I'm a very long time Mac and IOS user and I regularly get my iPod Touch updated. It is my handheld WiFi computer for email, web-browsing, appleTV remote control, FaceTime communicator, Message sender/receiver, camera, address book, note-writer, airplane movie viewer, audiobook reader, music box and with 3rd-party Apps, my VOIP phone, family history/genealogy database and display, personal financial database, personal password manager, WiFi network analyzer, eBay buy/sell monitor, off-line map database viewer, off-line foreign language translator, game player, remote bank check depositor, aircraft seat picker, airport terminal navigator, and my personal shopping assistant.
Why don't I have an iPhone? Easy! It costs less to purchase, I don't have to buy a wireless data plan, I have a cheap 2-SIM, GSM world phone for talking and texting.
But will I buy this iPod Touch? Resounding NO! If my new iPod "Touch" doesn't have "Touch" ID for security and, perhaps, Apple Pay then I'm very disappointed.
Agreed. Apple made the right decision here. And putting Touch ID on it, would've placed it into a completely different and higher price category. Apple knows what they're doing.
All this tells me is Apple cares a bit but not a ton about iPod. They didn't save this for the iPhone event in September. They didn't update the nano with iOS 7 style UI. I think it's entirely possible this is the last iPod update we see.
I may finally retire my six- or seven-year old (I forget!) beauty and workhorse -- the 160GB iPod Classic -- for music in my car, since it's beginning to require too many resets, and switch to the new 128GB iPod Touch for this purpose.
I'll use the Classic as just a passive external back up for my non-media files.
Refresh my memory on the Touch. I know it doesn't have cellular capability but can it be used with specific apps for VoIP use? If so, I could see it being used within certain businesses in a different manner for communications and corporate applications instead of full iPhones. This configuration might work a lot better than depending on cellular-based phones, especially in buildings with lots of metal that restrict cellular signals but have an adequate corporate WiFi installation. They'd be less expensive and wouldn't have a monthly (over)charge by cellular companies.
In my mind I was wondering why Apple would upgrade the iPod Touch, especially after not giving it any love since 2012
Refresh my memory on the Touch. I know it doesn't have cellular capability but can it be used with specific apps for VoIP use? If so, I could see it being used within certain businesses in a different manner for communications and corporate applications instead of full iPhones. This configuration might work a lot better than depending on cellular-based phones, especially in buildings with lots of metal that restrict cellular signals but have an adequate corporate WiFi installation. They'd be less expensive and wouldn't have a monthly (over)charge by cellular companies.
I've been really thinking about why Apple would update the iPod Touch after showing it no love since 2012. Your post was along the line of thinking my mind was headed.
Let's say Apple was planning on letting the iPod Touch linger as a so-so gamer device, and then IBM came to Apple and said "we need a device that does this and this, but it can't be too expensive because we want to deploy millions..."
Personally, I can't think of a ore other possible scenario. The closest other thing I came up with is Apple has plans on making the ?watch/iDevice match-up for HealthKit more affordable and cut out the reason for a user having to get a phone contract. Whatever is in the wind, I'm glad I'm not an Apple competitor....
Can anyone who has bought one recently chime in and say how you're using it?
I use it for everything I would otherwise do on an iPhone, paired with Wi-Fi when available, and the hotspot on my iPad mini when travelling. As I am in Canada I use Fongo as my app to make and receive telephone calls. That might be Magic Jack in the US. My digital package for both units costs me on average about $15 a month, plus tax. That's why I don't want the phone until it is available as a digital-only device.
I will be getting the new iPod Touch because of the better camera, and the faster performance, but otherwise my setup will be unchanged.
Touch ID won't come to the iPod because it isn't always connected. Similarly, ? Watch needs to pull data and if the iPod isn't connected it becomes less useful. I believe because of this neither will come to or be able to sync with the iPod.
Touch ID has nothing to do with being connected. It's local on the device only. WiFi is so ubiquitous that ?WATCH could very easily fully function very well without the need for always connected to the internet conditions.
So, let's look a minute at the advantage of the phone over the iPod:
ApplePay (TouchID), phone number, texting, LTE coverage. Isn't that about it?
We are already reaching a point where people use data for texting and phone calls, so points 2 and 3 will disappear. Including ApplePay is just Apple adding the necessary hardware to make it work. If they did that, the ONLY difference between the iPhone and iPod for many people (who talks much on their phones?) would be where it works. Couple that with how often many people are not in wifi zones, these two are already dangerously close.
While Apple has said they don't care about cannibalization of themselves, I dare say they would care about cannibalizing a $549 product (5s, which is the same size) in favor of a $199 one, which is why they wouldn't include Touch ID (or LTE chip) in this product.
Color me pleasantly surprised by the A8! Very curious to see how this benchmarks versus the other A8 devices. With the 4" screen and lower resolution, the iPod touch has fewer millstones to drag on its performance.
Planned to get a pink one for my wife (she still refuses to get a smartphone, but carries a 3G iPod touch everywhere). But, then I saw the system requirements ... first iOS device that DOES NOT support Snow Leopard! Sign of things to come. Decision time now on whether I want to proceed with upgrading to OS X Lion in order to ensure compatibility with this and future iOS devices. Or if I want to stand pat with Snow Leopard and wait on a future Mac purchase before pulling the trigger on any new iOS devices.
What system is involved? Lion can be a bit cranky but if you've got a Mac that can handle more than 2GB RAM it's workable. Ideally you'll have 4GB+
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan
All this tells me is Apple cares a bit but not a ton about iPod. They didn't save this for the iPhone event in September. They didn't update the nano with iOS 7 style UI. I think it's entirely possible this is the last iPod update we see.
Yep. The new iPod Touch is the modern equivalent of the IIgs. Big leap over prior models which will now remain unchanged until someone at Apple remembers they make it and finally axes it.
In my mind I was wondering why Apple would upgrade the iPod Touch, especially after not giving it any love since 2012
I've been really thinking about why Apple would update the iPod Touch after showing it no love since 2012. Your post was along the line of thinking my mind was headed.
Let's say Apple was planning on letting the iPod Touch linger as a so-so gamer device, and then IBM came to Apple and said "we need a device that does this and this, but it can't be too expensive because we want to deploy millions..."
Personally, I can't think of a ore other possible scenario. The closest other thing I came up with is Apple has plans on making the ?watch/iDevice match-up for HealthKit more affordable and cut out the reason for a user having to get a phone contract. Whatever is in the wind, I'm glad I'm not an Apple competitor....
The common use cases that get bandied around are young kids and people who just want a media player or gaming device with no subscriptions required. I also hear a lot about how developers like to use the iPod touch for testing. And my wife uses one because she refuses to buy a smartphone (does not want the extra expense over the $100/year prepaid feature phone plan that she's on right now).
But, the enterprise scenario that you bring up is actually very plausible. We already see iPads being used as POS terminals and in all sorts of enterprise deployments. But, I can also see situations where an even more portable device might be better suited (such as how Apple stores handle customer transactions). Bringing the iPod touch to the A8 ensures full compatibility with Apple's developer tools for the foreseeable future, so it can have a very long shelf life when enterprises deploy thousands of units at a time.
A $25 feature phone (for those rare calls I get) and iPod touch with no celular data plan does save me a lot of $$$*. Before year's end I've earned my iPod back. And with WIFI getting ubiquitious, it really is a no brainer.
One more thing: Strangely enough, mere mortals think I am using the latest never-been-seen iPhone. They've somehow forgotten of the iPod's existence.
(*) I manage to do 4 months with a $20 pay-as-you-go-card. That is roughly $5/month: I use SMS and do the ocassional phone call when I am out of WIFI reach. However, most of the time I rely on my iPod. There's plenty of free WIFI in public transport, the coffee shop, library and coworking space 8-)
Get rid if your feature phone expense by installing magicJack on your iPod touch. It's FREE to call anyone. And if you buy one of their $35 dongles, you get a free phone number for life to use with the app. No need to renew the dongle annual fee. The app's yours to use free for life.
Get rid if your feature phone expense by installing magicJack on your iPod touch. It's FREE to call anyone. And if you buy one of their $35 dongles, you get a free phone number for life to use with the app. No need to renew the dongle annual fee. The app's yours to use free for life.
Or use Skype or any number of free VOIP apps as long as you're on wifi.
Get rid if your feature phone expense by installing magicJack on your iPod touch. It's FREE to call anyone. And if you buy one of their $35 dongles, you get a free phone number for life to use with the app. No need to renew the dongle annual fee. The app's yours to use free for life.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpamSandwich
Or use Skype or any number of free VOIP apps as long as you're on wifi.
Or, just don't call people. I like that option better. " src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />
Most cars will soon have easy access to Wi-Fi, so the idea that this is only for kids is ridiculous.
I do have a question though:
The iPhone 6 Plus' big selling point (aside from the size) is that it has optical image stabilization for videos. The iPhone 6 didn't get that feature.
Apple lists "cinematic video stabilization" as one of the new iPod's video camera features.
Is there a huge difference here?
How does the iPod Touch's video camera compare to the iPhone 6?
Most cars will soon have easy access to Wi-Fi, so the idea that this is only for kids is ridiculous.
I do have a question though:
The iPhone 6 Plus' big selling point (aside from the size) is that it has optical image stabilization for videos. The iPhone 6 didn't get that feature.
Apple lists "cinematic video stabilization" as one of the new iPod's video camera features.
Is there a huge difference here?
How does the iPod Touch's video camera compare to the iPhone 6?
I suspect it's just digital IS, not actual moving hardware.
The camera does 1080p/30fps and 120fps for slow motion, it's comparable to the iPad Air 2 camera in back and the iPhone 6 camera in front. Basically Apple's just throwing various parts from other devices into this thing.
Like others have said, I use the iPod Touch to do what I'd do on an iPhone, but without the phone...I have a dumbphone for calls and texts and pay only ~$20/month for it. It also forces me not to be distracted by an iPhone when I am away from wifi...not being able to connect to the internet absolutely everywhere is good for my (very distractible) mind.
I bought one for my son years back mainly for games and he still love it. He is still not old enough for an iPhone so maybe I will buy him this upgraded iPod touch soon. I knew many people who used to non-iPhones who bought the iPod touch then switched to the iPhone because they loved it.
As others have said, it seems that many parents buy iPod Touches for their children. I'm guessing the inability for the child to rack up a gigantic phone bill is a benefit of the iPod Touch. I think this works in Apple's favor, introducing youngsters to Apple products early.
Quote:
Originally Posted by joelsalt
I replaced my dumb phone with it 3 or so years ago instead of getting a smart phone. I have wifi at home and at work, and in many places down town and 95% of my friends/family have iPhones so I can iMessage frequently and FaceTime, plus use Apple Music/other apps. I think maybe 5 times or so its been a problem not having a phone vs. the iPod and I've saved ~$2500.
My wife has an iPhone, however, so when we are travelling together I do have the option to tether or use her phone in an emergency, which helps me not having one.
Before getting my first iPhone, I had thought of doing something similar. But not being able to call someone I'm meeting if we can't find each other was a deal breaker for me. It's cool that you can get by without the phone part, and can save so much money! I live in New York City, and there are still places where WiFi is not readily available.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Multimedia
I plan to buy the Space Gray 128GB model to load up a lot of my iTunes Library. I think this model will herald an iPod touch resurgence among music lovers who own a large library of songs and gamers. It'll also make a great lightweight magicJack VOIP iPhone.
I guess this may satisfy the crowd mourning the loss of the iPod Classic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dasanman69
My 9 yr old son uses it to play games, stream music, watch YouTube, take pics, and record videos that he then hyperlapses
At this age, does he communicate with classmates and friends much on his iPod Touch? If not, it would make sense why the iPod Touch is an ideal device for a young child.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boltsfan17
I bought one about a year ago to use as an mp3 player in my other vehicle. I have an iPod Classic in one and iPod Touch in another. I also use the iPod touch as my GoPro controller.
Interesting. You must really love music. Why do you have so many devices rather than one that you bring with you into your vehicles?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pontavignon
I use it for everything I would otherwise do on an iPhone, paired with Wi-Fi when available, and the hotspot on my iPad mini when travelling. As I am in Canada I use Fongo as my app to make and receive telephone calls. That might be Magic Jack in the US. My digital package for both units costs me on average about $15 a month, plus tax. That's why I don't want the phone until it is available as a digital-only device.
I recall that years ago, there was the idea that the iPod Touch would be Apple's ace up its sleeve if it ever got into the wireless network business, by rolling out Mobile WiMax or something like it. I wonder if that's still on Apple's radar.
Comments
I have a purple fourth gen Nano I got from my sister. I feel you.
yo sister so stupid that she got fired from the M&M factory for throwing away all the W's
I'm a very long time Mac and IOS user and I regularly get my iPod Touch updated. It is my handheld WiFi computer for email, web-browsing, appleTV remote control, FaceTime communicator, Message sender/receiver, camera, address book, note-writer, airplane movie viewer, audiobook reader, music box and with 3rd-party Apps, my VOIP phone, family history/genealogy database and display, personal financial database, personal password manager, WiFi network analyzer, eBay buy/sell monitor, off-line map database viewer, off-line foreign language translator, game player, remote bank check depositor, aircraft seat picker, airport terminal navigator, and my personal shopping assistant.
Why don't I have an iPhone? Easy! It costs less to purchase, I don't have to buy a wireless data plan, I have a cheap 2-SIM, GSM world phone for talking and texting.
But will I buy this iPod Touch? Resounding NO! If my new iPod "Touch" doesn't have "Touch" ID for security and, perhaps, Apple Pay then I'm very disappointed.
All this tells me is Apple cares a bit but not a ton about iPod. They didn't save this for the iPhone event in September. They didn't update the nano with iOS 7 style UI. I think it's entirely possible this is the last iPod update we see.
I may finally retire my six- or seven-year old (I forget!) beauty and workhorse -- the 160GB iPod Classic -- for music in my car, since it's beginning to require too many resets, and switch to the new 128GB iPod Touch for this purpose.
I'll use the Classic as just a passive external back up for my non-media files.
In my mind I was wondering why Apple would upgrade the iPod Touch, especially after not giving it any love since 2012
I've been really thinking about why Apple would update the iPod Touch after showing it no love since 2012. Your post was along the line of thinking my mind was headed.
Let's say Apple was planning on letting the iPod Touch linger as a so-so gamer device, and then IBM came to Apple and said "we need a device that does this and this, but it can't be too expensive because we want to deploy millions..."
Personally, I can't think of a ore other possible scenario. The closest other thing I came up with is Apple has plans on making the ?watch/iDevice match-up for HealthKit more affordable and cut out the reason for a user having to get a phone contract. Whatever is in the wind, I'm glad I'm not an Apple competitor....
I use it for everything I would otherwise do on an iPhone, paired with Wi-Fi when available, and the hotspot on my iPad mini when travelling. As I am in Canada I use Fongo as my app to make and receive telephone calls. That might be Magic Jack in the US. My digital package for both units costs me on average about $15 a month, plus tax. That's why I don't want the phone until it is available as a digital-only device.
I will be getting the new iPod Touch because of the better camera, and the faster performance, but otherwise my setup will be unchanged.
So, let's look a minute at the advantage of the phone over the iPod:
ApplePay (TouchID), phone number, texting, LTE coverage. Isn't that about it?
We are already reaching a point where people use data for texting and phone calls, so points 2 and 3 will disappear. Including ApplePay is just Apple adding the necessary hardware to make it work. If they did that, the ONLY difference between the iPhone and iPod for many people (who talks much on their phones?) would be where it works. Couple that with how often many people are not in wifi zones, these two are already dangerously close.
While Apple has said they don't care about cannibalization of themselves, I dare say they would care about cannibalizing a $549 product (5s, which is the same size) in favor of a $199 one, which is why they wouldn't include Touch ID (or LTE chip) in this product.
This is the same reason why the iPad has a camera... it's not for taking pictures, it's a barcode scanner.
And with last year's iPad upgrade from 5MP to 8MP, you can now scan barcodes from 15 feet away!
Color me pleasantly surprised by the A8! Very curious to see how this benchmarks versus the other A8 devices. With the 4" screen and lower resolution, the iPod touch has fewer millstones to drag on its performance.
Planned to get a pink one for my wife (she still refuses to get a smartphone, but carries a 3G iPod touch everywhere). But, then I saw the system requirements ... first iOS device that DOES NOT support Snow Leopard! Sign of things to come. Decision time now on whether I want to proceed with upgrading to OS X Lion in order to ensure compatibility with this and future iOS devices. Or if I want to stand pat with Snow Leopard and wait on a future Mac purchase before pulling the trigger on any new iOS devices.
What system is involved? Lion can be a bit cranky but if you've got a Mac that can handle more than 2GB RAM it's workable. Ideally you'll have 4GB+
All this tells me is Apple cares a bit but not a ton about iPod. They didn't save this for the iPhone event in September. They didn't update the nano with iOS 7 style UI. I think it's entirely possible this is the last iPod update we see.
Yep. The new iPod Touch is the modern equivalent of the IIgs. Big leap over prior models which will now remain unchanged until someone at Apple remembers they make it and finally axes it.
In my mind I was wondering why Apple would upgrade the iPod Touch, especially after not giving it any love since 2012
I've been really thinking about why Apple would update the iPod Touch after showing it no love since 2012. Your post was along the line of thinking my mind was headed.
Let's say Apple was planning on letting the iPod Touch linger as a so-so gamer device, and then IBM came to Apple and said "we need a device that does this and this, but it can't be too expensive because we want to deploy millions..."
Personally, I can't think of a ore other possible scenario. The closest other thing I came up with is Apple has plans on making the ?watch/iDevice match-up for HealthKit more affordable and cut out the reason for a user having to get a phone contract. Whatever is in the wind, I'm glad I'm not an Apple competitor....
The common use cases that get bandied around are young kids and people who just want a media player or gaming device with no subscriptions required. I also hear a lot about how developers like to use the iPod touch for testing. And my wife uses one because she refuses to buy a smartphone (does not want the extra expense over the $100/year prepaid feature phone plan that she's on right now).
But, the enterprise scenario that you bring up is actually very plausible. We already see iPads being used as POS terminals and in all sorts of enterprise deployments. But, I can also see situations where an even more portable device might be better suited (such as how Apple stores handle customer transactions). Bringing the iPod touch to the A8 ensures full compatibility with Apple's developer tools for the foreseeable future, so it can have a very long shelf life when enterprises deploy thousands of units at a time.
Or use Skype or any number of free VOIP apps as long as you're on wifi.
Get rid if your feature phone expense by installing magicJack on your iPod touch. It's FREE to call anyone. And if you buy one of their $35 dongles, you get a free phone number for life to use with the app. No need to renew the dongle annual fee. The app's yours to use free for life.
Or use Skype or any number of free VOIP apps as long as you're on wifi.
Or, just don't call people. I like that option better.
Apple has always and probably always will make most of it's profits selling computers.
The model name of the computer(Lisa, ][, Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, ?Watch) isn't the important thing.
What a fantastic point this is.
When they make the first working brain-implant, the haters will say, "But aren't they a phone company?"
Love the J. Mozz.
Most cars will soon have easy access to Wi-Fi, so the idea that this is only for kids is ridiculous.
I do have a question though:
The iPhone 6 Plus' big selling point (aside from the size) is that it has optical image stabilization for videos. The iPhone 6 didn't get that feature.
Apple lists "cinematic video stabilization" as one of the new iPod's video camera features.
Is there a huge difference here?
How does the iPod Touch's video camera compare to the iPhone 6?
Most cars will soon have easy access to Wi-Fi, so the idea that this is only for kids is ridiculous.
I do have a question though:
The iPhone 6 Plus' big selling point (aside from the size) is that it has optical image stabilization for videos. The iPhone 6 didn't get that feature.
Apple lists "cinematic video stabilization" as one of the new iPod's video camera features.
Is there a huge difference here?
How does the iPod Touch's video camera compare to the iPhone 6?
I suspect it's just digital IS, not actual moving hardware.
The camera does 1080p/30fps and 120fps for slow motion, it's comparable to the iPad Air 2 camera in back and the iPhone 6 camera in front. Basically Apple's just throwing various parts from other devices into this thing.
Like others have said, I use the iPod Touch to do what I'd do on an iPhone, but without the phone...I have a dumbphone for calls and texts and pay only ~$20/month for it. It also forces me not to be distracted by an iPhone when I am away from wifi...not being able to connect to the internet absolutely everywhere is good for my (very distractible) mind.
Thanks to everyone who replied.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NasserAE
I bought one for my son years back mainly for games and he still love it. He is still not old enough for an iPhone so maybe I will buy him this upgraded iPod touch soon. I knew many people who used to non-iPhones who bought the iPod touch then switched to the iPhone because they loved it.
As others have said, it seems that many parents buy iPod Touches for their children. I'm guessing the inability for the child to rack up a gigantic phone bill is a benefit of the iPod Touch. I think this works in Apple's favor, introducing youngsters to Apple products early.
I replaced my dumb phone with it 3 or so years ago instead of getting a smart phone. I have wifi at home and at work, and in many places down town and 95% of my friends/family have iPhones so I can iMessage frequently and FaceTime, plus use Apple Music/other apps. I think maybe 5 times or so its been a problem not having a phone vs. the iPod and I've saved ~$2500.
My wife has an iPhone, however, so when we are travelling together I do have the option to tether or use her phone in an emergency, which helps me not having one.
Before getting my first iPhone, I had thought of doing something similar. But not being able to call someone I'm meeting if we can't find each other was a deal breaker for me. It's cool that you can get by without the phone part, and can save so much money! I live in New York City, and there are still places where WiFi is not readily available.
I plan to buy the Space Gray 128GB model to load up a lot of my iTunes Library. I think this model will herald an iPod touch resurgence among music lovers who own a large library of songs and gamers. It'll also make a great lightweight magicJack VOIP iPhone.
I guess this may satisfy the crowd mourning the loss of the iPod Classic.
My 9 yr old son uses it to play games, stream music, watch YouTube, take pics, and record videos that he then hyperlapses
At this age, does he communicate with classmates and friends much on his iPod Touch? If not, it would make sense why the iPod Touch is an ideal device for a young child.
I bought one about a year ago to use as an mp3 player in my other vehicle. I have an iPod Classic in one and iPod Touch in another. I also use the iPod touch as my GoPro controller.
Interesting. You must really love music. Why do you have so many devices rather than one that you bring with you into your vehicles?
I use it for everything I would otherwise do on an iPhone, paired with Wi-Fi when available, and the hotspot on my iPad mini when travelling. As I am in Canada I use Fongo as my app to make and receive telephone calls. That might be Magic Jack in the US. My digital package for both units costs me on average about $15 a month, plus tax. That's why I don't want the phone until it is available as a digital-only device.
I recall that years ago, there was the idea that the iPod Touch would be Apple's ace up its sleeve if it ever got into the wireless network business, by rolling out Mobile WiMax or something like it. I wonder if that's still on Apple's radar.