Editors' take: iPod Touch (third-generation)
I have to admit, my expectations for the third-generation iPod Touch were pretty lofty heading into Apple's 09/09/09 event. Somehow, it seemed logical that many of the new features Apple rolled into the iPhone 3GS (video recording, specifically) would trickle down to its flagship media player. Well, I was wrong. Aside from a bump in capacity and a performance, the third-generation iPod Touch announcement was a bit of a snoozer.
It was also a little confusing. Apple is now selling identical-looking iPod Touch media players in 8GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities, priced at $199, $299, and $399, respectively. But to reach that magical $199 price point, the 8GB iPod Touch is literally a second-generation Touch with a new price tag. Only the 32GB and 64GB models will include the mildly exciting third-gen features, such as a 50 percent faster processor, OpenGL graphics support, Voice Control, and accessibility improvements.
Now, before this starts sounding too much like one prolonged whine, let's reflect on the good news. First off, the iPod Touch--whether it's last year's model or not--is still a great device that remains far ahead of its competitors on many fronts. Paying $199 for an 8GB second-gen Touch that includes iPhone OS 3.0 features such as Bluetooth and voice memos is not a bad deal. Also, kudos to Apple for breaking the 64GB Flash memory barrier. At least that's one thing Touch users can rub in the face of iPhone owners for awhile.
The Touch is also getting a new Genius Mixes feature which, like Genius Playlists, sounds a lot smarter than it really is. Basically, it's a shuffle of music from your library, constrained within a particular genre, with selections magically filtered through iTunes' Genius recommendation engine. In other words, it's genre shuffle with a prettier face and an extra dose of Apple mojo. I'm not exactly jumping out of my seat.
Battery life for the 8GB, as well as the 32GB and 64GB Touch models, is unsurprisingly rated at 30 hours of audio and 6 hours of video. For the first time in history, the Zune may have actually pulled ahead of Apple on battery life now that the Zune HD is boasting 32 hours of audio and 8.5 hours of video. Once both products have been subjected to testing in CNET Labs, we'll have a better sense of what to realistically expect.
Stay tuned for CNET's official review of the third-generation iPod Touch later this week. Until then, there's plenty of iPod ranting and raving to watch on this week's MP3 Insider video podcast, and all sorts of breaking news to be found at CNET's iPod Central.
On Sale Now: $183.98 - $195.00
View the latest prices for Apple iPod Touch (third generation, 8GB)
On Sale Now: $269.99 - $289.99
View the latest prices for Apple iPod Touch (third generation, 32GB)
On Sale Now: $354.00 - $369.99
View the latest prices for Apple iPod Touch (third generation, 64GB)
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs. 
%20%7C%20Crave%20-%20CNET&srcUrl=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10349453-1.html){kind=small}
Without the camera, there's really no compelling reason to upgrade from the 2G to the 3G (or 2GS, as some have called it). I mean, it's great that it's "faster"...but the average person isn't really going to upgrade their (otherwise good) touch just to get something fast. On the other hand, if Apple had actually put a camera in the player, then there would be a catalyst to buy the newer version.
The metallic forehead stamp also please
I await such an existence....
After all; why be out in the good weather riding a bike, swimming laps at the pool, walking or hiking with friends, having conversations IN PERSON, or helping others?..when I could be obsessing Ad nauseam about apps and our blind subservience to a fruit named gigantic corporation filled with similar drones and mantra spouting corporate snitches?..
Having said that, I'm not sure why CNET sees it necessary to do any further review of the iTouch 3G; any changes are noted above and is there really anything more to say?
Perhaps a true iPodt Touch 3G will have a camera,
...and an FM radio,
...and a bass-o-matic attachment.
True that Apple never promised us a camera, but all the signs were there (BestBuy case, etc).
Whenever someone breaks out their ipod touch at a party it lasts about three songs before the owner is like "yeah, this isn't going to work", because essentially they have to go over to the thing about 30 seconds before each song's over and get ready to put on the next one. I know you could have a playlist setup ahead of time, but apparently no one has one that will meet the demands of everyone at a party, because really, what happens is that people request songs as songs are being played, and they'd like to be able to just put them on a dynamic list, like a jukebox a bar.
I know that's possible with the "on the go" playlist, but no one seems to know how to do it on the touch. I know how to do it on my ipod (though it's annoying as hell, because the moment someone selects a song normally instead of holding down the select button for 2 seconds, the jig is up and someone who's sober enough to realize what happened has to go through all the trouble to add the song to the list, go back to the playlist, and get to the song that was last playing), but I haven't been able to figure out how to do it on my friends' touches. I did it once, but I couldn?t remember how I did it the last time I messed around with one. Something like this should be obvious.
Anyway, my point is that I can't believe one of the highest ranked portable media players has such an unintuitive interface. Same goes for my regular ipod. I got it because it was one of the few players with large storage, but I really can't stand using the thing in most situations.
If the high Touch ratings are for it's other features, like games, then okay, but as a PMP I can't believe how horribly designed it is (and actually, that statement applies to many other PMPs that I've used as well).
I'm not sure if I want to get the 32GB Zune HD or the 32GB iPod Touch. Now that they cost pretty much the same (only $10 apart) it's a tough decision. I've heard (and also experienced) that the iPod Touch freezes up a lot and isn't good with managing its own memory. Many people are having to do the factory restore just to get it working correctly because it crashes, restarts, and bugs out frequently. Not really what I would expect from an Apple product.
The Zune HD looks pretty smooth, and it comes with an unlimited music subscription, but no one has used it extensively yet, and it seems like in all the reviews there's (suspiciously) never any WIFI around to test the browser. Plus we're still not crystal clear on whether or not there will be native apps, or just "web apps" (which blow).
I'm leaning more towards the Zune, but that price drop on the iPod, in combination with all the apps in can run make it pretty tempting for only $10 more (although I'd be paying a fortune on music from iTunes). It all depends on how the Zune HD turns out.
A couple of tips: Get at least the 32 GB so you have plenty of room. I've heard the 8GB tends to have more problems just because it runs out of space. I don't have gobs of programs, pics, movies but I still have right around 7 to 9GBs so 8 GB would be tight.
Always reboot your iPod touch when you install a new app, especially memory and graphics intensive large apps. It just helps things run smoother.
But yes, the lack of a video camera is somewhat stunning. I believe they must have had some kind of last minute supply chain issue or something. It makes no sense. Too many companies were making cases for the missing camera.
- by techguy154 November 22, 2009 2:38 PM PST
- Will you people listen to yourselves? "I really wished that it had a camera, I don't know why they didn't put one in". Think about it, the main purpose of an iPod touch is to listen to music, watch vids and play games/apps. Do you honestly think that having a camera in it will make it all the more better? The main reason I bought an iPod is to fit all my music on it - not to take crappy 640x480 videos/pictures; sure the first few days you might use the camera but after the fun and excitement wears off you'll probably forget that it was even there.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(17 Comments)Honestly, I think that too many people look past their actual needs in a music player and only look at the so-called "features" or "upgrades" that makes it different from previous models. "Oh but that iPod doesn't have a built in camera" or "that iPod doesn't have an FM radio with LivePause".
The same can be said with any piece of new technology: you look for the things you NEED in it - the main things that you need it to do for you (e.g. play music); then you look at the things you may WANT it to do, not the other way around. And besides, there are already plenty of devices that have built in cameras (phones, laptops, PDAs) - how many do you plan on using at once?
If the main reason you decide to buy an iPod is because it has a camera, why not just buy a real digital camera? After all it would be much better quality and would probably cost less (depending on type of camera).
This is just my opinion, which I am entitled to, as is everyone. If you wanna wait till it has a camera in it, sure, go ahead, but I won't be rushing out to buy a new iPod anytime soon.