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iPod Touch 6th Generation Release MIA in Apple 2014 Roadmap

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The iPod touch 6th generation is not as exciting as the iPhone 6, but many Apple users are eagerly waiting for a new iPod touch to arrive in 2014 so they can upgrade to a better iPod. A new Apple product roadmap includes new iPads, new MacBooks, new iPhone 6 models and even an iWatch, but there is no mention of a new iPod touch.

The iPod touch 6th generation would follow up on the iPod touch Apple introduced in 2012 alongside the iPhone 5. Apple still sells that iPod touch, but some shoppers looking to upgrade from an older iPod touch 4th generation that can’t run iOS 7 are unwilling to upgrade to a two-year old device that is still priced like a new iPod touch.

Many Apple users anticipated a iPod touch 6th generation release last fall alongside the iPhone 5s or the iPad mini Retina, but Apple ignored the small, but popular device. In early 2014 Apple told investors that the iPod touch 6th generation release is not coming before the end of March, by advising an analyst that sales would remain down.

Shoppers are eager for an iPod touch 6th generation release date, but a new roadmap does not include a new iPod touch.

Shoppers are eager for an iPod touch 6th generation release date, but a new roadmap does not include a new iPod touch.

While there is no announcement from Apple, the next logical time for an iPod touch 6th generation release date is this fall. Apple traditionally announces new iPod touch updates in the fall, which would likely line up with an iOS 8 release. The Apple WWDC 2014 event takes place on June 2nd, where we could see a new MacBook Air and will very likely see the first look at iOS 8, but there is no chatter about a summer iPod touch 6th generation release.

Apple delivered a cheaper iPod touch with no rear camera in May of last year and added a new color option to match the iPhone 5s last fall, but overall there is no major iPod touch upgrade.

A new report from Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, shared on MacRumors, outlines 8 new Apple products and updates for 2014 in a roadmap, that does not include a new iPod touch 6th generation. Kuo is the man responsible for sharing many iPhone 5s details with accuracy before the release last year and is a continual source of information about Apple’s plans. His sources are typically supply chain partners according to reports.

This report outlines a very busy third quarter for Apple, which is when the iPhone 6 release, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini Retina 2 and an iWatch could arrive. There is no mark on this report for an iPod touch 6th generation in the third quarter, or anytime in 2014.

It is possible that this roadmap is looking only at Apple’s flagship product lines in mobile, which is why the iPod touch is missing. Perhaps Apple plans to use the same 4.7-inch display as in the iPhone 6, which could muddy any supply chain leaks. There are a variety of unknowns which could explain the lack of a iPod touch on the outline. We expect to see a new MacBook Air in June, but that is also not on the list, though Kuo suggests a new 12-inch MacBook that is “ultra slim” is in the works for later this year.

There are not many iPod touch 6th generation rumors and multiple analysts Gotta Be Mobile contacted for input did not offer any information about Apple’s plans for the touch screen iPod.

The iPod touch remains popular with children and with adults that don't want a monthly contract.

The iPod touch remains popular with children and with adults that don’t want a monthly contract.

For users that own an iPod touch 5th generation already, it is a nice device that runs iOS 7 and will likely see an upgrade to iOS 8, but for users that own an iPod touch 4th generation or are looking to buy their first iPod touch there is less appeal. 

Gotta Be Mobile reader Anne writes in to tell us that she cannot wait for the iPod touch 6th generation release date,

“I’m limping along with my adored 4th generation Touch and no way am I going to replace it with gen 5. But the day generation 6 becomes available I’ll be one of the first in the door to  buy one. I will NEVER buy a smartphone and tie myself  down to a contract. My Touch serves me fine, I just want an update and more memory and faster processing and a MUCH better camera.”

This is similar to what we hear from other readers and iPod touch fans. While Apple is focused on the iPhone and iPad, there are still many users that want the benefit of email, FaceTime calls, access to millions of great apps without a monthly data plan. Even while carriers are pushing the price of owning a smartphone down, there are still many people who want a small WiFi only device and a cheap flip phone as their mobile devices.

Apple is overdue for an iPod touch 6th generation release and while there is not much we know about the device, the best hope for shoppers is a fall release date that lines up with the iPhone 6 or new iPads listed on this analyst roadmap.

24 Comments

24 Comments

  1. iPod-touch-6th-Generation-Release

    04/10/2014 at 2:48 pm

    Josh, I don’t see an iPod touch 6th generation release date as soon as in the second quarter. I think the new iPod touch 6 is coming out in September 2014, at earliest.

  2. john

    04/12/2014 at 3:37 am

    The operating system is outdated on generation 4. I realized that and sold mine, but I will never upgrade to a newer version when these things are disposable trash. I think I will buy an android tablet with the extra cash because I am a linux user as well and they will not make an itunes app for linux, so I think this would solve a few issues.

  3. Anon

    04/13/2014 at 10:59 am

    The iPod touch 4 is severely outdated. It runs very slowly with newer apps. I am not willing to only upgrade to a 5th generation, it’s too old now. I also want 128gb of storage, which is common among iPads now.

  4. Jared

    04/13/2014 at 11:25 am

    had my 5th gen for over a year now 1 yr 2 months to be exact still going strong!

  5. Jenny

    04/16/2014 at 10:09 am

    I made the mistake of purchasing my iPod touch 4G a year after its original release, and I won’t make that mistake again. I REFUSE to buy an iPod 5G and live through anything similar to the IOS7 overhaul. Not only do apps constantly crash on my 4G, but now, most apps are becoming only IOS7 supported. I know a few that will allow you to install the “latest” version that your system allows, but for the most part, I can hardly download ANY of the apps I want. And now, Apple decides to force developers to only code apps for IOS7 in order for them to be on the market. So where does this leave me? I’ll tell you. It leaves me in the dust with an outdated devices that was only supported for two years and a big F*** you from the CEO of Apple himself. I want a new iPod Touch and it better come.

  6. alex

    04/29/2014 at 3:22 pm

    I’ve been wanted to buy an iPod 5th gen but instead I’ll just wait until the iPod 6th gen comes into play

  7. Fred

    05/17/2014 at 6:52 pm

    HI

    • Anon

      06/22/2014 at 4:11 pm

      Really.

  8. Dan

    05/17/2014 at 9:18 pm

    I’m holding on to a dying 4th generation iPod touch, and I am beginning to be unsure if it will hold out until the 6th generation, but at this point, I’m adamantly against getting a 5th generation unless it sees a price drop. It is now simply too costly for being outdated tech.

  9. Don'tRepeatSoMuch

    05/29/2014 at 9:57 am

    Damn. That was the longest I have ever seen four sentences stretched. Please be more succinct. Seriously, it makes you look incompetent as a writer.

  10. chellybelly92792

    05/31/2014 at 2:48 pm

    I’m clinging to my old iTouch 3G for dear life. I’ve treated it very well over the past 4 years, I intend to keep it until the 6th gen model comes out. Still kicking myself for not waiting until September to get the 4th gen, I bought mine in mid-April 2010.

  11. maaen

    06/02/2014 at 9:57 am

    I will only buy an iPod touch next time round if it is an almost a six inch device with a very large memory….128 GB ideally. I bought the 2nd 3rd 4th and 5th gen ipod touch models but will not buy a similar screen size device again from apple. I will not buy an iPad mini either…..it is not quite a pocket friendly device….
    so if Apple masterminds are listening ….TAKE NOTE….LISTEN AND LEARN…UNDERSTAND
    I am only interested in this one product from Apple….all my other needs are well served by Samsung

  12. ronel

    06/02/2014 at 8:22 pm

    hopefully there will be a new feature. I’d really like that. More on the hardware to software side

  13. Cantwaitfor6g

    06/19/2014 at 11:00 pm

    I currently have a 4g ipod that barely runs newer apps. Luckilly i only use my ipod for music and the internet. However, it would be nice to be able to play games on it again, which is why i cant wait for 6g. Buying a 5g ipod is a dumb idea, because the 6g could be right around the corner, and then it would be a waist of my money. To all who have a 4g ipod and are looking for an upgrade: wait for the 6g. It will be worth it.

    • Anon

      06/22/2014 at 4:15 pm

      Learn to spell

  14. Kay

    06/20/2014 at 8:40 pm

    I’ve had my 4th generation for almost 3 years. I made the mistake of buying it in September when the white version came out only 3 months after. I’m sick of how I can barely record videos anymore because I only have 32 GB. I think apple needs to make a lot more memory, around 100 would be good. Also, they need to stop doing these bloody updates which cause me to have to reset my whole ipod because it crashes and glitches. I was forced to delete 3 years worth of diary -.-

  15. Dude

    06/25/2014 at 5:29 pm

    What really pisses me off is that apple always puts iPod a step behind iPhone and iPad. Even in their ads they say “for iPhone and iPad”. Apple didn’t announce an iPod in 2013, so they should make an iPod with the same specs as th iPhone 6.

    • Yvan Lamontagne

      07/09/2014 at 4:10 pm

      Just add the fifth gen a GPS and I’ll rush to buy it.

  16. Ally

    07/12/2014 at 11:26 am

    I’m barely scraping by, I wanted the iPod touch 5th gen. Although with September coming by in a couple of months I think I’ll have to wait just 4 more months. It’s incredibly frustrated that Apple always makes this difficult. If I buy an iPod touch 5 gen it would be like buying a Speak and Spell if the iPod touch 6th Gen is released! Piss off Apple…

  17. Marissa S.

    07/20/2014 at 7:43 pm

    I have an IPod 4g and its getting to be on its last leg. I cant download 90% of the apps in the app store because they all only support IOS 7. Plus the apps i do have crash all the time and its ridiculous, especially with social media apps. i have to look at everything that i want to in 5 minutes because otherwise it crashes while i’m in the middle of something. The IPod itself crashes all the time too, my battery after 2 or 3 years is fried and dies every 10 minutes if its not plugged into a charger. I have recently seen on Wal-Marts website they are selling an IPod 5g for only $188 but since there is an upcoming release date for an IPhone and a couple different IPads, i think i’ll wait and see if i have the option to purchase the IPod 6g.

  18. Lilly

    07/30/2014 at 7:14 am

    Okay so my birthday is in November and I am getting an iPod touch 5 but an iPod touch 6 may come out. So I am hoping it will come out before my birthday so I can get that one instead. I am crossing my fingers It will be released soon!

  19. Scarlet

    09/22/2014 at 6:58 pm

    I have valued my iPod 4th gen. for 4 years now. I use it for work and everything else. I really don’t know what I would do without it. I am praying an iPod 6 does come out. Like everyone else my iPod is beginning to crash. Plus my keyboard function is dying out. It freezes all the time. Ugh come on Apple I am depending on you! Step up and help us little folks out. Saving my money and waiting.

  20. Rocco

    04/25/2015 at 10:37 pm

    The greedy bastards at Apple will regret not releasing the iTouch 6 !!!!!

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