[NewsPoster]

Apple has added a new iPod touch with a smaller 16GB capacity to its roster. The quiet addition to the iPod touch range slots behind the current 32GB and 64GB fifth generation devices, launched last year, and though it has lost some of its storage space, Apple has opted to remove a number of other features from it as well.

While it uses the same 4-inch Retina display and dual-core A5 processor as the 32GB and 64GB models, it won't be available in the same array of colors, consisting of just a silver model. Its rear 5-megapixel iSight camera has gone, notes to The Verge, but it does still retain the front-facing FaceTime HD camera. The "iPod touch loop" lanyard hook, which usually pops out of the rear and is recessed when not in use, has also disappeared.

The loss of some components from the 16GB iPod touch does mean that it is lighter, weighing in at 3.04 ounces instead of 3.1 ounces, and has earned itself a lower price tag of $229.

The online Apple store states it is available for shipping within 24 hours, and for pickup from Apple retail stores from tomorrow onwards.

[njfuzzy]

This is a great indicator of the kinds of things Apple does to introduce a lower-priced product. They either use an older model, or remove some minor features, or both. (Think about the educational eMac/iMac models, for instance.)

We can probably learn something here about what Apple will do to make a lower cost iPhone work. If they are moving away from simply having the previous models serve as entry-level models, we can expect them to strip back the iPhone 5 or the new iPhone.

[SolarSaves]

My iPod touch 5th gen with a camera and 32 gigs cost $299, just $70 more. The price of a 16 gig version without a camera should be at most, $199. They'll probably drop the price for back to school sales...
But it is showing that Apple is thinking outside of their usual box...

[serkol]

That camera that they've removed costs like $5. Many buy iPod Touch for their kids. There are lot of apps/games for kids that use photos. It's impossible to take a picture of something else that is not you, without a back-facing camera.

I would much more prefer if they used different quality or materials to differentiate.

For example, they could use sapphire on more expensive model vs glass on the cheaper one, and/or different camera resolution.

[serkol]

That camera that they've removed costs like $5. Many buy iPod Touch for their kids. There are lot of apps/games for kids that use photos. It's impossible to take a picture of something else that is not you, without a back-facing camera.

I would much more prefer if they used different quality or materials to differentiate.

For example, they could use sapphire on more expensive model vs glass on the cheaper one, and/or different camera resolution.

Dumb. Stupid iPod move.

Might as well get an older iPod with two cameras.

[Grendelmon]

Hey, it's just like the Wii Mini.

[Jeronimo2000]

"Dumb. Stupid iPod move."

That's precisely what people said when Apple killed off the iPod mini.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Jeronimo2000 

"Dumb. Stupid iPod move."

That's precisely what people said when Apple killed off the iPod mini.

No they didn't. It's what they said when Apple INTRODUCED the iPod mini.

When Apple killed off the iPod mini, it was their best-selling line ever, but they replaced it in the same breath with an almost equally-capable iPod that Steve pulled from the change pocket in the front of his jeans.

They not only killed the industry monster that everybody had been failing to successfully copy; they replaced it with an absurdly awesome new runaway success.