iPod touches and nanos to gain cameras?
updated 03:25 pm EDT, Fri May 15, 2009
Camera on Touch and Nano?
Not one but two models of iPod should gain cameras in their next major update, claims the English edition of MacBidouille. A anonymous source for the website insists that both the Touch and the Nano will gain cameras, though aspects such as megapixel ratings or support for autofocus and flash remain uncertain. If identical to one strongly rumored for the next iPhone, the cameras could be rated at 3.2 megapixels.
Backing the report is a recent job opening at Apple, which initially requested a "Camera Engineering Project Manager to drive the design, development and integration of camera modules across iPhone and iPod." Though the listing was later altered to omit iPod references, analysts have suggested that Apple may be interested in augmenting the Touch to differentiate it from other iPods and/or increase its appeal next to the iPhone. Such a policy would not explain adding a camera to the Nano, however; the player also offers little space for a sensor and lens, and would naturally require custom software.
The source makes a separate claim that future iPhones will retain the size and shape as the iPhone 3G, in spite of rumors. A handful of reports have hinted at a smaller, cheaper companion to the main iPhone line.
Why not?
05/15, 04:28pm reply
Apple is pretty good at the built-in camera. Every machine with a built-in display has a camera EXCEPT for the iPod series.
Since they have the expertise, and the devices are inexpensive, it seems to make sense to put these things in as many devices as possible.
Jittery Jimmy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
Just wait...
05/15, 05:10pm reply
Just wait for them to merge a phone with the iPod nano!
Salty
Professional Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
Anyone think this
05/15, 09:44pm reply
is really necessary? I could understand the iPod Touch having a camera, but a nano? This is probably an unfounded rumor.
I'm not sure what is going to happen to the Classic line, but I doubt if it's long for this world. It's a shame to see the hard drive models disappear. After a couple of years use, my 30GB iPod video is working as good as it was when I bought it.
Constable Odo
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Joined: Aug 2007
This would rock
05/16, 02:10pm reply
Adding a camera to an iPod is a natural addition. Better to have ONE device than multiple to carry around. Now the key is to make it a good quality camera. Then I won't have any need for all of the other cameras that I carry around as it is.
As far as hard drive based models, the only excuse for those is capacity. As the price of flash memory goes down, the need for mechanical hard drives is reduced.
bjojade
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Joined: Jun 2007
Re: this would rock
05/16, 06:22pm reply
Exactly how many cameras do you carry around as it is? Because one would think you would need just one.
And a camera is only going to be so good unless Apple does something crazy like add a flash attachment. But it won't matter, because people will just complain that its a camera, not video. Or it is video, but not facing the screen. Or it faces the screen, but makes them look fat.
And the future of the classic line is going to be determined by one fact alone: How well the current classic sells in comparison to all its brethren.
LouZer
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Joined: Nov 2000