Yeah, we know we're running slightly behind on fooling around with a retail
iPod touch, but we've finally got one here. You already saw our
first impressions when we played with it at launch, but as the days have gone on, we've just become bewildered by a number of things, like: why does the
screen look so different from the iPhone's? (More on that later.) Why'd Apple switch back to the shiny, scratch-magnet rear casing? Why can you add contacts, but
not calendar appointments to the touch? And what was their methodology in selecting apps to use on the touch and not on the iPhone? While we ponder these questions (and many more) check out the full unboxing and hands-on gallery. More to come.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
dj-kenpo @ Sep 15th 2007 5:04PM
all I care about is when and how the apps can be transfered from iphone, to ipod. I'll get one after I know jailbreak has been modified to be compatible. till then it's just a fancy music player, after that it'll be a thing of beauty.
Paul @ Sep 15th 2007 5:22PM
As many Apple fanboys are quick to point out, the Touch is NOT a PDA and Apple didn't put those features on there so you'd still have to buy an iPhone to get those features. Nevermind the fact htat the iPhone still has the whole "Phone" thing going for it, oh and the camera.
I think the main wishlist items are an editable calendar, bluetooth, and more capacity...oh and lyrics, if they have time. (btw how sad was it that I went into an Apple store today and couldn't access YouTube videos. Lame) But I did put up the Engadget article about screwed up video on one of their Macbooks...hehe
dj-kenpo @ Sep 15th 2007 5:29PM
you're right, the touch is not a pda. that doesn't mean I can't eventually install more software and apps on it and make it into one.
I'm not held down to apples idea of what tech is. that's the joy of software. the base is there that allows it to be a good starting point though in comparison to windows ce.
the xbox1 was not a media centre.
in the end a $100 xbox + XBMC kicks the crap out of appletv and anything else out there.
John @ Sep 15th 2007 7:55PM
The touch isn't a PDA, it's a half-assed PDA. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a calendar and contacts on it, because that has nothing to do with being a DAP. So, as long as they're going to have a product with a half-assed feature set, they're going to get called on it.
shaliron @ Sep 16th 2007 8:14AM
Have to mention that the iPhone is hardly a PDA either.
dj-kenpo @ Sep 16th 2007 10:40AM
if the oppinions of you 3 are that "if it doesn't come with it installed, then it can't do it" period, then you don't belong on a tech site.
what's next? are you going to tell me to read the manual and NOT open it up and void the warranty? pathetic. software gets installed, devices are hacked.
Nick @ Sep 16th 2007 11:25AM
@ john
This must be the first iPod you've see because they have had the calendar/contacts functionality at least since the iPod photo, if not before that. I do agree that shipping the product w/o the calendar functionality of the iPhone is annoying.. but nothing new. In fact its the way that those two functions have always worked on iPods. Know the facts.
Josh @ Sep 17th 2007 9:28PM
I have calender on my 3G (still love the touch sensitive buttons - pity the battery died and i have been too lazy to replace it)
The only reason i was even considering upgrading my iPod was for the PDA functionality, to say that they have a full keyboard and internet access but pathetically lack input into iCal is just sickening and certainly a half asses effort at BEST. In fact, they probably had to change the code from the iPhone just to lock it down - what a waste of effort.
I am holding off on purchasing one of these POS until the hacks come out, until then it is nothing more than a 400$ paperweight that i most definitely will not even consider purchasing.
it isnt a DAP and it isnt a PDA but it sure as hell has input and an iCal app that should go together.
Nick @ Sep 18th 2007 9:13AM
@JOSH
"It isnt a DAP and it isnt a PDA but it sure as hell..."
it is a DAP.. its a DAP with bells and whistles. I too was hoping it would simply be an iPhone minus the need for a monthly contract. They even could have switched the SMS iChat over to use instant messaging when you have a Wifi signal.. but they didnt. I agree with your sentiment. I was pretty pissed when i heard what exactly the iPod Touch offered and what it didnt offer. Unfortunately theres not much to be done. Apple decided they wanted to create a bigger product divide than just "not a cellphone". After playing with the new iPod Touch all last weekend its not bad at all, for people looking for a DAP.
dj-kenpo @ Sep 18th 2007 10:38AM
again, there's no need to complain or freak out. the world isn't ending. just have some patience and wait 2 months for it to be hacked. there are hundreds of programs for the iphone now. once someone gets a touch and hacks it, you'll be happy. you don't NEED it now, so just wait a little while.
David Astor @ Sep 15th 2007 5:06PM
does this mean that I CAN go buy the touch in stores and not wait until the 28th?
Alan Partridge @ Sep 15th 2007 5:45PM
So when can we expect the Engadget review of the new iPod's? Tommorow? ;)
wslcrew @ Sep 15th 2007 7:48PM
I was just in Apple Store in Ann Arbor, MI. The guy basically said they've been getting daily shipments of iPod Touch since yesterday (Friday) I was able to play with it in store, and I think I'm gonna buy one. He said the store gets shipments every day except Sundays, but they are expecting to receive a few units per shipment for next few weeks. I'd suggest calling them and check the availability.
jonathan @ Sep 15th 2007 8:58PM
yes, this is what it means. i just got mine today at the manhattan village apple store in MB, california. they're not on display and most dont' know that they have htem in stock and up for purchase. i got mine and everyone that saw me walk out with it were like, 'huh?'
lol it is SOOOO SVELTE!!!!! you should get it. 16gb is a little shakey but it'll do for such an incredible device
gage @ Sep 15th 2007 5:07PM
who cares
Trevor @ Sep 15th 2007 8:32PM
Obviously you since you took the time to post.
gage @ Sep 16th 2007 12:59AM
haha, snap!
jroc @ Sep 15th 2007 5:09PM
I still think this should be called the itouch... oh wait... parents don't want their teenagers doing that.
Paul @ Sep 15th 2007 5:22PM
The iTouchp'hod
Chris Vick @ Sep 15th 2007 8:21PM
MOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSEEE
Josh @ Sep 17th 2007 9:30PM
that is what i have been calling it since day one. takes too damn long to say iPod Touch.
Trilok @ Sep 15th 2007 5:11PM
That title wins my "Funniest Cheesy Title Ever" Award.
Juan @ Sep 15th 2007 5:16PM
i wish if at least the 16GB was $300.
then ill buy it.
Sean DL @ Sep 15th 2007 6:18PM
If you can wait till oh Mid-January..it will be 300.
Fin Caton-Rose @ Sep 15th 2007 7:55PM
You think the $399 price tag is steep. If you are in the UK the 16 Gb itouch is £269 which equates to a whopping $538.
Peter James @ Sep 16th 2007 2:49AM
the way steve slashed the price on the iphone, you won't have to wait until january...it will be $100 less the day after thanksgiving...black (mick turtleneck) friday...and a $50 apple gift card ready to go for the final shopping days before christmas....
Racy @ Sep 15th 2007 5:18PM
hmm the LCD does look like it has some light leaking from the top? definately not as clean as the Iphone screens...
Fernando @ Sep 15th 2007 5:18PM
Apple needs to develop some games to their "Mobile OS X" thingy.
dj-kenpo @ Sep 15th 2007 5:54PM
there needs to be a first person shooter (other than doom0 on the touch, but seeing as there's no controls other than touch, all you do is touch people on the screen and then they die.
I bet I'd play that for hours. sitting all alone somewhere... laughing...
maybe not.
LukeA @ Sep 15th 2007 9:57PM
@djkenpo
It would have to be a multi-touch pinch to crush their heads.
Adam @ Sep 15th 2007 5:18PM
Touch it baby.
Pablo Aguirre @ Sep 15th 2007 5:22PM
is there any speakers on lit like the iphone has because it would be better if it did
dj-kenpo @ Sep 15th 2007 5:31PM
there is not. I'll be sure to solder one in on mine though.
Steve Butler @ Sep 15th 2007 5:25PM
The iPhone looks so fat next to the touch!
Woo! You have The Illusionist thats like my favorite movie at the moment!
joe23521 @ Sep 15th 2007 5:31PM
I'm seriously thinking about returning my defective 16GB to Best Buy and just wait for the next generation.
Besides the ghostly screen with multiple dead pixels, the battery life has not impressed me either. Overall, I'm underwhelmed.
404error @ Sep 15th 2007 5:45PM
You should have your commenting rights revoked. In every iPod related article you post something about getting them for free and then you always link to your stupid blog. NOBODY ELSE CARES
humpty @ Sep 15th 2007 5:47PM
Oooooh, so shiny. Too bad its a pos.
Feelinggood @ Sep 15th 2007 11:48PM
No, no, humpty, the POS is the thing you have in your skull, in lieu of a brain. The shiny new thing is the drop dead gorgeous iPod Touch. No wonder you can't even start understanding its leading edge features and design....
My deepest sympathies to your mother.
rex @ Sep 15th 2007 5:52PM
Are the Touch's on sale at Apple shops now? Or do we still have to wait till the 28th?
By the way, the new Creative Zen 4gb and 8gb players are now in stock @ the Creative shop...
And would anyone happen to know when the Samsung Yp-P2 is getting releaseD?!
Leftblank @ Sep 15th 2007 6:27PM
A bunch of stores in the US seem to have a small stock already, web orders seem to be slow though.
gone with the wind @ Sep 15th 2007 5:53PM
@ jroc they dont call it itouch because there already is a itouch something from logitech and some other itouch crap (can i say crap on international internet) besides its a ipod first its not like they call a video ipod ,ivideo no they call it a video ipod .
Alex @ Sep 15th 2007 5:53PM
So is the last picture you previewing Soulja Boy's "Crank That" because you shot yourself in the face after 10 seconds of listening to it, or because you decided you were done?
Kevin @ Sep 15th 2007 5:54PM
DO WANT
Ali @ Sep 15th 2007 5:55PM
I dunno, I like the shiny back.... it feels like a built in mirror to me!
Sam @ Sep 15th 2007 5:56PM
Yeah...nothing like cutting edge user interface and superior design to make something a "POS." If you don't like it, shut up and go listen to whatever you have that is superior in every way.
John @ Sep 15th 2007 7:57PM
It's kind of hard for a non-physical aspect to be "cutting edge", because that's a matter of opinion. You can't argue what's the cutting edge of hardware, because hardware has actual measureable specs, but unless you measure software in IUPs, Idiot Understandability Percentiles, you're going to have a hard time actually calling any software 'cutting edge'
DjFIL @ Sep 15th 2007 6:03PM
online orders better ship before sept 28th since they're appearing in stores.
deathx @ Sep 15th 2007 6:04PM
would this mean that the apple.ca store is going to ship early too? because i did call yesterday and they said it would be sept 28th but she did not even know that some store had the product in stock already..
Steve @ Sep 15th 2007 6:24PM
There is a word for people like this...
It begins with C and ends with K...and guess what....
You get the middle letters free!
hv9200 @ Sep 15th 2007 6:38PM
Had mine for two days. So far works perfect....very nice PMP. Great upgrade from my 5G Video.