In Apple’s media event, they announced three amazing updates to their products. They look truly spectacular and I can not wait to get my hands on them. Next, let’s discuss the new iPod touch.
The iPod touch has been around for five years, just as the iPhone has. The iPod touch has truly revolutionized the iPod line and has become the most popular iPod. Since it’s inception, it has sold more iPod touches than any of the other models. It is the only iPod to feature iOS and was once described by Steve Jobs as the “training wheels for the iPhone”. The iPod touch is the only model of iPod that keeps selling and in the end, along with the iPod nano, will be the remaining iPods with the iPod classic the first to go and then the shuffle.
Screen Size
As I mentioned in the article about the iPod nano, the main idea of the Apple Media Event this week was the enlargement of the screen. The iPod touch, like the iPhone, has a Retina Display 4 inch screen. The previous screens were 3.5 inches. I believe the change of screen size is a good thing. It gives more ability to see while still being able to use it with one hand.
New Design
The first thing you’ll notice about the new iPod touch is that there are multiple colors to choose from. Like the new iPod nano it has blue, yellow, pink, white, and black (again with the white color with it). However, unlike the new iPod nano, it does not have green or purple, which I wish they kept green for the iPod touch. The color is on the back of the iPod touch, while it is white on the front. Therefore, since many people have a case on their devices anyway, one will not see the color and it won’t matter much. Another thing you’ll notice is that it looks a lot thinner. It is just 6.1 mm thin. It is even lighter than before at 3.1 ounces. The previous generation was 3.56 ounces, not much of a difference, but it is following Apple’s thinner is better technique, so I’m glad they are continuing it. It is made out of brushed aluminum which it gives it a smooth, light feel. You can also attach a colored Apple-provided strap to it allowing you to keep it secure in your hands.
Camera
The camera is something I am very excited about. The camera on the back went from 780p HD recording and a ridiculous 0.8 MP to an incredible change of a 1080p video recording and 5 MP (7 times more MP than the iPod touch 4th Generation). It also now comes with LED flash, a first in iPod touch and a definitely must have feature. It has the tap to focus feature and the face recognition feature that only up until now the iPod touch has not enjoyed. It also comes with panoramic view, allowing you to take 270 degree pictures. This feature is only available on iPod touch 5G and the iPhone 5 and it looks stunning.
Dual-Core A5 chip
Think about putting the processing power of the iPad 3 and you have the processing power of the new iPod touch. It is twice the processing power and up to seven times the graphics performance. It truly is incredible and it also means that the iPad 4 will either have the A6 or something even better. It isn’t a power hog and will keep the same, if not better, battery life than the previous generation.
Siri
Apple has now completed it’s iOS Siri line-up. All the products that Apple has from the iPhone 4S, the iPad 3 and the fifth generation iPod touch have Siri. With Siri on the iPod touch and iPad 3, you will need a wifi internet connection for it to work (unless of course you have a 4G iPad), however it is truly a great step in the right direction. Now all they have to do is move it out of beta.
Media
Of course the iPod touch plays music as it is an iPod and it plays movies, TV Shows etc etc. However with the new 4 inch screen and 44% more color saturation, the colors will pop more on movies and you will have a better movie experience with the bigger screen. The bigger screen and better graphics will also make playing games even better. The playing experience will be the best it has ever been on the iPod touch.
AirPlay
The new iPod touch, like the iPad 2 and greater and the iPhone 4S and greater, has screen mirroring which allows you to mirror what’s on your device to the TV via Apple TV. You can share music, movies, TV shows, and media to your heart’s desires. It has truly changed the way I use my iPad and it will change the way I use my iPod as well.
EarPods
Apple is getting rid of the old earphones that we all stash away whenever we get our new iPod because we don’t need them, our more expensive earphones will do the job. Now, Apple says that the new engineered EarPods are made to last and sound great, in fact they say it’s made to sound so great, I will use them instead of my high dollar, high quality headphones. I accepted the challenge so when I get a chance to use the EarPods, I will let you know if Apple speaks the truth.
iOS 6
Please check out our article on iOS 6 here.
Lightning
The new, controversial, 5-pin dock connector called Lightning has drawn a lot of attention. It is the first time that Apple has changed the dock connector and it is certainly a bold move, considering that people are used to and recognize the 30-pin dock connector and use it on their devices all the time. Not to fret though. If you will still use 30 pin, Apple will be selling a Lightning to 30 pin adapter so that you and accessory manufacturers have time to catch up. It is a lot smaller than the 30 pin and it allows you to plug it in either way, similar to that of the MacBook Air/Pro MagSafe connector. I hope Apple knows what they are doing.
Price
The new 32 GB iPod touch starts at $299 while the 64 GB starts at $399. This compares to 8GB for $199, 32 GB at $299 and 64 GB at $399. It also compares to the fourth generation iPod touch models they still sell which are 16 GB for $199 and 32 GB $299.
All in all, Apple has produced yet another solid update to a solid product. The iPod touch has been a major part of Apple’s success since 2007 and with this update with Siri, A5, and a new camera just to name a few, will definitely continue to be part of that success.
Thanks for reading,
Joe