Apple's working on a new design for the clip on the iPod Nano and Shuffle that would incorporate a speaker. Evidence of this claim came from recent patents filed by Apple. It's unknown whether or not the speaker would be good enough for music, or if it would only be useful for user interface feedback (think of the click made by the touch based click wheel in the older iPods).
Sound could be transferred to the rear part of the clip through the hinge mechanism. I'd imagine the read part of the clip would have to be widened to make room for a speaker.
Apple didn't post a big update for the iPod lineup this year, so they could either hold off until next Fall, or release an update along with a new iPad in early 2012.
via AppleInsider
