Filed under: Other Events, WWDC, iPod touch
iPod touch: Always a bridesmaid ...
With all the fanfare this week surrounding the iPhone, let's not forget the famed handset's red-headed stepchild: the iPod touch.
Hardware updates to the line weren't exactly expected just now. Apple tends to save their iPod updates for special music events held every year since 2003. After Apple's education promo is done and dusted, we can probably expect a special event in September where we see updates for our favorite media device. What's in store for the new iPod touch? Setting aside for the moment rumors about a tablet-sized device, there are sure to be plenty of updates for the handheld iPod touch we've come to know and love.
As far as the operating system update is concerned, we'll gain all the features compatible with the iPod touch's hardware, like copy and paste, upgrades to the iTunes store, and the landscape keyboard. These updates, like those in the past, will come at a price: In an effort to adhere to strict accounting regulations, Apple charges iPod touch users about $10 to upgrade to the new operating system. iPhone users aren't charged similarly, because revenue from the handsets is accounted on a subscription basis, which has different rules about giving updates away for free. Like the iPhone, the update for iPod touch will be available June 17.
Compared to the iPhone, planned updates to the iPod touch's hardware remain largely unknown. iPod touch models have been generally close in specification to the iPhone, but each model is slightly different. In theory, if applications require the greater horsepower the iPhone 3G S provides, some high-performance games may be incompatible with existing iPod touch models, in addition to apps that take advantage of the iPhone's built-in GPS and camera.
Cameras, however, might be on the way: Mike noted rumors last month about iPod nanos with cameras built-in. If those are true, it stands to reason that iPod touch models could get the same functionality. I've opined before about a whispernet service for the iPod touch, but I don't see that happening anytime soon, especially with AT&T's lackluster feature delivery schedule revealed during the iPhone keynote.
What do you think the next iPod touch will be? Will it become "just like the iPhone but without the phone part?" Let us know by leaving a comment.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
shotgun willies said 7:07PM on 6-10-2009
The iPod Touch could never be " ...just like the iPhone but without the phone part ..."
It'll never have;
GPS - or turn by turn directions
SMS or MMS
Anything that requires a cell connection, email, tethering etc.
Still a great device though.
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mike said 11:04PM on 6-10-2009
"The iPod Touch could never be " ...just like the iPhone but without the phone part ..."
It'll never have;
GPS - or turn by turn directions
SMS or MMS
Anything that requires a cell connection"
In other words, an iPhone without the cellular network! And why would Apple "obvioulsy" never include GPS in the next iPod. Conjecture and bullshit.
Good job, you're an idiot.
mabhatter said 11:47PM on 6-10-2009
Apple uses cell phone based/assisted GPS, so they don't include good enough hardware to include GPS without the phone chips. I personally think the TomTom accessory will have it's own GPS antenna and firmware to assist the 3GS software.
The touch hasn't ever had any of the "phone" features... SMS, MMS, etc all use the phone network protocols, and Touch only has WiFi and Bluetooth.so there's no point.
I'd like to see a 8"-10" touch based on the same screens we're packing in our little netbooks. If you think about it, a Touch isn't much thicker than the screen of my Aspire One.... you could pack the whole thing in there.. mic, webcam, and a massive battery for all-day use. The one thing I want is a quick photo viewer/editor/uploader for when I take pics at the park. Now that Apple loves SD cards, maybe we'll get a Touch with an SD slot that would really set it apart from the tiny iPhones.
Skullivan said 11:51PM on 6-10-2009
Why couldn't the iPod Touch have GPS? That's not a phone based feature. The Touch really should be an iPhone without the phone. The closer it is to an iPhone, the more apps they can sell for it.
Most of what makes the iPhone awesome has nothing to do with it being a phone, especially since most of those cool phone features are hampered by AT&T's garbage service.
I've been waiting for a 64GB iPod Touch since the iPhone was first announced and GPS and camera/video are both features I'd love to see in it. There's no reason they should be exclusive to the iPhone. At the very least Apple should have a high end Touch available with those features even if it costs $100 more. I'd prefer if they were just made standard, but an extra $100 to not have to carry around a separate mini video recorder or GPS unit is pretty reasonable. (Granted, something like TomTom will have an added cost even beyond that, but it will on the iPhone as well.)
Apple has sold nearly as many Touch's as they have iPhones, they really shouldn't underestimate the market for people who want the device itself but don't want or need to be paying $100+ a month for phone service. Especially since it is actually more expensive to purchase a Touch than it is to buy a subsidized iPhone. That doesn't mean they don't want those other non phone related features the iPhone has. People carry their iPod's with them everywhere they go just like they would an iPhone. Moreover, I think 64GB is big enough that people who have held off on the Touch for capacity reasons, like myself, are finally going to start jumping on board. 32GB isn't enough for my music, let alone video and apps. They are going to sell a lot more Touch's this year than they ever have, it's in their best interest that those millions of units are capable of using the GPS and camera related apps that will be popping up. For that matter, they really need to add a built in mic to the unit as well so Touch users have access to the new voice control features of OS 3.0.
Andrew Harwood said 7:15PM on 6-10-2009
Agree with shotgun but I do believe the hardware that isn't present will allow apple to give it a boost in processor speed and maybe graphic speed. The ipod touch already is a little faster than the iphone. That is expected.
I still couldn't fathom not having my iphone and having a ipod. i like having one device to do everything. Otherwise I would be carrying around a cell phone, camera, and gps.
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JAQ said 7:26PM on 6-10-2009
The pitch line "an iPhone without the phone" has always required an asterisk to note that it's missing a handful of other lesser features too. At various times it's lacked certain preinstalled apps, camera, volume controls, speaker, mic, Bluetooth, and GPS; the 3G-S is going to add a compass and horsepower to the list. While I fully expect a camera to show up soon on the Touch (I used to get a lot of "why no camera?" reactions when I was selling them), I also expect to see it evolving away from the iPhone, to establish itself as more of a gaming device.
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scarlco said 7:47PM on 6-10-2009
Looks like 3.0 will enable Bluetooth on the touch as well as include the voice recording app (though you'll need an external mic). It appears that Mobile Me users will be able to 'find my iPod', to the same accuracy as maps' can pinpoint your location.
Stephen Lang said 8:08PM on 6-10-2009
If that were the case, it would just be named the 'i'.
required said 7:23PM on 6-10-2009
when will there be a ipod touch-s?
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required said 7:28PM on 6-10-2009
http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyimages/1255.gif
Mitch said 8:00PM on 6-10-2009
I'd expect the 3rd generation iPod Touch will feature the same processor and ram as the iPhone 3gs and will see the inclusion of a mic and a digital compass as well.
... Or, at least, that would make me happy. Give me an accessory a la the TomTom car mount that will turn the iPod Touch into a turn by turn device like an actual TomTom and I don't think I could be happier.
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iBearTouch said 8:12PM on 6-10-2009
Have been a big fan of the iPod Touch since the beginning (have owned both models). I have always wanted more of a PMP and a souped up PIM than anything else. Being in Canada too helped make my decision as I am using Bell and am generally happy using my BB Pearl. Contracts being what they are up here I am kind of satisfied carrying two devices. On the other hand if Bell took on the iPhone I would be highly tempted to switch. I don't see why the iPod touch couldn't have features such as camera, etc. To me it is the ultimate device if you are on campus of a major university, up here there seems to be global Wi-fi at many of them.
A bigger storage capacity, camera, and wireless N or wimax capability as well as better graphics specs might help develop better devices for both lines...
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Maxwell said 11:06PM on 6-10-2009
I also like the idea of the Touch as a PIM (+PMP). I bought it to replace my Palm. It still falls way short, and will continue to do so until Apple figures out how sync and offline behavior. Sync should be a system-level feature all apps can take advantage of. Having to click through app by app to sync this one to a web site, that one to its desktop app (enter the IP address....) etc is a royal and unnecessary pain. And the iPhone could be designed with an "it's always connected" assumption, but the Touch goes offline, and Apple has not adjusted for that. Instead, the Touch continues just to get hand-me-down iPhone features.
Andre said 8:52PM on 6-10-2009
I think they will make a new iPod Touch with all the power and features of the iPhone, minus the phone.
They know it will sell. I'd buy one. Heck, even just for the turn-by-turn GPS apps, the camera, Skype, etc.
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Chuckie said 9:35PM on 6-10-2009
In an effort to adhere to strict accounting regulations...
I'm tired of hearing this - it's absolutely 100% not true. There's no provision in US GAAP that says you have to charge for upgrades if you don't get subscription revenue. Sure - by not charging you may be changing whether or not you can capitalize the outlay for development vvs. expensing it - but you don't have to charge for it.
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Maxwell said 10:43PM on 6-10-2009
Agreed. It is especially galling to pay $10 because the Touch does not support kickback-friendly features like MMS and tethering, when AT&T has crippled the iPhone in that regard anyway.
hank brummels said 10:13PM on 6-10-2009
its only $9.95...cannot wait. just days before my birthday...thanks apple!
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David Frantz said 11:30PM on 6-10-2009
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
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iBearTouch said 11:35PM on 6-10-2009
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.
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Scott said 11:41PM on 6-10-2009
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.)
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