Several leaks today appear to all but confirm plans for Apple to introduce camera-equipped iPods with its next update. While small resellers have occasionally claimed to have cases before, multiple Chinese case manufacturers are now believed by Wired to have received concrete details for the dimensions of fifth-generation iPod nano and third-generation iPod touch units as early as May. Many are confident enough that they have already begun retooling their production lines to build the new cases.

The firms insist in some situations that they've verified that the information is correct. One or more of the companies also produces cases on behalf of a US company and so is likely to be more trusted with anticipating Apple's future moves.

All of the cases appear to confirm basic elements of past rumors, which have the iPod nano gaining a slightly taller 1.5:1 aspect ratio screen and a smaller click wheel as well as a camera in an off-center position. The iPod touch may be more similar to the present-day version but with a camera at the top center of the back versus its corner position on the iPhone.

If validated, the accessories all signal a major shift towards digital imaging with new iPods. It's assumed that an iPod nano with camera would only take still photos, but an expected upgrade to the processor in the iPod touch may give it video recording like the iPhone 3GS.