Proof the iPod Touch Had A Camera (Prototypes Anyway)
12:13 pm, September 13th, 2009, Leander Kahney
An astute MacRumors reader compared the pictures from iFixit’s teardown of the latest iPod touch with earlier leaked pictures of a prototype equipped with a camera — and the internal details are the same.
Look at the pictures after the jump. The internal circuit boards are indentical — and both are completely different to the second-generation touch.
Which means that Apple has been building prototypes of the iPod touch with a camera. When that device will be released though, no one knows. Reports suggest Apple pulled the camera module because of quality problems, and will introduce it as soon as the bad part is fixed — possibly within weeks.
But as one CoM reader has noted in the comments, if Apple were able to ship the device in weeks, instead of months, Steve Jobs would likely have announced it last week.
The iPod Touch internals revealed by the iFixit teardown.
The iPod Touch internals revealed by the prototype spy shots.
The internals of a second-generation iPod Touch: picture from iFixit.
Posted by Leander Kahney in Apple, News, iPod Touch | Comment on this article
this was a prototype. all kinds of prototypes are made that are then nixed. it is not shocking to think that someone built a sample to show to Uncle Steve and Uncle Phil and they decided against it.
it doesn’t mean yeah or nay on them deciding to add one later. it just confirms that they considered it for long enough to build a model.
Charli, on September 13th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
What is that connector in the production 2nd Gen iPod Touch? Seems that Apple can easily add that camera without too much redesign of the circuit boards.
I predict the camera-equipped iTouches will arrive early next year at Macworld Expo…
Allan, on September 13th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Jobs wouldn’t announce the camera itouch even if they were able to ship it in weeks. Of course they want to sell as many slightly improved itouchs (itouches?) as they can before announcing a bigger improvement. Technology is obsolete the second you walk out the store with it.
Fabian, on September 13th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Allan Apple isn’t going to be at the next Macworld Expo. Last year was the last year that they were going to be there. There have been some rumors though saying that they might be at CES though.
Andrew, on September 13th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Will Apple release the iPod Touch with a camera next year I am not sure. If they do, should you buy now or wait ?
But why would you need an iPod Touch with a camera, chances are if you use the iPod Touch you presumably have a mobile phone with a camera already.
Poppa, on September 13th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
come on;
The camera got ditched in favor of the iPhone and the nano.
Get over it.
(just like Poppa explained; Apple got the iPhone..)
Rutger, on September 13th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Who cares?
Bryan, on September 13th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
my bet is they had the same camera in the touch as the nano and Steve came back and ripped someone a new one for it. Why! because that camera would look so pathetic compared to the iPhones there would be more complaining then there is now about the lack of a camera.
My guess… touch with the iPhones camera in January!
TRRosen, on September 13th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
@Allan, they won’t be at MacWorld (Doh!). It’ll take another special event, which will probably coincide with CES to combat other company releases.
Matt, on September 13th, 2009 at 7:00 pm