Rumors Flying About Potential New Apple ProductsRumors Flying About Potential New Apple Products

Rumors are flying about products that Apple might introduce soon including a sixth-generation iPod, possibly as soon as early August. Other possibilities: A redesigned iMac, or ultrathin notebook. The rumors were triggered by two little words at last week's Apple earnings conference call: "Product transition."

Last week, after reporting brisk sales for the quarter ending in June (including blockbuster sales for the iPhone), Apple said earnings will be disappointing in the current quarter. Why? Higher component costs, back-to-school discounts, and a "product transition." Translation: Apple's coming out with some new toys.

The iMac is due for a refresh, and the new version may include a more expensive LED-backlit display, Ars Technica speculates. MacBooks are due for an upgrade, possibly a new, thin model, with a multitouch interface taking the place of the trackpad.

Multitouch is the kind of interface the iPhone has; you control the device by touching the surface at multiple points. For example, to zoom in on a point on a Web page or map on the iPhone, you touch the tips of two fingers to either side of the target, and then spread your fingers apart as though stretching the display. It's extremely intuitive. I'm not sure how that would work out on a laptop, where the display and controller are different surfaces. Ars Technica says the thin MacBooks are rumored to be due out in October.

Think Secret expects a new, full-size iPod in the first two weeks of August.. The unit will have an updated operating system, and be about an inch smaller than current models.