Hands-on Review: iPod Touch
Posted Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 6:49 am by Abe Olandres
Viewed 20551 times | Related entries: Gadgets, Multimedia
The new Apple iPod Touch are now out in stores in the Philippines with prices ranging from Php16k+ for the 8GB model and Php21K+ for the 16GB model. Just got one for review and here are some of my observations after toying with it.
1) It’s shiny, smooth, slick and thin. But that comes with a price — the iPod Touch is a smudge-magnet. Finger prints, dust and fibers are all over it you’d be wiping the screen against your shirt every so often.
2) The big and wide screen displays vivid colors and plays videos seamlessly (unlike older generations of iPod videos that’s a little clunky). Bigger screen also means the iTouch eats up the battery life faster than expected.
3) Connecting to a wireless network is a cinch. It automatically detects and connects within seconds. Fire up the Safari browser and you’re all set.
4) The mobile Safari browser needs some more work. Apple claims this is a full-blown browser but it’s not. It’s also slow. True, there’s a dedicated YouTube client in there but what about embedded videos on web pages? Navigating on Ajax-powered sites like Netvibes is a pain.
5) The Wireless iTunes Store is nice and intuitive. However, my favorite free stuff (like podcasts/vidcasts) aren’t listed. Bummer.
6) The accelerometer is sometimes buggy (an unverified bug) and horizontal or vertical views become wobbly when you’re using it while lying down.
7) The iPod Games are nowhere to be found. Well, you have to buy new ones with it at the iTunes Store. And we don’t have access to the store in the Philippines.
The navigation, virtual keyboard and sensitivity of the touch screen tops the experience and is very easy to learn even for first time users.
Placed side by side with the new 3rd gen iPod Nano, the iPod Touch is also slim and much lighter than previous generations of the 30GB iPod Video.
Still, I find the 8GB and 16GB capacity wanting. I wish Apple had gone with the 80GB Classic and turned that into a touch screen. That would have been the clincher.
Considering that the 80Gb iPod Classic costs Php12,900+ and the 160GB model is at Php19,500+, an HDD-based iPod Touch shouldn’t be any more expensive than the flash-based models.
Note: You’ll have to download the hulking 150MB iPod Update v 1.1.1 and upgrade the iPod Touch before you can start using it. Now, that’s a lot of bugs fixed.
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26 Responses to “Hands-on Review: iPod Touch”
[...] For a hands-on review of the iPod Touch, check out my post over PTB — “Hands-on Review: iPod Touch” [...]
[...] You can read the rest of this blog post by going to the original source, here [...]
[...] Hands-on Review: iPod Touch Posted Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 6:49 am by Abe Olandres Viewed 24 times The new Apple iPod Touch are now out in stores in the Philippines with prices ranging from Php16k+ for the 8GB model and Php21K+ for the … [...]
Available na ba ang iPod Touch sa PH? I mean meron na bang store that sells the iPod Touch here?
[...] Hands-on Review: iPod TouchThe new Apple iPod Touch are now out in stores in the Philippines with prices ranging from Php16k+ for the 8GB model and Php21K+ for the 16GB model. Just got one for review and here are some of my observations after toying with it. … [...]
[...] pinoytechblog.com] Bookmark this: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover [...]
Well, I just got mine and Power Mac is all sold out. Other retailers still don’t have it, far as I can tell.
For me, the Touch really is great since:
1) It lets me browse without me firing up my laptop
2) I can send messages even if I’m out of credit as long as I see a hotspot
3) It’s easier to bring along than a laptop if you’re just malling
Oh, and no accessories available yet locally. Better wait a few more weeks to buy the Touch if you want those. Or if you can’t scratch the itch, I got a pair up for grabs (shameless plug).
Embedded video needs Flash, which is not part of The Internets according to Steve.
Nice love it…
All ipod touch users. Calling all Pinoy. Lets Hack our iPod
http://itouchpinoy.lifeme.net
looks like we bought our gear at the same time again, Abe. We bought two units for syndeomedia last Saturday, Oct 6. My own review here.
*mouth waters*
In my opinion, they didn’t make an 80Gig version of the iPod touch so they could separate the market between those who want more space (the more practical iPod classic), or those who want to be more elegant (the ego-boosting iPod touch).
kindly tell me WHERE AND in WHAT store can i buy iPOD Touch???
Abe, your comment about the Touch’s limited
internet capability seems to be the no. one
negative comment I always read from various
tech forums, that’s why I got an unlocked
iPhone, I can access Yahoo, Google and other
websites on it.
16gb BOOO!!(40gb is acceptable) Fatpods for gifts yey!
BTW what’s your laptop?
[...] have mentioned that the iPod Touch’s disk space is too small for them. Abe Olandres in Pinoy Tech Blog mentioned that he found the 8GB and 16GB capacity [...]
“that’s why I got an unlocked
iPhone, I can access Yahoo, Google and other
websites on it.” – >>ian
Hey bro, where did you get you iphone unlocked? I am planning to buy one but I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to use it in the philippines. I’m going home this Dec.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Holy loco-touch mania! I’m going buy ipod touch! yay!
i want that!
In my opinion/ opinion only:
I feel pity for people who owns ipods. The sound is Horrible!! It sounds like a tin can. People are just going with the flow. Just because everyone else has one does not mean everyone have to have one also. There are a lot of far superior portable music/video players out there. Steve Jobs is just making people mind’s spin, Its all about massive advertisement and making people say “ I gotta have those too!! Because it looks cool and my friend also has one too” Please you have to have you own choice.
reasons why to own an ipod touch
1. commendable battery life (22 hours continuous play for audio,5 for vids ) with other low cost mp3 players, u’d be lucky with 6 hours continuous play.
2. clear and crisp picture display and manager – auto rotate and user controlled size
3. wi-fi connectivity with wysiwyg broswer (safari)
4. definitely as must have for road warriors
and frequent flyers.
the only downside is it’s only up to 32 gb
hi ad
“I feel pity for people who owns ipods. The sound is Horrible!! It sounds like a tin can.”
aside from audio compression, the quality of sound of the ipod is not dependent on the device itself, but on your speakers. if you connect it to “tin-can” speakers, it will sound like one.
I already own a 16GB ipod touch and I bought it a month after its release. If I am not mistaken I’ve almost had mine for almost but a year. But after seeing the new ipod touch I am dying to sell my old one and buy the new one!
It’s so difficult to be an impulsive gadget buyer! I am not even employed yet and my mom just bought me the new Samsung Omnia a week after its release. OMG.
I just can’t get enough of gadgets especially the iPod. It’s not just a gadget. It’s a STATEMENT.
I bought mine from Australia, just updated to 2.2 firmware, it’s great! A music and video player, photo viewer, game/recreation device (there’s a lot of free stuff from the iTunes store), a portable book reader, and most of all a portable web browser, email client, and yahoo messenger client (just visit meebo.com) using Mobile Safari. Cool!
Wow you guys are crazy with this thing! Oh well whose not? Yow I cant wait to get mine this few days from now, guys thanks for the fair review, enjoy for those have already and pity to those dont have yet like me
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