The Ipod classic with flash drive and touch screen question?

[neilwebdesigner]

Hi guys, I was wondering if you could give me some help – I currently have the 5G video iPod 30GB – I purchased it on launch and have used it every day and its getting pretty tired and worn. Plus the capacity of my iTunes is now about 60Gbs
So, I‘ve been looking to buy a new ipod (Ready for next September when I start a degree) and the obvious choice is the classic, however, I really got the impression from the Steve Jobs keynote and around other sites and podcasts that the classic was just a stepping stone update to fit in with the other bigger updates and they were done for the run up to christmas. Do you guys think the click wheel is on its last legs and the next classics will be touch screen, also, do you think the next classic with not have a hard drive with moving parts but a flash hard drive?
I’m currently thinking that the classic and the nano design is going to be changed and more emphasis will be on the iphone/ipod Touch interface.
So what I’m asking is, do you guys think I should wait until another announcement of new ipods next year to see if everything is going to change with the transition theory, or just buy the classic as the click wheel and non-flash hard drive in the classic is here to stay.

Thanks guys
Neil

PS: does anyone know when the next likely update to the ipods will be?

[acme.mail.order]

My guess: unless the bottom drops out of the flash memory market there will be drive-based models for a while. 50/50 on the click vs. touch interface.