TheStraightMusic: Apple Readying 11.6-inch MacBook Air, 3MP iPod Touch?

Apple is ready to launch a new generation MacBook Air featuring an 11.6-inch display and Intel Core i-series ultra-low voltage processor in the second half of 2010, as well as a new iPod touch in August or September. Both devices will be manufactured by Quanta Computer, according to Mingchi Kuo, senior analyst at Digitimes Research.

Kuo, citing discussions with upstream component makers, noted that the 11.6-inch MacBook Air will feature an even slimmer and lighter design than the previous-generation models and the technologies used for the design and concept are expected to be broadly used in the company's other product lines to boost their competitiveness.

However, shipment volumes of the new 11.6-inch MacBook are expected to reach only 400,000 units in 2010, Kuo pointed out.

The new iPod touch will feature a 3-megapixel camera, capable of both photo and video recording, and will adopt Apple's latest A4 processor, which is also used in the iPhone 4.

Kuo noted that new iPod touch shipments are expected to reach 17-18 million units in 2010.