iPod touch

405 'iPod touch' stories December 2010 - September 2011

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First revealed in late 2012, the fifth-generation iPod touch ($199-$299 from the Apple Store) is Apple’s least-expensive iOS device. Thinner and lighter than its predecessor, it has an aluminum and glass body that paved the way for surprisingly similar designs in the iPad mini, iPad Air, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus families. Beyond its space gray and silver versions, it is currently the only metal iOS device offered in bright colors — a benefit if you like red, pink, yellow, or blue — and is similar to the plastic iPhone 5c in features, minus cellular data and phone calling support.

With the same 4-inch screen as the iPhone 5c, it also has the same Lightning connector, though it’s a generation behind in processing power with the A5 chip. It includes the first “good enough” camera system ever in an iPod: a 5-megapixel rear iSight camera with an iPhone 6/6 Plus-style protruding lens, and a basic FaceTime HD camera on the front. Apple’s Siri voice assistant is also supported, as are most of the great games available in the App Store.

There have been some changes to the 16GB version of this iPod touch over time; at first, there wasn’t one, then one appeared in silver with a black front but without a rear camera. That was replaced by the current version which comes in all six colors, each with a camera, matching the colors and cameras of 32GB and 64GB models. For $199 to $299, these aren’t bad deals, but under most circumstances we’d recommend the iPad mini or iPad mini 2 instead.

Does Apple have to kill the iPod?

Seth Weintraub Sep 13 2011 - 12:25 pm PT

Will the touch turn into an iPhone, the Classic be killed by iCloud and the Shuffle and Nano be morphed into wearable/iWatches?

from Wikipedia, data to Q2 2011

Out of Apple’s incredibly successful product lines, the iPods are the only one dropping numbers and revenue (above, mostly to iPhone and iPad, not the competition). Analysts as well as Apple forecast iPod sales drops close to 20% this quarter over the year ago quarter, which is an acceleration of the previous year to year drop. Apple’s very nature is to only go after lucrative expanding markets so there could be some motivation to cut or revamp the iPod lineup.

There’s been some talk of Apple killing the iPod touch at next month’s iPhone 5 announcement, which happens to be smack dab on top of the release window of every iPod announcement of the past 5 years. The idea is that if a “cheap” iPhone is made to cost less than $300, what is the point of having an iPod touch alongside it only a few bucks cheaper? Indeed, having the iPhone event during the normally scheduled iPod event could indicate some sort of new branding/pairing or at the very least a new release schedule. Interestingly, we’ve heard there are global constraints on iPhone 4 happening globally, but not on iPods ahead of September…

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Apple is working on an iOS ‘scanner’ app

Seth Weintraub Sep 13 2011 - 8:30 am PT

In response to the HP Print Control scanner app that we covered yesterday, a source at Apple told us that Apple is working on an app called “scanner” that uses iOS devices camera to act like a digital scanner. Clearly this is meant for higher iPhone class cameras rather than current iPad or iPod touch cameras.

Here’s what we’ve heard on how it works:

The user opens the app and holds the iPhone over the document or object they want scanned. They then snap a picture of it. Apple’s on-board software then resizes the image to ‘letter’ or business card, A4 or whatever depending on original document. Resizing includes aligning edges that get skewed by a sigle scan point rather than traditional scanning methods. The user can then manually change the size of the document or the use (biz card?)
On board software then separates images blocks from text.
This is where it gets murky. At last word, Apple was trying to do OCR both on-device and using alternative cloud methods for recognizing text. Third party Optical Character Recognition (OCR) vs. in house solutions were also being tested.
The resulting file can then be saved as a PDF, .Pages, exported to contacts (in the case of business cards for example).

Third party apps already exist in this field but word is that Apple wanted a polished in-house app that directly tied to its contacts and Pages apps. Apple has numerous patents in this field so they’ve been thinking about this for awhile.

It isn’t certain when or if this application will be released or if Apple will bundle it as part of its iOS, iWork Apps, or a separate app going forward.

Google does something similar to this with their Docs App in Android.
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Apple says iTunes Match has re-opened for U.S. developers, but is it for you?

Jake Smith Sep 10 2011 - 3:41 pm PT

Apple has just sent out an email this afternoon notifying developers that iTunes Match has re-opened for developers, after registration was shut-down shortly after it launched. Sadly, we’re hearing from several people around the web that they still aren’t able to get in, but some lucky few are. Frustrating, huh?

iTunes Match beta testing has now been expanded to additional developers in the United States.
iTunes Match stores your music library in iCloud and allows you to enjoy your collection from anywhere, any time, on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or computer. Any of your songs, including music you’ve imported from CDs, that matches with the 18 million songs in the iTunes Store will become available in iCloud and will play back at iTunes Plus quality (256 Kbps DRM-free AAC) — even if your original was of a lower quality.

iTunes Match allows users to store their music library in iCloud, where it can then be downloaded to their iOS devices or other Macs. The service is currently available to developers for $24.99 a year, but it will see a public launch alongside iOS 5. Let us know in the comments section below if you’re able to get in. Full email below:

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Analyst: Apple to sell 22 Million iPads in 4th Quarter

Aug 22 2011 - 2:37 pm PT

Another day, another analyst making bold predictions about Apple. Though this time it’s the usually accurate Jason Schwarz. In a post on SeekingAlpha.com (via Forbes) Schwarz writes:

“With the era of the laptop coming to an end how should we extrapolate Apple’s recent quarter of 9.25 million iPads into the holiday quarter? It’s logical to assume that the iPad will mirror the growth that the iPhone experienced in 2010 as it grew from 8.4 million units sold in Q2 to 16.2 million in Q4, 92% growth. We also take into consideration the 183% year over year growth that the iPad experienced in its most recent quarter to come up with a forecast of 21.9 million iPads to be sold in this year’s holiday quarter.”

2011 has been a difficult year for Apple’s tablet competitors. HP recently halted production of their WebOS powered TouchPad device after only three months on the market (though it has been selling well at $99). Blackberry’s new PlayBook has been panned by many reviews. Android manufacturers have been sued by Apple for violating many of their software patents. Even laptop manufacturers are starting to feel the pain of the increasingly popular and powerful tablet. Traditionally the holiday quarter has always been the strongest for Apple. Furthermore, we would be remiss to leave out the very unlikely possibility of a rumored iPad holiday refresh. Such an event, though unlikely, could help push these numbers into the stratosphere.

It’s pretty amazing to see how far the iPad has come in such a short period of time. Starting out for many as “just a big iPod touch”, the device has matured and found a place in millions of homes throughout the world. The iPad has played a major role in defining and boosting the stagnant tablet market. Could it help boost that market beyond laptops in 2012? 22 million sales for the holiday quarter would certainly be a good start.

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Of the new iPods, a Bluetooth, wearable nano is the one to watch

Seth Weintraub Aug 12 2011 - 4:47 pm PT

We’ve been hearing so much about the new iPhone 5 that it has all but drowned out any talk of the iPods, which are traditionally released at the September Apple event as well. There hasn’t been any definitive word, but I expect them to get an update as well before the holiday shopping season.

The new iPod touch will likely head in the same direction as the iPhone 5 – faster A5 processor and better backside camera (hopfully 3MP w/ autofocus?) etc. I don’t expect a lot of innovation on what is already a pretty incredible little device. Perhaps a $199 entry level price tag (a $30 drop – which we already see quite often) will be the marquee new spec.

The iPod classic wasn’t upgraded last year and wasn’t on the keynote slide (below) where Steve Jobs said “we’ve got All-new designs for every model” which kind of makes it feel dead to me.

You can still buy classics in their 2 year old form a year later but with iCloud kicking into gear, I think Apple’s chances of killing it this year are better than keeping it around. More awesome/unlikely would be giving it Wifi and turning out a big HDD wireless media hub like the Seagate GoFlex Satellite.

But where I think there will be real innovation, however, will be the iPod nano…

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Apple plans to release next beta of iOS 5 on Thursday, August 18

9to5 Staff Aug 6 2011 - 7:03 pm PT

Update: The date in the file has moved a day forward.

We know you are just rooting through iOS Beta 5 now, but we’re think we’ve cracked the OTA update date code.

Apple plans to release their next developer seed of iOS 5, Beta 6, on Thursday, August 18th according to some codes a few developers sent our way. The sources, who provided us with the exact date and time of today’s iOS 5 beta 5 release (which we were skeptical of – because it was a Saturday), warns that because we are still days away from the planned release, the seeding can be delayed due to bugs or other reasons out of our control.

Anyway, you might want to block out your calendar for Thursday evening.

Thanks, Yarin, Andre and A!

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Apple seeds iOS5 Beta 5 to developers

Seth Weintraub Aug 6 2011 - 11:40 am PT

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There is a standalone of iOS 5 beta 5 build 9A5288d as well as a new delta update available via OTA which weighs in at 128mb. Xcode and iTunes also received updates today as well. Interestingly, to do the OTA, Apple says you’ll need to do a hard reset (though we’re hearing that is optional)

To install iOS 5 beta 5 using over the air software update, you must first erase all content and settings on your device by choosing Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Over the air software update can be initiated on devices running iOS 5 beta 3 and later by choosing Settings > General > Software Update.

Monster release notes and changes, below:
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At 3 in Sweden, the iPhone 3GS is on a fire sale

Seth Weintraub Aug 4 2011 - 5:34 am PT

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Three in Sweden is having a “half price sale” on the iPhone 3GS “while supplies last”. The free iPhone 3GS with the 99 Kroners a month ($15.42) plan works out to about US$370 for the entire contract and that is before minutes and the unlimited Internet (throttled after 1GB) are considered. That is incredibly cheap.

In the US, the price of an iPhone 3GS off contract is still over $400 and we’re used to some of the lowest prices on Apple products globally.

The move would seem to indicate that the iPhone 3GS is nearing its end of life (EOL) and prices may begin to drop in other countries as well.

The Swedish carrier’s move is interesting because we heard a report last month that the iPhone 3GS would continue to be offered next year at a sub-$350 prepaid option alongside the ‘iPhone 4S’.

Updated: Denmark too!

Machine translated plan, below:
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Apple wins iPods.com dispute, domain ordered to be transferred

Jake Smith Jul 31 2011 - 1:32 pm PT

Apple filed a complaint in late May with the World Intellectual Property Organization to gain control of iPods.com. Fusible is reporting that Apple has been awarded the domain as of late Friday, and the domain will soon be transferred over to Apple’s ownership. Full details haven’t been disclosed.

Apple is known for paying in the millions for domains, like when they reportedly paid $4.5 million for iCloud.com. When Apple follows the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, like they did in this case, they end up paying thousands, rather than millions. Will Apple continue on to gain control of domains like iPhone5.com, iPad.com, and Macs.com?

Full policy below:

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Have we found the iPhone 5?

Seth Weintraub Jul 28 2011 - 1:05 pm PT

Click to enlarge

Last evening, a tipster sent us some pictures of what he now thinks is the iPhone 5. He caught what he said was likely an Apple employee hunched over the device on the way home from work in San Francisco earlier this week. He told us he was able to get a very good look at the device but the pictures he snapped “didn’t do it justice”.

We contacted the tipster by phone and checked his background. We believe he saw a totally new Apple device, probably a prototype iPhone 5. He contacted us because when he got home, he doubted what he saw was legitimate until he looked at the green cases we posted. Then it all came together for him. Our tipster has had an iPhone 3GS and currently has an iPhone 4. He knows his iPhones and iPods and this was like nothing he’s ever seen. He said it would fit perfectly into the case below.

“Almost EVO-like” in screen size, this iPhone also appears thinner than the current iPhone 4 but also wider. The edges are rounded metal like the edges of a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 but could still function as an antenna. The back is a curved/tapered glass or plastic. He couldn’t tell but if he had to guess he’d say glass. He said it looked too amazing to be built by anyone besides Apple (fanboy!).

Our tipster wasn’t able to see the front/home button and the man holding the device was covering the Apple logo for all but a brief moment when the above picture was snapped. It seemed apparent that he was trying to hide what he had more than the average smartphone user.

We aren’t certain if this is legitimate or not but it is too thin and flat to be an iPhone 3GS and too rounded to be an iPhone 4. The black back with Apple logo would seem to rule out an iPod touch. Our tipster is all but certain it was a new Apple product and the iPhone 5 would be the most likely scenario.

Would Apple let employees out into the world with these over a month before launch? Apple has acknowledged that they real world test this way in the past (ahem, Gray Powell). They’ve also indicated that the cases the iPhone 4s came in may have been a factor in not diagnosing the finger spot/antennagate fiasco ahead of time. So perhaps this is legit?

Another picture below:
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Next low cost iPhone?

Seth Weintraub Jul 28 2011 - 6:45 am PT

MacRumors is reporting a plastic white iPhone found on Tinhte.vn may be the next value iPhone.

We only have 3 issues with these pictures:

1. It is running Cydia which is unlikely to be an easy install on a new prototype iPhone with a new cellular chip, internal hardware and firmware. It is doubtful Apple is testing Cydia and it isn’t a cakewalk to jailbreak an entirely new device.
2. Probably most damning, it has the tell-tale old white speaker grill at the top which was phased out as the white iPhone was improved over the past year and a half. It looks like the poster may have tried to blur it as well. It is doubtful that Apple would go back to this flawed design.
3. Plastic?

Some other information that you want to transfer to you is that this machine seems to run faster than the iPhone 4, lighter weight and two glass front and back seem to have been replaced by two plastic sheets, type of sensation and cry other than the iPhone 4.

It is unlikely that Apple would ever replace the glass front with plastic. Even the $229 iPod touch is glass. Can you imagine Apple doing plastic face? Not possible.

More likely there is a matte overlay on the front of it.

Otherwise, this phone has a plastic back which would decrease the weight and cost and increase the durability. Which actually makes some sense – though the $229 iPod touch gets by with stainless steel. We were throwing this device around yesterday and concluded it was probably an iPhone 4 prototype that was brought back up to the surface – there is no shortage of those in Asia. Two more shots below.

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Apple releases iOS 4.3.5, resolves security issue (Updated)

Mark Gurman Jul 25 2011 - 10:28 am PT

Apple has just released iOS 4.3.5 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This update comes just days after the iOS 4.3.4 release and it resolves a “security issue” which has been resolved with certificate verification.

Standalone downloads and geeky specifics below:

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Apple looking at 55-inch LG OLED displays for late 2012 Apple Television?

Seth Weintraub Jul 24 2011 - 6:30 am PT

Smarthouse has a particularly bad reputation when it comes to Apple rumors, especially when they involve OLEDs. But we’ll bite on their latest because it is so tantalizing.

There is also speculation that Apple has held discussions with LG Display the Company that makes display screens for MAC products, about the possibility of getting access to a new 55 LG OLED panel that will be used in a new Apple TV that will be capable of delivering music, Video & TV shows over an IP network.

On Friday LG said that they will launch a limited production OLED TV late in 2012.

There are no shortage of people advocating for an integrated Apple television, but certainly the leader is Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster who expects one next year.

As far as the big display makers are concerned, Apple’s relationship with LG is probably the strongest. LG makes iPod Touch and iPhone Retina Displays and Apple secured a $500 million dollar investment in LG displays in 2009. The net of that was a temporary exclusive on the panels for the 27-inch display that Apple’s iMacs and now Thunderbolt Displays now use. Sony makes OLEDs as well but doesn’t have a strong relationship with Apple, at least as far as displays are concerned. The other big OLED maker is Samsung, who is now tangled with Apple in patent disputes.

If Apple does do a TV, it will likely have some sort of game-changer tech innovation that Apple could exclusively own for a period of time. A 55-inch OLED would probably qualify even though yields will be low and prices will be astronomical during the ramp up.

We’re still not convinced, however.
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iPod touch gets cellular toggle switch in iOS 5 (update: and GPS!)

Seth Weintraub Jul 23 2011 - 1:22 am PT

The obvious explanation for the screenshot above, taken on a current Retina iPod touch with the latest iOS 5 Beta, is that Apple messed up by leaving the ‘Cellular’ data option in the iPod software.

However, with talk of a 3G iPod touch (or a merged iPhone!), it does look more tantalizing.

Update: GPS toggle also found! After the break…

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The next-generation iPod touch’s white front revealed?

Mark Gurman Jul 22 2011 - 5:32 am PT

We’ve received photos of a purported white iPod touch front panel. Specifically, this panel is the digitizer component, according to the iFixYouri iPhone repair shop. We obviously cannot confirm the legitimacy of these photos but according to iFixYouri, they fall in line with the fourth generation iPod touch’s build. Knowing this, these can either be photos of a scrapped white iPod touch 4 in white or (hopefully) photos of the fifth-generation iPod touch’s front panel in white.

Although we have been hearing some whispers of a new form-factor for the fifth-generation iPod touch, the previously accurate Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that the fifth-generation iPod touch will, in fact, come in white and will feature an overall design that is akin to that of the fourth-generation iPod touch. Additionally, iOS SDK data reveals that the iPod 4,2 (possibly the fifth-gen iPod touch) will be more about internal changes. On that note, we’ll likely see the dual-core A5 processor to move the iPod touch ahead in the growing mobile gaming industry, and maybe some better cameras. More info and a few more high-resolution pictures of the white panel are after the break…

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Contest: iFixYouri will fix your iOS device for free #HelpiFixYouri

Seth Weintraub Jul 15 2011 - 1:08 pm PT

Our friends over at iFixYouri have offered to do some repairs on 9to5mac readers’ iOS devices for free.

9to5mac and iPhone repair company iFixYouri.com are offering to get your broken iPhone, iPod, or iPad repaired for FREE! In order to enter the contest, retweet this post on Twitter with hashtag #HelpiFixYouri and a picture of your broken iDevice for a chance to win. If the story about your broken device requires more than what a tweet can share, send an email off to support@iFixYouri.com or like and share it on their Facebook page.

A winning contestant will be randomly selected each week, for the next month. You are only allowed to enter once and a winner can only win one time. If it is determined that your device is irreparable (and doesn’t start in Blend-Tec condition), iFixYouri and 9to5mac will replace the device with a good working equivalent! (also no iPod shuffles or nanos are eligible)

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Apple issues JailbreakMe-unfriendly iOS 4.3.4

9to5 Staff Jul 15 2011 - 10:52 am PT

Apple released iOS 4.3.4 (build 8K2) fixing a PDF exploit which makes possible wireless jailbreaking by visiting the JailbreakMe.com web-tool in mobile Safari. The exploit could also be used to inject and execute any code on iOS devices. The iOS 4.3.4 download is now available through iTunes for the iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad 1 and 2 and third- and fourth-generation iPod touch. Verizon iPhone users will get the same fix via the iOS 4.2.9 update (build 8E501). Contents of the Verizon iPhone firmware update is outlined in this support document (here for iOS 4.3.4 for all other devices).

Stand-alone downloads below:

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Apple continues work on native panoramic camera functionality in iOS 5

Seth Weintraub Jul 14 2011 - 4:16 am PT

Last month, we documented code within iOS 5 which contained references to some new panoramic camera functionality for iOS devices.

The latest build of iOS shows that Apple continues to do work on this functionality. They’ve added a few more strings which weren’t in the earlier Beta:

Here’s what happens when you jailbreak and enable panoramic

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqAJa2GzYvg&start=32]

More than a few third party apps already do panoramic camera capturing on Apple’s iOS. One example is below:

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Developers: Volume B2B purchasing coming to the App Store

Seth Weintraub Jul 13 2011 - 5:54 pm PT

Developers wishing to sell apps to business in volume for discounted rates now will be able to according to an email just sent to developers. Apple upgraded its Paid Applications Agreement today which allows for a new type of pricing.

For instance, a hospital could buy a medical app for its 2000 employees in one big swoop rather than hitting the buy button 2000 times.
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Facetime on the big screen? Yeah, iOS has that now

Seth Weintraub Jul 13 2011 - 7:44 am PT

Want that face on your big screen? No problem! Just Facetime with Rene Ritchie over at TiPb. You see, the latest build of iOS 5 Beta 3 has support for Airplay.

With all of the new trickery in the AppleTV 5.0 software, it wouldn’t surprise us to see a family-like FacetimeHD option for the current AppleTV or even a new 1080P version.

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There will be two different iPhones in September and the cheaper one is more important

Seth Weintraub Jul 7 2011 - 8:06 pm PT

This afternoon, we recieved some intel from an iPhone source that has been reliable in the past. Most of the information is already known but it is important to weigh in on what’s going around. The “big” news is that Apple will be selling two totally distinct iPhones in September. One will be a low-end variety that will address the cheap Android market, according to the source. The other will be a high-end device and will be an all new design. There will be no mistaking these two devices, they will be immediately discernible. The iPod touch, like it always has, will get updated in September as well.

So that’s where the info path trails off, and to be frank, it isn’t all that surprising. There are currently two totally distinct iPhones on the market: the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4. The 3GS is at a cheaper price point while the iPhone 4 is the high-end line.

So we’ll have the same thing in September? iPhone 4 is the low end and iPhone 5 the high end?

I’m not so sure. For one, the price of an iPhone 4 isn’t going to compete with cheap Android phones in any way. Apple is currently selling them for over $600. They aren’t going to cut the price in half overnight. The 3GS doesn’t currently compete on price either. I think that to compete on price with Android, Apple has to make a totally new low end phone as well.

What’s it going to be? I think a good place to start looking is the curent iPod touch. The iPod touch has the same resolution screen as the iPhone 4 but with poor(er) viewing angles because the screen doesn’t have In-Plane Switching. (video below)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJSESZ3faH4&HD=1]

Also, the back camera is an order of magnitude worse than the iPhone 4’s, it doesn’t have GPS, has less RAM and the battery doesn’t last quite as long.

…and obviously the iPod lacks the “phone” bits.

But Apple somehow makes a lot of money selling this “almost iPhone” for just $229 retail (and under $200 at discounts) vs. the $650 that the iPhone 4 fetches without a plan. It doesn’t seem infeasible to me that Apple could use the iPod touch platform that debuted a full year ago to build a cheap iPhone device.

Here’s how:

Start with the same hardware. Add the GPS/3G baseband chips and some phone wiring and a solid 3 megapixel camera and you are 99% of the way to an iPhone lite. iPhone Air? Whatever.

Apple could make this device, one that is thinner than an iPhone 4, with most of the same specs, for $299. But here’s the best part:
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9to5Toys iOS device accessory roundup

Seth Weintraub Jun 28 2011 - 11:18 am PT

Standouts from 9to5toys.com (Twitter, Feed) today:

InCase 900mAh iPhone 4 battery case (pictured) $29.95 plus FREE SHIPPING using this promo code – “dealnewssnapbatt05”
Ringke Case for 4th-Gen iPod touch for $10 + free shipping
rooCASE TPU Skin Wave Case for AT&T iPhone 4, more for $4 + free shipping
Maxell FireWire / USB Universal iPod Charging Dock for $7 + $5 s&h
Leather Case w/ Bluetooth Keyboard for Apple iPad 2, $2 credit for $40 + $6 s&h
Lenovo P950 Headset w/ Noise Canceling Mic for $10 + free shipping
Executive Capacitive Stylus / Ballpoint Pen for $9 + $3 s&h, more
Kensington BlackBelt Protective Band for iPad for $11 + free shipping
SquareTrade 2-Year iPad 2 Warranty for $70, more
Perhaps the best: $2 of free music using this link and code CLOUDMP3 at Amazon

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You can now enter Recovery Mode wirelessly in iOS 5 beta 2

Jun 26 2011 - 2:00 am PT

You not only can sync your media wirelessly in iOS 5, but it appears you can enter Recovery Mode using ‘RecBoot, Etc’ from the Mac.

Does this mean the iPhone Dev Team may come out with a “Wireless Jailbreaking Tool”?
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"iPad3,1" and "iPad3,2." make an appearance in iOS 5

Seth Weintraub Jun 7 2011 - 2:08 pm PT

TUAW notes that inside the USB device profiles of iOS 5 are profiles for two never before seen devices called “iPad3,1” and “iPad3,2.” Obviosuly Apple is going to be making more iPads in the future and devices often show up in these profiles many months before they are delivered. However, there was some speculation earlier this year that an enhanced iPad 2 or iPad 3 with a Retina display would be released in time for the holidays.

Most analysts currently estimate that the next version of the iPad will hit at the beginning of next year so.

Interestingly, TUAW notes that there are no new iPod touches listed. Touches usually are released in the Fall, but with no new iPhone hardware announced or released at WWDC, Apple’s traditional hardware release schedule has been put in question.
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