Apple earlier this week introduced the sixth-generation iPod touch, featuring a new A8 chip and M8 motion coprocessor, 8-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera and Bluetooth 4.1, in six colors: blue, gold, pink, red, silver and space gray. 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB models are available through the Apple Store and Apple Online Store for $199, $249, $299 and $399 respectively.
Apple's new sixth-generation iPod touch in blue and pink
The video below submitted by MacRumors reader Jacob Zacks takes a closer look at the new iPod touch colors and features. The existing silver color from 2012 has been complimented with space gray and gold models that match the new MacBook lineup, while the new blue and pink colors are much brighter and deeper than the fifth-generation iPod touch. The sixth color is (PRODUCT)RED and remains unchanged.
Watch on YouTube
iPods have declined in sales and popularity since the iPhone was released, but the portable media players still fill a niche and were long overdue for an update. The sixth-generation iPod touch's most important new feature is the jump to an A8 chip, which delivers up to 10 times faster graphics performance and ensures the device will be capable of running iOS 9 and future software updates.
A recent benchmark test clocked the new iPod touch's A8 chip at 1.10GHz per core, slower than the 1.39GHz per core the iPhone 6 runs at, and confirmed it has 1GB of RAM. The new iPod touch is also the first iOS device to include the Bluetooth 4.1 specification, which is more reliable and offers less interference with LTE bands, improved power management and better data transfer.
Apple's new iPod touch no longer has a loop attachment on the back
Whether this is the last significant update to the iPod lineup remains to be seen, but for now the iPod touch lives on with a vibrant lineup of new colors and under-the-hood improvements. Apple Stores have begun receiving in-store stock of the new iPod touch this week, with Personal Pickup now available in the U.S., and all models and storage capacities currently ship within 1 business day on the Apple Online Store.
I must say that these new iPods really drive home just how overpriced the iPhone is.
One is paying a huge premium on the iPhone for cellular capability and GPS. Perhaps they're worth it, but I feel little incentive to upgrade my iPhone these days.
I think that if Apple wish to sustain a two year upgrade cycle for the iPhone, they will have to lower the price, as the new features simply aren't compelling enough.
I wish they added phone capabilities to the Touch. That would be a truly cheap iPhone.
Adding the antenna and LTE bands, plus support for the current carriers in multiple countries, and included sim card slot will raise the price. There is a reason why the iPhone cost $200 w/ contract ($600 in general)
While those items cost more they don't cost an additional $400 (price difference between a off contract 16gb iPhone and a 16gb iPod Touch)
They could easily have gone the iPad route and added in the SIM slot and GPS for $129 more (which is still huge markup)
In order to create an entry level phone, adding a cell antenna and sim card is not required. All that is required is to upgrade FaceTime Audio so that you can call any number, not just an iphone number. If they made this one simple change (Google Voice has it, as an example), then instantly the iPod Touch becomes a wifi Phone instead of a Cellular Phone. In many countries, including the US, wifi is widespread enough to make this viable option as an entry level option, especially for kids.
It makes no sense to me that Apple has not done this already, but hey they are making tons of money and I am not, so they clearly know something that I don't.
I must say that these new iPods really drive home just how overpriced the iPhone is.
One is paying a huge premium on the iPhone for cellular capability and GPS. Perhaps they're worth it, but I feel little incentive to upgrade my iPhone these days.
Based on the spec sheets alone, the new iPod touch lacks a lot more than just cellular capability and GPS. The iPod touch screen is smaller (4" vs. 4.7" and 5.5"), lower resolution and lower quality (not LED-backlit, contrast ratio significantly inferior to iPhone 6). The iPod touch doesn't have Touch ID. The iPod touch has no NFC compatibility / and doesn't support Apple Pay. The iPod touch battery life is 40% less than the iPhone. The A8 processor in the iPod touch is a slower version of the one in iPhone 6 (1.10GHz per core instead of 1.39GHz ). The camera in the iPod touch has no optical nor digital image stabilization. It also doesn't have a sapphire crystal lens cover.
I've thought about switching to an iPod touch myself because I don't care for the size of the iPhone 6, but the lack of Touch ID, NFC compatibility and lower battery life are a deal breaker for me.
Adding the antenna and LTE bands, plus support for the current carriers in multiple countries, and included sim card slot will raise the price. There is a reason why the iPhone cost $200 w/ contract ($600 in general)
While those items cost more they don't cost an additional $400 (price difference between a off contract 16gb iPhone and a 16gb iPod Touch)
They could easily have gone the iPad route and added in the SIM slot and GPS for $129 more (which is still huge markup)
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Top Rated Comments
One is paying a huge premium on the iPhone for cellular capability and GPS. Perhaps they're worth it, but I feel little incentive to upgrade my iPhone these days.
I think that if Apple wish to sustain a two year upgrade cycle for the iPhone, they will have to lower the price, as the new features simply aren't compelling enough.
It makes no sense to me that Apple has not done this already, but hey they are making tons of money and I am not, so they clearly know something that I don't.
The iPod touch screen is smaller (4" vs. 4.7" and 5.5"), lower resolution and lower quality (not LED-backlit, contrast ratio significantly inferior to iPhone 6).
The iPod touch doesn't have Touch ID.
The iPod touch has no NFC compatibility / and doesn't support Apple Pay.
The iPod touch battery life is 40% less than the iPhone.
The A8 processor in the iPod touch is a slower version of the one in iPhone 6 (1.10GHz per core instead of 1.39GHz ).
The camera in the iPod touch has no optical nor digital image stabilization. It also doesn't have a sapphire crystal lens cover.
I've thought about switching to an iPod touch myself because I don't care for the size of the iPhone 6, but the lack of Touch ID, NFC compatibility and lower battery life are a deal breaker for me.
They could easily have gone the iPad route and added in the SIM slot and GPS for $129 more (which is still huge markup)