New iPods arriving Sept 9: Apple confirms?

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 03 September 2008 03:41

Opinion and Analysis

We previously reported rumours of an iTunes subscription service. Assuming they were based in reality and that iTunes Unlimited (or whatever it's dubbed) is part of the announcement, who's to say that Apple wouldn't be able to sharpen its pencil for those prepared to ante up for say a two-year subscription at the time of purchasing an iPod touch - or maybe even other iPod models.

The favourite prediction is of a reworked iPod nano with a wide screen. The design is said to return to the original tall and narrow concept of the nano, as opposed to the somewhat squat design of the current model that didn't meet with universal approval.

The portrait orientation would reduce the amount of scrolling through menus, but it would also mean that the device would be rotated 90 degrees to watch videos.

It's widely held that the new iPod nano will have curved front and rear surfaces. Purported 'spy photos' suggest the curve could extend to at least the edges of the screen, which seems a strange design choice.

The tipsheet also includes iTunes 8, but specifics are thin on the ground.

Still, all will be revealed by this time next week.