Apple is certainly one of the biggest names in the world of IT. It turned its iPod brand into the world's most popular media player in the world, to such an extent that, if anyone, anywhere, has ever heard of such a product, chances are it was designed in Cupertino. Although their tight policy regarding third party software is not the most attractive feature as far as enthusiasts are concerned, there's no doubt that most gadget addicts will rarely say no to the chance of taking an iPod Touch for a ride.
Design
He says: Compared to the first generation iPods, there's no doubt that Apple has done its homework as far as the looks are concerned. The new iPod Touch borrows its looks from the iPhone, sporting a mirror polished steel backplate with a subtle iPod logo engraving.
The front side brings up the large high quality display encased in a black glossy frame. Going by the “keep it simple” rule, Apple made use of its multi-touch user interface to get rid of most of the buttons, with the exception of the power button. Another good design idea was to leave no sharp edges on the Touch, which in the end works out beautifully with the whole simple look.
She says: When it comes to design, Apple has constantly delivered high-end, sophisticated-looking gadgets, and the iPod is definitely no exception from that rule. The iPod Touch even less, since its sleek design would prove irresistible for both men and women.
The stylish black and silver combination emphasizes its rounded lines and edges, as well as its slightly curvy shape, thus the cold colors harmoniously combining with the “warm” shape of the iPod Touch. A balanced and simple, yet very attractive design.
Features
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He says: If there's something the Touch is lacking, it sure isn't any feature I know. As a gadget writer, I could surely find missing features in the Touch's specs, but that I would be pushing it. I don't think I ever heard of a touchscreen-enabled MP3 player before Apple's creation. And if there were any, I doubt it would even dare to challenge the Touch's functionality.
With its 3.5-inch widescreen display, the Touch is obviously movie-ready. It can playback H.264, MPEG-4 and .mov files at various bitrates and resolutions. Not to mention that it supports YouTube right out of the box. Just find a hotspot and you are ready to watch any online video you wish.
For big city travelers there's Google Maps support, so the Touch can be used as a navigation tool. There might be a bit of a problem finding a hotspot so you can actually connect to Google Maps, but the feature is there if you need it.
Games certainly come to mind whenever big screens are available, and the iPod Touch is not shy of games. With a built in accelerometer, games are not limited to touch controls, while 3D hardware acceleration will allow the device to play more complex games and not be limited to mobile-like 2D games.
She says: The features that the iPod Touch is endowed with are worthy of multiple gadgets, rather than just one. Thus, just like its name suggests, the touch screen is this player's main selling point. Apple has tried to make it clear that if you get the iPod Touch, you'll get the whole package: movies, clips, TV shows music, Wi-Fi Internet, GPS, games, photos...
Practically, this elegant devices doesn't only make you look good and feel cool, it also offers you a true and complete entertainment experience, at the touch of your fingers. What more could you want from a portable media player? Cooking your dinner is out of the question, of course, at least for now.
Performance
He says: While I doubt anyone is geeky enough to do a full-fledged, laboratory benchmark of the Touch, it's worth mentioning that the device comes in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB flavors. I know, some would say “but the iPod classic had a 120GB drive”....well, you can just shut up. Don't you think Apple knows this?
In my opinion 32GB is more than enough for storing a whole lot of music with a side of movies and some gaming spices thrown in there for good measure. I've mentioned something about hotspots, so you should have already thought about WiFi. What you don't know is the Touch works seamlessly with Nike+iPod sensor for tracking your calories, distances and a lot of other stuff people worry about these days.
If you think about it, all these features should really drain the iPod's battery, shouldn't they? Wrong. The thing can go on for 36 hours of continuous music playback after a full charge. This is beyond any battery-based MP3 player you will ever find.
She says: Since the features of this device sound almost too good to be true, it's clear that its performance wouldn't disappoint but the grouchiest of people. Besides all the benefits that it has to offer, the iPod Touch also provides you wireless support for Nike + iPod. This way, it doesn't only deliver entertainment, but also helps you keep in shape and monitors your health.
Plus, you can do all you want with the iPod Touch, for as long as you want. Actually for about 36 hours, as that's how long its battery has juice for it to fulfill its purpose (6 if you decide to watch movies though).
User Friendly
He says: OK, so the touch interface is cool, hip, everybody loves playing with it. It's a whole new level of user friendliness, but in my opinion there is a downside. I like using the controls without actually having to look at the device. Sometimes I just want to fast-forward to the next track and this isn't really an option with the Touch. But this is just a small drawback compared to the multi-touch interface and built in accelerometer.
She says: The iPod touch is both touch and motion sensitive, so you don't really have to scratch your brains out over the numerous buttons that most MP3 players come with. To make it all even simpler for all users, it provides support for 17 languages, as well as 30 international keyboards and 19 dictionaries.
Value for money
He says: Every one knows that Apple stuff is expensive. Yes, it does come with unique perks, but it's expensive. The 32GB Touch will set you off $399. Compared to most mp3 players this is something people have to consider wisely.
Regarding its feature set, I could be convinced it's worth it, but it's a long shot. If you are a gadget/music/fashion lover, then yes, the Touch is definitely your choice, but as an IT writer I really have to question the price of the device. I mean you can buy a 120GB iPod classic for $249. Of course they're not the same, but do you want an MP3 player or a portable multimedia device? And trust me, watching movies on a 3.5” screen won't be fun for long.
She says: This device is a little bit expensive. It's feature-packed indeed, but money is money. I'm not saying that it's not worth it, but it's clearly an investment one must think about. And it definitely won't go out of style too soon, so it's all up to you and your wallets, that is.
Cool factor
He says: You can bet the thing is cool. I've been seeing iPods in movies for over 3 years now. And you know something is cool when it makes it in a movies. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't know what an iPod is. Sure, some may not know about the cool new interface, but that does nothing but to add to the coolness factor. I bet my weekly salary that 9 out of ten people will show some kind of response when you show them how the Touch works. And, in response, you can bet the ones that don't are people like me.
She says: The iPod has been the coolest portable media player, ever since its launch, and there's still no device to surpass its qualities. As good as it may be, the iPod has become a mandatory item for cool people, and the iPod Touch is just an expression of the standards being raised. So, this device is very cool and it will stay that way for quite a while from now on.
