Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation--without iPhone OS 3.1 Software) [Previous Model]
by Apple Computer
![Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation--without iPhone OS 3.1 Software) [Previous Model]](/images/Apple-iPod-touch-8-GB-2nd-Generation-without-iPhone-OS-3-1-Software-Previous-Model-B001FA1NZK-L.jpg)
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List Price: Our Price: $199.99 You Save: $100.00 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $107.98 (click here) Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation--without iPhone OS 3.1 Software) [Previous Model]
Customer Review: Updated iPod Touch Delivers Nice New Features
Summary: 5 Stars
The iPod Touch debuted only one year ago, and this is the first update. I was excited to pick up the new iPod Touch at the Apple Store because I had never owned a first generation, though I do own iPhones.
I want to concentrate primarily on the new features:
First, physical volume buttons are now placed on the side of the iPod Touch as they are on the iPhone. This is very convenient. It allows you to adjust the volume of your music, without having to pull the entire device out of your pocket and activate the screen. A time saver.
Second, many people requested a built-in speaker for the iPod Touch like is available on the iPhone. Apple listened. However, there is one important point to make on this! The iPod Touch is incredibly small, and Apple is forced to put an incredibly small speaker. The speaker in the iPod Touch sounds worst than the speaker in the iPhone. I have compared it side by side, and it's fairly significant, and the iPhone speaker isn't that great to begin with. However, in a quiet room, the speaker is still useful for previewing a song you might want to buy, or for playing games. However, still, if you want great sound, you need to connect your headphones.
Genius - This new feature is really surprisingly good. When you're listening to a song you enjoy, select the genius option. It will create a playlist for you, with songs that go together nicely with the one you started with. It helps you rediscover great music from your collection with a playlist suited to the mood you're in. I didn't think it would do a good job compiling this list, but it has been quite impressive.
Applications - It's great to have the ability to buy (or get some free) applications right on the iPod Touch. Furthermore, with the software update this new iPod Touch comes with, the Application installation process is so much smoother than it had been even on my iPhone. It now works how you want it to, seamlessly. I like having a weather application that includes doppler radar images, and that is free. I also have several games on it. There is a great variety of applications available from hundreds of third-parties right on the iPod itself, so you are certain to find something that interests you. I really like the new release of Spore, for the iPod Touch and iPhone. Apple is really pushing the games and quietly suggest they are challenging Nintendo and Sony. They are innovative and interesting games, but I think they have a ways to go, to challenge those game makers.
Nike + is now built in too, so if you have the shoes and the puck, the iPod Touch is ready to receive the data from it. Battery life is improved to 36 hours audio and 6 hours video according to Apple. I find the audio number fairly accurate if you don't light up the display much, but the video number is a slight bit harder to achieve.
Of course, the new ipod Touch does look and feel even better than the first generation, from my small experiences with the previous one. I also think it feels cooler than my iPhones, but obviously your interpretation may very. I like the metal back on the iPod Touch. It looks classy, though it is prone to scratches.
One of my favorite features continues to be, when in my home on Wi-Fi, to reach down for the Touch, use Safari web browser and look something up. It's great.
Overall, it was a solid update for the iPod Touch. I wish the speaker could be better on it, but I believe that is due to the physical restrictions of the small device. I could have knocked it to four stars for that, but I think most people realize a built in speaker isn't the way you want to listen to most audio on an iPod to begin with. I'm impressed by the second generation iPod Touch, and I think with the third party applications getting better and becoming more popular, more people will consider the Touch.
Customer Review: Don't buy a Nano, and especially don't buy any other brand. This is the premier portable media device.
Summary: 5 Stars
Next to the iPhone, the iPod touch is one of the greatest handheld devices ever conceived. I wouldn't call this an MP3 or even an MP4 player, because it is so much more. The iPod touch combines a portable media player, a portable gaming device, a PDA, a net-tablet/netbook, a VOIP phone, an internet radio, an ebook reader, and even a musical instrument in to one very thin, very beautiful, and very intuitive device.
As a PMP, the iPod touch is fantastic. The built-in speaker might not be of audiophile quality, but it is one of my favourite features. I am now able to listen to music while doing things that wouldn't permit me to wear my headphones, and I don't need a docking station to do so. Also, the new Apple Genius playlist compiler works very well, and I find myself using it all of the time. Video quality is top notch as well. I definitely appreciate the ability to switch between the filled-screen and uncropped modes. The iPod touch handles skipping through long parts of video without lag, which is also impressive.
As a gaming device, the iPod touch has really impressed me. The processor of the iPod touch 2G is far more powerful than the PSP (though the graphics card isn't quite as good) and because the touch relies completely on its flash memory, games load in seconds compared to wasting half of your flight waiting for the dismal loading times on the PSP. The graphics are far above expectations for an iPod, and can even rival some decent PSP games. iPod touch games are also far cheaper than comparable PSP and DS games. The biggest drawback is obviously the lack of buttons, but touch games overcome that with unique methods of game input (touch, motion, sound, etc). In my opinion, the iPod touch is like a cross between a PSP, a DS, and a Wii when it comes to gaming.
Additionally, the iPod touch is a good net-tablet. The internet loads quickly, and most sites work just as they would in the normal Safari browser. I have yet to come in to problems with the lack of flash/java support, as many web developers create iPod/iPhone versions of their sites to circumvent problem. I'm sure flash and java will be supported in future updates, so it's only a matter of time anyway. Typing with the onscreen keyboard really isn't as bad as many are suggesting, and auto-correction can now be turned off if you don't like it (though I think it is brilliant).
Some nice PDA features are pre-loaded on to the iPod touch, and you can download many more off of the App Store for free. The calendar is one of the better mobile calendars I have used, and it is much better than the one that was first launched for iPod touch in 2007. By far though, my favourite PDA app is Mail. It works just like the Mail app in Mac OS X, and it can read Word docs, PDF files, Excel spreadsheets, Powerpoint shows, and all of the iWork equivalents. It checks your Mail periodically and will alert you to new messages (you can adjust/turn off this feature). Contacts can be entered as well, and you can add pictures for your contacts. I like how you can specify the country of the phone number by adding the country code, and it will automatically put the spaces in the correct places.
Other features on the latest iPod touch include the VOIP phone functionality (free 3rd party app required), though you'll need to purchase a compatible microphone. Other free 3rd party apps add internet radio; pianos, guitars, flutes, and drums; and an ebook reader which is also capable of buying new books on the internet.
I've had my iPod touch 2G for a while now, and I am still constantly impressed by its excellent functionality.
And yes Apple, it is the "funnest" iPod ever.
Customer Review: Did you know it's ALSO a music player?
Summary: 5 Stars
Originally I was only planning to get a bare-bones mp3 player to go along with my new Macbook. But the Apple iPod shuffle 1 GB Silver (2nd Generation) was too minimal for me (without even a screen to see which song is playing and the ability to make playlists) and the iPod Nano was already in the 150 dollar range so I decided to 'go for gold' and get the iPod Touch, having heard a lot about its functionality and intrigued by all the things you can do with it.
As it turns out, all those 'other' things almost eclipse its function as a music player for me. The iPod Touch really is a handheld computer. With a web browser, note-taking capacity (a surprisingly ergonomic keyboard appears on the screen whenever you need to type) and an inexhaustible applications catalog there is little that it can't do, other than play DVDs and store huge amounts of data.
It really is the applications that clinched the deal for me. Take the best one, far and away: the Stanza eBook reader. With just a few clicks you have access to pretty much every public domain book that's online right now, as well as some online eBook stores (although these still have a very limited selection). And trust me: public domain and old does NOT mean stuffy, dry and boring. There are some real gems out there that have greatly influenced Western civilization and which can transform your way of thinking about certain issues. Like the idea of reading the so-called 'Great Books' but don't relish the thought of buying ultra-expensive new hardcovers or borrowing the dusty, smelling, falling-apart copy from the library? Stanza is for you. The reading interface is also delightful, with the option to read either vertically or horizontally and pleasant backlighting that doesn't strain the eyes.
And that's just one app. There are so many other great ones I could mention. How about having an encyclopedia of first-aid information at your fingertips in case of an emergency? The American First-Aid pocket guide is absolutely essential. Want to get news updates on the fly? Get the USA Today or AP app. The list goes on and on. Whatever you might need a portable computing device for, odds are the App store has it. And the catalog just keeps growing.
I don't know what the user experience is like if you have a PC but the iPod Touch is perfect to use with my new Macbook. The syncing takes only a few seconds and iTunes is very easy to use, if a bit expensive. You shouldn't have trouble playing your previous music collection if you import it to iTunes. And the headphones that come with the iPod are fantastic. The sound quality is great, the music sounds like it's coming from inside my head.
The only complaint I have with this version of the iPod touch is that both the touch screen and the back shinny metallic surface smudge too easily. It's impossible to keep clean while you're using it. The minute it comes out of the box and you lay your fingers on it, that pristine clean metal look that you saw in the Apple commercials is gone. If your hands are reasonably clean that won't interfere with your ebook reading or video viewing (head on anyway), but from all other angles it will be very obvious.
But that is a mild complaint compared to the astonishing functionality, speed and attractiveness of the computing experience that is the iPod Touch. No other player on the market comes close. With the Touch, the dream of universal computing comes a step closer to reality.
Customer Review: Great media and personal device.
Summary: 5 Stars
The ipod touch 2g is the 2nd revision of apples newest ipod. The Ipod touch in general is an amazing personal device mixing entertainment, media, organization, communication, and mobility in one sleek easy to use device.
First, the main improvements the 2nd generation has over the first are as follows:
*Curved back, making it more comfortable to hold and overall thinner.
*Built in Speaker
*Physical Volume controls on left side of the device.
*Brighter more vibrant colors on the screen.
*Faster Processor
*Built in Bluetooth Chip (only usable after the upcoming iphoneOS 3.0 is released)
*Better battery Life
Now onto the review:
CONTROLS:
The ipod touch's Multitouch screen is extremely comfortable and easy to use. The screen can recognize multiple finger inputs at the same time and the touch mechanism itself is very accurate and intuitive. This feature alone has made the ipod touch able to do all that it can do. Having the controls on screen also makes them dynamic, meaning they cna be controlled by software and be designed specifically for the application its used for.
Screen:
The gorgeous screen shows vibrant colors and is very large for any mobile device. This makes watching movies and videos, as well as viewing photos very entertaining and hassle free. The screens brightness can be adjusted, and there is a hidden sensor above the screen which can automatically adjust the backlight depending on ambient lighting conditions.
Functionality:
In addition to the perloaded apps, which include Mail, Music, Video, Settings, Youtube, Itunes, calendar, calculator, clock, Contacts, Notes, Stocks, Photos, and Safari; the ipod touch also allows downloading many many apps from the Appstore which range from Games to Social Networking to Utilities. Alot of the apps are free to download, including most of the popular ones such as AIM, Tap Tap, etc. Going beyond that, the ipod touch 2g is now able to be jailbroken, which allows it to run third party apps which can do much more than what the appstore apps can do (example: GPSPHONE: Gameboy Advance Emulator for Ipod touch). I will not go into the details of jailbreaking but there is many resources on the internet if youre interested (google).
When the new 3.0 Firmware comes out in June, which costs 10$ for ipod touch users, many new features will be added, including the ability to use the bluetooth chip which is lying dormant right now in every ipod touch 2nd gen.
OVERALL:
Overall the ipod touch is one of if not THE best mobile devices out right now. If you cannot get an iphone because you dont have AT&T or do not want to pay the huge sum of money to buy one off ebay, the ipod touch 2g is a great alternative offering everything the iphone does, except the phone, GPS, and camera.
For 220$, this device is a must have for anyone who is looking for a mobile entertainment device.
Customer Review: Really good iPod ! (For young adult and up)
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought mine in October and it is still working, I haven't had any issues with it besides the fact that it is technology whichs opens to minor glitches and stuff. Sometimes is freezes but it quickly sets itself back together and starts working like usual. The touch screen is very sensitive and easy to use. Any touch problems that may occur with games are the games fault because everything I touch responds instantly. Apps are cool and all but I'm too big for them. They just are little mini games, but if you are the app kind of person you should invest your money into a ipod with more memory space, for the fact that I have about 30 apps on mine and they take about one GB plus I have 3.5 GB of music (bout 600 songs) , I have to keep everything managed. It would be cooler if they had a memory card slot but that's just a cost you take so, I'd save up and buy a more spacious one if I were all about applications, which I am not.
Wifi works well depending on the connection you get with.
Can't really complain about battery life because it should be quite obvious with such a small powerful device that the battery will not last long when some things are done. I can play music for hours and still have a full battery displayed, but when I start playing videos or apps or go online the battery falls quickly. It makes since I mean, my phone is the same way, apps are very energy sucking. They can be cool though.
It makes for a very cool game playing experience, the display is very colorful and usual the apps respond well.
Sound is great, if something sounds bad on the ipod, I'd say chances are the file is corrupt, not the ipod.
Easy to use, I figured out all of it within an hour, not to much to it, very simple.
I'd say that this product is more for the older teenager (14 +) and up. I can't really see the purpose of a kid having one, they are not responsible nor do they have the care skills to take care of such an exspensive device. I would not trust any child to hold my ipod ever. I've had it for four months and I still do not have a scratch on it. I'd say if you want to get this for your kid, either wait a while or you buy it for yourself and let them use it under supervision.
Internet is very vast, just like the computers, nothing is filter unless you filter it, so realize, internet is internet no matter what device you use. But on an overall basis, the product is safe to use, easy to use, worth the money, and I like it. It definately beats the nano.
If you're an older person reading this, don't be scared to buy it cuz you're old. If you think it sounds cool and you like games and all that, get it. But if you think that this little mini computer is too much, you should go for the colorful selection of (not touch screen) ipod nanos, I've had one for bout 2 years, still works, I've dropped it many times and it still functions, it cool, plays music well, all that jazz.
Good luck, and I hope you like it if you buy it !