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iPod touch The Debate... Touch vs Activated iPhone
- Thread starter Scribble1412
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So with all the chat going on here I've been stuck on iPhone and I'm thinking its my final decision.
But then again if my Best Buy or Mac store had the Touch in stock I'd probably buy it up on the spot. Problem around here is that I can't buy either at the moment unless I order from the internet. With that being said and the Apple online store telling me they'll ship an iPhone within 24 hours... I might be sealing the deal come tomorrow and making the big purchase. I just sold my Nano on eBay and got a good chunk for that so that makes me feel pretty good.
I'll be back to browsing and reading my eyes sore about the two to see if I can change my mind some more in just a few hours
Thanks again everyone. Keep the discussion going if theres more to tell. I'm really enjoying all the input.
But then again if my Best Buy or Mac store had the Touch in stock I'd probably buy it up on the spot. Problem around here is that I can't buy either at the moment unless I order from the internet. With that being said and the Apple online store telling me they'll ship an iPhone within 24 hours... I might be sealing the deal come tomorrow and making the big purchase. I just sold my Nano on eBay and got a good chunk for that so that makes me feel pretty good.
I'll be back to browsing and reading my eyes sore about the two to see if I can change my mind some more in just a few hours
Thanks again everyone. Keep the discussion going if theres more to tell. I'm really enjoying all the input.Is anyone here successfully using an iphone and an ipod only or on TMobile?
I've seen the various unlocking instructions, but I've not heard of anyone using it for an extended period of time. Does syncing work OK? Hasn't been bricked by an update yet?
To me the hassle of maintaining an unlocked iphone is the biggest impediment.
I've seen the various unlocking instructions, but I've not heard of anyone using it for an extended period of time. Does syncing work OK? Hasn't been bricked by an update yet?
To me the hassle of maintaining an unlocked iphone is the biggest impediment.
Well, I've pretty much covered this already. But to quickly cover it again:
Camera
Mic
Speaker
Bluetooth (which I don't care about).
Also, although you mentioned some alternatives, the reason the mail application is not simply replaceable by a web app is that it automatically checks for mail, and vibrates/sounds when you get a new email.
Awesome google maps page though
Thank you for the compliment on the website.
I see your point about the email although the sound when an email arrives is something I can do without. Generally on my pc the email is off until I'm ready to check it.
When you say that apps will be hacked to the iTouch soon, how would that work? Download the apps from some site and install them? Would they add Icons to the iTouch interface, and would they work as advertised (so to speak)?
Would Notes and a Calendar input be available?
Thanks for explaining to a non-techie.
iPod touch not iTouch, say it right it looks bad the wrong way.
if that is to much use ipt instead that seems to be a accepted abreviation
The answer is "yes" to both of your questions, but this probably isn't the best place for info - there is a thread dedicated to T-mobile iPhone users in the iPhone forum.
Anyway, the hassle of maintaining the iphone will indeed be the largest downside to the iPhone route, but, it could be worth it. Time (again
) will tell!Hmm, I noticed today about O2 and their contract for the iPhone. I have already ordered my Touch and I'm glad I made that decision!
£35 gets you 200 mins and 200 texts...thats it?!? I am going to upgrade my phone soon, get 600 mins and 500 texts at least for the same price. So, if you think about the argument against the Touch and Phone, well it can be summed up surely by saying I'd rather carry and free (good quality better camera) phone around than a £270 glossy phone.
I rarely take my current iPod out and about because I prefer to listen to the wind and the birds! haha, but seriously, I don't personally need all those apps on one thing. So I would rather have a slim phone with decent camera, then my touch for whenever I go away or do need to take anywhere. Because I will be mostly just using it on my laptop, browsing the net, watching movies in bed.
£35 a month at least for the iPhone, with less mins and texts than normal, are you people crazy when you say you think it's better than the touch!? Who on earth apart from if your earning big money would want to carry an iPhone around everywhere as a phone...I personally would need to take it to 5 a side, the Cinema, walking, everywhere.
IMO, a iPod as a phone isn't a very attractive proposition at all.
£35 gets you 200 mins and 200 texts...thats it?!? I am going to upgrade my phone soon, get 600 mins and 500 texts at least for the same price. So, if you think about the argument against the Touch and Phone, well it can be summed up surely by saying I'd rather carry and free (good quality better camera) phone around than a £270 glossy phone.
I rarely take my current iPod out and about because I prefer to listen to the wind and the birds! haha, but seriously, I don't personally need all those apps on one thing. So I would rather have a slim phone with decent camera, then my touch for whenever I go away or do need to take anywhere. Because I will be mostly just using it on my laptop, browsing the net, watching movies in bed.
£35 a month at least for the iPhone, with less mins and texts than normal, are you people crazy when you say you think it's better than the touch!? Who on earth apart from if your earning big money would want to carry an iPhone around everywhere as a phone...I personally would need to take it to 5 a side, the Cinema, walking, everywhere.
IMO, a iPod as a phone isn't a very attractive proposition at all.
Oh and sorry for the double post but I can't believe some people here who probably know quite a lot about gadgets and technology are saying that the pros over the Touch are 'Camera, Mic, Bluetooth, speaker'.
Camera?! Its crap. Worthless. When was the last time you took a life changing shot on a phone...
Speaker...what's the benefit here? A crappy little speaker!?
etc, etc.
It's like me saying the touch has benefits over the phone because it wont' emit the same sort of radiation that that phone will 24/7 emit...............more of a danger to your health!
Camera?! Its crap. Worthless. When was the last time you took a life changing shot on a phone...
Speaker...what's the benefit here? A crappy little speaker!?
etc, etc.
It's like me saying the touch has benefits over the phone because it wont' emit the same sort of radiation that that phone will 24/7 emit...............more of a danger to your health!
No offense, but you sound like you are perhaps missing something or perhaps you just have a different outlook on tech and "gadgets".
The external speaker can be used for... an external speaker... you know, when you want to show somebody something, or listen to something without wearing headpones OR carrying around an external speaker...
Edit: also, perhaps you are missing the point, this thread is talking about using the iPhone WITHOUT service. So no minutes, no txt messages, etc, etc. Just the iPhone without the phone. AKA a touch with a camera, speaker, mic, bluetooth, various other apps, and the need to deal with hacks.
The camera, while not great, and perhaps not even good, is a camera that can be used to quickly send emails with pictures on the go. This is possible with phones such as my VX8300, but I don't verizon digital service anywhere near my university, nor at my current COOP. I do however, have wifi.
The mic, like the speaker, can be used as... get this: a mic. It's a piece of hardware the Touch doesn't have. Which means, you can use it, if you are into using microphones for things. For instance, a Skype/VoIP client will be released in time no doubt, and then the mic could come in handy, don't you think?
This Is mainly for Erasr
I'm along with my new friend Shoelessone (its really too bad to hear about your car). You have to realize that this is an activated iPhone without cellphone service. All the features BUT the phone.
Along with the so called "useless camera" and "why have a mic" there is integrated bluetooth for wireless headphones and who knows what else to come.
My camera on my fairly new phone takes FOREVER to take a single picture. Not only that but I've got them stuck to this tiny screen when I'm out and on the go. Having a slightly better camera, access right to the internet without having to transfer files, and a bigger screen. Yeah. I want it.
And as far as the worthless external speaker goes... I cant stick two earbuds into 4 sets of ears... Sharing YouTube videos is a very common thing for friends and I to do so this would also be a huge plus. If it werent for the speaker I'd have to lug around external ones... Loses a lot of portability and fun functionality
There are uses for it all and for the extra cash I still think I'm doing it. I'm trying to hold down my fort and keep my wallet at bay, but the Activated iPhone is still looking like my best option
I'm along with my new friend Shoelessone (its really too bad to hear about your car). You have to realize that this is an activated iPhone without cellphone service. All the features BUT the phone.
Along with the so called "useless camera" and "why have a mic" there is integrated bluetooth for wireless headphones and who knows what else to come.
My camera on my fairly new phone takes FOREVER to take a single picture. Not only that but I've got them stuck to this tiny screen when I'm out and on the go. Having a slightly better camera, access right to the internet without having to transfer files, and a bigger screen. Yeah. I want it.
And as far as the worthless external speaker goes... I cant stick two earbuds into 4 sets of ears... Sharing YouTube videos is a very common thing for friends and I to do so this would also be a huge plus. If it werent for the speaker I'd have to lug around external ones... Loses a lot of portability and fun functionality
There are uses for it all and for the extra cash I still think I'm doing it. I'm trying to hold down my fort and keep my wallet at bay, but the Activated iPhone is still looking like my best option
Yep, same here.
Also, I just want to appologize for my no doub terrible sentence/thought structure, I'm at work so I tend to start a response, then write a few lines of code, continue my thought, etc. Very fragmented.
For now, I'm most excited for the new iPhone firmware update. The day the iPhone is again activated will be the day I pull the proverbial trigger on the refurb iPhone.
Also, I just want to appologize for my no doub terrible sentence/thought structure, I'm at work so I tend to start a response, then write a few lines of code, continue my thought, etc. Very fragmented.
For now, I'm most excited for the new iPhone firmware update. The day the iPhone is again activated will be the day I pull the proverbial trigger on the refurb iPhone.
Same boat. Not really sure what to do. I don't want to go through the hassle of unlocking the iPhone, and since I know I won't use it as a phone until June at the earliest, I'll probably just end up going with the 16gb iPod touch until then, and get a bright shiny new iPhone when my VZW contract expires.
I did it.
Pulled the trigger on a 8gb iPhone for $349.
Last night I started browsing ebay for a few $100 Apple Gift Cards from all the iPhone rebates. I got three of them for $260 so I saved $40 doing it this way. Still with South Dakota's 6% sales tax I'm getting it shipped to my door for $330 total. I would have payed $320 for an 8gb Touch if one would have shown its face in this town, but I had the itch and now I'm giddy for the box coming to my door.
There are plenty of eBay gift cards still going around. Save a few bucks. All three of my sellers emailed the codes within 12 hours and you could potentially get an even better deal on them than I did. Lets hope this is the right pick!
Pulled the trigger on a 8gb iPhone for $349.
Last night I started browsing ebay for a few $100 Apple Gift Cards from all the iPhone rebates. I got three of them for $260 so I saved $40 doing it this way. Still with South Dakota's 6% sales tax I'm getting it shipped to my door for $330 total. I would have payed $320 for an 8gb Touch if one would have shown its face in this town, but I had the itch and now I'm giddy for the box coming to my door.
There are plenty of eBay gift cards still going around. Save a few bucks. All three of my sellers emailed the codes within 12 hours and you could potentially get an even better deal on them than I did. Lets hope this is the right pick!
Iphone not activated
Sorry if this was already addressed,
Can I use the iphone without activating through AT&T.
I am not talking about using some third party to unlock the iphone, but can I just registered the device through itunes, pull the sim, and use it without phone capabilities?
Thanks
Sorry if this was already addressed,
Can I use the iphone without activating through AT&T.
I am not talking about using some third party to unlock the iphone, but can I just registered the device through itunes, pull the sim, and use it without phone capabilities?
Thanks
Sorry if this was already addressed,
Can I use the iphone without activating through AT&T.
I am not talking about using some third party to unlock the iphone, but can I just registered the device through itunes, pull the sim, and use it without phone capabilities?
Thanks
Wouldn't you need to pay the phone bills then? I believe you need to activate a phone number WITH the phone.
There's always the possibility that the headphone jack can be used as a microphone input. I believe this was the case with older ipods: you could record directly to the HD.
Sorry if this was already addressed,
Can I use the iphone without activating through AT&T.
I am not talking about using some third party to unlock the iphone, but can I just registered the device through itunes, pull the sim, and use it without phone capabilities?
Thanks
This is what I'll be doing with mine in a so to speak way. I do intend on using the program called iNdependence to Activate my iPhone. It claims that the current version even gets your YouTube working, which was an issue in the past. There are also other alternatives such as setting up an At&t prepay and cancelling it which I might do if I can't get ahold of my buddy's Macbook Pro.
If you search for things like "Activate iPhone without At&t" you'll find that there is lots of talk about this. Here are some links to start your venture:
http://iphone.fiveforty.net/wiki/index.php?title=Alternate_Activation_Methods
http://iphone.fiveforty.net/wiki/index.php/INdependence
I'm sure I'll post back to tell how mine goes. I cant wait
This is how I see the two products. Instead of viewing the iPod touch as a downgraded iPhone, look at the iPhone as an upgraded touch (We're in this for the iPod, not the phone). If you look at it this way, then you can ask yourself if the following are worth the extra hundred bucks (or loss of 8GB storage space):
-Cradle. This would cost you about $50 to buy one from Apple separately.
-AC charger. Would run you $30 to buy one.
-Scratch resistant back. Saves you the need to spend money on a case. Most will buy one anyway, but it won't be as urgent of an issue.
-Camera. It's not great, but it is useful. No, you're not going to be taking professional pictures with it, but it can easily turn into a bit of fun here and there.
-Bluetooth. Although not too much out there at the moment, it's another thing that can help software evolve over the iPod touch.
-Speaker. No, not the greatest thing in the world, but it is useful in many scenarios.
-Microphone. Eventually, someone will come up with a voip software and everyone, including touch users, will want it. iPhone users won't need to go out and buy a 30-pin microphone, but touch users will.
-Extra software. It will likely come to the touch, but there could be problems with it due to the slightly different hardware. With the iPhone, one can have peace of mind.
-It can easily be converted into a pay-as-you go cell phone or used with a contract.
-Better screen (as of this moment). This is pretty self-explanatory.
-Design. Most people agree that, despite thickness, the iPhone's design is somewhat better and more professional-looking than that of the touch.
-EDIT: External volume control buttons
So if all of these things are worth the money or capacity loss to you, the iPhone is the better choice. If it's not worth it, it's better to go with the touch . What I'm getting at is that it's just a matter of personal preference, I don't really think that one is better suited for another. It just depends on the size of your multimedia collection and how much you are willing to spend.
-Cradle. This would cost you about $50 to buy one from Apple separately.
-AC charger. Would run you $30 to buy one.
-Scratch resistant back. Saves you the need to spend money on a case. Most will buy one anyway, but it won't be as urgent of an issue.
-Camera. It's not great, but it is useful. No, you're not going to be taking professional pictures with it, but it can easily turn into a bit of fun here and there.
-Bluetooth. Although not too much out there at the moment, it's another thing that can help software evolve over the iPod touch.
-Speaker. No, not the greatest thing in the world, but it is useful in many scenarios.
-Microphone. Eventually, someone will come up with a voip software and everyone, including touch users, will want it. iPhone users won't need to go out and buy a 30-pin microphone, but touch users will.
-Extra software. It will likely come to the touch, but there could be problems with it due to the slightly different hardware. With the iPhone, one can have peace of mind.
-It can easily be converted into a pay-as-you go cell phone or used with a contract.
-Better screen (as of this moment). This is pretty self-explanatory.
-Design. Most people agree that, despite thickness, the iPhone's design is somewhat better and more professional-looking than that of the touch.
-EDIT: External volume control buttons
So if all of these things are worth the money or capacity loss to you, the iPhone is the better choice. If it's not worth it, it's better to go with the touch . What I'm getting at is that it's just a matter of personal preference, I don't really think that one is better suited for another. It just depends on the size of your multimedia collection and how much you are willing to spend.
I agree with all that you say, except you haven't considered one thing.
I fear that there is a far greater chance that the iPhone is going to need to be hacked to allow it to work without activation since there will probably be frequent software updates to it (far more frequently than iPod will have). With each update, Apple is likely to disable the hack that activates the iPhone. So you run the risk of owning an expensive paperweight.
The iPod Touch will be limited in its feature set as you mentioned, but at least it will always function (or so I think). I hope the mail, notes, maps/weather widgets get hacked onto the iPod touch...
Maybe I am wrong about all this... any thoughts?
Very good post!
Another thing I'd like to add to that is the External Volume Control. Its a nice thing not to even have to see what you're doing, or turn on that battery hog of a screen. I can't speak from experience of the screen draining battery but I would have to assume it would. And how many of us reach down to hit buttons on the cellphone ringing/vibrating in your pocket. Punching buttons to get things to be quiet seems almost satisfying.
Also to mention, For $100 more I probably wouldnt have done it. With my eBay Gift Card Purchases, and using them towards the $349 Refurb iPhone it ended up only being $10 more than I would have paid for the Touch. That is what finally got me to pull the trigger.
And for anyone debating between the two that is reading this, please feel free to post questions or regards. I've read a ton and I'm always on these forums checking on the current status, and not to mention googling my eyeballs red. Dont be afraid, seems like everyone around here is for the most part very friendly!
Another thing I'd like to add to that is the External Volume Control. Its a nice thing not to even have to see what you're doing, or turn on that battery hog of a screen. I can't speak from experience of the screen draining battery but I would have to assume it would. And how many of us reach down to hit buttons on the cellphone ringing/vibrating in your pocket. Punching buttons to get things to be quiet seems almost satisfying.
Also to mention, For $100 more I probably wouldnt have done it. With my eBay Gift Card Purchases, and using them towards the $349 Refurb iPhone it ended up only being $10 more than I would have paid for the Touch. That is what finally got me to pull the trigger.
And for anyone debating between the two that is reading this, please feel free to post questions or regards. I've read a ton and I'm always on these forums checking on the current status, and not to mention googling my eyeballs red. Dont be afraid, seems like everyone around here is for the most part very friendly!
Scribble- are you using your iPhone without activation? (in other words not using the phone on it?) If so, have you noticed any limitations, or difficulties related to faking the activation?
Honestly, I don't think that Apple is really going to come after the people that unlock their iPhones. It's perfectly legal, does not void Apple's (not the AT&T terms of use) warranty, and brings them more customers. And even if they do give an update that disables something, all one would have to do is check that the update is safe for unlocked iPhones. If it is unsafe, you just wait for hackers to work around the update before updating.