Why I chose the iPod touch (and not the iPhone)
(Credit: Crave Asia)You'd think that years of being a CNET Asia reviewer would have taught me a thing or two about making tech purchases. Apparently not.
Prior to arriving in San Francisco for an Intel event, I had done my homework and somewhat set my mind on getting an iPhone. The $200 price cut that the Cupertino company had recently announced was just too good to pass. Not to mention that I was as fallible as the next customer when it came to the iPhone, from the impressive touch display interface down to the sleek Apple styling that's simply irresistible. A further bonus was the fact that the iPhone would officially be launched in Asia only next year, giving me early adopter status in the league of extraordinary geeks and making me (naturally) the envy of my fellow scribes back home. And if it turns out I don't like the iPhone after all, well, there's always eBay.
However, when I finally found myself standing inside the Apple Store in San Francisco late in September, the iPod Touch in one hand, the iPhone in the other, I started having second thoughts about the iPhone. Aside from not having faster connectivity options such as 3G and HSDPA, the iPhone needs to be unlocked by third-party options in order to be used with SIM cards other than AT&T's, and that's additional cost.
As much as I didn't like the glossy chrome finish of the Touch and its lack of a camera and cellular support, its slimmer design and larger 16GB capacity made it really attractive. Also noteworthy were its video-out capabilities and normal 3.5mm-jack, both of which aren't found on the iPhone. The iPhone's 3.5mm audio jack is recessed into the slot, making it compatible with only a selected number of earphones out there (unless it is used with an additional adapter).
Eventually, on my sixth visit to the Apple store, during which the Apple staff now readily recognized me, I finally got the 16GB iPod Touch. My rationale being that I'm still convinced a better iPhone will come along to Asia next year, complete with 3G and further improvements. There was that plus the limited availability of the iPod touch--the 16GB version was perpetually sold out on my first five visits to the store--which decided me. Am I happy with my decision now I've gotten it? You bet.
(Source: Crave Asia)
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Myself? I got an iphone (or i should say i decided to keep it). This was of course after using it for a couple of weeks along with my Treo.
You say you want 3G? Guess what..other phones (like the treo) that use 3G or EVDO take as long or longer to load webpages..well..if you can call Blazer, Opera Mini (when it works), and pocket IE real browsers. They don't compare.
I'd like faster speed too, but I don't see a phone on sprint with specs good enough to really take advantage of it. The only time i notice the speed is through tethering a treo to a laptop, but that's not exactly too fast either..considering i use a data card now.
No doubt my Treo does more stuff. But my iphone does what it does much much better. No lag at all. And the experience is much better due to the screen, software, interface, etc.
For now, it's not about speed. It's about what competitors can offer software wise along with specs..and they're not even close. Windows mobile 7? They better dump IE or redo it and that interface is awful. Opera? Too buggy and incomplete. Palm has a shot but its doubtful given their problems in recent years.
Myself? I got an iphone (or i should say i decided to keep it). This was of course after using it for a couple of weeks along with my Treo.
You say you want 3G? Guess what..other phones (like the treo) that use 3G or EVDO take as long or longer to load webpages..well..if you can call Blazer, Opera Mini (when it works), and pocket IE real browsers. They don't compare.
I'd like faster speed too, but I don't see a phone on sprint with specs good enough to really take advantage of it. The only time i notice the speed is through tethering a treo to a laptop, but that's not exactly too fast either..considering i use a data card now.
No doubt my Treo does more stuff. But my iphone does what it does much much better. No lag at all. And the experience is much better due to the screen, software, interface, etc.
For now, it's not about speed. It's about what competitors can offer software wise along with specs..and they're not even close. Windows mobile 7? They better dump IE or redo it and that interface is awful. Opera? Too buggy and incomplete. Palm has a shot but its doubtful given their problems in recent years.
Surfing on-line and using the two-finger gesture to zoom in and out is just fantastic! Sound quality is very good (I listen solely to Classical music) provided one uses good ear-phones. In short - it's a gadgeteer's dream come true!
Surfing on-line and using the two-finger gesture to zoom in and out is just fantastic! Sound quality is very good (I listen solely to Classical music) provided one uses good ear-phones. In short - it's a gadgeteer's dream come true!
touch and the iPhone. So, they both were known to have video out at the same
time. While the feature hadn't been enabled yet on the iPhone, it was known that
it would be enabled because the cord said that it was for the iPhone.
touch and the iPhone. So, they both were known to have video out at the same
time. While the feature hadn't been enabled yet on the iPhone, it was known that
it would be enabled because the cord said that it was for the iPhone.
iPod, but the $600 price tag scared me away. Plus, paying that much for a
phone and unlocking it's phone capabilities seemed to much of a waste for
me. I was really glad that the Touch came out. It took me just about a month
to get a hold of one.
I was going to purchase one about a week after it was announced, but by the
time I was ready to go buy one (I had it held for me), I called and they had
sold it already. They said they could hold it for 2 hours and they only held it
for 1. I got a 10% discount card in the process that I could use on anything,
so I bought a new keyboard and a Mighty Mouse.
Talk about selling fast. At both of my local stores, they sell out so quick. I'm
just waiting for a case now. And any the way, AT&T service is horrible.
iPod, but the $600 price tag scared me away. Plus, paying that much for a
phone and unlocking it's phone capabilities seemed to much of a waste for
me. I was really glad that the Touch came out. It took me just about a month
to get a hold of one.
I was going to purchase one about a week after it was announced, but by the
time I was ready to go buy one (I had it held for me), I called and they had
sold it already. They said they could hold it for 2 hours and they only held it
for 1. I got a 10% discount card in the process that I could use on anything,
so I bought a new keyboard and a Mighty Mouse.
Talk about selling fast. At both of my local stores, they sell out so quick. I'm
just waiting for a case now. And any the way, AT&T service is horrible.
puts the email app on the Touch! I would like to replace my old Palm Tungsten
E, but can't until I can ENTER data (contacts, calendar, email) on the Ipod touch!
Why Apple did you limit the Ipod Touch? It would make a GREAT PDA/MP3
replacement gadget for those of us who don't need the phone!
puts the email app on the Touch! I would like to replace my old Palm Tungsten
E, but can't until I can ENTER data (contacts, calendar, email) on the Ipod touch!
Why Apple did you limit the Ipod Touch? It would make a GREAT PDA/MP3
replacement gadget for those of us who don't need the phone!
Marat Fidarov
Marat Fidarov
Whilst I like the iPod Touch, it does really feel like a significantly cut-down version of the iPhone - apart from the lack of "phone" features (obviously), there are missing apps, no volume buttons, no bluetooth, no speaker, etc...
As for the headphone jack, I have a pair of B&O A8 earphones and they happen to fit the iPhone's recessed socket perfectly. (That was just dumb luck...)
In any event, I think that a 3G version of the iPhone is still a long way away and I have the perfect device to tide me over in the meantime.
- I live in Aus and I've got both...
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by Petedaddy
October 13, 2007 6:53 AM PDT
- ... so I feel I'm able to make an objective call as I have an unlocked 8GB iPhone and the 16GB iPod Touch. The iPhone wins hands down as far as I am concerned - access to many more applications and better value for money when it comes to features vs price.
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Reply to this comment
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (26 Comments)Whilst I like the iPod Touch, it does really feel like a significantly cut-down version of the iPhone - apart from the lack of "phone" features (obviously), there are missing apps, no volume buttons, no bluetooth, no speaker, etc...
As for the headphone jack, I have a pair of B&O A8 earphones and they happen to fit the iPhone's recessed socket perfectly. (That was just dumb luck...)
In any event, I think that a 3G version of the iPhone is still a long way away and I have the perfect device to tide me over in the meantime.