iPod touch "No camera? Well then I'm getting the ZuneHD"

[sarcosis]

Looking at the Top 25 apps in the App Store, it doesn't look like any of them require a data connection to work.

Is that Paid or Free? I mostly look at the Free Apps. I am too cheap to actually pay for much stuff if it's not a good game. Also, the Top 25 apps doesn't mean that they are useful to me. The ones that are most useful to me are the location sensitive ones or the ones that need the WiFi connection. Such as Yelp!, Urban Spoon, Pandora, Last.fm. etc.

For perspective sake, I do have experience with iTunes and the iPod Touch. My wife has a iPod Touch 2G that we use all the time. I get to sync and maintenance it since she would rather leave that for me to do. Just didn't want to come off as a M$ Fanboy. I personally look for what's best for me at the time of purchase. Brand loyalty only goes so far for me.

 

[Spock]

I find it very amusing when people mark off other users as "fanboys" it makes no sense, this is a Apple related forum were all fanboys somehow. Im not sure I understand the reasoning behind going to the Zune HD because Apple did not include a camera on the new iPod Touch or release some kind of HDMI dock for playing back HD 720 content on a tv.. As stated before, the Zune also does not have a camera and as far as a radio is concerned I would like to have it built in but almost everyplace I go I have WiFi and can stream within applications like AOL Radio and when I dont have WiFi i am in my car and I would rather listen to my car radio anyway. And If Apple used the same hardware in the new iPod as the iPhone 3GS it has the power to play HD content, its been proven. If you want a camera so bad find a jailbroken iPhone.

 

[theBB]

I've used Zune software. It was not an iTunes clone. MS had nice ideas about it. However, as in most MS products, and even though it was version 3.0, it was as unpolished and full of GUI bugs as a beta. I was quite disappointed, well, yet again. At some point I should get used to it, stop being disappointed by MS and expect the experience to be frustrating or at least underwhelming, as it is very rarely otherwise.

However, I am glad they are providing a deep pocketed competition to Apple.

 

[theBB]

as far as a radio is concerned I would like to have it built in but almost everyplace I go I have WiFi and can stream within applications like AOL Radio and when I dont have WiFi i am in my car and I would rather listen to my car radio anyway.

Years ago I had a Sandisk player with an FM radio on it. It worked well enough outdoors, but indoors the reception was very spotty and at the office I could not get any reception at all. Unless the radios on current players are much better, I cannot say they are of much use. In any case, I've been listening to podcasts the last few years and it works far better as a radio alternative for me. I used to listed to the radio only in the car anyways, and now I prefer to listen to podcasts or my own music in the car, so it is not a big deal for me.

 

[sarcosis]

However, I am glad they are providing a deep pocketed competition to Apple.

Agreed. I think that Apple has been missing this and this is what drives innovation. It will be good to see what happens in the next year.

Going back to the actual topic of this thread, I think people are disappointed by the lack of a real update to the iPod Touch line in general. I don't think it's the camera per se, but I think the camera is getting the brunt of it since it was so widely rumored.

 

[aristobrat]

Also, the Top 25 apps doesn't mean that they are useful to me. The ones that are most useful to me are the location sensitive ones or the ones that need the WiFi connection. Such as Yelp!, Urban Spoon, Pandora, Last.fm. etc

I understand where you're coming from, but on the same note, it seems fairly obvious that others are coming from the perspective of "there are plenty of fine apps in the App store that don't require WiFi to be of use".

Just playing devils advocate to your thought that Apps on the touch are fairly useless without WiFi/internet.

BTW, i'm not a total n00b.

Never thought that for a second. Sorry if anything in my post gave you that impression.

 

[sarcosis]

Just playing devils advocate to your thought that Apps on the touch are fairly useless without WiFi/internet.

Never thought that for a second. Sorry if anything in my post gave you that impression.

Thanks for providing an opposing point of view. I think that's a great way to have a good conversation going. And the n00b comment, I just wanted to give a little perspective since it's been a while since I posted on this board. No harm was intended and your point is quite valid. I apologize if i came off a bit short. I didn't mean for it to be that way.

For users which like the apps, that's great. I just wanted to highlight that there are other types of users out there. In the end, it all comes down to what you want to use it for and the utility of each device

 

[aristobrat]

In the end, it all comes down to what you want to use it for and the utility of each device

Definitely, and I also agree with your other comment about this all driving innovation... Apple seems to dilly-dally along when there's nobody on their heels, ... glad to see the HD Zune (and the new Creative thing) both entering the market this year!

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Thanks for providing an opposing point of view. I think that's a great way to have a good conversation going. And the n00b comment, I just wanted to give a little perspective since it's been a while since I posted on this board. No harm was intended and your point is quite valid. I apologize if i came off a bit short. I didn't mean for it to be that way.

For users which like the apps, that's great. I just wanted to highlight that there are other types of users out there. In the end, it all comes down to what you want to use it for and the utility of each device

Just to share why i need an App (or 2) that doesn't need wi-fi - it sure makes it easier to show the doctor the trend of a child's fever the last 5 days... and check how tall she was at XYZ's office 3 weeks ago.... and other fun things.

The apps you posted - i have no use for and haven't even read about nor care about. I call my Touch my "portable mommy brain", which is what my Treo was, which is what my Clie was... which all meant that i actually have the info i need in my hand instead of in the paper planner i never carried.

That it can also serve as a "CEP" - "Child Entertainment Product" while waiting at various appointments is extra. I love that term - thanks to the member that coined it in the App Store forum But i don't need wi-fi for those apps either.

 

[sarcosis]

Just to share why i need an App (or 2) that doesn't need wi-fi - it sure makes it easier to show the doctor the trend of a child's fever the last 5 days... and check how tall she was at XYZ's office 3 weeks ago.... and other fun things.

Which App is that? That looks very useful . Is it only for children or can it work for everyone. Just wondering so I can go and get it for my wife's iPod Touch.

 

[ZedRuhlen]

I was completely underwhelmed by the update myself. That said...
Having an IRiver with an FM radio I've got to ask why anyone cares if the Touch has one? It's a lame feature. It doesn't have a tape deck either. Big deal.

It's funny to see the MSFT fanboys pretend that the App store is unimportant. If Mac users have learned anything it's that software availability is a driving factor in people's decision to buy an OS. Look at the reasons everyone gives for using Windows.

I'm sure the Zune will have some compelling features but knowing MS history it will also be difficult to use, confusing, underpowered for the task it is attempting, and completely not worth buying till version 2 or 3.

 

[daniel000]

I personally waited on the next gen because i was waiting on some seriously upgrade. Battery life and mic is just two that i wanted but on to my post

Ok guys. so most people who buy a touch use it as a mini computer?

id say id use it for everything. music , videos, and use the internet.


then why is APPLE trying to make it a gaming machine, and how can it possibly attempt to compare itself to NINTENDO and the PSP ? who do they think they are , are they that full of themselves that they dont even know where they are heading with this device?

It should have had a camera, it should have had a microphone, it should have had some solid hardware, software upgrades. if people want a phone, they will get the iphone

i really hope Zune HD kicks arse in sales, and Apple is then forced to think again...


my gut feeling is that Apple will release all this stuff in the real Gen 3. but when that will be... who knows.

It will be when the Zune Hype has gone down..... maybe a year

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Which App is that? That looks very useful . Is it only for children or can it work for everyone. Just wondering so I can go and get it for my wife's iPod Touch.

Illness Tracker.

http://winkpass.com/illness_tracker.html

I LOVE this app (its on my home row as one of my "four"). They are adding stuff in each version - with online backup coming as the next major one.

My middle child has special needs - so i have a variety of things that various professionals like me to track, and when you have 3 kids that started a week ago with probable swine flu.... well, it really helps!

I paid $3 for it - and i'm so not upset that it's on sale for $1. In fact, i'm HAPPY because maybe that means more people will try it out!

And for sure not just for kids (which is why i liked it so much)

 

[4DThinker]

I was completely underwhelmed by the update myself.

Well stated. You should have stopped there. FM radio gets you local news and weather. Very useful during tornado season. Many gyms broadcast dance class music or other relative audio over short range FM so anyone using a media player with FM can listen while those not interested can have peace and quiet. Apple was at least smart enough to add FM to the Nano. They know. Finally.

You should go see a Zune HD when it comes out. Any bashing at this point is just more fanboyism. I'll respect your opinion when you can back it up. No one I know who is interested in the Zune HD isn't also interested in apps for it. If you'd been paying attention you would have seen the Apps option under it's Marketplace menu in any of several photos and videos around the web. The Zune HD has the tegra processor, and it'll handle any demand a Touch app puts on a Touch. Yes, it'll take time to see how many apps they can get for their app store. There WILL be an apps store though.

 

[ZedRuhlen]

Maybe I'm out of touch (ha ha) on the FM thing. I know I've used mine, like twice. There are just so many other options for radio that it seems redundant.

I never said there wouldn't be an App store. I said that fanboys who underestimate the power of Apples App store are ignoring history on the Mac/Windows debate.

I agree that it is worth looking at. Just pointing out that MS has a LOOOONG history of mis-steps on first releases. Even the first Zune was a debacle. So I'm GUESSING that the Zune HD will follow that trend.

I was all ready to whip out the credit card on the Touch and didn't. Primarily over the camera, which I see as a MUCH more compelling feature than a radio. Now I'll just go back to waiting.

 

[sarcosis]

I agree that it is worth looking at. Just pointing out that MS has a LOOOONG history of mis-steps on first releases. Even the first Zune was a debacle. So I'm GUESSING that the Zune HD will follow that trend.

I am hoping that MS will learn a bit from the past and not replicate that. Also, this is less a brand new release and more of an update to their existing Zune OS. I think the Zune 4.0 Firmware is going to be used and will have special capabilities for the Zune HD. But I hope the bugs will be kept to a minimum since it's not an entirely new build, as far as UI is concerned.

 

[mariokarter]

Though I think the 64 GB touch will be amazing, I'll likely wait for the 64 GB ZuneHD which is now likely coming sooner rather than later. I don't even want a camera in my mp3 player. Both devices are awsome and different but what I feel like right now is HDMI output.

 

[Goona]

Yeah there's no camera on the touch but guess what neither does the Zune, maybe now Microsoft can double their 1 percent marketshare with everybody dumping their ipods.

 

[Pocket lint]

Yeah there's no camera on the touch but guess what neither does the Zune, maybe now Microsoft can double their 1 percent marketshare with everybody dumping their ipods.

Yes. Marketshare is king. It should be the deciding factor!

I assume you're running Windows XP on a Dell, do your grocery shopping at Walmart, buy clothes at the Gap, and eat out only at McDonalds?

 

[Goona]

Yes. Marketshare is king. It should be the deciding factor!

I assume you're running Windows XP on a Dell, do your grocery shopping at Walmart, buy clothes at the Gap, and eat out only at McDonalds?

Isn't that what Microsoft fanboys have been harping on Apple about for years, about Apple's low marketshare of 3 percent worldwide. Now that the shoe is on the other foot marketshare is irrelevant!

 

[PeterQVenkman]

Apple dropped the ball with HD output on their iPod touches, plain and simple. They are resting on their app store and not improving their hardware.

And people keep saying the Zune has an FM tuner- only thing is, it's HD radio. That makes a massive difference.

I want a Zune. But it won't work with my Mac, so I won't get one.

 

[Pocket lint]

Isn't that what Microsoft fanboys have been harping on Apple about for years, about Apple's low marketshare of 3 percent worldwide. Now that the shoe is on the other foot marketshare is irrelevant!

Actually, even though MS fanboys have said that Apple doesn't matter as their market share was too small, all the Apple fanboys back when (myself included) were shouting loudly that marketshare does not equate quality, and if you try to make such a connection you're using a logical fallacy called "appeal to popularity". Look it up. It doesn't matter which side of the fence you're on, it's still an utterly ridiculous pseudo argument that never was valid, nor will ever be valid.

 

[arctic]

Where's the love? Just get both and be happy. Lack of money? Sell a kidney.

 

[iPhone 62S]

As I said in another thread on the Zune HD:

What have Derren Brown and the new Zune got in common? I'm just not buying it.

I mean, come on, it's made by Microsoft. They can't do software and they sure as hell can't do hardware.

I'll stick to my iPhone 3GS and iPod touch thanks!

 

[MacMonster1985]

I mean, come on, it's made by Microsoft. They can't do software and they sure as hell can't do hardware.

I wonder if you or any of your friends have an Xbox 360.