Pros & Cons
-
- Beautiful multi-touch display.
- WiFi access.
- Buy music via WiFi.
- Excellent user interface.
- Browser is a delight.
- Easy to use e-mail program.
- Access to YouTube content.
- Thinner than iPhone.
-
- Can't purchase video via WiFi.
- Earbuds suck.
Apple iPod touch Specs
| Battery Type Supported: | Rechargeable |
| Built-In Speakers: | No |
| Dimensions: | 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.31 inches |
| Music Playback Formats: | AAC |
| Music Playback Formats: | AIFF |
| Music Playback Formats: | Apple Lossless |
| Music Playback Formats: | Audible |
| Music Playback Formats: | MP3 |
| Music Playback Formats: | WAV |
| Photo Formats: | JPEG |
| Player Type: | Flash MP3 Player |
| Radio: | No |
| Recording, FM: | No |
| Recording, Line In: | No |
| Recording, Voice: | No |
| Screen Resolution: | 480 x 320 pixels |
| Screen Size: | 3.5 inches |
| Video Formats: | MPEG4 |
| Video Recording: | No |
| Vista Compatibility: | Works for Windows Vista |
| Weight: | 4.2 oz |
In a world turning towards smartphones, the iPod touch abides. The touch is the definitive phone-less handheld computer: part gaming device, part media player, part Web browser, and all what you make of it with the apps you choose to download. It's also the long-exhaling last gasp of what we used to call the PDA. Apple's new $229, 16GB model should be the go-to gadget for anyone who wants to run basic apps but is opting out of the smartphone revolution. Its better balance of price and performance makes it our Editors' Choice over the more expensive $299 model.
This iPod touch is largely based on the $299 iPod touch (2012)SEE IT, so take a look at that review for more thoughts on this family of devices.
Physical Design, Wi-Fi, and Performance
Where the $299 iPod touch sings and dances in a range of jaunty anodized colors, the lower-cost model looks purely functional with its black front and dull silver back. There's an oval-shaped black plastic antenna area near the corner of the iPod's back. Only a shiny chamfered edge adds a bit of levity. With no rear camera, this touch model is slightly lighter than the $299 unit (3.04 ounces vs. 3.1 ounces), although they're the same size at 4.86 by 2.31 by .24" (HWD). The stiff body slips easily into any pocket, although as with any device like this, I'd invest in a screen protector. I don't like the single bottom-ported speaker, which I covered with my finger way too often when playing games. But you'll probably use this handheld with headphones much more often, and the more expensive model has the same flaw.
View All