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The Mobile Gadgeteer

Matthew Miller & Joel Evans

Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the carrier

By | September 9, 2010, 2:04am PDT

Summary: There are many of us who want to stick with our wireless carrier, yet still would like to experience the latest Apple touchscreen device. Thankfully, Apple launched the iPod touch in three different capacities and it provides consumers with the high resolution retina display, A4 processor, iOS 4.1, and HD video camera.

Last week Apple revealed its new iPod lineup and the only one that attracted my interest was the 4th generation iPod touch. I have an iPhone 3GS, but for the last 6-8 months I have only used it as an iPod and rarely used it as a phone and I am not going to add an AT&T account just to get an iPhone 4. The iPod touch offers much of what we see in the iPhone 4, including the 3.5 inch retina display, HD video recording, FaceTime support with the front facing camera, and A4 processor. I sold my iPhone 3GS on Craigslist and purchased a 32GB iPod touch to replace it, all at no out-of-pocket cost. I have now spent several hours with my new iPod touch and am quite pleased with the purchase. Check out a few photos in my short image gallery, the video walkthrough embedded below, and my first impressions.


Image Gallery:Check out some product photos and a comparison of the iPod touch 4th generation and 2nd generation iPod touch. Image Gallery: iPod touch retail box Image Gallery: iPod touch in hand

Available options and box contents

The iPod touch is available in 8GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities. The 8GB model is available for $229, the 32GB for $299, and the 64GB for $399. There were not yet any 64GB models in my local store, but it looks like all are available for purchase on the Apple website. It seems to me that the 32GB is a no brainer over the 8GB where you get quadruple the memory for just $70 more.

Inside the box you will find the iPod touch, stereo earphones, USB 2.0 cable and Quick Start guide. The boxes keep getting smaller and smaller and are made of clear plastic.

Initial impressions

I thought the previous generation iPod touch was thin and light, but the new 4th generation model is even more compact and narrower. I was blown away by the compact solid feel of the device and have a feeling I will be carrying this iPod just about everywhere I go. I couldn’t wait to turn on the screen to check out the retina display and I was not disappointed. WOW, the resolution is awesome and everything is super crisp and clear so I can see why people love their iPhone 4 devices.

Specifications

Specifications of the iPod touch 4th generation include the following:

  • 3.5 inch 960×640 pixel resolution display
  • 8GB, 32GB, or 64GB internal flash memory capacity
  • 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • Video camcorder that records H.264 VGA video, 960×720 pixels, up to 30 frames per second with AAC audio
  • Internal mic for voice recording and VoIP calls
  • 3.5mm headset jack
  • 3-axis gyro, accelerometer, and light sensor
  • 4.4 x 2.3 x 0.248 inches and 3.56 ounces

In comparison, the iPhone 4 has a still camera that captures 5 megapixel image while the back camera on the iPod touch only captures still images at 0.92 megapixels. I never print my camera photos anyway so if the camera can capture photos good enough for posting to Facebook and Twitter then most of us may not even notice this low resolution camera. The iPhone 4 also has an IPS display that offers better viewing angles, but since I don’t have an iPhone 4 and I don’t really know why you need such a wide viewing angle I don’t see any problem here either. The lack of GPS is a bit troublesome to me since I could have used the iPod touch for GPS navigation and for working out with the Nike Plus support to track my runs. Google Maps is included, but it just uses the WiFi radio to estimate your location and GPS would have been a welcome feature.

Walk around the hardware

The 3.5 inch display is the central focus of the device and takes up the majority of the front. As I stated earlier, it is absolutely gorgeous and the display itself is probably worth picking up an iPod touch. Centered above the display you will find the VGA front facing camera that you can use for FaceTime, taking still photos, or capturing video. The standard center button is also found below the display.

There is nothing on the right side and the only thing on the left side is the two distinct volume buttons. The power button is found on the top while the standard 30-pin dock connector port, 3.5 mm headset jack, and speaker are found on the bottom.

The main camera is found on the back upper left corner with a microphone opening adjacent to the camera lens. There is no flash on the device.

The hardware is fairly simple and feels fantastic in your hand.

Thoughts on the iOS 4.1 software

The iOS 4.1 operating system is slick and fixes a few issues I had with Apple’s operating system in the past. Most notable of these are the ability to organize applications into folders, the ability to multitask, and the ability to quickly switch between running applications. I used to have 9+ pages of apps and now have two convenient pages organized to my liking. These folders alone make using my device much better than the iPhone ever used to be so I am quite pleased with the new operating system.

TV show rentals from the iPod touch are also a new feature and this is could be nice to have since rentals is one of the most common ways I have been getting media onto my iPad and old iPhone 3GS. I can now do this on the go with selected TV shows when I am in a hotel room in case I left my MacBook behind and am traveling light.

I haven’t used FaceTime yet, but this may be a cool service as more people upgrade to the iPod touch.

The new Game Center multi-player gaming and social gaming service is just now rolling out and it took a couple hours last night to get some apps loaded. I now have Real Racing and FarmVille in the Game Center. I have never played FarmVille, but it was the only free software available when Game Center launched last night.

Final thoughts

If you already have an iPod touch then I can understand the desire to upgrade for the video camera and fantastic display. If you have an iPhone 4 I don’t know why you would want one of these since you already have a device with the same features and more. This is clearly the best iPod touch ever and for someone like me who did not have an iPod touch or an iPhone 4 it was a pretty easy decision to pick one up, especially since I was able to sell my iPhone 3GS to pay for it.

Apple continues to dominate the media player world and the this version of the iPod touch sets the bar pretty high. There is still room to improve the still camera quality and add in a GPS receiver though, but there has to be more to differentiate the iPod touch from the iPhone other than just the wireless carrier.

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Topics

Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle.

Disclosure

Matthew Miller

Matthew is a professional naval architect by day and a mobile gadget freak at all other times. He purchases most of his devices and then sells them on eBay or Craigslist to buy more. Many other devices are sent for review on a 30-day loaner basis and then returned to the carrier or manufacturer. If any are provided as “keeper” or “long term loaner units” this will be clearly disclosed in his reviews.

Biography

Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle. He is one of three hosts on the MobileTechRoundup podcast and runs the Nokia Experts website. Matthew started using mobile devices in 1997 with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned over 90 different devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, Mac OS X (iPhone), Google Android, and Windows Mobile operating systems. His current collection includes a Nokia N85, Nokia E71, Nokia 5800, Nokia N810, Apple iPhone, HTC Advantage, T-Mobile G1, Palm Treo Pro, HTC Fuze, MSI Wind, MacBook Pro, and many more, along with tons of accessories and classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew co-authored Master Visually Windows Mobile 2003, was a member of the Nokia Nseries Blogger relations program, and is a member of the invite-only Microsoft Mobius mobile device evangelist group. He can be found on various discussion forums under the user name of "palmsolo".

Talkback Most Recent of 19 Talkback(s)

  • RE: Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the carrier
    the new Ipod touch finally is published ! Two cameras and facetime feature are my expectation. In fact , the ipod touch like the son of iphone ! ahaha ~
    if fact , i think a ipod+phone= iphone
    the new ipod touch is so beautiful .
    every touch fans ,don't forget download this Aneesoft free ipod touch if you get one !!!
    http://www.aneesoft.com/win-free-ipod-video-converter.html
    ZDNet Gravatar
    xiaoa
    2nd Dec 2010
  • ZDNet Gravatar
    inspirearun
    2nd Oct 2010
  • RE: Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the carrier
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    ZDNet Gravatar
    helenass
    28th Dec
  • ZDNet Gravatar
    DeRSSS
    9th Sep 2010
  • Blows aways any vestige of competition
    With the latest iPod touch, Apple completely wipes the floor with any potential competition. What amazes me, is that nobody is trying harder in this market because Apple has now sold around 40 million iPod touches. That is HUGE. Yet the other players are ceding strategic markets to Apple's iPod touch. It is the gateway drug to the iDevice universe, especially for the all-important under-20 crowd. It is perfect for those who can't/won't use AT&T or can't/won't pay exorbitant monthly data fees. The iPod touch and the iPad are perfect for any number of big markets that don't need a telco connection--POS, warehouse/inventory management, medical, schools--yet Apple's competitors are completely ceding these markets to Apple by requiring the telco contract with their tablet devices.
    And did you notice which device John Carmack demoed his latest mobile game? It wasn't a PSP or DS. The iPod touch/iPad combo is going to own the mobile gaming market.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Synthmeister
    9th Sep 2010
  • RE: Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the carrier
    @Synthmeister News flash, you are not required to buy the latest tablets and phones with a contract. You can choose to buy it without one and pay full price like you do with the iPad and iPod Touch. iDevices that don't have true GPS. Of course, you can get true GPS with the 3G version of the iPad, but then you have to buy it with a contract don't you?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    mrxxxman
    9th Sep 2010
  • RE: Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the
    @mrxxxman
    Who cares about GPS? Your post does a poor job of responding to Synthmeister's post.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Monkeypox
    9th Sep 2010
  • Wrong.
    @mrxxxman

    Show me the Android Tablet we can buy that's competition to the iPad now. The Android Tablet that comes with an App Store like the iPad. And gives you a choice of 3G with App Store or WiFi tablet with App store like the iPad.

    You won't find any because Google's Android licensing currently don't allow access to the market place (apps) without some type of cellular communication. Android license require persistent data, GPS, rear camera etc. for app to be officially supported on OEMs devices. That's why we see devices like the Samsung 7" Tab looking silly with rear camera and phone option. Who's really going to be taking pictures with these or using it as a cell phone?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    dave95.
    9th Sep 2010
  • RE: Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the carrier
    @mrxxxman With the 3G iPad it is a month to month contract but I do not believe that even with that you HAVE to buy a contract. With the wifi versions there is no contract.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Pete "athynz" Athens
    16th Sep 2010
  • Is owning such a small market
    even worth mentioning, Synthmeister?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Mister Spock
    19th Sep 2010
  • Apple behind the curve, not leading it anymore.
    Apple is being caught with it's pants down again. First and foremost is the screen size. It's too freaking small!!! When is Apple going to get a clue and make their devices with a bigger screen!!! Who cares if you have a "Retina" display when it's only 3.5". There have been phones with 3.7", 4", 4.3" and larger devices like the Dell Streak that have been around for months. And, now, some of these vendor will be coming out with just as high resolution as the "Retina" display.

    The ironic thing is that Apple was partly responsible for starting this trend of bigger screens on phones when they came out with their 1st iPhone. How long ago was that? How big was their screen back then? 3.5"! How big is their screen now, all these years later? Still 3.5"!

    Apple had the largest screen on a phone back when the iPhone first appeared.

    Lastly, because of Apple's iPhone, people have been progressively using their phones less and less for voice, and more and more for data/internet access/maps/games, etc. Functions that only benefit that much more from a larger screen.

    Larger screens on Android phones is one reason it's overtaking the iPhone.

    The iPod Touch has not set a new standard. As with the iPhone, it's screen is too small now. It's behind the curve, not leading it.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    mrxxxman
    9th Sep 2010
  • RE: Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the
    @mrxxxman

    Can you carry a dell streak in your shirt pocket? Or go running with one?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Monkeypox
    9th Sep 2010
  • RE: Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the carrier
    @mrxxxman

    I saw a woman with one of those extra large Android phones and I burst out laughing. The thing looked like a football in her hands. These are mobile devices, phones that's supposed to fit comfortably in your pocket first. 3.5 or 3.7 is the perfect size IMO for a mobile phone or mp3 player like the iPod touch.

    Btw there's no one phone that's outselling the iPhone so it's a little disingenuous to say the larger screen are one reason Android is outselling the iPhone. Android phones span all sizes. What's the breakdown in sales of larger screen truck of phones vs 3.5 screens? The way I see it, Android OEMs are just looking for ways to differentiate there offerings and upping the screen size was the easiest. Fandroid were just taking the latest and "greatest" of whatever is offered.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    dave95.
    10th Sep 2010
  • RE: Review: The Apple iPod touch brings many iPhone 4 features without the carrier
    @mrxxxman I don't even have an iPod or MP3 player of any other brand since I have the iPhone so maybe I am wrong but what other vendor has a competitive product with a larger screen? The article is about the iPod Touch, not any and every device that can play MP3s like todays phones can. Due to that fact your argument about the screen size is irrelevant and just a haters attempt to bash Apple.

    Screen size also as mentioned has nothing to do with Androids rise in the market. Android is eating up marketshare in the smartphone market because of the sheer numbers of devices. There isn't one single (or several for that matter) Android phone that is outselling the iPhone regardless of screen size. If everyone preferred a larger screen like you suggest then those devices would be selling like crazy, pretty sure they selling pretty good but not that well.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    non-biased
    16th Sep 2010
  • Apple behind the curve, not leading it anymore.
    Apple is being caught with it's pants down again. First and foremost is the screen size. It's too freaking small!!! When is Apple going to get a clue and make their devices with a bigger screen!!! Who cares if you have a "Retina" display when it's only 3.5". There have been phones with 3.7", 4", 4.3" and larger devices like the Dell Streak that have been around for months. And, now, some of these vendor will be coming out with just as high resolution as the "Retina" display.

    The ironic thing is that Apple was partly responsible for starting this trend of bigger screens on phones when they came out with their 1st iPhone. How long ago was that? How big was their screen back then? 3.5"! Who big is their screen now, all these years later? Still 3.5"!

    Apple had the largest screen on a phone back when the iPhone first appeared.

    Lastly, because of Apple's iPhone people started have been progressively using their phones less and less for voice, and more and more for data/web browsing/maps/games/ebooks, etc. Functions that only benefit that much more from a larger screen. His demo of the ereader app was ridiculous. You could only see a very limited amount of readable text which then requires constant page turning. About every paragraph.

    Larger screens on Android phones is one reason it's overtaking the iPhone. Another is the fact that you still can't upgrade the the storage capacity yourself through a Micro SD memory card slot. With the way users use these devices today, that's huge.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    mrxxxman
    9th Sep 2010

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