Fifth-gen iPod touch reference found in iOS 5.1 build

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Fifth-gen iPod touch reference found in iOS 5.1 build

Code pointing to an updated version of the iPod touch has been found in an internal iOS 5.1 build, according to a new report. 9to5Mac reports that references to an “iPod5,1”—the fourth-generation iPod touch is referred to as “iPod4,1”—were found inside a file which was contained in an internal build of iOS 5.1. As noted in the report, the iPod touch was the only iOS device that didn’t receive an update last year, and also regularly accounts for more than half of Apple’s iPod sales on a quarterly basis. The report also claims that Apple is testing a new version of the iPhone with 1GB of RAM, and that the new phone will not sport a design similar to that of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S; the prototype is said to be running a variation of the A5X chip found in the third-generation iPad.

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Comments

1

I wonder if this reference might be the rumored 7” iPad mini, not that it would replace what we know as today’s Touch (I can’t imagine the price-point could be low enough) but maybe in addition to the Touch. If Apple really is toying with a ‘tweener product, I suppose it could fall within the iPod umbrella.

Posted by rockmyplimsoul on April 9, 2012 at 9:21 AM (PST)

2

the “iPod large” maybe

Posted by Big Bad Burley on April 9, 2012 at 3:45 PM (PST)

3

@1: Either way, the price point for the touch probably does have to change. If all you want to do is watch some video and play your tunes this is not the Apple you’re looking for, they’ve moved on. iOS is about RAM hungry, pixel pushing apps and the current touch, even when devs have actually taken the time to curb the memory footprint so it actually runs, well, you still get all of about an hour of battery life.

More and more the fourth gen, a current device, is either not supported at all, or not recommended for new iOS aps, because devs can’t even target the iPhone 4 without leaving the 4G touch panting and wheezing let alone the 4S or a universal build for the iPad 2/3.

Apple either raises the price point and makes a touch that stand side by side with their shinier iOS offerings, or they might as well just start selling an iPod touch classic that’s only for some apps and treat it like they do the iPod classic.

Personally, I think bumping the screen size up to 1024x768 and moving the starting model to 16GB @ $349 is exactly what they need to do. Plenty of 4G touches out there to give the 7 y.o. in your life if that’s too rich for the kids.

Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on April 11, 2012 at 4:04 AM (PST)

4

@3: Agreed, there’s a huge market that Apple (and developers) are missing out on due to the anemic performance of the Touch for gaming purposes. A faster processor, more RAM, and larger screen would open up more app sales for those that can’t justify stepping up to an iPad. So yes, I’d say a 16GB model at $349 is a sweet spot that would be a good target for such a product.

Wonder what lame name they’d come up with ...
- iPad Mini
- Touch Maxx
- The New Touch

Posted by rockmyplimsoul on April 11, 2012 at 4:45 PM (PST)

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