iPod touch unboxed and, um, touched

Yeah, we know we're running slightly behind on fooling around with a retail iPod touch, but we've finally got one here. You already saw our first impressions when we played with it at launch, but as the days have gone on, we've just become bewildered by a number of things, like: why does the screen look so different from the iPhone's? (More on that later.) Why'd Apple switch back to the shiny, scratch-magnet rear casing? Why can you add contacts, but not calendar appointments to the touch? And what was their methodology in selecting apps to use on the touch and not on the iPhone? While we ponder these questions (and many more) check out the full unboxing and hands-on gallery.

(by Ryan Block)
Source: click here

Pocket PCs getting square screens soon?

The peeps at Microsoft who handle Windows Mobile stuff have been telling us for a while that Pocket PCs with square screens (like the kind on the Treo 600 and Treo 650) were on the way (the newest version of the OS already supports screens with square resolutions), but so far we haven't seen much concrete proof that any were actually coming out. At least not until now. Darryl Burling reports on getting an email from Handango about a special marketing program for developers to get cracking on applications that "support the new square screen Pocket PC." Haven't seen anything about what the first square screened Pocket PC (Pocket PC Phone) might be, but you know we're on it.

(by Peter Rojas)
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New iPod touch gets a speed test, zips right on by

The new generation of the iPod touch, we've been told, is roughly 50 percent faster than the previous iteration. Well, the fine folks over at the iPhone Blog have done a bit of information collecting on just that topic -- to see if Apple's latest is actually that much faster. Macworld did testing which showed a reduction in boot times from 31 to 19 seconds, web page loading (using the New York Times) went from 34 to 15 seconds, while app launching saw time reductions across the board. So -- in essence -- yes, the newest iPod touch is about 50 percent faster than the previous model in terms of performance. Hit the read link to hear even more tantalizing details.

(by Laura June)
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Pocket PC and iPod Technology

A lot of business professionals now have their very own Pocket PCs. This versatile, sleek, and lightweight mobile device offers a lot of benefits which makes it quite attractive to professionals. The manufacturers of Pocket PCs have nothing to fear against its brethren, the iPod.

According to Microsoft, their new hardware called ‘Zune’ can compete with the iPod technology. With the extreme competition in the market, manufacturers are trying to think of effective ways in order to capture the attention of their target market. This is an advantage on the part of the customers because they can get the best products that can meet their everyday communication needs. Another thing is that with the competition, prices are much more affordable making it easier for the public to obtain such mobile devices.

There is no need for Pocket PCs to envy iPod technology because the mobile device offers a lot of features which the iPod doesn’t. For one, you can download several applications like voice recognition, IM, pocket television, and a lot more. The device also allows the user to surf the internet wherever and whenever. Since the device is sleek and lightweight, you can carry it anywhere you go, especially to your place of work. With its multimedia capabilities, it is definitely beyond the iPod technology.

The iPod technology is also good because the device allows the user to store a lot of music (about 15,000 songs) as well as 25,000 pictures or photos. This device is available in four models. It also has a USB2 port and a FireWire cable (optional). Aside from that, it also boasts an alarm clock and it can also be connected to the television.

With the announcement of Microsoft that it will launch the ‘Zune’, the Pocket PCs can now have additional features like that of iPod. Since the Pocket PC can download software applications, owners who wish to have iPod-like features can now enjoy listening to music or store as many photos as they want through the Zune.

Pocket PCs surpass the basic features of the iPod technology but if Microsoft and Apple want to remain as competitive as ever, it will always benefit the users. If you simply want to store music or photos, you can settle with the iPod because it is cheaper than the Pocket PCs. This mobile device is excellent if you already have a mobile phone with advanced features.

For the ever-busy professionals who need to handle a lot of business affairs, iPod can’t possibly meet their needs especially in terms of various software applications. Regardless of the high price of the Pocket PCs, it is definitely a good investment because you can use it at work to check on your business operations. By choosing industry-related applications, all your needs can be met by the mobile device. By adding the Zune to your Pocket PC, you can now listen to your favorite songs if you feel a lot of tension and if you want to relax.

If you need extra help at work, the Pocket PC can provide you with the right applications and of course, the use of the internet. Don’t hesitate to invest on it now because it’s really worth it. Just look for the Zune and soon, you will already enjoy the iPod technology by Apple.

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Learn more about iPod touch Technology

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Pioneering hardware technology built into iPod touch is how you’re able to flick, tap, and pinch. It’s what makes that racing game feel so real. It’s why you’re able to tweet what you just overheard in the cafe. And it’s the reason iPod touch is the most amazing iPod you’ll ever own.

Multi-Touch

The Multi-Touch display layers a protective shield over a capacitive panel that senses your touch using electrical fields. It then transmits that information to the LCD screen below it. So you can glide through albums with Cover Flow, flick through photos and enlarge them with a pinch, zoom in and out on a section of a web page, and control game elements precisely.

Accelerometer

The accelerometer inside iPod touch allows it to detect when you rotate iPod touch from portrait to landscape, then automatically changes the contents of the display. The accelerometer really shines when you play games, because it immerses you in the action. It’s perfect for racing games, where your entire iPod touch acts as a steering wheel, and for tap-and-tilt games such as Rolando, in which your movements control the action.

Wireless

iPod touch has built-in support for 802.11b/g wireless technology. That means you can get online anywhere there’s Wi-Fi. Send email from a coffee shop. Surf the web at the airport. Shop for games from your couch. Browse, buy, and download music and more from the iTunes Store. iPod touch locates nearby wireless hotspots, including protected networks. If you’ve never used a particular network, Wireless Icon it asks you to enter a password the first time, and it remembers the password from then on. So the next time you’re within range, it connects automatically.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a form of wireless technology that lets you use devices without the hassle of cables or wires. What does that mean for iPod touch? It means you can use iPod touch with Bluetooth headphones and listen to your music no matter where in the room your iPod touch is. So lounge on your bed, while your iPod touch charges on your desk. Bluetooth on iPod touch is also great for peer-to-peer gaming.

Design

iPod touch is as remarkable outside as it is inside. Holding one is all the proof you need. With its curved design, iPod touch is a mere 8.5 mm thin. Its optical glass front and polished stainless steel back feel sleek and smooth in your hand. Turn it on, and instantly you’re impressed by the brilliant 3.5-inch display. iPod touch is the perfect combination of stunning design and revolutionary technology — the total, beautiful package.

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iPod touch Features Guide

You might need an iPod touch Features Guide. Click here

Here's a summary of what's inside:

• Contents
• Getting Started
• Basics
• Music and Video
• Photos
• iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
• Applications
• Settings
• Tips and Troubleshooting
• Learning More, Service and Support
• Index
  

Learn more about mail on iPod touch

Mail

Email on iPod touch looks and works just like email on your computer. And it works with the email accounts you already have.

View Messages and Attachments

iPod touch supports rich HTML email, so images and photos appear alongside text. And you see email attachments in their original formats, not stripped-down versions. Rotate, zoom, and pan in more than a dozen standard file and image formats, including PDF; Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; and iWork.

Access All Your Accounts

Access your email from popular providers — including MobileMe, Google Gmail, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, and AOL — and most industry-standard IMAP and POP mail systems.

Compose Instantly

iPod touch recognizes email addresses in different applications. If you run across an email address on a web page or a map listing, for example, just tap it and iPod touch opens a new message and addresses it for you.

Type Smart

With its built-in dictionary,* the intelligent iPod touch keyboard predicts and corrects words as you type, making it fast and easy to write email. And when you rotate iPod touch on its side, the keyboard instantly switches from portrait to landscape for larger keys and more room to type.

Search Your Inbox

No need to scroll through message after message in your inbox looking for the right one. A quick downward flick brings up a search field that lets you find email by sender, recipient, subject, or all headers.

Source: click here

Responses to “Apple Positioning iPhone and iPod touch… as Pocket Computers”

1. shollomon Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 8:41 am

And they would be correct, iPhone is a pocket computer that, incidentally, you can make and receive phone calls from. Now they need to start treating it like all other computers including Macs. We need access to the file system, the ability to make file types open with the applications of our choice, and the ability to install apps from anywhere we want, even (especially) if they replace or duplicate existing functionality.

2. vin Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 8:42 am

Nice article.hope to see soon revolution in pocket pcs.

3. BBYM Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 8:48 am

Also it Would be nice if we can send and recieve files with BT!

4. Joe McG Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:08 am

How about a Bluetooth gaming controller?

5. antonio Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:18 am

Problem is, only the jailbroken iphones can be considered true pocket computers…they can multitask, have file system access, download attachments, install safari pluggins, use bluetooth to exchange files with other devices (not only iphones), etc etc

6. Dexter Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:26 am

@antonio

Well then maybe Apple will just restrict their personal computer label to Jailbroken iPhones. rolls eyes

7. shollomon Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:28 am

Here’s the kind of anomaly the iPhone is: I can edit video on the phone, but I can’t organize my pictures into folders.

The whole thing is a vast combination of Wow and Doh; of “look what I can do” and “what do you mean I can’t do that”.

8. Nick Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:29 am

I agree with the first post. If apple is going to market the iPhone as a pocket computer than we need to be able to access the whole device. Maybe this is their segway into that. Maybe when we get a new hardware refresh well get some of these features.

9. shollomon Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:34 am

In fact, as I think about it, about half of what I try to do involves a workaround that creates web traffic. For example, all I really want is a note taking app that syncs with my laptop when I sync the iPhone. This does not exist so I use Evernote.

I want to open spreadsheets sent to my by email in quick office. I have to have a quick office account, send the spreadsheet to that account and then open it from the web. Doh.

If the iPhone worked like it easily could, how much stress would be taken off of ATT’s network.

10. Joe McG Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:40 am

How about editing music playlists on your iPhone? The “on the go” thing is garbage.

How about marking all emails as read?

11. SheiknetChris Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:55 am

This is not meant to sound apologetic, but it is odd that the iPhone debuted as a VERY restricted device. Opened up a little in 2.0, opened up a little bit more in 3.0… But those slow strides make it very easy to get steamrolled by the competition.

Does Apple even think they have competition? They need to get out of their high-castle more often.

12. SheiknetChris Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 10:13 am

A suggestion I put on Apple’s feedback site a year ago went something like “user can authorise application ‘A’ to send a file or data to application ‘B’” Or applications can “Authorise to access other applications data.”

Strange thing is, Apple can still control the process and security by only permitting specific apps to do so, maybe with an additional app submission fee. I know that many of you think the App Store control is asinine, but there are plenty of ways Apple can skin the feature cat, they just need get bold. And they need to respect the customers’ needs more ;-)

Source: click here

CNET editors' review

Features
Out of the box, the third-generation iPod Touch includes an amazing music player, podcast support, video playback (including iTunes rentals and a YouTube player), a Safari Web browser, photo viewer, an e-mail reader (compatible with Outlook, Exchange, MobileMe, Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, or any POP e-mail service), an integrated iTunes Store for music and video downloads, and a host of smaller utilities (weather, calendar, maps, stocks, notes, voice memos, clock, contacts, and calculator). Provided become proficient with its touch-screen keyboard, the iPod Touch is more pocket PC than an MP3 player.

With version 3.1 of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch firmware, the device's stock features are just the starting point of apps available. An iTunes App Store, accessible from the computer or directly from the iPod Touch, lets you download and install thousands of applications, including Internet radio players, games, voice recorders, and social-networking tools. You can also extend the capabilities of the iPod Touch using third-party "Made for iPod" hardware accessories such as AV docks, external battery packs, and speaker systems.

Apple first introduced its Genius playlist feature with the second-generation iPod Touch, letting you create instant 25-song playlists based on the musical characteristics of a single song. The Genius playlist feature is still here on the third-generation version, giving you an easy and fun way to generate playlists, provided their music collection holds enough songs to make interesting connections. You can create and save Genius playlists directly onto the iPod Touch, and with automatic syncing enabled in iTunes, you can also transfer them back to your computer.

With the third-generation of the Touch, Apple broadened the scope of Genius selections to include App Store recommendations and extended, genre-based playlists called Genius Mixes. After clicking on the App Store icon found on the main menu, you'll find Genius App picks in a separate "Genius" tab giving you a list of recommendations based on previous app purchases you've made. Genius Mixes are intuitively located in the iPod's Music menu, located by default in the lower submenu strip across the bottom, along with selections for artist, songs, playlists, and more. If you're the kind of person who typically listens to music by hitting shuffle, you might enjoy the way Genius Mixes provide a more curated and genre-specific selection of tunes with a minimum of effort. Those who are more deliberate about their music selections always have the option of knocking the feature into the "more" section and replacing it with a more useful menu item (podcasts, audiobooks, and so on).

Genius Mixes offer extended playlists of your music, which get programmed automatically by Apple. Think of it as "shuffle" with better taste.

Oddly, the Touch's Genius Playlist and Mixes features won't work if you haven't enabled Genius on your computer's iTunes software. If you find iTunes' Genius features too demanding on your computer's resources or too invasive of your privacy (the feature reports your listening habits to Apple), then you'll need to live without the features on your iPod as well.

Not every member of the third-generation iPod Touch family is created equally. Essentially, the 8GB iPod Touch model is still running on second-generation hardware that uses a slower processor than the 32GB and 64GB models and lacks support for new features such as Voice Control, OpenGL graphic support, and advanced accessibility features. As we've already seen with the first-generation Touch, future updates to the iPod firmware may bring features that only the latest hardware will support. Obviously, the 8GB model's $199 price tag makes it attractive to prospective buyers, but be aware that the lower price comes at the cost of performance and a few features.

Are you confused about what features are available on the 8GB Touch compared with the 32GB and 64GB versions? So were we. For the record, iPhone OS 3.1 features such as Bluetooth audio, Genius Mixes, and voice memo recording are available on all versions of the third-generation iPod Touch. Voice Control and accessibility settings, however, are the only features we've found so far that can only be found on the 32GB and 64GB Touch models (or iPhone 3GS).

(by Donald Bell)
Source: click here

iPod Touch Paves Way for Pocket PCs

Take Apple’s iPod Touch, give it a little more innovative juice, and you get the next big thing in handhelds, blurring the line between consumer electronics and computers, writes Arik Hesseldahl in BusinessWeek. The Touch, now considered the “flagship” iPod, can already run the major media formats—music, movies, etc.—and access Wi-Fi. With a few changes, it could become a full-fledged computer in your pocket.

The Touch can already read documents, though a bigger screen would be nice, notes Hesseldahl. If the Touch’s screen were expanded to make it a reader, why stop there? Apple could add an existing feature allowing users to access documents on their home computers. And if you can grab them, you should be able to edit them. Add Bluetooth for peripherals, and you’ve got a wireless “micro-Mac.”

(by Matt Cantor)
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Apple Positioning iPhone and iPod touch… as Pocket Computers

Apple is finally using the PC word (no not that one) when referring to the iPod touch. Turns out even they think it, and the iPhone, are great pocket computer.

We’ve discussed before how, depending on needs, some folks here (and everywhere) are leaving their laptops and netbooks at home some days and getting by just fine triaging emails, reading docs, searching the webs, and using whatever percentage of those 75,000 apps are useful on-the-go tools.

Apple, for all their talk of gaming, isn’t ignoring that segment either anymore. Right up on Apple.com, they’re promoting the pocket computing process of their mobile platform.

Of course, things won’t get really interesting until we get built-in Bluetooth keyboard support, right Apple?

(by Rene Ritchie)
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iPod Touch: The Pocket Computer for Motivation

The iPod Touch as the Motivator in My Pocket

The iPod touch is more than just an mp3 player, it is literally a pocket-sized computer. iPod touch applications are constantly being developed to expand the possible uses of the device. One of the functions my iPod touch serves is being my pocket personal motivator.

Photos - Native iPod App

I use the photos application and slide show as my portable vision board. The purpose of the vision board is to have a visual aid for holding my intentions to be or have something. I collect and create images in a folder I've named "vision board" on my computer and sync it to my iPod touch with iTunes. I play the images in the slideshow to keep the vision fresh in my mind.

Goalkeep - $3.99 from App Store

Goalkeep is a simple application that keeps track of what I am doing each day to acheive my goals. With Goalkeep I create a list of goals and for each goal there is a calendar. I check off every day that I work toward my goal and write a comment about what I did. The Goalkeep app motivates with a congratulatory screen that tells me the number of days streak I am on when I check off a day. I like that I can go back to any of my checked days and my note for the day is displayed.

Note: I generally do not pay for iPod applications but the Goalkeep app is a worthy exception.

DoBot ToDos - Free from App Store

Once I write down my to-dos I am much more likely to get them done. This simple and free application is an almost perfect to-do list. With it I can categorize different lists and set due dates. The only features I would like to see in this app would be access to the iPod dictionary for auto-correction and the ability to nest tasks within tasks.

There are more than a few free to-do apps available from the app store. I like DoBot ToDos because others that I tried turned out to be overly complicated.

Music - Native iPod App

I have motivational mp3s stored on my iPod for when I need to get my mind in order. Some of my mp3s are meditations and some are lessons that remind me that I am in control over my future success. With my iPod in my pocket, I am never far from a positive message.
Having an iPod touch with the applications I have listed puts positive media and a road map to achieving my goals at my fingertips. It is the motivator in my pocket.

(By restlesslimbs)
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Steve Jobs on Amazon and Ice Cream

Image via CrunchBase

Apple’s chief executive, Steven P. Jobs, discussed his health and Apple’s new product line in an interview Wednesday with David Pogue, the personal technology columnist for The New York Times. Context has been added to the original quotes posted here.

Wednesday in San Francisco, I attended Apple’s annual iPod Show, its holiday-season kickoff of new iPods and iTunes Store developments.

I’ll have a look at what’s new in a post on Pogue’s Posts on Thursday. But Wednesday, I had the chance to chat with Steve Jobs after the event.

I asked him, first of all, what the blogosphere’s been buzzing about: why Apple put a video camera into the tiny iPod Nano—and not the iPod Touch.

Mr. Jobs reiterated what Phil Schiller, the marketing vice president, had said earlier in the onstage presentation: that Apple is really pitching the iPod Touch as a game machine these days. And to do that, you have to make it as inexpensive as possible.

“Originally, we weren’t exactly sure how to market the Touch. Was it an iPhone without the phone? Was it a pocket computer? What happened was, what customers told us was, they started to see it as a game machine,” he said. “We started to market it that way, and it just took off. And now what we really see is it’s the lowest-cost way to the App Store, and that’s the big draw. So what we were focused on is just reducing the price to $199. We don’t need to add new stuff. We need to get the price down where everyone can afford it.”

I also asked him why the Nano can record video, but can’t snap still photos. That reason, he said, is technical: the sensors you need to record video are extremely thin these days—thin enough to fit into the wafer-thin Nano. But the ones with enough resolution for stills, especially with autofocus (like the sensor in the iPhone), are much too thick to cram into a player that’s only 0.2 inches thick.

A couple of years ago, pre-Kindle, Mr. Jobs expressed his doubts that e-readers were ready for prime time. So today, I asked if his opinions have changed.

“I’m sure there will always be dedicated devices, and they may have a few advantages in doing just one thing,” he said. “But I think the general-purpose devices will win the day. Because I think people just probably aren’t willing to pay for a dedicated device.”

He said that Apple doesn’t see e-books as a big market at this point, and pointed out that Amazon.com, for example, doesn’t ever say how many Kindles it sells. “Usually, if they sell a lot of something, you want to tell everybody.”

The products that Apple revealed today have been in the works for a while—since before Mr. Jobs’s health-related hiatus from running Apple. I wondered: since he was gone for several months, will we see a several-month gap in the new products coming out of Apple? “There are some things that I’m focusing a lot of attention on right now—to polish,” he said. “No, I don’t think we’re going to miss a beat. We have some really good stuff coming up.”

Finally, as I left, I asked him how he’s feeling these days—another question on everybody’s mind. “I probably need to gain about 30 pounds, but I feel really good. I’m eating like crazy. A lot of ice cream,” he said with a chuckle.

(By David Pogue)
Source: click here

Apple launches new iPods and we take a look back at it's successful iPod history

Image via Wikipedia

Last night Apple once again did what they do best and launched a new range of iPod players.

First on the list was the new iPod Nano with a built in video camera that lets users capture footage when they're on the move, and upload the clip to video-sharing sites such as YouTube. It also has an FM radio and voice recorder .The video Nano 8GB can store up to 2,000 songs and will cost £115, while the 16GB version is priced at £135.

"Video is exploding in popularity, we want a piece of that," Steve Jobs said.

Next on the Apple play list was a larger capacity version of the iPod touch, which at 64GB can store up to 14,000 songs. This will cost £299.

The company also updated its iTunes software, and showed off a a new service, iTunes LP, which allows users to download cover art, sleeve notes, and other content, such as artist videos and interviews, when they download an album from the iTunes store. "Some of us are old enough to have bought LPs," said Mr Jobs, who promised that the new service would recreate some of the joys of listening to old records. However, if you don't fancy any of these new gadgets then you're in luck. The company also lowered the prices of existing iPods.

We think Apple has done amazingly well over the years, bringing out newer products, and in my view, revolutionizing the way we listen to music.

With this new announcement, we decide to look back at the history of this music device, which has gone from brick to slick over the years.

Read on over the jump for more information.

Apple introduced the first-generation iPod classic on October 23, 2001. The first iPod had a 5 GB hard drive capable of storing 1,000 songs encoded using MP3. It also had a 1.8" hard drive, compared to other manufacturers that used a 2.5" hard drives at the time. The iPod had a rated battery life of 12 hours.

The second generation iPod classic was introduced on July 17, 2002 and had the same body style as the first generation. The hold switch was redesigned, a cover was added to the FireWire port, and the mechanical wheel was replaced with a touch-sensitive wheel.

On April 18, 2003, Apple revamped its iPod classic, giving it the very original name of the third-generation iPod classic. Thinner than the previous models, the third generation models replaced the FireWire port with a new Dock Connector.

Released on February 20, 2004, The iPod mini kept the same scroll wheel as the 3rd generation ipod but because of its size the four touch buttons that were beneath the screen were moved beneath the wheel itself. It was the height and width of a business card and was built around a 1 inch 4 GB hard drive.

A second Generation ipod mini was introduced in February 2005 with a new chipset, 6 GB version, and much longer battery life of 18 hours. This year also saw the launch of the ipod photo.

The ipod shuffle was created in 2005 to keep the price of the iPod down. To do this Apple scrapped the scroll wheel and the LCD display and upgraded the device's shuffle mode. This was the year the first iPod Nano was launched and was intended to replace the iPod mini which was discontinued the same day the nano was released.

The old Nano was replaced in September 2006. The new one was still tiny but tougher and dressed in aluminium. It had a brighter screen and an improved battery life and came in three capacities and six different colors; 4 GB blue, green,pink, and silver; 2 GB silver, and 8 GB black. This year the first iPod Touch was also launched.

The iphone. In my opinion one of Apple's best product, this device was launched in January 2007. It didn't have a scroll wheel but used the same touch screen technology as the iPod Touch and let people make calls.

In 2008, we saw the iPod Touch Second generation and iPod Nano 4th and 2009 bought us the iPhone 3GS and our most recent announcements.

We expect to see a lot more from Apple in the future.

(By Andrea)
Source: click here

Why There Is No Camera In the iPod Touch and Why That Sucks

Image via CrunchBase

I don't expect Apple to deliver on rumors. After all, most rumors are crap, even John Gruber's iPod touch camera prediction. But that doesn't stop me from asking questions: Why the hell there is no camera on the iPod touch?

• No Space: The iPod touch is much thinner than the iPhone. There is not a lot of empty space in there, so maybe this is a technical decision. Perhaps Apple couldn't find a part that could fit in the current case, and they didn't want to alter the touch's physical dimensions. But then again, if the minuscule iPod nano can get a camera, why not the touch? Perhaps it's because the nano got a pretty weak camera.

• Features Mix: Apple could possibly have fit the iPod nano camera in the iPod touch, and kept the price. After all, it's a super-tiny, ultra-cheap VGA camera. But maybe that acronym the key: It's VGA. Low resolution. The nano doesn't even do still photography because it will look like crap—video is more forgiving. People buying the iPod touch would be expecting a lot more. I know I would. So while there's the possibility of a camera in the iPod touch, perhaps is not the camera Apple thinks would be right for it—namely, the iPhone's camera.

• Technical Difficulties: This was one of the late-minute rumors: Apple had technical difficulties during manufacturing, so the rumor said the iPod touch—with camera—was going to be delayed. If that was the case, Apple would have just announced the iPod touch with camera, and get it to the stores later. However, the iPod touch without camera is here, available immediately, which means that they have been churning them out the factory for a long long time. It doesn't seem like a last minute change of plans to me.

• Pricing Issues: Apple wanted to have a $199 iPod touch, and keep the prices of the bigger units while increasing capacity. This sounds more reasonable than the technical excuses. The 8GB version, however, is just the old one, which is being manufactured like always to get that "low" price. No camera could be added to it, unless Apple wanted to sacrifice on the price front. Only the 32 and 64GB versions have internal hardware modifications. But would Apple have an iPod touch with camera and one without? Seems unlikely for a company obsessed with uniformity and streamlining.

• Market Segmentation: Here things get more interesting. Apple said they wanted to compete with the Flip, which is a sub-$150 device. It's almost impossible to get the iPod touch to that price level while keeping the large touchscreen, the wireless capabilities, and the strong processing guts that the iPhone OS needs. Not right at these prices—at least, not without affecting their profit margins negatively. The iPod nano, however, can fit the Flip competition role nicely. This is a probable explanation.

• iPhone Cannibalization: The other explanation is cannibalization. This is a good one too. Add a camera to the iPod touch and, boom, the iPhone loses yet another advantage over its lesser brother. So maybe putting the iPhone's camera into the iPod touch is feasible. Apple may just be protecting the market for the iPhone.

• Feature Evolution: This, to me, is the most reasonable explanation. Apple is getting oh-so-lazy. Or, better said, greedy. They are the number one player in every single category. They own the market. And they know the competition is just catching on. So instead of releasing an iPhone that is way better than the previous model, they release the modest upgrade of the iPhone 3GS. And instead of releasing an iPod touch with a nice camera, they just slap some new software, slightly updated guts and more memory.

That's what you get when a company owns an empire, and the other tiny people are trying to catch up with an already phenomenal device. The company gets slow and complacent, and does the minimum to keep its products ahead.

So no, I don't expect Apple to deliver on rumors. But it pisses me off that they don't do their best every single time. That they get boring and lazy. And yes, perhaps it's not in their best economic interest to release insanely great products in every single update, but the lack of camera on the iPod touch is sure going to be a letdown for a huge number of people.

Some other people won't agree. Some cheerleaders would even go onto their soap boxes, saying that "Apple is firing on all cylinders." Maybe they are. It's just that they left the Porsche GT2 at home, and they are now driving an old Mini.

(By Jesus Diaz)
Source: click here

What makes iPod touch a great pocket computer?

Surf the web, send email, and get directions from anywhere you are.

Most of what you do online with a computer can easily be done on iPod touch. Built-in Wi-Fi means you can check your favorite blogs, write an email with a photo attached, or find out how to get to that new restaurant. When you think about it, iPod touch is a computer in your pocket. How handy is that?

Features:

Improved Performance
Wireless
Safari
Mail
Keyboard
Maps
Social Networking

Source: click here

What makes iPod touch a great iPod?

See, hear, touch everything that entertains you on one really great iPod.

iPod touch lets you enjoy everything you love about an iPod, and then some. Watch your movies and TV shows on a brilliant 3.5-inch display. Use the revolutionary Multi-Touch interface to flick through your music in Cover Flow. And anytime you’re itching for more entertainment, just tap iTunes to browse and buy on the fly.

Features:

Music
Genius Mixes
Genius Playlists
Voice Control
Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
Movies + TV Shows
iTunes

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What makes iPod touch a great game player?

Get your game on with friends across the room or across the globe.

Games for iPod touch are made to take advantage of its built-in technologies such as the accelerometer, Multi-Touch, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The result is truly immersive gameplay — whether you’re playing alone or with others in multiplayer mode. And with an App Store that offers thousands of games ready to download and play, the fun of iPod touch never ends.

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Compare iPod touch

8GB $199

* 1,750 songs
* 10 hours of video
* 10,000 photos
* Up to 30 hours of music playback
* Up to 6 hours of video playback
* iPod touch 3.1 software
* Wi-Fi
* Bluetooth
* Nike + iPod support built in
* Built-in speaker
* Earphones

32GB New $299

* 7,000 songs
* 40 hours of video
* 40,000 photos
* Voice Control
* Up to 30 hours of music playback
* Up to 6 hours of video playback
* iPod touch 3.1 software
* Wi-Fi
* Bluetooth
* Nike + iPod support built in
* Built-in speaker
* Earphones with Remote and Mic

64GB New $399

* 14,000 songs
* 80 hours of video
* 90,000 photos
* Voice Control
* Up to 30 hours of music playback
* Up to 6 hours of video playback
* iPod touch 3.1 software
* Wi-Fi
* Bluetooth
* Nike + iPod support built in
* Built-in speaker
* Earphones with Remote and Mic

Features:

Performance and Graphics
App Store
Genius Recommendations for Apps
Wireless and Bluetooth
Accelerometer
Multi-Touch
Over 75,000 applications
Games
Music + Entertainment
Social Networking

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Apple unveils 64GB iPod touch with faster processor for $399

Image by Geopelia via Flickr

With a huge library of titles, Apple pushed the iPod touch and iPhone as the definitive mobile gaming platform Wednesday as it announced a new 64GB iPod touch priced at $399.

In addition, a 32GB offering will be available for $299, and an 8GB option for $199. Apple executive Phil Schiller noted that the $199 is a "magic price point," so the 8GB option with lower component costs was used to hit that pricing sweet spot.

"At just $199 the iPod touch is the most affordable gateway to Apple's revolutionary App Store with more than 75,000 applications that you can wirelessly download right into your iPod touch," said Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "You get a great iPod, a great pocket computer with the industry's best mobile web browser and a great game player, all in this super-thin beautiful enclosure."

The 32GB and 64GB models will have the ability to run Open GL ES 2.0, and have up to 50 percent faster performance. Reusing last year's tagline, the iPod touch is dubbed "The funnest iPod ever."

Apple highlighted a number of high-profile upcoming releases, including Aassassin's Creed 2 (a sidescroller from Ubisoft), Riddim Ribbon (a rhythm game from Tapulous), Nova (a first-person shooter from Gameloft), and one of gaming's largest franchises: Madden NFL 2010 from Electronic Arts.

In its presentation, Apple boasted that the iPhone OS has 21,178 game and entertainment titles available, while the Nintendo DS offers 3,680 and the Sony PSP only 607. In addition, Schiller noted that titles on competing platforms cost between $25 and $40, compared with many budget-priced titles available on the iPod touch and iPhone.

Schiller noted that the iPhone OS is the only mobile gaming platform to offer a multi-touch interface, the ease of purchase via the App Store, and the inclusion of iPod multimedia functionality.

The presentation also pushed the iPod touch as a "pocket computer." Touting the device's ability to surf the Web, check e-mail, manage calendars, organize contacts, and access popular Web sites like Facebook and Twitter, Apple also unveiled iPhone OS 3.1 for the device, bringing App Store recommendations.

The lack of a camera on the new iPod touch is surprising, as third-party cases for months have shown a camera hole on the device. But as reported by AppleInsider days ago, it is believed that hardware issues with the camera caused the capability to be scrapped.

(By AppleInsider Staff)
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