Apple released updated iPod touch models last Wednesday and claimed that the new 32GB and 64GB models are 50 percent faster than the previous generation iPod touch. Macworld’s Dan Frakes has posted basic performance tests for boot process, game launches and performance of a few web tasks. Performance tests compared iPod touch 2G with iPod touch 3G (late 2009). 

Dan says, “While the results vary from task to task, the new iPod touch – which Apple dubs the “iPod touch (late 2009)” – is noticeably faster across the board. Booting is dramatically faster, as are launching applications and browsing.”

As you can see in the table above booting, web page load time and Java performance has almost doubled. Launch time for all the games in the tests has also decreased when compared to touch 2G. Overall, like iPhone 3GS, the new iPod touch feels much faster at almost every task.

In another Apple news, Taiwan Economic Times claims that Apple will launch a tablet in February 2010, priced between $799 and $999. The tablet will have a 9.6-inch touchscreen, P.A. Semi processor, built-in 3G support and long lasting battery pack. DynaPack will supply the battery, Wanshih will supply mini coaxial cables and Wintek will supply power chokes and touch panels for the tablet.

All the above rumors are basically recycled news that was reported earlier in the summer. In summer it was claimed that the tablet will come before holiday season and now the claim is for February 2010. As we wrote before, our sources say that Apple is definitely working on a tablet type device and the company has been testing prototypes for almost one year. But no one knows exactly when Apple will actually release the device.

One more Apple related rumors was published today, research firm Wedge Partners says that Apple is about to unveil both new iMacs and new MacBooks in the next several weeks. The firm claims that the redesigned iMac will have thinner, organic design likely with smoothed or rounded edges. The MacBook redesign will be limited without much change. The firm also believes that Apple will announce lower price points for the new models.