New iPods next week?

Stephen Withers
Monday, 27 August 2007 12:38

Your IT - Home IT

A September 5 announcement of new iPods is the current tip from the Apple rumour mill.

The chatter is not completely consistent, but it seems that replacements for the current nano and 'full size' iPods may be on their way.

A key feature of the new models is that they are tipped to run a cut-down version of the OS X variant that drives the iPhone. The idea of a touch-screen simulation of a click wheel has been circulating for months, but it seems likely that at least one iPod will retain the traditional wheel. That doesn't rule out the possibility of a full-screen iPod with a virtual click wheel.

It also seems possible that Apple will drop the full-sized iPod's hard disk in favour of flash memory, which is now available with capacities and prices to suit a video-capable iPod.

According to AppleInsider, stocks of the iPod and iPod nano are "extremely low or non-existent at high-profile dealers" in the US. Replenishment is said to be expected in about two weeks, which ties in with the mooted September 5 event. That said, the online Apple Stores for the US and Australia are still quoting 24hr dispatch for all variants of these models.

Additional products and/or services may be announced alongside the new iPods, some reports suggest.