Engadget review of the new iPod Touch : iPhone still king of the castle

Engadget review of the new iPod Touch

iPhone still king of the castle

2007-09-23 09:28

Engadget has reviewed the new iPod touch, addressing many of the pros and cons of Apple's newest product. As Engadget states, many customers have been very excited by the release of the iPod touch, free of the AT&T contract that made many resist purchasing the iPhone. While the new iPod Touch brings much of the iPhone's functionality with it in a new, slimmer, less buggy design, it's what's lacking that makes Engadget declare the iPhone to be Apple's best iPod.

The review begins with the media capabilities of the iPod Touch. With the release of this new iPod, Apple has launched the iTunes WiFi Music Store, an online wireless store for downloading music. The new, easy to use, and fast service is a definite enhancement over earlier iPods. The downside to the iPod Touch's media is the limited codecs supported, something we've come to expect from all of Apple's iPod lineup.

Next, Engadget reviews the iPod Touch's software. Many tweaks and bug fixes have improved the iPod Touch in comparison with the iPhone. For example, system sounds have been made less irritating and periods are easier to type (double space bar automatically prints a period). However, the functionality that's been removed in this latest iPod is a concern. As we wrote earlier, the iPod Touch's calendar function doesn't allow adding and editing of events, a strange feature to leave out. Also glaringly absent are the iPhone's notes, weather, stocks, and Google maps applications.

Finally, the review takes a look at the hardware of the new iPod touch. The slimmer design is a definite bonus, while the absence of a hardware volume control is irritating. The iPod Touch follows Apple's tradition of giving their iPods a gorgeous shiny chrome back side, which as always ends up immediately covered in fingerprints and scratches. Engadget was also unfortunate enough to obtain an iPod Touch with the faulty screens, which have a 'negative black' effect. Apple has since admitted that a small percentage of units are faulty, but obviously customers and reviewers alike are still finding the faulty units on store shelves.

Engadget likes the new iPod Touch, but in comparison with Apple's iPhone it comes up a little short, primarily due to with the features that the new gadget lacks. Read the full Engadget review here.