Chicago (IL) – So, is this the next iPod nano? We are almost convinced that Kevin Rose’s picture of the alleged fourth-generation iPod nano posted on August 25 in fact was the next iPod nano and we are relieved that he current ugly iPod nano is very likely to be history soon. New evidence that Apple will introduce a fourth-generation iPod nano and a slightly redesigned iPod touch next week comes courtesy of iLounge and AppleInsider. Our sources indicate that the nano will get up to 16 GB storage capacity.

Apple isn’t Apple anymore. There was a time when posting Apple rumors gave you an adrenaline boost, because you felt that a cease and desist letter from Apple’s legal watchdogs would follow within a matter of hours. Not so these days. Fairly credible rumors about new devices are trickling in one week ahead of an expected announcement from multiple sources.

iLounge published technical drawings of the sizes and shapes of the alleged new iPod nano and iPod touch, showing that the touch will be following the path of the iPhone and the nano will return to a Gen 2 (released in September 2006) form factor, leaving the ugly strange Gen 3 (released in September 2007) behind. Supporting the data published by the magazine is XSKN, a company that offers iPod pouches, which offers Gen 4 pouches already for sale.

We can even throw in our own piece of information from an industry source close to Apple: Gen 4 will see a capacity increase to 16 GB, while the price for the flagship model will remain stable at $199. The iPod touch will see more storage capacity, with an extension to 64 GB. There is no clear information on how much these new iPod touch model swill cost, but Apple has some pressure to bring the price down while maintaining a trend of increasing average sale prices of iPods to maintain revenue growth. However, we hear that the 16 GB model is expected to sell for $249 or $299, the 32 GB model for $349 or $399 and the 64 GB version for $499.  

It is almost suspicious how quiet it is around the iPod Classic this time around. But then, there has been no news from hard drive manufacturers that included 200 GB 1.8” drives, so we do not expect Apple to upgrade the player this time. Conceivably, Apple could kill the Classic as soon as flash capacity becomes competitive, which not be the case yet. But we expect this player to be sent in to retirement within one year.

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