iPod touch

Later today, Apple will hold a keynote where we expect to hear all about the new iPhone 5. One of the rumored changes that Apple should announce is the new mini dock connector which takes the place of the current 30 pin connector that has been on all iOS devices since 2007. The new 9 pin dock connector will supposedly be known as the “Lightning” connector according to a report from 9 to 5 Mac.

As tomorrow's September 12 iPhone event draws closer, more information is also being rumored about the new iPod touch as well. That includes its codename, N78, another source saying it'll be 1136x640 just like the new iPhone, but also a rumor saying it won't be as fast.

Back on July 30, iMore learned Apple would be holding a special event on September 12, 2012. Last week, Apple went and made it official. In between and since, we've been subjected to a flood of rumors fast and furious. Sorting the sane ones, the legit part leaks and software sneaks, supply chain gossip and retail chatter, from the 100% crazy stuff isn't always simple. Apple's a supremely secretive company. They take great pains to build hype without giving much, if anything away. But they're also a company that sticks to a tried-and-true formula. Based on their past behavior, we can try and predict their future behavior. And based on their past events, we can make some educated guesses about this week's event.

Back in July, iMore learned there'd be new iPods alongside the iPhone 5 at Apple's now-confirmed September 12, and later that the new iPod touch would also be getting the new 4-inch, 16:9 screen. Now reports are coming in that Apple might keep the old model around at the low price point, and introduce some new colors to the equation as well.

Back in July when iMore learned about Apple's plans for a September 12 iPhone event, we learned some new iPods would likely be coming with it, including a new iPod touch and iPod nano. Details were scarce, however.

Apple has pushed out an update for the Apple TV that brings an iTunes Festival app to the main screen. The iTunes Festival, much like the Hulu Plus app that appeared earlier this month, doesn't require a software update it just appears on your home screen over the air.

Apple’s Genius Bar apparently deals with 50,000 appointments a day from all around the world. The appointments involve iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iPod, Apple TV, and Mac repairs, and whichever way you look at it, it’s a huge number of appointments. The information comes from The Loop who managed to get a meeting with Apple to discuss its retail operations after Apple opened its 374th and 375th retail store in Canada.

Not all iOS device Wi-Fi speeds are created equal. If your family has a mix of devices, like an iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and iPod touch 3, it can be difficult to get maximum performance from your Wi-Fi router. The iPad can do fast 802.11n on the relatively clear 5GHz frequency. The iPhone 4S can do fast 802.11n, but only on the more cluttered 2.4GHz frequency. The iPod touch can only do slower 802.11b/g, and only on 2.4GHz. Even if you have a dual-band router, like Apple's latest AirPorts, even as the iPad zips along at 802.11n on 5Ghz, the slower iPod touch or even an iPhone 3GS will force the iPhone 4S down to 802.11b/g on 2.4GHz. So what's a geek to do?

If you have a desktop computer or server that stays on most of the time, you can set up Bluetooth tethering for your older devices, getting them off Wi-Fi and letting your 802.11n devices speed along unhindered. It's a bit of a workaround, and your Bluetooth-connected devices will be limited to 20mbs, but the slower slows will also give you faster fasts on your more modern devices. For me, that's a great tradeoff. If you agree, here's how to do it on OS X Mountain Lion.

FreedomPop has announced that it will soon offer the Freedom Sleeve which is an iPod touch case that includes a WiMax mobile hotspot. The idea is to enable iPod touch users to have continuous access to a data connection and be able to make and receive phone calls through VoIP services like Skype.