Filed under: Apple, Analysis, iPhone
Forget the iPhone, all you need is an iPod Touch
It may not be as glamorous as the iPhone, but the iPod Touch is an underrated force to be reckoned with. With the ubiquity of wifi hotspots, particularly in major cities, it's not difficult to get an internet connection when you need one. In fact, it's the same internet connection the iPhone has. Although the phone has 3G, iPhone users often opt for the faster wifi connection when they're within range. I never have a problem finding a place to check my email or fire off a sassy Twitter post on the Touch. I also never receive bills for $70+ a month from AT&T.
In terms of applications, the iPod Touch is neck-and-neck with the iPhone. Unless an app uses the "phone" portion of the iPhone's capabilities, it's likely just as effective on the Touch. Sure, the new iPhone has GPS, but the iPod can triangulate your location using a wireless access point. I've navigated to many a restaurant by grabbing directions and leaving them open on the Maps app for reference. You don't need an iPhone for that.
That's what it comes down to, really. Do you need an iPhone? The answer may be yes, but if you're only looking to get one because it's the hottest thing out right now, think about whether an iPod Touch might serve you just as well, for what's ultimately less money. Personally, I just need something that can play music, check email, and use IM services on the go: the Touch fits the bill, and it looks just as cool as an iPhone, too.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
hawkeye said 10:23AM on 8-29-2008
"With the ubiquity of wifi hotspots, particularly in major cities,"...
That should read, "only in major cities". And the wifi triangulation is worthless outside of major cities as well. It always shows me at least 10 miles the wrong way.
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Giovani said 2:15AM on 8-31-2008
I can actually use 3G/EDGE on the iPod Touch with my Symbian, have a nice day.
Keif said 10:31AM on 8-29-2008
Does the ipod touch have an external speaker? Its something that I was wondering. There are some nice apps for the iphone that are available in the app store that require the use of the external speaker. Just curious, because honestly that isn't as important as the wider screen which would display all my video podcasts in a better fashion!
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totoro said 10:45AM on 8-29-2008
Keif,
No speaker, no microphone.
But to me, the biggest omissions are no hardware volume controls and no remote earbud pause/play/skip controls. With my nano, I can control everything blindly by blind touch (i.e. while its in my pocket) With my iPhone, I can control everything by blind touch as well (thru the hardware volume keys or the remote earbud controls) Ironically, the Touch can't be controlled at all by touch-you need to always be looking at it.
(In some ways, the Touch looks much cooler than the iPhone-it is just insanely thin)
Drew Green said 11:22AM on 8-29-2008
No, the touch doesn't have an external speaker. Nor does it have a camera. I've had the 16gb touch practically since it came out, and I couldn't be happier with it (except for when I paid $20 to upgrade my firmware to get mail, weather, etc the first time, and another $10 to upgrade to the 2.0 firmware, which included the update I paid $20 for).
doofdaddy said 3:29PM on 8-30-2008
I have to agree with one totoro. I have two older ipods, an n800, a Zune, and the Touch. I really like the n800 with Skype. However, it's just a little large. I actually liked my Zune. However, what annoyed me with the Zune was the hassle of uplaoding video and the way that stupid marketplace worked with not accepting real dollars.
I agree with the essence of the article. However, there are three things that really annoy me about the Touch. As totoro stated, you really can't use it by Touch like you would with a different MP3 player because you have to unlock it and then look for the controls.
The fast forward function really sucks if you have a longer podcast (over an hour) because there's no way to get to a precise part of the track. The slide is too small.
There should be a one button option to turn the wifi on and off. You have to go to settings to do so. I'm always sliding the wifi on and off to save on the battery when I don't use it.
What would be ideal is a Touch with some hardware controls and the ability to add Skype or another service like it.
Michael said 10:41AM on 8-29-2008
Honestly, I find the "$70 per month bill" argument misleading. I understand its something you have to pay, but just about everyone who would consider an ipod touch or iphone probably already has a cellphone plan. That is pretty much about $30-40 (most likely $40) that you have to pay regardless for just voice. Saying there's a "$30 per month bill" has a lot less of a sting to it for iphone/smart phone specific features. It's kind of like me saying reading Download Squad costs me $30-40/month because I hand that much over to Comcast each month anyway for internet service.
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jonathan_lane said 11:46AM on 8-29-2008
I guess I'm weird then because I own the 32GB touch, more or less since it came out yet I spend about £10 every 3 - 4 months on my phone on pay as you go. I just don't feel the need to be always contactable or always connected to the internet.
Tyson said 11:57AM on 8-29-2008
I agree with you, Michael. The $70 is misleading. Except for people like jonathan_lane who only use pay-as-you-go plans, most people are spending at least $40 a month on a cell anyway. So, the $30/month 3G premium gives you: Internet nearly everywhere, but especially on the road (HUGE to me), GPS, and a microphone (VoIP for the Touch? Nope. Voice notes? Nope. Shazam or any other voice app? Nope.) among other features.
Not to mention the fact that the equally-sized (in terms of storage) Touch is $100 more expensive than the iPhone up front.
Should you definitely get an iPhone over the Touch? Nope. The Touch is a great product and it might just meet your needs, but Jay's arguments are definitely a little misleading and subjective.
Jamus said 2:19PM on 8-29-2008
hehehe, nope, no cell plan here, but I do want an iPod Touch. As a N800 owner, I am looking to replace it with the Touch. Ever since the iPhone came out Nokia's internet tablet developers seem to have moved on to iPhone pastures.
It will be a slight pain, but I think I would prefer an iPod Touch AND a cheapo $20 throw away phone that I can put some minutes on when i need them rather than the $70 plan. Big bummer about the mic and speaker though. I did not know it lacked those. Maybe a refresh will fix that.
Richard said 10:46AM on 8-29-2008
The iPod Touch may be an "underrated force to be reckoned with" in the USA, but here in the UK free wifi is still rarer than rocking horse poo.
Yes, some bars and restaurants have it, but the nirvana of just rocking up to somewhere/anywhere and connecting to a free access point is a long way away.
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Rocketboy said 10:56AM on 8-29-2008
ZMG!@!@! A blog post without undying love for the iPhone? You've got some big balls my friend.
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DiRT said 11:26AM on 8-29-2008
OMG! He suggested that people in big cities in the US get a lot of free Wi-Fi hotspots! Good thing you quickly pointed out that it's only in big cities that Wi-Fi is so easily accessible. It's not like he said "particularly in major cities" or anything...
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Ellen said 1:06PM on 8-29-2008
I have a 16gb touch and love it as well. I live in the suburbs so I don't always have access to free wifi but more than I would of thought.
I do wish it had a camera and microphone but I use my phone for photos and voice notes.
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William said 12:43PM on 8-29-2008
While I agree that the iPod Touch is a nice product and is probably perfectly suited for many people, it does not make practical sense for me or for anyone I know.
I also have to agree with that saying by owning an iPod Touch you avoid a $70+ phone bill is a misleading statement. Either that, or Jay doesn't pay for a cell phone at all.
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Rocketboy said 11:48AM on 8-30-2008
For many people, the iPhone "does not make practical sense" for an even larger amount of people. So, it appears that DownloadSquad is giving people ideas and suggestions.
I know, how dare they.
William said 12:47PM on 8-29-2008
While I agree that the iPod Touch is a nice product and is probably perfectly suited for many people, it does not make practical sense for me or for anyone I know.
In regards to the "ubiquity of wifi hotspots, particularly in major cities", I live and work in San Francisco, a major city. There is definitely NOT a ubiquity of wifi hotspots here. Yes, there are free hotspots here and there, but not enough to give me coverage everywhere I go. I would estimate I get free wifi coverage in about 5-10% of the places I am in San Francisco.
I also have to agree with saying by owning an iPod Touch you avoid a $70+ phone bill is a misleading statement. Either that, or Jay doesn't pay for a cell phone at all.
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Joel purvis said 1:17PM on 8-29-2008
I use a Windows Mobile smartphone for business. I prefer it for scheduling and entering contact info. It has 3g, wifi, & unlimited data. I use my iPod Touch for everything else. With a program called wmwifirouter on my WM phone, I have an instant 3g wifi router everywhere I go. Bam! 3G on an iPod Touch!
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Dred242 said 11:39PM on 8-30-2008
The term is called "Walking-WiFi" and I'm shocked that more people don't know about this practice. There are at least 2 app's that can be downloaded and installed on Windows Mobile smart phones that when launched will reverse engineer the phone's built-in wifi. Your phone becomes a walking wifi hotspot for you iPod Touch, laptop or anyone else who you choose to allow access.
Joel...you're totally rock'en the wifi. I'm considering the same type of set-up but not until after next month (Sept 08) and MacWorld 2009 for any NEW announcements that Apple may have about both the iPod Touch and iPhone.
XYZ said 1:23PM on 8-29-2008
I opt'ed for the iPod Touch instead of the iPhone. Its great. I travel a lot and its rare that I come across free internet access at hotspots. But that's when I turn to my Moto Q. Since its company issued I don't get to see the bill :)
But my major issue with the iPod touch is "NO Bluetooth"
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