iPod touch 2G unboxing, hands-on, and first impressions

We'll tell you that when we first got a chance to handle Apple's latest generation of the iPod touch on Tuesday, our gadget-nerd alarms went clanging like there was a really, really bad fire somewhere. The improvements the company has made in design aren't remarkable, but they are entirely welcome. The new housing is smooth, incredibly thin, and feels like a solid metal brick in your hands. The built-in speaker is a nice addition, as are those volume controls (finally!) -- the screen is incredibly bright (on par with the iPhone 3G), though it also looks like it got the 3G's new color temperature. On the software side, 2.1 is definitely feeling smoother and slicker than previous versions, the Nike+ inclusion is huge if you're a runner, and the implementation is well integrated -- overall, we're leaning towards a thumbs-up on those bug fixes too. Unfortunately, we couldn't seem to get the Genius function working on the device (anyone else having this issue?), though that may be more of a server-side conflict than something funky with the player, as we were getting errors in iTunes when trying to flip the switch. We'll be blowing this out with a full review, but for now you can enjoy the succulent pics in the gallery below!

Gallery: iPod touch 2G unboxing, hands-on, and first impressions

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[tawak @ Sep 11th 2008 4:55PM]

perhaps they planned on having the plastic back like the iphone but changed to this because of the cracking problem, possibly I don't know but I like the look of the aluminum better

[who? @ Sep 11th 2008 5:24PM]

Are you kidding? The polished back looks amazing! (For the first week...)

Just unboxed mine this morning- s-w-e-e-t speaker. It is just like my 1st gen iPhone, -bluetooth, microphone, and camera. I love it!

[MioTheGreat @ Sep 11th 2008 5:49PM]

While the back looks nice in metal (You know, until you actually touch it.), I don't like the edges.

They stand out way too much. The front just blends together much nicer on the first generation iPod Touch.

[who? @ Sep 11th 2008 6:12PM]

"They stand out way too much. The front just blends together much nicer on the first generation iPod Touch."

Yeah, but because of the polished back you need a case. With the case on, it doesn't matter what it looks like (it covers it up).

The perfect solution!!!

[MioTheGreat @ Sep 11th 2008 6:24PM]

I mean the actual border around the screen. I think it looks a lot nicer on the 1st Gen iPod Touch.

The shiny silver is ugly. The smooth dark gray was nice.

[iPhone @ Sep 11th 2008 6:54PM]

to answer the authors question, to work the genius on iPod touch, plug it in and turn it on, it works great :)

[ybd @ Sep 11th 2008 7:41PM]

So uh, might as well ask it here

Should I get this or wait for a 64GB? Anyone with 32GB feeling very... constrained?

[iPhone @ Sep 11th 2008 8:07PM]

@ybd


i have the 16 gig and i hold:

-1 movie
-16 (half-hour) tv shows
-10 pics
- about 10 apps
-800 songs

feelin good man. i just have to switch my tv shows every couple of weeks, its fine :)

[shimmy shimmy yah @ Sep 12th 2008 4:36AM]

@ miothegreat

i am with you 100%, i hate this new silver border so much im actually thinking about getting an older version ipod touch... i used to love how cool / sleek / awesome those sharp dark matte grey edges looked!

[shimmy shimmy yah @ Sep 12th 2008 4:38AM]

@ miothegreat

i am with you 100%, i hate this new silver border so much im actually thinking about getting an older version ipod touch... i used to love how cool / sleek / awesome those sharp dark matte grey edges looked!

[chefgon_ign @ Sep 12th 2008 11:22AM]

@iPhone

You just talked me out of getting the 16gb touch. I had almost convinced myself that 16 gigs would be enough for daily stuff, but that list you just rattled off is ridiculously constrained. I guess I'll just hang out a little while longer and wait for a 32gb price drop.

[who? @ Sep 12th 2008 12:40PM]

@ chefgon-ign

Really? I'd say he was able to fit a lot on there, he just chose to install less pictures and apps. My 8gb fits all of my songs (about 200), two movies, all of my pictures (about 600), six tv episodes, and over 40 apps. There is still enough room (300mb) to fit a lot more songs (average size 3-4 mb),, pictures (average size 1-3 mb), and apps (most are under 1mb, but about twelve are around 30-70mb, and there are two around 100mb.).

Hope this helps, I'd save $100 and get the 16gb myself, but if you have the money then go and get the 32gb. Definitly don't bother waiting for a 64gb- something better will ALWAYS be coming out in the future.

[jeremy @ Sep 11th 2008 4:56PM]

I wish it had an aluminum back end. Or plastic.

[Jared @ Sep 12th 2008 2:12AM]

I sat here for nearly a full minute thinking of an appropriately perverted joke about back ends made of aluminum and plastic...but I got nothin'.

[ugotamesij @ Sep 11th 2008 4:56PM]

I thought it was already established that the new Touch was (imperceptibly) thicker than the old one? I don't get why everyone says "Oh, it's so thin..." when it's not like we haven't seen it all before.

[DP @ Sep 11th 2008 4:56PM]

Not bad.

[alberto @ Sep 11th 2008 9:48PM]

It's sexy I will give it that. But it still lacks bluetooth. Something i would have preferred then the speaker.

Hey Engadget...am having problems with Genius too. Am getting a "Genius is not available for this song"

Tried it on an itune mp3 and a converted mp3. No luck.

[panamnyc @ Sep 11th 2008 11:29PM]

I'm wondering if the sidebuttons can be used to switch tracks instead of just volume control...

[Kevin robertson @ Sep 11th 2008 11:59PM]

When using genius, you have to listen to quite a few songs for itunes to get a feel for your music and piece it all together. It Did that with all the music i recently added or just downloaded. After genius has been out for awhile, and they have more internal information (sending different genius playlists it makes on its own back to the itunes servers, it will be almost instantaneous playlist when you just put in new music.)

[broli @ Sep 11th 2008 4:56PM]

Yes, but can it nurture my chid?

[Totalfixation @ Sep 11th 2008 4:59PM]

Don't you mean, "but can it blend?" =P

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 11th 2008 5:04PM]

Jesus Christ you're unfunny, Totalfixation.

[bill @ Sep 11th 2008 5:30PM]

That's what TV is for!

[Rufus White @ Sep 11th 2008 10:56PM]

Will it blend your child?

That would be an interesting feature.

[wow4 @ Sep 11th 2008 4:57PM]

the new iPod touch comes packaged turn on. now that's technology.

[IndiaTech @ Sep 11th 2008 5:21PM]

No. That's Magic.

[Javaflash @ Sep 11th 2008 4:59PM]

Does the new earphone with built-in mic work with 2G iPod Touch?

[phil @ Sep 11th 2008 8:36PM]

Yes it does.

[Johnny @ Sep 11th 2008 4:59PM]

Dame I wish the iphone 3g had a rear cover like the 2g itouch.

[jm @ Sep 11th 2008 5:01PM]

A 'Dame' is the female equivalent of address to Sir for a British knighthood.

[tpadekar @ Sep 12th 2008 1:04AM]

@ jm:

You did notice that's Chuck Norris up there, right?! ;-) Just saying....

[Brent @ Oct 15th 2008 4:42PM]

your too late, Chuck Norris probably already killed him for making fun of his use of grammar.

[Craig @ Sep 11th 2008 5:00PM]

It just isn't worth upgrading for volume controls and a speaker... Weight wise (since my mom just got one) is about the same, but it is slightly slimmer... Not that a case isn't going to make it thicker!

Now, if they actually enabled bluetooth (with a crap-load of profiles) and FM found on the Broadcom chip that would be a different story...

I'll keep my 1st gen till I see bluetooth!

[Aleks Oniszczak @ Sep 12th 2008 1:40AM]

Actually, it's not "slightly slimmer". According to the Apple website the old touch was 8mm thick while the new one is 8.5mm

[Quikboy @ Sep 11th 2008 5:06PM]

I'm not an eco-freak here, but I seriously think that's just a waste of plastic. I'm wondering how Greenpeace could like these bulky plastic cases the new iPods are coming in. It seems to me, that most people would open it once, then toss the case into the garbage. To be fair, I also don't like the bulky plastic cases that Windows Vista comes in either, because there's just a DVD inside. I like the more efficient packaging where it feels both minimal yet awesome to unbox.

[offroadering @ Sep 11th 2008 6:38PM]

I DGAF about greenpeace, damn terrorist.

[Viakenny @ Sep 11th 2008 7:24PM]

however, that case is pretty more reusable than the iPhone and previous touch paper boxes.

[Muhammad-Oli @ Sep 11th 2008 9:11PM]

I hear it's plastic-free plastic. Greenpeace loves that.

[Colin Potter @ Sep 12th 2008 2:02AM]

I can't wait to get one of these to turn it into a dock like I did with my old cardboard one from the 1st gen! plastic is much more interesting to work with!

[brandoshido @ Sep 11th 2008 5:07PM]

i really want one. But its still too expensive and the upgrades are just things that shouldve bene there all along (except the speaker, bad idea imo). 64GB please.

[Chethan @ Sep 11th 2008 6:47PM]

why is the speaker a bad idea?
say you wanted to share a song or video with someone
what about using it as an alarm clock?
or playing games without having to wear headphones?

[Todd @ Sep 11th 2008 5:10PM]

"Now playing...Misfits. Walk Among Us" A+ for that Mr. Topolsky!

[exthuse @ Sep 11th 2008 5:21PM]

I concur!

[konshuss @ Sep 11th 2008 5:13PM]

not enough to get excited over.

[Alwin @ Sep 11th 2008 5:16PM]

What exactly is ment in this article by iPod Touch 2G V.S. iPhone 3G, are they saying that the new iPod Touch has a 2G cellular connection? Or 2GB storage?

[exthuse @ Sep 11th 2008 5:21PM]

2nd Generation.

[Brian @ Sep 11th 2008 5:22PM]

Fail. it means 2nd generation.

[goober_nut @ Sep 16th 2008 1:17PM]

I hope you're just playing with us Alwin...

The iPod Touch 2G stands for 2nd gen while the iPhone 3G stands for the 3G cellular connection. I know it can get a little confusing.

Oh look, I just found an empty plastic iPod Touch case for you to go play with by yourself over in the corner as us adults are having a grown up conversation.

[d_lca @ Sep 11th 2008 5:41PM]

I think he's trying to make a point, but then you're still pointing out inconsistencies on Engadget you must be new.

[Conrad @ Sep 11th 2008 5:20PM]

Joshua - you didn't mention that the new iPod Touch no longer includes the little plastic stand. Any thoughts on that?