subject: Sell Ipod Touch And Upgrade To The Latest Model? Think Again. [print this page] Are a new generation of iPod Touch owners being duped?
According to some retailers, the 8GB 3rd generation iPod touch is already here. In fact, many consumers have already taken the "sell iPod" route, ditched their iPod and rushed out to buy the latest 8GB model, believing it to be a 3rd generation iPod Touch. But, on closer inspection, you"ll discover that all is not as it seems.
The new 8GB "3rd generation" iPod Touch currently being offered by retailers, both online and on the high street, is in fact a "late 2009" edition of the 2nd generation model. In reality, the "real" 8GB 3rd generation iPod Touch does not exist "" yet!
Not convinced? Take a look at what Apple are saying about the latest 8GB iPod Touch on their website. See "3rd generation mentioned anywhere? No? Neither did we. Apple isn"t claiming that the latest 8GB model is 3rd generation, so why are the retailers?
The More Things Change"
Before we try to answer that, let"s look at what"s changed between the former 2nd generation machine and the "late 2009" edition:
For 8GB iPod Touch users, apart from an increased price tag, there is absolutely no difference between the latest 8GB model and the model you own now.
The memory capacity of the 2nd generation iPod Touch is limited to 32GB. The "late 2009" edition has a capacity of 64GB (it"s worth mentioning here that opting for the extra 32GB could add as much as 100 to the RRP).
Physically, nothing has changed. The newest model does however have two lines of engraved text on the reverse of the device, as opposed to the four lines of text that appear on the older model.
The 32GB and 64GB "late 2009" models have a slightly improved processor speed (at the expense of battery life) and, according to some reviewers, 256MB of on-board RAM, as opposed to 128MB. However, this RAM boost cannot be confirmed as, strangely, Apple has not made the specs available.
Does any of this add up to a rationale for labelling the new 8GB model "3rd generation"? Hardly, especially when you consider that Apple has made no mention of the term "3rd generation" in any of its marketing for the device. Is it worth hitting the "sell iPod" button to upgrade when the next generation of iPod Touch is just around the corner? Again, probably not. Unless, of course, you just have to have that extra 32GB memory capacity.
The Apple Never Falls Far From the Tree.
Then why have reputable retailers, such as Amazon, been selling the 8GB iPod Touch "late 2009 edition" as 3rd generation? The most likely reason is that the first retailers to receive the device, in the rush to get it onto the market, naturally assumed that it was the "3rd generation" model. Other retailers not wishing to lose market share, followed. The subsequent "ripple" effect resulted in the false perception that this was indeed the 3rd generation 8GB iPod Touch.
Whatever the reason, consumers need to be aware that products currently advertised for sale as "3rd generation 8GB iPod touch" are simply late 2009 editions of 2nd generation machines. So before heading for the "sell iPod" section of the classifieds, bear this in mind. That said, Apple"s iPod Touch is still top of the tree when it comes to portable Wi-Fi media players and when the 3rd generation 8GB iPod Touch is finally launched, perhaps we will see that elusive camera.
All this leaves us with a final conundrum: when the "real" 3rd generation 8GB iPod Touch is released, will retailers be forced to label the new model "4th generation"? And how will a forgotten generation of "late 2009" 8GB edition iPod owners feel about that?
Watch this space.
In the meantime, whether you"re looking to upgrade your iPod or the quickest way to get cash for your iPod, click "Sell iPod".
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