| | Introduction
The Apple iPod Touch was introduced in 2007, and is the first
iPod to feature a multi-touch GUI (Graphical user interface).
It is also the first iPod to contain wireless network connectivity,
via a Wi-Fi 802.11b/g component. Which can browse the Web
with the built-in Safari web browser. Other built-in software
applications include a YouTube client, Google Maps and a Mail
client.
There are currently two Touch generations, both released
in September, in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Both generations
were released in three versions, with 8GB, 16GB and 32GB storage
capacity. Both were only released in black, with a USB 2.0
connection and the same operating system specifications. The
length and width of both generations has stayed the same,
110mm × 61.8mm. And the screen is still 3.5 inches.
|
|
The differences between the two Touch generations are small.
A minor software upgrade, a little weight lost, a chrome metal
case (instead of plastic), an external speaker, volume button,
is all to extinguish the 2G from the 1G. Whilst the 2G is
obviously an improvement, it's probably not enough of an improvement
to make current owners of the 1G Touch to upgrade.
In comparison to the other iPods
As the name suggests, the iPod Touch's main selling point
is it's touch screen and wireless technology. Unlike the Classic,
Nano and Shuffle, the Touch allows you to browse the World
Wide Web and send and receive emails. This affords the Touch
a greater breadth of functions and applications, such as Bluetooth
capability. Of course all this comes at a price. The 32GB
Touch is the most expensive iPod currently available. The
Classic does provide more storage space. But no other iPod
provides more storage space, battery life, screen size, connectivity,
audio support, photo support or video support than the Touch.
However, the Touch is one of the larger iPods, the largest
in terms of length, but thinner than the Classic. It also
weighs more than the Nano and Shuffle. Finally, it only comes
in Black, compared to two colours for the Classic, five for
the Shuffle and nine for the Nano.
Multi-touch
Multi-touch is a system that allows the control of a computer
software application through a touch screen or touchpad. This
can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as finger pressure
or shadow capture. Apple state that their iPod Touch system
uses electrical fields. The Multi-touch technology has quite
a long history as IT technology goes, dating back to 1982.
However, a mainstream application of the technology had never
really worked or been implemented before the year 2000. Apple's
development of Multi-touch technologies seems to have been
aided by the acquisition of Fingerworks
in 2005, two years before the introduction of the iPhone and
Touch. Fingerworks were one of the leading niche producers
of touchpads and touch keyboards. Alongside Microsoft, 2007
was perhaps the most exciting year in the development of Multi-touch
applications. Both companies launched mainstream products
featuring this technology, and Apple's belief in the future
of the technology has lead them to begin the process of patenting
and trademarking their products and the term 'Multi-touch'.
Apple's technology does seem to have created the bigger 'buzz',
allowing greater user-ability with their flick, tap, and pinch
capabilities. It does appear to be an eminently 'cool' tech,
with many Hollywood Sci-fi blockbusters incorporating it,
examples include the Minority Report and the Matrix.
Similarities to the iPhone
Quite a few reviewers have noted that the iPod Touch is basically
an iPhone, but without a phone. Both Touch generations certainly
look on the surface to be very similar to the iPhone, featuring
the same touch screen graphical user interface, wireless connectivity
and overall design. The 2G Touch also includes the same volume
control and speaker buttons as the iPhone, two things which
were missing on the 1G Touch. The 2G Touch and 3G iPhone also
include the exact same chrome casing, making both devices
nearly identical, aside from a few extra buttons placed on
the side of the iPhone. Therefore it's not far from the truth
to summerise that the Touch is the iPhone without the phone.
Verdict
Why buy an iPod Touch? If your looking for a small and portable
mp3 player you'd better look elsewhere, and if your looking
to store a large music collection then you should buy a Classic.
But, if your after the latest gadget with portable games playing,
web browsing and music/video playback capabilities, then you
may have found the right product. That's not to say the Touch
isn't a slightly dissatisfying product. Striding two worlds,
that of the Classic and the iPhone, it fails to match either
of their strongest functions. Instead it performs the role
of a hybrid, a jack of all trades but master of none.
The included earbuds are poor, and should be replaced with
a higher fidelity pair. The Touch's sound quality is also
nothing to write home about, and is certainly no improvement
on the latest Nano. In conclusion, the Touch is probably best
described as a fun toy, and if your not interested in an iPhone,
an ideal entry point into the world of Mulit-touch and Internet
connected iPods. Just don't expect it to out perform the Classic
or iPhone in their particular fields.
|
