The new iPod Touch was one of the more unexpected announcements during Apple’s iPhone 5 event. It was a given that Apple would refresh the iPod Touch, but the extent in which the company upgraded the device was a pleasant surprise. The iPod Touch was penciled in for an October launch, but we now might have an idea of when in October we can expect it.

A report from Today’s iPhone found Apple accidentally revealing the ship date for the new iPod Touch last week. The company’s Australian store listed the ship date for the new iPod Touch and the iPad Nano to be shipping in three weeks time. That puts the device’s launch at sometime near the end of the month. It may even coincide with the launch of the iPad Mini.

The new iPod Touch, like all of Apple’s other big hardware revisions this year, is set to take the holiday season by storm. The device has seen some massive improvements over the previous iteration to make it an attractive purchase for folks who want the iPhone experience without the phone part.

During its event last month, Apple announced that the iPod Touch would feature the same 4-inch retina display as the iPhone 5. It’s also seen a massive improvement in the battery department with a full charge being able to play music for 40 hours. In fact, the iPod Touch’s processor is the only thing that’s inferior to the iPhone 5. The new iPod Touch features the iPhone 4S’ A5 chip. It’s understandable why Apple would restrict the iPod Touch’s specs, but it’s a little disappointing nonetheless.

The launch of the new iPod Touch is only one part of Apple’s master plan to win the holidays. The company already has the iPhone 5 and the iPod Nano on tap to rule the holidays. The iPad Mini and whatever else is announced later this month will most likely further propel them to the top. Some are even saying that Apple might announce a hardware revision for the new iPad (iPad 3). We won’t know for sure until later this month, but Apple’s holiday game plan is already looking mighty impressive.