The same way that the iPhone 3GS came to light, there’s now online logs of a new 3rd Gen iPod Touch device being us
ed recently. Analytics firm Pinch Media, which spotted the iPhone 3GS online last year, now says’s it’s been seeing the device string (iPod 3,1) for the new iPod multiple times since April of this year.
The usage pattern shows that Apple are testing the new iPod Touch to ensure there are no major flaws before the device goes live, which is presumed to be in September.
Signs of the string iPod 3,1 were first seen in early iPhone 3.0 beta firmware, the hardware ID was shown alongside present and unreleased Apple handhelds, at the time. As with the iPhone 3GS, Apple’s naming scheme seems to show that this will be a substantial update, camera perhaps? The first number of the string always refers to a major generation leap whilst the second refers to less substantial updates. The current iPod Touch is listed as iPod 2,1,
Trying to determine the release date based on this data is difficult as the iPhone 3GS was seen 8 months before its release however there is a lot more things to test in a phone, therefore making it more likely the release will be in September, as the iPod Touch has always been updated in a special music themed event held in September.
Sam's Blog 
Hey. I ran across your post. I also found a few pics of new cases foreshadowing the new ipod touch and possibly even a new ipod nano. You can check out my blog to see the pics. I almost want to ask apple what’s the point in an iphone when you can get an 3rd generation ipod touch for a lot cheaper? I mean you can still make phone calls though….the part being only on wifi does kind of limit a lot of people lol. I think I’ll stick with my iphone but I do think that this will be a great new gadget for people on other carriers who can’t get an iphone.