'Which iPod are You?' Buying for Yourself and Others on Your List?
Before you Go Out to Shop for One (or Two), Check this Out First
| by Joe Leo, Columnist |
continued... from: previous page
The other thing that you get in the iPod classic (and the nano as well) is one word: games. Because those were designed around the click-wheel, they aren't compatible with the touch. Well, you can play web games on the touch, but not the ones available on iTunes.
Is that a big loss? For some, yes. For others no. For me, it was something I wanted. Plus, like I said, I do most of my internet on a full screen on my PowerBook or PowerMac.
Here's an interesting tidbit, and you heard it here first. On the "Vortex" game, try putting your full name in there. Chances are, unless you have a short first and last name like me, you're only going to have enough space for your first name, or your first initial and maybe last name. (The only name that fits there exactly, with one space in between? "Steve Jobs"... try it!).
Going back to the main story, the other reason I chose the classic was mainly for its storage space, and the fact that updates will be on the way for the nano and touch lines. And speaking of Steve Jobs, he announced that third party apps will be coming to the iPod touch in February. Real apps that work with your touch (I assume) and not ones broken out of jail.
By that time, within four months or so, how much do you want to bet that Apple will be rolling out the second generation nanos and iPod touches? If not second-gen, maybe lowered price points?
And what of the iPod touch? The device I fell in love with when I first lay hands on it?
First, it comes down to storage. 8GB is a joke. (Sorry Apple). Even 16GB is a joke. I don't think that a touch screen, bigger screen at that, and the ability to zoom in on photos--I'm lying there--as well as browse the web in "full screen" justifies the higher price point over the classic. Or even the iTunes Wi-Fi Store which I think is cool as well.
Heck, I would be inclined to do it the other way. Charge $249 for the 8GB touch, $299 for the 16GB touch, and then $349 for the 80GB classic and $449 for the 160GB classic. (Or something like that). I would have definitely paid more and bypassed the touch for the higher storage capacity classic line.
Or in backwards fashion, justified the cheaper price to get the iPod touch.
And while the Safari feature was a stand-alone attraction that could have well brought it above the rest, the fact that you can only get on the internet if you are at a Wi-Fi access hotspot (and at that, if it's not free, you'll have to pay for access), and not "tethered" access via Bluetooth through your mobile phone--if you so have such access/plans--is a huge drawback.
I can get anywhere on the internet when using my PowerBook so as long as my cell phone has a signal. I don't need a stinking Wi-Fi access hotspot in order to get online. (And when I was test driving the iPod touch, the only time I could get online was at home or at work).
Five pages later, you're probably asking what happened to the holiday shopping guide aspect of this story. Honestly, I didn't know it would go this far, but I'm at the end of my space. I hope my thoughts and comparisons so far, help you at least, get a sense of what you're going to be buying (or not buying) this holiday season-- whether it be for yourself, or for others.
I'll post my findings this same time next week--that's a promise!--since they're already typed up and saved on my PowerBook. I have yet to format it in HTML and upload it. Plus it would make this article 8-10 pages long!!
Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and do check back for Part 2 of this feature, next week! (Gotta go head to the Black Friday sales before I miss out!).
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