Apple said to be revamping iPod Touch, iPod nano

Later this year, probably around October, Apple reps will climb up on a stage in California and unveil the latest iPhone. And according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is also planning on using the occasion to launch a new line of iPod music players. Kuo told MacRumors that both the iPod Touch and the iPod Nano will be "all new," with a much improved "in-cell" display. 

Meanwhile, the Japanese tech site Macotakara (hat tip to Lance Whitney at CNET) says the iPod Touch will get a better chip – an A5 processor instead of an A4 – and a buffed aluminum backside. (The current model is reflective metal.) So is this the real thing or just another burst of unsubstantiated gossip? 

Well, Apple, predictably, is staying mum, but it makes sense that the Cupertino company would want to revamp the iPod, which was first introduced way back in 2001 – and which went basically unchanged last year, save a few minor color changes. Apple is pretty predictable with its updates: Every two years, any given device, from the iPad to the iPhone, gets a substantial overhaul. 

But here's a question: How much longer can independent MP3 players last?

With the advent of the iPhone, we jettisoned our iPod – there was simply no reason to carry around both a music player and an iPhone, which is essentially an iPod Touch with an extra antenna. Apple is still selling millions of iPods, but as Cult of Mac reported recently, 2012 Q2 iPod sales were down 15 percent year-over-year. Makes sense to us.