Apple iPod touch 32 GB (1st Generation) OLD MODEL by Apple Computer
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Digital camera reviews of Apple iPod touch 32 GB (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
Digital camera Review: Best iPod (Until they made the 2nd Gen version!)
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a former owner of pretty much every iPod out there, except a few (never had a mini, and never bothered with the first-gen nano and it's scratches). I have owned the 8GB iPod Touch, and the 16GB iPod Touch, and I can attest that this new model with 32GB is technically not very different from the other models.
However, it does benefit from being produced later in the iPod Touch's life, and therefore doesn't have some of the problems that hit me as an early adopter of the other two versions, like the infamous "negative blacks" issue. Nope, with this model, all the problems have been addressed, and what you get is the iPod Touch the way it was meant to be.
For me, the 32GB was a must. The 8GB was too small for me. How can you have such a great screen and such a limited capacity to store movies? The 16GB was better, but I was still finding myself shifting songs around in various smart playlists in order to fit my 30GB music library on the iPod Touch along with my bookmarks, contacts, calendars, photos, and a few television shows and movies. It was always a struggle to make it all fit.
Finally, the introduction of a 32GB model has solved all my problems. I can fit ALL my bookmarks, calendars, photos, television shows, podcasts, audiobooks, and quite a few movies on the 32GB iPod Touch, and I still have enough room for most of my music and some music videos. When the Software Development Kit goes out to third parties this month, and new programs start to appear for the iPod touch, I'll have sufficient space to be able to use them.
A lot of reviewers approach the iPod Touch as if it's an iPhone that is "missing" some things. That's not entirely fair, because this IS an iPod. It functions well as an iPod, and does everything the iPod should do. It plays music well. It plays videos well. It stores a lot of media files in a small space.
Look at this more as an iPod "plus" instead of as an iPhone "minus." You get Internet, Mail, Yahoo! Stocks, Yahoo! Weather, World Clock, Stopwatch, Alarm Clock, Calendar, Notes, Yahoo! Maps, Contacts, iTunes, YouTube direct, Calculator, Photos, Music, Videos, and more. That's a lot to pack in an iPod!
As with all products, the advertised amount of space is not the actual amount available. Formatted, with the software on the iPod Touch, you'll have about 30GB to use. Compare this to the 30GB iPod fifth generation, and you see what a bargain this is. Even compared to the current iPod Classic with 80GB, this is a pretty good deal, because the Classic isn't going to let you check your email, surf to your favorite web sites, or enter contacts or notes when you're on-the-go.
Apple won't call this a PDA, but it essentially is one. This is the spiritual successor to the Newton, and it's better in every way. This is the PDA for people who aren't necessarily "businesspeople" but still want something akin to a pocket-sized computer.
I think of it this way: For the price you can get a more full-featured Mac mini, which also runs OS X and can do more things with more programs (for now), but lacks a screen and input device, and isn't portable. Or you can get the 32GB iPod Touch, which does have a screen and a rather innovative input device, and does a lot of the things you'd probably do with your Mac mini every day.
This is a Mac OS X computer in your pocket. Dig it!
Now, I'll be fair and list a few of the negatives of this item. It's not *perfect* yet, but it's close.
First of all, I really wish it had a built-in speaker. Nothing fancy, but just enough to listen to YouTube videos and Audiobooks on the go. It's a pain to get out headphones to use those features. I've solved the problem by using a portable mini-speaker.
The shiny metal back scratches too easily. I don't know why Apple keeps using it, either. For the 2nd generation iPod nano, they went to a full-body brushed aluminum casing, and it was brilliant! It resisted scratches and was pretty sturdy. This generation, Apple has gone back to the shiny back that scratches like its made of frozen butter. They almost necessitate getting a case by doing this.
Finally, since it's Wi-Fi and not EDGE, (it's not an iPhone!) you're limited in which applications you can use when you're out and about. For me it's not a problem; My town's pretty well wired. Those who live in the middle of nowhere, the country, the desert, or somewhere that Wi-Fi is not common may want to avoid the iPod Touch and just get the iPhone instead. You need EDGE if you don't have a lot of Wi-Fi around. Half of the features on this device REQUIRE having Wi-Fi.
Aside from those things, this thing works as intended, and it does it with style and ease of use. I highly recommend it!
I do suggest that if you're going to get this iPod, that you protect it with a decent case (I suggest the Elan Form, DLO Jam Jacket, or the DLO VideoShell) and a good screen protector (I suggest either Invisible Shield or Best Skins Ever). The screen is scratch-resistant, but the casing can get dinged up and you'd be best just covering the device with a little polycarbonate to make it less likely you'll have an ugly iPod in a few months of residing in your pocket.
Personally, I think this is the best iPod ever... And as I said, I've had most of them!
UPDATE 08/2008:
With the addition of the App Store on iTunes, this iPod has become the best portable device I've ever owned. For those who don't want the added expense of an AT&T contract that comes with the iPhone, the iPod touch 32GB version is an awesome choice; More space than an iPhone, and no monthly fees, but access to the same software that makes the iPhone so useful. Now, even more than before, this is the 21st century sequel to Apple's Newton, and it's much, much better than the original Apple PDA.
UPDATE 01/2009:
I finally made the jump to the 2nd Generation iPod touch, and I have to say that it blows this one away. Apple made all the improvements that were needed: Built-in speaker, physical volume controls, lighter, thinner, and a hundred dollars cheaper, too! The built-in speaker alone makes this first-gen model sort of obsolete, in my opinion. If you're weighing your choices between grabbing an old model, or getting a 2G or later, I'd say pony up for the newer ones.
Digital camera Review: Best iPod and PDA
Summary: 4 Stars
This is such an advanced product, one spending this much definitely needs to look into what they are getting.
This is more than an iPod, it is also a PDA. Being able to manage emails, calender, tasks, notes, stocks, maps, etc. puts this above any other iPod.
I love my iPod Touch, and all the features on it are great if you use them. I sync this with Outlook and it works perfect. I have Outlook also synced to my BB, so whichever device I'm using, I will always have my calender and contacts on me.
The quality of the screen is at a beautiful resolution. Going through artwork, looking through songs, browsing the net, looking at the calender is fun. The touch screen is what make this phone so powerful.
Having WiFi is perfect, and makes this very powerful device when you're in a WiFi area (if you can get a connection).
Managing emails great with this device, as it displays all emails beautifully.
The iPod Touch is basically the iPhone without the phone, camera, and speakers.
Some of the negatives are:
- I wish it had speakers
- I use high end head phones and wish the sound quality was better.
- The hissing noise is still there.
- Better battery life is always good, but the product is good as it is.
I recommend this product to anyone and everything since it is not only a music player. 32GB is not necessary for all people, but it's only $100.00 more! If you're going with the 16GB because it's cheaper, you should just go refurbished to save more money.
Thank you!
Digital camera Review: Best media player around!
Summary: 5 Stars
The iPod touch is by far the most advnced, easy to use, and enjoyable mp3 player on the market. It not only plays music flawlessly, but the extras like internet connection, email, photos, and movies make this an incredibly useful gadget.Digital camera Review: Buyer Beware - Dead On Arrival - go through Apple next time
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this to send to my sister in Germany, and when it got to her (via our Mum, who was traveling to visit) it was completely dead! Luckily she's able to exchange it at an Apple Store in Berlin, but after this experience I will be leery of buying another Apple product through Amazon.
This happened once before to me when I bought an AirPort card for my work iBook, the hardware I got was completely non-functioning.
I've bought cannon electronics here no problem, but I will not be buying Apple here again!
Digital camera Review: Buyer be aware
Summary: 1 Stars
Buyer be aware: IPod Touch only plays video bought from iTune store. If you convert your home video or your own DVD collection to MP4 format and tried to watch, you will NOT be able to. It keeps crashing. It is a shame that Apple never states this fact in the description. After trying many different approaches with Apple techincal support, they finally admitted "videos from sources other than bought from iTune store are NOT supported" even though it is MP4 format.