iPod touch The Future of the iPod touch

[1458279]

This,


Swift is easy, but I'm not sure if we should go through with it but the Company Owner is just pushing everyone to swift.


But its some what unstable (bugs in flight test, certain things here and there like light weight core data migration) makes things a living hell.

and there isn't as much help online as much as there is for OBJ-C, not to mention when hiring developers, the owner wants "swift" developers.


But whats the difference as long as it gets the job done? and if it bloats the software obviously that isn't something we would want to do and something i didn't know of.


Our iOS apps are secondary to our main system, but its driving me nuts because, we don't have an army or a department of developers.


Is it safe to just develop in OBJ-C for now? I really don't see the real reason to develop in swift, although i really see the advantages of it.


I hear that almost everyone is going to adopt swift? but I'm not sure.

Concerning app size: From: http://swiftiostutorials.com/swift-application-size-unexpected-pitfall-swift/

However, for my amusement this application was bigger for iOS and not only a few kilobytes, but 3.4 times bigger!

App download size is a big factor as memory (esp on Apple devices) isn't cheap and apps continue to grow in size.

The "Swift is easy":
ObjC is certainly a "different" language. For some 30 years, I've done everything from COBOL to C++, and can't say I would have made ObjC the way it is.

However, easy is only one aspect of programming. Someone showed me some advanced Swift code vs the same ObjC code and ObjC was much more straight forward.

I can do blocks easily in ObjC (odd syntax, but easy), I showed this to someone learning Swift, and they didn't get it at all.

Point: the basics of the "language" is mostly to control API calls. There wasn't anything "wrong" with ObjC and it has huge support. Introducing a new language that's like no other, is a real risk.

What exactly is the expected gain for a company that has advanced apps in ObjC to switch?

It seems more of a play to get more newbees into the app dev group. We really don't need more app developers, we need higher quality apps. Most app users only use a VERY small number of apps. We need advanced apps, which are made by advanced developers, not new comers to a game that's long been underway.

As far as safe for ObjC, as long as there's a compiler that supports it, it'll be safe. I don't know if Apple can ax it like it were 32 bit apps or non-retina apps. Again, most of the app is the API calls and control of those calls.

Remember, MicroSoft was one of the most powerful tech companies in the world, they pushed several things, yet many businesses were still running WindowsXP. Simply because it worked.

In the end, the customer doesn't know or care what language an app is written in. They just see what it does and how fast it does it.

It's interesting that Apple went with a NEW language instead of adding support for multi-platform solutions. Why would they do that? They are clearly protective of their system, they paid some developers to NOT release on Android. Most of the smart phone market remains untapped (Asia). If apps were runnable on any device, Apple would lose some market share, they can't afford to let that happen.

Can anyone explain the gain of stopping what we have now and starting over with a new language? Will the end product be that much better? With the user even know the difference? (other than 3.5X bigger download)

When you take your car in for repair, do you car what brand tools are used? No, you just care about the cost, quality, and how long it'll take.

I'm not against learning, I've learned many languages, but my time is better spent mastering all the new API and 3rd party code and making better apps. I don't see how Swift helps anything.

 

[Yebubbleman]

The impossible thankfully happened! https://www.macrumors.com/2015/07/15/apple-launches-new-ipod-touch-nano-shuffle/

I couldn't be any happier to have been wrong on my predictions here.

 

[jedisaga]

The impossible thankfully happened! https://www.macrumors.com/2015/07/15/apple-launches-new-ipod-touch-nano-shuffle/

I couldn't be any happier to have been wrong on my predictions here.

Yeah, I was a naysayer as well but I'm SOOOO happy I was wrong. Some are complaining about the screen size staying the same... I say, whatever! Faster processor, bigger camera, higher storage options! SOLD!

J

 

[1458279]

It's clearly a great upgrade. Short on a few things, would have loved the 4.7 screen as that would make it the new standard for the smallest modern screen.

Still heavy price on the memory upgrade.

 

[ackmondual]

The IpT6 not having a 4.7" screen or higher is the reason it's not an insta-buy for me. Part of what got me excited of the Iph6/+ and their larger screens (aside for making it much too easy for Android to snatch users from the iOS camp) was expecting that if an IpT6 came out, it would also get at least a 4.7" screen. Here, it looks like they're doing this to rid their stocks of excess 4" screens or something. Hell, I upgraded from an IpT4 to an IpT5 primarily for that larger screen. Here, this puts me on the fence. I have to charge my IpT5 daily if I play games on it. If the battery dies, or too many games I still want to hold on to require ios8 (didn't want to risk it on IpT5, not when I was just counting on an IpT6 for that), I'll revisit the IpT6. For now, I'm staying put.


I've been at a company, and heard from others that they used Android solutions, so my observations are anecdotal at best.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Yeah, I was a naysayer as well but I'm SOOOO happy I was wrong. Some are complaining about the screen size staying the same... I say, whatever! Faster processor, bigger camera, higher storage options! SOLD!

J

Yeah, for the first time since the fourth generation launched in 2010 (though, albeit only for a month or two), the iPod touch has somewhat current hardware, and for that, I'll make sacrifices, given that (a) we probably won't get more of these and (b) what we got was more than we were expecting months ago.

From a marketing standpoint, it'd be hard to justify a larger screen on a device that was initially marketed for how small it is. Then again, the fact that they're still keeping the iPod touch alive at all, let alone updating it, is also hard to justify.

The IpT6 not having a 4.7" screen or higher is the reason it's not an insta-buy for me. Part of what got me excited of the Iph6/+ and their larger screens (aside for making it much too easy for Android to snatch users from the iOS camp) was expecting that if an IpT6 came out, it would also get at least a 4.7" screen. Here, it looks like they're doing this to rid their stocks of excess 4" screens or something. Hell, I upgraded from an IpT4 to an IpT5 primarily for that larger screen. Here, this puts me on the fence. I have to charge my IpT5 daily if I play games on it. If the battery dies, or too many games I still want to hold on to require ios8 (didn't want to risk it on IpT5, not when I was just counting on an IpT6 for that), I'll revisit the IpT6. For now, I'm staying put.


I've been at a company, and heard from others that they used Android solutions, so my observations are anecdotal at best.

A5 to A8 and 128GB options are honestly worth upgrading to even if the screen isn't iPhone 6-esque. Given that they've always prided the iPods on being small, it sort of backtracks on that to then enlarge it again; though, yeah an iPhone 6 form factor iPod touch would really be awesome. Still, A8 works too.

 

[1458279]

It is a break from what Apple had done before. The iPT was coined as an iPhone without the phone. Although it didn't have all the sensors and still doesn't ... It would be a better test device for developers if at least the screens where more standardized. It's not like they don't have the screens, so the internal parts shouldn't be an issue.

 

[colodane]

I was predicting no new iPods, and am really happy to see this!

Really like my 5G, but the battery is getting weak. So will no doubt replace it with another 32 GB slate gray 6G. Not a huge amount of new features, but the better camera, etc. will no doubt be handy sometimes. Plan to wait until iOS 9 is being shipped and buy the iPod then.

 

[Outrun1986]

I assume this release also lacks the brightness sensor, GPS and battery %. I have had battery problems with 2 iPod touch models way too soon so I would like improvements in the battery life, but looks like it didn't happen. I am convinced Apple uses iPod software or some other type of software to measure battery life, it's not a direct copy of iPhone firmware with a few features missing.

After going iphone with no service, there are differences in the iPhone vs the touch. The phone has more battery, GPS chip, and there are apps that won't run on the touch that will on a phone, even without service. While I can't give an example I know I have seen a few. There is also the speaker + mic combo which means you can't "talk" on a touch (without headphones + mic), but you can talk on an iPhone without service that is connected to wifi via Google hangouts to the USA and Canada completely free. I also seem to still drain my iPhone every day even though it's not on a cellular network and I have data turned off. At least j am not charging 3x a day like I was with a touch. So a touch with any less battery life would be a huge problem for me, especially considering the problems I have had with touch batteries in the past and the fact that they basically cannot be replaced.

 

[OTACORB]

So, you were using the iPod Touch like and iPhone for voice calls and expect that it should last as long as the iPhone with a battery twice the size. Your lack of common sense on this matter is amazing! While the iPod Touch can be used for that, it certainly wasn't design to be a primary voice call device.

 

[ackmondual]

Yeah, for the first time since the fourth generation launched in 2010 (though, albeit only for a month or two), the iPod touch has somewhat current hardware, and for that, I'll make sacrifices, given that (a) we probably won't get more of these and (b) what we got was more than we were expecting months ago.

From a marketing standpoint, it'd be hard to justify a larger screen on a device that was initially marketed for how small it is. Then again, the fact that they're still keeping the iPod touch alive at all, let alone updating it, is also hard to justify.



A5 to A8 and 128GB options are honestly worth upgrading to even if the screen isn't iPhone 6-esque. Given that they've always prided the iPods on being small, it sort of backtracks on that to then enlarge it again; though, yeah an iPhone 6 form factor iPod touch would really be awesome. Still, A8 works too.

All I heard was the IpT was touted to be thinner, not so much the screen size.

 

[Dark Void]

I'm very glad that the iPod Touch isn't dead yet. I'm so tempted to get one now even though I have a well functioning 5G.

 

[OTACORB]

I'm very glad that the iPod Touch isn't dead yet. I'm so tempted to get one now even though I have a well functioning 5G.

I had a fully functioning iPT 4th Gen when the iPT 5th Gen came out. I initially purchased one, but returned it as I really didn't find it significantly better than the 4th Gen and the change in connectors as a turn off. Since then though most all my other iDevices have the lightening connector and I've adapted to it. So, moving from the iPT4 to iPT 6 has been a vast improvement for me. Glad I waited now.

 

[Dark Void]

I had a fully functioning iPT 4th Gen when the iPT 5th Gen came out. I initially purchased one, but returned it as I really didn't find it significantly better than the 4th Gen and the change in connectors as a turn off. Since then though most all my other iDevices have the lightening connector and I've adapted to it. So, moving from the iPT4 to iPT 6 has been a vast improvement for me. Glad I waited now.

I'd imagine so. I don't think I won't appreciate the upgrade so to speak - apparently iOS 9 runs somewhat poor on the 5G as I'm reading more about it.

 

[ackmondual]

I had a fully functioning iPT 4th Gen when the iPT 5th Gen came out. I initially purchased one, but returned it as I really didn't find it significantly better than the 4th Gen and the change in connectors as a turn off. Since then though most all my other iDevices have the lightening connector and I've adapted to it. So, moving from the iPT4 to iPT 6 has been a vast improvement for me. Glad I waited now.

I thought that about going from the IpT4 to IpT5. The upped specs, larger screen, and much better digi-cam were nice, but not really necessary. If figured I should reward myself for reaching a milestone in life.

Here, IpT6 may be the one I skip a generation with, assuming there's going to be an IpT7. [shrug] seems likely.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I'm very glad that the iPod Touch isn't dead yet. I'm so tempted to get one now even though I have a well functioning 5G.

I have both a 5th Gen and a 6th Gen and overall system performance between the two is like night and day (both are running 9.2.1 as of now). The 5th Gen is still adequate for basic functions, checking e-mail, listening to music (although man, has that Apple Music App gotten clunky for the purposes of playing locally stored music), using apps like Google Play Movies/TV, Netflix, and YouTube to cast things to Chromecasts, replying to things in Facebook Messenger and Messages. But if you care about how it performs with any games or in general, you'll want a 6th Gen, for sure.

I'd imagine so. I don't think I won't appreciate the upgrade so to speak - apparently iOS 9 runs somewhat poor on the 5G as I'm reading more about it.

Yeah, it's not as bad as it is on, say, the third generation iPad, but it's not stellar. It's also not very likely that it will get any version of iOS past 9.x.x.

I thought that about going from the IpT4 to IpT5. The upped specs, larger screen, and much better digi-cam were nice, but not really necessary. If figured I should reward myself for reaching a milestone in life.

Here, IpT6 may be the one I skip a generation with, assuming there's going to be an IpT7. [shrug] seems likely.

Honestly, the little things all add up on it. It's the first time that I've owned an iPod touch that didn't feel like a slow aging lagging shadow of its former pocket computing glory.

 

[ackmondual]

Honestly, the little things all add up on it. It's the first time that I've owned an iPod touch that didn't feel like a slow aging lagging shadow of its former pocket computing glory.

I don't doubt that, but if I see what my options are when my IpT5 dies, I may be able to get an Iph6 for cheap, or if I really had it with iOS gaming, then we'll call it quits. It was a nice 6+ years or so.

Besides, it's only a matter of time before the IpT6 gets laggy, and we'll be saying the same thing all over again.

 

[oldmacs]

Besides, it's only a matter of time before the IpT6 gets laggy, and we'll be saying the same thing all over again.

I think the A8/1GB of ram shared by the iPod Touch 6 and iPhone 6 (though the iPhone has a higher clock speed) will make them both age like the iPad 1, iPad 3, iPhone 3G etc aged- poorly. 1GB of ram was not enough and had already been used on the iPhone 5 and 5S, and the A8 was only a modest improvement over the A7.

 

[TRDmanAE86]

I'm going to have to decide what will be a successor to my iPod Touch 4th Gen soon. The Lack of Ram is starting to show in the few games that are supported on iOS 6. Also, after 3 years of ownership of my 3rd one, I'm going to have to have a battle plan ready if my iPod breaks again (record for having them last is 4 years).

I'm so tempted to buy a iPhone 6S once the iPhone 7 comes out in September. It won't be new but, it'll be good enough to hold onto for a few years (I won't be using it as a phone but, just a music player). Do you guys think this is a good idea?

 

[ackmondual]

I'm going to have to decide what will be a successor to my iPod Touch 4th Gen soon. The Lack of Ram is starting to show in the few games that are supported on iOS 6. Also, after 3 years of ownership of my 3rd one, I'm going to have to have a battle plan ready if my iPod breaks again (record for having them last is 4 years).

I'm so tempted to buy a iPhone 6S once the iPhone 7 comes out in September. It won't be new but, it'll be good enough to hold onto for a few years (I won't be using it as a phone but, just a music player). Do you guys think this is a good idea?

If I can get it for $300 or less (OFF CONTRACT), I'd be tempted to get it myself. Even better if you can find one with a bad ESID (or whatever thing they disable for non-SIM card cell phones where bills weren't paid, etc.).

 

[Andres Cantu]

I'm going to have to decide what will be a successor to my iPod Touch 4th Gen soon. The Lack of Ram is starting to show in the few games that are supported on iOS 6. Also, after 3 years of ownership of my 3rd one, I'm going to have to have a battle plan ready if my iPod breaks again (record for having them last is 4 years).

I'm so tempted to buy a iPhone 6S once the iPhone 7 comes out in September. It won't be new but, it'll be good enough to hold onto for a few years (I won't be using it as a phone but, just a music player). Do you guys think this is a good idea?

Have you considered the newest iPod touch when they go on sale for $50 off for each capacity?

 

[TRDmanAE86]

If I can get it for $300 or less (OFF CONTRACT), I'd be tempted to get it myself. Even better if you can find one with a bad ESID (or whatever thing they disable for non-SIM card cell phones where bills weren't paid, etc.).

Great idea. Finding one where the cellular capacity is malfunctioning/disabled (at a budget) is a great plan. It would fit my needs too because, I will not be requiring a second functioning phone (thus i wouldn't care if it's cellular capacities are limited or crippled). Only WiFi would suffice.

Have you considered the newest iPod touch when they go on sale for $50 off for each capacity?

I've considered the iPod Touch 6th gen. At a discount, it's a possibility. My only concern is that it would be outdated, too quickly. Right off the bat, it lacks a touch ID, has a last gen A8 processor and, a undecided future. Also, I'm starting to get used to bigger devices and, from a transition from my LG V10 to the iPod th gen might make it real awkward.

However, going for it, it came from the factory with iOS 8.x (which supports nested folders after reboot unlike in iOS 9 where they reset after reboot), it would be the more financially wise decision, I feel that without a case, it could handle more of a beating and, finally it would probably deliver better battery life out in the field.

________________________________________________________________________________________

For me, this is all a hard decision to make but, at least I've narrowed it down to either the iPhone 6S or the 6th gen iPod Touch. (and that I've started the process now and, not when my current iPod has started it's demise!)

Thanks guys for the help

 

[nifta]

I've been pondering my upgrade path from my iPod touch 5 recently. I'm fairly sure I've settled on one of the (better) Chinese android phones. The xiaomi redmi 3 has an OS that mimics iOS visually and the specs are excellent. Hate to say it but I think I'm waving iOS bye bye

 

[sorcery]

Perhaps the iPod Touch will eventually outlast the smartphone??
I have noticed that here, in S.E. Asia, the 18-30s, in coffee shops, hotels, bars and restaurants, use their devices for social media and photography but never as cellphones. They do not appear to converse or flirt with companions either.
Do those of you living in other continents observe the same habits?

 

[loon3y]

Perhaps the iPod Touch will eventually outlast the smartphone??
I have noticed that here, in S.E. Asia, the 18-30s, in coffee shops, hotels, bars and restaurants, use their devices for social media and photography but never as cellphones. They do not appear to converse or flirt with companions either.
Do those of you living in other continents observe the same habits?

1. only would happen if there is wi-fi connection everywhere, not going to happen.

2. The telephone companies would never allow this.


3. Do you expect all this places to have wi-fi? Some do, some don't.
[doublepost=1459175966][/doublepost]

I've been pondering my upgrade path from my iPod touch 5 recently. I'm fairly sure I've settled on one of the (better) Chinese android phones. The xiaomi redmi 3 has an OS that mimics iOS visually and the specs are excellent. Hate to say it but I think I'm waving iOS bye bye

LOL Xiaomi's are not that great. I've used couple models before. Great job on cosmetics, but no where near of replacing the iPhone like the company markets.


It's definitely not going to sell in the 1st world.

1. Its a chinese brand, regardless that China makes nearly all of the world's goods. People are still skeptical of chinese brands. (Factories cut corners to save money even if they are the same product (but different brand) because its only the Foreign company that demands strict standards, hell the chinese counter parts could be defects of rejected products of said foreign company's product, a stretch but possible)


2. Lawsuits, Apple would most definitely sue once its released in any country where they will support international copyright laws.

3. Again another mention of branding, Xiaomi already is somewhat known. It has a very generic feel to it.

Kind of like coca-cola and shasta, the body is plastic and feels cheap as well, nor is it thin.


In no way shape or form does this makeover of the Android OS mimics specs.


Visually yes, do you work for Xaomi? The only individuals that like Xaomi's better then iPhones were people that couldn't afford them.

^ Please view that statement unbiasedly, Outside 1st world nations, Apple and Samsung devices cost an arm and a leg (considering the average wages as well). They might tell and convince themselves that its better, but is it really? No.


Forget the Hardware, these guys can copy each other like a big weapons race. But in the end it's the OS that matters.




The next big thing isn't going to be Hardware or this phone. Its which OS is going to be the dominate mobile OS for the world.


Who is going to be the next Windows to the business industry. Windows is 99.9% majority of all businesses OS (generally, you get what I'm saying) this is where apple and google want to be with iOS and Android.


Thats the next big player.