iPod Touch Update- Apple removed the carrier from the iPhone

I love my iPod Touch, I know I must be on record somewhere saying that I picked up an iPod Touch because it's an iPhone without the phone part.  That wasn't entirely true although Apple did put the "real Internet" on the Touch just like the iPhone.  The newly announced update for the iPod Touch addresses the most significant shortage in features that the Touch had over the iPhone in my opinion and while some folks seem to be upset that they have to pay $20 for them I for one am quite happy to do so.  I haven't been able to yet due to the problems with my MacBook Pro that manifested themselves while updating my iPod Touch's firmware thus leaving me with a brick that will be fixed shortly I hope. 

The major additional feature this update provides iPod Touch owners is the addition of email support, at least for me.  The real Internet can only be better if I can do email handily on the Touch too and that's the major feature I am jonesing for.  Throw in better Google Maps, a few widgets and note-taking capability and the update will be well worth it for me.  Having an iPod Touch with largely the same functionality of the iPhone proves to me how savvy Apply is about this stuff.  They will have effectively removed the carrier, something that no company such as Apple likes to play ball with, from the iPhone in the iPod Touch.  Sure you won't have all of that Edge goodness in the US, but you don't have AT&T to worry about either.  Jobs is so crafty.

Comments

[Cody B]

"problems with my MacBook Pro"

I thought they "just worked?" I'm just kidding, settle down everyone.

[Jonathan Greene]

First - Great to see you back on the byline!

Second - I love the new features on the iPod touch. If it had bluetooth and a future release offered voip support over wifi or DUN access we'd really have something.

A wifi only device is not doing it for my own personal needs.

[patrick]

I'm not surprised you're well happy with the update, but am surprised you're OK with the charge for it. This seems another clear slap for early adopters. If the charge applied to new Touches, then it would seem reasonable, and the amount is not outrageous - but why penalize folks who bought it in the first few months?

[patrick]

Doh - meant to say, very glad to see you back too! Hope you're enjoying comforts of home again by now ...

[Ross Wirth]

James - Great to see you clicking away again!

However I'm a little concerned with the apparent effect of the Reality Distortion field is having on you. There is no reason this functionality should have been excluded from the get go. In fact it must have cost Apple money to exclude the feature, with the additional regression testion prior to releasing the device which otherwise would have been the same as the iPhone. Steve Jobs's only craftiness here is in getting people to be at least willing, if not ok with paying $20 for the functionality that never should have been limited on day 1. And he still hasn't released that SDK, and the Touch still lacks features common in other devices, and you can't sync wirelessly, he still hasn't released a touch that can hold anyone's entire music colletion (HD based). The Zune 2 is still the way to go for me. Media Center integration, podcast support, and wireless sync, which is more important than wireless store to me.

[Cody B]

I agree with Patrick. The software's already been created. Its not like it cost them anything extra. It should just be an update.

[Mike Cane]

At least James has escaped the Curse of the Finns. He's back to using Made in -- uh, DESIGNED in CALIFORNIA stuff.

[free ipod touch]

I'm upset that they decided to put a $20 fee on update. That just sends more people to jailbreak their ipod touch.

[Dan Carter]

James,

I too am glad to see you feeling better.

However, the more I read about the experience of owning Apple products, the less I'm inclined to have anything to do with them.

A). Your MacBook Pro malfunctioned and bricked your iPod Touch? Beside the point Apple products are just supposed to work (yeah right), why would you be happy with Apple after such an experience?

B). $20 dollars to fix issues which shouldn't have existed in the first place? How many people would be happy to pay this after the MacBook bricked thier iPod Touch? Strange.

Stay Well,
Dan

[gear]

I didn't mind paying for the update either as the apps are great. Especially the email app; it saves a lot of time. The killer app for me will be when I can download files (especially music and videos) via the internet direct from my NAS drive

[joel]

I downloaded the update and I like the new stuff, but this is exactly the reason why I won't buy Apple stuff. 20 Dollars seems a bit too much considering that it was developed for the iphone and just copied over.

Another thing. Has anyone figured out how to use a VPN connection on it? The only way I have heard of is to illegally copy the iphone software to the touch. Am I going to have to pay for that upgrade as well?

[ArchiMark]

Glad you're on the mend, James!...

But sorry to hear about your recent woes...

However, my guess is that you either have some bad RAM, or RAM that needs to be reseated or somethin' like that...so, hopefully will relatively easy to fix...

FWIW, I've had my Touch 16GB for about 3 weeks now and really, really enjoy it as I jailbroke it a few days after getting it and now have about 30 apps (all free, but have made a few developer donations...).

There's productivity apps; Calendar, Contacts, MobileToDoList, etc...plus games, utilities, eBook Reader, dictionaries, networking, etc....

The Touch is like a totally different device after jailbreaking....lots of apps and ability to customize 'look and feel' of interface too!

Hopefully, there will be a new jailbreak version released soon so that we can use the latest firmware, v1.1.3....but until then I'm a very happy camper as it is...

;-)