Review: iPod Touch

Apple does interfaces better than almost anyone else. Its engineers and designers figured out early on that how we physically use a device is almost as important as how it looks, what it can do and how much it costs.In the early ’80s, the company revolutionised the desktop computer with the introduction of the mouse and screen icons (what’s called the graphical user interface) in first the Lisa and then the Macintosh range.

In 2001, the first iPod was launched. It sported a new feature that made it different from every other digital player before: the click wheel control.

And this year, we’ve seen the introduction of a touch screen technology Apple calls multi-touch. It’s a key feature of the iPhone and the iPod touch, the newest member of the iPod family which celebrates its sixth anniversary this month.

Ironically, for a device that’s designed to satiate the aural and visual senses, it’s the tactile qualities of the iPod touch that steal the show.

If you’re like me and not into reading manuals, then you’ll love this device because the touch screen interface makes it a cinch – and maybe even a joy – to operate.

But as clever as it is, you don’t shell out $419 or $550 just because the iPod touch is fun to poke and stroke.

In addition to its music and video features and a super-sized screen that measures almost 9cm diagonally, the key selling point of the touch is a suite of activities based on the unit’s Wi-Fi capabilities – something that transforms the iPod into a dynamic experience.

Hooked up to my home wireless network I can surf the web using the Safari browser. Or I can connect to YouTube through a dedicated button on the screen and watch videos. And I can plug in to Apple’s new iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store and browse or buy the offerings.

But there’s a but.

In Australia, free public Wi-Fi access is still in the Stone Age. So for most people, there’s going to be very few opportunities to use the Wi-Fi feature away from their home wireless networks.

In the US, where public access Wi-Fi networks already proliferate, Apple has teamed up with Starbucks to offer iPhone and iPod touch owners free wireless access to the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store from some 600 locations, with more to come. No such deal here.

My second issue with the Wi-Fi capacity is that it’s very slow. Granted it’s only ever going to be as good as your network allows. But using a standard home wireless connection, the experience reminds me of dial-up days. Calling up any YouTube video over a couple of minutes long can be an excruciating experience. Same goes for the browsing. iTunes, on the other hand, worked pretty well.

Using the iPod’s Wi-Fi features also sucks the life out of the batteries. So much so that I found that I was having to recharge the device every night after a couple of hours of wireless use. Rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and every time they are recharged, the capacity is slightly degraded.

One other whinge. With such a big screen, I was looking forward to being able tinker with some games. Apple included games on its new iPod Nano and has added a games category to iTunes. But no sign of them on the Touch because, I’m guessing, it’s a non-trivial matter to re-format games to be controlled by touch screen controls alone.

Bottom line: The touch screen interface is amazing and the wide screen much easier on the eyes. While the Wi-Fi features make this iPod a much more versatile device, the lack of public wireless access points means it’s of limited use away from the home or office.

Review provided by: www.smh.com.au