iPod touch: Always a bridesmaid ...

Ok, i am pretty sure that the new ipod will include a camera (kinda a given at this point- after the discovery of the chinese cases) a faster processor (apple better do this for consistency in devices for app developers- apple typically listens to developers more than consumers). Maybe a magnetometer, but w/o gps that would be useless. I hope to see a built in microphone, it wouldnt be that hard to add in

I hope, nay pray, for a gps chip. I currently have mobileme and the "find my iphone" feature recognizes my ipod as an ipod. I think that an extension to this feature would be to allow the ipods to have a gps chip. It makes sense really as ipod users WAY out number iphone users, so this would be a great way for apple to push the service.

The only thing i am worried about is the maps app is web based, so no gps using the app outside of wifi. maybe there will be a way to download maps (though with google lisencing i doubt it) maybe this will be a debilitating feature that sets the iphone apart from the ipods.

I personally hope apple really hits it out of the park with the new hardware, the current ipod touch is nice, but it leaves A LOT to the imagination.

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I'm the only iPod touch user in my circle of colleagues (2G) and I will say that I envy the 'always on' or 'almost always on' nature of the iPhone network capability. However, I don't envy their monthly bill. If I can get WiFi, I feel better than equal (Skype really helps there) because I'm not paying AT&T anything but when I can't get WiFi and they have cellular, I feel second class.

I have been extremely pleased with my 2nd Gen Touch. I hope that then next one will be more of an "iPhone without the phone" but I don't think Apple will go for it. A camera and a mic would be nice though so I don't have to use 3rd party mic add-ons for Skype.

I'm an iPod Touch 2G owner, and I'm loving it. I've got a Palm Centro phone with AT&T for the cell end of things, and after having had phones with both Verizon and T-Mobile, I can say AT&T is probably the worst service ever. So, as much as I'd like an iPhone, I can't see paying a substantial monthly data plan fee for it, if the network is as bad as what I've already experienced. Plus, I'm sitting in front of a couple of Macs all day, anyway, so not seeing the real need for 3G accessibility for the most part.

My biggest concern is that Apple will let the Touch wither on the vine while it pushed the iPhone forward. The Touch is an iPod, but it's pretty dang different than the rest of the iPod line, so I don't think they should classify it with the others.

Oh, and the $10 software charge for 3.0 does seem a little silly, since all it's going to do is generate more revenue from all the new apps being sold as a result of the new features. I'm a Mac vet who remembers the days of free system updates in the 80s and 90s. You paid for the hardware, then Apple took care of the software. That seems more sensible to me.

Here is where I think the problem arises. Whisper would be awesome especially for us that don't want to switch to AT&T to get the iPhone. If they had a service like the Kindle, how would "they" make any money. You could then use Skype for calls and the carriers would lose out on all that revenue. A 3G connection would circumvent the phone Co. and I believe the service fee for the iPod Touch 3G would become cost prohibitive to use for email and surfing. That's how I see it. However, I would pay $10 per month to have something like that.

Think of it this way: there is now an iPhone that costs less than an iPod Touch. Either they're going to have to

a) drop the price considerably
b) add some new features
c) drop the line entirely

because who would pay $229 for a device that does LESS than a $99 phone (true, the phone requires a contract and stuff but you see my point)

How about HD based storage for a cheaper price and more capacity. I have to swap video file out on my 5G iPod's 30GB HD as it is now (and the Touch screams out for video). Oh, and some us are capable of taking care of our gear and don't need expensive solid state drives thank-you-very-much (it, and my 3G 20Giger still function perfectly).

I'm chomping at the bit to buy a Touch, but 32GB isn't enough. (and no, I can't use an iPhone, AT&T doesn't work where I live.)

Yeah, I still think the Touch gives a ton of bang for the buck WITHOUT the worries of cell phone bills. If I cancel my phone service, I don't have to sit there with an iPhone that is doing the job of an iPod Touch only... does that make any sense? LOL

I don't know, despite having a non iPhone cell phone I am still a bit mistrustful of the cell phone companies... in Canada the prices were nutty not long ago, esp for smartphones. In the US certain carriers won't allow accessibility to certain phone features.

Who says they have the end-user in mind? When all is said and done it is obviously all about the $$$$. I don't like being tethered to these guys... no pun intended.

Hence I prefer the Touch; one large payment, no hassles thereafter.

First GPS is a real possibility. GPS has nothing to do with having a cell connection, don't understand why people are so dense about that. If Apple did add the feature I wouldn't expect it on every model as it would jack up the price on a device that is price sensitive. The fact is though it would provide for a lot of cool apps for that platform.

I'm expecting to see more innovation on the iPod Touch line than we have seen with iPhone. We are talking a family of devices here running Touch interfaces of some sort or the other. I'm especially interested in a Touch Pad device in the 6 to 8 inch range. Combined with a few features this could be more compelling than iPhone.

What are those features, how about these: portable Apple TV, GPS navigator, e-book reader, and if course your Internet machine. Put all of that into a Newton sized device and you will have a winner.


Dave