• Rumor Mill Suggests 3G iPod Touch Finally Coming

    by
    Michael Essany
    Published on 2011-09-07 08:11 PM
    25 Comments Comments


    Given how long it's been since Apple last rolled out a new mobile device, expectations are high ahead of the looming iPhone 5 reveal, which may possibly transpire before the end of this month. The latest rumor from the tech community, however, has nothing to do with the 5th-generation iPhone. Instead, this one says a modern must-have mobile attribute may finally be coming to one of Apple's oldies but goodies: the iPod touch.

    Based on what we're hearing, the iPod touch may be refreshed with 3G capabilities to make on-the-go connectivity a reality for the Apple product. Sources dishing their insider tips to AppleNApps reveal that a 3G-ready iPod touch is coming. In fact, it may be introduced at the same time the iPhone 5 is rolled out.

    "The fifth generation iPod Touch will be most like a mini-iPad with the same type of 3G connectivity," the report reads. Supposedly, Apple has deals in place with its carrier partners for interested users to make non-contract monthly payments, similar to the arrangements users have with their iPad. Based on what the source reveals, the 3G iPod touch will look remarkably similar to the fourth generation model.

    Naturally, don't expect any voice capabilities, as Apple all but certainly doesn't want the iPhone to lose its luster or have its thunder stolen. Still, 3G connectivity could lend a burst of new life to the iPod touch, especially in the forthcoming era of the iCloud.

    Source: AppleNApps
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Rumor Mill Suggests 3G iPod Touch Finally Coming started by Michael Essany View original post
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    2. Apple
    Comments 25 Comments
    1. Vandale's Avatar
      Vandale - 2011-09-07, 09:21 PM
      Jailbreaking + new iPod touch = Cheaper but just as good as iPhone
    1. Rytchy's Avatar
      Rytchy - 2011-09-07, 09:31 PM
      Exactly. Google voice, skype, etc + an ear piece and you're good to go.
    1. Eagleye's Avatar
      Eagleye - 2011-09-07, 09:33 PM
      So basically... the next iPhone is coming?
    1. <(O)> Device's Avatar
      <(O)> Device - 2011-09-07, 09:34 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Vandale View Post
      Jailbreaking + new iPod touch = Cheaper but just as good as iPhone
      It may be cheaper as far as the device itself goes but don't forget your monthly friend known as "The Bill". Cell service isn't free sadly
    1. andypropaganda's Avatar
      andypropaganda - 2011-09-07, 09:50 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Vandale View Post
      Jailbreaking + new iPod touch = Cheaper but just as good as iPhone
      Exactly what I was seeing. I don't even think you would really need to jailbreak. You could probably just use Google Voice or one of the many other services for texting and a VoIP provider for voice.

      Quote Originally Posted by <(O)> Device View Post
      It may be cheaper as far as the device itself goes but don't forget your monthly friend known as "The Bill". Cell service isn't free sadly
      The monthly bill will also be much cheaper though, if I'm not mistaken.
    1. feidhlim1986's Avatar
      feidhlim1986 - 2011-09-07, 09:54 PM
      The iPod Touch is basically an iPhone without the phone part.

      So can someone explain why putting the phone part into an iPod Touch doesn't just make it identical to an iPhone now?
      An since iPod Touches aren't subsidized by Mobile Carriers, an iPod Touch 3G should cost $500/$600 (the same price as an unsubsidized iPhone)
      So why would Apple think people are going to pay $500 for an iPod Touch 3G (and a monthly data plan fee) when it would be much better value to just get an iPhone for much much less and probably pay the same amount per month on a mobile plan anywho.

      If Apple does release an iPod Touch 3G, I hope the jailbreak community unlocks the device to be able to make and receive calls and basically do all the phone features of an iPhone.
    1. willfcc's Avatar
      willfcc - 2011-09-07, 10:20 PM
      I'd buy one, especially if it's $15/month for 250mb (cancel/restart no contract). I don't want an iPhone because I don't want to pay $500/year to talk. My prepaid cell phone costs $100/year for 1000 minutes, and I always have balance to rollover. But, I would love to have data practically everywhere on my iPod when travelling. It fit's in my pocket much better than an iPad.
    1. agtprvctr's Avatar
      agtprvctr - 2011-09-07, 10:20 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by feidhlim1986 View Post
      The iPod Touch is basically an iPhone without the phone part.

      So can someone explain why putting the phone part into an iPod Touch doesn't just make it identical to an iPhone now?
      Everything about the iPod Touch is designed to be an iPod, not an MP3 player. For example, it's much thinner and thus the smaller battery isn't meant to handle the extra demand that having phone functionality would require. In fact, there have already been conversion kits in the form of cases that you can buy in China which have GSM chipset and an extra battery built in - they effectively transform jailbroken iPod Touches into iPhones.

      Exactly. Google voice, skype, etc + an ear piece and you're good to go.
      The Google Voice app (at least for iOS) is not true VOIP, it still routes via a voice call to one of Google's call centers, very much like how Skype for BlackBerry works. Skype for iOS is a true VOIP app, but if you really ever tried to use it as a phone, streaming voice over 3G, your battery would die in an hour.
    1. ztphonehome's Avatar
      ztphonehome - 2011-09-07, 10:27 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by feidhlim1986 View Post
      The iPod Touch is basically an iPhone without the phone part.

      So can someone explain why putting the phone part into an iPod Touch doesn't just make it identical to an iPhone now?
      An since iPod Touches aren't subsidized by Mobile Carriers, an iPod Touch 3G should cost $500/$600 (the same price as an unsubsidized iPhone)
      So why would Apple think people are going to pay $500 for an iPod Touch 3G (and a monthly data plan fee) when it would be much better value to just get an iPhone for much much less and probably pay the same amount per month on a mobile plan anywho.

      If Apple does release an iPod Touch 3G, I hope the jailbreak community unlocks the device to be able to make and receive calls and basically do all the phone features of an iPhone.
      Putting the phone part into the touch won't make it identical to the iphone because it will probably have inferior hardware to the new iphone (like the camera). Also, users who want native calling will still want to buy an iphone with a service plan because while using a 3rd party voip app does work, it is data intensive and will be choppy on a weak 3g connection.

      It will probably still be cheaper and won't need to be more expensive without being subsidized because the hardware will be cheaper.

      Finally, it might be cheaper to buy an iphone if you already plan on signing up for 2 years of service and buying a voice and data package but for users who only want data (such as myself) it will still be much cheaper over the course of 2 years to buy a pre or postpaid data plan and be contract free.
    1. iPod's Avatar
      iPod - 2011-09-07, 10:29 PM
      If it looks like that, I'm going to cry
    1. Cheesey123's Avatar
      Cheesey123 - 2011-09-07, 10:40 PM
      Won't have an ear piece so won't be anything like an iPhone more like a mini iPad 3G!! Just my 2 pence worth
    1. ericwall's Avatar
      ericwall - 2011-09-07, 10:44 PM
      If I want a 3G iDevice....I would get an iPhone. A 3G iPod Touch is useless.
    1. jose060789's Avatar
      jose060789 - 2011-09-07, 10:57 PM
      If the new iPod Touch 3G models require a micro SIM card, will I be able to use the micro SIM card on my iPhone 4 on the new iPod Touch?
    1. willfcc's Avatar
      willfcc - 2011-09-07, 11:01 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Cheesey123 View Post
      mini iPad 3G
      iPad Nano
    1. teej1410's Avatar
      teej1410 - 2011-09-08, 12:28 AM
      Blah the iPods are becoming more like an iPhone each generation. Why can't apple just merge the iPod and iPhone into one instead of being a money hog!
    1. charliebee's Avatar
      charliebee - 2011-09-08, 01:50 AM
      This is not gonna happen.
    1. sziklassy's Avatar
      sziklassy - 2011-09-08, 02:23 AM
      I'd consider this over my phone if I could still get unlimited data with the touch, but being that they don't offer it on iPad either, this is extremely unlikely. Makes more sense for me to stay on a family plan with unlimited texting with the iPhone.

      Quote Originally Posted by jose060789 View Post
      If the new iPod Touch 3G models require a micro SIM card, will I be able to use the micro SIM card on my iPhone 4 on the new iPod Touch?
      Probably. AFAIK you can use the sim from your iPhone in an iPad, so I see no reason why this would be different.

      Quote Originally Posted by teej1410 View Post
      Blah the iPods are becoming more like an iPhone each generation. Why can't apple just merge the iPod and iPhone into one instead of being a money hog!
      This would be going backwards. The iPod touch was born as a direct result of iPhone demand as a media player. They are catering to different groups of people with different needswants. I see nothing wrong with this.
    1. jmfall20's Avatar
      jmfall20 - 2011-09-08, 03:27 AM
      Surely if this is true they will have wifi and 3G versions like the iPad?
    1. trialnterror's Avatar
      trialnterror - 2011-09-08, 04:44 AM
      Just imagine a 3G iPod touch! Having a plan at 20 to 30 a month with unlimited text messaging and web! Every kid in school would be able to now connect with their parents! I've always said when they add not only 3G but text messaging it'll blow up just like pagers did back in the day! Mark my word!
    1. feidhlim1986's Avatar
      feidhlim1986 - 2011-09-08, 10:58 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by trialnterror View Post
      Just imagine a 3G iPod touch! Having a plan at 20 to 30 a month with unlimited text messaging and web! Every kid in school would be able to now connect with their parents! I've always said when they add not only 3G but text messaging it'll blow up just like pagers did back in the day! Mark my word!
      Cos kids love texting their parents?
      Don't every kid nowadays have a phone anywho?
      Did pagers ever really become popular?
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