As I entered junior high, iPods were the big thing everybody had to have. I remember carrying around the fifth generation black iPod Video, the most awesome thing out at the time. When a repair accident left the LCD damaged, I shelved the aging unit and purchased the iPod touch once that landed in stores later in senior high. This was long before an App Store existed on the device, and after three years of owning the iPod touch, I’m looking forward to the next refresh later this year.
Though I thought the iPod would have been losing some interest with rather minor refreshes through the years (it got prettier, the Nano changed shape, etc), the iPod still retains 76 Percent of the US MP3 Market. I’ll say it: nobody makes a better MP3 player.
The iPod had some really great campaigns until the iPhone gained momentum. It was the definitive market that helped Apple get back into the game, and I feel that the line has been somewhat neglected. I guess another issue with the iPod is that it’s a purchase that an individual will make every 3 to 4 years as they use their devices for workouts, on the road, etc. If it plays music, there’s not really an incentive to immediately update to newer models.
I have the feeling that Apple’s next refresh will be pretty incredible. I also have an inkling that it’s time for everyone to be in that update mode as they replace older models. 9 to 5 Mac reiterates some of the current rumors floating around right now.
This year the company is expected to deliver iPod touch models with video cameras (a la iPhone), though these may offer 3.2 rather than 5-megapixel CCDs.
Apple may surprise us all with a touch-enabled iPod nano (thanks critics), or shuffle, may stun us with an all-new iteration of the Apple TV (potentially equipped with an amazing new remote control) and is extremely likely to introduce some form of cloud-based iTunes services.
Those are the current rumors.
Though I figured the 3.2 megapixel rumor was my speculation alone, it looks like somebody else has either partially confirmed it, or is restating the idea elsewhere. While I’m not against the idea of a touch-enabled iPod nano, I’m going to guess that the shuffle will receive an screen based update after the appearance of the 3 cm x 3 cm screen.
[via 9 to 5 Mac]
