Ming-Chi Kuo, a KGI Securities analyst, has released a new report before Apple’s keynote later today detailing what he expects to see in the new lineup of updated iPod touches, confirming much of what we’ve already heard. The new lineup of iPod touches are expected to be announced today alongside the iPhone 5 (stay tuned to Macgasm for complete coverage).
According to Kuo, the upcoming version of the iPod touch is the “biggest upgrade ever” for the device. In terms of appearance, Kuo expects that along with the traditional black and white models, there will also be new colors for the iPod touch. Just like the iPhone 5, the new iPod touch is expected to feature a 4-inch display and thinner body thanks to in-cell technology that will also be seen in the iPhone 5.
Kuo also reported that while the current iPod touch can sometimes determine fairly accurate location information through Wi-Fi hot spots, he expects the new iPod touch to feature built-in GPS capabilities to really take advantage of Apple’s new Maps app in iOS 6.
Kuo also believes the iPod touch will come with a FaceTime HD camera on the front, along with an upgraded 5-megapixel rear camera.
The new iPod touch may have cross-device compatibility, according to Kuo. It may be able to easily connect with iPad and Mac hardware to act as a game controller or other accessory. A previous rumor was that Apple was working on an unannounced iOS 6 feature that would increase cross-device integration, using Bluetooth 4.0, so maybe this is it.
Similar to yesterday’s report, Kuo also thinks the new iPod touch will use the A5 system-on-a-chip, likely the die-shrunk 32-nanometer version that was released earlier this year in the tweaked iPad 2 and third-generation Apple TV. The iPhone 5 is expected to use a more powerful A6 chip.
And, like everyone else, Kuo is expecting a smaller dock connector in Apple’s entire iOS device lineup, including the iPod touch, containing 9 pins compared to the current 30-pin dock connector.
Lastly, Kuo believes that the current-generation iPod touch will be discontinued as Apple puts more focus on the significant improvements in the new model.
This is a lot of information to take in, but luckily we won’t have much longer to wait to find out exactly what the new iPod touch lineup will feature as Apple’s keynote takes place later today. Make sure you check out Macgasm for all of the coverage!
Source: Mac Rumors
