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Baron58

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 19, 2004
450
3
With 3.0, is it now possible to buy an iPod touch, turn it on, set it up and use it without ever connecting it to a computer running iTunes? I thought you could set up your iTunes Store account directly on the device now. Assuming you don't need to sync anything from a computer (e.g. just using it for email, browsing, and getting apps & podcasts directly over wifi), is it now able to be used as a completely stand-alone device by someone who doesn't otherwise own a computer?

Related question.... if a person has an iPod touch and they are travelling for a year without access to their regular computer, and they purchase music/movies/apps from the iTunes Store, what happens if the device fails and has to be replaced or hard-reset, or if it's stolen? Apps can be re-downloaded, but what about music/movies? Would they be lost, or could your purchase be re-downloaded?
 

r.j.s

Moderator emeritus
Mar 7, 2007
15,026
52
Texas
With 3.0, is it now possible to buy an iPod touch, turn it on, set it up and use it without ever connecting it to a computer running iTunes? I thought you could set up your iTunes Store account directly on the device now. Assuming you don't need to sync anything from a computer (e.g. just using it for email, browsing, and getting apps & podcasts directly over wifi), is it now able to be used as a completely stand-alone device by someone who doesn't otherwise own a computer?

You'll have to wait until the next gen to see, IIRC, all current Touches ship with 2.2.1.

Related question.... if a person has an iPod touch and they are travelling for a year without access to their regular computer, and they purchase music/movies/apps from the iTunes Store, what happens if the device fails and has to be replaced or hard-reset, or if it's stolen? Apps can be re-downloaded, but what about music/movies? Would they be lost, or could your purchase be re-downloaded?

Generally, no. iTunes works on the premise that you own a computer.
 

JediMeister

macrumors 68040
Oct 9, 2008
3,263
5
First thing you see when turning on the iPod touch for the first time is the connect to iTunes screen. Also one of the system requirements specifically state a Mac or PC with a USB 2.0 port is required. It's definitely possible to set up a iTunes store account or sign in with an existing one, but the issue is that you can't even get it past the initial screen without connecting it to a computer with iTunes 8 or later.

Apple assumes that you are independently backing up your purchased content, hence the backup option in iTunes on the computer. In rare cases iTunes Store billing support can re-grant a certain $ value of purchases but its usually a one-time deal. If you re-download everything to the iPod and it dies on you before you can transfer purchases then you're up the creek.
 
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