Apple iPod Touch (first generation, 32GB)
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February 6, 2008 03:11
3.5/5
I bought the iPod touch when it first came out late September, and have been using it on daily basis since then. This is one of few products that the more I use it, the more it annoys me.
If I had known how much I'd miss not having external controls I wouldn't have bought the unit. When the unit has turned off the screen it becomes a mult-step process to do anything. You can't just push a button to play/pause. This is made worse by that fact the device does not work well with gloves. I live in a nothern climate so this a problem for me.
This is a personal preference issue, but I hate cover flow. It looks neat, but its a hugely ineffecient way to get to my music. I don't browse that way, I use play lists. What really gripes me is you can't turn it off. If you tilt the player the wrong way it will switch to cover flow.
To me cover flow is pretty much a stupid pet trick. It looks neat, but you can't do anything practical with it.
The Safari browser on the unit is terrific. I've yet to see anything on mobile device that comes close to it. The video player is also top notch.
There's a lot to like about this player, but for $400, I want external buttons. Or at least the ability to turn off cover flow. -
February 17, 2008 10:00
4.5/5
I have always avoided Apple. Never owned a Mac or PowerBook. Always been a Microsoft/Windows man. Spent time and dollars on "iPod Killers" such a Cowon's iAudio X5 and Phillips GoGear 30GB. Even chose my Home Theater Reciever based on the ability to play WMA files (Denon AVR-4306). No More. I am a convert. This is an amazing device that utilizes cutting edge technology. My decision came down to a Zune or iPod - and once I tried the iPod touch side by side with a Zune, it was all over. Compared to my previous MP3 player experiences, this is an amazing device to use. Throw in syncing with my Email, Contacts and Calendar along with Wi-Fi web browsing and song downloads and there is no question this should be your next device. The only reason I don't rate this a 10 is the hard drive size, which may be a drawback for some. Oh, by the way, 90% of my downloaded WMAs were converted to MP3 by iTunes - don't know how or why, but I didn't have to go online to buy all my downloaded songs all over again. Gotta go enjoy my iPod now. -
June 13, 2008 05:04
4.0/5
I bought this iPod touch 3 days ago. Before I made up my mind, I had the date July 11th all over my head. Didn't know whether the new iphone meant there will be a new iPod touch. If it is just a software upgrade, no big deal. I hesitated also due to my general dislike for touch screen only devices. Most touch-screens I used were slow and not very intuitive. After doing some research of my own, I finally made my purchase.
I only had this iPod touch for 3 days now. So far, the Touch has exceeded my expectations for a media player that CNet gave 8.7/10 on. I found the operating system to be somewhat ahead of our time compared to other products available. It looks sharp and it is responsive for the most part. I thought I would dislike having use a OS that is solely touch-screen but this iPod touch made that "fun" somehow.
Before I bought the Touch, I also had concerns over its audio quality which apparently is only above average. However, with a pair of Sennheiser HD485, the sound was fantastic.. but again, what wouldn't. The point is, the audio quality issue is often quite negligible unless 1) the user is a true audiophile and/or 2) the audio quality is awful.
So far, I've found the basic applications quite handy. But when the App store opens, so will the availability of a vast number of 3rd part apps. I can wait until then. A couple of my friends suggested "jailbreaking" but I certainly don't want to risk my new favourite toy.
If it is that great, why did I give it 8/10? There are no external controls! No matter how great the touch-screen interface is, a simple volume control would take any product closer to a 10/10. Also, the iPod Touch is simply too expensive. The retail price + sales tax + service plan + case + earbuds or etc. could land you a new laptop. Sure. You don't need to get a case or earbuds. But if you don't have either of those, why wouldn't anybody want to get more protection for and better sound quality out of their pricey product?
The bottom line: This is a fantastic media player that has a potential to improve. -
May 29, 2008 02:31
4.5/5
I've owned several different MP3 players over the past five years. From iPod classic, shuffle, nano's to Microsoft's Zune and I can honestly nothing I've used is better or cooler than the iPod Touch (so far).
I would have given the iPod Touch a 10 rating had it not been for Apples policy to charge Touch owners each time there is a software update. -
March 16, 2008 07:27
4.5/5
For years I have stayed away from Apple products, but a month or so ago I decided to try a 8G touch. I fell in love with it and immediately went and got a 32 Gig unit to slam with all my favorite tunes and videos.
This hands down is the best MP3/Video player that I have ever owned. Love the touch interface, email, contracts, Wi-Fi, Safari. It is so sweet I never leave home without it.
With all the positive I have to say the 3 major drawbacks to the touch is the elimination of all the buttons.
It would be nice to have a Play/Pause, Track control, and volume control buttons on the side so You didn't have to pull up the touch interface to make an adjustment on the fly. Its hard to do that while your riding a bike or moving around.
The 2nd drawback is that almost all the videos default to landscape mode and there are no landscape iPod docks. I have an alarm clock dock and it will not let me watch a video in portrait mode while in the dock.
The last drawback is the new Apple chip set in the touch. This unit is not compatible with older iPod equipment. Right now the only cable that lets you display the video on a TV is the Apple specific one. I must add, that it is extremely hard to find that cable at the local retailers since everyone is scooping them up. I finally just order the component HD cables direct from Apple. Also you must make sure any docks you buy say that it is compatible with "iTouch" specifically. Not all of them work with the touch.
Other than that this is the best iPod ever, and its the only one that lets you download HD video content and view it in HD on your TV with the Apple component cables. -
February 12, 2008 05:12
4.5/5
This iPod is an awesome MP3 and video player. The 32GB storage is pretty big and the Wi-Fi makes it even more useful than a standard MP3 player. The touch screen is awesome! It's very responsive and easy to use. I love having to watch youtube videos and surf the internet on one little device! It's very cool. The only downsides are no wireless sync (which is a bummer) and no flash support in safari. Hopefully, Apple will deal with these issues later in firmware fixes...
Otherwise, this iPod is spectacular!! I love it! -
September 15, 2008 07:28
Spectacular
2.5/5
I bought the first generation version about a week before the lower-priced second generation came out so I'm a little bitter that Apple provides no rebates. Second generation is cheaper and has more features, such as speaker. Recommend buying second gen version of a used first generation if you can find a good deal. Also, unless you intend to fill the memory with songs and videos, don't spend all the extra money for high capacity as device is NOT a good external hard drive. -
September 9, 2008 11:11
4.0/5
Judging by some of the reviews, its obvious that 1) People didn't use it 2)Some are Apple haters 3)Others expected a phone.
Now I am no apple enthusiast (in fact i find apple very pretentious without much cause), but the touch is a fine piece of work. Of course with all products there are a few drawbacks, but for anyone who born after the Jurassic Era, that should be expected. The wireless function works much better than I expected. Playback is very fine, if one feels the sound quality is poor, they may need to get a surround sound stereo system, or better headphones. Video playback again, is much better than expected. 2.0 greatly improved its function.
What can be improved is response time, flash capability and for a state of the art item, throwing in a little FM radio wouldnt be too hard to ask (but i guess apple is above such things). The keyboard is a mess at first, but gets easier once you are used to it, or if you are a texter.
All in all, its a very fine toy that I personally didnt mind wasting a few dollars on. But if you are expecting something that would program your house, your car, and spin straw into gold, this product is seriously not for you. -
September 7, 2008 04:54
Good
1.5/5
fm tuner is good -
August 21, 2008 08:23
4.5/5
When I got the iPod Touch, I already had a 30 gig iPod 5G, which was woefully underused. I was afraid that the same would happen to this, but that's not the case. It's a lifesaver on long trips, a great thing to show off to people, fun and easy to use, I've yet to see why it doesn't deserve the name PDA, and I don't know what I'd do without it. While I would love to see an external speaker and a couple more physical buttons on it, I absolutely love this device. I hope that the price drops soon because I think it's slightly overpriced, but if you can reconcile the price, it's one of the best products you'll buy.
