If you’re a typical MacInTouch reader with some spare cash, and you don’t have or want an iPhone, you should probably run out and buy an iPod Touch – just for its innovation and the experience of exploring its capabilities. We really think that multi-touch is going to be a big deal in the future, and the cost isn’t too extravagent right now. We’d probably opt for the cheaper 8GB model, since it can’t serve as an extra file-storage device, unless you’re sure that you really need 8 GB of extra storage for music, photos and videos. But that’s not the point of this product – if you want lots of storage, get an iPod Classic.
If you’re an iPhone owner, we can’t see any reason to get an iPod Touch for yourself. Sure, it has a better headphone jack, but it’s missing a whole lot that the iPhone provides, and it’s only one third of the triumvirate of camera, cellphone and media player that the iPhone integrates in one device.
If you’re carrying a separate cell phone, and perhaps an additional camera, then an iPod Nano is a lot lighter and tinier to fit into your pocket for the same musical capability as an iPod Touch, which really wants a pocket of its own.
Buy the iPod Touch as an early ticket for exploring the future of Internet-connected user interfaces, and as a fun toy and media player. It may eventually prove useful as an organizer and Web client, but those capabilities are still in development. For hard-core business productivity, a more traditional organizer will probably remain the preferred choice for a little longer (although our long-term bet is on multi-touch-type devices). And don’t hesitate to let us know what you think if you buy an iPod Touch: how you use it, and how well it works for you.
Pros
- revolutionary interface without iPhone’s AT&T charges and accessory/interference (GSM) issues
- Wi-Fi provides Web access
- accepts standard mini-stereo plug (unlike iPhone)
- good performance overall
- good screen images
Cons
- capacity limited to 16 GB max.
- lacks hardware features offered by iPhone: camera, Bluetooth, volume control, speaker
- lacks iPhone applications: Mail, Notes, Maps, SMS, Widgets (Weather, Stocks, etc.)
- mediocre earphones (and some amplifier noise)
- closed platform with limited features and customization
- minimal capability as personal organizer (”PDA”)
- small format limits usability as Web client and productivity device
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