14 DAY TRIAL // Several well-established sources believe Apple has quite a few reasons not only to start selling camera-equipped iPods, but also to cut the price on the popular iPod touch to as low as $149. Other units in the iPod range may also be on track for refreshes and price reductions, these people believe.
9to5Mac points out to a blog entry claiming that the entry-level 8GB iPod touch will be introduced again, this time at a lower price – $149 – a move that would only mean more iPods sold for Apple. A Marco.org report also has a few estimates on the price front, while noting that Apple’s iPod classic has just about had its run. Here’s the forecast:
- $59: 4 GB Shuffle (no changes); - $99: 8 GB Nano (minor update, maybe with camera); - $149: 8 GB Touch (3GS internals, camera); - $199: 16 GB Touch; - $249: 32 GB Touch; - $349: 64 GB Touch.
Some, however, strongly believe the iPod classic is not only staying on retail shelves, but it is also receiving an update, likely consisting of a camera. Collecting information from a DigiTimes, 9to5Mac speculates that both the iPod touch and the iPhone may see a reduction in price.
Titled “Touch panel IC quotes dropping fast,” the piece reveals that the pricing of the 3.5-inch touch panels has dropped by close to 50 percent (from $16-18, one year ago, to $9-11, today), while prices in the chip segment are around $2 (from up to $5, last year). With lower prices on key manufacturing components and improvements in cost savings, Apple may be tempted not to miss an opportunity in getting more devices in the hands of the consumers, the report suggests.
French website HardMac adds fuel to the speculation, citing a reliable source as saying that, “Apple is facing problems with the production of the new iPod Touch. The issue would be linked to the new camera module,” and adding that, “The problem has been spotted in the first dozen of thousands units produced.” No further details are available, while this remains a rumor.