Customer Reviews
A leap in the right direction
I’ve now spent the better part of a day playing with the new iPad, and while it excels in many things there are still some things anyone considering buying one should probably keep in mind.

First the good sides:

This thing is very fast, opening and closing applications is quick, the screen is incredibly responsive, there is no lag while typing, and the built in Safari browser does a great job of quickly loading even graphic intense pages.

The not so good sides:

As has been thoroughly pointed out, there is not presently much in the way of multitasking within the iPhone OS, but with most expectations pointing towards a summer release of OS 4.0 this might be remedied by mid summer, and almost certainly by a generation 2 release. That said, it should be kept in mind that on such a little screen being able to view multiple applications at once will likely never be something you’ll use, and the speed by which you can open and close applications makes this less a headache than you might think. It isn’t as fast as moving between open apps, but it isn’t a deal breaker by any means. The lack of a camera in this generation is a little surprising, while I’ve purchased my iPad already, I honestly believe that with the number of competitors expected over the course of 2010 we’re probably going to see a generation 2 by Christmas with a camera. It’s still an amazing device, but the ability to video chat with it would definitely put it over the top, that’s a feature worth waiting for. The lack of Flash support isn’t as irritating as I expected it to be, but still something to consider. Many major sites have evolved to html5, or are in the process of doing so. This allows for full viewing by the Safari browser, and where it exists, it works great. The remaining sites still using Flash show up with annoying little boxes looking for a plugin that is likely never going to exist. If you spend a lot of time on flash heavy sites it really probably is worth considering holding out to see how the Slate/Android Tablets look in a few months, but if you’re mostly just e-mailing and checking facebook (no Farmville) the lack of Flash support probably won’t bother you too much.

As a laptop replacement:

The inclusion of the iWorks utilities gives this device a little bit of a laptop personality. Don’t let that persuade you into believing that you don’t need a computer though. You might be able to get away with ditching a laptop if all you really do is e-mail or very light word processing, but if you do anything more than that you’ll like the freedom and ease a full computer offers for more complex tasks. That said, this device is a tremendous leap towards a future tablet style device that may very well be a replacement for your computer, but for now it is more of a casual use device than something you can really expect to do substantial work with. I have put together a presentation in keynote, which was easy enough to do, but pages isn’t as intuitive as I’d have liked, and taking lengthy notes or writing long letters/e-mails/reports will probably make it worth considering buying either the keyboard dock or the wireless bluetooth keyboard.

Battery life seems to live up to the claims, I managed to get about 7 hours before getting the 20% remaining battery life indication, which puts it about right for 10 hours or so of total use. One very important thing to realize about charging the device is that presently (at launch) there is some issues with charging via USB from many computers. The iPad is different than other iPod products, it requires a bit more power to charge up, and unfortunately most USB ports aren’t set up to support that higher power draw. This is something that may be fixed in a firmware update to allow for a slower charge, or it may simply be that you’ll need to either rely on a new Mac (seems like they can handle the power issue) or rely on the wall charger. Just don’t be surprised if you plug it into your computer and it doesn’t show that it is charging.

All in all, the iPad is an impressive device that might make for a reasonable replacement of a netbook for casual users. For people who need something to really do a lot of work on, you may find that for the price that a netbook or laptop still offers the better value for your needs. Future generations of this device will probably transition into fitting that market better than this first generation. However, if you’re an avid reader, casual gamer, music fan, who doesn’t do much more on the web than check a few sites, and e-mail. This thing is definitely worth considering! If you’re on the fence, nothing about this product is so incredible as to justify running out and buying one right now, but it is worthy of your consideration if you’re thinking you might like a tablet style device. I definitely would encourage you to go play with one at best buy or an apple store to get a feel for it. With a number of competitors due out over the next few months we’re likely to see some price movement, or a second generation release, so it may be worth it to wait it out a little while.

One final note, the screen is absolutely gorgeous while it is turned on. It is crisp, bright, and very easy to see from any angle. But when you turn it off, every finger print and swipe is suddenly very visible (while it is on the light is bright enough you don’t see them fingerprints). If you are a neat freak, or just hate finger prints on your devices you’ll have to invest in some microfiber cloths or get used to using your shirt sleeve!

In conclusion, it’s a lot of fun, and I’m not the least bit sorry to have bought one. It does many things, and over the next months will do many more. If you think you want one, go play with one, and if you don’t want to wait for a next generation this one is definitely awesome. If you have specific needs that aren’t really addressed in this generation or by apple, don’t let the hype or peer pressure bully you into this one, there are a number of devices coming with great potential, one of those might be a better fit.

Everyone wants things to be simpler, and along comes this simple thing.
The main difference between this item, and the wi-fi only version, is of course the sim card with 3G. So, before I talk about the iPad in general, I’d like to explain my take on the 3G.

3G Performance:
The BOTTOM LINE: Works good as long as you aren’t using it in a moving car. I ran an internet speed test on it and in the metro area it was 1.2Mbps down and 210kbps up, which is decent.
The DETAILS: If you are doing basic computing, you will be able to be anywhere within a 3G service area to enjoy the internet. (If 3g service sucks in your area, don’t buy an iPad 3g) Here is the only problem: when you pass from tower to tower the signal can hang as the data has to be rerouted to the new tower. Lets put this another way. If you are using the iPad netflix app to stream “Kim Possible season 3″ videos to your iPad while driving at 60 MPH it will “hang” during the 22 minute show. In summary: The AT&T 3G works the same as my 3G expresscard from Verizon.

2G Performance: Yes, you can use your iPad on AT&T’s 2G EDGE network as needed. The data is slow. You won’t enjoy it.

3G setup:
3G setup is simple:
- press settings button, choose cellular data, press set up cellular service.
- put in your *iTunes* password. (AT&T is “invisible” except for a logo.)
- put your credit card into the iPad
- voila! you have service for 30 days
Its very slick and takes less than a minute. Its how it should be.

Avoiding the 3G data charges: If you are an iPhone user, and you have an iPad, you can avoid paying for 2 data plans by swapping sim cards. Of course, you might miss a few calls while your sim is in the iPad because the iPad doesn’t support phone calls. If you have an older iphone: Older iPhones use large SIM cards and the ipad uses small microSIM cards. You would have to cut your large sim card down to the microsim size, and put it in your iPad (you will need a needle to pop it out). You would need to buy a little adapter (sold on the internet) to make your small sim fit back into your iPhone (so, buy the adapter first!) But this isn’t a great long term solution, because, if you want to use the iPad as a GPS in the car you will not be able to use your phone quickly or easily until you switch them back out again. Here it is on Amazon: Microsim Adapter for Ipad Iphone4g Convert Micro Sim to Regular Sim Adapter

We live in a world where technology is everything in our everyday lives. From work to entertainment, you will see that technology is always present here. A few decades ago, science fiction movies showed people the possibility to communicate via a device that similar to a cellular phone. Today, it became a reality and the cellular or mobile phone is now considered to be a necessity in a person’s everyday life. Another great gadget today is the portable multimedia player. And, one such gadget is called the Apple iPod Touch.

The iPod Touch is more than just a portable multimedia player but it is also a Wi-Fi mobile platform where you will be able to access the internet with the device while inside a Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition to that, this device is also a digital camera that will be able to let you take and store pictures, a time piece, and it is also a personal organizer complete with an interactive calendar.

You will see that there are numerous accessories that go well with the iPod Touch. These accessories can be purchased separately and can greatly enhance the functionality of your Apple iPod Touch. There are quite a lot of genuine Apple iPod Touch accessories that you can choose from and a lot more from third party manufacturers that also offer great accessories for the iPod Touch.

These accessories don’t only provide more functionality for the iPod Touch, but it also provides additional entertainment when one uses the device. In fact, some accessories were designed by large electronic manufacturers, such as JBL, Belkin, and Bose to name three of the big companies in the world of audio technology. The accessories they sell for the iPod Touch will be able to enhance the quality of sound.

Some accessories even allow you to listen to AM and FM radio. Others will let you record music and even watch live television. For the athletic person, you will definitely enjoy the Nike+iPod nanometer as this will serve as a great way to measure your progress during your exercise.

For people who love photography, the Apple iPod Touch has accessories that will allow you to connect the iPod Touch directly to the printer in order to print the pictures you take while you are on the go.

However, if you really want the best out of your iPod Touch, then nothing will be able to do it other than purchasing a set of external speakers. This will allow you to share music with other people, which is what iPod Touch is all about. In fact, some speakers produces high quality sound that you can even start a party with just your iPod Touch and its portable speakers. Some speakers have wireless remote controls which will be able to add to your convenience.

Protective cases are also a must have accessory for your iPod Touch. This will be able to protect your iPod Touch from bumps, scratches and other damages.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of accessories available for the iPod Touch. With these accessories, you will be able to maximize the functionality of your iPod Touch as well as maximize your enjoyment with it. So, the next time you plan on buying an iPod Touch, you may want to consider purchasing some of the accessories mentioned to go with it.

Customer Reviews
The Lines Between iPod Touch and iPhone Have Started to Blur
Having had a chance to spend a little time with a review model gives me a chance to share the experience with you a bit early (before my own arrives). I’ll take you hands-on with the new model, plus I’ll share from my past two years of iPod touch ownership altogether, especially for those who haven’t yet owned (or been owned by) one of these mobile gems.

I’ve also hidden a treasure trove of info on how you can legitimately download tons of quality apps for free. First though, let’s quickly cover what’s new.

+ Faster 1GHz A4 Processor – to keep up with the high demands of multitasking
+ Ultra high resolution “Retina display” – packs a 960 x 640 resolution at 326 pixels per inch
+ 15% larger battery – 3.44 Whr/930 mAh plays 7 hrs of video & 40 hrs of audio
+ Rear-facing camera – supports 960 x 720 sized photos (0.6 megapixels), plus 720p HD videos
+ Front-facing VGA-quality camera – VGA-quality is a resolution of 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
+ 3-Axis Gyroscope – allows for higher precision and more motion gestures
+ Wireless N – Connect faster and go farther than ever, with this WiFi device (requires a router with 802.11n)
+ Built in microphone – but Apple reverted back to using the remote- and mic-less earphones
+ Game Center – Apple’s own social gaming platform
+ Sleep/Power Button – it’s been moved to the right, but not improved beyond that
+ Thinner, lighter than ever
* Note – Memory remains at the same 256MB despite several unconfirmed sources touting 512MB. There’s also no vibrate module.

Unlike last year’s iPod touch update, this one’s a complete overhaul to the entire line. Last year, the new models didn’t change in appearance. On the inside, faster processors and double-memory were added to the 32GB & 64GB models, but the 8GB got left out. Not this time. Buying the new 8GB iPod touch indeed gets you all the new goodies. You’ll also pay thirty bucks more than before, so consider buying the 32GB model instead. You’ll get 400% of the storage capacity for only 23% more coin!

===== Background =====

I’m a mobile app developer who’s created a few apps and games for the iPhone, iPod Touch and now iPad. I was initially drawn to the iPod touch because of the popularity and capabilities of its mobile Web browsing–I was primarily a Web developer at the time and no other device could surf the Web so well. After I got one, I was hooked. I racked up over a hundred bucks in app purchases within the first month, and before long, I found myself learning how do develop native apps for the device.

Indeed, if you have never had an iPod touch before, you’re in for a real treat. Of course, if you have, then you know first hand: it’s is worth its weight in gold–no, in platinum. And now, with the latest generation, it may even be worth its weight rare gem stones! I digress.

===== Out With the Old =====

The iPod touch is frequently called an iPhone without the phone. However, until now there have been several other features also missing in the iPod touch besides the phone: a camera, GPS, magnetometer (compass), and some newer amenities from the iPhone 4: front-facing camera, high resolution “Retina display” as it has been dubbed, and the powerful 1GHz A4 processor–indeed a necessity to keep up with multitasking.

That all changes, now. The 4th gen iPod touch brings with it some new features and amenities, some of which have been anticipated by iPod touch fans and developers alike, including myself, for several generations of the device. From a developer’s perspective, the more hardware features we can get our hands on, the better and more innovative apps we can create, and the more users that can download, use and enjoy them.

===== In With the New =====

The striking new design of the latest iPod touch is definitely a looker. Apple has made it even thinner (and I thought it was already too thin before) complete with a beautiful chrome back. While the super thin design is certainly attractive, I’ve found it slightly difficult to keep it well-gripped in your hands. The usual chrome back looks great too, but it’s scratch-insistent. Yes, it’s incredibly easy to scratch it all up, even after the first few days. For these two reasons, definitely get yourself a silicone skin (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042GVG5G?tag=1pod-20&ie=UTF8) alongside your new touch!

For ages, the feature topping everyone’s wishlist for the iPod touch has been a camera. Check! It handles HD video too–bonus! Granted, its not the 5 megapixel camera that the iPhone 4 sports, but again, the new iPod touch is thinner than ever, making it a miracle that we even got a camera in the first place, let alone two! Yes, Apple went the extra mile so we could make video calls with our iPhone toting friends, via their FaceTime app. Brilliant! So, having not had any camera on the iPod touch before, and now having TWO cameras on it, we can’t really complain can we? Nah.

I’ll have details on the quality both cameras later, but what excites me even moreso is the new much-higher resolution screen–dubbed “Retina display”. You may not think much of it if you haven’t used an iPhone or iPod touch before, nor have an older model nearby to compare it to, but for those that have and/or do, the difference is clear! (pun intended)

Where this really comes in handy is in browsing the Web and reading non-mobile-formatted PDF e-books. Now, I can see things so much clearer at the default zoom level (which shows the full width of a Web page or document). My vision isn’t spectacular by any means, I just don’t mind seeing things smaller on the screen. It allows me to see more content without having to scroll. Indeed, the Retina display was the #1 feature I never knew I wanted (until I saw it in the iPhone 4 that is).

Other newness includes: 15% larger battery, HD video recording and editing, built-in mic, wireless-n for nearly double the WiFi connection speed and distance, Game Center: Apple’s new social gaming platform (which seems to be Apple’s attempt to kill-off third party social gaming platforms like OpenFeint and Plus+), 3-axis gyroscope sensor, which complements the existing accelerometer sensor, both of which handle the rotating, swinging and other motion gestures of the device (previously, rotation were roughly calculated from accelerometer data), and new placement of the sleep/power button on the right (but still as difficult as ever to press).

Features still missing include: 512MB of memory, vibration, 5 MP quality camera + flash (iPhone apps now support using LED flash as a flashlight, like Android does), magnetometer (compass), and the GPS. I’d happily trade the thinness of the latest iPod touch to have the GPS. WiFi based location is often inaccurate, and the GPS doesn’t need a WiFi or cellular connection, it just needs to see the satellites in the sky.

===== iOS vs Android =====

So far, Apple has cornered the market of multitouch mobile devices that aren’t phones, but things are slowly changing. Currently, the two hottest mobile and smartphone operating systems out there right now are Apple’s iOS (formerly: iPhone OS) and Google’s Android. Of course, iOS is popular because it runs on not only the iPhone, but also on the iPod touch and now on the ipad as well. Plus, it has garnered support from scores of app developers who’ve gotten behind Apple’s slew of high-demand devices.

The iPod touch has really made iOS what it is today. It does a lot of what the iPhone does, without a contract, or carrier exclusivity, as is the case with the iPhone and the iPad (WiFi+3G models). So if it weren’t for the iPod touch, a lot of the market share Apple now has in the industry would have been stifled by their carrier exclusivity. I think Apple will see the light soon, but that’s another discussion.

Enter Android. Google has held a different stance on their mobile OS. It isn’t tied to a select few devices, and it’s open source, so it can be further developed by manufacturers who use it. Indeed, several mobile device manufacturers have now latched onto Android as a foundation for numerous devices. Wireless carriers that have been unable to carry the iPhone have also taken a liking to it. Now, tons of Android devices have been released, and there’s no end in sight. Manufacturers have also seen the iPad’s potential and now they want a piece of that pie, too. So, expect to see a lot more Android tablets and media-centric non-phone devices soon. The competition is heating up.

But not everything with Android, nor with iOS, is perfect. I own an EVO 4G, one of the most popular Android devices currently available. I’ve also used an iPod touch almost every day for nearly two years, so I’m pretty qualified to share my experience with each platform. Both certainly have their share of unique offerings, and neither of them are without flaws. For this reason, and because of the increasing competition between the two, I plan to dispel some of their key differences for you at various points in this review.

===== So What Can the iPod Touch Actually Do? =====

Well, what can’t it do?

The iPod touch is like a magical little box, only it’s flat. While it cannot cook your breakfast, yet (I’m sure someone is already working on that), it can indeed do some pretty extraordinary things. It’s an amazing catch-all device that can provide hours of entertainment, give you the power of the Web in your hand, and it can even replicate the functionality of countless one-off products. Developers have been creating apps that take advantage of special hardware of the iPod touch to emulate some other product for less, and sometimes even for free.

Even expensive products have seen cheap iOS based clone apps. For just 99 cents, you can snag a special alarm clock app that monitors your sleep cycle and wakes you up when you’re in an ideal state of wakefulness. I spent 350 bucks on an aXbo
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014RDSSY?tag=1pod-20&ie=UTF8) a few years ago, who’s functionality is easily replicated by several “sleep phase” alarm clock apps in the app store. When you do the math there, you see that it’s easily a no brainer: buy yourself an iPod touch now!

I’ve listed more apps like this in the comments!

Plus, with the support of such a strong community of app and game developers, there’s never a drought of fresh new apps and games. There’s always something to do with the iPod touch, and I guarantee you’ll never be bored with it. I honestly cannot say the same thing about Android, though I also tote my EVO 4G around with me. I do admit that the EVO’s mobile hotspot comes in incredibly handy for providing the iPod touch with a WiFi connection while I’m on the go).

Now, with the proper resources, you can legitimately download thousands of high quality apps for free. I do it all the time and it is perfectly legal. See, Apple allows developers to temporarily put their apps on sale (and even drop the price to free). Usually they do this to get you to write some rave reviews for their apps. The secret to success is having the resources to help you spot these special app sales–so you know when and where to get them during their sometimes extremely-limited-time promotions.

In hopes of making this the most helpful review on Amazon for the iPod touch, here’s how to obtain these special promotional-sale apps:

There are several resources you can use, both on the Web and on the iPod touch itself. I prefer to use the app called BargainBin that lists all apps that recently went on sale or dropped to free. It also supports watch lists with push notifications, and can alert you whenever an app you’re interested in goes on sale. It’s a phenomenal little gem, and it has gotten me a ton of apps and saved me a fortune! It also has a companion website that lists the same apps (Google: App Advice). There’s also a website called AppShopper (Google it) that lists apps with recent price drops and new apps as well, and you can filter just the free products or just the sale products. The two sites don’t always list the same apps. Sometimes one will miss something that the other will catch, so it’s good to keep track of them both. Check them daily if possible. Several apps are duds, but you’ll come across some really great ones from time to time. They’ll all add up!

===== Web Browsing =====

Alongside spending lots of money on all those wonderful apps in the App Store, Web browsing is one of the most popular uses for the iPod touch. Browsing the Web with mobile Safari was my original attraction to the device. The experience hasn’t changed too drastically in the past two years (since the days of iOS 2), and while it’s still very powerful, there are some definite flaws. And no, I’m not talking about Flash. Just minor usability issues I’d like to see overcome, but first let’s look at the positives.

Mobile Safari has a smart approach to zooming in on content. Double-tap on a paragraph of text or an image to cinch that content right up to the edges of the screen. The downside: some sites aren’t mobile-friendly, so zooming in on a really wide block of text can leave you with tiny text. You can zoom further manually, by using the “unpinch” multi-touch gesture, but because the browser doesn’t have an option to reflow the text to the screen width, you have to scroll left and right, as well as up and down, just to read the text. Android’s browser doesn’t feature smart zoom, but it does reflow the text to fit the screen when zoomed in. It’s a nice feature, and Apple should add it as a preference for Safari.

Browser history can also vanish after a few days, and browser windows get overwritten by links from other pages sometimes (usually when I’ve hit the maximum of eight windows). Also yet to be seen is support for doing common things like searching for text on a page, or bookmarking a link by tapping and holding. That would be invaluable for adding bookmarklets–bookmark based scripts that help overcome browser shortcomings.

Flash is also a great debate, one I won’t get into. I will just say that all is not as it seems with the Flash-support-touting Android platform. Flash does work, but it is buggy because Flash doesn’t play well with touch interfaces. Flash based video players don’t work right, and I even run Android 2.2, which is supposed to have the “full Flash experience”. It doesn’t, trust me. So you’re not missing much by not having Flash on the iPod touch!

Indeed, we can just hope and pray that Web developers and Flash-fiends see the light and start replacing Flash content with technologies like HTML5′s canvas element, which is poised to take on a lot of Flash’s most popular abilities.

===== Media =====

Despite all the incredible things the iPod touch can do, audio and video are still one of the iPod touch’s greatest strengths. And with the incredible resolution of the new iPod touch’s retina display, to say that videos now appear much sharper, more vivid and highly-defined is definitely an understatement. Yes, videos were great before, but now they frickin’ rock!

Just make sure your videos are at least 960 x 640. If you’ve owned an older iPod touch and used video conversion software to scale down your media to fit the old 320 x 480 screen resolution, definitely change your conversion settings, or look for a software update to support the new higher-resolution display.

For those interested in watching live TV on the go (over WiFi), Sling Media’s SlingPlayer app, paired with one of their Slingbox devices is a phenomenal and freeing experience, especially considering your alternate choices for watching live TV on the go are pretty much nil up to this point.

On top of that, Netflix’s recently released iPod touch version of their media streaming app has also been a much-welcomed addition to my ever-growing collection of apps. Netflix videos stream quickly, and even moving the play position back and forth in the timeline, the movie starts playing very quickly without much time rebuffering the video.

===== Photos =====

The latest iPod touch is also a game-changer for photography and video recording on an iPod touch. It’s not mind-blowing by any means, but we went from having no camera right to having two cameras on the device. I probably would not be so thrilled with just a new back camera. I merely would have sighed, mumbling “finally” under my my breath (unless it were 5 megapixels). But despite the less-than-one megapixel quality of the rear-facing camera, I was taken aback by the rather decent quality, especially in low-light environments. Check the comments for links to sample photos!

Between that and the ability to connect with other iPhone and iPod touch toting friends via Apple’s FaceTime app, yes… it’s a game changer. Granted, I have been wanting front facing cameras on mobile devices ever since mobile devices started having cameras period. I got the first of such devices when my EVO 4G arrived in June, but as they say: the more the merrier. Friends, welcome to the future we’ve been dreaming of. Video killed the audio call!

The quality of my test calls were pretty good. Of course, it was over WiFi, but it proves the cameras are decent. You can switch from using the front camera to using the rear camera, too, in case something was going on in front of you that you wanted to share. Just tap the “camera swap” button in the bottom right corner of the screen. FaceTime also rotates along with the iPod when flipped on its side, nice.

HD video recording is the other half of the aforementioned game-changing equation. I didn’t expect to see ANY video recording, considering the original iPhone camera was originally just a camera. But it’s here, complete with HD quality (yes, the quality is indeed desirable), plus basic video editing support, as well as support for Apple’s brilliant “iMovie” app: an advanced video editing studio right on your iPod touch. It’s just five bucks on the App Store.

===== E-Reading =====

The iPad has been making waves in the genre of media reading for several months now, but that hasn’t exactly been the same story for any generation of the iPod touch so far. Granted, it’s not exactly marketed as an eReader like its iPad counterpart, but there are some really great apps out there for media reading on it, so there’s no reason not to use it to read digital media. The obstacle to doing that, for me at least, has been the limited screen resolution, and so that may all potentially start to change, now that Apple has brought the Retina display to the iPod touch.

The 163 pixels per inch screens of past iPod touches were still pretty great, just not ideal for tiny text. For comparison, LCD monitors typically only have 96 pixels per inch, and CRT monitors only have 72 pixels per inch. TV’s are even worse than that. What this means for you is that the iPod touch display has always been sharper than your own computer monitor.

However, despite being able to display content at a higher quality, I still found that in a lot of eBooks, especially PDFs that weren’t mobile-formatted, the text was just not clear enough to be readable when zoomed out. However, zooming in meant having to constantly scroll side-to-side while reading. The app “Good Reader” helped ease that pain by doing the left-right & vertical scrolling for you with just a tap of the screen, as well as offering an additional view that re-flows the text to fit on the screen at a large enough size.

However, with the Retina display, all text and content in the aforementioned “zoomed out” state now appears extremely clear. That is a wonderful thing, so long as you don’t mind reading tiny text.

Could you still benefit from having an iPad too? Perhaps. After all, it does have unique qualities that set it apart from the iPod touch, as my in depth iPad review portrays (http://www.amazon.com/review/R16U71KO7POLA2?tag=1pod-20&ie=UTF8). But unless you specifically see the need for one of those unique qualities, then no, you probably don’t need both.

===== Gaming =====

If you’re like me, you probably don’t have time for games. Regardless, it may still be high-time to let the kid within you roam free from time to time, as I do. The iPod touch has made it possible. In fact, it is so easy, there’s no excuse not to enjoy yourself. My favorite games are the racing games and, when I have a bit more time, strategy games.

With the iPhone and iPod Touch having taken on a clear role as a gaming console that has been as revolutionary for mobile gaming as the Wii was for living-room gaming, it goes without saying that the iPod touch is, and will continue to be, one of the best platforms for gaming. It’s simple, convenient, and pretty much instant. Whenever you have a few moments of free time, wherever you’re, just turn it on, find your game, and bam! You’re gaming. Simple as that.

===== Productivity =====

Productivity carries numerous definitions. Usually its “getting something done” though some people tend to believe that it’s the ability to focus without being distracted, which I see as one of the iPod touch’s strengths, at least for me, primarily because the screen is small enough to force you to focus on the task at hand.

In the context of software though, Apple’s own suite of productivity apps for the office, collectively called “iWork”, has been further refined for the iPhone and iPod touch. Because of the aforementioned “focus factor” of the iPod touch, I have found myself to be surprisingly productive when working on documents with it. There are three apps in all: Pages allows you to work on word processing documents. Numbers allows you to work on spreadsheets. Keynote lets you work on presentations and slideshows (including PowerPoint files).

So far, I’ve found these apps to be highly useful when I have work to do, but don’t feel like being at the computer to do it. Another great app for that is “iTeleport” which let’s me at my computer remotely, when iWork won’t work (meaning I’m not working on office documents). Log Me In Ignition is another similar app that is slightly easier to set up, but a bit slower than iTeleport, when you’re just working over the same WiFi connection as the remote computer.

Furthermore, there’s a whole category of iPod touch apps in the App Store specifically dedicated to productivity. Some of my favorite productivity apps include: Bento (info management), Things (project management), iTeleport (remote computing), and GoodReader (best PDF reader around). Search for them in the App Store.

===== Email, IM and Social Networking =====

The iPod touch has been, and continues to be an exceptional communication-machine. Whether it’s reading or composing email, keeping in touch via instant messenger, or managing your life via social networks, you’ve got plenty of options here.

Instant messaging is easy with platforms such as AIM, Yahoo, Gtalk, MSN, Skype and apps that handle multiple platforms: IM+, Fring, Nimbuzz, BeejiveIM and Fuse Messenger. Finally, multitasking means you can truly remain connected to your IM platforms of choice, instead of relying on apps to keep you signed remotely, then push new-message notifications to your device. This is a much welcome addition to the new iPod touch.

As well, there are plenty of apps to help you browse and update your status on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, etc. Within the iOS development community, Twitter apps have often been a laughing stock, simply because there are so many out there on the App Store. They’re almost as rampant as “fart” apps. So to say you’ve got countless options as far as social networking apps are concerned is probably a pretty accurate statement.

For email, you need not look any further than Apple’s native “Mail” app. Even if you’re using Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, or Apple’s own MobileMe, setup is a snap. It even supports Microsoft Exchange, often useful for corporate email setups. As well, any other email accounts that support POP3 or IMAP connection types will work with the Mail app too. Plus, new to the iPod touch with iOS 4 is the option to use a unified inbox–handy for those already used to that behavior on Mac OS X.

===== Downloading Apps and Games =====

Downloading apps on your iPod touch couldn’t be easier. Once you set up your iTunes account with a credit card, all you need to do is find the app you want, tap the download button (usually it says the price rather than “download”, which then changes to “buy” after you tap it), then tap again to confirm. Voila, you just bought an app. Behind the scenes, Apple then charges your card the amount of the app plus tax, while you’re already off enjoying your new purchase. This ease of access is a blessing and a curse, because you can easily empty your wallet if you’re not carefully considering each purchase.

All apps in the App Store range in price from Free and 99 cents on up, always incrementing in whole dollar amounts (1.99, 2.99, 3.99, etc). The maximum price for an app is set to $999.99, of which there are only eight currently priced so outrageously. And don’t even think of toying with them. Apple does not allow refunds on apps you have purchased–all sales are final!

Contrast that with Android’s more complex Android Market, and you’ll find several more steps, especially for paid apps. For one, there’re no fixed pricing tiers, and secondly, they allow multiple currency pricing, which only confuses its users. The good developers do keep their pricing similar to iOS apps, with the 99 cent base plus $1 increments, but I often see apps priced at ¥0.55 or 0.79 or $1 or £2.95 …it’s quite disorienting and unstructured. They have also set their price cap at $200, so you can’t accidentally run up a $1000 charge on just one app–you’ll need at least 5 apps for that.

Meanwhile, to actually buy an app on Android, you must tap the BUY button, confirm that you want to buy the app, then get redirected to a Google Checkout link, where you must setup your Google Checkout account or choose an existing payment method if you already have an account set up. Once you confirm the purchase yet again, THEN you can finally download the app.

Google also makes selling apps a bit more complicated for developers than Apple, but I won’t get into that. I’m just stressing how absolutely simple Apple makes the app buying and selling process. Contrary to Apple however, Google does allow users to “return” purchased Android apps within 24 hours for a full refund. That’s nice.

===== Technical Specifications =====

Since Amazon’s product descriptions tend to be lacking, I like to include all the technical jargon geeks have come to expect when researching new gadgets. Feel free to breeze on through!

In the box
+ iPod touch
+ Earphones
+ Dock Connector to USB Cable (for sync and charging)
+ Quick Start guide

Size and weight
+ Height: 4.4 inches (111.0 mm)
+ Width: 2.3 inches (58.9 mm)
+ Depth: 0.28 inch (7.2 mm)
+ Weight: 3.56 ounces (101 grams)

Capacity
+ 8GB, 32GB or 64GB flash drive/SSD

Wireless
+ 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz only)
+ Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
+ Maps-location based service
+ Nike + iPod support built in

Display
+ Multi-Touch display
+ 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen
+ 960-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 pixels per inch

Cameras, photos, and video
+ Video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; still photos (960 x 720) with back camera
+ VGA-quality photos and video up to 30 frames per second with the front camera
+ Tap to control exposure for video or stills
+ Photo and video geo tagging over Wi-Fi

TV and video
+ H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
+ MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
+ Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format
+ Support for 1024 by 768 pixels with Dock Connector to VGA Adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Component AV Cable; 576i and 480i with Apple Composite AV Cable (cables sold separately)

Audio
+ Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+ Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
+ User-configurable maximum volume limit with parental lock
+ Earbud headphones included in box

Earphones
+ Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+ Impedance: 32 ohms

Input and output
+ 30-pin dock connector
+ 3.5-mm stereo headphone minijack
+ Built-in speaker
+ Microphone
+ External buttons and controls

Sensors
+ Three-axis gyro
+ Accelerometer
+ Ambient light sensor (for proximity detection)

Battery, power and playback time
+ Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
+ USB sync cable is also used for charging
+ Fast charge in about 2 hours (80% capacity)
+ Full charge in about 4 hours.
+ Music playback time: Up to 40 hours when fully charged
+ Video playback time: Up to 7 hours when fully charged

System requirements
+ USB 2.0
+ iTunes 10 or later
+ Mac: Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
+ PC: Windows 7, Vista, or XP (SP3 or later)

===== Praise =====

+ Apple continues its trend of creating the best multi-touch experience around. Android doesn’t even come close.
+ The Retina Display – Phenomenal! Kudos for bringing it to the iPod touch as well as the iPhone. Now try it with IPS technology Apple!
+ Wireless-N, finally! – Faster and farther-reaching WiFi connections (if your router supports 802.11n)
+ High performance 1GHz A4 processor – provides all the power of the iPhone 4, a win for gaming and multitasking.
+ Multitasks like a dream with iOS 4 and the powerful processor, despite the same 256MB of memory as the third generation touch.
+ Rear camera – It’s not the 5 megapixel iPhone 4 camera, but I definitely can’t complain here. It shoots great photos, especially in low-light without flash, plus it can do HD video.
+ Front facing camera – What a pleasant surprise! Now it just needs to work with Skype.

===== Dissappointments =====

+ No GPS – IP based location just doesn’t cut it at times. GPS has no subscription fee or contract to use. GPS chips are costly, but tons of high cost GPS apps are in the App Store now to offset that cost for Apple.
+ 256MB memory – iFixit has confirmed this disappointing flaw, putting to rest all the rumors of 512MB still littering several reviews.
+ Still no 120GB model – Useful for higher res videos that look great on the Retina display.
+ No USB 3.0 or wireless sync – Sync’ing can be slow or inconvenient over the cable.
+ Thinner design – I was hoping for a more squared design, like the iPhone 4, as it is easier to grip, handle and press the power button.
+ Power button – Yes, it hasn’t changed much. It’s been moved to the right side on this model, but it’s still the tiny, hard-to-press button it’s has always been, and if you take lots of screenshots like I do (by pressing power+home simultaneously) half the time you end up closing your app because the power button didn’t work right.

===== The Bottom Line =====

It is absolutely clear: Apple has definitely blurred the lines between iPhone and iPod touch with its 4th generation of both devices. Since it has no contract or carrier exclusivity, this phenomenal device will continue to shine its light in the otherwise dark voids of the smartphone market where the iPhone cannot go, even without the phone. That’s just smart!

Given all my tips, I think you’ll find the iPod touch to be an extraordinarily useful, possibly even highly addictive device, with a price tag that is well worth it, especially the 32GB model. With all the things that the iPod touch can do, it will undoubtedly enhance your life and change the way you interact with the Web. It might even make a gamer out of you if it hasn’t already, it sure did for me!

I hope you’ve found my hands-on review helpful. I do actively participate in any discussions via the comments, so feel free to drop me a line, or ask me any questions as well.

RETINA Display Absolutely Rocks! Excellent Media Device and Portable Computer
My original review focused on whether you can successfully use an 8 gb version of this 4th gen iPod Touch in lieu of a more expensive, larger memory version. My conclusion (at the end of this highly revised review) was, and remains, a resounding YES but there is one aspect, that applies to ALL the iPod Touch 4th generation editions (8/32/64 gb), that I now think is MUCH more important:

The quality of the screen display.

Simply put, this device has near-iPad screen quality in a 3.5″ device. (960×640 resolution at 326 pixels per inch, vs. 1024×768 resolution at 132 pixels per inch).

That means you can get almost iPad quality video in approximately 3.6 ounces of device vs. 24 ounces of device; in a device that fits a shirt pocket vs. a device you need a separate bag for. In a device you can hold up as a reader vs. a device that tires your arms.

This Touch is VERY practical for reading NYTimes articles or USAToday articles in their reader applications, optimized for this size display (crisp, large type). VERY practical for browsing the regular on-line editions of most newspapers (tap once to fit a column to a screen with nice readable type). GREAT for YouTube since the YouTube app included with the device is optimized for delivering high def YouTube content – if available, HD videos are automatically preferred. GREAT for Netflix and Hulu Plus. GREAT for gmail and ok for Facebook (I am sure FB will make its dedicated app more user-friendly in the future).

Great, for me, for online banking and stock research/trading.

Great for catching up on tech websites in their “mobile” formats.

So-so for Yahoo; I don’t like Yahoo Mobile right now and their regular online edition, via the built in Safari browser, doesn’t scale up and down as nicely as the online NYTimes does.

And oh yeah, the device can store adequate amounts of your own music library (or stream Slacker or Pandora, customized for you, in free or pay editions) and download iTunes paid video content for later consumption, stream to Apple TV, or you can move your own DVD content to the device via easy conversion programs.

Last year I ventured out on some vacations with an iPod Touch, the last generation, as a “backup” to my netbook. I found myself easily reading emails, but preferring the netbook for replies. I didn’t read any books with it until earlier this year, and was surprised by how well book reading worked. I Skyped home.

When this new generation Touch came out, I got it as a matter of reflex, justifying the purchase on the basis of the built-in camera and built-in microphone (which means I don’t have to use “inline mics” with ear buds any more). But in reality, the sharpness of the screen is MUCH more important. I have now, simply as a result of this device, switched to e-reading from print reading. On the road, this has largely displaced the netbook (except for reviews like this); most friends communicate in shorter emails these days anyway, and most emails are ads and blurbs, not stuff you need to reply to.

But now at home I find myself ALSO using this new generation iPod Touch a LOT. In the morning to check emails for anything really important, to check NYTimes headlines, before I even roll out of bed. Anytime I want to check emails or Facebook the rest of the day, without firing up the regular desktop computer. At bed to read.

In short, the darn thing is a working computer. Great for CONSUMPTION, patience-testing for INPUT. (Although forcing my input to slow down, say, for Simple Notes entries may be a good thing – forces me to slow down and be a lot more concise.)

***********A word on gaming and pricing. My kids have the 8 gb, 4th gen (this one) model and LOVE it for games. The motion detector is VERY responsive and watching a 3.5 y.o. use “dual thumbs” on the screen blows me away. You will NOT get the same screen responsiveness and motion detection on an Android device. Some developers are even reluctant to develop Android versions because the hardware for Android devices simply has too many variants in the marketplace vs. much smaller overall market share. This can change, but for now Apple dominates the gaming market. This week Apple is offering the Touch in 8 gb mode for slightly over 2 bills but with a 25 gift card. The value for dollar is incredible. Think carefully before you try to find a substitute! (FWIW I love Apple hardware but don’t like the “locked down” system it has become – I hate having to use iTunes as “Grand Central Station” for Touch operations. So I am actually inclined to be biased AGAINST Apple, but in the case of the Touch the results are simply too good to ignore.)

***********Best accessory ever: ClassicReader Three-pair Valu-Pac, +3.00 The screen on this new generation of iPod Touches is very, very sharp, but in order to enjoy all that sharpness, you need to bring the screen really close to your eyes (assuming you don’t have presbyopia and can focus close) OR simply carry a pair of cheap reading glasses as an “accessory” to these super sharp 4th generation screens. This lets you actually read the tiny type on the NY Times website, actually see the richness of colors and depth of detail on a video. So even if you don’t need reading glasses for magazine reading, CONSIDER trying a pair of STRONG reading glasses (1.75, 2.0, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, or even 3.0) to magnify the 3.5″ display screen. Strong reading glasses make high-def YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu Plus videos POP for me.

My original review, edited to be slightly briefer, is below, so you will know where most of the pre-12/20 comments come from:

______________________

Can you get by with an 8gb Touch?

Yep, based on my experience with a 3rd gen 32 gb, and on my recent local purchase of the 4th gen (this current model) in 8 gb capacity.

When using the old 32 gb, I found out that I barely used its greater storage capacity. (I don’t haul around a lot of music or videos – I just transfer what I want to listen to/watch for each road trip or listening/viewing cycle using iTunes). Apps, I discovered, don’t take up much space, even games and books don’t take up much space, unless you want to haul substantially more of your whole collection with you. Amazon’s Kindle app is esp. device friendly, since you can archive books you’ve finished back to Amazon instead of keeping them on the device. iTunes is a great way to manage what content you want to store on your home computer – which becomes a sort of large “docking device” – and what you want top take “to go.”

As a netbook substitute, storage isn’t even that important. I can check my bank balance, transfer funds and execute orders on a brokerage account, listen to radio on Pandora or Slacker, watch music videos (and a lot more ) on YouTube, Skype, stream Netflix, and do a whole lot of other stuff on the 8 gb just fine.

In fact in hindsight the only real reason for me getting the 32 gb version in the older edition was to get the faster processor. But in the current generation, ALL THE 4th GENERATION HARDWARE IS THE SAME, except only for memory.

Do keep in mind on the 8gb edition you give up about a gig to systems operations, leaving only 7 gb or so for your stuff. And you need to leave from for apps and their space. I probably wouldn’t put more than 6 gb of music and videos on the 8gb version. The other editions also give up the same space, but proportionately it is a smaller “hit” to your storage.

The 8gb makes a nice intersection on my personal “cheapness” and “minimalist” curves. The price doesn’t get into nose-bleed territory where I start to wonder whether a netbook would makes more sense, and it’s inexpensive enough to subject to the toils of daily wear and tear – keeping it handy in an outside day pack pocket, instead of more safely stowed deep inside the pack.

Actual Owner of iPod Touch 4G
Alright, so Best Buy got the 32GB iPod Touch 4G in stock so I drove an hour to go get one. I was not disappointed. I will run through the features I have come across so far.

Body: Aside from moving the sleep button to the right and making the back of the device slimmer and more flat, not much has changed. Yes, the chrome back is still there erg! It was so pretty for the first 30 seconds.

Ram: The Ram on the iPod Touch is only 256 MB, so do not believe the talk of 512 MB, it is simply not true.

Wireless: Fully supports A/B/G/N

Vibration: There is no vibration, so do not expect that.

Multitasking: Works real well and very smooth transition

Display: While the display on the iPod is not IPS like the iPhone do not think it suffers in anyway. This display is so beautiful and crisp to look at. I cannot even distinguish the pixels, and text on a website is like you are reading out of a book, it’s so refreshing. I played a digital copy of “UP” on here and the colors practically jump off the screen, very nice. Apple’s icons are so much more vivid and sharp, while 3rd party developer icons who have yet to make an upgrade for the new displays shows what a step up this new screen has to offer.

Speaker: I am not sure of the quality of the speaker on the 3G iPod Touch, but on my 2G iPod Touch it was very tinny and I only used it for game sound. Here on the 4G there is a new spot on the bottom left for the speaker and it has risen in clarity. Music is very listenable and clear, however nothing replaces a good set of earbuds, but when you’re in a jam, you won’t be gritting your teeth with this speaker.

Processor: The new Apple processor is a sure win for this device. Everything loads very fast and switching from one screen to another is very swift and smooth. Crash Bandicoot finally has a nice framerate to play with on this iPod and for once I did not regret buying that game.

Front Camera: This is the camera that is primarily used for Facetime. It’s resolution is at 640 X 480. After taking a few pictures with it, you will notice how it is really not for taking stills, but works fine for videochatting (which I have not tried, but did run some video tests with it). Obviously Facetime will work better in well lit areas, but then again, doesn’t any camera?

Rear Camera: Again stills are just so so. What really bugs me is when you go to take a picture, you see how crisp the preview is, then you take the picture and you can see it blur. The tap to focus works nice for adjusting exposure and well lit photos look very decent on the display. It’s when you upload them to your computer when you notice how not so decent they actually are. While this may be a negative for many people, if you are like me, you want to just upload photos with this device to FaceBook and capture funny moments with the video camera. If I want to take a really awesome picture, I’ll pull out my DSLR, but for me this iPod’s capabilities are more than adequate for my quick shooting of certain events. The video captures quite nicely, while not superb like an actual HD camcorder does enough for me for again, capturing fun moments. Don’t worry, you don’t cringe while watching the video, it’s more than adequate and produces vibrant colors and a fast framerate. Some may complain on this, and believe me those reviews will be here shortly, but then again why not buy an HD Camcorder that is made for HD content? (I’m not ignorant to HD quality either, I’m a huge fan of it. I run a 3D 65” 1080p display with Blu-ray and Dolby Tru-HD decoding surround sound system)

Microphone: Testing out Skype my friend told me I was coming in loud and clear. I also played back a video I made on the iPod on my computer and the microphone captures top notch audio. Very crisp and clear, I was quite pleased.

Battery: While I haven’t tested out Apple’s claims of 40 hr. of music, let’s be honest who really does that? I’m sure Apple’s claims are quite credible in their battery life depending on how the device is used.

One note I should also make, my iPod Touch 2G accessories, (car charger, wall charger) work with my iPod touch 4G. Apple sometimes changes stuff like the charging pin on the iPod’s to make a person have to buy new accessories. Anybody remember when the iPod Video A/V cables had the Audio and Video switched around so people couldn’t use their cables with the iPod? Well they could, they just had to switch the audio and video cables in the port around. Anyways, away from this funny piece of marketing history.

Is the new iPod worth it? For me, upgrading from the 2G Touch, yes! The display is brilliant, the speed of the processor amazing, video quality is very much enjoyable and the rear camera is excellent for taking quick fun shots. If I had one word to describe this iPod, it would be fun! You can’t handle one of these without feeling like a joyous kid, (I’m 22) and the business aspect is still there and quite useful. I would highly recommend this iPod Touch as a worthy upgrade to any generation of the iPod Touch you may own and if you don’t own one, there has never been a more perfect time to go out and get one! Don’t hesitate to leave a comment here if you have a question for an actual owner. I’ll do what I can!

There are many common features between the mp3 and mp4 players, while many points of distinctions do also exist. While comparing the two technologies the most significant point that strikes the mind first is that the mp4 format has come up with all the properties to make up the shortfalls of the mp3. As a matter of fact the quality of perception of the two files of same bit rates is much better with the mp4 format as compared to the mp3s.

Mp3 Structures And Players

Since the 1993, most of the downloadable symphonies and songs come in the mp3 format that allows the music lovers to stores their favorites in relatively smaller amount of space in the hard drive. To be very candid the mp3 format has been cursed with a series of limitations and drawbacks, which restrict the efficiency of its coding process. The limitations are as follows:

• Mp3 fails to switch the joint stereo mode for any specified scale factor bands. The joint stereo option, in case of mp3 technology, has to be used for all the bands that in turn tend to limit the use of joint stereo.

• The inoptimal window sizes result in the inoptimal time/frequency resolution in the mp3.

• The last i.e. the 21st scalefactor band for both the long and the short blocks has no own scalefactors

• The missing properties are, however, the Long Term Prediction (LTP), Temporal Noise Shaping (TNS), Spectral Band Replication (SBR) and Perceptual Noise Substitution (PNS).

Mp4 structures and players

Mp4 is basically a “container” and hence it has the potential to carry the video files along with the audio ones. Hence is the basic point to difference between the mp3 and mp4 is that the mp4 contains both the audio and video at the same time, whereas the mp3 format supports only the audio files. Within a very short spell of time the mp4 formats is expected to come with the mixed streams of both audio and video at the same time. The mp4 players basically allow you to realize something better and bigger than you can imagine. It is entirely a new concept known as Structured Audio and is a mode of describing the sound in an ultra-modern way. The mp4 technology is more potent description of sound that is going to be the future standard for the computer music, gaming audio, and varieties of multimedia applications altogether.

Without a doubt, the size and weight of the new kindle is the biggest draw for me. It’s smaller than the last edition by a significant margin. I’ve played around with the Kindle 2 and was impressed, but now looking at the size of the new Kindle, I’m blown away. It’s the absolute perfect size. Smaller would be unmanageable and larger wouldn’t feel nearly as good. This is a device that you can hold up, read, and just forget that it’s there. Compared to other e-readers I’ve tried, it’s much smaller and much lighter.

One of my biggest complaints about the previous generation Kindles and the DX is the speed. It sometimes takes a while after you push `next page’ for it to actually change. In addition, the web browsing feature was so slow and clunky that it is really unusable in my opinion. Two additions to the new Kindle have helped attenuate these issues. First, the pages do flip quicker (albeit, still slow in my opinion), and the addition of wifi has allowed faster connection for wireless activities (much better than only relying on 3G). I still can’t see myself using the Kindle as an internet browsing tool or really doing much online aside from purchasing reading material, but the faster connection at least opens up the possibility – something that would only frustrate me on previous editions.

The new Kindle also offers a better contrast than previous editions and it looks fantastic compared to every other e-reader I have seen. I have no trouble seeing the screen in dim light or in bright sunlight – it really opens up the ability to read almost anywhere you are. Of course, you’ll still need a separate light for extremely dark areas.

Another big addition to the Kindle 3 is that it offers double the storage compared to Kindle 2. I’ve never had a problem with the amount of storage since I can’t possibly see myself filling up that much space (I don’t put mp3′s on it), but perhaps in the future, if certain applications or media files are put on the kindle, it could have been a problem. The additional space in the new model is definitely a welcome addition, but bringing back the memory card slot that was included on Kindle 1 would have been an even more welcome addition in my opinion.

Among e-readers, I definitely recommend the Kindle 3 if not just because it has a better size/form-factor, contrast, battery life, and speed compared to every other e-reader I have tried. On top of that, you get the wonderful amazon buying experience and selection for all your literature and can keep your kindle library intact between whatever other device you want to download a Kindle application onto.

The question of whether you need a Kindle vs another type of device for reading becomes a little more tricky and really comes down to what you want to use it for.

Do you want a device to read novels on, perhaps read outside, and have something very light that you almost forget it’s there? Buy the Kindle.

Do you want something to lie in bed with for short periods of time while surfing the web? I might suggest going with the iPad, a different tablet, or a netbook.

Do you already have a Kindle 1 or 2? That’s a tough one…. I don’t think the new edition has enough `new’ to it to warrant the upgrade in my mind, but some might value the new size and wifi capabilities even more-so than I do. For me, the new Kindle was a welcome addition to my family of devices since I didn’t have anything anywhere near its form factor and convenience.

Should you get 3G + Wifi or just Wifi? I think this question can be answered simply by asking yourself if you travel a lot. Being able to buy books and access wireless content on the road is an indispensable option and well worth the extra money in my mind. Keeping the device mainly at home or near wifi hotspots really negates the need for 3G though.

Overall, I have to give the Kindle a 5 star rating because it does what it was designed to do very well, and in my opinion better than any of the competition. While the new features and capabilities aren’t game-changing and truly outstanding, it is smaller, more capable, and better than any other e-reader out there. If you want `one device to handle it all’, this isn’t the place to look, but If you want a fantastic device solely for reading books, this is what you want.

Introducing the new iPod touch. Now with FaceTime, Retina display, HD video recording, and Game Center. Click to enlarge.

Advanced engineering at play.
Pioneering technology built into iPod touch is how you’re able to flick, tap, and pinch. It’s what makes a racing game feel so real. It’s why you’re able to see a friend crack up at your jokes from across the globe. And it’s the reason iPod touch is the most incredible iPod you’ll ever own.

The iPod Looks can be amazing.
iPod touch has an all-new design that makes it the thinnest, lightest, most amazing iPod touch ever. Holding one is all the proof you need. With its curved design, iPod touch is now a mere 7.2 millimeters thin. Its engineered-glass front and stainless steel back feel sleek and smooth in your hand. Turn it on, and you’re instantly blown away by the brilliant Retina display. iPod touch is the perfect combination of stunning design and revolutionary technology–brilliant from the outside in.

Retina display. A blast from the future.
There are lots of reasons you won’t want to take your eyes off the new iPod touch. The 960-by-640 backlit LCD display, for one. It packs 326 pixels per inch, making it the highest-resolution iPod screen ever. To achieve this, Apple engineers developed pixels so small–a mere 78 micrometers across–that the human eye can’t distinguish individual pixels. Even though you can’t see them, you’ll definitely notice the difference. Text is remarkably sharp, and graphics are incredibly vivid.

Apple A4 processor. More power to you.
The Apple A4 chip is behind, or rather underneath, all the fun you can have on iPod touch. Apple engineers designed the A4 chip to be a remarkably powerful yet remarkably power-efficient mobile processor. With it, iPod touch can easily perform complex jobs such as multitasking, editing video, and placing FaceTime calls. All while maximizing battery life. And fun.

Gyro + Accelerometer. Smooth moves.
iPod touch just learned some new moves. It now includes a built-in three-axis gyroscope. When paired with the accelerometer, the gyro makes iPod touch capable of advanced motion sensing such as user acceleration, full 3D attitude, and rotation rate. Translation: more motion gestures and greater precision for an even better gaming experience.

Two cameras. Double the fun.
iPod touch captures video with two built-in cameras. It shoots amazing HD 720p video from the back camera. And with its advanced backside illumination sensor, it captures beautiful footage even in low-light settings. All while the built-in microphone records conversations, music, or any audio at the same time. And on the front of the iPod touch, the built-in camera is perfect for making FaceTime calls and shooting self-portraits. It’s surprising how much fun can fit into something so small.

Multi-Touch. Control at your fingertips.
When you put your finger on the iPod touch, how does it just start doing what you want it to do? It’s a chain reaction, really. The Multi-Touch display layers a protective shield over a capacitive panel that senses your touch using electrical fields. It then transmits that information to the Retina display below it. So you can glide through albums with Cover Flow, flick through photos and enlarge them with a pinch, zoom in and out on a section of a web page, and control game elements precisely.

FaceTime comes to iPod touch. Don’t just say hello. Smile.
Tap for a more instant instant message.
Take “LOL” to the next level and actually see friends laughing out loud. Or bring “XOXO” to life when you blow someone a kiss from miles away. FaceTime on iPod touch makes it possible. FaceTime works right out of the box–just enter your Apple ID and email address. Or create a new email account just for FaceTime. Using FaceTime is as easy as it gets. Say you want to start a video call with your best friend over Wi-Fi. Just tap the FaceTime app and find her entry to start the call. An invitation pops up on her iPod touch or iPhone 4 screen asking if she wants to join you. When she accepts, FaceTime begins. It’s all perfectly seamless. And it works in both portrait and landscape. See how much fun you can have.

With iPod touch you can See friends while you talk with FaceTime, or play games against friends or unknown foes with Game Center.

Two cameras make either side its fun side.
iPod touch has two built-in cameras, one on the front above the display and one on the back. The front camera has been tuned for FaceTime. It has just the right field of view and focal length to focus on your face at arm’s length. So it always presents you in the best possible light. Which is particularly handy when you’re talking to someone who’s more than just a friend.

The back camera. See and share.
So your roommate had to work late and couldn’t make it to the concert. You can share the encore with a FaceTime call. As the band takes the stage and starts playing one of her all-time favorite songs, just tap a button. And before the lead singer can belt out his first note, iPod touch switches to the back camera and to the sure-to-be-legendary performance. Another tap switches to the front camera and to you. Simple, fast, and fun.

HD video recording comes to iPod touch. Ready, and action.
Built-in editing gives video a fun-tuning.
No need to wait until you’re back at your computer to edit video. With basic editing built into iPod touch, you can get right down to business. Just drag to select start and end points on a filmstrip. Keep only the parts of the video you want, and turn it into something you and your friends will watch again and again.

Make mini blockbusters in just a few taps with iMovie on iPod touch. Say you’re on an amazing road trip, and you want to create a video postcard of everything you’ve seen and done. Just use the iMovie app–pick it up in the App Store for just $4.99. Built for iPod touch, iMovie lets you combine and edit video clips, give them that extra something with dynamic themes and transitions, add music and photos, and share your finished movies with the world.

Make a movie. Starring you.
The next time you venture out on, say, an amazing hike, don’t just tell your friends about it. Show them. In addition to the high-definition camera on the back, iPod touch has a VGA-quality camera on the front–above the display–that lets you see yourself on the display while you record. It’s perfect for turning the camera on yourself. No more guessing if you’re in the frame or accidentally cropping yourself out altogether. So get ready for your close-up.

Shoot what you want. Share where you want. Ever find yourself in the middle of typing an email when you see something that words just can’t describe? Just launch the camera and record on the fly. Then upload your HD movie directly to YouTube. Or select some video from the Camera Roll and attach it to a new email message, ready to send. Posting to your Facebook page or blog is also just a tap away. And you can easily sync all the video you shoot on iPod touch back to your Mac or PC.

Point and shoot.
An awesome view. A decked-out cupcake. Your dog looking unbearably cute. If you want to take a quick photo to upload to your Facebook page, either camera on iPod touch can also capture stills. Just tap on the screen to adjust exposure. Then post to Facebook and let the comments begin.

The new Game Center app on iPod touch lets you expand your social gaming network–exponentially.

Game Center. Way more than two can play that game.
Gamers rejoice. Game Center is here.
The new Game Center app on iPod touch lets you expand your social gaming network. Exponentially. All anyone needs to play is an iPod touch or iPhone running iOS 4.1. With iOS 4.1, you’ll see a Game Center app on your Home screen. Just tap it and sign in with your Apple ID, and you’re good to go. You can create a different nickname that will be visible to friends and the gaming community. You can also assign several email addresses to the Game Center app, making it easy for more friends to find you. Download any games you see by tapping links in Game Center. Games can be started right in the Game Center app. And the best part: Once you sign in to Game Center, you’re always connected. Until you decide to sign out.

Friends. Soon to be opponents.
Bring your friends along for the ride. Or match. Or mission. Once you’re signed in to the Game Center app, you can invite someone by sending a friend request using their nickname or email address. Your friends show up in a separate Friends list in the Game Center app. Tap on a friend’s name, and you can see what games they’ve been playing. You can also check out pending friend requests you receive, and add as you see fit.

Leaderboards and achievements. Score some bragging rights.
Take a look at leaderboards and see how your score ranks against your friends, as well as all players of each game. You can also compare game achievements with your friends. Check out leaderboards and achievements in the Game Center app and in each individual game app. Let the smack talk begin.

Meet your match.
Say you want to get a multiplayer game going. Auto-match will prioritize your friends if they happen to be looking for an auto-match, too. Otherwise, it will set you up with a soon-to-be-friend from anywhere around the world. You can also choose to invite friends and have auto-match fill the number of players needed for a game.

Music. Let your fingers do the rocking.
Cover Flow. A work of album art.
What a song does for your ears, Cover Flow on iPod touch does for your eyes and fingers. Turn iPod touch on its side and glide through your music by album art with the flick of your finger. Tap an album cover to flip it over and display a track list. Tap again to start the music.

Genius playlists. From one great song comes an even greater playlist.
Say you’re listening to a song you really love and want to hear other tracks that go great with it. Genius uses that song to find other songs in your library and makes a Genius playlist for you. Listen to the playlist right away, save it for later, or even refresh it and give it another go. Count on Genius to create a playlist you wouldn’t have thought of yourself.

Genius Mixes. The ultimate mix-master.
Genius acts as your personal DJ. All you do is sync iPod touch to iTunes, and Genius automatically searches your library to find songs that sound great together. Then it creates multiple mixes you’ll love. These mixes are like channels programmed entirely with your music. It’s a great way to rediscover songs you haven’t heard in forever–and some you even forgot you had.