14 DAY TRIAL // Rumors of a sixth-generation iPod nano and a fourth-generation iPod touch persist, with Apple expected to introduce the two devices, alongside a new version of iLife, at next week’s special event in San Francisco.
Citing people familiar with Apple’s plans, AppleInsider claims to have learned that the Cupertino giant is gearing up to release a touch-screen nano which boasts a design akin to that of early-generation iPod shuffle players.
The touch panel that Apple is reportedly using in these iPods was leaked in photos earlier this year, although the accuracy of this rumor could not be fully verified.
Interestingly, the device is expected to have a traditional, 30-pin dock connector, which should translate into compatibility with existing iPod accessories.
The new iPod nano boasts a small 3cm-by-3cm display, the rumor goes.
The fourth-generation iPod touch, rumored for quite some time to be unveiled at Apple’s iPod-focused event, is the most likely to surface next week.
Earlier this week, Apple issued invitations to select members of the media to an event held on September 1 in one of Apple’s favorite venues - the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, in San Francisco, California.
Besides FaceTime support, the player may be capable of 3G networking as well: “…the iPod touch only offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but 4th-generation prototypes with a SIM tray akin to the iPhone 4's are said to exist,” the sources cited by AppleInsider indicated.
Finally Apple is also expected to dedicate some time at next week's event to launching a new version of iLife.
The suite is currently comprised of iPhoto, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD, the latter being rumored for exclusion.
iLife 11 is said to replace iDVD with a mystery application, while iWeb will be totally renewed, according to various reports.
Softpedia previously opined that Apple’s move to drop iDVD wouldn’t be surprising. On its official web site, Apple emphasizes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand and iWeb as the pillars of the suite.