Apple to flash new iPods - but tablet's off the table

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 1 Sep 2009 at 07:49

Apple is set to refresh its iPod line-up next week - but it seems we'll have to wait a little longer to get our hands on the company's much vaunted tablet device.

The company has sent out invites for its annual September refresh, although iPods appear to be the star attraction. The press invite shows a picture of an iPod with the tag line: "It's only rock and roll, but we like it."

The event will give Apple the chance to introduce new iPods ahead of the crucial Christmas period. The company is expected to deliver new models of the iPod nano and touch, with the nano predicted to include a digital camera for the first time and the touch upgraded to video to match the iPhone 3GS.

The 9 September event may provide a relatively low-key opportunity for Steve Jobs to make his first public appearance since returning to the helm at Apple earlier this summer, following his liver transplant.

However, it now seems almost certain that Jobs won't be brandishing Apple's much talked about tablet device on the stage in San Francisco.

Apple and Jobs are both due to appear at next January's Consumer Electronics Show, which could be the ideal opportunity for Apple to steal the show on its debut appearance with the tablet announcement.