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Next Generation iPod Touch to Have Built-in Microphone and Camera?

GarySky said:
I'm worried that this will snatch marketshare away from the iPhone due to the increasing popularity of the iPod Touch. :(
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Last time I checked, video cameras/microphones don't constitute a cellphone. If you want a cellphone, get an iPhone. Seriously, the MAIN purpose of an iPhone is it's ability to connect to cellular networks.

So what, Apple thinks people are to going get iPod touches instead of iPhones? "Hmmm I wanted a iPhone for work calls/email, but this iPod touch has a video camera - I'm sold!"

Next time you go driving in your car and are lost, have fun trying to make calls for directions from your iPod touch.
 
Some of you make me LOL... this thing isn't and wont be anything close to the iPhone....add a mic and camera and you have an ipod touch with a mic and camera, that's all.
 
I've never understood the fear that the iPod touch would cannibalize iPhone sales. They are totally different markets. I think Apple is realizing this as well. The iPod touch is becoming a gaming device and if it wants to compete with the likes of the PSP and DS then it's going to need to add some features to keep up. I love my iPod touch, but I have no intention of buying an iPhone.

Also having the iPhone and iPod have the same basic hardware minus the phone makes development easier for apps. Then app makers don't have to make specific apps for the iPhone and ones for the iPod. They can focus on using the features at hand.
 
I disagree with the idea this will eat in to iphone sales. The question is this: how many of you are in wifi so often that you would actually give up a cell phone and just use an ipod touch? because if you'd still feel the need to carry a separate cell phone then you've just defeated one of the main benefits of an iphone (convergence).

This will help ipod touch sales, but nobody is going to want to use this as their only cell phone because you'd be unreachable a great deal of the time (walking, driving, on public transportation, etc.). Maybe I could see a college student whose campus is blanketed in wifi doing this, but even then, what you are going to tell your friends when you go out, that you can't get their calls because you're away from wifi?
 
QCassidy352 said:
I disagree with the idea this will eat in to iphone sales. The question is this: how many of you are in wifi so often that you would actually give up a cell phone and just use an ipod touch? because if you'd still feel the need to carry a separate cell phone then you've just defeated one of the main benefits of an iphone (convergence).
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Well, I'm on WiFi 100% of the time even in the countryside, because a small phone carried in a pocket works as a hotspot. Often I'm carrying some kind of bag so it's barely noticeable to have an actual phone there if it never needs to be taken out. The price difference is so large that I would think twice if it outweighs the small difference in convenience. Also, even without using a headset it's convenient to be able to check the calendar on an iPod or take notes while talking on the phone. Separate devices allow this easily, and as said, the iPod Touch can be used for web browsing or Skype in all the same locations as an iPhone can, only the data plan is cheaper. Or actually, the iPhone can't be used for Skype over 3G but the iPod with a phone can!
 
jjrv said:
Well, I'm on WiFi 100% of the time even in the countryside, because another small phone carried in a pocket works as a hotspot. Often I'm carrying some kind of bag so it's barely noticeable to have a second phone there if it never needs to be taken out. The price difference is so large that I would think twice if it outweighs the small difference in convenience.
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I have never understood the point of carrying a phone and then using another device to make phone calls over wifi. Just use the phone generating the wifi, or better yet buy an iPhone. The only way this semi makes sense is if that phone in your pocket is a work phone that you do not pay for.
 
80 posts I didn't want to go through, but the second generation ipod touch can be already used with skype or any other voip using headphones with a mic. 1st. gen does not have the right headphone jack (two contacts only compared to three on the 2nd gen).
 
Vandam500 said:
My point exactly.I am pretty sure Apple makes a lot more money off iPhone customers because of the monthly bills tied to the 2 year contracts. Why make the iPod Touch nearly identical to the iPhone? Beats me.
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Because no company succeeds in the long run by avoiding product advances just to protect an existing revenue stream? Because otherwise the competition will do it and eat Apple's lunch?
 
My point exactly.I am pretty sure Apple makes a lot more money off iPhone customers because of the monthly bills tied to the 2 year contracts.
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Doesn't AT&T make money off the monthly fees and not Apple?

I thought Apple's continuous revenue stream for the iPhone was the App store, not phone services (which they don't provide).
 
jjrv said:
Considering every E- or N-series Nokia phone is a WiFi hotspot, this means you can have a cheap iPhone by simply carrying an iPod and packing a Nokia phone hidden in a bag! Very nice!
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Can you give me more information about this. I have verizon and am planning on getting a new phone and this idea might work for me.
 
It will never be an iPhone because

1. doesn't have the phone feature
2. appeals to two different markets

I have a feeling the iPod Touch will eventually evolve into something else. A MID/UMPC maybe.
 
mercuryguy said:
Can you give me more information about this. I have verizon and am planning on getting a new phone and this idea might work for me.
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You can get the program to turn the WiFi hotspot on in a Nokia phone here:
http://www.joiku.com/?action=products&mode=productDetails&product_id=310

It's free but if you want to have WEP encryption or use something other than WWW like Skype, it's 15 euro to buy it. I use it to get online with my laptop also, without having to mess with Bluetooth or cables, and several people can get online at the same time with one phone.
 
iCantwait said:
OMG - And they'll like put in a 3g data connection so we can all get data on the go - THAT WILL BE SO COOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL.




:rolleyes:
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LOL - It's called the "iPhone"... :eek:

Hey people, if you want an iPod Touch with data, just get an iPhone. AT&T will let you get the Data Only plan, but you have to buy an unsubsidized iPhone at $599...
 
jjrv said:
You can get the program to turn the WiFi hotspot on in a Nokia phone here:
http://www.joiku.com/?action=products&mode=productDetails&product_id=310

It's free but if you want to have WEP encryption or use something other than WWW like Skype, it's 15 euro to buy it. I use it to get online with my laptop also, without having to mess with Bluetooth or cables, and several people can get online at the same time with one phone.
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Are you in the US or Europe?
I'm in the US, here I doubt Verizon carries E or N series Nokia phones.
 
mercuryguy said:
Are you in the US or Europe?
I'm in the US, here I doubt Verizon carries E or N series Nokia phones.
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I'm in Europe, it does support some other models and manufacturers, maybe one of them is available there? There's a list of supported devices on the page. If it's a GSM network you should be able to get a phone anywhere even if the phone company doesn't carry it.
 
jjrv said:
I'm in Europe, it does support some other models and manufacturers, maybe one of them is available there? There's a list of supported devices on the page. If it's a GSM network you should be able to get a phone anywhere even if the phone company doesn't carry it.
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I think Verizon is a CDMA Carrier. I wonder myself why I still use Verizon, oh because its very reliable.
 
A lot of people don't get why Apple is making the iPod touch as good as the iPhone, saying that people will get the iPod touch instead of the iPhone.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT APPLE WANTS!!

That is not to say they don't want you to get an iPhone, but they make more money on the iPod touch.

AT&T makes most of the money from the iPhone, and I get the feeling Apple is pretty ticked at AT&T.
 
Why are a lot of people saying that adding a camera and microphone makes it more like an iPhone? You still have the advantages of GPS, data connection when Wifi isn't available (as long as you have cell service), a more reliable Find My iPhone feature (yes there is a Find My iPod touch but it's not very reliable), a lot of applications that are iPhone only. The Nintendo DSi has a built in microphone, Wifi, and 2 cameras (I know that's a completely different category but you get my point). does this make it too much like a phone? And in addition to that, I think that Apple is trying to make the iPod touch closer to the iPhone for people that don't have AT&T and don't want to switch or people like me who just don't want an iPhone. I'm happy with an iPod touch and my Samsung A-777.

Also, i'm pretty sure that you can't dial 911 (or any other emergency number for that matter) on Skype so if someone used the iPod touch as their only phone, what are they going to do if they're walking with someone else alone not anywhere close to a real phone and the other person has a heart attack or something?
 
Scottsdale said:
To me 3G service available from AT&T would be a no brainer. It would make AT&T and Apple's relationship stronger. It would give those who want to use an iPhone but cannot use the phone part for whatever reason still spend money with both Apple and AT&T. I would probably consider one if it had 3G. The camera and mic are simple and cheap and yet add a lot of value, so Apple definitely should make that step.

Does anyone think it is way off to add 3G service for a fee from AT&T? Why wouldn't this already be out on the market? Seems totally like a perfect solution to me.
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If you had 3G to the iTouch then it is an iPhone. I don't see why they would do that.. :/

Chundles said:
Apple receive no money from contracts, the revenue sharing model ended with the release of the iPhone 3G.

They keep the iPod touch reasonably close to the iPhone in capability to drive up sales of the much cheaper device. 32GB iPod touch is $549 whilst the 32GB iPhone 3GS is $1040.

People who don't want to spend as much money and people who don't want to buy into a 2 year contract will snap up the iPod touch knowing that it can do pretty much the same stuff as the iPhone.

I'm certain that the majority of the 40 million+ iPhone OS 3.0 devices Apple have sold have been iPod touches because they are significantly cheaper than an iPhone and have no requirement for ANY ongoing fees.

It's a fantastic idea to throw a camera into the iPod touch, it opens up camera apps to many more users, introduces a new revenue stream and provides a whole new world of content.
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Where are you getting that the iTouch is $549. The US price is $399.00.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_touch?mco=MTE2NTk

I don't follow you on why someone who's contract up would buy a iTouch. The iTouch isn't a phone and the average user isn't going to know Skype. They are going to want a phone that they can take any where with out worrying about hot spots to make it work.

I think the camera idea would be cool, and you have a point about it using some of the Apps.

baleensavage said:
I've never understood the fear that the iPod touch would cannibalize iPhone sales. They are totally different markets. I think Apple is realizing this as well. The iPod touch is becoming a gaming device and if it wants to compete with the likes of the PSP and DS then it's going to need to add some features to keep up. I love my iPod touch, but I have no intention of buying an iPhone.

Also having the iPhone and iPod have the same basic hardware minus the phone makes development easier for apps. Then app makers don't have to make specific apps for the iPhone and ones for the iPod. They can focus on using the features at hand.
Click to expand...

The only way I can see the iTouch cannibalize the iPhone is to put a G3 ability to it. Who would someone want the iPhone then?

QCassidy352 said:
I disagree with the idea this will eat in to iphone sales. The question is this: how many of you are in wifi so often that you would actually give up a cell phone and just use an ipod touch? because if you'd still feel the need to carry a separate cell phone then you've just defeated one of the main benefits of an iphone (convergence).

This will help ipod touch sales, but nobody is going to want to use this as their only cell phone because you'd be unreachable a great deal of the time (walking, driving, on public transportation, etc.). Maybe I could see a college student whose campus is blanketed in wifi doing this, but even then, what you are going to tell your friends when you go out, that you can't get their calls because you're away from wifi?
Click to expand...

This I agreed on. I don't see on adding a camera and mic will cut into the iPhone sales. I know some areas are wired to provide WIFI into the entire town. But those are so few, thus making you carry a phone with you. You might as well get the iPhone.

jjrv said:
Well, I'm on WiFi 100% of the time even in the countryside, because a small phone carried in a pocket works as a hotspot. Often I'm carrying some kind of bag so it's barely noticeable to have an actual phone there if it never needs to be taken out. The price difference is so large that I would think twice if it outweighs the small difference in convenience. Also, even without using a headset it's convenient to be able to check the calendar on an iPod or take notes while talking on the phone. Separate devices allow this easily, and as said, the iPod Touch can be used for web browsing or Skype in all the same locations as an iPhone can, only the data plan is cheaper. Or actually, the iPhone can't be used for Skype over 3G but the iPod with a phone can!
Click to expand...

Again if you add 3G to the iTouch you might as well get the iPhone. You are still paying for carrier charges. Not to mention (as I said in the beginning of this post.) that the average user isn't going to know how to use Skype or even think to use it.

Hugh
 
Can't wait to get one!.... I will go on a limb & say, this is the best thing Apple did since releasing the iPhone 2 years ago.

I am buying one fo' sho'!!!!!!! ...they are going to sell this device like hotcakes ;)

I made a poll a month ago thinking this might happen - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/729422/

...only reason I will not buy it, is if they stay in the 32GB range... which I doubt will happen :D

64GB has to be coming!

cheers,
CrackBookPro:cool:
 
One thing everyone needs to realize: The number one reason why people get an iPhone over an iPod Touch is because of the persistent data connection. That is the one thing an iPod Touch can NEVER have and because of the number of chips that need to be stuffed into an iPod Touch in order to enable such a feature, well, it would be the iPhone then!

Before I got my iPhone 3G on AT&T, I was on my parents plan with an unlocked original iPhone and no data plan. It was HORRIBLE. I was ALWAYS looking for WiFi. It's incredibly annoying. That persistent data connection is one thing people take for granted on their iPhones.
 
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