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September 5th, 2010, 10:57 GMT · By

Apple, Congrats on Your New iPod touch

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Apple's iPod touch 4 redefines, and simplifies the way some people will communicate with one another
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The iPod touch is no longer just a portable music player with web browsing capabilities and support for hundreds of thousands of apps. The touch is now something virtually every person on the planet can, and should employ.

Apple's fourth-generation iPod touch has not one, but two built-in cameras. The rear facing camera allows for some pretty cool HD video recording and editing.

The new Retina Display goes great with this feature. It’s the highest-resolution screen ever seen on an iPod, with four times the pixel count of previous models.

However, there's something even better built inside iPod touch that makes great use of the dual cameras and hi-res screen – FaceTime.

“FaceTime on iPod touch lets you hang out, catch up, and goof off with friends in an entirely new way. With just a tap, you can see what your friends are up to — literally,” Apple explains.

FaceTime video calling works over Wi-Fi, which means there's no operator fees to pay. You just tap and place / accept a call and you start your conversation. It's as simple as that!

What many probably don't realize is that iPod touch has become the perfect communications tool for the deaf.

“FaceTime on iPod touch makes it possible to have video calls with friends and family across the globe — perfect for sign-language conversations,” Apple states.

“It works new iPod touch to new iPod touch or iPhone 4 over Wi-Fi — just enter your Apple ID and email address.”

Apple has also added a vibrating function to the new iPod touch.

“If somebody wants to start a video call with you, you’ll receive an invitation — along with a vibrating alert — on your iPod touch asking you to join,” Apple reveals. “Simply tap Accept, and the video call begins.”

Among other accessibility features, Apple has implemented screen reading with VoiceOver (for the blind, or visually impaired), the ability to reverse colors - white on black for higher contrast, and mono audio, for those whose hearing is limited in one ear.

The new-generation device comes pre-installed with iOS 4.1, which brings Game Center, Apple's new gaming network,

With a design to kill, and many more features to boot, the new iPod touch is on track to become one of the best products ever shipped by Apple.

As the Cupertino-based company puts it, “iPod touch has so much technology, you’ll forget it’s an iPod.”

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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: jd on 05 Sep 2010, 12:49 UTC reply to this comment

So... its the same thing as the iphone 4 without wifi?


Comment #2 by: eddie on 05 Sep 2010, 12:51 UTC reply to this comment

I cant see anything exciting in what you write. The things you describe are on other devies that have more added functionality. The time for the ipod is over. It was a grond bewaking device in its time but it is time to give way to phones that can do all of this and more.

Comment #2.1 by: Mayor McCheeser on 06 Sep 2010, 06:00 GMT

UH?! Whatever, dude.

Didn't realize you were so cool and beyond technology already. How's yer hovercar?


Comment #3 by: Fred on 05 Sep 2010, 13:24 UTC reply to this comment

The new iPod's rear camera, while it can record HD video, cannot take still photos at a higher resolution.


Comment #4 by: Steve on 05 Sep 2010, 13:37 UTC reply to this comment

I'm sorry, am I missing something here? I bought an iPod touch just over a year ago. I love it! It took over my life, my music, my email, my diary, my calendar and alarm clock. I wake to it (Alarm Clock Pro), I go to sleep to it (pzizz). It lived, and still lives with me. It is an hourly companion.

However, there were a few 'features' I wished it had. A decent Camera to post pics on-line. a GPS to geotag pics and written articles and to inform friends of where I am (foursqaure, facebook places?).

But now, his holyness St Jobs has released the latest iPod Touch, and I am completley underwhelmed.

Yes, it has a few new features, new 'slim' design, cameras front and rear, new processor, new display, but the camera looks like the one from the old iPhone, and the new form factor is even more 'slippery' than the previous. And I don't need facetime to 'video call' my friends, my phone and Skype provide that already, and to more than just iApple devices.

The new processor and display are great, but my camera phone (bought because the Touch didn't have a camera) has front and rear cameras, rear with flash. It has Skype, GPS, geotagging. It does the things I wish my iPod Touch could do.

My phone lacks the terrific iPod ease of use and great screen, but it provides the features I still wish my Touch provided.

Steve Jobs and Apple have missed a great trick here, and I feel it has come down to Apple providing what it can provide, not what it's customers want.

Apple have 'Jobs' lots of old iPhone cameras and components that they still want to get rid of (free bumpers not allowing for stock writeoffs?), yet not enough decent components for a proper iPod refresh (antenagate).

The latest iPod update was eagerly anticipated by this writer, but Apple have decided to provide a halfway house. Use a few new components and some old stock parts and call it an upgrade. I'm amazed he didn't use the word 'Magical' when it was announced. It was more like 'sleight of hand'. Penn and Teller should have launched this model.

Jobs and Apple are using their brand for damage limtation on the new iPhone 4, anntenae issues, proximity sensor issues to name but two.

Despite the new screen and processor, I for one, won't be upgrading till a serious replacement is on offer.


Comment #5 by: ftitmf on 05 Sep 2010, 13:38 UTC reply to this comment

wow i have a 3 genaration and its 32 g


Comment #6 by: deeptalk on 05 Sep 2010, 13:48 UTC reply to this comment

"What many probably don't realize is that iPod touch has become the perfect communications tool for the deaf"- ipod for deaf--- Point to ponder!!!


Comment #7 by: guatemario on 05 Sep 2010, 14:12 UTC reply to this comment

Why is it that GPS functionality is still an option that is not available on an iPod Touch? Price?


Comment #8 by: Andrew on 05 Sep 2010, 14:13 UTC reply to this comment

Too bad that many of the movies and TV shows on iTunes still lack closed caption.


Comment #9 by: Jarhead on 06 Sep 2010, 14:56 UTC reply to this comment

So, why does Apple seem to not care about what the iPod was originally designed for - media. Why not improve the sound quality, considering the quality is pure crap when compared to the Zune HD. Shoot, why not offer a competitor to the Zune Pass? Why not give it a FM and HD radio? Why not give it wireless sync capabilities? Why not allow it to stream HD videos and movie to your HDTV? It seems Apple has just completely forgot what the iPod was originally designed for.

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