Last year a number of leaks and photos suggested that Apple had a redesigned iPod nano with an integrated camera in the works. The new device wasn’t released last time Apple refreshed its iPod family, but now another round of pictures has surfaced that lends credence to the possibility that such a device may launch in the near future. The images show a camera-equipped iPod nano complete with its signature clip design, and the device appears to be the same size as the current-generation iPod nano. It remains unclear if Apple will ever release an iPod nano with a camera but the source, Apple.pro, has published early details surrounding Apple hardware in the past that ended up panning out. Another report published Wednesday by MIC Gadget suggests that the device pictured is actually a prototype from several months ago that did not pass Apple’s tests. The site says some problems have been ironed out however, and that the new nano could become available in the coming months. Several additional pictures follow after the break.

[Via MacRumors]

Read [Apple.pro] Read [MIC Gadget]

Apple’s next-generation iPod nano may ditch the clip design and instead feature a 1.3-megapixel camera, according to leaked images posted by Taiwanese blog Apple.pro. The overall design of the unit looks similar to the current iPod nano, although there’s a chrome border around the new camera and the metal exterior has a noticeably deeper green hue, which suggests new colors are on the way. We’re a bit surprised at the lack of a clip on the nano, though, as most people we’ve seen with the music player use it — so perhaps it’s possible the clip can be removed to expose the camera lens. Either way, the form factor definitely matches earlier leaks of the next-generation iPod nano.

[Via Mac Rumors]

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That’s what it’s looking like according to a leaked image from Apple.pro, a site that has in the past leaked details and images on Apple products before their announcement and release. From what we can see, the seventh generation iPod nano would keep the same form factor as the existing model, though would add a relatively large camera sensor to the back of the small multi-touch music player. We’re betting that we’ll see the new iPod nano with camera appear at one of Apple’s traditional fall music events later this year.

[Via 9to5Mac]

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We’re big fans of ZShock and its work, so when the company decided it was going to do what it does best on a Lunatik iPod nano watch case, we had to get our hands — and wrists — on one. It takes ZShock around 3-4 weeks to create and carefully hand-set the diamonds into pave settings on the white gold watch case. The craftsmanship on here is amazing, and just what you’d expect from one of the most innovative jewelers around. The all-diamond ZShock Lunatik iPod nano watch retails for around $18,000, though custom orders with different metals and even different diamonds and stones are possible from www.zshock.com. Make sure to check out some photos of the diamond Lunatik iPod nano watch in our hands on gallery!

According to new projections issued by market research firm NPD Group, Apple is poised to break its previous quarterly sales record. For the first time, Apple’s Mac unit sales are set to surpass the 4 million mark, with fourth quarter totals expected to fall in the range of 4.1 to 4.3 million. Apple’s new MacBook Air will apparently play a big role in Apple’s record-breaking quarter, and early demand for the sleek laptop makes solid sales a foregone conclusion. NPD’s numbers, if met, will represent remarkable year-over-year growth of approximately 22% to 28%. Apple is also expected to sell between 18.5 million and 19.5 million iPods during the December quarter.

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Apple has made changes to its internal screening process pertaining to iPod liquid damage, a source told BGR. Apple builds a series of Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI) into its iPod line of devices. When these LCIs come in contact with moisture, they become activated. In the event of a warranty claim or other repair, the LCIs indicate to Apple that the device in question may have been affected by a liquid. Employees of Apple Stores and AppleCare Repair Centers then have specific guidelines used in the event liquid damage is suspected. Previously, the presence of an activated LCI within the headphone jack was cause enough for employees to state that an iPod may have been damaged by water or another liquid. Now, employees must first inspect the iPod for other signs of liquid damage before reaching that conclusion. It is currently not known if the new policy applies to iPhone models as well.

Whether or not Apple has concerns internally regarding the reliability of its LCI devices is unclear at this time. Apple may have also discovered LCIs located within the headphone jack are overly sensitive and activate even when they come in contact with permissible amounts of moisture.

Well, well, well… That rumored touch screen square iPod nano is looking pretty solid right about now. Thanks to our lovely friends in manufacturing in Asia, 3rd party cases have started showing up online for the new iPod nano device. We’re not talking just one either, more like a whole heap — every color possible, too. In addition to cases, there is also a mockup along with sizing dimensions that has surfaced as well. We have to ask, is an incredibly small touchscreen iPod nano something that interests you, or will you stick to an iPod shuffle? Image of one of the cases after the break!

UPDATE: As one of our readers points out… what if this is just Apple’s new Shuffle? Would be pretty amazing, right?

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According to an iLounge source, the upcoming fourth generation iPod touch will be changing shapes once again. If true, it is said to be more flat than curved, with a flat surface and curved edges; much like the top of your MacBook Pro. Additionally, the back is rumored to not be modeled after the iPhone 4′s all glass surface; so we’re guessing stainless steel or aluminum. There is that much-awaited rear camera, though what’s not clear at this point is a LED flash next to it or a second microphone for audio capture while shooting video. Lastly, that tiny, tiny Apple-branded touch screen display we saw? Well, according to iLounge, it is indeed a new iPod nano, and won’t have anything to do with an iPod shuffle. September 1st is close enough, friends.

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Rumor has it that Apple will be scheduling its annual iPod event for mid-September, which is a little bit later than in years past. This contradicts rumors from just last week that the event would be held in mid-August. Apple has held these iPod events every year since 2005. Last year, they announced their September 9 “Let’s Rock” event on August 31. With only a few days of shelf life left for this rumor, we’d expect invitations to start going out in the next few weeks.

However, as a rumor recap, whenever the event takes place, there’s strong evidence to suggest that we’ll see an iPod Touch refresh. It is likely that we’ll see a high-resolution Retina Display, along with front and rear facing cameras (just like the iPhone 4). The iPod Nano is also expected to get the refresh treatment, and some are wondering if it receive tiny touch screens as well. You might remember those. There may even be some iTunes announcements as well (cloud-based music streaming, anyone?), even though there are whispers that Apple is scaling back its ambitions in that arena, for the time being. In any event, let’s hope this shindig happens sooner than later — we’re counting the days.

[Via MacRumors]

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Back in October we told you about Nokia filing suit against Apple over the iPhone, claiming that Apple’s mobile offering violated Nokia patents pertaining to GSM, UMTS and wireless LAN (WLAN) standards. Perhaps some legal posturing, we thought; a public and principled shot across the bow aimed at the Cupertino based tech company? Apparently not, as Nokia has taken off the gloves. In a December 29th filing with the International Trade Commission, Nokia seeks an immediate injunction that would ban the import of anything with a camera and an Apple logo on it: iPhones, iPod Touches, iMacs, Macbooks – you get the idea. The suit claims Apple is violating Nokia patents in its use of a combined camera chip which keeps the size and power usage of devices down, a voltage controlled oscillator (VOC) that “increases the efficiency of the wireless device and uses less power than traditional VCOs, thereby increasing battery life,” and the sensor technology used in the iPhone that turns the screen off when it is within proximity of your face to prevent accidental input. We’re not sure if Nokia’s strategy is a sound one, but we’ll stay on top of this one as the filings continue to mount. You can hit up the link to read the original article translated from Finnish.

[Via Nokia Views]

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We weren’t too positive about that last one as it was from a new source, but this new image comes from a pretty credible connect of ours and it seems to be more reasonable. Here’s what we’ve got for you this time:

iMacs starting at $1098, iPod nanos starting at $138, iPod touch starting at $178, MacBook Pros starting at $1098, Apple TVs starting at $208, Airport Express starting at $88, Magic Mouse and Wireless Keyboard going for $64 each, and a whole lot more! Again, we’re feeling pretty confident about this one and everything looks like it’s in the realm of what Apple would normally do for Black Friday.

P.S. Also note that the Black Friday deals are only on Apple’s Online store, not retail stores.

Thanks, Lindsey!

At this point in the game, it appears as though the question isn’t will the iPods touch and nono get a camera? – it’s when? Chinese accessories manufacturers have cooked up more cases for the iPod duo than we can count on our fingers and toes. Surely they aren’t making these for impending knockoffs, one would presume. The accessories also jive with the news we reported earlier this month about Apple’s tremendous order of cameras. We don’t typically say pictures don’t lie, but the sheer volume of the iPod accessories pictured is either overwhelming evidence of a camera-equipped iPod series or a major manufacturing malfunction in China. Take your pick. Hit the jump for more shots.

[Via Giz]

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With WWDC just around the corner, iPhone rumors continue to spike as expected. This time, word is that there will be a few variants to Apple’s smartphone; six, to be exact. As speculated before, it will come in two storage capacities as it always has — presumably 16GB and 32GB this time around. The rumored matte-finished iPhones will also come in three different models according to iLounge however, each supporting different radio protocols: 3G, enhanced 3G and TD-SCDMA depending on region. iLounge also reports that a new iPod nano is in the works, featuring a wider 1.5:1 screen, integrated digital camera and a smaller click wheel. No word just yet as far as storage capacity is concerned but now that the ball is rolling, expect rumors and/or speculation to start flowing pretty freely. According to the source, the new nano will drop around the same time as the new iPod Touch — sometime this Summer.

[Via TiPb]

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If you purchased a first-generation iPod nano in the US, it looks like you might have some cash coming your way. As the result of a class action suit, a court recently ruled that Apple’s early 1G iPod nano (no protective coating, sold until December 2005) was a tad too prone to scratching and has decided that customers are entitled to some compensation. Apple has been ordered to cough up $22.5 million and the claim process for those affected has already begun. As is always the scam, the lawyers will retain the lion’s share of the settlement – around $4.7 million – and the leftovers are to be spread amongst affected consumers; $15 each for those who purchased an uncoated 1G nano that came with a slip cover and $25 each for those whose uncoated nanos were sans-slip cover. Claimants have until June 10, 2009 to file and compensation for valid claims should be received sometime, ohhhh, within the next 200 years we’d say. Hit the read link to see if you qualify for a piece of the action.

Thanks, Cat!

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