Skype!Where are you? This device is screaming for VoIP. 3rd Party Developers... start cracking. USB headset... bluetooth adaptor?

That's a good point. Is there a way to do audio in? If so, Skype through gMail would provide an alternative for those of us who would like to have an iPhone, but who won't do business with AT&T.

There is no apparent audio in on the current/older models of iPod, so don't get discouraged just yet. :)

I would like more then 16GB. Then I would buy in a heart beat.

It's called gmail.

GMail's not a mail program, its a web site to get mail. Where's the mail program? What's the deal with the widgets? No stocks? No weather? No Notes?

An iPhone without the drudge of AT&T.

And without several other features.

No camera, speaker or bluetooth for the iPod Touch. This way, I am assuming, you can't add Skype to it and circumvent AT&T as an iPhone clone...

Why would you think they would make it just like the iPhone? So you could bypass AT&T? Apple's not going to do that...

I guess that's why there's no native 'maps' or 'email' like the iPhone. However, if its the same software as an iPhone, apps should be coming out soon I would imagine.

There's nothing here to offer reason for the maps or email. Its just an arbitrary Apple decision to make sure they don't offer too much and push some people to the iPhone, if possible.

re: audio in There is no apparent audio in on the current/older models of iPod, so don't get discouraged just yet. :)

In my usual confused state, why would having no audio in on any iPod model be cause NOT to get discouraged? I would think it would be discouraging.

Well, after all the rumors and people saying we would be disappointed, I would have to say the were mostly wrong! I for one will definitely want to upgrade my 2nd Generation iPod and get the iPod Touch, the Wifi really is a serious plus. The only disappointing thing is the 16GB...my current iPod is 20GB, so I guess it won't be so hard to get used to "only" 4GB less.

However, I also find the lack of Games/Google Maps/Mail disappointing but understand the business reasons behind it.

As for iPhone early adopters... I would most probably feel VERY cheated! THank god am not one of them. Apple should definitely do some gesture to calm their rage....

I agree. Excuding mail from a wifi web access device is like selling laptops without batteries.

I do not want a web interface as my mail client.

No email application? Kills this for me. They put in the silly Youtube application, but not something as basic as email. I truly dislike web-based email, and not having a client app is a deal-killer.

There aren't audio ins on the current/older iPods. Audio in is handled through the docking connector.

There are dictation devices that let you record to your current/older iPods.

See? No visible audio in does not mean the devices can't do it.

I was going to query the battery life but 22 hrs seems fine.

Hope these are Real hours and not Apple hours and it remains to be seen how quickly these diminish if you really use a lot of WiFi.

Being cautious I'll still wait for v2 though.

If you don't want to cough up more $$$ mail2web works fairly nicely with any browser and if you are already a .mac member then you will find .mac webmail very comfortable on Safari

Still not happy? Move to the US and buy an iPhone

Thank you steve!!!!! I've been waiting for this ipod for years... this is exactly what I want and more :)

I just noticed that Apple is not giving any discount under their educational program. Not in Canada anyway.

Because there's a thriving aftermarket to supply hardware for that, and many other "missing" features.

..until someone removes the mail.app from the iPhone, and figures out a way to load it on the iPod Touch?

Just a matter of time - though it makes sense to have mail on the iPhone, and not really on the iPodTouch. One's a communicator, one is not.

...why is there a "Contacts" icon/app?

Jobs is famous for his disregard for "that scribble toy," however the Newton got me through four years of college as the only thing I ever carried into class, and I still haven't found a replacement for it. The lack of a way to record handwritten notes is a major drawback on both the iPhone and new Touch iPod. While the iPhone's touchscreen keyboard is impressive, it is no substitute for being able to record notes in your own handwriting.

Considering that it took Apple 30 years to admit it was wrong about 2-button mice, we'll get stylus-based text input returned to us in 2037. In meantime, I suppose those of us needing a way to quickly record extensive detailed notes will either be stuck with a Microsoft-based device, or pencil and paper.

New iPod Touch is exactly what everyone wanted the iPod to be. Its now reality at a great price. WiFi and thank goodness, no squirting!!

TOALLY unacceptable storage space. Especially for someone who has an extensive music library.

How can you all be so ecstatic about this weak gadget? 16gb is nothing these days! Barely holds half my music and/or photos, yet alone some video. I am VERY disappointed. And iPod Classic, what a joke. Same puny screen :-(

Because there's a thriving aftermarket to supply hardware for that, and many other "missing" features.

But will they work with the new iPod?

Just a matter of time - though it makes sense to have mail on the iPhone, and not really on the iPodTouch. One's a communicator, one is not.

Umm, did you happen to notice that the new iPod has internet access via wifi, and a browser? So Apple's now deciding that they're going to just call that 'data' services, and a reason not to include it?

The new iPhones (and presumably the new MacOSX based iPods, say xPods) are not compatible with many 3rd party devices despite the pin-outs being the same.

My connector that works through my stereo with my 3rd and 4th gen iPod won't work with the iPhone.

No e-mail - does it work with .Mac? No notes - no keyboard. No bluetooth to link with new wireless keyboard. No bluetooth to link with wireless headphones. No way to work with bookeeping programs such as Quicken. No way to use iWork, no Pages, no Keynote, no Numbers. NO SALE!

The big announcement was the partnership with Starbucks.

It has multiple values. Significantly, the arrangement will broaden the visibility of the iPhone at Starbucks - a top tier retail chain. But since this isn't an exclusive deal, you could see this class of arrangement with other retailers. Notably, a museum could use this class of technology to drive "virtual tours" to patrons as they walk through exhibit halls. A subway system could provide maps and station and train data to patrons. A building could provide a map to visitors. The list goes on; music is only the first step (as it was with the original iPod).

Secondly, this is a big personal slap to the Zune. Seattle's two big brands? Microsoft and Starbucks. Now Apple is in bed with Starbucks; Microsoft lost a big piece of its home turf.