Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

Thursday, January 14, 2010 by Smith | Posted in , , , , ,


So I finally gave in and bought one... thanks to my Tax rebate. Why I waited this long is a mystery. It probably had to do with the fact that I already own 3 other Mp3 players (not including my Blackberry flip... which does play mp3s too) and that the Ipod Touch isn't the most "affordable" piece of technology. Whatever the case may be... I absolutely have no buyers remorse about this purchase. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not an Apple fanatic. I don't even own a Mac computer. I consider myself a PC guy... I like upgrading my own stuff, it's more fun that way. But I've known for a very long time that what Apple excels at is "user interface" and "innovative designs". The Ipod products illustrates this fact very well. Which Ipod? Well, all of them! Each is innovative and easy to use in it's own unique way. But the one I'm reviewing today, is the Ipod Touch.

I picked the 16GB current 2G (second generation) version. I figured that 8GB wasn't enough memory for me, and that the 32GB was a bit over-priced. So, sweet 16 was the one for me :)

So, I know that if you're looking to buy one... you have some questions on how it compares to the previous generation (1st generation) version and how it compares to the iPhone. Here's what I gathered from my research:

How it differs from the first generation Ipod Touch:
The 2G Ipod Touch evolved a bit from the 1st Gen Ipod Touch. The 2G actually has a slightly thicker design ( .33 inches vs .31 inches) than the 1G. I believe the 2G is thicker because they put a larger battery in the 2G. This results in a longer maximum playback time (36 hrs vs 22 hrs for mp3 playback) before it needs to be recharged. Also, the 2G version has built in speakers... something the 1G lacked. I believe the screen resolution (number of pixels) and size stayed the same though.

How it differs from the Apple iPhone.
There are a few things that set it apart from the iPhone. The most obvious difference is that you can't make phone calls on the Ipod Touch (duh!). Actually, this isn't entirely true... you could theoretically use an external mic to make phone calls using "Skype" or other "Voip" methods (but we won't get into that in this review). Other differences aren't so obvious. For example, the Ipod Touch doesn't have a built in microphone like the iPhone does. It also lacks a camera, microphone (but you can add an external one), proximity sensor, assisted GPS, and Blue-tooth (But this may be temporary... see notes for details). Also, the Ipod Touch is available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB models. The iPhone is only currently available up to 16GB (but the 32GB upgrade is expected to be unveiled in June 2009)

What it shares with the Iphone is a similar size and resolution multi-touch screen, built-in speakers, volume buttons on the side, accelerometer, home button, Mp3 and video playback, similar body dimensions (the Ipod Touch is a bit slimmer than iPhone), and the ability to play most Apps from the Apple Store that the iPhone can. Naturally, the Apps that require the use of a camera or 'assisted GPS' won't work on the Ipod Touch. The included "Maps" App does use Wifi to zero in on your current physical location though... and can give you directions to an address, but not in "real time, turn by turn" instructions like GPS can.


Features on Ipod Touch:

* 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
* Available in 8Gb, 16GB, and 32GB options
* Accelerometer
* Password protection (optional)
* 480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch
* Dedicated volume, power, and center Home button
* Dock connector
* Built-in Speaker
* 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
* Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
* Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
* Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) and internet browsing with built-in Safari Broswer
* Nike + iPod support built in
* Support for 480p and 576p component TV out
* H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
* Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
* Playback time
o Music playback time: Up to 36 hours when fully charged
o Video playback time: Up to 6 hours when fully charged


Pros:
-Amazing Multi-touch Screen Interface
-Beautiful Screen, sharp and vibrant colors. Brightness is adjustable.
-Plays most Apps from Apple Store (many Apps are Free!)
-Plays mp3s and Video files
-Built-in Speakers
-Dedicated volume, power, and home buttons
-Built-in Wifi and Web Browser (both of which work very well)
-Password protection (you can even set it up to erase your data after 1o failed password attempts)
-Very slim and pocket-able/portable


Cons:
-No Bluetooth (see notes)
-No Microphone (see notes)
-No Camera
-No GPS
-Battery life could be better... I have to recharge it everyday. Integrated battery is a hassle when it finally loses it's ability to recharge someday. You'll have to take it to Apple to get it replaced.
-Screen is prone to scratches/damage... so invest in a case that protects it!
-No expandable memory (a Micro-SD expansion slot would've been great)


Conclusion:
The 2G Apple Ipod Touch is an amazing piece of technology with stellar user interface and multiple functionality. It's more like a futuristic "swiss army" knife than an Mp3 player. That's largely because of the fact that it's functions evolve with the current applications that are available for it. There are thousands of apps available (many of them are free) and there are constantly more being made by companies and individuals large and small. This spirit of "innovation" is the key to it's success. Not many devices out there illustrate the idea of melding form and function as well as the Ipod Touch does. This not only makes it a great gadget but truly a thing of beauty. Still.... there is room for improvement (as with anything in lilfe)

Important Notes:
There's a few extra things I'd like to mention about the features on this 2G Ipod Touch. Even though there isn't an integrated Microphone (like on the iPhone), you can still use many of the Apps that use a Mic (like Shazam!) by plugging in an external Mic. Before you go out and buy one though, you may actually have one laying around that may work for you. For example, if you have a hands-free headset for your cell-phone that uses a head-phone jack and has an integrated mic inside of it... you may be able to plug it in and use it as a Mic. The one that came with my Blackberry Flip phone worked amazingly well. They also sell external mics that look like little pill capsules that plug into the headphone jack that you can buy.

Also, even though there is no "Blue-tooth" function currently on the 2G Ipod Touch... Apple announced that the new software upgrade ( iPhone OS 3.0) will activate the Blue-tooth Chip that is already inside the 2G Ipod Touch. This will enable Blue-tooth functions as well as FM radio support! When this will happen? Only Apple knows... but hopefully soon!Get more detail about Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation) NEWEST MODEL.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 11:07 PM and is filed under ,,,,,. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response.

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