Alleged iPod touch 5G Cases Point to LED Flash, Edgy Design

Chinese case manufacturer Shenzhen Gekai Technology has obtained a number of clear plastic cases that are said to be designated for the fifth-generation iPod touch.

Posted on their Chinese Alibaba account, these alleged iPod touch 5 cases give away some major redesign elements.

For instance, an elongated camera hole at the top left side of the device (when viewed from the back) indicates that Apple is equipping its next iPod touch with an LED flash.

The current-generation iPod touch boasts a camera capable of HD video recording (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio. It takes still photos (960 by 720) with the back camera as well, but there’s no flash.

The front camera, designated for FaceTime calls, takes VGA-quality photos and video up to 30 frames per second. This camera doesn't have any lighting module either.

Apple seems poised to make its next iPod touch a better Instagram machine. And who would blame them? People use their Apple devices to snap pictures of everything.

The cases shown by Shenzhen Gekai Technology also suggest that Apple’s next-generation iPod touch will sport less tapering around the edges. If the new version does end up thicker, this could well indicate a lot more processing power, more battery life, and added functionality.

Last, but certainly not least, a mystery hole on the bottom is said to be for a microphone or some kind of “new larger external mic/speaker arrangement,” Giz China speculates.

While we would not rule out this possibility, it is worth noting that third-party case manufacturers often get their specs wrong.

For example, many iAccessory makers made a huge mistake last year when they took allegedly-leaked iPhone 5 specs for granted and pushed forward with the development of thousands of cases, anticipating the phone’s debut in fall 2011.

To their surprise, Apple released the iPhone 4S with a design that was identical to the previous-generation iPhone.

Apple is said to be holding its usual "music" event this October, during which it will not only refresh its iPod line, but it will also roll out a new version of its popular tablet computer dubbed the iPad "mini."