An in-depth look at Apple's Touch iPod
updated 05:35 pm EDT, Wed September 5, 2007
Touch iPod in-depth
Apple today introduced a new iPod to accompany its tiny iPod shuffle, mid-sized iPod nano, and full featured video-capable iPod now known as iPod classic. The iPod touch looks remarkably similar to the company's iPhone, and features a multi-touch display of the exact same size as its feature-packed older sibling. With built-in WiFi capability and the addition of Apple's new iTunes WiFi Music Store, iPod touch owners can preview and purchase tracks wirelessly from any hot-spot -- including any WiFi-capable Starbucks location, thanks to Apple's newfound partnership with the coffee drink company. The iPod touch allows users to surf the web with Safari, browse YouTube videos, and play music as well as videos.
iPod touch display
The iPod touch features a 3.5-inch widescreen display for watching movies, TV shows, and viewing photos. The liquid crystal display boasts 320 x 480 pixels, and supports the same multi-touch finger gestures that iPhone owners have grown used to since the cellular phone began shipping in late July.
Specifications
The iPod touch is just 8mm thick, making it even thinner than the iPhone. The new iPod comes with 8GB and 16GB storage capacities for toting up to 1,750 songs or 3,500 songs, respectively. Battery life provides up to 22 hours of music playback or up to five hours of watching videos. Leaving the new media player to charge for around 1.5 hours will recharge the battery to 80 percent of its capacity, according to Apple, while achieving a full charge requires leaving the device plugged in for around three hours total.
Measuring 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.31-inches or 110 x 61.8 x 8mm, Apple's newest iPod weighs in at 4.2-ounces or 120 grams and includes a Universal Dock connector.
In the box
The device ships with earphones, a USB 2.0 cable, a Dock adapter, a polishing cloth, a stand, and a Quick Start guide. Apple adds that Mac owners looking to purchase the iPod touch require at least one USB 2.0 port, iTunes 7.4 or later, an internet connection, an iTunes Store account, and Mac OS X 10.4.10 or later.
wifi but no mail app
09/05, 06:00pm reply
...was so ready to click and buy 'til I noticed there's no mail app. Sorry Steve, that's the deal breaker for me! Stick with classic for value for money!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
missing features
09/05, 06:32pm reply
It also doesn't wash my car. No mail, no phone, and it won't keep my rims shiny. Sorry Steve, I'm no sucker. I'm gonna keep my wife for a while until you can figure out what the market really wants.
tindrum
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2004
itunes store account
09/05, 06:40pm reply
Why the h*** do you require a itunes store account to use it. I'll pass because of that.
Athens
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Jan 2003
E-mail from .Mac?
09/05, 06:49pm reply
I would guess you can send/receive e-mail via .mac, but the Apple video doesn't show that. It would be nice if the keyboard worked in landscape, but the video doesn't show that either.
telem
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 1999
email on safari
09/05, 06:58pm reply
If your email provider allows web access like imap, Safari should be fine.
jdonahoe
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
They would show it . . .
09/05, 07:02pm reply
If it could but I too am assuming they are holding back on the webmail keyboard feature until the iPhone can do voice recognition email or read your mind. That is when using a keyboard for webmail will be the low end feature.
It is a deal breaker for me too.
kirktalon
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2002
I can webmail...
09/05, 07:11pm reply
...from Safari. But no iChat. Waaa...
However, I can't imagine these programs aren't impossible to get onto the device.
I also find it interesting they didn't include a hard drive option.
dmsimmer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2005
great features
09/05, 08:34pm reply
I never thought I would get an iPod, but this version just may have enough features for me.
bhuot
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2003
webmail
09/06, 01:44am reply
I've tried using webmail on an iPhone. It's really not a very good experience.
ender
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 1999
experience
09/06, 06:13am reply
yes, very cool, but can I change the battery? I like need to do that every day, since I am a geek!
chucker
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2007