Tomorrow's iPod announcements

Tomorrow is the now-expected annual Apple press event where new iPods are announced. Most rumors and speculation point to a redesigned iPod Nano (similar to the original Nano's tall and thin form factor, though with a larger screen for video) and a tweaked iPod Touch to more closely resemble the iPhone 3G. Not much has been said about the iPod Classic or the Shuffle. Lots has been said about iTunes 8, which is purported to be a significant update and to include a "Genius" feature that makes music recommendations based on your existing music collection.

While you never know for sure, these rumors have a pretty solid feel to them, and I suspect they're mostly on target.

To me, the interesting stuff surrounds the future of the iPod Touch. I think the Touch is probably the device with the most potential in Apple's lineup. With the exception of the iPhone's ability to connect to the cell network, the Touch can potentially do everything the iPhone can, and more- because Apple's not forced to make deals with cell providers that limit network functionality.

Plus, while an iPhone requires a user to make a long-term contractual obligation and deal with service providers who have horrible customer service, there is no such barrier to entry with the iPod Touch.

The iPhone has captured the headlines for the past year and a half, but I would peg the future of Apple's mobile product line on the iPod Touch and its derivatives.

The key to all of this is the App Store.

Prior to the App Store, the iPhone was a cell phone, web browser, and iPod with a touch interface, and the iPod Touch was just an iPod with a web browser and a touch interface. You got what came on the devices out of the box. The empty rows of icons on the home screen (particularly on the Touch) were conspicuous.

With the App Store, Apple in one stroke transformed the iPhone and iPod Touch into the touch platform of the future, providing virtually unlimited capabilities beyond what comes in the box. With this reality in place, the Touch is instantly transformed from a media playback device into a micro tablet computer.

It will be interesting to see how Apple evolves the iPod brand and marketing. From the very beginning, the iPod has been about music, and more recently, video. Moving forward, the iPod Touch and beyond are really far more capable and diverse devices than simple media players, and have the potential to serve as the world's premier micro tablet platform, which anyone can purchase and use, beholden to no service provider.

I am excited to see how these themes are played tomorrow.

What I'd like to see with the iPod Touch:

<> Storage options of at least 64GB- the more, the better.
<> GPS.
<> Better camera.
<> Thinner/lighter.
<> 802.11N wireless.
<> Better battery life.
<> $299 maximum price point.

What I predict we'll see with the iPod Touch:

<> 16GB, 32GB, 64GB versions priced at $199, $299, and $399 respectively.
<> GPS.
<> Better battery life.