The iPod touch uses triangulation as an alternative to GPS.
Apple didn't add data access then, what makes you think they are going to add it now? Besides, Apple doesn't even include 2.0 with the device.
The current Touch triangulation system doesn't work that well, I've tried it in downtown Sydney and it sucks. They would add data access now for all the reasons in my original post. And my Touch is running 2.0 as we speak, downloaded (for a small fee) via iTunes.
To the people who want 3g... um, wtc?
THe whole reason I got an iPod touch instead of an iPhone was because I wanted to avoid the freakish price of data plans on at&t, having 3g on the iPod touch would just be a silly idea.
Like everyone else is mentioning, wiimax seems like an ok concept for a touch.
WiMax, 3G, whatever system you prefer. It all does the same thing for the purposes of this idea. Remember that the freakish data plans on AT&T are only in the US and only because they have a monopoly on the iPhone. I suggest a Touch with 3G would be sold upfront, with a 3G capability for you to pursue if you want. ie: You can go get a data plan (or prepaid) if you want, or you can use without data access, as you like.
Certainly it wouldn't be something Apple would bring out today because it would hurt profitable iPhone sales but a bit further along the curve, as sales start to naturally slow...
The good thing about the Touch is no monthly plan.
Quite. See above.
Ok while Apple does take the world market into consideration, they also realize they're an American company, these data plans without voice that the OP keeps talking about run about $50 a month from AT&T in America, for that much might as well get an iPhone since it is subsidized, yes you could add the 3G stack in and leave it unactivated unless you sign up for the contract, but why waste the space and also then the Touch would cost more over a 2 year period than even the iPhone, with the same amount of money going to Apple since they do not receive profit sharing anymore from AT&T
1. iPhone and related products are global sellers now and forevermore. Apple don't design just for the US.
2. You're assuming that because data plans on the iPhone cost $X and are only available from AT&T that this must be the way things will always be. Plans, markets, prices, carriers, all change. In a lot of markets outside of the US, the iPhone is available from a number of different carriers with widely varying prices. Choice is a good thing, to quote someone or other.
Then why not just get an iPhone with PAYG SIM?
Cause I don't want a phone in my iPhone. See my original post for reasons.
I as a consumer can walk down to my local Rogers store and purchase a SIM-only wireless data plan with no voice service. They'll make me sign up for a month-to-month data plan, and I'll walk out of the store with a SIM card.
I can then insert it in any compatible equipment, and presto! That equipment will have data.
This is not a hypothetical description of something that might happen in the future. This is possible NOW.
A manufacturer such as Apple doesn't *need* to partner up with a specific service provider for something like this. They can sell something that is capable of optionally using 3G for data, but the customer has to separately sign up for service with whatever ISP they choose who is willing to take them on as a customer.
That sort of thing has been going on for decades with equipment going as far back as telephone modems. The principle doesn't have to fundamentally change as the physical medium changes to DSL, cable modems, WiFi, or 3G.
Thanks goosnarrggh, it's nice to have someone at least realise that '3G' doesn't mean phone calls!
The Amazon Kindle comes with a wireless cell based data connection, and no monthly fees. They offset the connection costs with the ebook profits. Given Apple makes money off of music and apps, it could also copy Amazon's strategy so that anyone buying a Touch would have a data connection with no monthly fee, offset by itunes and apps profits. The last thing to add is GPS for the location based apps.
Will it happen? More likely Jobs would try and get a monthly fee from Touch owners, which would never sell.
Interesting idea Thinker. I think the monthly fee is more likely too, but more with a 3G touch being sold upfront and you going off and getting your own 3G access however suits you best.
I don't see Apple allowing that degree of feature crossover with their flagship iPhone product...I do understand what you are arguing for, but IF it were to ever happen it would be years down the road when all products (not just Apple ones) had some degree of cellular connectivity. As of now it's a "premium" option that you get by working with a smartphone. So while it's technically possible, from a business perspective Apple doesn't have any incentive and AT&T/Voda/et al don't either, since the iPhone sells pretty well.
Certainly Apple will milk the iPhone for all it's worth. Who wouldn't? But they are also well aware that if they refuse to offer cheaper devices that fill other segments for too long, someone else will do it for them. I remember when the first iPod Mini came out in 2004 and a lot of people criticized Apple for undercutting their profitable Classic model. They did that for the same reason. And it worked kind of well for them.
So the hypothesis is that the in next generation iPod Touch there will be 3G + GPS chipsets. In other words:
iPod Touch G2 = iPhone 3G
+ Storage
- (Microphone + Speaker + Vibra + VolumeKeys + Camera)
I do not believe this.
Firstly, IMHO the differentiators between iPhone and iPod Touch are
price,
storage &
connectivity. There is no logic to build a platform that is voice-capable (expensive chipsets) but is missing audio circuitry (cheap mic & speaker).
Don't think of the iPod Touch as a cut-down version of the flagship product, think of the Touch and the iPhone as two different versions of the same device, for different customer types. iPhone is being pushed first as it currently has the best sales potential. Touch 3G will be offered a little later to round out the offering, get wider mobile computing market share and dominate the space. Like iPod Nano and Shuffle are and were to the iPod Classic.
Also remember, the manufacturing cost the iPhone is only $173 according to iSuppli. Apple have a lot of margin to play with as the products mature and prices need to come down to maintain sales momentum.
