Update on iPhone/iPod Touch consideration

[disneysteve]

I posted a few weeks ago that I was thinking about getting an iPhone and wanted to know what other people thought about theirs. Since then, my daughter decided to buy an iPod Touch for herself. We went over to the Apple store today for her to get it. She had a show tonight (she's in theater) but asked if I would set it up for her, transfer her music, etc.

WOW! The device has only been in my possession for a couple of hours and I'm blown away by it already. The quality of the graphics, the ease of the interface and just the few applications I've had a chance to play with are all incredible. I don't think I realized that the iPod Touch had internet capability. Of course, you need to be where there is WiFi, so you can't get on anywhere like you can with the iPhone, but still, it doesn't cost you anything whereas the iPhone costs you $35/month for the service.

I am very, very impressed. I'm not going to run out tomorrow and buy my own, but I'm willing to bet I will do so at some point.

[myrdale]

I love mine, it is truely an awsome thing.

A couple of tips for ya. It will play MP3 files down loaded from LimeWire with out issue.

Music you copy from CD's are typically saved as WMA files. There is a free software program called Switch Sound File Converter I down loaded to convert them all to MP3s. It works like a charm.

If your as anal about the details as I am, you can download MP3 tag editors to better organize your music. I trialed then bought mp3Tag Pro. It's great for what it does.

For anyone curious about Ipod Touch, I posed a video on youtube a while back. It is pretty corny, but just shows it in operation. Can be found here:
YouTube - IPOD Touch

Oh and lastly, ITunes does not jive with XP 64. There are 20 minutes work arounds you must endure to get it to work.

[disneysteve]

The only thing I can think of that would make this device perfect would be if it had a camera (like the iPhone does). I couldn't care less that it isn't a phone, since I hardly ever use my cell phone anyway.

[Like2Plan]

disneysteve,
I thought you were going to say you broke down and bought an iPhone. Reistance is futile, go out and buy one --you 'll get to enjoy the use of it. (Then the rest of us will be very jealous. )

[disneysteve]

L2P, it will come to that, I'm sure. Right now, I'm going to enjoy it vicariously through my daughter. She needs my help with some of the tech stuff and needs me to download any paid apps (account is in my name) so I'm going to play with this one for awhile.

BTW, in case anybody is wondering, she paid for this with her own savings. Actually, I'm pretty proud of her. She had her Bat Mitzvah in September and other than making a donation to Smile Train, this is the first she has spent any of her gift money. She waited until she found something she really wanted and knew she would make use of. I'm sure a lot of kids who suddenly find themselves with thousands of dollars in their bank account don't show nearly as much restraint.

[kork13]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

BTW, in case anybody is wondering, she paid for this with her own savings. Actually, I'm pretty proud of her. She had her Bat Mitzvah in September and other than making a donation to Smile Train, this is the first she has spent any of her gift money. She waited until she found something she really wanted and knew she would make use of. I'm sure a lot of kids who suddenly find themselves with thousands of dollars in their bank account don't show nearly as much restraint.

haha -- I thought of my youngest brother immediately when I saw this. He's managed to establish a fairly lucrative lawn-mowing business in his neighborhood, making ~$150/weekend (buku-bucks for a 15y/o). Against all rhyme, reason, and disagreement from my parents, he almost immediately went and got himself a new XBox (which supplements his PS2 and Game Cube).... hahahaha

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by kork13

haha -- I thought of my youngest brother immediately when I saw this. He's managed to establish a fairly lucrative lawn-mowing business in his neighborhood, making ~$150/weekend (buku-bucks for a 15y/o). Against all rhyme, reason, and disagreement from my parents, he almost immediately went and got himself a new XBox (which supplements his PS2 and Game Cube).... hahahaha

The deal in our house is pretty much that she has to run any significant purchases past us. We want to make sure she understands what she's doing and if there are any additional costs (accessories, games, other fees, etc.) beyond the purchase price. Of course, we would veto any purchase that we truly opposed for good reason (like buying a movie with inappropriate content) but other than that, it is her money to spend as she chooses.

We do make sure that she understands the importance of saving for the future, a car, college, etc., so that she doesn't go out and blow all her money on wants today.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

DS, my DH did not get a itouch or ipohone because in June they are having software updates and likely a hardware update as well. With each new generation they charge you more for the update, so it's worth waiting. They announced this about a week or so ago. I wish you had posted earlier.

[MiikeB]

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

DS, my DH did not get a itouch or ipohone because in June they are having software updates and likely a hardware update as well. With each new generation they charge you more for the update, so it's worth waiting. They announced this about a week or so ago. I wish you had posted earlier.

The announcement two weeks ago from apple stated there will be a software update, however it will be free according to Apple. There is a big myth about them charging for software updates, but it only happened once.

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by georgealan

Hello,still wondering whether to buy iPhone 3G or Blackberry?

Get. A. Blackberry.

I'm a Blackberry user aka crackberry. I have the 8900, which is the new curve which came out about a month ago. My Blackberry can do everything an iphone can including play music. I absolutely hate the all touch screens. I send about 150 Text Messages a day, not to mention emails, and BBMs, I couldn't imagine doing all this on a touch screen. The saying goes, blackberry for business men, iphone for gadget nuts.

Just my $.02

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by Pitman

Get. A. Blackberry.

Get. An. Iphone. I've had an iphone and a blackberry, and it really is no contest. The iphone is better in so many ways, not the least of which is the huge number of applications available for it. Most developers write apps for the iphone/ipod touch first, then for other platforms if they get around to it.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Pitman

Get. A. Blackberry.

I'm a Blackberry user aka crackberry. I have the 8900, which is the new curve which came out about a month ago. My Blackberry can do everything an iphone can including play music. I absolutely hate the all touch screens. I send about 150 Text Messages a day, not to mention emails, and BBMs, I couldn't imagine doing all this on a touch screen. The saying goes, blackberry for business men, iphone for gadget nuts.

Just my $.02

I think it totally depends why you are getting it and how you plan to use it. Personally, I send maybe 1 or 2 text messages a month, and I don't even like doing that. I don't send e-mail. If I get an iPhone, it will be for all of the apps (there are over 25,000 currently available - though that includes a lot of duplication). My daughter got the iPod Touch to play music and games. A Blackberry would not do what she (or I) would want to use it for.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Actually my DH was looking at a 1st generation itouch for $320 for the 32 GB, and it would cost $40 for the software upgrade. He researched it. So not all software upgrades are free.

Second, with it being the two year anniversary of it coming out and people who bought the new ones coming off of a 2 year contract, I'm guessing that they are coming out with a new generation.

Blackberry is better for work I agree.

[MiikeB]

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

Actually my DH was looking at a 1st generation itouch for $320 for the 32 GB, and it would cost $40 for the software upgrade. He researched it. So not all software upgrades are free.

Second, with it being the two year anniversary of it coming out and people who bought the new ones coming off of a 2 year contract, I'm guessing that they are coming out with a new generation.

Blackberry is better for work I agree.

I apoligize, I assumed he was looking at a current generation. That is true that if you buy a first gen touch you will have to pay to upgrade the software to include email/itunes and I think maybe even the app store. Again though, its a non issue with the current generations.

There has been talk of an iphone nano, however it seems to be mostly rumors right now. Apple rumors often do turn out true though.

[kork13]

Originally Posted by MiikeB

There has been talk of an iphone nano, however it seems to be mostly rumors right now. Apple rumors often do turn out true though.

Dude, I would TOTALLY bite on that.... One reason I'm a bit turned off by the iPhone/iTouch is the sheer size/mass of it. If they could somehow make a decent iPhone except smaller, that would rock.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I. Of course, you need to be where there is WiFi, so you can't get on anywhere like you can with the iPhone, but still, it doesn't cost you anything whereas the iPhone costs you $35/month for the service.

Steve,

Just an FYI, Skype is releasing an Ipod/Iphone application (today, I think) allowing you to use the VOIP service to place calls from an Ipod Touch when in WiFi range.

Originally Posted by Pitman

Get. A. Blackberry.

I'm a Blackberry user aka crackberry. I have the 8900, which is the new curve which came out about a month ago. My Blackberry can do everything an iphone can including play music.
Just my $.02

I'm a Blackberry user. The availability of applications for the iPhone is hands-down the largest selling feature when compared to similar devices. Schools are offering courses in the programming language now, and software companies are flocking to produce iPhone games and software because the development and distribution costs are so low compared to full-fledged software.

Ipod's are not necessarily the best, cheapest, or most reliable MP3 player . . . but they do have the accessory market 98% cornered. The plug-and-play accessory list for iPods is many, many times longer than it's closest competitor. This, along with strong marketing, is how they have captured so much market share. It's a very similar situation to the iPhone and applications. For anyone on the fence between an iPhone and a similar device THE APPLICATIONS SELL THE PHONE, not the fact that it has a camera and can play music (those are not exactly "novel" features these days).

My employer just took away my blackberry to trim costs. If there was decent At&T service in the area, I would have replaced it with an iPhone. I'm guessing AT&T will expand their network faster than the applications list expands for Blackberries . . . so I'm holding out.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by kork13

Dude, I would TOTALLY bite on that.... One reason I'm a bit turned off by the iPhone/iTouch is the sheer size/mass of it. If they could somehow make a decent iPhone except smaller, that would rock.

There are rumors of a cheaper iPhone coming this summer (~$99), but it sounds like the number of features is shrinking more so than the physical size.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by red92s

There are rumors of a cheaper iPhone coming this summer (~$99), but it sounds like the number of features is shrinking more so than the physical size.

Yeah, I've heard about that, and it's quite a controversial topic....

The thing is, Apple doesn't follow the typical razor/razor blade model. They make the iPhones, but they are not the ones that provide the communication service.

So, from Apple's perspective, to make these phones available for only $99 means that they will poach their iPod sales. Either that or they will have to drastically reduce the price on their iPod line... because the iPhone is itself a capable iPod. But why do that when their current pricing seems to work well enough.

Instead, it is much likely that they may offer an updated iPhone, especially through software. I know iPhone OS 3.0 is on its way, but there are still plenty of room for improvement there, especially on the enterprise level.

That being said, it is possible for iPhones to still be $99, if it was heavily subsidized by AT&T. However, that still seems like an unlikely scenario to me because, besides raising the ire of Apple, it would also mean that they have a need to push these units at volume. Given the existing success of the iPhone sales as it is, I don't see why they would that right now?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by red92s

Just an FYI, Skype is releasing an Ipod/Iphone application (today, I think) allowing you to use the VOIP service to place calls from an Ipod Touch when in WiFi range.

Does the Touch have a microphone built in or do you need to connect a headset to it?

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by red92s

I'm a Blackberry user. The availability of applications for the iPhone is hands-down the largest selling feature when compared to similar devices. Schools are offering courses in the programming language now, and software companies are flocking to produce iPhone games and software because the development and distribution costs are so low compared to full-fledged software.

Ipod's are not necessarily the best, cheapest, or most reliable MP3 player . . . but they do have the accessory market 98% cornered. The plug-and-play accessory list for iPods is many, many times longer than it's closest competitor. This, along with strong marketing, is how they have captured so much market share. It's a very similar situation to the iPhone and applications. For anyone on the fence between an iPhone and a similar device THE APPLICATIONS SELL THE PHONE, not the fact that it has a camera and can play music (those are not exactly "novel" features these days).

red92s, your whole post solidifies what I mentioned in my post; Blackberry is for the business man, iPhone is for the gadget nut.

You obviously removed my whole post, where I mentioned sending over 150 text messages to prove your point, but in doing so, you just proved mine stronger. The blackberry vs iPhone debate has been going on for a long time, and I don't think it will stop anytime soon. But to each is own, I'm extremely happy with my blackberry, and I'm positive that DS's DD is extremely happy with her Touch.

All is well.

PS:
I do agree with you that iPod has the music market cornered, but I hate walking around with two devices, so instead of chucking $250 for an iPod, I spent $55 for an 16gig memory card for the blackberry, and voila, my already wonderful phone has also turned into my music player.