MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

Still think I'll wait till they sell iPhones on the Danish market.

Why no Star?

I'm questionning the purpose of the iPod Touch, and also the iPod line, now that we have the iPhone...

I mean, why buying a Touch and a separate cell phone when you can have them all together in one with the iPhone?

I'm looking for some rational answers.

More memory iPod Touch PLEASE!!!

*waiting for revision 2 with 160GB HD*

Excel 2008 4x slower than Excel 2004

Software industry supporting the hardware industry by making bloated code? You decide.

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/mac_Excel_2008_performance.html#storytop

Jan 24, 08 - 12:34 pm Comment from: Think

@ Mac+

Not everybody wants cell phone combined with "whatever". I love the iPhone, setup a few for my customers but I like a very small flip phone that clips to my belt and doesn't make me look like I'm out of Star Trek.

Short term, I also live out away from the city and Verizon currently has the best coverage in this area. Once AT&T;gets better coverage or the iPhone is available to Verizon then I will re-evaluate phones.

I also want a very small iPod when I work out. The iPhone is too big and heavy for that.

That's why Apple sells a variety of items.

"I'm looking for some rational answers."

Most of the people I've asked say they don't want to move to AT&T;for various reasons, both rational and not.

Jan 24, 08 - 12:40 pm Comment from: stormy

Mac+

I was thinking about dumping verizon and going with att and the iPhone but after setting up my brothers email on the iTouch I realized a separate small appliance plus my current cellphone would take care of my needs for less money.

Mac+ the reason I bought an iPod Touch and not an iPhone is because I really enjoy my cell phone service and I've used AT&T;in the past and did not like them. I also don't carry my cell phone with me half the time, but I need something that will connect me to the internet sometimes so that I can check my e-mail.

Don't get me wrong the iPhone is great, but when I go away for the weekend, I don't want to be bothered so not having a cell phone on me at all times is a plus. This is not a reason for everyone, but I'd thought I give my two cents.

Jan 24, 08 - 12:41 pm Comment from: Demon

Does anyone know how much more space this update takes? is it less then a few hundred kilobytes or does it take a gigabyte or more?

Jan 24, 08 - 12:42 pm Comment from: Ampar

"Your Jackson buys you five new applications and a lot of ancillary features."

Randy or Michael? I know it's not Tito.

the touch seems to be the device of the future. double the screen size, install a wireless receiver and offer an unlimited data anywhere plan for $25 a month, and you'd have yourself a home run of a device.

Jan 24, 08 - 12:52 pm Comment from: Ampar

Demon: The must have 1.1.3 free firmware upgrade is ~160 mb and I think the apps are under 6 mb.

They have to put a HD on the Touch. I'm pretty sure 16GB isn't going to be enough for all the music, games, videos and all the apps we're going to put on them. That's the only thing that keeps me from buying one now. Add a 160GB HD and watch it fly off the shelves...

Jan 24, 08 - 01:00 pm Comment from: kris

I see a bunch of 12 year olds using iPod touch, you don't expect their parents to buy them all an iPhone instead.

It's interesting how much flak Apple got for charging $20 for this update. I think the article makes it clear that you get a lot of value of the $20.

I think the outrage mostly came because the iTouch people had to pay $20 and the iPhone people got their update (a totally different update) for free. I've strenuously argued that people have to understand the accounting requirements before they can criticize Apple on this point. However, I was surprised that Apple didn't opt to use the same accounting procedure for the iTouch (deferred revenue) that they did for the iPhone. As this article makes clear, the iTouch, like the iPhone, is capable of many significant software upgrades. The accounting laws will require Apple to charge for all new improvements to the ITouch whether they want to or not.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:12 pm Comment from: silverhawk

@Mac+
I had AT&T;and switched to T-Mobile. Where I live AT&T;coverage is woeful. Can't contact my wife from home, yet she's 9 miles away when at work. Can't call home from my work 9.9 miles without dropping the call. Can't call my daughter (71 miles away at college) and hear her ask for more money. T-Mobile network does not drop calls and works where AT&T;did not. I do like like my Touch though. Is that rational enough!

Jan 24, 08 - 01:14 pm Comment from: Sixvodkas

@Mac+
My company pays for my cell... as long as it's Verizon.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:18 pm Comment from: G4Dualie

I'll hang on to my Jackson a little longer thank you. Apple hasn't added anything that can compete with the software available to those with Jailbroken Touches.

However, when they finally unleash the developer community I will slap this puppy right back in Jail.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:20 pm Comment from: 84 Mac Guy

In the Touch you are looking at the future of iPods. Give it a year and all iPods, except the Shuffle, will look and function like the Touch.

Once again, while all the competitors are clamoring to build iPod-like devices to compete with Apple, Apple moves to another playing field leaving the competitors wondering what happened. It is a great business strategy that is driving MS and other competitors nuts.

Time to order a few more office chairs for Redmond.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:23 pm Comment from: mrmikey

@Mac+
I live in Canada. I can't *legally* buy an iPhone with regular service yet. In addition to all that, Rogers looks to get the iPhone, if and when Rogers ever gets off their stoopid fat as*es and gets realistically priced data plans.

For now, the iPod is the way to go in this country, coupled with a cheap Telus phone (at least where I live, in the hinterlands of Saskatchewan)

Jan 24, 08 - 01:37 pm Comment from: silverhawk

@mrmikey
How's the weather up in Saskatachewan?
What you have today we in Minnesota have the next day.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:43 pm Comment from: Brau

To me, the update to the iPod Touch is the biggest news with the widest ramifications. Kids can stay in touch via SMS or email without needing a monthly cell contract.

@ Mac+

I bought an 8GB iPod Touch. I wanted to get an iPhone, but AT&T;doesn't have any plans in my area... they've got service here, but no local phone numbers here... figure that one out.

I was beginning to wonder if I made a mistake buying the iPod Touch, but after getting the Software Update, my only regret now is that I didn't get the 16GB.

Mac+: Some of us don't want cell phones... people become slaves to those things.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:46 pm Comment from: Ampar

"What you have today we in Minnesota have the next day."

A herd of angry moose?

Jan 24, 08 - 01:46 pm Comment from: Cubert

@Ampar,
"'Your Jackson buys you five new applications and a lot of ancillary features.'
Randy or Michael? I know it's not Tito."

I don't know. I hear Tito is hard up for cash. Plus, being a purchaser is now a legitimate job.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:55 pm Comment from: Spark

$20 = Bargain. Exactly.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:56 pm Comment from: Ampar

"I hear Tito is hard up for cash."

Good point. And I don't think he can wait around for honoraria for his lectures at the future Hall of Famous Titos (like Ortiz, Puente, Fuentes and that guy who ran Yugoslavia).

Jan 24, 08 - 01:58 pm Comment from: silverhawk

Ampar
Remember, I'm from the Riviera of Minnesota. No moose here, it's too warm. We have to worry about stampeding holsteins.

Jan 24, 08 - 02:05 pm Comment from: Ampar

silverhawk: "No moose here, it's too warm." I herd that.
Do you hide from the holsteins or milk them for all it's worth? Too cheesy?

Jan 24, 08 - 02:18 pm Comment from: silverhawk

Ampar
It's tough catching them. We usually sit on a one legged stool and wait for them to pass by. If they step on us by mistake it makes us bleu. We are much cheddar people for it though.

@Demon, all of this stuff is already in the iPhone, so it can't take up too much space, 500k or so for the whole OS with update, as my 4Gig iPhone has 3.5Gigs for music, vids and photos.

Jan 24, 08 - 02:33 pm Comment from: Buster

"What you have today we in Minnesota have the next day."


What ....leftovers?

I'd beg Apple to stop tempting me, but I'm reaching the capitulation stage. Next to be purchased: iPod Touch. Then, my Mac upgrade (likely MBP or iMac). Time Capsule, of course, comes next. And if I think to do Mac work professionally post-retirement, maybe OS X Server for, you know, practice.

Jan 24, 08 - 03:20 pm Comment from: Ampar

silverhawk:




(moooooooooo)

If that's what your Jackson will buy, what do you you reckon your Johnson will get you. I couldn't resist asking, TowerTone, where are you?

MDN word "average", now that's scary.

Rational answer… I don't even have a cell phone, why would I want one in my iPod? Not everybody wants to be completely connected all the time… Do they?

Jan 24, 08 - 04:33 pm Comment from: Demon

I installed the free update and it didn't change the OS footprint. My 16 GB Touch only has 393MB Free and I don't want to whip my Touch to get the update on. When there is only two of the apps I want anyway and Notes I have a Contacts work around for, a contact called notes that syncs to my contacts on my master Mac Mini then to my Mac via .Mac.
The update to the iTunes online store in the free update was cool.

Thanks

Jan 24, 08 - 04:38 pm Comment from: Ampar

" . . . what do you you reckon your Johnson will get you (?)"

That depends. Andrew, Arte or Lyndon?

Jan 24, 08 - 05:07 pm Comment from: ken1w

> I mean, why buying a Touch and a separate cell phone when you can have them all together in one with the iPhone?

The six main differences between an iPhone and iPod touch (now that the software bundle has been updated) are lack of phone (obviously), no speaker/microphone in iPod touch, higher storage option in iPod touch, no camera in iPod touch, physical size, and retail locations. While not having a phone inside may be a disadvantage for some, it may be an advantage to others who don't want (or can't get) ATT's service. The iPod touch is significantly thinner than the already thin iPhone. The iPhone is only sold at Apple stores and ATT stores; the iPod touch is sold at all stores that sell iPods. Internationally, Apple can only start selling iPhones after negotiating and setting up the wireless network infrastructure. I presume Apple can start selling the iPod touch internationally without such significant restrictions.

Given those differences, I'm sure there will be some people who choose the iPod touch over iPhone (assuming they can currently get a "legal" iPhone).

@Mac+

My friend bought the Touch because he hates cel phones, plain and simple! He's a film maker and uses his Touch to carry around his work, and it actually performs pretty admirably as that sort of device; he showed me a music video he did recently and it looked pretty awesome on his iPod.

Regarding the $20 upgrade . . . I have had to pay $30 to renew my Quicktime Pro license every single time a new version is released pretty much from the beginning. I don't see this as being that much different, and likely it will just be the one time in the Touch's case.

Jan 24, 08 - 09:03 pm Comment from: shen

"I'm questionning the purpose of the iPod Touch, and also the iPod line, now that we have the iPhone...

I mean, why buying a Touch and a separate cell phone when you can have them all together in one with the iPhone?"

first of all the phone came first, so saying 'now that we have the phone' is a little odd....

second, my wife has an iPhone, if i need data in the middle of nowhere, i can use hers, why pay more money a month for two?

third, i live 95% of my life in range of a wireless network, why pay for edge?

forth, 16 gigs isn't enough for many people, so why get a touch when they prefer more space?

having said all that, i don't need a phone, so when they offer the touch with a larger screen and an optional data plan for those that need it, i will be upgrading. that is the true mac tablet, and it is coming. eventually.

Jan 24, 08 - 10:58 pm Comment from: MacSheikh

@ silverhawk

"Can't call my daughter (71 miles away at college) and hear her ask for more money."

Isn't that a GOOD thing?

Jan 24, 08 - 11:36 pm Comment from: Boyarsky

In reply to Mac+ way up top...

"I mean, why buying a Touch and a separate cell phone when you can have them all together in one with the iPhone?
I'm looking for some rational answers."

I would buy the Touch over an iPhone for 3 reasons:

1-- I do not have, nor do I wish a cell phone. If I am not home, leave a message.

2-- I do not wish to spend so much for the iPhone contract. It's about $2000 (?) over 2 years. IF I had a cell I would not need it for such an extreme calling plan.

3-- I just need it for wi-fi connectivity and would want it more for music than connectivity, but be grateful for the connectivity i/when i would need it.

Basically the iPhone is WAYYYY too much phone for me.

The touch would be just right.

I'm questionning the purpose of the iPod Touch, and also the iPod line, now that we have the iPhone...

I mean, why buying a Touch and a separate cell phone when you can have them all together in one with the iPhone?

I'm looking for some rational answers.

'Cause I don't need a stinking cell phone!

@Mac+: The iPod Touch might be preferable to the iPhone for the following groups:

- Those who live in a country where the iPhone is not yet available.

- Those who are happy with the phone that they already have. Perhaps for voice communication they need something that is smaller, or more durable, or that works when wearing gloves. Maybe they work for a company that provides phones but has no intention of supporting the iPhone.

- Those who work in places where phones or other devices with cameras are not permitted.

Jan 25, 08 - 09:26 am Comment from: Mr. Reeee

Apple shot themselves in the foot by not offering at least the same capacity on the iPod touch as the iPod Classic.

I only store music on my 80GB iPod 5.5G and it's nearly stuffed. I've been tempted to get a 160GB Classic. 16GB is a joke. I can't image the gyrations people have to go through if they store video, too.

A 160GB touch would also let me get rid of my Palm TX.

I have no problem carrying a separate phone, unless there were a 160GB iPhone. In my house we have no wired phone, only cell phones. It's so much better!

Mac+

I'm in Oz, but I'd prefer the iPod touch to a iPhone because I limit my mobile phone spending to about $10 per month. If the Oz plans are as expensive as those seen elsewhere in the world, Apple's got Buckley's chance (i.e. none) of getting me to buy one.

MW: Put, as in put me down for a touch now they're fully functional.