Late last night some eagle-eyed Engadget readers spotted some disparities in Apple's international sites, with some claiming the
iPod touch would be able add calendar appointments with its calendar app, and others omitting that language. We got in touch with our people down in Cupertino who just confirmed the (somewhat) bad news is real: "Like current iPods, the touch can only view calendar entries created on your computer". In other words, no, you can't make new calendar entries on the fly. Why Apple would want to remove this simple feature that's already built into the mobile OS X calendar experience is really beyond us, but we guess they're doing their damnedest to draw the line in the sand between iPod and iPhone. Still, makes you wonder what other minor, useful features Apple pulled from the touch.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted Sep 10th 2007 5:07PM
Did they lock the function to add music to it?
@ dj-kenpo
I agree with you. I'm happy that Apple came out with the iPod Touch, but if they are going to cripple it just to show the distance between the iPhone and the Touch than us consumers are going to want that functionality a will very well get it with people like who hacked the iPhone. The iPhone wasn't hard to hack, so it most likely wouldn't be for the Touch either. Most likely it will be only a matter of time when hackers will have cracked the Touch once it's out.
Haha, yeah somehow replied to the wrong comment... My apologies.
no worries drew.
as for time, I give it 1-2 days.
it's not hacked yet becuase it's not out.
once it's out it'll probably be really easy to hack, if the same methods used for ipone don't work, I'm sure they'll only need a few changes.
I for one am still rockin the original xbox with xbmc as it kicks the crap out of xbox360's media functions.
I ahve a feeling ipod touch hacked with iphone software + homebrew will be just as cool a device.
there's a lot of iphone homebrew NOW, and that's with a 1 million unit base with only afew hackers.
now coders worldwide will ahve access to the device platfrom via ipod touch.
let the homebrew begin
Steve Jobs once said that Apple makes the products they want to use themselves. Well, sorry: they create the products which brings them the highest profits and market control. In many countries the Iphone is not there yet - due to complicated financial deals with 3rd parties (again a profit and power orientated choice: which stands far from a social idea of bringing the people what they need contentwise. Why Apple takes technology (such as ical input) away from a good product like the Ipone Touch I find really disgusting. Again market issues rule over giving people good working products instead. Economically correct behavior of Jobs. He is a turbo capitalist afterall dressed up like a socialist.
Hopefully it's actually the Built in OSX calander, and apple locked the feature somehow? meanning someone can unlock it?
make a google calendar... set your iCal to subscribe to the google calender.. and manage your calender through safari and google calendar (when you have Wifi).
Even though that is a workaround that is still a pain in the ass. I hope this product fails miserably to teach Apple a lesson about jerking their loyal customers around.
@Nick, I thought Apple fanboys are used to being jerked around by SJ...
all it requires is taking the file bineries off te iphone and onto the ipod touch.
out of the box vs hacked will be 2 different things.
like xbox vs xbox with xbox media centre (xbmc).
I look forward to the touch not becuase of apple, but becuase of coders/hackers.
what a load of bullshit.
i and still a year away from being able to get out of my verizon contract, so i was thinking really hard about getting a touch. But now, this is a deal breaker. I really thought that we had ourselves here a really great PDA. This is just going to be a neat looking ipod, and really, my 4gig first gen nano is doing just fine. I will wait a year for an iphone...
Agreed. Between the iPhone and the Touch, I saw Apple branching out and making a new division of mobile hardware that could rock the PDA world. Or, at the least develop a fond following of sorts for people who want multi-touch, browser/PDA thingys with tight mac integration.
Instead, it's just a red-headed stepchild to the favored iPhone. But at $300-400, "What man would want you now?" *shakes fist*
By that time, it will be $200 cheaper too!
"What man would want you now?"
I think a lot of people will still want it, and the removal of this feature won't be nearly as big a deal as we're making of it here. Most of the people I know (i.e. non-techies and/or Apple fanboys) have no clue that their iPods can store calendar entries or contacts, and won't care if the iPod touch can do that. It's definitely a nice feature to have, but I think the number of people who will still upgrade to an iPod touch from their nanos will far exceed the 100 people or so on this board who are canceling their orders and telling Apple what they think. Most people want a simple, cool, reliable media player that will work easily with their computer and their files - the iPod touch will do that and more, and they'll be happy.
Since Stevie J's return Apple has consistently tried to keep their product line simple and well-defined, with little overlap onto their highest-margin products and clear upgrade paths available. This seems to fit right into that pattern and I don't see anything out of the ordinary here.
All that being said, Apple should've 1) been consistent and either kept open or locked down *all* data entry on the phone, instead of keeping Contacts open and Calendar closed, and 2) should not have changed the feature set after the product was released and orders were taken. I'm surprised they were so sloppy about this - it doesn't jibe with Apple's normal polish.
Fine, it's not meant to be a PDA.
But that, I submit, is narrow-minded.
For those of us who can't get an iPhone (contractual obligations or non-Americans), this could have been a gateway product ... a place-holder.
We've all been waiting for a device like the iPhone, especially Apple users who've never had a fluid experience with a PDA or smartphone. But most of us can't get one. Or at least not yet.
Apple, get an iPod Touch into our hands with everything the iPhone has except the cell radio, and you've got us hooked. And by us, I mean potentially tens-of-millions of people.
Then, when the iPhone becomes obtainable, I along with most every other iPod Touch owner, will jump at the opportunity to ditch our cell phones. And those who don't will have a very good reason ... but will still own an Apple product and contribute to the Apple ecosystem.
As it stands, even my bargain-basement phone allows me to add dates to my calendar and syncs up delightfully well with my mac. And SmartPhones, with the help of PocketMac et al, are becoming finally useful for Mac users. So, in the meantime, if I want some of the functionality of the iPod Touch, I will have to go shopping for a different device. And that'll probably run on Windows Mobile Something-or-other.
Silly, really. Seems like a lost opportunity.
Winston.
@ PK: You're right, most people don't use their iPod contacts/calendar functions. But that's because they're only half functional. Without the ability to add contacts/dates, your phone suddenly becomes more useful.
start whining now, maybe we'll get an open letter tomorrow.
if it plays music any better than the previous ipods I'll be happy .. WiFi/safari/calendar/calculator are just bonus extras if they work fine if they don't, nevermind ... but it is a bit ridiculous to cripple something that can/would/should work on this particular iPod.
I couldn't agree more.
Apple... seriously, I'm willing to fork over some serious cash... but I really don't need an iPhone for at least until my contract runs out (at least another 18 months... and I'm still not convinced I can deal with AT&T) My phone works, and I just want an iPhone without the phone (I'm happy to dump the camera AND bluetooth as for the 8GB of extra space (I get it... a fair trade off IMHO).
To put it VERY frankly... going out of your way to disable features is very Microsoft of you. IT'S A CALENDAR!!!
So... If you say you want an iPhone without the phone, you want an i?
WTF!
dont worry, new apps and features will be added to the wifi itunes store for download. for a price of course. microtransactions ftw!
This will, if not possible to transfer the initial Calender-program from iPhone, have the consequence that I will cancel the order. I'm not sure if I'll buy the iPhone either. I have sent a complaint to Apple about this, and I hope that they really change their mind about this. I'm really serious; one of the main thing I was to use this thing as was a appointment keeper.
Stupid from Apple. Really stupid.
Wow, the profanity that I am trying to hold back now! Being a non-US customer, I was looking forward to an iPod with PIM functionality and to now be deprived of that. Damn you Apple!
As dumb as this move is, I'm pretty confident that copying the iPhone binary to the iPod Touch will fix this problem. Not sure if it syncs back to the computer. Who knows?
My thoery is that they will announce the 16Gb iPhone soon and they need to make more a distinction between it and the iPod Touch in order to justify the extra cost.
Besides the whole "phone" thing?
Yeah but basically the iPod touch in just an iPhone without the phone and bluetooth. Its already been documented that they pulled the bluetooth just before release. Most people already have a phone already. If they can by a device which is similar to the iPhone but cheaper then a lot of people would.
What about podcasts? Any word on if you'll be able to get them via wi-fi yet?
This would be killer. Killer-good, of course.
If it runs osx .... how long before it is hacked
and a better app can be installed.
A ssh client would also be nice ..
.....and thus is the true reason why native apps are not allowed
They also took the notes app away...i guess the only solution for a calendar is to browse to google and use you gmail calendar....hope you are in a wifi spot when you need to find out what your day plans are...haha
ssh and vnc...
hackable for sure (and quick let's hope)
They took the notes app off? Well, goddamnit, it IS losing its attractiveness as a PDA pretty quickly, ain' it?
...not to mention Maps, it doesn't have the Maps function either :(
Why is everyone so surprised by this?
Sure, it has the fundamental tech to do this... but it's still an iPod. If Apple were to release a PDA or Tablet-esque portable it'll be in it's own product catgory... or with the iPhone.
it's the iPod Touch... not the iPDA Touch. And as Engadget point out - they have to draw a line int he sand between the Phone and the Media Player, or totally canibalise their sales.
Even though every man and his dog is clamouring for the iPhone in Europe (well, anywhere outside the US), the device still has to be attractive to the carriers... or they risk alot of outlay to get their tech in line with Apple's (visual voice mail, whatever else Jobs demands) only to have people passing over the Phone for a cheaper iPod.
If I hear another dick talking about VoIP on the Touch i'll vomit.. unless I missed the bit in the tech sheets where there is a mic included in the iPod.
Boo! I'm currently looking for a handheld wifi device and had just narrowed it down to the iPod Touch and the Nokia N800. This small omission hinders the usability of the device for me, and I think I'll pass. It seems to me, in theory, the iPod Touch *could* be as cool as the N800. I'd also rather not have a hack...
Also, it seems to me like Apple is starting play MS games. Yeah, you need to draw a line in the sand between the iPhone and the iTouch, but isn't that $100 difference in price the ability for calls, SMS, bluetooth?
Bum'n,
Z
No biggie. However it is kinda redundant having to use your pc just to add calendar entries. I think the only problem is Apple is trying interestingly hard just to make users differentiate between the iPhone and an iPod Touch. Hopefully they have no plans for taking away Safari and wi-fi browsing. Which reminds about how Apple didn't add an email application because of the whole thing with the iPhone being a communications device, which I can understand but wish the Touch had those features.
Hmm, actually the iPhone's useful calendar was one of the reason I'm waiting iPod Touch, but now...very disappointed...
I hope the iTouch is not going to be like the iPhone, after an endless amount of disappointments from what the iPhone should have delivered or what was expected to (obvious ommisions that other products have already) im a little on the fence as to trust apple on delivering what should be a great product.
Why remove the smallest little feature just to deviate the product lines enough to alienate your customers?
I smell a 'one more thing...' presentation, or some sort of iPod Touch upgrade in January at MacWorld
predictions:
1. input for calendar
2. input for contacts
3. Mail client
4. Touch based games (through iTS of course)
5. Notepad (syncable with the leopard mail client)
6. iChat
Some sort of RDF and catchy tagline like 'the best music player also does PIM'
I would not be so sure...
Yeah, me neither...
We've been hearing about that "Oh, missing features will SURELY be added in upcoming versions" thingy ever since the iPhone came out...
You forgot: Blue Tooth.
Which if for nothing else will stop the pulling of said device off the table as you answer the phone with white earphones attached.
Here's another reason why Apple should put every possible feature into the Touch. MANY people have no use for an Iphone. They may be supplied a Nextel or Blackberry by their job, they may live somewhere without ATT coverage, they may not be allowed to carry a cameraphone, they may have 21 months left on their current contract... the list goes on.
You would think Apple would want everyone of these people to carry an Ipod Touch, as a companion to the phone, fully loaded with music, videos, contacts, appointments, Safari, and all the Apple goodness.
The inability to add appointments WOULD be a deal-breaker for me. I was proclaiming that the Touch would kill the PDA dead once and for all... not it looks like it falls a little short.
(also posted at TUAW)
Too bad many MORe people won't but the iPhone until you don't have to switch to AT&T to use it. There still needs to be some incentive to get one regardless.
Besides, how many people actually USED the calendar feature on their iPods? How many used it on their iphone? To say that you're going to cancel your order over something as small as that is BS, because I really wonder why you are buying on in the first place.. to play music or add calendar events!
Seriously, with a company like apple does the sales of a product the same price as another really matter that much! Please Apple, for the love of god quit making this sexy looking device look like Star Jones before the operation.
To dagamer: it actually is a deal breaker, because for me the ipod touch would have been a way to replace my PDA with something much better. Notes I can live without, a calendar I can edit on the fly, I can't live without. For me, this seriously makes me reconsider whether I am going to buy an iPod touch (and I was already making plans to be there the first day they were in stores).
I cancelled my order today. Very disappointed in Apple. I just bought my first MacBook and the transition hasn't been all smooth sailing. My old Palm T/X isn't playing well and I'd hoped the Ipod Touch would be the perfect answer. Sorry Apple, a $400 Mp3 isn't going to do it for me. For that price I'm not willing to go through google to do my scheduling. Without the notes pad I couldn't even write down an appointment to put in my computer later. I carry my pda with me everywhere so I can make appointments for clients where ever I am. I'm not always near a wireless router. I have cancelled my order and I won't buy an Iphone. I'm too tied up in Verizon. They've lost me (I'm sure they are losing sleep over that) I will keep hoping they will realize how many people will opt out on an expensive Mp3 player and put the useful apps back in.
This is really a deal braker... there are people who can't join at&t... you know, all around the WORLD. without notes + calendar, i think i'll get a nano. Or an LG Prada.
Am I the only person that has noticed that the "Notes" 'button' is not on the home screen of the iPod Touch? It looks like the took that out of the iPod too.
Oh, and the iPod also doesn't have a camera. But I'm sure everyone has noticed that one.
No, but you're the only person who thinks he may be the only person who has noticed.
Although the argument that Apple is trying to cut a clear distinction between the iTouch and iPhone is obvious, I think that Apples dislike of PDAs also plays a role. The iTouch has the capability both software and hardware wise to become a great on the fly PDA, but Apple seems to not like that product niche - look at how they dropped the Newton like it was an ugly baby.
I wrote some e-mails to Apple and called to complain about this. The woman I just spoke to (at APPLE) asked for my iPod touch serial number. When I told her that they hadn't been released yet, she asked me when I had purchased it. Again, I informed her that it had not yet been released. Now I'm on hold with someone else at Apple customer care. I encourage anyone else who's bothered by this to do the same. Maybe they won't meet with the same level of incompetence.
So are you telling me they carried over the keyboard just so we can type in URLs???? That's rediculous. What's the point in having mini OS X and not being able to actively use it as such. You can do all the things on the mac mini you can do on the power macs (albeit slower)... I too wanted the calendar functionality. It would have been a great PDA but now... it's just a nice MP3 player...
Looks like this means that whenever they decide to release a SDK for iphone, they have every intention of locking out the apps for dual use on the ipod touch. Total boneheaded move.
Can you use google maps with the ipod touch?
Don't let apple fool you. Google maps is not an iphone exclusive.
http://maps.google.com
This thing is or was the closest thing to an Apple PDA. Its possible to type notes on it? Can you add apps on like like a notepad or organizer?
It's a damned music player with goodies installed. Quit your belly-aching and appreciate the device for what it is! They (Apple) never claimed it to be a mini computer, why should anyone expect that much out of it?
Oh I dunno... maybe because it $299 and up for one?! Music players that cost as much as PDA's and should be as capable probably shouldn't be crippled - good business and all that jazz!
@bruckwine: It's listed as a music player because it is not a pda. Believe me, Apple's marketing department would have handled the advertising a lot different if they were marketing a pda.
If you don't want to pay $299 and up for an iPod Touch, then don't. Nuff said. They do have other versions of iPods to better suit your needs. OR there are other companies with actual PDA's if that's what you want.
The iPod Touch is a wonderful piece of technology and art, perfect for my needs, IMO.
Most people get mad when a device is crippled for no reason, maybe you don't, but most of us do. It's not just a music player, the Ipod Classic is that. It's typical Apple to make a device that has crippled features for no reason at all.
Wow, what a stunningly bad idea. The only reason I'm interested in the Touch is a) I don't want a phone-based device and b) the keyboard is the best on-screen out there. For them to artificially neuter the iCal app and omit things like Notes and Mail is terrible. This could be a great PDA and Apple should acknowledge it. If simple software hacks and 3rd party apps enable this device as a PDA for me then I'll buy it. Otherwise, no sale.
Wah, wah, wah.
Mail = absolutely pointless.
If it can only work when you're near a WiFi hotspot, why include it?
I agree on Notes, though. Absolute necessity for me, since my phone lacks QWERTY.
Calendar and Contacts, meh. Very few iPod owners use the function for transferring in the first place.
In my opinion, a camera would be much more useful than any of the above. I'm a casual snapshot person, and so are many people. Adding the same camera as on the iPhone would be perfect. Many people have no need for a full camera.
Very very stupid move. Come on hackers, do us proud.
In one quick sweep apple immediately eliminated all of the customers that wanted an apple product as their PDA. This might be wise from a business standpoint, but it doesn't make the people happy.
I cancelled my pre-order with Amazon for the 16GB iPod touch. This is a deal breaker for me, and a sign of things to come (or not to come) from Apple. I'm very angry, what a load of crap.
I let Apple know my feelings about this, you should too:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipod.html
Ridiculous. It was going to be the Nokia N800 or the iPod Touch for me. That calendar event was going to be the clincher. N800 has voip and pretty well everything else. It's also open source so people are constantly adding new apps. Now I'm going to have to wait and see what users have to say about the touch instead of ordering it now. I did kind of think it odd that Jobs never mentioned it in the keynote address.
Not surprised...I think i may just go get the iPod classic though I've developed a healthy fear of iPod hard drive crashes...8 GB flash or 80 GB disk? Choices, choices and none perfect tbh!
Another of bullet in a long list of stuff this revolutionary POS can't do.
Does the iTouch have an addressbook function?
dam i can't believed people want a freaking calendar to go with the ipod toch, its a freaking ipod what else do you want? to be able to run spread sheets dam
Yeah, I would love to be able to use Google Docs & Spreadsheets or better yet, a native app like iWork.
Having a single device that replaces my old Palm E2 and Sandisk mp3 player would be great.
whew. just sent my feedback to Apple for the first time.
Man, I was really looking forward to the iPod Touch, but I'll just wait until we finally get the iPhone here in Sweden, and hold onto this load of cash I wanted to spend on the Touch.
*sigh* Guess I'll go buy something else instead. Like food, or electricity. Or maybe pay my rent...
Like somebody said, the only way to have full calendar is to use Feedback Form on Apple site and cancel your order (c'mon, you can always order it again on 28/09). It only takes 5 min, but could make a difference if there are many of us.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipod.html
Done! Everyone who is unhappy should express their view.
way to go apple. i needed this thing to act somewhat like a pda for me. you just lost 400 bones.
This is stupid. Why allow people to enter contacts, then? They might as well get rid of that ability, too. I mean, what an idiotic inconsistency. In fact, just get rid of the contacts and calendar applets altogether. It's not supposed to be a PDA, anyway. It's supposed to play media, browse the net and YouTube, and maybe play a few games, and that's it, which is already quite a bit.
But by waving it in our faces and saying, "Ha ha! We'll give you contacts and calendar apps, even let you enter contacts, but NOT calendar events!", all it does is piss people off. They should just remove any trace of those apps altogether, then it won't be an issue.
How about activating Bluetooth, Apple? Now THAT feature, I could've used.
ya just a bunch of apple funboys why dont ya stop crying about the ipod touch a buy a state of the art zune, which includes useless Wifi, and and its alot bigger in everyway you can imagine, only thing is we dont have a calendar ether but we will soon in about 6 year so hold on welcome to the social
Zune? Lmao. Archos kills both of them (literally and figuratively*)
*You can connect the archos to both of them and delete all the data on them easily.
Archos 605 has more features and storage for the same price.
160gb hardrive
800x480 res 4.3" touch screen
good format support.
recording capabilities, wifi and youtube access, and webrowsing are just a few of the capabilities that make archos better than both expeccially the trash ipod touch.
Zune? Lmao. Archos kills both of them (literally and figuratively*)
*You can connect the archos to both of them and delete all the data on them easily.
Archos 605 has more features and storage for the same price.
160gb hardrive
800x480 res 4.3" touch screen
good format support.
recording capabilities, wifi and youtube access, and webrowsing are just a few of the capabilities that make archos better than both expeccially the trash ipod touch.
Zune? Lmao. Archos kills both of them (literally and figuratively*)
*You can connect the archos to both of them and delete all the data on them easily.
Archos 605 has more features and storage for the same price.
160gb hardrive
800x480 res 4.3" touch screen
good format support.
recording capabilities, wifi and youtube access, and webrowsing are just a few of the capabilities that make archos better than both expeccially the trash ipod touch.
Sorry for the tripple post.
Oh, and Apple, P.S.: Just in case I wasn't clear, I would PREFER you add the ability to enter calendar events on the iTouch.
Be hot or cold, Apple. Hot or cold. Give us everything, or take those apps away completely. No half-baked nonsense.
That's it for me, I was going to replace my Pocket PC and Ipod, but if the touch is crippled it won't do me any good.
I think a using online software is the way to go. Best for backup and best for keeping your disk free for video and audio.
My main beef is no Blue tooth. That's the deal breaker for me. I'd be quite happy to add the iPod touch to my Helio Ocean. Best of all worlds.
the Touch could be the real earner for apple if they did not seem so bent on crippling it.
I cancelled my order due to this insanity. I have purchased many Apple products and the only thing they've done that bugs me worse than this is getting rid of CUT and PASTE in OSX lol! I will re-buy if they add the feature or someone hacks it.
Perhaps Apple should include a pack of Post-Its and a pen in the box.
you mean an iPad and iPen?
I'm dying here. That's the best line in here.
Im with many others here. I wanted the iPod Touch because it appeared to be the iphone without the phone features. Now I'm quickly realizing it lacks nearly all the good stuff I was hoping for, like the great Calendar and Contacts apps, Bluetooth, and who knows what else I will find lacking. I hoped to use it as a PDA for college to keep track of schoolwork and other info via the calendar, have Bluetooth to use wireless headsets or sync with my computer wirelessly, and of course be my MP3 player. Now all it really is is just an overpriced music and video player with Safari being the only remaining good feature left on it. Pretty dissapointing, I'd say the new HP PDA's are looking pretty good now to me, despite the fact they don't work with iTunes, which I really love to use. I hope the hacking community can work together to make the ipod touch something worth owning, it might be the only way I will buy one now. Guess I'll have to get an iPAQ and a Nano for now.
To me it seems stupid that they are actually spending time to cripple their own device when it would be less work to leave it untouched/functional.
The memory size has left many people on the fence about whether or not to pick up the Touch and honestly this is just the kind of stuff that pushes them to wait for the next revision.
"i and still a year away from being able to get out of my verizon contract, so i was thinking really hard about getting a touch."
You are a year from the end of your cell-phone contract so you were thinking about getting an iPod? I fail to see how those are related.
Guys, haven't you learned throughout history? Didn't you know piracy always win?
Let me tell you this straight, it will only be a matter of time until this gets hacked, and I'm pretty sure it will.
Way to commit....
Whinny little bitches !!!
IT'S AN IPOD !!!!! NOT A PDA !!!!!
Little kids who can't get money and daddy to leave their Verizon account expect the iPhone - minus a phone....
And you really think you are more intelligent than Apple's marketing staff? STFU. Don't want one now - FINE wait for your Zune phone ..... crawl back in your geek hole.
Apple cares nothing about you little babies ... you amount for .05% of their target market .... these will sell like hot cakes!