iPod Touch: An iPod & Computer In Your Pocket? - Page 5

**fryke** · #33 September 18th, 2007, 07:24 AM

When Apple introduced the iPhone and said "no 3rd party apps but Web 2.0 apps", they also claimed they'd upgrade the software features over time. Which led to speculation that the iPhone would, over time, _become_ more PDA-like. Talk of iChat, talk of a better Notes app etc. We've seen one addition so far, and it's iTunes WiFi Store. That's great, but it's primarily a service that helps Apple make more money more quickly. Right now it doesn't seem like Apple's coming true about extending the functionality. They could've easily added one or the other widget to the iPhone by now. They haven't. Teasing.
If you get an iPhone or iPod touch, either be aware that the functionality it has today is basically the one you're going to get - or be ready to go with some scary hacks. I think the iPhone and iPod touch still have a lot of appeal, but I wish Apple more clearly had a path of expanding the functionality. The iPhone would be a _great_ PDA. The hardware's there. It's software that's missing.

Then again: Maybe they're concentrating on finishing Leopard now. (They said Leo was postponed because of iPhone's OS development.) That can only be a good thing.

Qion · #34 September 18th, 2007, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fryke

Then again: Maybe they're concentrating on finishing Leopard now. (They said Leo was postponed because of iPhone's OS development.) That can only be a good thing.

Right, 'cause at this time the only major selling point for me is the potential of Core Animation...

The iPhone is already the best PDA on the market without trying. Apple will wake up -eventually- and smell the proliferation -and cashflow-.

Amie · #35 September 25th, 2007, 10:20 PM

BTW, does anyone know when Apple stores will actually sell the iPod Touch in the store? Without special ordering or any of that mess. I just want to walk in and play with one on display, then if I decide to buy one, I want to be able to pay for it and leave with it on the same day.

Qion · #36 September 25th, 2007, 11:32 PM

My friend went to Vegas about two weeks ago and picked one up from an Apple Store... brought it back with him as proof. Maybe they were confused.

DeltaMac · #37 September 26th, 2007, 12:03 AM

Ipod availability has changed a lot within just two weeks. Check at your local Apple store now. You'll likely be able to hold that Touch if you want to... (touch that Hold? - touch that Touch?) you know what I mean. lol

Amie · #38 September 26th, 2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qion

My friend went to Vegas about two weeks ago and picked one up from an Apple Store... brought it back with him as proof. Maybe they were confused.

No, different Apple stores got them in at different times. Your friend was lucky. Guess I'll be making (another) trip to my local Apple store soon...

Amie · #39 September 26th, 2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaMac

Ipod availability has changed a lot within just two weeks. Check at your local Apple store now. You'll likely be able to hold that Touch if you want to... (touch that Hold? - touch that Touch?) you know what I mean. lol

LOL

I'm going back this weekend. Gonna see if they got them in yet...

symphonix · #40 September 26th, 2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fryke

When Apple introduced the iPhone ... they also claimed they'd upgrade the software features over time. ... We've seen one addition so far, and it's iTunes WiFi Store.

Also, YouTube was announced since then. I wouldn't be surprised to see Adobe or Amazon's eBooks added in the next 12 months, either.

I think there is a big gap between what customers think they want and what they'll actually buy. When Apple finally caved in to all those people begging for games on iPod, and licensed a number of games, the total number of downloads was pathetically low, in spite of a price-point around a quarter of that for the same game on other platforms. People begged for it, and then when it was released, decided they didn't really care anyway.

Apple are going to focus their software development efforts where they're going to add the most value to the product. iPhone ships with the software it needed in order to be viable, and nothing more. iPod touch is the same; they've got it out the door with the features it needs to be a sales success, and anything else can wait until later.

So where do I think they're going next? iPhone will get iChat before it gets MMS messaging; its simply more beneficial to Apple to do iChat first. MMS messaging will come pretty quickly though, as the carriers will be insisting on it (more ways to use the phone equals more usage of the phone equals more money for the carriers). iPod touch will eventually get some of the apps that are already finished for iPhone. Mail.app for iPod touch will be an optional install that will come with a big disclaimer that it is not a supported application. eBooks will be available for purchase through iTunes - the structure is already there; I have a few PDF-casts already, all the touch needs is a custom-made PDF browser.