iPod Nano Case Leaks, iPod Touch to Have GPS?

[wizard]

Some things to consider:

GPS

First; GPS itself has nothing to do with WiFi, 3G or any other form of technology. So would everybody that just doesn't understand what GPS is just step away from their keyboards! Already at the app store their are GPS apps that never make use of any networking to deliver useful info to the user. As to the utility of GPS on a Touch like device well that will vary with the user. I can say this much though if you are a user it would be a big deal. It would be even a bigger deal if Apple would provide for background apps in the OS.


Ports

Has anyone considered that the traditional iPod connector might be at the other end of the device. As to an additional USB connector I could see such on Touch though I would prefer it to be full size. The idea of course is that the Touch devices are really micro computers an as such can benefit from standard connectors. Two usages come to mind real quick. One would be adapters for mass storage devices an the other for serial port adapters. Such would really inflate demand for Touch devices. Interestingly I could see Apple implement USB On The Go signalling over the current iPod interface connector giving people USB host capability to some extent or simply another port there that Is true USB host.

That would lead to an alternative use for the port and here I have a suggestion (think video). That is right a custom video out possible providing HDMI signalling. This would make hooking up to a larger display a snap.


Shape Form Factor

My guess is that the current round of pics are all based on whispered descriptions and thus are interpetations. ThAt being said a wider screen works with more source formats well. I would not be surprised to see the screen take up nearly all of the face on a Nano like device. The interface could easily be a virtual click wheel with tactil feedback offered up via the curved screen. What these devices really need though is a manual volume adjustment, a slider or +- buttons. This is hugely important.

I would not be surprised to find that the devices actual volume is less than the current Nano. That is if these are indeed Nano pics. I still see Apple offering up a larger iPod Touch that is optimized for video/multimedia. Yeah the current Touch fills this role somewhat but let's face it comes up short by many measurements.


Hardware

What will be possible on the next Nano depends greatly on the readiness of the PA chips. It is basically possible today to put a very large portion of all of the future Nano's required circuitry one one chip. This provides room for more storage, smaller size or more functions. It would not be impossible to see WiFi and GPS in the Nano given enough integration in the PA SoC. At the very least WiFi is a key stradegy in Apples iTunes program so I would not be surprised to see at least that on Nano "next yen".


Storage

Expect at least 16GB on one model. The biggest problem with storage is that Apple wants to lower costs on Nano as much as possible for the introductory machine. The possibility exists for a wider spread in capacity and price. I would love to see 32GB in the Nano but have to be realistic. All that memory is desired of course to better exploit the units video capability.



Well that is my take. What is possible on the new Nano will be tied directly to how much integration they can achieve.


Dave

 

[Antares]

The problem with "offline" GPS is that it would eat a lot of capacity. My almost 4 year old car GPS has a 10GB Hard Drive. For a 16 GB Touch...there would go almost all of your storage space. Apple would have to add a "maps" option to iTunes where you would load regional maps. Then again, the Touch may just have maps and none of the normal "points of interest" that full GPS systems have. That would save on quite a bit of space....

Anyway, GPS would be cool...but not critical enough for me to get rid of my first gen iPod Touch.

And I kind of like the look of these "leaked" Nano images.

 

[bushido]

do u really think the Touch will have a better GPS as the iPhone? i highly doubt it unless they update it on the iPhone as well.

i for one think they'll just change the back (no metal and round curves) and add some volume buttons but i guess we'll find out in a few weeks

 

[wizard]

Chances are if you're lost in the wilderness, you probably wouldn't have reception anyway to connect with Google Maps... but that's given you have access to AT&T's network, and we're talking about the Touch. Good luck with WiFi.

I guess my point is, imo, GPS isn't the end-all-to-be-all. That's just my feeling.

I think the only point you are making is that you don't understand GPS. Niether WiFi nor 3G are needed for it to be useful. That really is an important concept to grasp.

For example there is already an app on the app store for delivering numerical position data. Such is suitable for use with paper maps. More traditional GPS functionality can be had via locally stored maps, this taking less than 1/32 of a 32GB iPods storage.

More so GPS can enable location aware apps even where WiFi is not available. Such apps could be a huge part of software base of an iPod especially if Apple hatches a way to do background processes.

Gps certainly has it's place atleast on some variants of Touch.


Dave

 

[citi]

The problem with "offline" GPS is that it would eat a lot of capacity. My almost 4 year old car GPS has a 10GB Hard Drive. For a 16 GB Touch...there would go almost all of your storage space. Apple would have to add a "maps" option to iTunes where you would load regional maps. Then again, the Touch may just have maps and none of the normal "points of interest" that full GPS systems have. That would save on quite a bit of space....

Anyway, GPS would be cool...but not critical enough for me to get rid of my first gen iPod Touch.

And I kind of like the look of these "leaked" Nano images.

You guys are using crappy gps. Both my tom tom and my garmin only use about 1gb for the maps. Also, do you really need maps for the entire world or just maybe the state you live in?

 

[Snowcat001]

do you know where this came from?, i hope it's not a mockup

It came from a Mac version of Photoshop CS3
Just downloaded the image and then checked properties...

And the colors of the inner cirkels don't match the color of the ipod itself!

 

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

geez, he's been right in the past ya kno, if you dont belive him you dont have to be mean,if fact, nobody REALLY knows the truth, so he COULD be right

His track record regarding Mac predictions suggests that he pulls data out of his a$$ for purposes of click-through traffic.

 

[iReality85]

First; GPS itself has nothing to do with WiFi, 3G or any other form of technology. So would everybody that just doesn't understand what GPS is just step away from their keyboards! Already at the app store their are GPS apps that never make use of any networking to deliver useful info to the user. As to the utility of GPS on a Touch like device well that will vary with the user. I can say this much though if you are a user it would be a big deal. It would be even a bigger deal if Apple would provide for background apps in the OS.

Umm, I know very well how GPS works... I have used one for years as I have one in my car, thanks. And I'll keep using my keyboard. Your arguement assumes (1) that people have bought/downloaded such 3rd party apps from iTunes, or (2) that people have gigs upon gigs of geo location data stored on their devices, which I'm sure is not that case. My point was that Apple (thusfar) has provided GPS in conjuction with Google Maps, which in most cases are pulled by accessing a cellular or WiFi network. I'm not talking about the GPS signal; I'm talking about the maps. Without a map, GPS is useless, imo.

 

[wizard]

do u really think the Touch will have a better GPS as the iPhone? i highly doubt it unless they update it on the iPhone as well.

i for one think they'll just change the back (no metal and round curves) and add some volume buttons but i guess we'll find out in a few weeks

What do you mean by better? I'm not sure what is the problem is in this thread but I'm almost sure of two things. One is that people don't grasp what GPS is an the difference between it and the software that uses GPS. Second people don't seem to grasp that we are talking about computers here that run Apps!

Think about GPS as a service run by the government that sends out data, very precise data. A GPS chip uses the data from a number of GPS satilites to come up with time and position fixes. That is a nut schell description of GPS.

That GPS info is only as useful as the ability or the user or a selected app to use it. Since both the iPhone and Touch can run the same apps there would be little difference between the two. The iPone might be faster only due to having more data to work with.

If nothing else check out the app store for GPS aware apps and position aware apps. Google maps is just one example of a solution that makes use of position data. Frankly what is there is just a beginning there are all sorts of possibilities.


Dave

 

[dasikes]

More evidence is appearing that supports the taller iPod Nano design with a curved screen. Case designs (seen above) at Alibaba (via Engadget) depict new cases for an iPod Nano 4G. The 4th generation iPod Nano has been rumored to have a taller design with widescreen to allow for video playback. The rumor was first reported in July, with additional claims a few days ago from Kevin Rose.

Meanwhile, iDealsChina has posted renderings of the 4th Generation iPod which also match the rumored description:

iDealsChina was previously responsible for leaked iPhone 3G case moldings that turned out to be accurate.

Separately, and perhaps more interestingly, iDealsChina claims that the next generation iPod Touch will contain GPS. The iPod Touch is expected to see a revision in the next few weeks.

Article Link

As many have pointed out, there is a blatant USB port.

 

[.Chris]

Yup. Complain and debate all you want people. I have a strong feeling that those leaked mockups and photo from Kevin Rose is the real thing. The only thing to debate now is why they went with that design. Will a curved screen be a problem?

it wont. Plus its not even curvered. its the body that is...

GPS with the iTouch... you have no WiFi to always connect to so it's pretty much impossible to use while you're out, unless you subscribe to WiFi internet (if they have that in your area) that's all over your town.

Its called the iPod Touch NOT the iTouch. Second its been said you dont need wi-fi for GPS...

Here's a side-by-side I just made:

http://i38.tinypic.com/nvdv28.jpg

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=8cVNGw1hy9o

Now THAT looks real. The last ipod with the "rainbow" colors matches the colored nano rumor.

do you know where this came from?, i hope it's not a mockup

Same here. Looks prety darn real to me. if not then good job to who ever made themm better then that crappy mock up on page 1.

the last nano in this the pic look it wont be an Apple's product

Agreed...the Touch seem not going to have GPS built-in while Apple stick with google map

The rainbow nano matches the rainbowe nano rumor

and? doesnt mean things can change... or they keep both...

 

[iReality85]

I think the only point you are making is that you don't understand GPS. Niether WiFi nor 3G are needed for it to be useful. That really is an important concept to grasp.

For example there is already an app on the app store for delivering numerical position data. Such is suitable for use with paper maps. More traditional GPS functionality can be had via locally stored maps, this taking less than 1/32 of a 32GB iPods storage.

More so GPS can enable location aware apps even where WiFi is not available. Such apps could be a huge part of software base of an iPod especially if Apple hatches a way to do background processes.

Gps certainly has it's place atleast on some variants of Touch.

I think its more evident that you really didn't read my post.

Note that nowhere did I say GPS connects through cellular or WiFi networks, obviously, because thats not what GPS does. I was talking about Google Maps, which act as the "de facto" for Apple's GPS function. Please be less arrogant and read peoples' posts more carefully in the future.

 

[illegallydead]

whos to say they arnt going towards a diferent connector this time around? You people NEED to stop living in the past and look towards the feature.

haha and whos to say that will actually let you use a universal cable to connect with the iPod? That would mean that when yours broke, you could get another one for like $1 from your local Wal-Mart, instead of for $30 from an store. We wouldn't want that now would we?
It just doesn't fit with 's philosophy.
Not to mention, so many accessories rely on the dock connector. There is a reason it has 30 pins instead of usb's 4. My vote is that this is just a really quickly put together mockup from someone's basement with a decent CAD program.

 

[wizard]

Without a map, GPS is useless, imo.

Well this is where I disagree with you and is what prompted my response.

First the map doesn't have to be on the Touch device there are such things as paper maps. GPS on a Touch based device can be useful if it does nothing more than deliver numerical data.

Second the Touch based devices can load the program of your choice to offer up on screen maps. Just because such are not available yet doesn't mean they are not coming. If you don't like what does come you can sways write your own apps.

Third you make a assumption that the only useful apps that combine with GPS are ones that offer up maps. I'd suggest that that is also wrong. There are many possibilities for position based apps many of these have very little to do with navigation. It is a matter of stepping away from your perception of what GPS is useful for based on pass experience an look at what it could be used for in a very portable computer. If you think a bit I'm sure you can come up with ideas that have nothing to do with maps.


Dave

 

[illegallydead]

I think its more evident that you really didn't read my post.

Note that nowhere did I say GPS connects through cellular or WiFi networks, obviously, because thats not what GPS does. I was talking about Google Maps, which act as the "de facto" for Apple's GPS function. Please be less arrogant and read peoples' posts more carefully in the future.

I think that part of it is that the iPhone uses edge,3g, and wi-fi to supplement its tiny GPS receiver. Obviously it does not NEED internet to do GPS, I am just saying that cellular triangulation and network location would bring you from an accuracy of like +-100 feet or more down to a more respectable level. There is a reason that dedicated GPS units can get down to sub-9 foot accuracy, since they have all sorts of dedicated GPS circuitry and a bigger antenna. Yes, Google Maps may be the "de facto" way that iPhone does it, but that means nothing for a future product in which such a connection might not be possible.

 

[wizard]

I think its more evident that you really didn't read my post.

Note that nowhere did I say GPS connects through cellular or WiFi networks, obviously, because thats not what GPS does. I was talking about Google Maps, which act as the "de facto" for Apple's GPS function. Please be less arrogant and read peoples' posts more carefully in the future.

I've read every single post in this thread and frankly find it important to respond to yours. Not so much to respond to help you out but rather the casual reader that may be left with what I consider to be the wrong impression of what is possible with GPS. That mainly because you tie the utility of GPS, on iPhone or Touch, to closely with Google maps.

It is not like Google maps don't work well as they obviously do. The problem is that GPS offers up a lot of possibilities outside of mapping.

Dave

 

[cmichaelb]

The case looks like it would fit something like THIS

except for the tapered edges, that's EXACTLY what the render looks like, nice find.

 

[iReality85]

Well this is where I disagree with you and is what prompted my response.

First the map doesn't have to be on the Touch device there are such things as paper maps. GPS on a Touch based device can be useful if it does nothing more than deliver numerical data.

Second the Touch based devices can load the program of your choice to offer up on screen maps. Just because such are not available yet doesn't mean they are not coming. If you don't like what does come you can sways write your own apps.

Third you make a assumption that the only useful apps that combine with GPS are ones that offer up maps. I'd suggest that that is also wrong. There are many possibilities for position based apps many of these have very little to do with navigation. It is a matter of stepping away from your perception of what GPS is useful for based on pass experience an look at what it could be used for in a very portable computer. If you think a bit I'm sure you can come up with ideas that have nothing to do with maps.


Dave

I'd say we've hammered out the differences, and I'll agree with the points you brought up. Ultimately though, GPS is a location provider, whether its to track your position, or to track something else's position (like a stolen laptop, the closest WiFi hotspot, the list is endless). It does not tell you, however, how to get from one point to another (that's where your own brain, or software from TomTom, Garmin, Google Maps, etc etc come into play). While GPS isn't used soley for the purposes of navigation (although, as I just said, GPS doesn't "navigate" anything for you, it provides location), its ability to assist with navigation are what the vast majority of people use it for. Based on that, I think its justified to say that without a maps (or voice) component of some sort, GPS is limited in functionality, at least at this stage in the game. Knowing points A and B is good (GPS), but if you can't quickly and accurately navigate between the two (maps), I don't see the benefits. Again, I'm speaking from a navigational point of view...


Anywho, I think this is wandering away from the topic of the thread. I'm all for the 4G Nano design. Mmm, curves.

 

[cmichaelb]

maybe kevin rose was right all along...

He did get the prediction about the first gen nano was right on the money.

His iPhone predictions were off, but that's not to say his source didn't describe a prototype idea that was later nixed.

 

[madmaxmedia]

I think that part of it is that the iPhone uses edge,3g, and wi-fi to supplement its tiny GPS receiver. Obviously it does not NEED internet to do GPS, I am just saying that cellular triangulation and network location would bring you from an accuracy of like +-100 feet or more down to a more respectable level. There is a reason that dedicated GPS units can get down to sub-9 foot accuracy, since they have all sorts of dedicated GPS circuitry and a bigger antenna. Yes, Google Maps may be the "de facto" way that iPhone does it, but that means nothing for a future product in which such a connection might not be possible.

I don't think cellular triangulation significantly improves tracking for units with dedicated GPS chips (at least decent ones.) The original iPhone relied on cellular triangulation, and thus was not nearly as good as the new iPhone. That is, I suspect the new iPhone's GPS tracking would work roughly just as well with the cell radio shut off (the software side is a different issue of course, since currently you need Google Maps.)

I don't know how much accuracy 'dedicated GPS circuitry' adds to a standalone unit. A bigger antenna obviously can help, but for using outside and in your car, most cell phones with dedicated GPS chips perform very well.

I think it can be assumed that if GPS is coming to the iPod Touch, a dedicated GPS app (either from Apple or from TomTom, Garmin, etc.) will come to the Touch/iPhone platform. You would be able to select maps/regions to download via internet, so you would have say the greater Los Angeles area in memory if that's what you wanted. If it's done that way, I think the iPod Touch and iPhone have more than enough storage, especially going forward.

 

[madmaxmedia]

The main thing with these 'insider tips' is not judging whether the tips are accurate- who can really say since they're anonymous - but whether you believe the person reporting the tip (Kevin Rose) is acting in good faith.

I don't think Kevin Rose is making up these tips, I believe this is what he is hearing from his sources. If that's the case, then I'd rather him give us this information, then get all worried about whether they're wrong or right, etc...This stuff isn't that important, these rumors just make the speculation more fun in the days leading up the next Apple special event.

 

[sfh]

Gps

GPS on an iPod Touch would be almost pointless at it's current stage considering you need internet/edge/3g coming in to download the Google maps data.

This would have to be some sort of admittance that either Apple is going to let TomTom/Telenav come out with their own apps or Apple is going to release their own.

There's nothing to say that it couldn't store waypoints to then later map out when you are connected to a data connection.

and...
It still could tell you how far in what directions you have traveled... which can be useful to hikers and other off road / trail riders.

 

[ebouwman]

I don't get the GPS on the touch... What's the point if you can't use it while ur out?

You can, if you are in a wi-fi hotspot you can use the directions function, then when you leave the wi-fi area it keeps the part that includes your directions in the memory. So as long as you've decided where you wanna go before hand, you're fine.

 

[cmichaelb]

I don't get why people are complaining about the sideways video though. The iPod TOuch and iPhone do that, too. You can't even choose the direction, you HAVE to turn it to the left.

Not true, my iPod Touch can be rotated left or right and the video will orientate properly.

 

[Hugh]

The past

wqhos to say its a new feature or a crappy mockup? dont be so fast there ..



maybe because thats how all designs go through in the second stage? First is pen and paper then is CGI. They cant just magicly create something l;ike that. it takes design and thought.




thats the point. You use it while your out



whos to say they arnt going towards a diferent connector this time around? You people NEED to stop living in the past and look towards the feature.

This so true. When it comes to tech stuff, some people are willing to move on. They start to complain about the new looks or how it works. Some times change is good.

As for the update of the new iPod Nano, I don't know if I like it my self. In a way it looks sleek, and others it looks like something thrown from the past.

Hugh