Many iPod nano colors, 120GB iPod classic due? [U]

(Updated with more leaked info) Apple is very likely to match expectations when it announces new iPods at its "Let's Rock" event today, according to multiple last-minute reports. A new claim floated by MacRumors confirms MacNN's Friday scoop of 4G iPod nanos in new colors and suggests that both 8GB and 16GB models will be available with newer and more vibrant colors than the existing models; the example cites the already shown orange as well as purple and yellow as new candidates. As many as nine colors may be available, the alleged sources say.

AppleInsider adds a purportedly reliable source that claims to confirm the number of colors and says that the iPod nano should receive a motion sensor that may provide auto-rotation features for Cover Flow but is more specifically believed to enable a shuffle feature just by shaking the device, similar to some Sony Ericsson phones or SanDisk's Sansa Shaker music player.

The claimed insiders for MacRumors further suggest that the second-generation iPod touch will have the same 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities of the existing models; previous reports have suggested, however, that Apple is likely to institute major price cuts for the players to bring them in step with the iPhone 3G's discount and that they may represent the mystery "product transition" revealed as part of Apple's latest quarterly results call. AppleInsider hears that the iPod touch will be available in just one color trim instead of the iPhone's black and white.

Separately, an apparent leak at CrunchGear also suggests that Apple will launch a 120GB iPod classic, pointing to an upgrade of the base 80GB player. The capacity would match that of the new 120GB Zune but would potentially complicate Apple's pricing, with no known iPod-ready hard drives larger than 160GB and thus a relatively small difference in features. Nonetheless, the prototype allegedly shown uses a Toshiba drive known to be as thin as for the 80GB model.

MacNN's original source for the story hinted that the new iPod nano would be available almost immediately after today's event, which starts at 10AM Pacific or 1PM Eastern; most expect the other iPods to be available at or near the same time along with iTunes 8 and Apple's promised iPhone 2.1 firmware.

Filed under: iPod
Other story tags: iTunes