New iPod touch?

[aggiejason]

SWMBO has suggested an iPod touch for an upcoming birthday present, which sounds fantastic to me. But then I found out that the newest version of the Touch may be introduced on Sept. 9th, just two days after my birthday. What should I do??

 

[perry]

Gift card to the apple store for the right amount?

 

[mretzloff]

I am not sure. The iPod Touch is great but makes you want an iPhone. I love my iPod Touch, but the fact that it requires WiFi for most of its features, is a big downside.

 

[Phog Allen]

Hey Matt. As a younger chap, can you give me an opinion on something? Now I am pretty tech "aware" if not always tech savvy. I get the whole mp3/aac/flac etc. What I have really kind of wanted is portable internet device. I work at a large university and we now have wifi all over the place. Since I have a company login, well it would be most convenient. So I have been kicking around the idea of a either a Playstation Portable or an iPod Touch for use as a makeshift internet device. My question is, have you used either your Touch or a PSP to browse the internet? I know the PSP(newer models)come with built in wifi and web browser and of course play games. I believe if you add the memory stick you can display photos, video, and music files as well. How about the Touch? Of course it is music oriented and games are not really high on my priority. I just wondered which one renders web pages better? The PSP has about a 4" screen which is nice but is also a LOT larger than a Touch. How big is your Touch's screen? Any input you can provide would be a big help. Thanks. BTW, the internet stuff would be for retrieving messages and emails. I have no interest in doing a bunch of browsing on screens that small!

Regards, Todd

 

[mbrooks]

Phog,

I also have an iPod Touch. Its screen dimensions are 2" x 3" (5.0cm x 7.5cm) with a resolution of 320 x 480. If your main purpose will be e-mail, it's pretty hit-and-miss depending on whether the actual e-mails are text or HTML. Text is fine, but HTML ones can be really small because those are designed for viewing on full-size monitors.

I'm not familiar with the PSP's internet capabilities, but one advantage for the iPod is most major sites (e.g. Amazon, Facebook, weather.com, etc.) now have their own apps, which are usually better than the mobile versions of their websites. Most of them are free, too.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[mretzloff]

Todd,

I have both the iPod Touch and the PSP. I have used both as makeshift Internet devices. If I were to pick one for the purpose, I would pick the PSP, however, considering that WiFi enables the iPod Touch to do so much, I would pick the iPod Touch. If you are in an area with WiFi, the iPod Touch is a gift sent from God. You can browse the Internet, check sports scores, check your bank account balance, use PayPal, etc. You can also play some games.

For retrieving e-mails and messages, the iPod Touch is your best bet. The Blackberry and iPhone would be two other option as well.

Mike also provided great information.

 

[mretzloff]

Phog,

I also have an iPod Touch. Its screen dimensions are 2" x 3" (5.0cm x 7.5cm) with a resolution of 320 x 480. If your main purpose will be e-mail, it's pretty hit-and-miss depending on whether the actual e-mails are text or HTML. Text is fine, but HTML ones can be really small because those are designed for viewing on full-size monitors.

I'm not familiar with the PSP's internet capabilities, but one advantage for the iPod is most major sites (e.g. Amazon, Facebook, weather.com, etc.) now have their own apps, which are usually better than the mobile versions of their websites. Most of them are free, too.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

Good points. The applications make the iPod Touch what it is.

You can also zoom into e-mails, should you get an HTML e-mail, but seriously, who sends HTML e-mails? Maybe I am in the dark, but I rarely ever get HTML e-mails.

 

[Phog Allen]

Matt and Mike, thank you for the replies. It may well be an iPod Touch. Now one thing I don't understand. What apps do Amazon and others need for their websites and why do we need or want to use them? I mean, are they apps for installing on your device? I guess I don't understand how/why you would use/need them. See? I am not that tech savvy.

Regards, Todd

 

[mretzloff]

Matt and Mike, thank you for the replies. It may well be an iPod Touch. Now one thing I don't understand. What apps do Amazon and others need for their websites and why do we need or want to use them? I mean, are they apps for installing on your device? I guess I don't understand how/why you would use/need them. See? I am not that tech savvy.

Regards, Todd

You want to use them because they make life easier. Clicking on the Amazon app is much easier that typing in "www.amazon.com". It also makes browsing easier.

Some also make things even more easy. For example, I have an app that tells me the sports scores for all my favorite teams.

Post back if you need more help.

 

[Dubbya]

Gift card to the apple store for the right amount?

My thought exactly.

 

[mbrooks]

You want to use them because they make life easier.

That's basically it. For example, Bloomberg makes one for checking stocks, currencies, etc.; instead of going to a site and typing in a link and clicking on two or three more, you just touch the icon and it brings them up.

In answering Phog's question I forgot about the OP. The gift card idea is a safe bet if you're sure you'll want the third generation. There's definitely a new one coming out, and soon. It's just a question of whether the new features will be that much better than the second generation's. As far as I know, those haven't been officially announced yet.

If you think you'll be just as happy with the second generation... well, I'm sure you'll be able to score a deal at Best Buy or on eBay around, say, September 10.

 

[aggiejason]

I wasn't sure if Best Buy, etc. put the old generation stuff on sale when the latest generation was introduced or not. I hear the new Touch will have a camera and voice capabilities and a faster processor. Any other rumors out there?

 

[mretzloff]

I wasn't sure if Best Buy, etc. put the old generation stuff on sale when the latest generation was introduced or not. I hear the new Touch will have a camera and voice capabilities and a faster processor. Any other rumors out there?

The first generation iPod Touch was on sale after the second generation iPod Touch was released. I believe the price difference was $20.

 

[SRock]

I say gift card and wait. I really like my touch. However, if I were CONUS I'd probably just go with an iPhone.

 

[aggiejason]

I'd rather have an iPhone too but I'm not eligible for upgrade until March of 2010. And I'm darn sure not gonna pay full price for one.

 

[superbleu]

What are some of the favorite Apps for the Ipod touch.


I have one in that was NIB, and still technically is still brand new never used (it's been sitting for almost a year), the only reason I opened it was because my nephew needed to use the charger when he was visiting

 

[dbconlin]

Apps also introduce super-user-friendly interfaces for small-screen and touch-oriented display/navigation.

I have had my iPhone for less than 2 months and I am thoroughly amazed. It is awesome.

 

[mretzloff]

What are some of the favorite Apps for the Ipod touch.


I have one in that was NIB, and still technically is still brand new never used (it's been sitting for almost a year), the only reason I opened it was because my nephew needed to use the charger when he was visiting

There are so many. What do you need? If you search "best iPhone apps" on Google, you will find hoards of lists.

 

[perry]

I'm also a new iPhone 3GS owner and absolutely love it. I never thought that I would enjoy a smart phone.. What do I need that for? I just make phone calls on my phone. But this thing is so darn cool.

I'd rather have an iPhone too but I'm not eligible for upgrade until March of 2010. And I'm darn sure not gonna pay full price for one.

The above said, I reckon it'd be worth waiting till next June to see what happens w/ a gen4 phone. Guys at work bought the 3G a month or three before the 3GS came out and were kicking themselves.

 

[Brodirt]

My classic just died...literally 2 days ago, kaput! I am going on vacation and cannot live without it as I have audiobooks, tons of podcasts I need to catch up on, and, of course, my music, so I bought a new classic today. It was highly discounted, due to the impending announcement I guess, and if, and when I ever get around to switching from my G1 to an Iphone, I will just hand the new Ipod down to my oldest daughter and she her 8gb gen 3 nano to her younger sister, and who knows then what we will do with her 4gb gen 2 nano.

None the less I am excited to see what is on tap on Sept. 9.