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Apple to release new iPod touch today: gold option, 8MP camera, 64-bit, 128GB + new Nano/Shuffle colors

Apple will be rolling out a refreshed line of iPods today, according to sources. As indicated by new colors recently found in iTunes on the Mac, the new iPod touch, shuffle, and nano will come in new darker blue and pink colors. A gold color will be added as well for all three iPods.

The new Nanos and Shuffles won’t get new features, but the iOS-based iPod touch will see a considerable upgrade. Here’s what we’re hearing is coming to the touch:

  • Major camera upgrade from 5 megapixels to 8, matching the count on the iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2.
  • New 64-bit chip for faster operation and better graphics for gaming. Will also help it plow through future iOS versions beyond iOS 9.
  • “M” chip from the iPhone for fitness, steps, and elevation tracking.
  • Pre-loaded with iOS 8.4 and Apple Music following the June 30th launch.
  • New 128GB model for $399, still starting at $199 for 16GB. There will also be a $299 model with 64GB of space.

As indicated by the references last month in iTunes 12.2, the overall designs and screens of the new iPods will remain the same as their predecessors. These are the first major iPod upgrades since 2012, and with Apple’s focus on the iPhone and iPad, these will likely also be the last for some time.

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Comments

  1. PhilBoogie - 9 years ago

    All cool, though I hear some folks wanted a 5.5″ iPod touch…

    • irelandjnr - 9 years ago

      This is Apple the money maker, they want to upswell you an iPhone and then upswell you a 64GB one.

      • irelandjnr - 9 years ago

        *upsell

      • J.latham - 9 years ago

        They might upsell some customers but if came in 4.7 or 5.5 inch screens they would have two sales in my household as iPad nano like devices for my kids.

      • macnificentseven48 - 9 years ago

        What is so unusual about that? It’s a business and that’s their strategy. New car dealers do that sort of stuff all the time. They try to upgrade you to a more expensive model and then coerce you to upgrade the features on that model. What successful business doesn’t try to do things like that. Those selling tactics are not exclusive to Apple.

  2. irelandjnr - 9 years ago

    Mark, could you please get onto the powers that be to switch to the Disqus comments system? This WordPress comments system is killing me. It’s awful. Disqus is such a pleasure to use in comparison. The Worpress comments system has always left a bad taste in my mouth when visiting 9to5. Other than this the site and content is great.

    • Mosha - 9 years ago

      I wrote a letter back in October regarding the issue, with a initial response from Seth. Comment and let them know! It needed attention then, just as it does now.

      http://9to5mac.com/community/open-letter-9to5-and-commenting/

    • macnificentseven48 - 9 years ago

      I haven’t had any problems with WordPress but I do prefer Disqus a lot more and the ability to edit your own posts and most of the sites I visit use Disqus. I wish every site would support Disqus and I’m always hoping for some universal commenting system. However, there have been people that were complaining about Disqus when used on Engadget of not being all that great. MacDailyNews only supports WordPress and I think that’s why I originally signed up for a WordPress account.

      • irelandjnr - 9 years ago

        Not to mention that WordPress is far slower and far more buggy than Disqus.

  3. No freakin’ way. They’re going to release INFORMATION about their upcoming iPod line up? or they’re actually releasing the products later on today?

  4. trinities - 9 years ago

    Hooray!!!

  5. epicflyingcat - 9 years ago

    Which 64 bit processor? Is it the A7 or A8?

  6. saifrawahy - 9 years ago

    How about screen size?!
    Is it same 4″ or its gonna be 4.7″

  7. I hope they upgrade iPod shuffle’s memory. 2GB is way too little.

  8. Ilko Sarafski - 9 years ago

    It’s very strange, for instance, that they are not going to redesign them. Make them slimmer etc. The nano looks bulky at this point, compared to its counterparts. They could’ve slimmed them all the way from the nano to the touch. This upgrade, if it happens, would be screaming “we are doing it for money” sort of thing. They could’ve upgraded the storage for the smaller devices. Nano should start at 8GB at least nowadays, not 4GB. But wait and see, maybe I am wrong and they’ll upgrade the whole line. :)
    P.S. I support the comment about the awful WordPress commenting system.

  9. applegetridofsimandjack - 9 years ago

    I would really like a 32GB Nano…

  10. anonycommenter - 9 years ago

    They should have at least increased the screensize to 4.7 inch. Major bummer

  11. rnc - 9 years ago

    “New 128GB model for $399, still starting at $199 for 16GB. There will also be a $299 model with 64GB of space.”

    Hello iPhone 6S capacities and prices for contract.

    • Ilko Sarafski - 9 years ago

      I guess you are right, they won’t change the storage this time around. iPhone 7 will sport 32/64/128. Maybe even 4th model with 256? Hm…

    • irelandjnr - 9 years ago

      I personally think for the 6s they should lower the prices by $100 and simply get rid of the 16GB model entirely. 64GB + 128GB for $100 more.

  12. Is this based on more info than the rumors that it would be announced yesterday? Hope you’re right though, & would love to see a 5.5″ iPod touch.

  13. tomtubbs - 9 years ago

    Would love a GPS in the iPod, but I guess that might be more watchOS 3.

  14. I’ll take that 128 GB model right now. With good reason: I want to put most of my music collection on my iPod touch.

  15. danpeake - 9 years ago

    Generally, how long until the site returns?

    Also thoughts on them launching their back to school promo?

  16. Bummer, no TouchID.

  17. macnificentseven48 - 9 years ago

    I’m very curious to see if new iPods help stop the decline of sales of music players. I wouldn’t think so. I’d like to see how Apple is going to market it. With the iPod Touch, will they emphasize gaming with the new processor or go for the AppleMusic angle. It’s such a tweener product, it simply doesn’t seem to fit Apple’s line-up anymore. Since it’s claimed consumers aren’t buying iPads in quantity, maybe those users will go for a new iPod but I consider that a long-shot. An iPod Nano with WiFi and Bluetooth I could see as being useful. Most of the parks in NYC have fairly reliable WiFi connections to listen to streaming music. The train stations I’ve tried aren’t very good, though. They’re spotty in sections and I’ve never noticed where the transmitters are positioned.

    • Mimus Polyglottos - 9 years ago

      I can see it being useful for music-centric people, useful for people who don’t want or can’t afford a smartphone and data plan, and possibly useful for people who have an iPad but don’t find it useful. But you know, it’s one more device to carry around, update, and keep track of. Personally I could see myself using it, because I don’t have a smart phone and don’t want one, but having some apps and an always-ready decent camera, plus most of my music, would be handy. But I already have a dumb phone and an iPad (and a first-generation iPod Touch that gets used mainly as an alarm clock). It’s hard to justify, even for someone like me.

  18. remonchowdhury - 9 years ago

    Apple shit purses -_-

  19. kingofbliss10 - 9 years ago

    Apple store is busy updating…!!!! :)

  20. Jim Phong - 9 years ago

    If they don’t release a 4.7″ iPod Touch then it is going to be a huge mistake.
    An A7 or A8 SoC with its M coprocessor but still a 4″ iPhone 5/5S display size is just plain dumb.
    A 4.7″ model would sell a lot more and be the perfect portable console.

  21. jay349 - 9 years ago

    Apple is updating the Online Store. Can’t wait to see what’s it all about.

  22. Mark Granger - 9 years ago

    The iPod touch touts family location sharing and photo geotagging yet the iPod Touch has no GPS. It gets its location from nearby WiFi hotspots. This could cost someone their life if they end up needing to find their location where there is no WiFi. People just do not understand WiFi location. They expect it to work. Apple should have spend the extra couple of bucks and included GPS.

  23. Dan Hibiki - 9 years ago

    Ugh… Why is the plastic wifi bar at the top black on all models? It’s white on all models except for the space grey on the nano. Also white on the silver/gold ipad/iphone.

  24. Does anyone know they they will release this product to stores like target, walmart and meijer? i know it is in the apple store.

    • bperry944 - 9 years ago

      I had a Iipod classic that I just lost in a fire that I need to replace. Would the touch be the most comparable of what’sbeing made now?

  25. Andrew Metcalfe - 9 years ago

    Cool – I use an Android tablet, a great Android phone, but still use an Ipod classic for music. The 128Gb will be a useful replacement for that, for music only. Otherwise, I avoid Apple, their monopoly, control and arrogance as much as possible.