My <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmFwcGxlLmNvbS9pcG9kdG91Y2gv" target="_new">iPod Touch</a> Review

I am amazed by this device (maybe because I waited until the second generation particularly firmware 2.1 and I didn't have the growing pains as the early adopters...).  I must specify that I have only used this device on a Mac, so some of this might be Mac-only... Do you really expect Apple to repeat 100% functionality on Windows when they are still selling Macs?  I don't.

<strong>The Hardware</strong>

It's very solid and very responsive.  The touch screen works just as it advertised.  The screen does get smudged up due to all of the touching and there is no way around it (as it is an iPod TOUCH... haha).  The back is metal and prone to be scratched just like past classic and nano iPods.  Wi-Fi works great but the antenna is kind of weak and it doesn't pick up on a lot of the weaker signals that my notebook might pick up on... too bad there isn't as widespread wi-fi as I would like.

<strong>The Software</strong>

iTunes syching - very sweet.  Everything from contacts, calendars, Safari bookmarks, movies, music, podcasts, mail accounts...

Music - It is an iPod and at it's core, it is still a music player.  The quality of the music is very similar to other iPods.  This may/may not be attributed to the encoding.  I use 128k AAC encoding.  Many audiophiles or enthusiasts would never encode at 128k, but then again, I use 20 dollar headphones.  No reason to use more space to encode at a higher bitrate if I am not using audiophile headphones...

Movies/Video - The quality of the video on the screen is outstanding.  I have several movies that I converted to iPod size video.    I couldn't be happier with the video quality of the device.

Photos - Viewing photos on the touch is very sweet.  You can just flip though albums and pinch to zoom in and out.  Pictures are converted by iTunes to fit the iPod screen.

<strong>Applications</strong>

There are so many application options in the App Store.  So I will concentrate on several of the built-in apps and a few apps I have bought (some for money and some for free...)

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Built-in:</span>

Safari - really nice way to surf the web on the go.  most pages look and feel the same as the desktop Safari, however, a few like ESPN still force you to a mobile verson of the page.
Calendar - Very basic calendar but enough for most people.  There might more deep calendars in the App Store.
Mail - Very similar to Apple's desktop Mail application.  You can easily setup your Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Exchange server, and AOL accounts, but you can also add your own IMAP or POP mail account.  I made an account just for sending/receiving mail on the iPod.  Let me know if you want it...
Contacts - Well, it's a nice contact list reminicent of the Address Book in OS X.
YouTube - Allow you to view YouTube videos as the iPod/iPhone still don't have flash on them.  C'mon, Apple, allow flash!!!
Stocks - Very basic stock app.  Allows you to view the major indexes and add your own stocks to track.  (there are much more deep apps in the App Store like the Bloomburg application.)
Maps - Mobile version of Google maps.
Weather - Very basic like a widget.
Clock - Very basic like a widget.
Calculator - Kind of cool because in portrait mode, it's a basic calculator but in landscape mode, it's a scientific calculator.
Notes - Allow you to enter notes...

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">From the App Store:</span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Internet Apps:</span>
Around Me - Uses the locator function in the iPod to show place around your current location like gas stations, restaurants, shopping, etc.
Yelp! - A review site for restaurants, etc, and also uses the locator function to search for reviewed places in your vicinity.
Air Sharing - Allows file sharing over wi-fi between Mac (possibly Windows) and the iPod.  The touch can view many file types like PDF, Excel, Word, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, text files and several more.  This allow me to not have to email myself attachments.
Sportacular - a very cool app for sports scores, news, and standings.  Very easy to use and has a real-time game stats.
Tag Show - put in a keyword and you can get files tagged with that keyword from most of the public photos sites such as MobileMe, flickr, photobucket, etc.
PangeaVR - select from a list of catagories and get a 360 degree panarama picture from the web.
iTV - a Guide for your cable/satellite system that is interactive.  Sort of like the guides built-in to most cable/satellite boxes with additional functionality.
<br style="text-decoration: underline;" /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Games:</span> (games are cool in the iPod, but will not be a serious gaming platform like NintendoDS or PSP)
LED Football - just like the Mattel football games from the 70's.  Very nostalgic.
Cro-Mag Racing - Sort of like a Mario kart style game.  Not very deep but fun to play.  Use the iPod as a steering wheel.
iGolf - swing like a Wiimote to hit the golf ball.  I get nervous that I am going to toss my iPod whenever I try this.
Tap Tap Revenge - excellent.  a music rhythm game.  Has several songs in the package but can download more songs.  my fave game on the iPod.
Black Jack - a basic game of black jack.  A very good and quiet time wasting game.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Social Networking:</span>
Twitterific - Just like the desktop app for sending/receiving tweets from Twitter.  Join and follow me!
MySpace - iPod version of MySpace.  Duplicates almost every function of MySpace but no streaming music....
Pownce - Just like the desktop Pownce app... may actually be better.  Join and friend me!

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Other:</span>
Constitution - I always have my constitutional rights in my pocket now.  The entire constitution is present from the preamble through the 27th admendment.
iSign - For learning signing.  My girfriend's brother is deaf and uses signing to communicate so I thought this would be a very helpful way for me to learn a little so I can attempt to communicate with him.  The newest version has a quiz and if he had a list of three possible answers floating over his head all of the time, I think I'd be okay!  Just as I do on the quizes.
ABC Sign - For learning the signing alphabet (which has now been integrated into iSign).  This is completely quiz-based.
Remote - Really cool app from Apple that allows the iPod to be used a remote for Macs and AppleTV.  Very sweet app.