Apple's September event: Definitive rumour round-up

September the ninth is an important date in music and media. It's the birth day of Hugh Grant, Michael Bublé and Crave J-Pop favourite Ai Otsuka. Frank Lucas, the drug baron played by Denzel Washington in Ridley Scott's epic crime film American Gangster, was also born on this day in 1930.

And now, on 9 September 2008, Apple is expected to dish out its latest iPods to the world's press, and speculation as to the contents of the pending Jobsnote is rife. Our own Ian Morris is simply "expecting smugness" on Tuesday, but the rest of us are a little more optimistic. Let's peel the apple and examine what we think we might see.

iTunes 8
A new version of iTunes is almost a certainty. Since Apple launched the super-simple 'Remote' app for the iPod touch and iPhone, we've anticipated streaming functionality that would allow for media to be streamed from iTunes, over a home network, to iPod and iPhone.

We could also see podcast updating over Wi-Fi, and perhaps a podcast section of the mobile iTunes Store. It's extremely unlikely, however, that this would be available over the mobile networks to iPhones.

Kevin Rose, of digg and diggnation fame, offered some interesting insider info on his blog this week, too: "iTunes 8 includes Genius, which makes playlists from songs in your library that go great together. Genius also includes Genius Sidebar, which recommends music from the iTunes Store that you don't already have."

New iPod nanos
Manufacturers of iPod accessories often get schematics of forthcoming iPods in order to manufacture products for launch. The CEO of a major manufacturer once told us confidentially that he was sent specifications, images and schematics of the iPod touch and 'fat nano', from Apple, weeks in advance of their official unveiling.

With this in mind, numerous schematics and sightings of a more conventionally designed nano have surfaced. Engadget also spotted new nano cases on the floor of IFA last month, only further confirming the new design -- a tall nano with a large screen and slimmer form factor.

All being well, we'll see these models hit 16GB, but it's highly unlikely we'll see any Wi-Fi integration, as the nano is aimed mostly at casual music lovers.

Most intriguing is the possibility of completely overhauled iPod touches, unlimited iTunes downloads and music-centric social networking and music sharing over Wi-Fi connections. Hit the next page for more... -Nate Lanxon

New iPod touch
Probably the most exciting rumour is that of a second-generation iPod touch. Again, apparently leaked schematics detail a more iPhone 3G-like design, with a curved back.

We considered integrated GPS for use with location-based apps from the App Store, but as the iPod touch only has Wi-Fi, how would it download maps? Aha! A built-in map database, like a sat-nav, perhaps? Or would this compete too much with the iPhone? Or add too much cost?

A camera is another possibility, as well as a rocker switch for controlling volume (please, oh please!) and dramatically slashed prices.

Other possible features include a built-in speaker (please, no!), 64GB maximum capacity or even a hard drive-based design.

New iPod classics
It's unlikely the classics will get changed dramatically, but higher capacities and lower prices are possibilities. We could see Wi-Fi for podcast updating, but it's not particularly likely. The whole ethos of the classic is in the name -- it's a traditional hard drive iPod geared up for massive volumes of music and video. That's about it.

Other speculations
A recurring topic is an unlimited subscription service within iTunes. This could range from a monthly fee that grants unlimited downloads from the iTunes store, a yearly one-off fee that offers the same, or something akin to Nokia's Comes With Music service, where an unlimited subscription comes in the box with certain iPods.

And then there's the 'Let's rock' tag line on the invite. Typically Apple uses these invites to tease fanboys. The invite to the launch of the MacBook Air read, 'There's something in the air...' and the iTunes movie download announcement invite had, 'It's showtime!'

'Let's rock'? Well firstly it's got sod all to do with The Beatles -- we've already Googled Beatles lyrics that contain those words. Unabbreviated, 'Let us rock' hints at something involving more than just one iPod owner -- perhaps song sharing over Wi-Fi? Two-player games? Some sort of music-centric social network integrated into the iPod touch and iPhone? Is that a straw? Let us clutch it.

The countdown begins
We'll be at the announcement on Tuesday in force to bring you every last bit of detail as it happens, both in written and video form. Be sure to hit up Crave from 6pm on the 9th, fanboys.