There are some speculation going on regarding a new iPod Touch having a built in microphone and some more memory (i.e. 64 GB).

Ken Camp have written an excellent piece does not believe that the VoIP on iPod Touch will become a VoIP hit with pre-teen…

Your point about the iPod on WiMAX or LTE is a great one too. Those networks will change the way we use our mobile devices yet again potentially. I have a different view there as well. In the use, I question whether we’re really going to see a WiMAX/LTE rollout of 4G that delivers in a time frame that doesn’t get wiped out by some other 5G offering. I see the industry as a whole struggling to even deploy on a widespread basis. I wonder if it will ever get beyond small pockets. Given that Sheryl and I are moving this weekend to an area that doesn’t have 3G only adds to my concern.

And in my post, I overlooked the microphone as a part of the iPod that really does have huge impact. For us, while it doesn’t open the door to phone replacement, it does add huge value to the iPod as the casual computer around the house. Skype will make it a nice little Skype phone.

It’s a great device, and I was a bit harsh in thinking yesterday as I don’t think Andy’s two target demographics are where it will succeed. I do think with the right evolution, it will win, but I think the concept of treating it as a casual computer hold far greater potential than any kind of mobile phone replacement.

Thanks again. I love all the different ways of looking at this stuff we all share.

But why not one step further and replace the MiFi with a dongle router. That would allow us to use the iPod (and other devices) worldwide without being bound to horrendous data roaming charges. Granted, unlocking the iPhone achieves the same goal more elegantly if carrying less devices is high up in priority list.

Another approach (and maybe the most reasonable scenario) would be tethering the iPhone to another mobile device using WiFi or Bluetooth. I am on an unlimited data contract here in Japan which costs me $60 a month. I could shell out another $60 for an iPhone or just add the iPod to my WM MID and get the best of both worlds.

Saying that the iPod doesn’t represent a growth market is only true if seen in relation to the iPhone. Sure, the latter has more growth potential, but there are a lot of people who will NEVER buy an iPhone and thus would be completely lost for Apple as customers if it wasn’t for the iPod.

Quitting the iPod would also mean a loss in strategic perspective for Apple. Suppose the next gen iPod is a means to put pressure on the carriers? Apple might use it as a door-opener against AT&T’s (and other carrier’s) backward policies when it comes to internet telephony. What Cupertino basically says is: Look out, this may not be perfect yet, but we may have the means to make you nothing but data pipes one day here. The iPod may very well have the capability to connect to WiMAX networks one day which usually have less restrictive data usage policies.

I am aware that I represent a different end of the user spectrum, the one that does not mind carrying a second and third device as long as these devices provide value. Maybe some of the points above are of general validity and I’d definitely like to discuss this further if you think it’d make for an interesting talk.