iPod nano 7 may bring camera back

A finding in Taiwan may have shown the iPod nano's seventh generation regaining a camera. The part unearthed by Apple.pro shows what looks like the current iPod, but with a machined cutout area that would clearly be designed to fit a camera lens on the back. Few other changes are visible, although the anodized aluminum is closer to forest green and suggests another color palette swap.

If a reflection of the final product, it would show Apple having successfully found a way to include a camera in the touchscreen iPod nano redesign. The last tall iPod nano had a video-only camera that was dropped in the new version for what was presumed to be size and battery life issues. Whether or not it will include still photography is unknown; there were purportedly hardware reasons in 2009, but a newer generation might make it possible.

A launch is almost certain for any new iPod nano in September, when Apple usually holds a music and increasingly mobile-themed event. It may change before release. Apple is known to change or scrap products even late into the design phase and is well-known for having had a camera-equipped third-generation iPod touch prototype that never ended up shipping. [via 9to5]

by MacNN Staff