Apple confirms: iPod touch cannot add calendar appointments

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]

[Brian Kerr @ Sep 10th 2007 5:12PM]

Did they lock the function to add music to it?

[Drew @ Sep 10th 2007 7:05PM]

@ 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.

[Drew @ Sep 10th 2007 7:38PM]

Haha, yeah somehow replied to the wrong comment... My apologies.

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 10th 2007 8:26PM]

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

[Roemer @ Sep 11th 2007 9:21AM]

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.

[m lewis @ Sep 10th 2007 5:14PM]

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...

[bobartig @ Sep 10th 2007 7:16PM]

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*

[Mac @ Sep 10th 2007 8:07PM]

By that time, it will be $200 cheaper too!

[PK @ Sep 11th 2007 12:55AM]

"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.

[winston @ Sep 11th 2007 3:38AM]

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.

[shak @ Sep 10th 2007 5:17PM]

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.

[mitchell @ Sep 10th 2007 10:17PM]

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!!!

[Michael @ Sep 27th 2007 6:46PM]

So... If you say you want an iPhone without the phone, you want an i?

[Sunlokyee @ Sep 10th 2007 5:17PM]

start whining now, maybe we'll get an open letter tomorrow.

[nickganga @ Sep 10th 2007 5:17PM]

WTF!

[hoohoo @ Sep 10th 2007 5:19PM]

dont worry, new apps and features will be added to the wifi itunes store for download. for a price of course. microtransactions ftw!

[Micah Neumark @ Sep 10th 2007 5:19PM]

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?

[Kilvano @ Sep 10th 2007 5:20PM]

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.

[mr nimblewick @ Sep 10th 2007 5:24PM]

Besides the whole "phone" thing?

[Kilvano @ Sep 10th 2007 6:12PM]

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.

[GunForHire @ Sep 10th 2007 5:21PM]

What about podcasts? Any word on if you'll be able to get them via wi-fi yet?

[Bambino @ Sep 10th 2007 6:51PM]

This would be killer. Killer-good, of course.

[markatlnk @ Sep 10th 2007 5:21PM]

If it runs osx .... how long before it is hacked
and a better app can be installed.

A ssh client would also be nice ..

[just a resident cynic @ Sep 10th 2007 6:35PM]

.....and thus is the true reason why native apps are not allowed

[Wes Joyce @ Sep 10th 2007 5:23PM]

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

[popeye @ Sep 10th 2007 5:27PM]

ssh and vnc...

hackable for sure (and quick let's hope)

[gyffes @ Sep 10th 2007 6:01PM]

They took the notes app off? Well, goddamnit, it IS losing its attractiveness as a PDA pretty quickly, ain' it?

[sk8rpro @ Sep 10th 2007 11:54PM]

...not to mention Maps, it doesn't have the Maps function either :(

[france.justin @ Sep 11th 2007 5:30AM]

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.

[MoNo @ Sep 10th 2007 5:26PM]

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.

[Dias @ Sep 10th 2007 5:32PM]

Hmm, actually the iPhone's useful calendar was one of the reason I'm waiting iPod Touch, but now...very disappointed...

[z @ Sep 10th 2007 5:32PM]

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

[ChrisG @ Sep 10th 2007 5:33PM]

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.

[Admiral @ Sep 10th 2007 5:38PM]

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'

[Ricardo Sánchez @ Sep 10th 2007 5:46PM]

I would not be so sure...

[L @ Sep 10th 2007 6:02PM]

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...

[peternj @ Sep 10th 2007 6:48PM]

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.

[Brian @ Sep 10th 2007 5:41PM]

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.

[Brian @ Sep 10th 2007 5:43PM]

Oh, and the iPod also doesn't have a camera. But I'm sure everyone has noticed that one.

[GenericWhiteGuy @ Sep 10th 2007 6:09PM]

No, but you're the only person who thinks he may be the only person who has noticed.

[mtt @ Sep 10th 2007 5:42PM]

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)

[dagamer34 @ Sep 10th 2007 6:08PM]

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!

[ColonelSmith @ Sep 10th 2007 6:33PM]

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.

[Jeremiha @ Sep 10th 2007 6:46PM]

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).

[Hedyh @ Sep 10th 2007 6:57PM]

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.

[Daniel Wajsman @ Sep 19th 2007 9:27PM]

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.

[Twitchy @ Sep 10th 2007 5:44PM]

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.

[JMG @ Sep 10th 2007 5:46PM]

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.

[Darnell @ Sep 10th 2007 5:47PM]

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...

[Connor Shelton @ Sep 10th 2007 5:53PM]

Can you use google maps with the ipod touch?