iPod touch Released

[clevin]

Actually, the point IS that it's hard to do. Changing flash to HDD is not trivial...not if you want to keep WiFi capabilitiies, enlarged display AND
reasonable battery life. People seem to keep forgetting the iPod classic does NOT have WiFi or the larger screen.

I would like to see exactly how difficult it is, just these kind of "guessing" really isn't convincing at all.

Palm LD has exactly big screen, HDD, Wi-Fi, SD expansion slot, and its a two years old product. I don't see why its so difficult for apple to do it today.

 

[jsado13]

I want to buy a top of the line iPod so I can store ALL of my music and SOME of my movies (for on the go viewing). NOT so I can store 1/4 of my music, 3 movies and download BULLS**T via Starbucks wi-fi connection. Who freakin cares about Starbucks and how/why did they manage to sneak there way in to the launch of the iPod flagship?

Seriously though, Apple is a monster in the making here. All they have to do is fart and it's front page news. I am disappointed in the release, amongst many others. We all know it is going to get better. Hopefully, it is sooner than later. I would have bought one as soon as they were available if it was even moderately worth the investment for me.

 

[Evangelion]

I would like to see exactly how difficult it is, just these kind of "guessing" really isn't convincing at all.

Palm LD has exactly big screen, HDD, Wi-Fi, SD expansion slot, and its a two years old product. I don't see why its so difficult for apple to do it today.

a) Is the Palm anywhere near as sexy as Touch?

b) Does the Palm have anywhere near as much CPU-power as the Touch has?

 

[Jon the Heretic]

Nah

Given that the Touch screen is larger than the Classic screen, it's not that much of a presumption to make.

Wifi also consumes power.

Wifi consumes very little when it is OFF. Are you saying Apple didn't include an Off switch for the radio? This is a red herring.

This is a big presumption based on -- in most cases here -- on the wish to always assume Apple has done the right and best thing for the right and best reasons.

There is no evidence that acceptable power consumption couldn't be realized with a HD-based Touch. After all, unlike the iPhone it won't be sitting around waiting for calls all day, which incidentally, does drain the battery. Moreover, the Touch doesn't need to actually MAKE the calls----another huge drain on the battery.

There is plenty room to partially compensate for the slightly higher power drain of a quarter-sized hard drive, developed originally for Type II Compact cards for use in cameras, and later in millions of iPods that all seem to do quite well with battery life when you aren't making phone calls or leaving WiFi on 24/7 just because you can...

I find it more plausible that this is far less about technology than about marketing. Apple likes renewal revenue streams (main reason why all but the Mac Pro lacks ANY PCI slot-based expansion these days, a feature that costs pennies to include), and they prefer to stack the deck so that higher profit items look better than lower profit. This doesn't always work out for them, but Apple has a tremendous gift for enormous profit margins in an industry where most everyone else just ekes by---or fails. Apple wants to sell iPhones boys and girls; a Touch that crushed the iPhone with massive storage would screw their own pooch. Tough luck for the rest of us.

 

[Evangelion]

I want to buy a top of the line iPod so I can store ALL of my music and SOME of my movies (for on the go viewing). NOT so I can store 1/4 of my music, 3 movies and download BULLS**T via Starbucks wi-fi connection.

And Apple has the product for you. It's called iPod Classic. What exactly is the problem here? Why is everyone so upset because Apple released a product that does not suit their needs? You don't see me complaining just because I feel that Mighty Mouse is not good for me. You don't see me complaining because I feel that iPod Shuffle is not suitable for me. So what exactly is the deal here?

Seriously though, Apple is a monster in the making here. All they have to do is fart and it's front page news. I am disappointed in the release, amongst many others. We all know it is going to get better. Hopefully, it is sooner than later. I would have bought one as soon as they were available if it was even moderately worth the investment for me.

Touch has great features in them, but it's not for everyone. If Apple felt so, they would ahve killed the Classic. Which they didn't.

 

[clevin]

a) Is the Palm anywhere near as sexy as Touch?

b) Does the Palm have anywhere near as much CPU-power as the Touch has?

how many video ipod have been sold? sexy? not merely as important as you might think.

cpu power? LD has 416mhz intel PXA270 w Intel XScale Technology, two years old product! powerful cpu, lol, nowadays, Touch's CPU might well be cheaper than LD's two years ago.

and how exactly do "sexy" and "CPU power" have anything to do with "difficulty in putting HDD in Touch"? which is exactly my example of palm LD was FOR.

 

[gwangung]

Wifi consumes very little when it is OFF. Are you saying Apple didn't include an Off switch for the radio? This is a red herring..

No, it isn't. You really think that if a feature like WiFi is on this thing, that it's NOT going to be used????

I really think that you're not thinking this through....You're simply not thinking about likely user behavior with this puppy....

 

[clevin]

No, it isn't. You really think that if a feature like WiFi is on this thing, that it's NOT going to be used????

I really think that you're not thinking this through....

please, you only use wi-fi when you have network around,

 

[Jon the Heretic]

Nope again

And Apple has the product for you. It's called iPod Classic. What exactly is the problem here?
<snip>
Touch has great features in them, but it's not for everyone. If Apple felt so, they would ahve killed the Classic. Which they didn't.

They didn't because iPhone is enormously profitable to them. Apple does not want to create their own iPhone killer. The Touch with its nano-sized storage is a niche product only, for those with iPhone envy but no love for AT&T (or myriad other complaints, such as existing cell contracts). With the iPhone reference model, Touch must have been fairly easy to do...very similar hardware, and the rest is software. Geez, there was no reason NOT to do this, from Apple's perspective. This way they get a sale for a product that they wouldn't have gotten otherwise. With the recent iPhone price drop, however, boy doesn't iPhone look more tantalizing than ever? Just $100 more, boys and girls! It should; Apple worked hard to make that happen.

As to iPod classic, yeah, it's fine...if you like watching video on a digital camera preview screen. Never worked for me...but a PSP-sized widescreen with the same massive storage---that's a spicy meatball! But not where Apple's interests lie right now, which is with iPhone. You aren't going to see massive storage in iPhones for *good* reasons; so you aren't going to see it in Touch even if it was a technical slamdunk.

 

[jsado13]

And Apple has the product for you. It's called iPod Classic. What exactly is the problem here? Why is everyone so upset because Apple released a product that does not suit their needs? You don't see me complaining just because I feel that Mighty Mouse is not good for me. You don't see me complaining because I feel that iPod Shuffle is not suitable for me. So what exactly is the deal here?

I've been waiting a LOOONG TIME for Apple to release a widescreen video iPod. Just after the original iPod video was released, we all knew the only next logical step was going to be a "true" widescreen version. YEARS LATER......"viola!" the widescreen iPod you've been waiting for!!!...minus the actual usefullness of a traditional top-o-the line iPod.

 

[jsado13]

They didn't because iPhone is enormously profitable to them. Apple does not want to create their own iPhone killer. The Touch with its nano-sized storage is a niche product only, for those with iPhone envy but no love for AT&T (or myriad other complaints, such as existing cell contracts). With the iPhone reference model, Touch must have been fairly easy to do...very similar hardware, and the rest is software. Geez, there was no reason NOT to do this, from Apple's perspective. This way they get a sale for a product that they wouldn't have gotten otherwise. With the recent iPhone price drop, however, boy doesn't iPhone look more tantalizing than ever? Just $100 more, boys and girls! It should; Apple worked hard to make that happen.

As to iPod classic, yeah, it's fine...if you like watching video on a digital camera preview screen. Never worked for me...but a PSP-sized widescreen with the same massive storage---that's a spicy meatball! But not where Apple's interests lie right now, which is with iPhone. You aren't going to see massive storage in iPhones for *good* reasons; so you aren't going to see it in Touch even if it was a technical slamdunk.

EXACTLY

 

[Jon the Heretic]

I always think about the user

No, it isn't. You really think that if a feature like WiFi is on this thing, that it's NOT going to be used????

I really think that you're not thinking this through....You're simply not thinking about likely user behavior with this puppy....

As to Wifi, you think that is going to be used more than music? Hell no. It might get used more than video by some, but being near a Wifi hotspot is a pretty demanding requirement. If you are in motion -- car, airplane, train -- the Wifi is useless. The video is great in that context. This is how the video iPod is used today with video. Other than the anemic storage, this is a BETTER video iPod.

For me, I'd probably almost never use the Wifi; I have a laptop with a vastly bigger screen that uses Wifi at home. Wifi on Touch is a great travel feature, but only between stops. You need to be stationary. I don't see myself squinting on the couch reading Web pages when I have a Wifi-enabled 15" MacBook Pro 3 inches away. (Oh I might do this the first week, but not after the oooh and aaahs wear off).

I always think about the user. Long story...

 

[Cloudane]

sexy? not merely as important as you might think.

To Apple, and the majority of Apple's customers, yes it is. Sexy is crucial - that's how they've got to where they are now. It may seem shallow, but people go "oooooooh that's pretty, I want one", and love something that looks good before they understand even half its capabilities.

If you want something that has every function under the sun but doesn't look that great, there are plenty out there... Apple however are not the place to look

"sexy" and "CPU power" have anything to do with "difficulty in putting HDD in Touch"?

Not sure about CPU power, but HDD = fat. Fat != sexy. Ask most of the male population

 

[clevin]

To Apple, and the majority of Apple's customers, yes it is. Sexy is crucial - that's how they've got to where they are now. It may seem shallow, but people go "oooooooh that's pretty, I want one", and love something that looks good before they understand even half its capabilities.

If you want something that has every function under the sun but doesn't look that great, there are plenty out there... Apple however are not the place to look

well, if previous generation of video iPod is "sexy" enough, iPod Touch with HDD is sexy enough too.

 

[Cloudane]

Really? With a big thick multitouch screen layered on top of it and a huge battery to drive it? It'd be pretty darn thick.

I'm just addressing the 'sexy' comment though. I do actually think they'll come out with a HDD one eventually, depending on how the iPhone goes. But someone made a great comment earlier: somehow they've managed to position things so that the iPhone is still the greater desire for a lot of people. They can't go surpassing it yet especially with those AT&T contracts, which is what a HDD Touch would do.

 

[slabwax]

Will I be able to open a pdf attachment on the touch? Or a word doc sent to me. I'm guessing not but I don't know for sure.

Thanks

 

[macenforcer]

I have an 8gb iphone and I must say I love it. I love the touch too but there are major problems with it.


1. No speakers

I find this to be a major plus on my iphone. I don't have to hunt down my headphones to watch movies or hear a quick song.

2. 16gb top end storage

They really should have a hard drive in this sucker. That is just not enough for video. Heck, its barely enough for most peoples music.

3. No email app

Why not? It has safari. I love checkin my email in the house on my iphone. That way I don't have to run to the mac ever few minutes to see if that thing sold on ebay.

4. No sd card slot

This would have helped out extremely with the storage problem.




The plus side of this thing is its super thin. My god, I thought my ipone was thin.


So maybe rev b will have these fixed. I was waiting for the ipod touch with speakers and an 80GB HD. Oh well, might just get the 160gb classic then.

 

[Stang68]

I have a question that is not related to the storage capacity. If I am using my touch on the internet and I go to, oh I dont know, comingsoon.net (a site that has movie trailer), will i be able to watch the trailers? Will they be compatable with the Touch Safari browser?

I cant wait for it to arrive!!!! AGHHH!!

 

[clevin]

Really? With a big thick multitouch screen layered on top of it and a huge battery to drive it? It'd be pretty darn thick.

first I belongs to the silent majority (I think) who don't really care about thickness that much.

second, You put too many guess here. we don't even know how thick it will be with HDD. and we don't know how much battery power it will need. I would love to see some reasonable numbers rather than "i guess it will be too thick, etc..."

 

[jsado13]

I have an 8gb iphone and I must say I love it. I love the touch too but there are major problems with it.


3. No email app

Why not? It has safari. I love checkin my email in the house on my iphone. That way I don't have to run to the mac ever few minutes to see if that thing sold on ebay.

ugh...no email app....iPhone has it though huh? Somehow, I feel as if maybe, just maybe, perhaps, just a little, quite possibly....Apple is attempting to steer me towards the iPhone with this release? No way, Apple wouldn't do that.

Does this release even have any freakin significance other than "Come see the NEW iPod in AAAAALLLLL - OF ITS - GLOOOORRRRY - now buy an iPhone"

 

[CWallace]

I have a question that is not related to the storage capacity. If I am using my touch on the internet and I go to, oh I dont know, comingsoon.net (a site that has movie trailer), will i be able to watch the trailers? Will they be compatable with the Touch Safari browser?

I think the iPhone/iPodTouch work only with H.264-encoded media, correct?

So if they use that codec, you're okay. But if it needs some other codec plug-in, I think you're not.

 

[Cloudane]

Unless we have any technical design engineers or high end marketing experts here, guessing is all we can do.

My guess is more to do with politics than technicalities: Apple does not want the iPod to surpass the iPhone right now. The AT&T relationship (and associated monthly profits) is too important. Adding a HD would make it do just that. IF they were going to do so, I should think they'd upgrade the iPhone to a HD first, or find some other way to make the iPhone rock harder than the HDD iTouch.

The problem here is... well I don't know, but can you imagine holding a HD driven device to your ear - seems a bit heavy, and it'd be whirring too.

Whatever... I'm not saying they shouldn't make one, I just can't see it happening at least until the iPhone has settled down which could be a while.

 

[jsado13]

for me the question remains......do I really want an all in one device like the iPhone? Lets face it, for the common man - it's an awfully expensive phone. Cell phones get lost, broken, dropped, stolen, scratched, tossed around, etc... Going to a concert or party? your cell phone is on vibrate in your pocket. Do you bring your iPod to the party and concert too? No, it stays where things are safe. Going mountain biking? HEY !!! don't forget your $350 iPhone.

I would need some kind of free replacement insurance policy on my iPhone if I ever get one.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

There is plenty room to partially compensate for the slightly higher power drain of a quarter-sized hard drive, developed originally for Type II Compact cards for use in cameras, and later in millions of iPods that all seem to do quite well with battery life when you aren't making phone calls or leaving WiFi on 24/7 just because you can...

... Have you checked the specs on the microdrives lately? They're not pushing 16GB, nor are they exactly cheap.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

The Touch with its nano-sized storage is a niche product only, for those with iPhone envy but no love for AT&T (or myriad other complaints, such as existing cell contracts).

I fit squarely into this niche (AT&T is terrible in this area), but Apple has neglected the iPod touch enough to hesitate on pulling the trigger and getting one.

Problems:
1. No Mail? No Weather? Major fumbles, IMO.
2. No camera? It's minor, I admit, but it sure would've been a nice touch.
3. The chrome back has got to go.
4. Both devices (iPhone and iPod touch) need an AIM client.

If the iPhone had 16GB, I'd probably pony up for the iPhone and use one of the "activate it without paying AT&T" hacks that are all over the 'net. I'd much rather buy the iPod touch, however, with its larger capacity ... but Apple neglected to include a few apps that, to me, are key to the device's success.

I'm sure that there will be ways to use the iPhone apps on the iPod touch, but I'm also sure that Apple will find ways to make that difficult for me down the road.