Ever since the iPhone and iPod Messenger rumors started, iPod People have been digging their way to China trying to come with proof. According to the latest vine buzz, some people are sifting through iPod's software code like Tom Hanks, searching for clues about  the next-gen digital music players. Amazingly, they may have found what they were looking for.

AppleInsider member VL-Tone dissected the latest iPod firmware update like a frog and came upon the following  codes:
 

"t_feature_app_PHONE_APP" application and variables such as "kPhoneSignalStrength," "clPhoneCallHistoryModel," prPhoneSettingsMenu," "prPhoneSettingsMenuView," prPhoneEnableSetting" and "prPhoneMenuItem."

The iPod phone references, according to VL-Tone, are unlikely about Motorola's iTunes Music phones because the mobiles do not run iPod's OS, the member pointed out in his analysis. Furthermore, he thinks it's unrelated Apple's address book synching.  Now, if you connect this with Apple's European design filing we featured a while back, then he could be on to something.

The codebreaker isn't finished yet.

"t_feature_app_MESSENGER_APP," "clMessengerModel," and "clMessengerApplication."

His interpretation: Apple may also be working on an iPod-based instant messenger application. He also found clues to a possible iPod-based search application, an iPod keyboard, and what could be two new game applications.