Engadget: You are barking up the tree of buggy whip technology. Just why is WiFi useful in a portable device? It has been almost 10 years since it was introduced, and it is HARDER today to gain access to a free WiFi signal (can people really be expected to purchase roaming accounts for each and every WiFi hotspot on Planet Earth?) On the other hand, as the makers of some European mobile phones have realized, the future lies in widely accessible wireless broadband in the form of technologies like HSDPA. Just yesterday, I got to play with an LG Viewty. Unlike the device you display above and other WiFi equipped devices, the Viewty (and others like it), can download music and video from almost anywhere - and if you are listening to some music when the phone rings, the music pauses and you can talk. The PMP was still born as a concept and will never take off. Evidence? The fantastic but flawed iPod Touch is NOT selling that well. It is not properly connected. When people are at home, they use their laptops/PCs to access the web through WiFi, not some tiny device. Now, if Apple had put HSDPA in the Touch, they would be selling like hot cakes - and you could run Skype on it!
"The fantastic but flawed iPod Touch is NOT selling that well."
Oh really? Link please. I'm pretty sure Apple just says "We sold x amount of iPods" instead of "We sold x many Shuffles".
And I use my touch for the internet when away from my computer (sitting on the couch, toilet, ect.), just because you don't doesn't mean other people don't.
"Now, if Apple had put HSDPA in the Touch, they would be selling like hot cakes - and you could run Skype on it!" Where are iPod Touchs being sold? (Hint: not just America) the city that I live in has no (I really mean that) 3G coverage. So having 3G would be a complete waste, not to mention Apple going around to get the corrupt bastards here to actually put some form of 3G up, the increased drain on the battery life and also a lovely contract that you're tied into.
Oh and having Wi-Fi on all the time (Skype) is a bitch to the battery.
WiFi on the Touch isnt for the internet moreso than it is for the wireless itunes music store. You stupid jackass. Which happens to be FREE at starbucks, Panera and in such places like: http://www.free-hotspot.com/ http://www.wififreespot.com/
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wonderkid @ Mar 9th 2008 10:18AM
Engadget: You are barking up the tree of buggy whip technology. Just why is WiFi useful in a portable device? It has been almost 10 years since it was introduced, and it is HARDER today to gain access to a free WiFi signal (can people really be expected to purchase roaming accounts for each and every WiFi hotspot on Planet Earth?) On the other hand, as the makers of some European mobile phones have realized, the future lies in widely accessible wireless broadband in the form of technologies like HSDPA. Just yesterday, I got to play with an LG Viewty. Unlike the device you display above and other WiFi equipped devices, the Viewty (and others like it), can download music and video from almost anywhere - and if you are listening to some music when the phone rings, the music pauses and you can talk. The PMP was still born as a concept and will never take off. Evidence? The fantastic but flawed iPod Touch is NOT selling that well. It is not properly connected. When people are at home, they use their laptops/PCs to access the web through WiFi, not some tiny device. Now, if Apple had put HSDPA in the Touch, they would be selling like hot cakes - and you could run Skype on it!
Aguiluz @ Mar 9th 2008 10:25AM
"Just why is WiFi useful in a portable device?"
Uhm... Because you don't want wires dangling and restricting your movement? Maybe you still use cables for your laptop.
"It has been almost 10 years since it was introduced, and it is HARDER today to gain access to a free WiFi signal."
Ow! Agree with that. But do neighbors count? (hee hee hee...) Anyway, it is hard -but not impossible- to get a free WiFi signal in Canada.
"if Apple had put HSDPA in the Touch, they would be selling like hot cakes.
If I remember right, HSDPA would require a sim card. And another lock-in to some *bleep* provider.
Kizorblade @ Mar 9th 2008 11:55AM
"The fantastic but flawed iPod Touch is NOT selling that well."
Oh really? Link please.
I'm pretty sure Apple just says "We sold x amount of iPods" instead of "We sold x many Shuffles".
And I use my touch for the internet when away from my computer (sitting on the couch, toilet, ect.), just because you don't doesn't mean other people don't.
"Now, if Apple had put HSDPA in the Touch, they would be selling like hot cakes - and you could run Skype on it!"
Where are iPod Touchs being sold? (Hint: not just America) the city that I live in has no (I really mean that) 3G coverage. So having 3G would be a complete waste, not to mention Apple going around to get the corrupt bastards here to actually put some form of 3G up, the increased drain on the battery life and also a lovely contract that you're tied into.
Oh and having Wi-Fi on all the time (Skype) is a bitch to the battery.
PEZ @ Mar 9th 2008 12:53PM
WiFi on the Touch isnt for the internet moreso than it is for the wireless itunes music store. You stupid jackass. Which happens to be FREE at starbucks, Panera and in such places like:
http://www.free-hotspot.com/
http://www.wififreespot.com/
Get a clue pig.