Why No Fries with the iPod touch?
After nine months of anticipation, Apple finally released an iPod based on the iPhone form factor and interface. But for reasons unknown, Apple chose to leave off one or two essential applications, and according to the latest rumor, has neutered others.
You get the feeling that if Apple bought McDonald’s they would cut the fries from the combo meals. I hope you didn’t want fries with your new iPod touch!
The iPod touch is a lovely device, and I have to out myself as being wrong. I was among those who said Apple wouldn’t release a device like it within 12 months of the iPhone.
Hindsight is a great thing, and now I can see why Apple might have done so. Certainly there’s a big market for it, but the two devices could cannibalize each other. Which, at the end of the day, matters not to Apple, as they still get a sale. And Steve said as much in a recent interview with USA Today.
However, in markets still waiting for the iPhone—such as Europe and Asia—it will be interesting to see how the iPod touch sells. Personally, I’m having a dilemma over whether to get an iPod touch or wait for the iPhone. And a young woman I spoke to at an electronics retailer said she’d be waiting.
Actually, the more more I find out about the touch, the more I lose interest in it.
I saw one reader comment on a web forum last week that the iPod touch is a PDA. I suspect, though, he’s in for a big disappointment. Apple isn’t pushing it that way, so it’s hard to know if it really is. In fact, Apple’s demo video didn’t even mention iCal or Address Book, two key apps on a PDA. And rumors have it there’ll be no ability to input calendar entries—which is upsetting a lot of people who pre-ordered specifically expecting that feature.
But the big thing missing—the fries if you will—is email. Its absence is the deciding factor in my not buying an iPod touch.
For a device that has internet access, the lack of an email client leaves one speechless. So what if you can do it online through Safari? An offline reader is essential in a portable, internet-connected device. Plus, using a browser, you have to manually check your email. Also, if you have multiple email accounts, using a browser really starts getting cumbersome.
In my part of the world, wireless hotspots are rare, so I wouldn’t be able to use the browser or email much anyway. But if hotspots were available, then I’d be eternally frustrated at having an internet device without email.
Say that again a couple of times: “an internet device without email.” Have you ever heard of anything stupider? A car without seats? A combo meal without fries? A computer without a mouse? A house without a bathroom? An internet device without email?
Possibly, someone will port the iPhone’s email client to the iPod touch, and hopefully that will force Apple to include it.
Unfortunately, this adds to the dilemma. Do I wait for the touch to get an email client? Or just get an iPod classic? And do I then forget about the iPhone?
But if the rumor of the inability to input to the calendar and address book proves true, the decision is easy. No touch. Without those PDA abilities, the difference between a touch and an iPod classic narrows too much to justify the touch.
The interesting thing is, the lack of PDA type functions, such as calendar entry and email, stops me buying an iPod touch in preference to an iPod classic. But the absence of those from the touch wouldn’t influence my decision to buy an iPhone.
I’d buy an iPhone because it’s a phone with iPod features. But I would have bought a touch if it was an iPod with email and PDA features.
With the touch having no compelling features, and already owning an iPod, albeit sans video, I expect I’ll just buy nothing.
Steve was happy to appease the angry mob over the price cut; hopefully he’ll appease the rowdy rabble over the lack of email and calendar entry.
Come on, Steve, mate, give us the fries with that iPod touch.
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Comments
When it comes to storage vs price, I agree.
What feature does the touch have that makes it compelling over the classic?
None. (Other’s have already shown you’ll hardly ever have access to the web while away from your computer to make it useful.)
The only thing that lures people to the touch will be the form factor.
Whereas storage is a compelling advantage the classic has over the touch.
What feature does the touch have that makes it compelling over the classic?
None. (Other’s have already shown you’ll hardly ever have access to the web while away from your computer to make it useful.)
The only thing that lures people to the touch will be the form factor.
You must be kidding. Off the top of my head…
(1) Being able to access the web via wifi and stream youtube is huge. There is wifi access almost everywhere I go. Anybody who doesn’t live in the sticks is going to find this incredibly useful.
(2) Solid state is far preferable to a hard drive as far as reliability is concerned, especially when you consider that Toshiba makes the hard drives. If you don’t need the space, solid state is far better.
(3) The multi touch interface is a tremendous addition, especially with respect to zooming and scrolling. It’s also way cool from a tech point of view.
(4) Being able to purchase songs wirelessly will be very popular with many users. It’s a pain to dock and sync, especially if you don’t leave your PC on 24/7.
(5) The design is much slicker and more modern in comparison to the “classic” which looks boring and outdated.
(6) The screen is noticeably bigger (and widescreen!), which is much better for watching videos and viewing photos.
(7) It’s lighter.
(8) It rotates content automatically for more ideal viewing.
I honestly don’t think the classic is going to sell very well because of these differences.
(1) Ah! So the argument against email dies too then if WiFi is almost everywhere. But anyway, you can watch YouTube videos on your classic. How many YouTube videos do you really have to watch *right now!*
(2) When it comes to iPods, Steve wants you to replace them faster than the hard disks fail.
(3) Multi touch is cool, but not enough of an advantage over the classics interface.
(4) But compelling for how many?
(5) True! But if you but on looks primarily, have I got a car for you!
(6) True. But for those who are buying it to watch video, they’ll probably be the ones who need much larger storage.
(7) Not compelling.
(8) Very cool, but mainly for video watchers which comes back to #6.
I don’t think it will affect classic or iPhoine sales at all.
As I said somewhere, I think the real market for the touch is nano users who want a bigger screen.
The other market for the touch will be people who want a super small internet device. That’s the main reason why I want one. To be able to look something up on the internet while in a cafe without having to lug a laptop is priceless.
As far as I know the only way to watch a youtube video on a classic is to:
(1) Use a program or website to generate the download link for the flash file (youtube does not publish this because they don’t want people saving the content to disk).
(2) Use the generated link to save the flash file manually to your PC
(3) Convert the flash file to mpeg with a converter program
(4) Copy converted mpeg file to Itunes
(5) Plug in classic and sync
With the Touch (assuming wifi) you stream mpeg4 content directly from youtube. Much easier
With the Touch (assuming wifi) you stream mpeg4 content directly from youtube. Much easier
Point taken.
To be able to look something up on the internet while in a cafe without having to lug a laptop is priceless.
To be able to access email (online and offline) and add calendar entries without having to lug a laptop are also priceless.
When it comes to iPods, Steve wants you to replace them faster than the hard disks fail.
‘Guess Steve didn’t do a great job with our Photo 30GB to support that theory. Now, as Ben put it, we are in a “conundrum” state. How do you go from the Photo (or any 5.5G or prior Pod)? Classic but passé? Touch but no email/calendar? Or iPhone with too much of everything (sans storage)?
That is really “confusing” as the other thread themed.
Is this reverse cannibalization where the lack of features eats into sales of a device? -Chris
Never heard of such theory but that is worth thinkin’ of while nature is calling…
Perhaps, what you are referring to is: Vaporware. Neither the Touch or iPhone is vaporware and will not “reverse” cannibalize one from the other.
So, no matter what features Apple adds to the touch, it won’t affect iPhone sales. -Chris
I knew someone would come to the same conclusion. The two products, as long as they are voice-differentiated, that should hold.
I strongly doubt adding full eMail and the other net-centric iPhone widgets to the Touch will change this balance.
So, Steve,<u>Bring Those iPhone Widgets Over!</u>
To be able to access email (online and offline) and add calendar entries without having to lug a laptop are also priceless. -Chris
To be able to access A.M. + listen to my muzak while sitting on the john without lugging my Macbook…priceless!
...Whereas storage is a compelling advantage the Classic has over the Touch. -Chris
I will not repeat Cacophony’s well-listed advantages of the Touch vs Classic above.
So, Chris, besides increasing your Photo storage by 5x what else is so compelling about the Classic over the Touch? Not much.
1. Screen is too cramped!
2. Not Widescreen - thanks, cacophony.
3. Barely watchable videos.
4. Passé form-factor.
5. No net nor wi-fi capabilities - ever.
6. No iTunes WiFi Store downloads - ever.
7. No iPhone widgets - ever.
8. No multitouch - ever.
9. No Safari - ever.
10. No YouTube - ever.
See, Chris. There lots of reasons to buy the Touch over the Classic. Storage is for people like us from the perspective of the Photo 30GB (and the like) that only want to increase our capacity with sprinkling of tiny videos.
So you want the capacity of a 18 wheel Semi-tractor trailer, the acceleration and speed of a Formula One McLaren, at the price of a Ford Festiva. -MG
Doable? YES! Affordable? Absolute NOT! Hey, it’s those “compromises” again. Why do we always ask the vendor to “compromise” when we can’t even do that ourselves? We all want the best, biggest, fastest, cheapest when common sense says IS not possible at any given time.
When Ó Inc. eventually releases a Multitouch device that satisfies our craves today it will immediately be superseded with newer craves.
So I come to my conclusion. I will go out and buy a Touch to enjoy the multitouch interface + some net features (hoping Ó Inc. will release ALL the iPhone widgets one day). All the while waiting for the iPhone rev.2 with more storage in the 64GB range. Sounds like a good plan.
All the while waiting for the iPhone rev.2 with more storage in the 64GB range. -Robo
It just hit my noggin’ hard. Whoa! The iTouch, now I understand, is meant as an upgrade path for the iPhone! Not to “cannibalize” as some analysts and commenters think.
We are currently stuck in our box that there is, and will be, only one type of iPhone. This is not true from my perspective.
In less than a year, Ó Inc. will have release at least two kinds of iPhones - one high-end and low-end. The high-end we have now.
But look. Lurking in the dark labs of Cupertino is the mythical iPhone “nano” with presumably a minimalist Multitouch device. It will take the form of the new iPod nano, size-wise. Wanna place bets? Here’s my chips…spin the table…
The Touch will eventually take over the middle of the lineup. Remember, Ó, Inc. only have 5 years commitment to Ma Bell. They can go whichever ways after that “lock” is cut.
And I say, the Touch will have a twin sibling (with or without a phone module).
The iPod & iPhone lineup will have practically merged and all running OSX. The current Nano and Shuffle will still linger on as long as there is demand for them.
For those who haven’t scoured the Mac universe today, here is the complete and official guide (PDF) to the iPod Touch (courtesy AppleInsider).
And on p.51, it says, “If you’ve set iTunes to sync contacts, iTunes automatically keeps your contacts up-to-date. whether you make changes on your computer or on iPod touch”. That means Contacts is bidirectional.
Unfortunately, there is no sign of Mail (yet) nor a bidirectional Calendar scheduler. The included Calendar scheduler is currently one-way street from a Mac/PC.
If Ó Inc. can afford bidirectional Contacts, there is no reason to offer a one-way street Calendar & no full Mail. But I believe these will be addressed in the future.
The technology is there, only the will & imagination are absent.
Ah, MacGlee, that’s the iPod beeb you refer to.
Me? I want an iPod I can use as a large portable drive, has a large screen, easy to use interface, PDA capabilities with view and edit, web and email, plays music, videos and photos, bluetooth, wireless, firewire and USB, an SDK, and all at the price of an iPod touch.
So that’s:
- the storage of the classic
- the applications, GUI and form factor of the iPhone
- the price of the touch
- plus a couple of other bits.
While you’re at it, maybe it should have voice recognition and act as a sugar substitute