The iPod Touch 5 release date is likely to be Oct. 9, according to a flurry of new reports, and many customers who pre-ordered the device have seen messages telling them “preparing for shipment”.

Japanese tech site Macotakara led the rumors this week that Apple scheduled to launch the new generation iPod Touch, as well as the iPod Nano in Japan on Oct. 9. Customers have been told their devices are preparing for shipment, and another person claimed his credit card had been charged - indicating it had already shipped.

For those that pre-ordered the device as soon as pre-orders became available it seems they might be receiving the device imminently, however, for those who are just ordering the device now, some have been told they would have to wait “three weeks”. In Australia and New Zealand the Apple Store online has posted long waits for delivery recently.

The 5th generation iPod Touch comes in two different versions with memory capacities of 32GB and 64GB. The high model has been priced at $399.

The new device features a 6.1mm frame and a 4-inch display, which is by no coincidence the same size as the newly released iPhone 5.

The iPod Touch has also come beefed up with the A5 chip previously featured in the iPhone 4, which Apple says would be seven times faster than previous models.

The device also features an improved battery life; and should be able to play 40 hours of music and 8 hours of video.

The latest generation device also features a 5-megapixel rear camera and a strap, and can record video in 1080p and FaceTime in 720p.

A new panoramic photo feature will also delight new users who want to use the device to take picturesque shots.

One change from previous models is that the headphone jack has been moved to the bottom left of the device, and it will also be released with Apple’s redesigned Ear Pod headphones.

Tags: technology