All of the attention on Apple in the media lately has been focused on a few specific projects – the iPhone 7, the Apple Watch, and lately, the new MacBook. The iPod, on the other hand, has slowly been falling into obscurity, as even Apple’s fans have started to talk about the device less and less. What’s going on with the iPod, and are Apple going to release the next installment in the Touch line this year after all?
This is a particularly difficult question to answer in light of recent rumors that Apple might completely scrap the iPod line in the near future. The company has apparently decided to focus on the mobile market more actively, developing the iPhone and iPad and merging the iPod with the iPhone, instead of keeping it as a separate device.
It makes some sense too, as the iPod Touch is really nothing more than an iPhone without cellular capabilities – or at least that’s how the device has traditionally been designed – and the other iPods have become niche devices more than anything else. Still, the iPod does have its dedicated fan following, even if that crowd has shrunk a bit in the last few years.
Currently, we have rumors that Apple are planning the release of the new iPod Touch 6G by September this year, and the device is reportedly going to run iOS 8.1.3, while also having full support for the Apple Watch. That last bit is interesting, as it could indicate that Apple actually still see long lifetime in the iPod line, but of course, it’s just a rumor and we have no idea if it’s true.
Other than that, the new iPod is expected to follow the same design style as the previous devices in its line, and copy the hardware of the iPhone 6, minus its cellular radios. However, rumors also indicate that the device will come with significantly improved security capabilities, as well as increased battery life. We don’t know if those changes will be implemented in the software, or if Apple are actually going to make any hardware changes to the device.
It’s most likely the former case, as then they could implement everything more easily, without having to develop a new physical device as well. It certainly wouldn’t make sense that Apple are going to put any effort into developing new hardware for the iPod if they’re on the fence about killing off the brand completely. In that case, they would actually be looking for every possible way to optimize its production so they can release it on the market with a minimal risk, and avoid losing money on it if the device flops.
Forgive me for being skeptical but there have been rumors of “a new itouch” for years now. The last ipod touch launched the same year as the iphone 5 but used the old A5 processor. On the other hand the iphone 4 has stopped receiving os updates in late 2014 so it is likely software support for the ipod touch 5 will be dropped sometime this year. If this is the case then maybe it is likely that we will get a new ipod touch.
There will be no ipod touch 6g and everybody knows ist. I consider that decision a mistake because I don’t want to watch mp4 movies or music with my phone, i save the my iphones battery life for more important purpose.
So i got myself another ipof touch 5g and i watch out for other mp4 players that will replace the gap apple already left open.
Ipod touch wise, end of story – forget it, it’s over.