Apple iPod touch 8 Price Review

Capacity: 8 GB  Color: White

4,710 of 4,929 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars The Lines Between iPod Touch and iPhone Have Started to Blur, September 7, 2010
By Scott Showalter “purefusion” (Ohio, USA) See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) This review is from: Apple iPod touch 32GB (4th Generation) Black Current variant (Electronics) Having had a chance to use up a little time with a review model gives me a chance to share the experience with you a bit early (before my own arrives). I will take you hands on with the new model, plus I will share from my past two years of iPod touch ownership completely, particularly for those who have not still owned (or been owned by) one of these mobile gems.

I’ve also hidden a treasure trove of information on how you may be able to legitimately download tons of quality apps free of charge. 1st though, let us quickly cover what is new.

+ Faster 1GHz A4 Processor to keep up with the high demands of multitasking
+ super high resolution “Retina display” packs a 960 x 640 resolution at 326 pixels per inch
+ 15 bigger battery 3.44 Whr/930 mAh plays seven hrs of video & 40 hrs of audio
+ Rear facing camera supports 960 x 720 sized photos (0.6 megapixels), plus 720p HD videos
+ Front facing VGA quality camera VGA quality is a resolution of 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
+ 3 Axis Gyroscope lets for higher precision and more motion gestures
+ Wireless N Connect faster and go farther than ever, with this WiFi device (requires a router with 802.11n)
+ fitted microphone but Apple reverted back to using the remote and mic less earphones
+ Game Center Apple’s own social gaming platform
+ Sleep/Power Button it is been moved to the right, but not improved beyond that
+ Thinner, lighter than ever
Note Memory remains at the same 256MB in spite of some number of unconfirmed resources touting 512MB. There is also no shake module.

Unlike last year’s iPod touch update, this one’s a complete overhaul to the complete line. Last year, the new models did not change in look. On the inside, faster processors and double memory were added to the 32GB & 64GB models, but the 8GB got left out. Not this time. Purchasing the new 8GB iPod touch indeed gets you all the new goodies. You will also pay thirty bucks more than before, so think about purchasing the 32GB model instead. You will get 400 of the storage capacity for only 23 more coin!


===== Background =====

I’m a mobile app developer who’s produced some apps and games for the iPhone, iPod Touch and now iPad. I was firstly drawn to the iPod touch due to popularity and potential of its mobile Web browsing I was mainly a Web developer at the time and no other device could surf the Web so well. After I got one, I has been hooked. I racked up over a hundred bucks in app purchases inside the 1st month, and before long, I found myself learning how do develop native apps for the device.

Indeed, if you have never had an iPod touch before, you are in for a real treat. Of course, if you have, then you know 1st hand: it is is worth its weight in gold no, in platinum. And now, with the new generation, it may be worth its weight rare gem stones! I digress.


===== Out With the Old =====

The iPod touch is usually called an iPhone without the phone. But, till now there have been some number of other features also missing in the iPod touch besides the phone: a camera, GPS, magnetometer (compass), and many newer amenities from the iPhone 4: front facing camera, high resolution “Retina display” as it was called, and the powerful 1GHz A4 processor indeed a need to keep up with multitasking.

That all changes, now. The fourth gen iPod touch brings with it many new features and amenities, many of which have been anticipated by iPod touch fans and developers alike, as well as myself, for some number of generations of the device. From a developer’s perspective, the more hardware features we can get our hands on, the better and more groundbreaking apps we can create, and the more users that can download, use and enjoy them.


===== In With the New =====

The striking new design of the new iPod touch is certainly a looker. Apple made it thinner (and I thought it was already too thin before) complete with a beautiful chrome back. While the super thin design is surely nice, I have found it somewhat hard to keep it gripped in your hands. The common chrome back looks great too, but it is scratch insistent. Yes, it is very easy to scratch it all up, after the 1st not many days. For these two reasons, certainly get yourself a silicone skin (amazon.Com/dp/B0042GVG5G?Tag=1pod 20&ie=UTF8) alongside your new touch!

For ages, the feature topping everyone’s wishlist for the iPod touch was a camera. Check! It handles HD video too bonus! Granted, its not the five megapixel camera that the iPhone four sports, but again, the new iPod touch is thinner than ever, making it a miracle that we got a camera in the 1st place, let alone two! Yes, Apple went the extra mile so we may make video calls with our iPhone toting friends, via their FaceTime app. Brilliant! having not had any camera on the iPod touch before, and now having TWO cameras on it, we can not really complain can we? Nah.

I’ll have details on the quality both cameras afterward, but what excites me moreso is the new much higher resolution screen dubbed “Retina display”. You may not think most of it if you have not used an iPhone or iPod touch before, nor have an older model close to compare it to, but for those that have or do, the difference is clear! (pun intended)

Where this really comes in useful is in browsing the Web and reading non mobile formatted PDF e books. Now, I can see things so much clearer at the default zoom level (which shows the full width of a Web page or document). My vision is not spectacular by any means, I just do not mind seeing things smaller on the screen. It lets me to see more content without having to scroll. Indeed, the Retina display was the #1 feature I never knew I wanted (until I saw it in the iPhone four that is).

Other newness includes: 15 bigger battery, HD video recording and editing, fitted mic, wireless n for almost double the WiFi connection speed and distance, Game Center: Apple’s new social gaming platform (which looks to be Apple’s try to kill off 3rd party social gaming platforms like OpenFeint and Plus+), 3 axis gyroscope sensor, which complements the present accelerometer sensor, both of which handle the rotating, swinging and other motion gestures of the device (previously, rotation were about calculated from accelerometer data), and new placement of the sleep/power button on the right (but still as hard as ever to press).

Features still missing include: 512MB of memory, vibration, five MP quality camera + flash (iPhone apps now support using LED flash as a flashlight, like Android does), magnetometer (compass), and the GPS. I’d happily trade the thinness of the new iPod touch to have the GPS. WiFi established place is frequently inaccurate, and the GPS does not need a WiFi or cellular connection, it just needs to see the satellites in the sky.


===== iOS vs Android =====

So far, Apple cornered the market of multitouch mobile devices that are not phones, but things are gradually changing. Now, the two hottest mobile and smartphone operating systems out there now are Apple’s iOS (formerly: iPhone OS) and Google’s Android. Of course, iOS is liked because it runs on not only the iPhone, but also on the iPod touch and now on the ipad also. Plus, it garnered support from many app developers who’ve gotten behind Apple’s slew of high demand devices.

The iPod touch has really made iOS what it’s today. It does many of what the iPhone does, without a contract, or carrier exclusivity, as is the case with the iPhone and the iPad (WiFi+3G models). If it were not for the iPod touch, many of the market share Apple now has in the business could have been stifled by their carrier exclusivity. I think Apple will see the light soon, but that is another discussion.

Enter Android. Google has held a different stance on their mobile OS. It is not tied to a choose not many devices, and it is open source, so it may be more developed by manufacturers who use it. Indeed, some number of mobile device manufacturers have now latched onto Android as a foundation for many devices. Wireless carriers that have been unable to carry the iPhone have also taken a liking to it. Now, tons of Android devices have been released, and there is no end in sight. Manufacturers have also seen the iPad’s possible and now they want a part of that pie, too. Expect to see many more Android tablets and media centric non phone devices soon. The competition is heating up.

But not everything with Android, nor with iOS, is perfect. I own an EVO 4G, one of the most liked Android devices now available. I have also used an iPod touch nearly every day for almost two years, so I am pretty qualified to share my experience with each platform. Both surely have their part of distinctive offerings, and neither of them are without faults. For this reason, and due to rising competition between the two, I plan to dispel many of their key differences for you at different points in this review.


===== So What Can the iPod Touch really Do? =====

Well, what can not it do?

The iPod touch is like a magical little box, only it is flat. While it can not cook your breakfast, still (I’m sure someone is already working on that), it can indeed do many pretty surprising things. It is an amazing catch all device that can supply hours of entertainment, give you the power of the Web in your hand, and it can replicate the functionality of many one off merchandise. Developers have been creating apps that take benefit of special hardware of the iPod touch to emulate many. Read more ›

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339 of 351 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Senior Citizen Review of Ipod Touch, April 30, 2011
By Sanjosemom See all my reviews This review is from: Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) Black Current variant (Electronics) I bought my Ipod Touch 8G in January just for fun and to see what all the fuss was about. I use a laptop and have wireless connectivity in my home. But I do not store music on an Ipod and do not have “smart” cell phone. After using the Ipod Touch for some months, all I can say is “WOW”.

This device is like carrying a small computer in your pocket. I can connect to the internet wirelessly at home and anywhere I can find a public connection library, restaurant, etc. I check my email (read and compose), facebook, Meetups, Ravelry, take pictures and movies, and with the Skype App, can video call my kids. I became hooked on the mad Birds game, which is fun to do while waiting anywhere. I have also downloaded audio books from my library to take with me when I travel. I knit and have any pattern I’m working on loaded on my Touch so I do not worry about losing it. All this in a 2×4 inch little device I can carry with me everywhere.

I considered to get a smart phone instead, but Verizon’s extra monthly cost of $30/month for internet access turned me off. It could be nice to have internet access where ever I’m, but I do not need it and do not want to pay $360/year for it. I like the fact that the Ipod Touch doesn’t require any extra monthly costs.

I compared my Touch to my friends Ipad. It appears that my Touch does most everything the Ipad does, but the Touch is so much smaller.

My son has a Droid, which does what my Touch does plus it’s his cell phone. But games wear his battery down quickly. I do not have to worry about that since my phone is separate from my Touch. And I think my screen is a little bigger and sharper.

If I required to be connected to the internet at all times and have a cell phone too, I could most likely stick with a smart phone and pay the extra $30/month. But if you want a versatile tool in a small package to carry with you, I greatly recommend the Ipod Touch.

So much fun!

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635 of 682 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars RETINA Display totally Rocks! Excellent Media Device and movable Computer, September 19, 2010
By MWebb (Berkeley, CA) See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) () This review is from: Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) Black Current variant (Electronics) My original review focused on if you may be able to effectively use an eight gb variant of this fourth gen iPod Touch in lieu of a costly, bigger memory variant. My conclusion (at the end of this greatly modified review) was, and remains, a resounding YES but there’s one part, that applies to ALL the iPod Touch fourth generation editions (8/32/64 gb), that I now think is more important:

The quality of the screen display.

Simply put, this device has near iPad screen quality in a 3.5″ device. (960×640 resolution at 326 pixels per inch, and 1024×768 resolution at 132 pixels per inch).

That means you may be able to get nearly iPad quality video in roughly 3.6 ounces of device and 24 ounces of device; in a device that fits a shirt pocket and a device you need a separate bag for. In a device you may be able to hold up as a reader and a device that tires your arms.

This Touch is practical for reading NYTimes articles or USAToday articles in their reader applications, optimized for this size display (crisp, big type). Practical for browsing the regular on line editions of most newspapers (tap once to fit a column to a screen with nice readable type). GREAT for YouTube since the YouTube app included with the device is optimized for delivering high def YouTube content if available, HD videos are automatically favored. GREAT for Netflix and Hulu Plus. GREAT for gmail and ok for Facebook (I am sure FB will make its dedicated app more user friendly in the future).

Great, for me, for online banking and stock research/trading.

Great for catching up on tech websites in their “mobile” formats.

So so for ; I do not like Mobile now and their regular online edition, via the fitted Safari browser, does not scale up and down as nicely as the online NYTimes does.

And oh yeah, the device can store adequate amounts of your music library (or stream Slacker or Pandora, customized for you, in free or pay editions) and download iTunes paid video content for afterward intake, stream to Apple TV, or you may be able to move your DVD content to the device via easy conversion programs.

Last year I ventured out on many vacations with an iPod Touch, the last generation, as a “backup” to my netbook. I found myself easily reading emails, but preferring the netbook for replies. I did not read any books with it till earlier this year, and has been surprised by how well book reading worked. I Skyped home.

When this new generation Touch came out, I got it as a matter of reflex, justifying the buy on the base of the fitted camera and fitted microphone (which means I do not have to use “inline mics” with ear buds any more). But in reality, the sharpness of the screen is more vital. I have now, simply consequently of this device, switched to e reading from print reading. On the road, this has mainly displaced the netbook (except for reviews like this); most friends communicate in shorter emails these days nevertheless and most emails are ads and blurbs, not stuff you have to answer to.

But now at home I find myself ALSO using this new generation iPod Touch many. In the morning to check emails for anything really vital, to check NYTimes headlines, before I roll out of bed. Anytime I want to check emails or Facebook the rest of the day, without firing up the regular desktop computer. At bed to read.

In short, the darn thing is a working computer. Great for intake, patience testing for INPUT. (Although forcing my input to slow down, for Simple Notes entries can be a good thing forces me to slow down and be many more concise.)

A word on gaming and pricing. My kids have the eight gb, fourth gen (this one) model and LOVE it for games. The motion detector is responsive and watching a 3.5 y.O. Use “dual thumbs” on the screen blows me away. You won’t get the same screen responsiveness and motion detection on an Android device. Many developers are unwilling to develop Android variants because the hardware for Android devices simply has too many variants in the marketplace and much smaller in general market share. This may change, but for now Apple leads the gaming market. This week Apple is offering the Touch in eight gb mode for somewhat over two bills but with a 25 gift card. The value for dollar is unbelievable. Think carefully before you attempt to find a substitute! (FWIW I love Apple hardware but do not like the “locked down” system it became I hate having to use iTunes as “Grand Central Station” for Touch functionings. So I’m really inclined to be predisposed AGAINST Apple, but in the case of the Touch the results are simply too good to disregard.)


Best accessory ever: ClassicReader Three pair Valu Pac, +3.00 The screen on this new generation of iPod Touches is , sharp, but to enjoy all that sharpness, you have to bring the screen really close to your eyes (assuming you do not have presbyopia and can concentrate close) OR simply carry a pair of cheap reading glasses as an “accessory” to these super sharp fourth generation screens. This allows you to really read the tiny type on the NY Times web site, really see the richness of colors and depth of detail on a video. So if you do not need reading glasses for magazine reading, think about trying a pair of STRONG reading glasses (1.75, 2.0, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, or 3.0) to magnify the 3.5″ display screen. Strong reading glasses make high def YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu Plus videos POP for me.

My original review, edited to be somewhat briefer, is below, so you’ll know where most of the pre 12/20 comments come from:

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Can you get by with an 8gb Touch?

Yep, depending on my experience with a third gen 32 gb, and on my recent local buy of the fourth gen (this current model) in eight gb capacity.

When using the old 32 gb, I learned that I barely used its greater storage capacity. (I do not haul around many of music or videos I just move what I want to listen to/watch for each road trip or listening/viewing cycle using iTunes). Apps, I discovered, do not take up much space, games and books do not take up much space, unless you want to haul considerably more of your whole collection with you. Amazon’s Kindle app is esp. Device friendly, since you may be able to archive books you have finished back to instead of keeping them on the device. ITunes is a good way to manage what content you want to store on your home computer which becomes a sort of big “docking device” and what you want top take “to go.”

As a netbook replacement, storage is not that vital. I can check my bank balance, move money and execute orders on a brokerage account, listen to radio on Pandora or Slacker, watch music videos (and many more ) on YouTube, Skype, stream Netflix, and do a whole lot of other stuff on the eight gb just good.

In fact in hindsight the only real reason for me to get the 32 gb variant in the older edition was to get the faster processor. But in the current generation, ALL THE fourth GENERATION HARDWARE IS THE SAME, except only for memory.

Do think about on the 8gb edition you give up about a gig to systems functionings, leaving only seven gb or so for your stuff. And you have to leave from for apps and their space. I most likely would not put more than six gb of music and videos on the 8gb variant. The other editions also give up the same space, but proportionately it’s a smaller “hit” to your storage.

The 8gb makes a nice intersection on my personal “cheapness” and “minimalist” curves. The price does not get into nose bleed territory where I start to wonder if a netbook could makes more sense, and it is inexpensive enough to subject to the toils of daily wear and tear keeping it useful in an outside day pack pocket, instead of more carefully stowed deep inside the pack.

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