There is mounting evidence of a new iPod Touch that will include a camera (possible video capabilities). The first wave of evidence is a flurry of “leaked” third-party cases for the upcoming iPod Touch (also one for an iPod Nano). They all have one thing in common, a hole for a camera. If this sounds familiar, there was a rumor going around in May that suggest iPods would get cameras.

At least two of the case designs have the camera centrally mounted, adding to the credibility of this rumor.

Next up, there is a rumor of the next-gen iPod Touch (and iPhone) having a Micro Projector built in. DigiTimes first reported that a Taiwanese company named Foxlink is currently developing micro projectors for use in mobile phones, and Apple is expected to launch devices with built-in projectors later this year. Here’s an excerpt:

International brand vendors, including Nokia, Samsung Electronics and Apple, reportedly all plan to launch handsets with built-in micro projectors by the end of this year, indicated the sources, adding that Foxlink is likely to benefit from the emerging trend due to its strong business relationships with Nokia and Apple.

Lastly to round the whole thing out, PinchMedia announced that they have started to come across several iPod Touches with the “iPod 3,1″ version number in their analytics reporting from App Store applications.

Here are the details:

the first time an application using Pinch Analytics was run by a iPod3,1? device occurred in late April 2009;

The applications being run on iPod 3,1? devices have all been the larger, more popular applications using Pinch Analytics, with hundreds of thousands to millions of unique users other than their size, the applications have little else in common.

As of this date, a few dozen distinct iPod 3,1? devices have run around two dozen different applications using Pinch Analytics;

applications using Pinch Analytics were run by iPod 3,1? devices very infrequently until late May 2009, when the pace picked up slightly;

The “iPod 3,1″ (current version number is 2,1) version number has shown up on our radar once before back during the beta stages of the iPhone 3.0 software. This finding strongly suggests that there will be an iPod Touch refresh in September.

My thoughts? I’m starting to buy into the rumor of cameras being built into the new iPods, and I certainly don’t scoff at the idea like I did a few months ago. Stick this one in the maybe pile.

I strongly doubt Apple will include a micro projector in next-gen iPods and iPhones. It sounds amazing, however, I do not believe the technology is currently capable of being crammed into an ultra thin iPod Touch, and Apple certainly won’t make there product ugly and bulky for an technology in it’s infancy.

In short, I expect a new iPod Touch in September, possibly with a built-in camera. I don’t expect a micro projector to be included. Not yet anyway.

Image courtesy of DealExtreme.