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iPod Nano and Touch In Stores Tomorrow, Early Reviews

Very Disappointing

iPod nano and iPod touch are very disappointing in my opinion. Apple took away two big features from iPod nano which are video capture and playback. Does anyone really care that you can do multitouch on a tiny square inch screen? Come on.. Really? The new iPod nano has been downgraded to basically an iPod shuffle with a screen.

It would appears as though iPod touch has couple major features added but they are built using inferior parts. The retina display isn't the same quality as the iPhone 4 and the back camera is also very poor without a flash. I don't see how anyone can get excited about the new iPod touch. Does anyone really care about the gyroscope or the vibrate motor? The front facing camera seems like a it's cool thing to have at first but I don't know anyone that actually use face time after the initial novelty wore off. What good is a front facing camera if one else is using face time?

I have a 2nd gen iPod touch and I most certainly didn't see a need to upgrade to 3rd gen so I was looking forward to the new 4th gen iPod touch and I'm quite disappointed at it's offering. Only saving grace is that the iPod shuffle got it's buttons back so maybe I'll pick one of those up.
 
I knew it! I noticed when watching the keynote that they left off the IPS marketing when referring to the iPod Touch. I thought it a little odd that they would develop a second display with the retina resolution, but really found it curious that they would not keep pushing the IPS bandwagon they had been on. Now it seems it still has the TN technology.

Major fail.

At least I never really intended to get a 4G iPT in the first place. I would rather pick up a larger device like the iPad, at least that has an IPS display although I wish it had more resolution.
 
Think about it...

The original iPod touch had no speaker, volume rocker, camera, or microphone. Why? To differentiate it from the iPhone. Even by the third generation, Apple refrained from adding a camera because then it would be too similar to the iPhone, and cannibalize sales from their flagship device.

Now the iPod touch has two cameras, a microphone, gyroscope, A4, and a retina display. The only iPhone features missing from the touch are the compass, GPS, light, IPS display, and of course the cell radio. Now that the iPod touch can do FaceTime, VOIP, scanning, and all the wonders a camera enables, won't it steal potential AT&T costumers from the iPhone 4?

Last year, Steve pushed the iPod touch a gaming device, but this year he called the iPod touch "an iPhone without the contract." He implies that anyone who can stand a contract can get an iPhone. But as it stands right now, the iPod touch is still "an iOS device for those unwilling to switch to AT&T."

Like many people, I own an iPod touch ONLY because I cannot own an iPhone 4. (I also would not have bought a GPS or a point and shoot camera if I had an iPhone.) Apple has sold iPhones to just about every American willing to switch to AT&T. Everyone else makes do with the iPod touch. If the iPhone lost exclusivity, iPod touch sales would fall dramatically, solely due to the iPhone's biggest feature: access to the internet without WiFi.

The first iPhone added little to the experience of using a phone. But it was the most advanced iPod/PDA ever made, and a significant portion of people already happy with their phone/carrier bought the iPhone and unlocked it, until the iPod touch stole that market three months later.

The new iPod touch adds nothing to the iPod experience. Instead, it added the best features of the iPhone, besides the radio. The iPod touch will sell very well through the holiday season.

...That is, until the iPhone drops exclusivity early next year. :) Then the iPod touch will truly become "the iOS PDA without a phone", instead of "the iOS PDA for people who wish it was an iPhone too."

--A happy 2nd generation iPod touch owner, and unfortunate Verizon Blackberry owner :mad: who can hardly wait for January.
 
DCJ001 said:
Because they're encouraging everyone interested in cameras to buy iPod Touches.

As an AAPL shareholder, I agree with this strategy.
Click to expand...

Nah I think they ran out of ideas. Just look at the shuffle. It seems like they screw everything up then the next go around they give it the same features it had before.
 
DCJ001 said:
Because they're encouraging everyone interested in cameras to buy iPod Touches.

As an AAPL shareholder, I agree with this strategy.
Click to expand...

Gotta agree.

I also think that Macworld was right, this is more like a new nano version 1.0 rather than 6th gen. Apple always leaves a lot out of the first gen.

I predict they won't bring the camera back (takes too much space and they have the touch to try to encourage people to go to that) but I'm thinking a good chance video is added to version 2.0 (more people seem upset at that anyways than the camera gone and really all it would need to do video is a software update so an easy add on).

Though I personally hope they keep the size (I like the clip on able size. It pretty much fixes all my issues with the shuffle - I want more storage and a screen). I don't care it is not a great size to watch video, I have an iphone and a laptop for that, both of which are far superior even to my current fifth gen nano for watching video (and my iphone goes with me everywhere except for when walking the dog - I use my nano for that - which so far I have yet to really find a use for the video camera and I'm not going to watch video while walking).

It's a great move. It means the nano is not competing with the Touch (the one they really want to push people into) for sales. It is aiming at a different market (those who just want a music player) or even aiming at those who want a smaller music player for times they don't want to lug their iphone/touch around (I fall into that catagory though to be fair I wouldnt' have bought a nano for that, I already had one but found it was not redundant to have it. I got lucky though and my mom decided to randomly buy me one of the new nanos <- She just got an iphone 4 and is so in love with it she's quickly becoming an Apple fanatic).
 
Demand should cool like the Fall weather.

8GB iPod touch STILL for sale at $229! If they were going to scrimp on the components at least pass some savings on to the recession weary consumer. :eek:
 
jacjustjac said:
A happy 2nd generation iPod touch owner, and unfortunate Verizon Blackberry owner :mad: who can hardly wait for January.
Click to expand...

I got so fed up with my Curve on Verizon that I switched back to my old "free" Samsung flip phone the day after my 2 year commitment was up. Now I'm waiting for a good Android phone. It could be a long wait as I have issues with all of the models out now... I'm planning to get a 4th gen iPod touch this week.
 
chatin said:
8GB iPod touch STILL for sale at $229! If they were going to scrimp on the components at least pass some savings on to the recession weary consumer. :eek:
Click to expand...

Last Tuesday, the 8 GB iPod touch for sale was the 2nd Gen. It was $199.
Last Wednesday, the 8 GB iPod touch became the 4th Gen and is priced a whopping $30 more... for a much, much more capable product.
 
Here is the raw, non-youtube compressed video from the iPod touch 4 gen from engadget's review:

http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/touch_720p.MOV


I was down on the gimped camera, but now I'm changing my tune. That video quality is pretty darn nice for such a thin device.


mntpng said:
Does anyone really care about the gyroscope or the vibrate motor?
Click to expand...

Yes. It's better for gaming. Hyper accurate tilt/steering controls and force feedback for games like pinball, effects like heartbeats, silent message alerts, etc.
 
dwarnecke11 said:
Last Tuesday, the 8 GB iPod touch for sale was the 2nd Gen. It was $199.
Last Wednesday, the 8 GB iPod touch became the 4th Gen and is priced a whopping $30 more... for a much, much more capable product.
Click to expand...

Apple needs to get the memory sizes up. Will pick up the R2-D2 Droid with an HD card slot. Have fun streaming on the tiny memory.
 
It's funny to compare the reviews, and I've only read Engadget and CNET so far.

Engadget says that the iPod touch does not have tap to touch focusing. CNET says it has tap to touch focusing just like the iPhone.

Engadget says the screen is fine but of lower quality than the iPhone. CNET calls the screens "identical."

CNET and Engadget both mention the device has no GPS as a negative, but then CNET goes on to say the editors at CNET believe the iPod touch is "maiming" several markets including GPS receivers! Huh?

CNET is upset that the sleep/wake button moved to the same side as the iPhone; Engadget is happy with it.

And this strange one from CNET: "As far as music and video services beyond iTunes are concerned, the iPod Touch is much more flexible than iPods in the past. Any unprotected MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, or WAV audio file can be transferred to the Touch without hassle, and DRM-protected Audible audiobook files will work, as well."

I can't remember the last iPod those file formats didn't work with (not that I've ever tried a wav file, but . . .)

All in all, I think CNET could use someone a bit more on the ball reviewing their products. But it was very pro-Apple, if a bit wrong in places.
 
Mono

I'm impressed they finally implemented a mono software switch. My wife (due to a birth defect) can hear only in her right ear. She either hears only one channel or I have to make mono mixes. Any idea if the 3rd gen will get a software upgrade that will enable this? No - don't answer - I know what Steve wants me to do :(
 
I can't wait to get mine in my greedy little hands. I have a 2nd gen and after 1.5 years the battery is still acting like new. When I use it all day I have to charge it though. Sorta expected when using wi-fi. I hope the new ones have a nice battery.
 
IJBrekke said:
Here's the thing: after reading through that iPod Touch review, I recognize that it does everything faster and better than my 2nd gen Touch, but what does it actually add?

Multitasking...yes I want that. But I've gone 2 years without it, so I don't know what I'm missing.

Facetime...sounds interesting, but I'm not really sure I'd use it. I'd have to be in a wifi zone, which is probably home for me, where I'd rather just use iChat. Without being able to use it anywhere it feels gimmicky.

Videos and Pictures...well, the pictures suck, so that's out. HD videos are nice, but honestly not a great necessity considering my cell phone can get near that resolution.

Integrated Microphone....I really want this. But I've had a $12 mic to plug into the headphone jack for over a year, and it works great.

I guess these things are all relevant additions to the iPod Touch, and I'm sure they'll sell them in boatloads, but for me it's just not the additions that would get me to upgrade. If they had gone for things like GPS, a better external speaker, or maybe (I know I'm dreaming) an iPad-style data plan I'd be all over it. But I just can't see myself throwing down the money to get a device that basically functions exactly like my current 2nd gen, albeit a little more quickly and smoothly. The extra features just don't grab me at all.

Here's hoping that January Verizon iPhone comes true ;)
Click to expand...

Retina Display. Once you see it in person, you'll have to have it.
 
dwarnecke11 said:
Last Tuesday, the 8 GB iPod touch for sale was the 2nd Gen. It was $199.
Last Wednesday, the 8 GB iPod touch became the 4th Gen and is priced a whopping $30 more... for a much, much more capable product.
Click to expand...

... including a Retina display, Bluetooth, 802.11n, A4 processor, multitasking, etc.
 
Hands-on

I look forward to trying the new iPods. I just hope they are available at my Apple Store. They weren't very specific about when they receiving shipment. My hands-on experiment with the new iPods will determine if I purchase one of these new models.
 
jona2125 said:
If I was a teenage girl with the iPod Touch 4th gen, I would hope someone creates a "Pleasure Mode" app that uses the new vibrator motor in the iPod lol
Click to expand...

Chris Hanson would like you to take a seat over there.
 
goobot said:
i wonder if the nano is retina, cause it is so small so it prob doesnt need that many mega pixels
Click to expand...

Actually its not, and it should have been. i dont think it would have been so hard to put an extra 100 pixel on every site. epic fail
 
Reviews

I definitely need to try these before coming to conclusions about the new iPods. I look forward to trying out the new iPods soon.
 
Retail

I noticed the article said it would be hitting Apple retail stores. Do retail stores include the Apple Store?
 
Braz0s said:
I'm impressed they finally implemented a mono software switch. My wife (due to a birth defect) can hear only in her right ear. She either hears only one channel or I have to make mono mixes. Any idea if the 3rd gen will get a software upgrade that will enable this? No - don't answer - I know what Steve wants me to do :(
Click to expand...

Back in 1996, I had an acoustic neuroma near my left ear. Surgery killed the hearing in that former "audiophile" ear, leaving me with one good ear and making stereo and surround sound a thing of the past for me. In order to listen to both channels of the songs I rip for itunes, it was easy enough for me to choose the mono setting for ripping, but that didn't do me any good for listening to Pandora on my touch, which I do a lot. I resorted to cutting the TINY wiring to my Koss headphones and bridging the leads together. It works, but it also makes the wiring susceptible to breakage which it has done once already. the fiddly soldering requires a very steady hand and strong magnifier lenses to see what I'm doing. what a pain. it will be nice if my next mp3 player has a mono option!!
 
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