Since this time around I didn't have Apostle's Liveblog of somebody else's liveblog to keep me up to date I had to read some of the real tech website's reviews of the latest iPhone. I think this picture adequately represents what I think of the hardware. I do like the additional features in iOS 6 but I certainly don't need a slightly taller version of the same phone to run it. The two other takeaways from today are this: 1) Why would anybody buy an iPod Touch when the cost for an iPad is only $100 more? (High end Touch, low end iPad, but still a very valid point.) And for that matter why would anyone buy an iPod Touch when you could get a Kindle Fire for the exact same price? I just don't see a market for this device. Quite honestly even if I was going to buy one for a preteen child I would just go for the iPhone given that I could put out going call restrictions on it and use it to get in touch with him/her. 2) The new dock connector was a great idea... until they decided to go with 10 year old USB 2.0 technology. This is inexplicable IMO. I'd think they would have wanted to push Thunderbolt's adoption in mainstream devices by building it into their phone which will surely sell 10's of millions despite the fact it's basically a second rate phone from day one. If not Thunderbolt, why not USB 3.0? It's a baffling decision. I know they are pushing for wireless everything but since you've gotta have a charger it seems logical to go ahead and use one that can move data on and off of the phone extremely fast. I will not buy this phone. I'm very interested in the latest from Samsung and the new Windows phones but since my iPhone 4S is still a great device I will probably just hold out for another year and see what's available at that time.
As you note, they are good for the preteen crowd. My daughter and older son have these and love them. In my girl's case, she bought the Touch with her own money, used on e-bay. My son receive an iPhone that was "found" by a friend of ours. Calling is deactivated, so it is functionally the same as a Touch. I don't know that I'd spend the money for new hardware, but as used or free devices, they are just perfect for kids their age.
I realize the flaw in my logic now but my point was that you could just disable the call out feature and having an iphone for your kid would be superior to the itouch because you could then use it to call them when you need them. The flaw, a very obvious one that I'm surprised I missed is that an iPhone comes with a fairly large monthly bill as far as phones go. So I imagine having another 60-90 per month per kid being added to your cell phone bill is quite unappealing to a large number of parents. I suppose that particular group my still desire something smaller than an iPad or Kindle Fire so the fact they are almost the same price doesn't mean everyone wants to get the larger device.
I'm very surprised that Apple even bothered to come out with a new generation of iPod Touch devices. Seems like a complete waste. I don't see any point to them at all. If you want an mp3 player for your kids, there are a shit ton of used iPods and iPhones out there which will do the job fine. Also, the new iPhone does not impress me at all. Now you can fit five rows of icons instead of four! Right now it seems like they are just playing catch up with other smartphones and hoping the brand will carry sales (which it probably will). But they are resting on their heels... I see no reason to upgrade at this time.
Come to the Dark Side Tex... I'm just waiting for the announcement of when Verizon is going to get the Lumia 920.
Apple is lost without Steve. Like a blind man groping in the dark. This is the beginning of Apple's slide into crap and mediocrity.
You'll notice that there's no 5th gen. 8 gig iPod Touch. Lots of people have been buying mifi's, Touches, and using VOIP to make calls. This enables you to ditch the fucked up cellphone contracts the telcos are forcing on people these days. By ditching the 8 gig Touch, Apple is no longer competing against itself. (In reality, the telcos think that this will encourage people to buy a phone instead of a Touch.) So, if you want a 5th gen. Touch instead of a phone, you have to be prepared to plunk down an extra $100.
Because the iPod fits in my pocket, goes to workouts with me when I don't want my phone with me, and I can run for miles with it no problem. I was going to get an iPhone, but then I got a droid, and I like it just fine. Leaves me with 2 devices and I suppose I could put all my music and videos into the droid, but I don't wanna bother doing that. Lots of people are like me, just want a little iPod to take running or something, play some music and games and not haul around something big like an iPad, and carry around a breakable phone.
That too! I cannot believe how retardedly bad the batteries on smart phones are. My iPod plays music and runs quick aps far longer than my phone, and it's not like I gotta haul around a 7" tablet to check my email.
I've only resisted Android because of the horrible experience I had with it on my work phone back when they first came out. It seems to have come a long way from that pos Moterrola I had. That having been said, I really like the Lumia and Windows 8 seems like a much better OS than Android. What I would miss about the iPhone is iOS. IMO it is by far the cleanest and easiest mobile operating system. The reason I won't be going to Windows right now is the lack of App support. Until more people adopt it, and more specifically more people like me who are willing to pay a few bucks for great apps, adopt it; the developers won't give it enough attention and I will always have to wait for several months while Android and iOS users are enjoying the best new apps.
... right. Not my fault you weren't clear. If you're gonna be an ass about it, I'm just gonna back off.
How much more clear could I be? I used the exact device name over and over. At no point did I say just "iPod" which would reasonably be argued as confusing. You just don't like being called out. Double fail.
I have an iPod touch and I mentioned apps and email. I'm not being "called out," I'm CONFUSED because I'M TALKING ABOUT AN IPOD TOUCH. My post was 100% in response to the iPod Touch, which as far as I know, is the only one capable of email and apps. Correct me on that if I'm wrong, but don't "call me out" on "double fails" for skipping a word. I do actually believe the iPod Touch still has a place despite the existence of the iPad and Kindle Fire. My parents own all of those and I've stuck to my iPod from day 1. But thanks for the negativity. I was actually having a pretty good day. You have no idea what conflict does to me. Believe it or not, I'm actually upset that you'd be so negative toward me so quickly. (edited to tone down original response)
Your iPod touch fits exactly the same as an iPhone would in your pocket. One extra millimeter of thickness would not make a difference. You are either an idiot or were (still are) confused about the product being discussed. And don't rep whine, it doesnt even count towards your score. Red and green pixels on a screen mean nothing. Use it for what it was intended to do like saying that you disagree or agree and break away from the old mindset. The closest thing I've done to insulting you by the way is the first paragraph of this reply. I don't know what a Wordforge game is but if it's calling out an inaccurate post and a failed defense of that post then game on.
Tex, get the GS3. You know it makes sense! Anyway, this opinion piece was on the BBC website yesterday. Buying an I-phone is like driving your moms car! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19557497
Not a very balanced article that! But I guess as a "viewpoint" the author is entitled to be a bit biased. Personally I think the yearly upgrades are excessive, from both Apple and other manufacturers. Maybe release an upgrade every 2 years, that would ramp up anticipation and we'd see some significant changes in the product. The current trend of releasing essentially the same product each year with a few extras is a disgrace IMO. But lucrative for the manufacturer though.
I think the author made good points. I only have my one bad experience to judge Android by but it was so bad and iOS is so good by comparison that I'm nervous about making the switch. Apple's hardware isn't cutting edge this time but iOS is still an excellent mobile operating system and unlike my computer where I do like having the best hardware, I view my phone as a device that I would rather have just work like it is supposed to without having to trick it up. I've also purchased a lot of apps in the last 3 years that I don't want to lose. I'm sure there is probably an Android equivalent though so that may not be a huge concern. And I will still have an iPad to use them on. Which really brings up the last point in favor of giving Android another shot. I don't really need a miniature version of my iPad in my pocket. So I would gain a new type of device and not just carry basically 2 of the exact same thing. I think I just sold myself on coming over to the dark side. My 4S is still a great phone and doesn't need replacing yet so this affords me the time to wait and see if Windows phones can gain any ground and get the app support I'd like to see before giving them real consideration. I work for a technology company that is likely to adopt Windows 8 and if the Win8 mobile version works as seamlessly as they are claiming it will with your computer that might sway me in that direction.
Yearly upgrades are their cash cow, and they aren't meant for everyone to switch with every version. In the US we are all pretty much on 2 year contracts and since smartphones tend to last about two years before the hardware can't keep up with the software or best network speeds it makes sense to upgrade every other year. Since we aren't all obviously on the same 2 year cycle and there is always a new group of customers who are ready to upgrade their aging phones, releasing yearly upgrades, even if they are only incremental is good for all parties involved from the customer, to the retail store selling the phone, to the carrier selling the service, and of course the device manufactures in Asia and finally Apple, Samsung, Nokia, HTC, and all other product inventors. It's not corporate greed, it's just good business.
Yes, how could anyone be confused when you're talking about 4 different devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Kindle Fire). In any case, her point was entirely relevant, you wanted to know why someone would buy an iPod touch, there's your answer, because iPads and Kindle Fires won't fit in their pocket, an iPhone costs close to $600 without a contract, and some people don't like the device they use for vital communication to be the same as they use for diversion.
I'm always pissed off by Hype Season before the iPhone/iPad launch. Anyway, this time there is absolutely nothing to back up the hype. Even the 4S was more exciting than... that. There's an interesting spin too: Might be that Apple is trying the waters. How far will their iSheep go? Big question is, are they locked into the ecosystem tight enough that they'll grumble and pay up? Or will at least some jump ship when they realize that 899 euro isn't all that this thing costs? After all there's not one accessory that still fits and I'm sure there will be 'special', expensive contracts with the iPhone yet again.
Why has Apostle not shown up in this thread yet? Is he in the queue outside the Apple store already??
