UK e-tailer leak hints iPod touch with camera delayed?

Jonny Evans
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September 23, 2009
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Some disappointment greeted the announcement of the new high-capacity iPod touch, mainly because every tech pundit and every tech pundit’s brother had expected the new version to ship with its own built-in camera...now it seems pretty clear pre-launch reports claiming production problems with the new model were accurate.

Latest evidence comes from UK eTailer, Dabs.com, and a recent catalogue entry (now removed) which did plainly state the product carried a “built-in video recorder”.

This publicity was recently mailed to subscribers and still lists a "built-in video recorder" as a feature. Of course, clicking through reveals the iPod touch which launched with no camera.

There’s been a series of leaks confirming a video camera was originally intended in the product, from images of cases carrying camera holes to images of the product disassembly which clearly shows the devices host a place in which the video camera could be placed.

We also know through local Far East reports that Omnivision were apparently contracted to supply the image sensors for the feature. We reckon close study of their financial results versus end of last quarter projections will add even more grist to this rumour’s mill.
Obviously any delay putting these parts inside Apple’s devices could impact their projected sales in the period, after  all - Apple has sold 20 million iPod touch units so far.

Via: Engadget

Comments (11)

the Cappy (not verified) | September 23, 2009 - 5:31am

Please. Why does this constitute confirmation? More likely, they're just reading the rumor sites like everyone else.

Jonny Evans | September 23, 2009 - 5:41am

are one of the larger etailers in technology markets in the UK. They're Apple authorised, and, like Amazon, will be made aware - under strict secrecy agreements - of new products. Most larger catalogue-based retailers get this kind of insight in order that their catalogues, often sent to press weeks or months in advance, can be kept up to date.

It took Apple a while to get this kind of relationship with such catalogue-based resellers, as Apple's secrecy doesn't fit snugly with retailers need for some advance info. However, around 4/5 years ago as iPOd market grew, Apple really began to focus on widening distribution, and so engaged in closer relations with key trading partners.

In the UK at least Dabs could be in that small cadre of companuy's given such insight.

Taht's what i think, anyway.

Dave Park | September 23, 2009 - 6:26am

I dunno. If they thought it would have a video camera they would have listed "video camera" in the ad. A video recorder is a device that records and timeshifts video, like a DVR. No Brit assumes a DVR is a video camera.

I think this is a huge stretch.

Also, this is Dabs we're talking about. Dabs is the Tiger Direct of online sellers, and has been since Watford Electronics went away.

Scott (not verified) | September 23, 2009 - 7:20am

An ipod touch with a camera will come out eventually.
If you want one, wait. It will probably come next Sept when they ALWAYS update their line. Maybe earlier but it would be STUPID to COUNT on it.
Calm down fanboys

http://scottstipoftheday.blogspot.com

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | September 23, 2009 - 7:50am

I think Apple got pissed with all the confirmation that resulted in a no surprise launch last September and wanted to let the media know that only Apple knows what will be released and when.

It may seem childish and petty but lets see if we see the same iPod Touch cover manufacturers next year touting their new wares early.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | September 23, 2009 - 7:51am

Sold my iPod video and 1st gen iPod touch, to get the new iPod touch w/video. Didn't ship. Still waiting. My old 8GB nano is holding the fort until the new video-capable touch is released. Not getting one until that's released. I would think it's got to be by Christmas season (say late Oct). If not, I actually find I'm not missing my touch that much anyway! Maybe I'll just save the cash for something else.

RayCon (not verified) | September 23, 2009 - 2:33pm

Interesting that the Steve came up with reasons why the iPod Touch did not include a camera, and that was to keep the cost down. Even so, with the popularity of the Touch, it just didn't wash. It would have been a great way to put the kibosh on the infantile Zune HD. I can't help believe that there were "issues" that prevented the release. Therefore, I would suspect that the camera version will follow, and NOT next year. More like before Christmas.

teej116 (not verified) | September 23, 2009 - 5:48pm

There has already been enough damning evidence that there was supposed to have a camera. You're not telling us WHY. But, I suppose, your guess is as good as ours as to why.

Personally, I'm just pissed it doesn't have a cam, and they sure as heck better not wait till next September to give us one. I still use my old 2gig, 1st gen nano from 2005 and this would have been my reason to upgrade. Now if a camera's coming in with just a one-year wait - you lost one more customer, Apple. I know there was supposed to be a camera, and I know there isn't one. What I want to know is WHY.

OSXDex.com (not verified) | September 23, 2009 - 7:17pm

The Nano's camera is less than what I expected from Apple. Sure, we got it "free", but again. Usability was always Apple's territory. Hope the Touch has at least something decent in it. I'm tired of running and downloading my miniDV tapes. Quality is better than AVCHD, but running tapes is lengthy. HAving a good camera on touch, I would wait no more...
Delayed due to some production screwup? Who cares. it will pop up one day. It's bound to. Samsung's website says that current chip in iPhone supports full 720p.
If it had 1080p, I'd probably end up doing cartwheels.

JaySmile (not verified) | September 23, 2009 - 7:52pm

I hope that Apple will still offer an iTouch without a camera. I don't understand why people want a cheap camera in their ipod - it should concentrate on playing music and showing video.

Thomas Massengale (not verified) | September 24, 2009 - 12:52am

Actually Steve didn't just talk about costs. He talked about the size of video sensors versus still image sensors.

Judging by this add, the iPhone will remain the only Apple device to shoot stills, and the Touch will gain the video abilities that it's little brother already has.