The iPod touch's transition from Apple's primary revenue driver to the 'iPhone for people who don't want an iPhone' appears complete, with a leak from UK department store chain John Lewis suggesting we can expect an iPod touch refresh with iPhone 4 features this September.
As reported by Electricpig, the revelation was made during John Lewis' Xmas in July event hosted in London, with the store citing supplier rumours as the source behind its iPod touch checklist a checklist that includes both a 5MP camera with flash and support for FaceTime over wi-fi.
Feature full
Indeed, as this snapshot from the event shows, the fourth generation iPod touch is also expected to be able to shoot HD video, upload said clips to YouTube, and will come with a gyroscope.
With FaceTime promised, a front facing camera also appears on the cards.
In short, the new touch is being pitched as an iPhone 4 with the phone functionality naturally removed just as in previous iterations.
Even its launch date falls into line with precedent, with previous iPod touches making their retail debut in September.
Shifting roles
Apple Insider recently claimed Apple's focus has been drawn away from its iPod range though, with the sales it generates accounting for 8 percent of the firm's total revenue according to Q4 2010 projections down from 32 percent in the same quarter four years previous.
Even so, the touch continues to be a fail-safe for the company, enabling it to expand iOS's userbase by selling to consumers who own rival mobile phones, and well as reducing the cost of iPhone components thanks to economies of scale.
As such, we'd only be surprised if the refreshed iPod touch doesn't ship with iPhone 4's A4 chip and Retina display.
[source: Electricpig.co.uk]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
News
May 4th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Views E10 - Brawl Stars smashes 2023 revenue, Square Enix’s extraordinary losses, and Haaland signs for Clash of Clans
News
May 3rd, 2024
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
News
May 3rd, 2024
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
News
May 3rd, 2024
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
LA Games Conference 2024 | North America | May 6th |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Develop: Brighton 2024 | Europe | Jul 9th |