With the release of the iPhone just a couple weeks ago, there's now been lots of speculation going around town about the next generation of iPods. Common sentiment among analysts holds that the 6th generation of iPods would be an iPhone, only without the "phone" aspect built into it. Now, Mac Rumors throws in an actual speculative date onto the table: August 7.

Some claim that the sixth generation of iPods would come in during the second half of 2007, but now, sources of Mac Rumors are actually clocking the date as early as August 7. Also, they break away from the well-established rumor about the touch-screen interface. They now say that a click-wheel might still be incorporated, as opposed to having a full touch-screen design.

An anonymous source now claims that the iPod interface will be revamped to a more visual interface, with iPhone-like design elements and transitions.

To round up all the other speculations, here are the other features that their anonymous source claims to be included in the 6th gen iPod:

• A Ken Burns effect to transition between album art
• Incorporation of the iTunes' Cover Flow feature
• A split screen interface

Well, those features are enough to sweeten up the bitterness of swallowing the touch-screen-less pill. Eventually though, you know what's going to happen. If Apple does intend to put in a full touch-screen design, all the more would thieves want to steal iPods. But then again, we found a way to prevent iPod theft, didn't we?