The Next 5 Apple Gadgets To Waste Your Time Obsessing About

Everyone thought Apple would overhaul the iPod touch -- the future of the iPod business -- last year, by adding a camera to it. Nope! Instead, Apple put a camcorder in the iPod nano and left the iPod touch pretty much alone.

So this year, it seems likely that Apple will actually make significant hardware changes to the iPod touch. Like what?

- It could add the dual-camera system that the new iPhone 4 has, allowing iPod touch users to make FaceTime calls with iPhone 4 users, achieving an end-around on the wireless carriers. (Or it might just add the front camera. Or the back camera.)

- It could add the hi-res "retina display" that the new iPhone 4 has, and maybe some of its design cues, like the metal band and (faulty?) antenna design.

- It could add the Apple A4 chip and additional memory and battery that the iPhone 4 has, supporting longer battery life.

- It could make a smaller "iPod touch nano" with a hi-res display to replace the iPod nano.

   

Is this the new iPod Touch?

As Apple rumors go, this one makes a lot of sense. According to a report on Electricpig.co.uk, major British retailer John Lewis is speculating on Apple's new iPod Touch, which if Apple holds to true to form, would likely be introduced in September.

If the report holds any merit, the new Touch will have features that bring it closer to the new iPhone 4, without being an actual phone of course. That means a 5 megapixel camera with flash that's capable of shooting HD video (up to 720p). A front facing camera will also likely be aboard, letting the Touch take advantage of video calling over Wi-Fi through Apple's new FaceTime feature--Apple has already talked about moving FaceTime to other devices besides the latest iPhone.

Speculation also focuses on the new Touch having a gyroscope to make gaming on the device even more compelling. Apple, as is its custom, won't comment. CNET reached out to John Lewis, which confirmed that Rob Hennessy, one of its electronics buyers, made the remarks speculating about the device.