AppleFeaturesMP3 Players

iPhone ownership affects iPod touch appeal

Ipod_touchOut of all the new products launched at Apple’s special event this week, the one receiving the most attention in the aftermath is undoubtedly the iPod touch. Commonly referred to as the "iPhone without the phone," the upcoming device looks particularly appealing to consumers who were initially interested in the iPhone’s multi-touch interface and excellent mobile web browser, but immediately turned off by the original price tag and required contract with AT&T.

But what about consumers who already own an iPhone? Will they be among the first in line for an iPod touch? Will they even buy one at all?

I’ve had my iPhone (or UMPC Lite) since the day it went on sale and for me, the answer is no. I will not be buying an iPod touch.

Even with the possible $100 discount and added storage capacity, I don’t think anyone who already owns an iPhone (and isn’t a diehard iPod and/or Apple fan) will buy one either.

Ipod_touch_view1

Have a look at the following chart to see why.

Update 1.15.08: Stocks, Maps, Weather, Notes, and Mail added to iPod touch. Early adopters must pay $20 for new software upgrade.
Update 2.5.08: 16GB iPhone and 32GB iPod touch announced.

iPhone iPod touch
Capacity/Price
4GB: $299 (discontinued)
8GB: $399
16GB: $499
8GB: $299
16GB: $399
32GB: $499
Contract
AT&T* None
Dimensions
4.5" x 2.4" x 0.46" 4.3" x 2.4" x 0.31"
Weight
4.8 ounces 4.2 ounces
Display
3.5" (480 x 320, 160 ppi) 3.5" (480 x 320, 163 ppi)
  Connectivity 802.11b/g
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
EDGE
Quadband GSM
802.11b/g

Native
Applications
Safari
YouTube
Calendar
Contacts (in Phone)
Clock
Calculator
Photos
Video (in iPod)
Music (in iPod)
Settings
iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
Stocks
Maps
Weather
Notes
Mail
SMS Text
Safari
YouTube
Calendar
Contacts
Clock
Calculator
Photos
Video
Music
Settings
iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
Stocks (added 1/08)
Maps (added 1/08)
Weather (added 1/08)
Notes (added 1/08)
Mail (added 1/08)

Camera 2.0 megapixels None
Speaker
Built-in speaker None
Headphone 3.5mm (recessed) 3.5mm (standard)
Supported
Audio
AAC, AAC-DRM, MP3,
MP3 VBR, WAV, Audible,
Apple Lossless, AIFF
AAC, AAC-DRM, MP3,
MP3 VBR, WAV, Audible,
Apple Lossless, AIFF
Supported
Video
H.264, MPEG-4 H.264, MPEG-4
Battery Life
Audio: up to 24 hours
Video: up to 7 hours
Web: up to 6 hours
Audio: up to 22 hours
Video: up to 5 hours
Web: unspecified

*Two-year contract required. Individual iPhone rate plans start at $60/month. Current AT&T customers can add unlimited data (starting at $20/month) to existing voice plans.

Ipod_touch_view2

Good thing Steve Jobs isn’t concerned about cannibalization because the iPhone definitely gobbled up my desire for an iPod touch.

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Jenn K. Lee

Jenn K. Lee is the founder of Pocketables. She loves gadgets the way most women love shoes and purses. The pieces in her tech wardrobe that go with everything are currently the Samsung Galaxy Note II, Sony Tablet P, and Nexus 7, but there are still a couple of vintage UMPCs/MIDs in the back of her closet.

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