Touched for the very first time

The iPod Touch

Steve Jobs is no virgin when it comes to revolutionizing the way consumers ingest information. Since starting the Apple computer company at age of 21, Jobs' name has been synonymous with innovation and quality. In 2001, amid the controversy surrounding the illegal MP3 boom that shook the record industry at its core, Apple introduced its hard drive MP3 player, the iPod. With the introduction of the immensely successful iTunes Store in 2003 and the ever-changing incarnations of the iPod itself, Apple has turned the taboo notion of downloading music via the internet into a lucrative industry. From the computer you use to download that latest track, to the device you use to blast it during your morning commute, Apple is there every step of the way. And with multi- functionality reining supreme in today's electronic marketplace, Jobs is introducing the long awaited iPod Touch - a device that puts the latest music, internet and Hollywood's biggest releases at your fingertips.

First and foremost, the iPod Touch is an iPod - it's here to play music. What the Touch offers is an intuitive and immediate application for listening to the latest top 40. Similar to the highly popular iPhone is the touch screen interface. Surfing through your latest play list has never been easier. No matter how fond you are of the previous jog-wheel con- trolled models, using the touch screen is sure to become the preferred surfing medium. The 480 by 320 resolution offers a more than adequate display for watching your movie collection, and the portability of the iTouch makes catching up on those hometown TV shows during lunch hour a cinch. The increase in screen size means far less squinting than with the iPod Classic, but it has been said that the picture quality isn't quite as good as that of the iPhone.

Applications are launched from your home screen, with shortcuts being tapped much like they would be on a home computer. The only difference is that you're using your pointer finger rather than your mouse. From this screen you can access your music, video, photos, internet, iTunes and even YouTube. The internet is accessed through out-of-thebox Wi-Fi capabilities on the Safari web browser. The online capability of this iPod also makes downloading new albums directly to your hard- ware a breeze. Simply find a good connection, and commence browsing the latest iTunes additions. Previews are also made available for stream- ing, giving you the option to look before you leap. The Wi-Fi Store is not yet supporting podcasts, videos or audiobooks.

While functionality remains the big draw for technology such as the iTouch, some things will be missing from this model. For one, many old accessories previously purchased for an iPod Classic won't be crossfunctional with this latest addition. That means if you want to output that cached video you're going to have to purchase the new component cables for about ¥5,500. Also, the Mail, Stock, Weather, and Maps applications are nowhere to be found. While not a necessity by any means, the inclusion of photo storage and touch screen interface really could have offered a lot in the ways of photo management and editing possibilities. And while not standard on other iPod models, the lack of any external volume controls can make on the go operation a bit tedious.

The iTouch was released (and well received) here in Japan in early October. It should run you around ¥36,800 for the 8GB model and ¥48,800 for the 16GB version. If you're looking for a quality portable media player, then the iPod Touch may be for you. But if maximum functionality is your poison, you might want to keep your hands to yourself and pick up the iPhone when it is released here next year.

Text: James Fleming • Photo: KS