Rock With Apple on September 9

With an invitation titled 'Let's Rock' and adorned with an iPod silhouette, Apple has officially announced a publicity event for September 9th.

Courtesy of Apple

There's no doubt now that the event will focus on new iPods and possibly a new version of iTunes. Like everyone else, I expect new iPods to replace the current nano line. There's also been some speculation that the shuffle will get a refresh of some kind.

The news I hope to hear most is a price drop for the iPod touch, as well as an across-the-board iPod refresh, also with lower prices. My reasons for expecting price drops are based largely on the perception that the iPhone 3G and the iPod touch are out of step with each other, pricewise. With an 8 GB iPhone available for $199, and an 8 GB touch priced at $299, it's difficult not to see the touch as overpriced.

Sure, the real cost of the iPhone is much higher, because you also have to sign up for a service plan, but the touch doesn't have any of the phone capabilities of the less expensive iPhone.

The other indicator pointing to a new iPod touch is Apple's use of the touch in one of its promotions for its annual back-to-school deal. Buy a Mac for college, and get a free touch. That's an excellent way to purge inventory of current models to make way for new ones. By the way, the other iPod used in the back-to-school promotion was the nano. See a pattern here?

We'll find out whose predictions were right on September 9 at 10 am PDT. Stay tuned and get ready to rock.