPod nano a look too. We all knew Apple was going to get in the “social” business soon. Ping is a social music network that lets iTunes users to connect with artists and their friends and discover new things (and find new friends in the process). The interface may be buggy at this point, but that’s understandable for a first generation social network.

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Credit: Macrumors

We are only days away from Apple’s planned event on September 1st. For months, we have known that new iPod Touch models would be getting video-recording capability. The next generation iPod Touch will have a front-facing camera too. Many experts expected Apple to introduce iTV at this event, but the change in date (from Sep 7th to 1st) seems a bit curious at this point. We still expect to hear some news about Apple TV at this event, but fans may have to wait a bit longer to get their hands on these devices.

Apple iPod Touch is not the only device that will be getting an upgrade. The camera and the rumored new shiny design for iPod Touch are nice, but Apple has not forgotten about iPod nano fans. As the above picture indicates, Apple may be going back to square-shaped iPod design after all.

The nano 6G case features an open strip on the rear – perhaps for a camera or built-in clip – as well as what appear to be volume buttons and a larger button on the top side while a Dock Connector and headphone port are along the bottom.

Apple iTunes may get a major overhaul in the near future too. The software has gone though many updates in the past few years. It seems Apple may finally be ready to bring a web-based iTunes to the market. It will be more about a social (and not streaming) experience. Nevertheless, it’s an exciting move by Apple (if the rumors are true). Read the rest of this entry »

Last week, we had a chance to get a glimpse of Magellan’s GPS application for iPhone. Magellan is yet another GPS maker that has decided to get its feet wet in the mobile GPS market. But unlike many other GPS manufacturers that have decided to develop an app only for iPhone, Magellan is targeting iPod Touch owners as well. Magellan Premium GPS Car Kit, which is expected to ship on December 11th, is a mount for iPhone and iPod Touch that not only makes navigating on the road more convenient but it also enables GPS functionality on your iPod Touch. So you can start navigating with your Magellan GPS app on your iPod Touch as well without having to upgrade your device.

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Apple is back at it again with a whole new line up of products that will be released to the market just in time when people are thinking about picking up a Windows 7 machine. Apple has improved Macbooks and iMacs dramatically, and is now offering machines that more people can afford to buy. Whether it is a quad core iMac or just the entry level Macbook, there is a lot of value to be gained from Apple’s new products. Apple has even introduced a new mouse to go with these new Macs. But what we have not got is iPod Touch video or the iPad.

Many expected Apple to release an iPod Touch with video capture capability by the end of this year. And while we still have some time for it, it seems more likely that we will see these new iPod Touch units in early 2010. As far as the iPad is concerned, Apple is not giving us any hints. But there are a lot of rumors going around. You don’t have to be a genius to realize that an Apple tablet would sell like hot cakes, but Apple is taking it slower with its tablet. So we won’t probably see one by the end of 2009.

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iPhone may be the top Apple product in the smart phone market, but iPod Touch has been making nice progress in its very own market as well. iPod Touch is a great device, but many have been wondering what Apple’s planning for it. iPod may be an important product to Apple, but that doesn’t mean the company’s ready to let it cannibalize iPhone sales. While we don’t want to see an exact clone of iPhone as the next iPod Touch, it would be great if Apple gave the iPod a nice upgrade. The latest rumor is that Apple is planning to add a camera to iPod Touch. That is now going to allow you to take advantage of a lot of those photography apps that were only available to iPhone owners.

The next generation iPod Touch will pick up where PDAs left off. And with the probable addition of a cam to iPod Touch, you are going to get a device that will not only let you to listen to music but also create and share content on the Internet. As much as Apple want to differentiate between the iPhone and the iPod Touch, these two have a lot in common. So I wouldn’t  be surprised if Apple and a wireless carrier worked out a deal for an optional wireless service for iPod Touch.  You may not need a new phone, but you can always use your iPod Touch as your wireless PDA.

Your take: what new features would you like to see added to the next generation iPod Touch?