iPod Touch with an Integrated Camera is Still Coming

Image by Steve Rhodes via Flickr

Camera-equipped iPod touch still coming, say sources | iPodNN

Rumors said the iPod Touch would get a camera similar to the iPhone 3GS, but it turns out that camera module is too big (thick) for the existing iPod Touch form factor. There was obviously a spot in the new iPod Touch for the same (thin) video-only camera that the iPod nano received. And Steve Jobs says there is no iPod Touch camera, because it is a gaming platform, not a camera.

I think it is clear that someone at Apple (Steve Jobs) decided it did not make sense to include the relatively low quality, video-only camera in the Touch, while the iPhone had a superior camera that could take fairly good stills.  And the Touch is still the easiest way into the Apple App Store, so Apple wants to give consumers every reason to buy one.  They want to capture all the people who will not or can not buy an iPhone and attendant data-plan.

I believe Apple will introduce a new iPod Touch model including the iPhone camera in a case similar to the iPhone itself, or they will introduce an iPod Touch with a different (thin) camera-module that can take at least 2 mega-pixel still photos while still fitting in the existing iPod Touch form.  I personally hope it also comes with the compass and GPS from the iPhone for use with augmented reality, and this might have something to do with the delay.

Return of the Newton

AppleInsider Article on the Newton's Possible Return

I'll admit it: I still believe the Newton is the best PDA anyone has made so far.
Hell, I'd use my Newton now, if I could find a decent way to sync to my Mac. It seemed to focus on the right things including note taking, document access, and a quality calendar and contacts. It was weakened by it's large physical size and glacial synchronization.

I think Apple could take the iPhone and iPod Touch and move back into the actual PDA space, but I think they delay so they can maximize their income from laptops and the iPhone. They may be able to grow the iPhone and/or Touch to fulfill the niche of the PDA. Or they may continue to keep the product lines very separate and distinct, leaving a gap between traditional laptops and cell phones. I believe they are missing an opportunity to own this space after the failures of Palm and Microsoft.

Personally, I would love to have a device I always had with me that I could cache my most important documents, use for spur-of-the-moment input, and access the Internet when needed. The iPhone can almost do these things, but it almost completely lacks data storage and this deal with the devil forces a relationship with AT&T. And I find it highly frustrating to be so close, but not close enough.