Supplier reports indicate new iPods, right on schedule
Apple supplier Wolfson Microelectronics didn't get a new components contract …
Justin Berka - Mar 27, 2008 6:35 pm UTC
Does the name Wolfson Microelectronics ring any bells? Well, it might if you're intimately familiar with the iPhone or iPod touch. Wolfson produces audio chips used in various Apple portable products, most recently the iPhone and iPod touch. Unfortunately, Apple didn't renew its contract with the company. Wolfson recently announced the loss of the contract and what it would mean to the company's revenue (hint: bad things), but Reuters is reporting that Wolfson also let slip that new iPods will be arriving in the fall of 2008.
Apple launching new iPods in the fall isn't exactly a surprise for anyone familiar with the company's normal schedule (and its love of back-to-school promotions), but at least now we've got some sort of confirmation. Kind of. Wolfson, of course, declined to mention which iPod models will be receiving an update (since that would make Steve really mad). AppleInsider, however, seems to think that both the iPod touch and iPod nano will be updated. Makes sense, since the nano gets an update every single fall.
Corroborating this change is another report from AppleInsider that Apple is believed to be buying up 32GB NAND flash memory. Some manufacturers may be lying about just how much memory has been ordered, but the consensus is that Apple is stocking up, which fits in with a September launch. The 32GB chips are also the next logical step for things like the iPhone, so warn your wallets about September if you've been waiting for higher-capacity Apple gadgets.