I’m not going to even take a stab at what Apple’s iPod themed event will hold tomorrow. I will however tell you that I wish Apple would show a little love for my iPod Touch during some future event. With all eyes on the iPhone it seems Apple has neglected the iPod Touch aiming most of the recent software upgrades at iPhone owners.

After paying for two upgrades just to get my iPod Touch working the way it was intended (mail, calendar, the app store etc.) I think Apple could do us a favor and actually release some updates and feature enhancements that lend themselves to music listening. After all that’s why I bought an iPod. to listen to music.

You can dance around and get hot in the face about GPS, copy/cut/paste and video game controllers that plug into the bottom but everything I want could be rolled into the next software update and should have been a part of the original software at launch.

1. Wireless syncing

Considering I can buy an entire album from the iTunes store with about 3 taps of the finger I find it hard to believe I am unable to sync up a playlist I created last night before I dash out the door for work in the morning. If I can buy a 3d puzzle game on my music player without plugging it in, I should be able to get my own music off my computer in the same way.

2. Podcasts Over Wifi

With iTunes/iPods turning podcasting into a full blown medium to distribute and consume media I expected more support from the next gen iPod. In a best case scenario I’d love to be able to surf the iTunes podcast directory via the iTunes store or subscribe to podcasts through mobile safari (tap the link, choose subscribe, switch to the Music app). At the very least I’d like to be able to connect my iPod Touch to the internet, look and see if any new episodes of my subscribe podcasts are available and then download the ones I want.

3. Wireless Streaming

We can control iTunes over the network with our iPods now, this I am thankful for. I use it to play music in my kitchen through airport express while my mac lives out of sight. But do we really need the middle man? Let me stream directly from my iPod touch and I’d be a happier man.

4. Update the interface

The remote app as mentioned before does a great job of giving you mobile access to your iTunes library, it even has more detailed playlist descriptions and search functionality. Why this is not built into the iPod’s music app is beyond me. What makes Apple think I don’t want to search through 16gbs (32gbs for some) on my actual device rather than my computer?

Along with search and playlist details I’d love a functional way to scrub through the song/video timeline. iPod scroll wheels were amazing for skipping through songs and long videos. Trying to get to a certain scene in a 45 min television episode is a test of patients on the iPod Touch and holding down fast forward is giving me VCR flashbacks.

5. Unlock the unlock preferences

iPod Touches are not phones. I’m not worried I’m going to accidentally phone my friends while I’m out at the bar, or dial the pizza joint while trying to find the keys in my pocket. I don’t need a damn safety slider on my iPod. That’s what hold switches were for. Let me choose to lock my music player or at least give me a physical volume control. I don’t want to double tap a button or horizontally caress my ipod every time a loud song comes on while I’m riding the train. Seriously.

If I receive even one of these features tomorrow, I will be both delighted and surprised. I don’t expect it at all but it would sure be nice to improve the music component of my music device.

let me know your thoughts, I’d love to discuss with everyones in the comments.

Credit: Niki Odolphie for the iPod Touch Photo