Apple will unveil at least one new iPod model at tomorrow's press conference, but the company is expected to introduce the entire new lineup. While not all models may be immediately available for purchase, the move would appease the hype that has built up around the event and help the stock that had recently tanked after multiple erroneous reports concerning the
iPhone.
Details of the new nano model have already surfaced, including images and interface movies. The Shuffle is still a relatively new model and Apple is only expected to update the storage capacity of the device while keeping the price point the same. Conversely, there is still little known about the next generation video iPod, but rumors are painting a promising picture.
DigiTimes reports that their sources say the next generation of video iPod will be both wide-screen and touch-screen and have wireless connectivity. The device is also said to have an increased storage capacity and Apple is rumored to be dropping the hard drive in favor of NAND flash, which is why they were buying so much memory.
Rumors of an iPhone sans phone have been around since Apple first unveiled the iPhone, but there have also been multiple reasons stated as to why this would be a bad move. The consensus is that such a device would cannibalize iPhone sales, but this would depend greatly on the exact capabilities of the device.
According to DigiTimes, the company will be outsourcing the production of the new model to Taiwan-based Inventec Appliances, which is expected to start volume shipments by the end of this month or in early October. Similarly, the new nano model is said to be manufactured by Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), while the new Shuffle will be made by Asustek Computer.
This is perhaps the most exciting iPod refresh in history, considering the possibilities that rumors are hinting at. It will be interesting to see exactly how much of what was rumored does come true.