iPod Touch: 'Mainstream Wi-Fi Mobile Platform'

[bokdol]

£35 a month in the UK, which is high, especially when we're used to getting handsets free with a contract.

does that include a data plan? i am in the us so i have no idea what uk plans are like. i mean we have cheap phone plans here too. but the thing with the iphone is it includes the data. and for that price it's not bad.

but here is hoping someone buys out that analog tv spectrum and have it open for all platforms.

anyhow could there be a possibility for someone to just make a mic and set up voip on the iphone?

 

[Philsy]

does that include a data plan? i am in the us so i have no idea what uk plans are like. i mean we have cheap phone plans here too. but the thing with the iphone is it includes the data. and for that price it's not bad.

but here is hoping someone buys out that analog tv spectrum and have it open for all platforms.

anyhow could there be a possibility for someone to just make a mic and set up voip on the iphone?

Yes, it includes data.

 

[eastcoastsurfer]

QFT. Why do people have trouble with this concept?

Guess what. Lots of people write free software in their spare time (where do you think many of the OSX underpinnings and tools came from??). Apple is afraid of this b/c as soon as an SDK is released there will be free versions of all the apps they are hoping to charge money for. I bet they end up crippling the SDK or make it so that you *have* to buy your apps through ITMS so that they can continue to get a cut. Problem is that if they do that, it will spell the end of their iphone/itouch platform.

 

[macpluslaptop]

I can't see the point of the Touch. Why not buy an iPhone? It saves having to carry a separate phone as well as an iPod.

Or am I missing something? Is there something the Touch can do that the iPhone can't?

I'm getting the Touch because I don't think the iPhone is a good enough phone yet, and I like my Verizon service and really like my EnV LG - in fact, that phone took a nasty fall yesterday on a tile surface and wasn't scratched. (I have a friend who had to tape up his iPhone shortly after it fell.} I know that Verizon cripples their phones, but even so I can send pictures easily, and apparently that's hard on the iPhone. And the size of the EnV is just right.

So I'll go for the Touch and get what I always wanted anyway - a decent PDA to replace my cumbersome and aging Tungsten T. Something that syncs easily with my Mac. Etc.

When the 3G iPhone comes out, and my Verizon contract ends, I'll take another look at the iP.

 

[bokdol]

Yes, it includes data.

so is it cheaper to buy a different phone with a data plan? in the us it's almost the same price or more if you add a data plan to a phone.

helios 500 minutes unlimited data = 65

verizonwireless 450 minute plans with unlimited mobile web = 79

att add 35 dollars to your existing plan for unlimited web.

tmobile unlimited web add 39 dollars to plan. or 29 for sidekick data plan.
* there is an a tmobileweb package for 5.99 but i dont know how full of web access it is.

so overall in the us the iphone plan compares pretty well here

 

[wizard]

I can't see the point of the Touch. Why not buy an iPhone? It saves having to carry a separate phone as well as an iPod.

I've been in the camp of why carry two dev9ices for a long time and frankly would like to remain in that camp. The reality of iPhone though is really working against me and I will likely ignore it in favor of the Touch.

The number one and only problem there is the contract with AT&T. It is way to expensive for what you are getting and last way too long. Until that is resolved or unlocked iPhone become available I don't see my self going the At&T route.

The problem is simple there are alternative for net access that don't require the services of At&T. As far as the phone goes it doesn't take much technology there to do communications, I could just as well have my intelligent functions in another device.

Or am I missing something? Is there something the Touch can do that the iPhone can't?

Yes it is a cheaper all around solution for one. Second comes whit more memory.

It is not perfect thus the various forums with threads looking for the new tablet from Apple. But it is quickly becoming a very good solution for the interim.

Dave

 

[IscariotJ]

I can't see the point of the Touch. Why not buy an iPhone? It saves having to carry a separate phone as well as an iPod.

Or am I missing something? Is there something the Touch can do that the iPhone can't?

I'd love an iPhone to replace my RAZR and Shuffle, but I refuse to be forced into using a specific mobile provider. I'm hoping this exclusivity is a timed thing, and before long all providers will have iPhone plans....

Be very interesting to see what apps comes out. As a couple of others have mentioned, a pocket iWorks has got to be a must. A pocket iChat would be useful, too.

 

[kent747]

I carry two devices and while it is cumbersome, its completely worth it. My wife liked our iBook, liked our iPod Mini, loves our iMac, but adores the Touch. Its been a revolutionary device for us, and now that the new (loosely used) apps are available its even better.

 

[Eraserhead]

Guess what. Lots of people write free software in their spare time (where do you think many of the OSX underpinnings and tools came from??). Apple is afraid of this b/c as soon as an SDK is released there will be free versions of all the apps they are hoping to charge money for. I bet they end up crippling the SDK or make it so that you *have* to buy your apps through ITMS so that they can continue to get a cut. Problem is that if they do that, it will spell the end of their iphone/itouch platform.

There are two flaws with this

#1 a lot of free software is actually heavily developed by large companies, see WebKit and OpenOffice as examples.

#2 Apple allows open-source software on the Mac and still sells software profitably, who says they can't do the same on the iPhone.

 

[PNW]

I can't see the point of the Touch. Why not buy an iPhone? It saves having to carry a separate phone as well as an iPod.

Or am I missing something? Is there something the Touch can do that the iPhone can't?

The touch has more storage.
ATT has really bad cell coverage where I am, especially at home.
Wifi is fairly ubiquitous where I am, so I don't really need a data plan.
So no iPhone for me until at the very least Apple unlocks it and adds more storage.

All in all I go everywhere on a bicycle, so I always have my commuter bag, hence an extra device is no big deal for me.

 

[eastcoastsurfer]

There are two flaws with this

#1 a lot of free software is actually heavily developed by large companies, see WebKit and OpenOffice as examples.

#2 Apple allows open-source software on the Mac and still sells software profitably, who says they can't do the same on the iPhone.

Don't see either one as flaws in my argument. If Apple lets it, there will be lots of free software on the iphone/itouch (which is really all I was responding too). Heck, even with Apple not letting it there is already lots of free software out there for each device. What I was saying is that if they keep the system closed, it will never be as successful as one that is open. Charging $20 for apps that should've been on the itouch to start is an indication to me that they may try to keep the itouch/iphone closed even after an SDK is released.

In the world of control freak Steve Jobs, I know he hates it every time I start Adium or use FF/Camino lol.

 

[Eraserhead]

In the world of control freak Steve Jobs, I know he hates it every time I start Adium or use FF/Camino lol.

Which is why Apple makes WebKit open source , Apple doesn't care if you use Open Source applications.

 

[Tosser]

OK. Here's 5:
(2) BEST MP3 Player and Video Player on the market. Period.

Sorry, but it's not. The amplifier (could be the DAC, though) seems to hiss: The noise floor is way too high. If it's the DAC, they might be able to correct it with a firmware update.

Also, a problem with the touch –*and any old all-screen musik player, as well as the 3G iPod is that you have to look at it in order to use it (how do you do that while it is in your pocket?)

There's another problem with it, and that is the recessed headphone plug. Now, I don't know about you, but I care about audio quality, hence I use proper headphones and not some crappy ones that came in the box. The best audio player? I don't think so. People seem to agree that the 5.5 was way better. Don't tell me that a "music player" can be the best ever if the audio isn't top notch.

You can settle. I won't.

Well, you have certainly made some concessions audio quality-wise in order to get a music player that does other things as well. Go check out iRiver. I'm serious.

 

[Alphy]

I absolutely love my 1.12 touch and all the extra applications I have on it; why bring a laptop to my college lectures when I can pull up an .ppt or .pdf in my hand? And with most campuses covered by Wifi, it really is a wonderful piece of hardware.

I will be in heaven once they release a Slingbox app under the SDK.

 

[GQB]

I can't see the point of the Touch. Why not buy an iPhone? It saves having to carry a separate phone as well as an iPod.

Or am I missing something? Is there something the Touch can do that the iPhone can't?

currently:
1) slimmer
2) more memory (for now... that will obviously change)
3) some people (believe it or not) don't need or even want 24/7 phone coverage.
4) AT&T isn't the right carrier for some.

 

[Tosser]

currently:
1) slimmer
2) more memory (for now... that will obviously change)
3) some people (believe it or not) don't need or even want 24/7 phone coverage.
4) AT&T isn't the right carrier for some.

5) some people prefer not to run down the battery on the gadget that people use to get into with you, just to play music (or other stuff)

6) by having separates you can go on the net/read a mail/document what-have-you while on the phone.

7) If chosen carefully, you get better quality overall by having dedicated equipment.

 

[GQB]

Yes, but you are going to need some sort of mobile phone as well, so there is a cost impact there, albeit lower than the astronomical iPhone contract.

1) having a cell phone is not, contrary to popular opinion, a basic necessity of life.
2) $60-100/mo for voice/data is far from astronomical, at least as far as I've seen for comparable services.
Pulling one out of the hat (or google search, as it were)
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/26/how-does-the-iphone-stack-up-in-total-cost/

Seems like it fairly comparable, maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less, but hardly "astronomical" either way.

Eiger on Roughlydrafted comes out with iPhone being cheaper.

 

[Eraserhead]

Well, you have certainly made some concessions audio quality-wise in order to get a music player that does other things as well. Go check out iRiver. I'm serious.

Given that apparently iRiver<iAudio in sound quality, and that in my experience iAudio<iPod in sound quality I doubt it. Creative MP3 players do generally sound good though.

 

[GQB]

Really, a great many of these advantages will go away (well, minus the powerpoint thing) .

Put that into the iPhone 'plus' column for me.

 

[Llywelyn]

Guess what. Lots of people write free software in their spare time (where do you think many of the OSX underpinnings and tools came from??). Apple is afraid of this b/c as soon as an SDK is released there will be free versions of all the apps they are hoping to charge money for. I bet they end up crippling the SDK or make it so that you *have* to buy your apps through ITMS so that they can continue to get a cut. Problem is that if they do that, it will spell the end of their iphone/itouch platform.

Paranoid much? You should ammend your statement to "Lots [sic] of people write poor quality software in their spare time." There are some good counterexamples out there, but many if not most open source projects are undocumented messes with lousy user interfaces and/or designs. Many have been abandoned and are, for all intents and purposes, dead since the reimplementation cost is frequently lower than the cost of learning how to use it and updating it.

Apple is not "afraid" of anything: Apple is a company who's top priority is the profit it makes (legally obligated, actually). If it believes the best way to do this is through open source, they have traditionally been more than willing to leverage it or encourage its use.

Examples? On MacOS X X11 is bundled, free development tools are provided, and new tools that encourage third-party development come out all of the time (e.g., CoreData, CoreAnimation, etc.). They include Python and Ruby with bindings, and have done nothing to stop projects such as Fink and Darwin ports.

They haven't seemed to care if people try and compete against Pages, Numbers, Bento, etc. I don't see why things would be different for this case.

There will be an SDK for the iPod Touch/iPhone and I have seen no evidence to suggest that it will be crippled beyond posts such as yours. Its an interesting thought--that may even prove to be accurate, though I highly doubt it--but there is zero evidence of it at this time and several things that would lead me to think that it will not be crippled at all vs. what Apple does with their own applications.

 

[Lord Sam]

I totally agree!

I totally agree with Apple on that 1. I use my iPod touch for almost everything! In fact, I am even typing this from my iPod touch, that's how much I use it. It is fantastic, especially with the new apps, although the 12.99 pound price tag was a little much. Or, a lot much. But that aside, it is absolutely wonderful... when you're in a wifi HotSpot.

 

[GQB]

Lets see 60 x 12 = $720! That is 720 dollars a year base to have the pleasure of owning an iPhone. That is Astronomical on a phone you are suppose to own outright. The question you have to ask yourself is why after buying your phone is Apple still taking cash from you every month.

If that isn't an issue consider that a pay as you go phone might cost you $180 bucks a YEAR! So one buys a Touch and has an outlay for the year that is still less than the iPhone Contract costs for all the devices he owns.

I hate to say this but if you look upon the iPhone contracts as being a good value you have your economics all screwed up. In many ways it is a rip off.

Well, at least be intellectually honest enough to compare apples to apples. If you're saying that its cheaper for you, given your phone use patterns, (limited phone use and no data use) then you're probably right... the iPhone isn't for you. I don't think that applies to the majority of users tho', particularly smart phone users. Most of them are going to be on contract of some sort that includes data, and for that more appropriate comparison, I've seen the cost diffs vary mildly both ways, depending on the axe being ground by the analyst.

 

[GQB]

Guess what. Lots of people write free software in their spare time (where do you think many of the OSX underpinnings and tools came from??). Apple is afraid of this b/c as soon as an SDK is released there will be free versions of all the apps they are hoping to charge money for. I bet they end up crippling the SDK or make it so that you *have* to buy your apps through ITMS so that they can continue to get a cut. Problem is that if they do that, it will spell the end of their iphone/itouch platform.

Last thing I'm putting on any device (computer or phone) is software that was written by someone 'in their spare time.' (a description that includes most 'virus artists'.

I want 2 types of software.
1) that's been vetted. You can have the Windows crapware model.
2) that I've written myself, for my own, very niche, use.

We'll see what the SDK allows.

 

[Breckenridge]

While apple has created lots of cool products over the past decade, the most thanks go to the open source community that made it possible for Apple to have OS X in the first place.

Apple product quality has gone done and I've been shipping at least 2-3 machines, out of 15 desktop and notebooks, a year back to apple for hardware fixes. 2 iPhones had to be replaced, 7 apple mice had to be replaced, 2 minis had to be replaced and dot mac support has been less than adequate. 90 days phone support unless you pay $300 + is an indication that Apple really doesn't care about the quality of their products or the satisfaction of the consumer. Shorter than advertised battery life issues have been a problem on almost all recent apple hardware. WiFi connectivity issues with non-apple wifi nodes has not been very reliable lately.

The more macs sold the more you are going to hear stories like mine. I will still buy macs but I just wished that Apple will correct some of these issues and not go down the same hellish path Dell took 2-3 years ago.

 

[Tosser]

Given that apparently iRiver<iAudio in sound quality, and that in my experience iAudio<iPod in sound quality I doubt it. Creative MP3 players do generally sound good though.

Well, my point was, that the iRiver is better than the Touch. Not iPods in general. However, I seriously doubt your "ear", if you consider ipods to the best audio-wise of the three of them.

Of course, most of them wil sound excellent if used Ipod Line Out>Headphone Amp>Good headphones.

Oh, and of course, avoid lossy formats. No matter how much you polish a turd, it's still a turd.