Apple September media event rumor roundup

On September 1st, Apple will be holding their traditional media event to announce…something to the public. Apple blogs and tech magazines have been speculating since well before the initial date about what this event will entail, so before you join us for our live blog at 1:00 p.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. PDT) Wednesday, we thought we’d catch you up on what you may seeing announced in San Francisco.

iTunes / iTV / AppleTV

• Rumor: 99 cent TV show rentals to come to iTunes?
  According to reports, there may be even more goodies surrounding the ever-so-hot rumor of the new Apple TV, the iTV. While the latest rumor doesn’t involve any news regarding hardware or design of the new product, it does contain something that could actually make a huge splash in terms of how we consume media. The rumor: Apple is in talks with several media outlets about allowing 99 cent commercial free rentals of TV shows within 24 hours of airing on TV. This—on top of a potential $99 iTV—will certainly spell out a-f-f-o-r-d-a-b-l-e.
• Kevin Rose: “Apple’s iTV will change everything”
  The latest rumors surrounding Apple recently seem to be all about new iPod Touches and the upcoming Apple TV update, the iTV. Now, Kevin Rose of Digg.com appears to have received more insider information about the so-called iTV. Before you question credibility here, keep in mind that Kevin has been right before, and he doesn’t really say much unless he has something to say.
• Rumor: Apple to reboot Apple TV, rename it iTV?
  Engadget reported on a rumor this week that Apple will reboot and rebrand the seemingly-forgotten Apple TV. This follows up an earlier rumor, which held that a thinner, $99 dollar Apple TV is in the works. However, newer details have since emerged. Supposedly, Apple will be renaming the device the iTV. If you cannot recall, Apple had initially named the Apple TV, you guessed it, the iTV, but changed the name of the device by its release. But what’s in a name?
• Rumor: Apple to refresh Apple TV, add TV rentals for 99 cents
  2007 saw the release of a very unique and interesting Apple product that has changed the face of the consumer electronics world. Obviously, that product was iPhone. But 2007 also saw the release of the Apple TV. Overshadowed by almost every other product Apple has released, the Apple TV seems like the odd one out in Apple’s product line. Aficionados of the device have been disappointed as Stevenotes have came and gone with no significant update to the original Apple TV. Lately, however, rumors have been swirling around a potential Apple TV price drop to $99.
• Rumor: Next Apple TV to be $99, foster cloud storage, use iPhone OS 4.0
  A source Engadget claims is very close to Apple has tipped them that Apple has provided some interesting details about what the next version of the Apple TV may include. According to the source, the device has been built to tie in much more closely with their mobile offerings and will contain internal components much like that of the iPhone—from the A4 chip to only 16GB internal memory. However, it will also be capable of 1080p HD as well as connecting to a Time Machine to add storage space. Furthermore, it has been described as “an iPhone without a screen,” with only power and video out ports on it and coming in at the size of an iPhone.

FaceTime / Camera on the iPod touch

• Forget the iPhone 4: Facetime on the iPod touch
  Facetime on the iPod touch is going to change everything. At the last iPod event, it was widely speculated (by me) that the iPod touch would get a camera addition. When it didn’t show up, the press (me) rationalized that Apple was worried it would cannibalize iPhone sales, since the major difference between the iPhone and touch is the phone, the camera, and the microphone.
• How FaceTime will work on iPod touch
  So you’ve heard the rumors about the iPod touch getting a front facing camera for FaceTime, but how’s that going to work without a phone number? The answer is simple, e-mail.
• Rumor: Next gen iPod touch frame leaked, shows front facing camera
  With the iPhone 4 now on the market, the rumor mill and leaks have switched directions towards the iPod touch. On top of rumors of an iPod touch with retina display and dual cameras, MacRumors has now received images of a possible iPod Touch LCD screen and front assembly leak. The images of the frame show what could be a front facing camera like the iPhone 4 meant for FaceTime calls. This coincides with earlier rumors of an email based FaceTime that will work on the iPod touch.

• Rumor: iPod touch with FaceTime and HD video in September
  It’s pretty much expected that Apple will be refreshing the iPod touch around September. The real question is which features from iPhone 4 will make it to the next iPod touch. Various sources point towards an update that will not only shoot HD video, but support FaceTime as well.
• Rumor: iPod touch to gain Retina Display, dual cameras
  Daring Fireball’s very own John Gruber has mentioned a little something in a recent article. Nothing big, just the apparent features coming to the new iPod touch in “a few weeks.” The updates he mentioned are very realistic, and if found to be true later this month, would bring the iPod touch up to spec with the iPhone 4.
• iPod touch with camera rumor surfaces again
  Apple’s next iPod touch has been rumored to be getting a camera for about a year now, and leaks from—where else—Tinhte from Vietnam are supporting that rumor once again. The camera is said to be 2 megapixels, which is a lower resolution than the iPhone 3GS and presumably whatever shows up in this year’s iPhone update. The rumor doesn’t come with a release date, but you could probably expect it some time this year.

iPod nano

• Rumor: Shrunken 6th gen iPad Nano coming soon?
  Question: How do you know an Apple press event is on the horizon? Answer: The rumor mill goes crazy! On top of recent iTV and FaceTime rumors, AppleInsider now has reason to believe we’ll be seeing the 6th generation of the iPod Nano as well. What could Apple possibly do to that device this time do you ask? Make is more nano!

Event

• Official: Apple event September 1st
  If you’ve been waiting for a new FaceTime enabled iPod touch or refreshed AppleTV or possibly even an iTV, your wait may be about to end. Apple has sent out invitations to a special event to happen next week Wednesday, September 1st in San Francisco.
• Rumor: Apple media event to be held September 7th?
  Well, August has just about come and gone, meaning the previous rumor of an August Apple event was clearly inaccurate. However, this updated rumor appears to have more backing. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple will hold a press event on September 7th (which, as usual, is a Tuesday) to enable them to announce their product two weeks before this fall’s TV season kicks in.
• Rumor: iPod media event scheduled for mid-August?
  According to a Brazilian publication entitled MacMagazine, a “reliable source within Apple” has informed them of an iPod press event that is to take place in mid-August. This event would detail the iOS 4 updates for iPad, a potential refresh of the iPod Touch hardware, and perhaps even some information about Apple’s remaining clickwheel iPod lines that have fallen by the wayside in this touch interface era. While the source didn’t give an exact date, we can assume it will most likely be around August 16th or 17th as Apple usually holds their events on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Of them all, which do you most want to see come to fruition? Maybe something not mentioned here at all, or maybe even the iMac touch? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to join us Wednesday for coverage of the announcements as they’re made.

See [Apple September Media Event live blog]