What the touch REALLY needs

[iMJustAGuy]

when ppl do feature requests, they say all this crazy stuff, like a slide out qwerty and gps, thats stupid (i mean its IYO) but first of all get an iphone if you want gps and camera.. anyway, i really think we (touch owners) should get a speaker.. thats all im asking for...i have wanted exteranl speakers on the ipod way before iphohne and touch cam out...how likely do you think this is?

[EricNau]

Pretty unlikely. The speaker in the iPhone isn't meant for music - it's meant for speakerphone, as a speaker of that size simply can't produce good music. Plus, they add more bulk (for a feature most people would never use).

If you want to listen to music, your best bet is either headphones or external speakers.

[puma7]

No, what it REALLY needs is volume control in the form of tactile buttons on the outside of it.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

No, what it REALLY needs is volume control in the form of tactile buttons on the outside of it.

agreed, or at least gesture based volume, pause/play, and next/previous controls. That way you don't have to look at the screen to do everything, you can just swipe or tap or something.

[iMJustAGuy]

agreed, or at least gesture based volume, pause/play, and next/previous controls. That way you don't have to look at the screen to do everything, you can just swipe or tap or something.

true that. that is why i sold mine 2 weekd ago! BUT I REALLY WANT IT BACK. Im gunna wait until an update first tho. the only thing that sucks was i sold it for 150 with the jan update and there was NOTHING wrong with it.. **STUPID ME** i miss it. im stuck with my ol samsung ypk3 so at least i get a little bit of "touching" to do.

[AceFernalld]

I definitely agree that the iPod touch needs a speaker, I'd love that soooo much. Hopefully it'll come in the 2nd or 3rd gen.

[4DThinker]

I'm a little addicted to media players. I have a Touch, Zune 80, Samsung P2, and a Philips SA5245BT. None have internal speakers. The Zune and Touch really nag me for that reason. The Samsung and Philips both have bluetooth. Once you invest in bluetooth, the usefulness is pretty amazing. I've got bluetooth headphones, a bluetooth adapter for my ipod docks, and a bluetooth adapter for my home theater amplifier. I love the Touch. Stick Bluetooth in it and I'll sell all the others (except the Zune with 80gb storage). Check my blog for details.

[jimleszczynski]

I think a speaker would be a terrible idea.. (IMO)

:apple: Battery Life Issues
:apple: Bulk
:apple: Sound Quality
:apple: Price Increase
:apple: Tacky

[Padraig]

No, what it REALLY needs is volume control in the form of tactile buttons on the outside of it.


Agreed, that is why I use my nano almost constantly and leave the touch at home.

[Cinematographer]

I think a speaker would be a terrible idea.. (IMO)

:apple: Battery Life Issues
:apple: Bulk
:apple: Sound Quality
:apple: Price Increase
:apple: Tacky

I completly agree with what you say. But you forgot …

:apple: Kids on public transport listening to music without headphones on.

I never ever missed speakers on my iPod touch, and I can't imagine using them.

[windowpain]

Agreed, that is why I use my nano almost constantly and leave the touch at home.

I agree too. I use my nano when I'm driving (hooked to a radio transmitter in the cigarette lighter) Don't really want to be taking my eyes off the road to be tapping album covers..

The nano is much more practical when you are on the move.

[jimleszczynski]

I completly agree with what you say. But you forgot …

:apple: Kids on public transport listening to music without headphones on.

I never ever missed speakers on my iPod touch, and I can't imagine using them.

LOL! I had that one on the back burner, then I forgot it when I was replying to the thread. I was going to totally say that though. It would be so annoying.

[marold280]

i would have to agree with the volume controls. and maybe bluetooth would be good for wireless syncing ? or they could use the wifi for wireless syncing. i would love that feature :)

[brandonzar]

I think a speaker would be a terrible idea.. (IMO)

:apple: Battery Life Issues
:apple: Bulk
:apple: Sound Quality
:apple: Price Increase
:apple: Tacky

I completly agree with what you say. But you forgot …

:apple: Kids on public transport listening to music without headphones on.

I never ever missed speakers on my iPod touch, and I can't imagine using them.

I think the speakers, bluetooth, and external volume controls are great ideas, I agree that the price increase would be a bad thing, but I'd pay a little more for the convenience. As for the speaker criticism:

:apple:if the battery life is a problem for you don't use the speaker, my battery lasts for days
:apple:I find that the touch is to skinny to hold comfortably without a case
:apple:the sound quality would suck, but for alarms (the current alarm speaker is way to quiet) and you tube videos who cares?
:apple:I'm not sure what you mean by tacky, the iPhone has a external speaker, is it "Tacky"?
:apple:I agree that it would be annoying to have kids on public transit using it to play their music, but they are already annoying me with their cell phones and loud talking, how is keeping a speaker out of the touch solving that? Punk kids will always be annoying, buy some noise isolating headphones they work wonders.

[razorianfly]

The day Apple put a speaker on any iPod, will be the day I boycott the iPod line. The iPod was launched as the 'personal' music player. Very important word there, 'personal':

PERSONAL
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or coming as from a particular person; individual; private: a personal opinion.

Ok, in certain situations music is meant to be shared, and in alot of those situations this is great (Concerts, Conferences, Public Performances), but in others it's annoying, irritating and widely disliked. Because we are talking about a mass-market product, you can't stop these people from using a situation like having built in external speakers, irresponsibly - unless, the option isn't there to use, as it currently isn't (Woo Hoo!).

Ever been on the bus and some hard-knock who seems to fancies himself has brought along his portable speakers/phone/mp4 player along for the ride?, blasting whatever junk he likes listening to down your and everyone else's ear-drums, for the entire duration? - if you haven't then you won't understand my argument. Personally, I think the iPod should remain an iPod - meaning, you play what you want, when you want to, wherever you want to, but with headphones. It's your music at the end of the day. Music preference is a matter of personal opinion, and because music has such mass variation, not every piece of music suits everybody's listening preference.

In short, I am 100% against a speaker for the iPod touch, classic, nano and future iPod's, for the above reasons, and I think adding one to the iPhone was a huge mistake.

What the iPod touch REALLY needs is bluetooth, but thats for another thread ...

My .02 cents.

R-Fly

[brandonzar]

The day Apple put a speaker on any iPod, will be the day I boycott the iPod line. The iPod was launched as the 'personal' music player. Very important word there, 'personal':

PERSONAL
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or coming as from a particular person; individual; private: a personal opinion.

Ok, in certain situations music is meant to be shared, and in alot of those situations this is great (Concerts, Conferences, Public Performances), but in others it's annoying, irritating and widely disliked. Because we are talking about a mass-market product, you can't stop these people from using a situation like having built in external speakers, irresponsibly - unless, the option isn't there to use, as it currently isn't (Woo Hoo!).

Ever been on the bus and some hard-knock who seems to fancies himself has brought along his portable speakers/phone/mp4 player along for the ride?, blasting whatever junk he likes listening to down your and everyone else's ear-drums, for the entire duration? - if you haven't then you won't understand my argument. Personally, I think the iPod should remain an iPod - meaning, you play what you want, when you want to, wherever you want to, but with headphones. It's your music at the end of the day. Music preference is a matter of personal opinion, and because music has such mass variation, not every piece of music suits everybody's listening preference.

In short, I am 100% against a speaker for the iPod touch, classic, nano and future iPod's, for the above reasons, and I think adding one to the iPhone was a huge mistake.

What the iPod touch REALLY needs is bluetooth, but thats for another thread ...

My .02 cents.

R-Fly

I agree with you 100% for most of the iPod line, but the iPhone and Touch are not just iPods they have a lot more uses. Having an external speaker would enable incoming e-mail alerts, an alarm that you can hear, and the ability to enjoy music, video, or games in the privacy of your own home without having to use headphones or haul around speakers.

People are going to be annoying no matter what features you keep off of the Touch. All the buses in my area have signs that say no music without headphones and I would assume that they do in your city too, so if this is really a problem for you either confront the individual causing the disturbance or tell the bus driver and he will. If you prefer to not to be involved in any form of confrontation then get a pair of noise isolating headphones and keep quiet, but I would be willing to bet that you aren't the only one on the bus that these jerks are annoying and if everyone just sits there annoyed and quiet then the problem is going to get worse. Stand up and fight the real problem, not against a useful feature that people can use for legitimate purposes.

[dmkemick]

I don't really care about the speaker, it would be a decent feature added if it didn't come at a price (battery life) but it's not something I'm hoping for. Some way to change volume or tracks without having to look at the device though, I think that's pretty key. I'd love to see that implemented somehow, but I don't expect it.

[ansalmo]

A speaker, though only in so far as it being able to make alarm sounds that are audible in a standard office environment - it could then better replace any of my previous PDAs. Other than that, Bluetooth would be handy.

[madmaxmedia]

Here are some cheap add-on speakers that connect to the dock connector, and don't require batteries-

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=845

I wouldn't use them for music, but for videos, YouTube, that sort of thing they are not bad for the price.

[LeahM]

Yea, I don't think I'd like speakers, I mean I have the option of buying a $10 set which isn't much wider then the ipod itselt but I don't want to.

I would also LOVE to have a audio control option. If not on the side of the ipod but maybe once you press the 'on' button, atleast I wouldn't have to swipe the little thing. Well at the very least anyway.

I'd also like a larger volumn control button

[brandonzar]

I would also LOVE to have a audio control option. If not on the side of the ipod but maybe once you press the 'on' button, at least I wouldn't have to swipe the little thing. Well at the very least anyway.


Can't you already do this by hitting the home button twice rapidly?

[LeahM]

I have no idea... *checking* ... Wow, I never knew that. :o Thank you!

[davidy]

agreed, or at least gesture based volume, pause/play, and next/previous controls. That way you don't have to look at the screen to do everything, you can just swipe or tap or something.

Already available with PocketTouch. You might find it on your list of applications in Install, or see it here http://www.appleiphoneschool.com/2008/03/22/pockettouch-11/

Swipe up to increase volume
Swipe down to decrease volume
Swipe right for next track
Swipe left for previous track
Tap screen to pause/resume

[brandonzar]

I have no idea... *checking* ... Wow, I never knew that. :o Thank you!

No problem, it took me a while to figure that out too, but it is very useful.

Already available with PocketTouch. You might find it on your list of applications in Install, or see it here http://www.appleiphoneschool.com/2008/03/22/pockettouch-11/

Swipe up to increase volume
Swipe down to decrease volume
Swipe right for next track
Swipe left for previous track
Tap screen to pause/resume

That looks really cool but I can't find the source anywhere, I hope someone makes that for the app store when it comes online.

[jbarr]

I just find it so amazing that so many of you are so adamantly against a built-in speaker on the iPT. I think you're really missing the point. The intent of adding an internal speaker is NOT to provide high quality sound. I think we can all agree that if you want to hear high quality sound from an iPT, then use earbuds, headphones, or connect it to an external speaker or amp--that seems to be a no-brainer.

But we're not looking for high quality sound here. We just want the ability to simply hear sound without the hassle of headphones or earbuds. Just about EVERY modern (and not-so-modern) PDA has some sort of speaker that is more capable than what's currently included. Why should the iPT be different? I really think it's because of the fact that the iPT has "iPod" in its name, so therefore it MUST immediately get relegated to a "device + earbuds" status.

Really, how many times have you wanted to simply show someone a small video clip or play a sound byte, but you decided against it because you either didn't have, or don't want to hassle with headphones or earbuds? And as applications become available, you can be sure that many will have sound that would be better played with a speaker more capable than what's currently included.

Some of us chose the iPT over the iPhone for cost reasons. (The cost of an iPhone is over 6 times that of an iPT, when considering the required 24-month service plan) yet how much would it cost Apple and the consumer to add a simple internal speaker? And no, it wouldn't be "always on". Obviously, a System Settings would let the user configure it. Come on, let's step out of the restrictive mold of an MP3 or Media player, and have a little vision.

Many users are seeing the iPT not as "just an iPod" but as SO MUCH more. I firmly believe that Apple has a HUGE opportunity to become the PDA/SmartPhone leader, snagging the title from Palm. With AppStore coming soon and the overall amazing design and implementation of the iPhone and iPT, it just seems that omitting something as basic as an internal speaker just because "it's an iPod" is really limiting and short-sighted.

[PMB]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/9A3B Safari/419.3)

I think a better resolution screen is much higher up on my want list than a speaker. I want a hd screen 1080i with 2x as many pixels

Just a though/ wish.

[brandonzar]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/9A3B Safari/419.3)

I think a better resolution screen is much higher up on my want list than a speaker. I want a hd screen 1080i with 2x as many pixels

Just a though/ wish.

It seems like that high of resolution might be impractical. I don't even think you would be able to tell the difference between 480i and 1080i on a screen that small. HD movie files are really big too so they wouldn't be practical on a touch. I really haven't ever given the screen resolution a second thought until now, what are you using the touch for that would require that high of resolution?

[PMB]

It seems like that high of resolution might be impractical. I don't even think you would be able to tell the difference between 480i and 1080i on a screen that small. HD movie files are really big too so they wouldn't be practical on a touch. I really haven't ever given the screen resolution a second thought until now, what are you using the touch for that would require that high of resolution?

I dont know, i just with it had slightly higher resolution, those specs are probably impraticle, but sompthing with a higher res would be nice for games, etc.

[dmkemick]

@jbarr - you make it sound like that speaker is the cure for cancer :p

I thought of another thing I'd like to see, a camera. Not an essential addition but I think a lot of the applications on the app store will take advantage of the iPhone's camera pretty handily, and it would be a nice feature to have in a pinch.

[brandonzar]

@jbarr - you make it sound like that speaker is the cure for cancer :p

I thought of another thing I'd like to see, a camera. Not an essential addition but I think a lot of the applications on the app store will take advantage of the iPhone's camera pretty handily, and it would be a nice feature to have in a pinch.

That is the first convincing argument I have seen for a camera on the Touch yet. I don't ever use the camera on my phone so I can't imagine using it on the Touch either unless someone wrote some useful program like a barcode scanner or something.

[Apple-Man23]

I think a speaker would be a terrible idea.. (IMO)

:apple: Battery Life Issues
:apple: Bulk
:apple: Sound Quality
:apple: Price Increase
:apple: Tacky

so true, apple would be shooting itself in the foot if it put a speaker on an iPod

[crmccashin]

Add Wifi to this model, and for $99 it would be my ideal iPod.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BLK-CN-45-8GB&cm_mmc=geekmail-_-newarrivals_html-_-24MAY08-_-BLK-CN-45-8GB

FM Radio,recorder,camera,speaker and SD expansion slot. Pretty much what the Touch is missing.....

[sonofaresiii]

i'd have to second the speaker idea. I dunno how much battery drain it would be.. if any (I can't see how it would drain the battery if you're not using it) and i dunno what the price increase would be

but i think the ipod touch would be SO much better with it. I know it'd produce low quality audio, but i'm not looking to use it to listen to music. i think it'd be insanely difficult when i'm say, playing a snes or gba ROM and don't want to put headphones on. or when i'm watching a youtube video. or when i'm watching a movie. there's tons of instances where i'd really like to hear SOME sort of sound when i'm using the touch, instead of unnerving silence or something.

[cjasper]

Keep in mind that adding a speaker to the ipt would make it bigger and chunkier giving people more of a reason to skip over the already expensive ipods.

[aethelbert]

I just find it so amazing that so many of you are so adamantly against a built-in speaker on the iPT. I think you're really missing the point. The intent of adding an internal speaker is NOT to provide high quality sound. I think we can all agree that if you want to hear high quality sound from an iPT, then use earbuds, headphones, or connect it to an external speaker or amp--that seems to be a no-brainer.
Yeah, and then when the speaker sucks, people will complain and expect a better one to come within six weeks...

But we're not looking for high quality sound here. We just want the ability to simply hear sound without the hassle of headphones or earbuds. Just about EVERY modern (and not-so-modern) PDA has some sort of speaker that is more capable than what's currently included. Why should the iPT be different? I really think it's because of the fact that the iPT has "iPod" in its name, so therefore it MUST immediately get relegated to a "device + earbuds" status.

Believe it or not, the PDA market has been dead for a few years. I don't see why people seem to be forced to refer to this device as a PDA, but whatever. It's a personal media player and I really don't want to hear everyone else's movies/music on the bus, train, or plane.

Really, how many times have you wanted to simply show someone a small video clip or play a sound byte, but you decided against it because you either didn't have, or don't want to hassle with headphones or earbuds? And as applications become available, you can be sure that many will have sound that would be better played with a speaker more capable than what's currently included.
I've never really wanted to show someone a video, and those sounds from applications will play just fine through the headphone jack.

Some of us chose the iPT over the iPhone for cost reasons. (The cost of an iPhone is over 6 times that of an iPT, when considering the required 24-month service plan) yet how much would it cost Apple and the consumer to add a simple internal speaker? And no, it wouldn't be "always on". Obviously, a System Settings would let the user configure it. Come on, let's step out of the restrictive mold of an MP3 or Media player, and have a little vision.
I'd imagine that most people on here also have a cell phone, so the cost argument is hardly valid here. You're still paying for a phone, just not the iPhone. Also keep in mind that phones have the "speaker phone" option, which is a standard in the cell phone market, but not the multimedia player market.

Many users are seeing the iPT not as "just an iPod" but as SO MUCH more. I firmly believe that Apple has a HUGE opportunity to become the PDA/SmartPhone leader, snagging the title from Palm. With AppStore coming soon and the overall amazing design and implementation of the iPhone and iPT, it just seems that omitting something as basic as an internal speaker just because "it's an iPod" is really limiting and short-sighted.
Snagging the PDA title from Palm means absolutely nothing, seeing as that company has been struggling to stay alive for quite a while. It is just an iPod. If they want to make a similar product with every feature under the sun that people expect in the next iPod revision, they can. It'll cost more and it will be bigger, too. Adding a speaker won't really boost sales, seeing as this thing has been selling extremely well since its release. If every other iPod can get by just fine without a speaker, so can this one.

What makes it "so much more" than the other iPods is the software system. The hardware has almost nothing to do with that statement.

[wizard]

A speaker, though only in so far as it being able to make alarm sounds that are audible in a standard office environment - it could then better replace any of my previous PDAs. Other than that, Bluetooth would be handy.

Beyond this usage I can't see a built in speaker working out at all well on a device sized like the current Touch. A larger device maybe if it is targeting a different market. For example if Apple debuts a larger Touch optimized for the playback of video. Then only if the device is large enough to allow one to share the video with friends. Even though a speaker could do the job of an audible alarm, I think most of us would rather have a buzzer / vibrator.

The negatives for a high quality speaker are:
1. The extended cost to the unit.
2. The difficulty of obtaining high quality in the current form factor.
3. The fact that such speakers are subject to premature death.

Now what I do agree with is the idea expressed already that external volume controls are needed. That is simply huge in my opinion, and a big over site in the way of human factors on Apples part. Bluetooth and more storage is of course important but everything is a far second from the volume controls.

Dave

[ProwlingTiger]

Yeah...I don't think it needs a speaker. As someone already said with the kids on the bus... #ipods used daily in public / #ipods total = massive #

[ZiggyPastorius]

I just find it so amazing that so many of you are so adamantly against a built-in speaker on the iPT. I think you're really missing the point. The intent of adding an internal speaker is NOT to provide high quality sound. I think we can all agree that if you want to hear high quality sound from an iPT, then use earbuds, headphones, or connect it to an external speaker or amp--that seems to be a no-brainer.

But we're not looking for high quality sound here. We just want the ability to simply hear sound without the hassle of headphones or earbuds. Just about EVERY modern (and not-so-modern) PDA has some sort of speaker that is more capable than what's currently included. Why should the iPT be different? I really think it's because of the fact that the iPT has "iPod" in its name, so therefore it MUST immediately get relegated to a "device + earbuds" status.

Really, how many times have you wanted to simply show someone a small video clip or play a sound byte, but you decided against it because you either didn't have, or don't want to hassle with headphones or earbuds? And as applications become available, you can be sure that many will have sound that would be better played with a speaker more capable than what's currently included.

Some of us chose the iPT over the iPhone for cost reasons. (The cost of an iPhone is over 6 times that of an iPT, when considering the required 24-month service plan) yet how much would it cost Apple and the consumer to add a simple internal speaker? And no, it wouldn't be "always on". Obviously, a System Settings would let the user configure it. Come on, let's step out of the restrictive mold of an MP3 or Media player, and have a little vision.

Many users are seeing the iPT not as "just an iPod" but as SO MUCH more. I firmly believe that Apple has a HUGE opportunity to become the PDA/SmartPhone leader, snagging the title from Palm. With AppStore coming soon and the overall amazing design and implementation of the iPhone and iPT, it just seems that omitting something as basic as an internal speaker just because "it's an iPod" is really limiting and short-sighted.

I agree with this. I personally bought the iPod touch for use mainly as a PDA type device. I jailbroke mine so I could put the MooCowMusic applications on it. There is nothing I'd love more than to just be able to hear what I'm tinkering with in Drummer or Guitarist or whatever without getting out earphones, and there have been many times where I've wanted to just show someone something real quick, but couldn't, because of headphones. I also agree with whoever said we should confront the issue when things like people playing loud music on buses and planes happen, not just restrict any potential use for a little security.

[ProwlingTiger]

Or, there are some relatively small speaker options to plug into the ipod. Sure it may be an inconvenience, but there are those less responsible ipod-tauting teens that would be a pain to society if they had speakers built-in.

[stana2z]

I agree that the iPod should be kept personal (without external music speakers). However, for the speaker that IS there, for alarms, it does need to be louder. Many times, unless I'm in a silent room, I can't hear the alarms at all.

GPS might be a good addition, but I find the Wi-Fi location to be decent enough. Maybe add a GPS with it's own battery via the universal connector?

[PinkStars]

I completly agree with what you say. But you forgot …

:apple: Kids on public transport listening to music without headphones on.

I never ever missed speakers on my iPod touch, and I can't imagine using them.

My thought EXACTLY! I work in a dentist office and we have this one patient who has an iPhone and does not bring in headphones and listens to his music. I don't really mind much since we share a liking in the same music.....and it is MUCH better than the crappy music we have to listen to everyday.....but I know that it is disruptive and annoying to the other patients waiting in the other rooms. If the iPod touch had the internal speakers then EVERYONE would use it like that.......no thanks!

[PinkStars]

It would be cool to have the camera on it......since my phone itself (Motorola Rizr) does not hold very many pix and it would be nice to be able to bust out my iPod touch and take some nice pix......also bluetooth!!! That would be awesome! It would be nice to see if there was some way to connect the iPod touch to my MacBook via bluetooth......????? Don't know if this would be possible IF bluetooth was added, but just a thought. But as it is right now.....I think the iPod touch is wonderful......but camera and bluetooth would make it even better!:D

[AppleNewton]

this might infringe on airtunes or something along those lines, but with the advent of the time capsule, and the whole wireless campaign apple kind of has with alot of its products and iTunes [somewhat going wifi].

Perhaps a way to have a Wireless Library you can stream (music/movies) to your iPod Touch without loading them onto the iPod, say you have your entire catalog backed up on a harddrive connected to your system or on a TimeCapsule; large amounts [250gb, 500gb , etc etc]

Maybe a feature in iTunes to create "Streamed Music" so the iPod Touch may recognize the format and allow that direct access to them.



might need alot of tweaking but im sure it wouldnt be too bad of an idea.

[manatree]

lack of an FM radio.....is the main reason I haven't jumped on the iWagon. maybe i'm the only one who likes to listen to local radio, news, ball game, etc.

however, as more apps come out for the iTouch line, I might finally retire my palm. the new stylus for the i line would be crucial for me as my big hands don't work that well with the current i touch keyboard

as handhelds get more powerful and laptops smaller, eventually I think the model will be an iTouch sized device that is as powerful as a midlevel desktop/laptop that can be plugged into a full sized keyboard and monitor for home or office work. think along the lines of a cross between an iPhone and a mac mini.