Apple will release a white iPod touch late this year

Appleinsider reports that apple will publish a white iPod touch late this year with some new features. Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said recent industry checks point to Apple unveiling a white iPod Touch in August or September, which is typically when the company shows off its new portable music players. However, the new device will have few if any feature changes from the current iPod Touch, Kuo said.

Apple's iPod Touch is currently available in black. The device comes with a Retina display, HD video recording, and FaceTime video chatting. Apple sells 8GB, 32GB, and 64GB models for $229, $299, and $399.

Apple launching a white version of the iPod Touch with little to no improvement isn't unprecedented. Earlier this year, after a long wait, Apple finally launched the white iPhone 4, which delivered the same functionality as the black version. That device currently retails for $199 and $299 for 16GB and 32GB versions, respectively.

Exactly why Apple apparently won't update its flagship iPod this year is unknown. However, Kuo told AppleInsider that it could have something to do with Apple's desire to focus its mobile efforts on the iPhone and iPad.

It might not be a bad idea. Apple's iPod business has been on the decline as of late as the company's other mobile products soar. During Apple's fiscal third quarter, the company sold 7.54 million iPod units, representing a 20 percent decline year over year, it announced earlier this week. Apple sold 20.34 million iPhones and 9.25 million iPads to tally year-over-year gains of 142 percent and 183 percent, respectively.

During the fiscal third quarter, Apple's iPod revenue was just 4.6 percent of its total sales. During the same period last year, the iPod's revenue share stood at nearly 10 percent.

Even so, there's no telling what Apple might have planned. The company is notoriously secretive, and any rumor must be taken with a grain of salt.

Apple declined to comment on whether it will launch a new iPod later this year.

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