iPod touch 2G - first hands-on
By Ryan Block 
posted Sep 9th 2008 2:16PM
posted Sep 9th 2008 2:16PM
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i was hoping for 32GB for $300.
Uhh.... recessed headphone jack?
I thought new designs were supposed to move forward >
I was hoping for a 32GB Touch and a SSD version of the classic. Now I don't know what to get. It's either a 16GB Nano or 16GB touch. I want the bigger screen for videos but prefer the click wheel.
I was hoping for a 64gig iPod Touch.
Or at least different colors or something.
Hey um, I have a small dilema (sp), and I was wondering what everyone's opinion is.
I have a first gen iphone that is use as a glorified ipod touch. I don't use it as a phone - its hacktivated.
1st gen's are going for 400 bucks and up because of their unlockability - should I sell mine and buy the 8gb ipod touch? (i have a 8gb iphone)
I'd lose the camera (which would be sad) and they microphone, but would it be worth that to put a few hundred bucks in my pocket?
does new mic enabled earbuds with touch mean I can now use as voip phone?!!!!!
@rentori: Not recessed, just curved off.
I'm really torn about this one. A speaker is a huge improvement, but is it worth selling my current touch and nano to upgrade to a 32GB touch (from 16)? I think I'll see when the 2.1 update comes out and see if it seems worth it...
Apple is making it harder for me to hold out, that's for sure.
I was hoping for a cheaper version too. But what really has me disappointed is that they didn't add bluetooth. Something soo simple, but yet a concept too new for Apple to understand I guess. Their iphone touch still doesn't support stereo bluetooth.
Kool, slick and sexy...but I pass till they install bluetooth.
Yeah 32 GB would be nice but how about bluetooth or gps! i know i may be picky but it would be nice to have wireless headphones but would be extremely awesome if they had gps cause then its like having a not-as-good but still bearable tom-tom
Hmm i'll have to put in an insurance claim on my current ipod touch so i can get the newest one..which would be the 16GB for the same price i bought the 8GB for. Fucking Apple assholes!
Me too! Damn...
I didn't realize they built a mono speaker on the touch. What a waste of space. Apple take the speaker out and put in something really useful like bluetooth.
"Hmm i'll have to put in an insurance claim on my current ipod touch so i can get the newest one..which would be the 16GB for the same price i bought the 8GB for. Fucking Apple assholes!"
So you do insurance fraud whenever technology move forward? You do that on your computer when new models come out too?
The speaker is the addition I liked the most about this. As an owner of the first gen iPod Touch I know the speaker is a must after picking up a used 1G iPhone. I used to carry my Touch around just for it's handy wi-fi abilities and often found I was caught without any way to listen to something if I didn't have headphones with me.
Oh boy. Get ready for the non-stop stampede of apple posts.
Considering there are only 2~3 major apple events per year, I think it should be bearable. Maybe you should stay away from Engadget after Apple events if you don't like Apple posts.
Get ready indeed... It's always a nonstop flood of stuff after one of these.
First, the story/liveblog about the event itself, then 10 or so stories about each little line item from the event, and then another 2 or so about rumors and speculation, and then "so how's the iPod touch 2G working?" You know, since we totally need one in addition to our iPhone, iPod nano 4G, MBP, and Wii.
I almost forgot, there's also the obligatory prepubescent low ranking of posts from people who are not "fanbois" of the latest over hyped incremental apple product updates.
We must all conform in our reverence to the christlike figure of Jobs himself. The metaphor is uncanny, even the sickly about-to-die-for-thou air about him.
"I almost forgot, there's also the obligatory prepubescent low ranking of posts from people who are not "fanbois" of the latest over hyped incremental apple product updates."
Not to mention the complaints about the quantity of Apple posts from the "anti-fanbois". Just stay away for the day if you don't want to read the stuff. Nobody forces you to be here.
nerdtalker,
You're not paying attention. Most of the high ranked comments I see are from idiots who are claiming that $79 earphones are overpriced because they bought a pair of Koss earbuds for $5.
It's like a cult. Stay away if you don't like it?
You realize that applies in reverse as well? If you don't like hearing anti-fanbois poke holes in your logic, GTFO yourselves.
@nerd
You are like a smoker who tells those who like clean lungs to go away if they don't like it. You for some reason cannot fathom the fact that you're going out of your way to read posts you don't like and wasting even more of your precious time you complain about having lost to post about having lost your precious time. It's amazing how much effort you're going to in order to become annoyed, and THEN you have the gall to blame those who are not annoyed for your annoyance. Were you born naturally annoying or do you have to practice at it?
Have to send back the touch I just bought last week...
Looks pretty nice!
This guy looks like me
Tip of the hat
Wag of the finger!
Shake of the bootie.
I went too far didn't I?
I love the new design but hate the stainless steel back. I realize they had to differentiate between it and the iphone but stainless steel? I think I'll buy one and then brush the back with a dremel...
Yeah, there's nothing like buying a 400 dollar gadget then scuffing it up by laying it on the table while unboxing it. They should make it like the back of the first iPhone. That was aluminum, right?
Well your issue is not with the stainless steel, as SS is actually LESS prone to scratching than aluminum, but the fact that it's polished. If they brushed it, like the 1g iphone, stainless is actually the superior choice!
And for god's sake- no plastic, please!!! Ugh.
Ryan, how thick is it?
The news here is Ryan Block blogging for Engadget. How's that new venture coming along?
It really isn't ScooterDe, but thanks for the hijack ;)
Apple website refreshed... 8.5mm vs 8mm 1st gen. I like the new one a lot, but calling it thinner is a lie.
that's what she said.
where's the "built in speaker" ?
Probably the same place you'll find the speaker which plays the 'click wheel' noise.
um...built-in.
Oh James, epic fail. This is a touch, no click wheel. The speaker that played the noise was unnoticeable. This speaker plays music and audio.
So, can we listen to music on the built-in speaker, or is it just a clicker?
I'm a Touch owner right now and I feel stupid. These features are ones that Apple couldve easily added on with the first generation, especially the Nike+ and the volume buttons. Those two things are what I sorely miss in my iPod right now. Well I guess most Apple users have to get used to the feeling of inadequacy.
I'm just saying that Apple makes these updates seem so amazing when it should have been a feature on the first one. A few years ago we got used to being WOWed by Apple during their keynotes. Now it's just them setting our expectations low so that we can feel better about their next iteration of a product.
I disagree 100%. We the consumers make these products out to be a big deal. Not once did I read anything more than new features and buttons being added to the new iPod Touch. Something's gotta give, you can't expect new ground breaking products every year...
And honestly, that same comment about what "should have been added to the first generation" is cliche since it's used whenever ANY product's successor is released. In all electronics there will be a compromise, whether it be the cost to manufacture, size, battery life, or the time spent getting something to work and ship on on time.
I feel you. The lack of GPS is a big fail. I can't wait another year for an update, so will instead hope for a better, alternative product to emerge in the next 3-6 months.
I concur, they did the same thing with the lack of 3g for the 1st gen iphone... a feature that should have been implemented from the get go. I honestly believe those features were left out on purpose that way they would be able to always give their products a little bit more of an edge(and sales numbers) when they are ready to release the next generations.
As far as GPS, why are you let down? If they implemented it within the ipod touch we would have known about it a while ago because apple would have to register the device with the fcc, since the ipod touch doesn't use cell phone frequencies, apple would have to use a satellite signal... dur
Get iPhone if you need those features, this isn't iPhonewithoutcontractandabilitytomakecalls this is iTouch.
avester, actually it kinda is...
Ryan,
These are truthful words you speak.
Hardware volume buttons, a speaker and a Nike+ receiver. Not a big loss imo (got an iPod Touch 32Gb in June). Nike+ receiver is useless for me, and I just set the volume right before listening to music (or double-tap Home at the lock screen to change volume).
I will miss the speaker, but I often improvise using big headphones and the volume at full :P
i didn't really want a speaker. i'd rather to keep my music to myself.
i don't want to be one of those annoying people who listen to their music and have it so the 20 people around you have to hear it.
im quite content with my ipod touch. i bought it like the day after they came out. of course i knew that there would be a new one sometime, but i wanted one then. haha.
you bought the hardware in the first place because you wanted it and it was cool. just because a new one came out that is different doesnt mean that the ipod touch you bought sucks now.
I feel your pain... But at the same time, technology changes at a fast pace and as things become easier to implement (smaller chips that allow easier board designs, etc) additions like this will always trickle into new gens of existing devices.
The way I see it, this is a $229 (if you go 8GB) WiFi device with a full-featured Safari browser, full Exchange Server and calendaring functionality, a fairly high-res screen (considering its size), conductive based touchscreen technology, gyro sensor, and with the App store, unlimited apps and games support... Let's not forget the music, videos, and YouTube support.
Bluetooth would've been an awesome addition, but at its current price point I don't see why its feature set can't be considered great. I think they are. When the 1G's were released, I'm sure as part of the design sketch a lot of the current hardware-level additions were thought of... Perhaps price was a factor. During the R&D stages, things can get quite expensive and become a gamble, especially for first gen products... Give Apple some credit for at least bringing these features now than later. You could always be happy with your 1G and wait for the 3G... Then the 2G owners will probably be all mad and you'll be glad to be saying "Ha ha...suckers!".
how bout a better shot of how thin it is if its so much of a thin thing
Damn...my dad just bought an iPod Touch for me on Sunday. Anybody know if there's any way I can take it back and get the new one? Hell, the new one is almost $100 bucks cheaper too.
If it's within two weeks of your Apple purchase, you can usually take it back for a full refund (less a 10-15% restocking fee).
i just got a 8gb ipod touch a week ago (from circuit city) and i still have the reciept. you better believe im returning that sucker and getting one of these new models. my 15 day return period isn't up until the 14th of next week, so i'll happily eat the 15% restocking fee just to get the new features! :)
i just hope they dont give me some BS at customer service when i try and return it later today.. :/
I thought the back was supposed to be all stainless steel? or am i nuts?
What about GPS? Also will the Nike+ be available on the 1st gen touch??
i doubt it will have gps capabilities considering that the iphone uses cell tower signal to triangulate your location...
Erm... no it doesn;t. It has "real" GPS too
We'd know if it had GPS, and no because it needs a hardware receiver
I'm pretty sure the triangulation is only for when real GPS isn't accessible for the iPhone.
i doubt it, because i think the nike receiver is built into the ipod touch
the specs on the canadian apple store have the first gen touch at .31" thick and the second gen at .33" thick. sure there's the curve factor, but the first gen is technically slimmer.
No camera...that sucks.
I'll still buy it. I miss my old iPhone.
$229? That's a pretty good price. And I can surf and watch YouTube with it through WiFi too? I have never bought an iPod 'cause I have always thought they were too expensive, but Apple you may have a sale with this one.
You are correct!! You also get the Google Maps app for WiFi and access to the App Store where you can download tons of new apps
When I first saw the pictures I thought it was black plastic. Anyone think this will hold up better than the chrome backing that scratches so easily?
OMG they got rid of the hideous chrome backing. Nice.
Nope.. it's still chrome.. check the lighting.. as well as the iPod Touch page on store.apple.com
I'll pass.. I was really hoping for a matte finish back..
Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
they made the iphone thicker and the itouch thinner? they have to get the iphone this thin...
eff a bunch of no harddrive touch.
does new mic enabled earbuds with touch mean I can now use as voip phone?!!!!!
There is no phone feature built in but I remember there being a jailbroken app in development for this feature.
No 64gb model? Sorry but 32gb is rather skimpy considering audio, video, pictures, AND apps on there. Guess I should wait.
I have 4 full pages of apps and it hardly is taking any space up at all. Photos aren't huge either! 32GB is more than sufficient if you ask me.
@ Andrew
Not if you're a person with an old 30gb iPod Video and left with about a gig left and a long list of TV show seasons to buy and music to get and looking to upgrade to a Touch. I can't justify the price tag without a memory boost.
oh no its Ryan Block!!!
Wonder when i can get it in the store
How much will the old Ipod Touches be now?
any word on price cuts for them, or are they hurled into the fire as soon as the announcement of newness is made?
Like the 1st Gen Touch, that back is really pretty - but I wonder if it will scratch like hell too.
Oh and...
Will it blend?
Thinner? Something doesn't add up:
1G: 110 by 61.8 by 8 mm
2G: 110 by 61.8 by 8.5 mm
Deception perhaps? (Specs are both from Apple's site)
nice catch. Sometimes I wonder about the accuracy (read: integrity) of these Engadget posts.
Looks like its has gone on the south beach diet, nice hehe......
Does the screen still look like crap?
Great a speaker on an iPod!
Can you hear the collective sound of millions of hard-put-on British commuters crying silently into their newspapers?
Actually, it's thicker! 8.5mm vs. 8mm in the middle..
1G: http://images.apple.com/ipodtouch/images/specs_ipodtouchdimensions_20080109.png
2G: http://images.apple.com/ipodtouch/images/specs_dimensions20080909.jpg
Bah, Nomi beat me to it.
Good, now make it into a movie.
It looks like firmware 2.1 uses the same 2 line style song list seen on the App store Remote app. Nice.
Can someone honestly tell me what good GPS would do on the ipod touch without a data plan? I'm wondering if the people who are wanting GPS realize that outside of a wi-fi network, you'd probably be looking at a dot on a BLANK map - no roads, no nothing. Correct me if i'm wrong but i would think GPS without a map would be useless.
Well, if the maps were stored physically on the ipod touch, then GPS would not be useless.
I don't know if you know this or not but it is only in recent history that GPS has been integrated into phones. You may have heard of dedicated GPS devices such as the ones manufactured by Garmin (handheld and for the vehicle) that have maps (road and topo) preloaded into them. Basically, I am trying to say you are dumb.
I wasn't aware that TomTom and Garmin GPS devices required a data plan... oh, they don't.
Those devices have dedicated storage for map and POI data. The Touch has as little as 8 GB... you want half of that (or more) filled with map data? It makes sense on the iPhone because it pulls the maps and POIs it needs from the cloud.
> "Those devices have dedicated storage for map and POI data. The Touch has as little as 8 GB... you want half of that (or more) filled with map data?" ---
Well how much memory does a $199 Garmin have? I'd be shocked if it had even 8GB.
Or how about this? You could use iTunes to load just the regions you need on the iPod. I don't need maps for Oregon and Idaho when I live in the Southeast.
I'm not an apple fan boy but this is seriously depressing, at 64gb I was prepared to jump on this today. I'm so let down, the new "nano" sucks, they should of stuck with the squished design, If I want video I'll get a touch, also GLARE CITY from every picture I've seen.
No new macbook or macbook pro, no refresh to the cinema line of displays, no tablet annoucement, no upgrade to mac minis, no upgrade to imacs.
We all have ipods already.
This was nothing significant at all.
A DOWNGRADED IPOD CLASSIC, SIGH.
dude, seriously.
did you see the name of, and poster for this event? what in the 'rock' and ipod theme made you think that they'd trot out new computer announcements?