Apple rumor: cameras into iPods

Apple was late in the game in introducing video capture to its iPhone. But it could be using the feature to shake up the MP3 player market and potentially eat into the ultra low-cost camcorder market ruled by Pure Digital's Flip cameras.

Techcrunch is reporting from a source in Asia this morning that Apple has placed an order for a "massive number of camera modules" similar to what was in the iPhone 3GS. The source says the order can be headed for only one thing: iPods.

Macrumors has followed up with images of iPod Touch and iPod Nano cases that seem to make room for cameras along their backs.

This could be big news if true because while Apple is sometimes slow to include new features, when it does, it puts functionality and features in that elevate the game. In this case, for MP3 players, this would really serve to further separate iPods from the pack, which generally don't have video cameras.

It's unclear if both the iPod Touch and iPod Nano would get video capture. The Nano might just settle for a regular camera. But either way, you're talking about another step up that could eat away at sales of dedicated cameras and camcorders.

Via SFGate.com