Comming Generaton iPod Touch: FaceTime, 5MP camera, HD video… Really?

There are some interesting rumors going around that will surely please all iPod fans. iPod was the product to propel Apple into massive popularity; but the phone has not undergone any extreme changes in quite some time. The rumors indicate that all this will change with the next generation iPod.

According to a leading UK retailer, Apple is going to equip the next-gen iPod touch 4 / 4G with iPhone 4 like features such as FaceTime, 5MP camera with 720p video recording capabilities, A4 processor, gyroscope and a lot more. This means that you will get an iPhone 4 without the phone calling features and without the antenna problems.

Many of these features make sense. It is certainly about time that the iPod got a complete makeover. However according to iFixit,the site that creates self-help manuals to repair Apple’s products, this 5 megapixel camera rumor is impossible. The site presents some simple statistics which show why the 5 megapixel camera will not make it to the next iPod.

The current casing width obtained of the next iPod design is 6 mm (millimeters) wide, including the edges. This means that the space to fit in everything will be less than 6 mm. iPhone 4’s front camera width is 2.5 mm and the back camera width is 6.5 mm. It is clear that while the front camera can make it, the 5 megapixel back camera will not fit in the current iPod design.

According to the current design, most probably the next iPod will get a dual camera system with the back camera being less than 5 megapixels. [via 9To5Mac & MacRumors]

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Video recording. A new take on iPod nano.

A quick scroll through the menu takes you to the video camera. Then you’re ready to record video in portrait or landscape — perfect for emailing or posting on Facebook or MobileMe. A built-in mic lets you capture audio, too. And when you play back your video on iPod nano, you’ll hear the recorded audio with it. All of which means your indispensable music player is now your indispensable video camera.
-agencies

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Apple Japan to improve iPod Nano fire warnings

AFP

Apple's Japanese unit has promised to improve website warnings over its first-generation iPod Nano music player after incidents of it overheating and catching fire, a government statement said.

AFP

TOKYO: Apple's Japanese unit has promised to improve website warnings over its first-generation iPod Nano music player after incidents of it overheating and catching fire, a government statement said.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a weekend press release that Apple Japan had submitted a report about measures it has taken against the incidents -- such as giving warnings or recalling the products.

The report was filed in response to an order issued a week ago by the ministry after recharging problems caused 27 overheating incidents, including six fires, which left four people with minor burns.

"The ministry is in the process of closely examining the report and making additional inquiries to the company," the statement said.

Apple has sold about 1.8 million units of the 2005 iPoD Nano model in Japan since September 2005.

The Japanese unit has put information on its website about the problems, including recommending battery replacements. However, the lack of prominence given to the warnings has provoked criticism.

The ministry statement said that Apple Japan has vowed to "improve the homepage in a way to make it easy for users to understand with regard to warnings and measures to prevent recurrences of incidents."

It also noted that the company had newly notified the ministry of 34 other "non-serious" overheating accidents. The ministry called the delay "truly regrettable."

The latest setback for Apple follows the launch of its iPhone 4, which has been dogged by reception problems linked to its new design and manufacturing issues that have led to the delay of the white version.

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