This just in, straight off the rumor mill: Word is that the next generation iPod touch, the fifth generation to be precise, may feature 3G capability. Meaning that you will be able to connect to the internet through a SIM, just as you do with the 3G iPad. How soon? It may be possible, this September.
There's no doubt that the iPod touch is a phenomenal device. Steve Jobs as often referred to it as "an iPhone without a Phone" and this is actually true. The iPod touch closely resembles the iPhone, it has the same screen size and roughly the same dimensions. It lets you enjoy the iOS goodness, the fun of a plethora of apps from the App Store while being an amazing portable music player with long lasting battery.
So what has Apple been doing wrong with the iPod touch all these years? One must not forget that consumers in the market are craving for connectivity 24/7. With the advent and the rise of social networks, connectivity at every second of the day is next to food, clothing and shelter for many consumers. With the iPod touch mainly geared towards youths and teenagers, who tend to be more demanding in terms of connectivity, it seems only logical for Apple to introduce 3G technology into its signature portable music player.
One may argue that WiFi capability is enough for the iPod touch, however WiFi networks aren't found everywhere one goes and mostly many of these networks are secured and require you to obtain a key for a cost. 3G connectivity will definitely free iPod touch users as it must also be kept in mind that a large number of apps require constant data connection for functioning.
Anyhow, that aside, this news has been circulated by a Dutch blog, translation of which (via) is given below:
It will work just like the iPad; you get a 3G enabled simcard from your provider and put that in you iPod Touch. Apple’s choice of bringing 3G to the iPod Touch isn’t all that weird, if it’s true of course. Question remains how the providers will react to this, since the use of for example Skype will skyrocket.
So yes, 3G capable fifth generation iPod touch is a strong possibility. However, it would limited to data only traffic, surely as networks won't be that happy with millions of iPod touch users hogging bandwidth through Skype, FaceTime and what not.
Our guess is that a 5G iPod touch release with 3G capability isn't that far off. Come September, and at Apple's annual Music Event, we shall finally see what the next generation iPod is going to be all about.