Apple’s new dock connector to be called ‘Lightning’, new headphones called ‘Earpod’ and a new ‘Loop’ accessory for the iPod touch

According to our sources, Apple’s new, smaller 9-pin dock connector is dubbed “Lightning” internally. As of this evening, we believe that this name will extend to the new connector’s marketing name. The moniker makes sense for two reasons. One: it goes along with the Thunderbolt connector name on the Mac (Thunderbolt and lightning!). Two: perhaps “Lightning” means that the new dock connector will be able to sync via a computer at faster speeds that the current 30-pin connector. With Apple’s new USB3-enabled Macs, we’d hope so anyway. It will sell for around $10/pop.

We also heard earlier this month that Apple was set to replace the standard headphones that come with its lineup of iPod devices and of course the iPhone and iPad. According to the same source, Apple will indeed release a new set of redesigned headphones under the name of "Earpod". The new headphones will feature a unique design and improved acoustics although it is not certain if these new headphones will replace the ones that come as standard or if they will be a premium model.

Finally, the new iPod touch is rumored to receive a new accessory that will be simply called “Loop”. The new accessory will be available in multiple colors but that is as much as we know for now. We can only speculate that this may be some sort of lanyard to stop you from dropping your iPod touch. Not much longer to wait now until the keynote, we will have full coverage of the event with our live blog; so you don’t need to go anywhere else.

Source: 9to5 Mac