iPod touch WTF. No A5 chip?

[APlotdevice]

usually the pods have an older processor than the iPhones.

Not true. The third generation iPod touch had the same processor as the 3GS. And the forth gen had the same A4 processor as the iPhone 4.

The problem is that they haven't actually released a fifth gen iPod touch.

 

[zap2]

You gotta love marketing. I mean at first glance you might think they mean it is the most popular among gamers.

Well if it's the most popular system to play games on, those doing the playing become gamers.

Unless you mean people who play other game systems(PSP, DS and 3DS) aren't "hardcore" enough to be consider "real gamers"?

----------

Not true. The third generation iPod touch had the same processor as the 3GS. And the forth generation had the same A4 processor as the iPhone 4.

Agreed, although when the third generation iPod touch and iPhone 3Gs were out, the 8GB iPod being sold then was the 2nd generation iPod touch. That could be what the person you replied to was thinking about.

 

[Wolfpup]

I was going to buy a new touch if they put a better camera, faster processor and more ram but it is the same as last year version so I guess I will stick with my 3rd gen Touch which is actually running better with iOS 5. I guess right now I can live without a camera and the retina display.

Yeah, this is still the fourth gen iPod. The camera is REALLY bad, but still better than nothing. Having a built in microphone is cool. The 4x resolution screen does look better (though is that really a HUGE deal that you'd want to run out and upgrade...?)

But having owned both, you're not missing all the much with the 4th gen. It is a little faster, like maybe 600Mhz bumped to 750ish, but it's basically the same thing.

The hopefully shortly upcoming 5th gen iPod will be a HUGE step up from the fourth. Seems like they really only do a big upgrade every other time.

usually the pods have an older processor than the iPhones.

Nope, never. They've always been either identical, or almost the same. Hopefully we'll get a 5th gen iPod by February-ish that'll bring it up to iPhone 5 levels.

Gen/iPod hardware/iPhone hardware
1-128MB, 312MHz ARM 11/128MB, 412MHz ARM 11

2-128MB, 512MHz ARM 11/128MB, 412MHz ARM 11

3-256MB, 600MHz A8, SGX 535/256MB, 600MHz A8, SGX 535

4-256MB, 750ishMHz A8, SGX 535/512MB, 750ishMHz A8, SGX 535

5-not released yet/512MB, 800ishMHz dual core A9/dual SGX 543s.

iPad 1 256MB/1GHz A8, SGX 535
iPad 2 512MB/1GHz dual core A9, two SGX 543s.

----------

Agreed, although when the third generation iPod touch and iPhone 3Gs were out, the 8GB iPod being sold then was the 2nd generation iPod touch. That could be what the person you replied to was thinking about.

I thought that thing was a mistake, and really tried to convince people to buy the 3rd gen instead.

It was confusing for people, because people thought they WERE buying a third gen, and that makes the system requirements confusing.

 

[APlotdevice]

Well if it's the most popular system to play games on, those doing the playing become gamers.

Unless you mean people who play other game systems(PSP, DS and 3DS) aren't "hardcore" enough to be consider "real gamers"?

That's not what I'm saying at all. My point is that not everyone buys an iPod touch to play games. But the wording is structured to include everyone regardless. That's the deviousness of marketing.

To be honest I don't think a lot of gamers who play PSP or DS/3DS are going to be that interested in an iPod touch as a gaming device.

 

[Wolfpup]

That's not what I'm saying at all. My point is that not everyone buys an iPod touch to play games. But the wording is structured to include everyone regardless. That's the deviousness of marketing.

To be honest I don't think a lot of gamers who play PSP or DS/3DS are going to be that interested in an iPod touch as a gaming device.

I'm sure as heck not. Can't own any games for it, and the interface is a joke. IMO the original Gameboy is a much better game system. Not that I dislike having some semi-decent things on there if I'm really stuck unexpectedly somewhere, though normally I always have at least one portable with me.

 

[Sparkko]

That's not what I'm saying at all. My point is that not everyone buys an iPod touch to play games. But the wording is structured to include everyone regardless. That's the deviousness of marketing.

To be honest I don't think a lot of gamers who play PSP or DS/3DS are going to be that interested in an iPod touch as a gaming device.

I am a gamer who owns and plays a PSP.
I was hoping to switch over to an iPod Touch because the PSP/DS's are always so darn huge!
The Touch could fit in my pocket and perform better honestly.
I was just hoping that I could get the latest hardware from Apple in my new iPod.... Obviously I am not going to get that.

 

[BlizzardBolt]

Only upside with no A5 is that it should be easier to jailbreak. It is expected that a userland JB with A4 devices will come out before A5.

 

[terraphantm]

Not true. The third generation iPod touch had the same processor as the 3GS. And the forth gen had the same A4 processor as the iPhone 4.

The problem is that they haven't actually released a fifth gen iPod touch.

In fact, the 2nd gen iPod touch had a better processor than the iPhone 2G and 3G.

That is a good point about the new iPod possibly not even being launched yet... traditionally the iPod touch comes out with the *.1 version of iOS right? Maybe we'll see something w/ iOS 5.1 (I kinda doubt it though, since in the past the .1 beta would have started immediately after the launch of the .0 version)

 

[Wolfpup]

I am a gamer who owns and plays a PSP.
I was hoping to switch over to an iPod Touch because the PSP/DS's are always so darn huge!

iOS is TERRIBLE for games. I mean it's better than nothing, obviously, but:
1) you can't own games for it
2) no decent interface for games...the original Gameboy is better
3) you have to micromanage transferring stuff on and off to have enough space (although that could certainly be harder than it is...or easier))
4) There's little serious development
5) stability on iOS is...less than ideal

I think I'm forgetting some more obvious points here, but...

Yeah, it's a little smaller...because it has a smaller screen (well, same sized screen as the 3DS), terrible battery, and no controls....

If you really must have an iPod for...games *shudder* just wait for the fifth gen.

That is a good point about the new iPod possibly not even being launched yet... traditionally the iPod touch comes out with the *.1 version of iOS right? Maybe we'll see something w/ iOS 5.1

Hopefully the iPod 5's just been delayed because of the delayed phone. Hopefully they'll just sync up iPod and iPad releases at the beginning of the year now, which sort of makes sense.

 

[iParis]

I kind of understand the whole keeping the A4 around for another year, considering it's still in the iPhone 4 and not particularly slow, the part I was confused about is why they didn't at least upgrade the ram to 512MB. It was definitely expected over a year ago when it initially released. I think they should have also upped the rear facing camera quality.

You should all come to realize that once the iPad was announced, the Touch was relegated to being 3rd class citizen. Its a device aimed at 5-13 year old who don't have phones. Or teens in that range. Any adult(18+), most likely would get an iPad or iPhone.

Be happy they gave you a white version and move along. I mean, for a few hundred(depending on size) you could get an iPad and be far better off.

My advice, sell your Touch and get the big boy toy the iPad.

Have fun with your stuff!

Or kids with parents running their phone contracts that are anti-Apple so they're stuck with a cell phone and iPod touch.

 

[Wolfpup]

I kind of understand the whole keeping the A4 around for another year, considering it's still in the iPhone 4 and not particularly slow, the part I was confused about is why they didn't at least upgrade the ram to 512MB. It was definitely expected over a year ago when it initially released.

If the iPhone 4 isn't slow as dirt, it's got to be because of the extra RAM, because the iPod 4 is ASTOUNDINGLY slow, and iOS 5 ain't helping matters. It's pretty normal for it to take multiple seconds just to unlock when I'm playing audio, and have had 10 second or more waits sometimes launching programs...I've been blaming it on the CPU, but maybe it's the RAM...

Apple's really been starving these things for RAM. 128MB at the beginning, I get that because that's as much or more as anything else basically. 256MB even in the third gen unit maybe, but IMO ALL the fourth gen ones should have had 512MB (iPad 1, iPod 4) and ALL the 5th gen units (iPad 2, iPhone 5) should have had 1GB.

Or kids with parents running their phone contracts that are anti-Apple so they're stuck with a cell phone and iPod touch.

That would be super expensive though, having iPhones. I mean Sprint's got some very reasonable plans, with reliable, cheap phones that I think would make more sense for kids. I wouldn't mind buying an iPhone once, but not a second or third time in contract if it was broken, and not $80/month or more just to use it...

 

[iParis]

If the iPhone 4 isn't slow as dirt, it's got to be because of the extra RAM, because the iPod 4 is ASTOUNDINGLY slow, and iOS 5 ain't helping matters. It's pretty normal for it to take multiple seconds just to unlock when I'm playing audio, and have had 10 second or more waits sometimes launching programs...I've been blaming it on the CPU, but maybe it's the RAM...

Apple's really been starving these things for RAM. 128MB at the beginning, I get that because that's as much or more as anything else basically. 256MB even in the third gen unit maybe, but IMO ALL the fourth gen ones should have had 512MB (iPad 1, iPod 4) and ALL the 5th gen units (iPad 2, iPhone 5) should have had 1GB.



That would be super expensive though, having iPhones. I mean Sprint's got some very reasonable plans, with reliable, cheap phones that I think would make more sense for kids. I wouldn't mind buying an iPhone once, but not a second or third time in contract if it was broken, and not $80/month or more just to use it...

Yeah, I think that's a huge reason for it. If they're going to brag about a device shipping with iOS 5, they need to bump the ram. You can't have a fast processor with a low amount of ram, that's like driving a fast car on a dirt road.

Yeah it would be expensive, but it's relatively the same price for most other smartphone. I wasn't really saying parents against smartphones, I mean ones against iPhone. My girlfriends' grandpa is in control of their account and he doesn't want her getting an iPhone because he's under the impression that if you have a Droid you don't have to pay the $25-30 data plan, which is hardly the case at all when it comes to getting a new phone. I agree for the most part, if I was a parent and my kid was an idiot and dropped their phone, wouldn't really want to pay $199 for a new one. Then again I'm not really talking about kids here, more like ages 15-18.

 

[Noisemaker]

iOS is TERRIBLE for games. I mean it's better than nothing, obviously, but:
1) you can't own games for it
2) no decent interface for games...the original Gameboy is better
3) you have to micromanage transferring stuff on and off to have enough space (although that could certainly be harder than it is...or easier))
4) There's little serious development
5) stability on iOS is...less than ideal

I think I'm forgetting some more obvious points here, but...

Yeah, it's a little smaller...because it has a smaller screen (well, same sized screen as the 3DS), terrible battery, and no controls....

If you really must have an iPod for...games *shudder* just wait for the fifth gen.

"Idiot" would be an understatement for you. It's a massive and unacceptable understatement.

You own games via your iTunes Account. You buy it, you own it. It's digital content that you're paying for - hence why you're paying $.99 for a game that would cost you $30-$40 on a console.

No interface? Have you ever used an iOS device? You tap an icon, a game opens. I'd say that's a whole lot easier than swapping cartridges.

Micromanaging? You click a check box and an app installs or uninstalls. If you don't have enough room, maybe you should have your daddy spend a little more and get you a 32GB instead of an 8GB. :roll eyes:

As for "little serious development," have you seen the app store? Square-Enix has games, including original games for iOS, Gameloft is a major player, Gamevil specializes in original RPGs, ID Software is contributing....You're ****ing high if you seriously think there's no development for iOS.

And Stability is perfectly fine. I've had far less games crash on my iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touches than I have on my Xbox 360, or Playstation, or via Steam. You seem to have no knowledge of games on iOS, so I find it hard to believe that you've legitimately tested stability on it. :roll eyes:

As for the size difference, you go and find me any other portable gaming device that has an 800mhz processor and a retina display. I dare you.

 

[Razeus]

Now that I've seen the iFixit breakdown, the A5 chip doesn't cost that much and no excuse for it not to be included.

 

[Wolfpup]

...My girlfriends' grandpa is in control of their account and he doesn't want her getting an iPhone because he's under the impression that if you have a Droid you don't have to pay the $25-30 data plan, which is hardly the case at all when it comes to getting a new phone.

Oh wow LOL. Yeah, at least on the regular post-paid plans with a contract Android and iOS are treated the same, that I've ever seen. Oh well...I guess they're lucky they're getting a smartphone! Probably some store person gave him bad info...or something.

"Idiot" would be an understatement for you. It's a massive and unacceptable understatement.

Wow. Well your random insults are certainly convincing.

You own games via your iTunes Account.

No you don't. They have activation, you can't use them without Apple's permission. Apple's got one of the better activation systems, but you still don't own anything you're "buying" that has fairplay on it.

No interface? Have you ever used an iOS device?

Have you?

Micromanaging? You click a check box and an app installs or uninstalls. If you don't have enough room, maybe you should have your daddy spend a little more and get you a 32GB instead of an 8GB. :roll eyes:

Yikes. Besides being wrong about everything you've said, you have serious anger issues, don't you?

Well guess what? 32GB ain't much. Neither is 64 for that matter. I'm having to play musical chairs left and right getting stuff crammed onto my iOS devices. It's a pain relative to just swapping media, and really needs a PC to manage.

As for "little serious development," have you seen the app store?

Have you?

Square-Enix has games, including original games for iOS, Gameloft is a major player, Gamevil specializes in original RPGs, ID Software is contributing....You're ****ing high if you seriously think there's no development for iOS.

Most serious development is on other platforms. Even when there are high end games on iOS, they're mostly clunky to play given the lack of a decent interface.

And Stability is perfectly fine. I've had far less games crash on my iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touches than I have on my Xbox 360, or Playstation, or via Steam.

Well then you're in the minority. Games don't crash for those platforms, whereas iOS tends towards buggy (EDIT: relative towards PCs and consoles at least...IMO things have gotten better in the past year, but still...), and there's little you can do to fix anything when something goes wrong. Normally takes an uninstall/install routine.

And that reminds me of another point...there's no good way to back up or transfer game saves on iOS. With other platforms, either the saves are part of the physical media, or can usually be backed up fairly easily.

You seem to have no knowledge of games on iOS

You seem to have no knowledge of games on iOS.

so I find it hard to believe that you've legitimately tested stability on it. :roll eyes:

I haven't "tested" stability, I've lived with iOS for years, and I listen to and talk with people who have lived with it for years, so I know it's about the least stable thing you can get, compared with PCs and game systems at any rate, maybe not versus other phone OSes.

As for the size difference, you go and find me any other portable gaming device that has an 800mhz processor and a retina display. I dare you.

Huh? You just said size...and then named an apple trademarked term, and a CPU speed. What do those have to do with screen size?

How about you name me an iOS device that runs games you own, and has a good game controller built.

Now that I've seen the iFixit breakdown, the A5 chip doesn't cost that much and no excuse for it not to be included.

Oh yeah, absolutely... only excuse I can think of is maybe production on the A9 based chips isn't fast enough for demand? They want to stick them in the iPad and iPhone first? Otherwise it's just...lame. But hopefully February-ish we'll get the iPod touch 5. Which...hopefully will have at least 512MB this time LOL

So...moral of the story is HOLD OUT for February, if you can! (Although then I'll feel bad if someone does, and it doesn't get updated until next October or something!)

 

[APlotdevice]

You own games via your iTunes Account. You buy it, you own it. It's digital content that you're paying for - hence why you're paying $.99 for a game that would cost you $30-$40 on a console.

If you really owned the games then by law (i.e. the first sale doctrine) you would be allowed to lend or sell them as you please. However the current industry mentality with digital distribution is that you, the consumer, are simply paying for a license which gives you the right to download and run those games. You have no legal ownership over them.

 

[rovex]

Very, sneakily, clever.

Had there been been an A5, that would in effect provide iPhone 4 users with less incentive to upgrade to the 4S as they would be content in purchasing the ipod touch as a cheaper alternative until the iPhone 5 hits earth.

 

[Wolfpup]

Very, sneakily, clever.

Had there been been an A5, that would in effect provide iPhone 4 users with less incentive to upgrade to the 4S as they would be content in purchasing the ipod touch as a cheaper alternative until the iPhone 5 hits earth.

Do you guys think that's why they always delay the iPod updates 3-4 months? It sure sounds plausible, although it could be something less sneaky, just supply issues on the new processors or not wanting to have to manage two major launches simultaneously?

 

[rovex]

Will be interesting to see how things develop next year, whether they opt for quad core A6 given the touch has been marketed as a gaming device or either be complacent and stick this year's A5 in instead.

 

[Thetonyk123]

This is one of the main reasons why I decided against getting my son an iPod Touch this year.

Its not that bad. The A4 is still pretty fast, 256mb of ram could be improved but OK if you have memory booster hd, retina display is still AMAZING, its not as bad as you think.

And the greatest part

It comes in white

 

[Noisemaker]

Oh wow LOL. Yeah, at least on the regular post-paid plans with a contract Android and iOS are treated the same, that I've ever seen. Oh well...I guess they're lucky they're getting a smartphone! Probably some store person gave him bad info...or something.



Wow. Well your random insults are certainly convincing.



No you don't. They have activation, you can't use them without Apple's permission. Apple's got one of the better activation systems, but you still don't own anything you're "buying" that has fairplay on it.



Have you?



Yikes. Besides being wrong about everything you've said, you have serious anger issues, don't you?

Well guess what? 32GB ain't much. Neither is 64 for that matter. I'm having to play musical chairs left and right getting stuff crammed onto my iOS devices. It's a pain relative to just swapping media, and really needs a PC to manage.



Have you?



Most serious development is on other platforms. Even when there are high end games on iOS, they're mostly clunky to play given the lack of a decent interface.



Well then you're in the minority. Games don't crash for those platforms, whereas iOS tends towards buggy (EDIT: relative towards PCs and consoles at least...IMO things have gotten better in the past year, but still...), and there's little you can do to fix anything when something goes wrong. Normally takes an uninstall/install routine.

And that reminds me of another point...there's no good way to back up or transfer game saves on iOS. With other platforms, either the saves are part of the physical media, or can usually be backed up fairly easily.



You seem to have no knowledge of games on iOS.



I haven't "tested" stability, I've lived with iOS for years, and I listen to and talk with people who have lived with it for years, so I know it's about the least stable thing you can get, compared with PCs and game systems at any rate, maybe not versus other phone OSes.



Huh? You just said size...and then named an apple trademarked term, and a CPU speed. What do those have to do with screen size?

How about you name me an iOS device that runs games you own, and has a good game controller built.



Oh yeah, absolutely... only excuse I can think of is maybe production on the A9 based chips isn't fast enough for demand? They want to stick them in the iPad and iPhone first? Otherwise it's just...lame. But hopefully February-ish we'll get the iPod touch 5. Which...hopefully will have at least 512MB this time LOL

So...moral of the story is HOLD OUT for February, if you can! (Although then I'll feel bad if someone does, and it doesn't get updated until next October or something!)

 

[mabaker]

So many children in this thread. It's almost funny.

 

[Invincibilizer]

"Idiot" would be an understatement for you. It's a massive and unacceptable understatement.

You own games via your iTunes Account. You buy it, you own it. It's digital content that you're paying for - hence why you're paying $.99 for a game that would cost you $30-$40 on a console.

No interface? Have you ever used an iOS device? You tap an icon, a game opens. I'd say that's a whole lot easier than swapping cartridges.

Micromanaging? You click a check box and an app installs or uninstalls. If you don't have enough room, maybe you should have your daddy spend a little more and get you a 32GB instead of an 8GB. :roll eyes:

As for "little serious development," have you seen the app store? Square-Enix has games, including original games for iOS, Gameloft is a major player, Gamevil specializes in original RPGs, ID Software is contributing....You're ****ing high if you seriously think there's no development for iOS.

And Stability is perfectly fine. I've had far less games crash on my iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touches than I have on my Xbox 360, or Playstation, or via Steam. You seem to have no knowledge of games on iOS, so I find it hard to believe that you've legitimately tested stability on it. :roll eyes:

As for the size difference, you go and find me any other portable gaming device that has an 800mhz processor and a retina display. I dare you.

You have got to be kidding me, even the best iOS games are crap compared to standard DS, PS3 and xbox 360 games.

iOS games are just mini games to burn time, real game companies that develop game for consoles and mobile devices make games that gets the user immersed.

Anyone who thinks iOS games are at the level of games on consoles and mobile devices have not tried playing real games. The difference between modern warfare 2 on an xbox from an FPS shooter on iOS is like saying a bicycle is just as fast and durable as a mercedes. Don't even try, the subject is moot. No physical controls, lack of intensive developing and the fact that the ipod/iphone is not a gaming device makes iOS games beyond terrible.

 

[Confuzzzed]

Kindle fire

 

[LeighAnna Jones]

I was dissappointed this time around, like it was with the 3rd Generation iPod. Only this time I'm concerned it may be the end of their iPod line since Job's death and all, that and we got a color change for an update. (WTHeck Apple! That hardly covers it!) Next September I'll probably be more surprised if we get a new Touch verses if we DON'T.