We’re now just about halfway through 2014 and Apple has yet to launch any new products. The company has refreshed or even relaunched several existing devices such as the iPhone 5c, fourth-generation iPad, MacBook Air and iMac, and the trend will reportedly continue next week when Apple attempts to breathe new life into its iPod touch lineup.
According to two independent reports, Apple has plans to launch a new lower-cost version of its iPod touch handheld device next week. The move is likely an effort to boost sales, which continued to slip over the past few years as customers continue to opt for smartphones and tablets.
MacRumors cited a single unnamed source in stating that the new iPod touch model will be a 16GB version of Apple’s current iPod touch, and it will be made available for $199. The device will supposedly sport all of the features found on Apple’s larger capacity models, including six color choices and a rear camera; Apple had previously launched a $229 iPod touch that lacked color options and a rear camera.
Separately, French-language blog iGeneration reported many of the same details, though it added that the new iPod touch model will launch on Tuesday of next week.
UPDATE: It looks like the wait was far shorter than expected — Apple just launched its new cheaper iPod touch. The only difference is that Apple’s loop accessory is not included with the lower price model. Hardly a problem when the iPod touch is just $199. Here’s the full press release:
Apple Brings Vibrant Colors & iSight Camera to Most Affordable iPod touch Model
iPod touch Lineup Now Starting at $199
CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today announced its 16GB iPod touch® is now available in vibrant colors and equipped with a 5 megapixel iSight® camera for just $199. The entire iPod touch lineup features the 5 megapixel iSight camera with 1080p HD video recording, brilliant 4-inch Retina® display, Apple’s A5 chip and FaceTime® camera. iPod touch features an ultra-thin and light anodized aluminum design and is available in pink, yellow, blue, silver, space gray and (PRODUCT) RED. iPod touch comes in a 16GB model for $199, 32GB for $249, and 64GB for $299.
iPod touch comes with iOS 7, offering more than 200 features including Camera app filters that let you easily add real-time photo effects. Additionally, the Photos app offers ways to automatically organize your photos based on time and location. With iCloud® Photo Sharing, it’s simple to share photos and videos with exactly the people you want to see them and your friends and family can comment and access their shared streams from any iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch, Mac® or PC at any time. This fall, iOS 8 will be supported on the entire iPod touch lineup.
With the revolutionary App Store℠ on iPod touch, users in 155 countries have access to over 1.2 million apps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, including hundreds of thousands of games. More than 75 billion apps have been downloaded from the App Store. Customers also have the iTunes Store® at their fingertips, giving instant access to an incredible selection of music, TV shows, movies and books to purchase and download directly to their iPod touch.
Pricing & Availability
iPod touch 16GB is available starting in the US today and worldwide in the coming days, in pink, yellow, blue, silver and space gray through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested price of $199 (US). Starting today, the 32GB and 64GB models have been repriced worldwide, at a suggested price of $249 (US) for the 32GB model and $299 (US) for the 64GB model. iPod touch requires a Wi-Fi connection or a Mac with a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port, Mac OS X v10.6.8 or later and iTunes® 10.7 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later and iTunes 10.7 or later. An Apple ID is required for some iPod touch features.
