iPod touch

Will the third generation iPod touch, widely expected to be released at Apple's next Music Event in September, weigh in at 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, and be position at $199/$299/$399?

MediaMemo reports that multiple music industry sources have been informed that Apple's annual Special Music Event, typically involving iPod and iTunes, will take place the second week of September -- and since Apple usually holds these events on Tuesdays, that would make September 8 the day to watch.

As part of the just-completed Q3 2009 conference call, Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook revealed that the iPhone OS, the software behind both the iPhone and iPod touch, now enjoys an install base of over 45 million.

Combined with previous announcements of 65,000 apps, 100,000 registered developers, and 1.5 billion downloads, and it looks like Apple has quite the mobile platform on their hands. Scratch that, they have quite the platform in consumer hands.

Rumors of the third generation iPod touch getting a camera -- even video camera -- is nothing new, however Wired.com now claims they may be getting a built-in microphone as well:

A well-connected source tells us those rumors are on the money, and that Apple’s factories in China are already manufacturing iPod Touch models with integrated cameras and microphones. An Apple spokesman declined to comment when reached by phone.

Apple's third generation iPod touch seems to be going out for a little web-based test drive. Designated iPod touch 3,1, we first saw code hints of it in the iPhone 3.0 beta firmware, and then in rumors about the iPod touch getting a camera. Now, according to app analytics provider PinchMedia:

we’ve been noticing an “iPod 3,1″ string appearing in our version reporting, signifying what we believe to be a new yet-to-be-released version of the iPod Touch.

Could the iPod touch and iPod nano also be getting in on the camera action? We've heard the rumor before but evidence continues to mount with Techcrunch claiming:

One of our sources in Asia say that Apple has placed an order for a massive number of camera modules of the type that they include in the iPhone. These are inexpensive cameras, in the $10 range. And the size of the order, our source says, means they can only be used for one thing - the iPods.

We'd heard rumors about the iPod touch getting a camera already -- makes sense and would tie it even more closely to the iPhone OS. HardMac (via MacRumors) is now saying the iPod nano will as well.

Sounds plausible as it provides an easy way for Apple to both strengthen ties within their ecosystem and incrementally update both platforms in time for the holidays.

Not content with having only sold 37 million iPhone OS-based devices (which includes the iPod touch), Apple has set about stalking and capturing a whole new class of prey: our moms.

Fiendishly clever, Apple. Who's mom wouldn't want all those pictures of the kids (and maybe grandkids), home movies, email and chat access, and multitouch gaming hardcore enough to put the curl back in her beehive.

Only one problem, Apple. Our moms may jailbreak!

(Joking, we still have to help them start "the internet" with that little compass or curled fox icon... Sigh...)