More Evidence of a New iPod Touch Emerging

Its not like I needed to beat this dead horse any further or wanted more proof about a new iPod in the horizon. At this point, pretty much all the media outlet is speculating a new iPod Touch w/ Camera and Mic to be revealed on Apple's 9/9 Rock and Roll media event.

But if you would like more proof, take a look around the top iPod accessories makers' websites and you'll noticed something in common. Either they are slashing prices on the 2nd gen. iPod Touch cases or simply running out of stock. Its not an uncommon practice for businesses to reduce inventory by lowering prices to move items that is soon to be outdated; screenshots included to support my theory:

Griffin - Most of the 2nd Gen. iPod Touch cases are offered at "Special" Pricing










Incase - Their popular Slider case as well as others pull up error 404 not found (out of stock?)






Speck - is offering a 25% off pricing on every iPod Touch 2nd Gen and Nano 4th gen.

Leaked, Fake iPhone 2.0

Lots of publications have picked up a few supposed iPhone 2.0 advertisement photos featuring a matte-black and (RED) iPhone w/ Video Conferencing capability. Most are saying they are fake, somehow I am convinced a (RED) iPhone is imminent. Like always, click images to enlarge.

Google Mobile Blog Hints New iPhone Location Features

In this blog entry posted by the Google Mobile team, they are suggesting more "location" based features will be available for iPhone starting this month. The exact quote says:

"Gears for Windows Mobile and Android already contain location APIs and we expect to see an explosion of mobile applications that use location technology, particularly on the iPhone starting this month."

With millions of 3G iPhone speculations for next week's WWDC event, this one is hinted by the Google Mobile team. If anything, one can expect iPhone firmware 2.0 to have more upgrades to the Google Maps application; I wouldn't be surprised if yesterday's Public Transit feature from version 2.2 will make it to iPhone firmware 2.0.

Rumor: Nokia N96 available by July 31, 2008

According to PhonesReview, Nokia N96, the successor to the flagship Nseries N95 smartphone will be available by July 31st this year. As mentioned before, this phone will include DVB-H mobile TV and dual LED flash on top of whats already available from the N95 (3G data, Quad-band GSM network, WiFi, GPS, Symbian S60 3rd edition, etc.). A kick-stand is now available to help propping the phone on a desktop for a better video viewing angle.

3G iPhone to Australia, June, Unlocked?

There is a rumor that the 3G iPhone will be available in Australia by the last week of June (same time their new Sydney Apple store is marked to open). There will be no contract lock in and available to more than 1 carrier. Juicy stuff. (Source: Mobile Business Briefing, 4/9 edition)

Google-Phone by 2008?

Engadget reported a rumor of Orange Telecom and Google partnering up a to produce a Google branded smartphone that will come preloaded with lots of Google applications (Gmail, Local, Earth, etc). Many people are not suprised by this news as Google CEO Eric Schmidt has told the press that mobile phones and services should be free with ad-supported programs. The story continues to suggest that such phone could be provided by HTC, the popular Taiwanese firm, currently producing some of the best smartphones available today (ie. Cingular 3125, 8125, 8525).

If this is true, I am definitely looking forward to what Google can bring to the table. I hope such device would have some breakthru. I have written about the current state of today's mobile devices and how it is limited by its screen size and user experience. Hopefully, Google will continue to provide its ease-to-use interface found in today's apps like Gmail and Local mobile to this rumored phone.