Eric Sheline

Yesterday I posted about how Apple should release a Bluetooth-capable iPod Touch, and though I was technically wrong about the Bluetooth, they did the next best thing. As far as I can tell, the new 2nd Generation iPod Touch supports a wired microphone!

Coupled with the new built-in speaker, the in-line Mic addition makes the iPod Touch a perfect platform for a great Wi-Fi VoIP application (such as this one). The app could be distributed through Apple’s official App Store and would work on the iPhone too!

Apple Store – $79 Premium Headphones w/ Mic and Remote
Apple Store – $29 Headphones w/ Mic and Remote

Almost exactly a year ago to this day, rumors were spreading that the then-upcoming Apple iPod Touch would include Bluetooth. Such rumors were quickly debunked, but in doing so, blogger Joel Johnson even speculated about how the feature may have given VoIP applications a boost.

Tomorrow is an Apple Event, and the company is expected to launch a redesigned iPod Nano and possibly new iTunes software as well. What would really be the smart (and probably pretty easy) thing to do would be to add Bluetooth to the iPod Touch. It would give the Touch a new relevance in an iPhone dominated market, by opening up the device to VoIP applications.

It would also benefit consumers by giving them a more ubiquitious home Wi-Fi VoIP device than the current sporadic offerings, and obviously benefit Apple through greater iPod Touch sales. The only group not thrilled by a Bluetooth-equipped iPod Touch would be the phone and cable companies, who love bundling in overpriced VoIP services with their internet and/or TV offerings.