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iPod Classic, Meet iPod Touch

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

September 5, 2007, 1:51 PM

With typical Steve Jobs flair, Apple introduced on Wednesday an entirely new player called the iPod Touch, while relegating its current high-end iPod to "Classic" status.

The Classic model is much like today's iPod, except with more hard drive space. It's thinner than today's 5.5-generation iPod, but comes in sizes of 80GB and 160GB. Pricing for the two models will stay the same as they are currently, at $249 and $349 USD respectively.

However, for most the biggest news of the day is the iPod Touch. Much like the rumors stated, the Touch looks very much like the iPhone, yet is thinner -- obviously due to the fact that there is no need for all the phone hardware.

It will be the first touch-based product with wireless to ship worldwide, Jobs said.

iPod Touch will also be the first model to include Wi-Fi, for which Apple has also decided to equip the device with Safari. Thus, in an area with wireless connectivity, a user could surf the Web while listening to music.

The user interface is the same as Apple's phone, meaning much of the features in the iPhone would make it over to the Touch, including YouTube connectivity.

Like the iPhone, the Touch would also include a sensor to detect when it's held horizontally, allowing for the viewing of videos in landscape mode. The display measures 3.5 inches across, Jobs said.

"We think its one of the seven wonders of the world," he told attendees.

"No doubt this was a huge launch for Apple this morning and leaves them with a product line that's going to be hard for Apple's competitors to match," remarked JupiterResearch analyst Michael Gartenberg. "I believe Apple once again met and exceeded increasingly high expectations. It now has a very deep and complete product line for going into the holiday season, at amazing price points and feature sets that will drive different customers into different purchase funnels."

The iPod touch will ship in "a few weeks" at a retail price of $299 USD for the 8GB version and $399 USD for the 16GB model.

"Apple is NOT preaching to the choir here," added Gartenberg, "they're looking to get a whole new customer into the house of worship and that's exactly what's likely to happen this holiday season."

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By bobthegoat2001

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 5:00 PM

The iTouch wasn't the first to have a touch screen. The Cowon D2 was. It's also Flash Lite compatible so you can add prgrams, watch flash and play games on it. Plus it's expandible with standard SD[HC] cards. So it'll also be able to use the 32gb cards when they come out. It's only $184.99 on Newegg.com for the 4gb model. I'd buy this over anything Apple puts out.

Score: 0

By darkzero63a

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:16 PM

YAWN.

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 12:37 PM

This is the first bad round of ipods, and it was inevitable because once the phone was out, everything else was going to be compared. Only the phone is subsidized by a contract, so every ipod from now on is going to seem strangely unattractive.

Score: 0

By timatl

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 8:55 AM

i think the ipod touch 16GB would not be bad if supported external SD because you can add up to 4 to 8 gigs and soon to be 16 gigs. That would bring your total to a mim 24 Gigs. i do prefer flash memory over a spinning harddrive. less moving parts = less problems

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:42 AM

Why not just call it the iRipyouoff.

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:49 AM

Exactly. Why the HECK would I spend $400 on a 16GB player when I can get a freaking 160GB for LESS?!

WHO NEEDS TO HAVE WIFI CAPABILITIES LIKE THIS?!

As far as I am concerned, until the "Touch" can hold anything close to what I need it to hold (at least 40gigs) at a sub-$300 price, they can take it and shove it.

16GB
"Wifi" capability (with nearly NO US cities having city-wide WIFI as of thus far, aka useless)
And what's worse: The Safari browser? *gag*
Wooptie doo it has a touch screen. It's still small. It's still useless to watch any type of video on it.

I'm salty about this one, if you couldn't tell. I'll pass. NEXT!

Score: 0

By pitdingo

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 7:24 AM

What is wrong with the Safari browser? It is better than Internet Exploder by a mile. The only thing that i don't like is that i have to loose my plug-ins that i have become so accustomed to in Firefox.

You don't need city wide WI-FI to use it. I have wireless in my house as do a lot of people. There are many WI-FI hot spots out there. I think it is a cool feature. Especially having access to a Web Browser.

That opens up a ton of possiblities.

Score: 0

By kashin

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 10:07 PM

"We think its one of the seven wonders of the world," he told attendees."

Rich idiots sure do tend to say a lot of stupid things.

"It now has a very deep and complete product line for going into the holiday season, at amazing price points"

Yes, selling something at a price nearly twice what it costs to manufacture it. That really is amazing. No wait, the amazing part is that so many idiots are willing to pay such a high price.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 5:02 AM

"Yes, selling something at a price nearly twice what it costs to manufacture it. That really is amazing. No wait, the amazing part is that so many idiots are willing to pay such a high price."

This time that is true.
There was little to no R&D in this as it's just an iPhone without the phone.
It really is double the manufacture cost.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 12:30 PM

What have you been smoking? There is little or next to no R&D since G4. All the release after G4 just added 1 feature and market it as new product. And yet, idiots are rush to buy and replaced their *out dated* iPod.

Score: 0

By rsx508

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 9:56 PM

Well, this gives MS something to continue working to catch-up to. Maybe someday they'll come close enough to improve sales.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:24 AM

Yeah, what smith288 said. But also the Zune was the first to have Wifi. So that's at least something that the iPod stole from Microsoft.

Score: 0

By pitdingo

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 7:26 AM

lol. Does Zune access the internet? Or is it just some crippled "squirting" thing?

Saying Apple stole WI-FI from M$ is like saying M$ stole the turd brown color for the Zune from Apple. It did not happen.

Score: 0

By smith288

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 12:40 AM

Uh, what would you call the PocketPC/Windows CE?

This is a reinvention of the wheel. The PocketPC stuff ultimately is dying out because of the phones in the market make their existence moot. Just like the iPhone has already done even before this goofy thing hits the market.

People with too much money will buy this thing because like lemmings, they run off the cliff wherever Jobs tells them too.

Score: 0

By Tappa

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 12:57 AM

Uh, what would you call the PocketPC/Windows CE?

Answer: Crap!

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

edited Sep 6, 2007 - 1:26 AM

That's a matter of oppinion. Just because it doesn't have the word Apple on it doesn't mean you have to 'worship' it.

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:52 AM

Actually I'm a MS fanboy most times, and even I think CE and the like are crap haha.

If you don't believe me, read the comment I just put in twenty seconds before this one... (You know, the one where I pretty much say that Apple just released the most pointless POS I've ever seen.)

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 4:50 PM

I don't know about CE, but I was mostly talking about PocketPC's/Windows Mobile.

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 7:56 PM

who needs 80 gb or even 160 gb for a classic ipod? i'd go with this new ipod touch .. but i wont think about anything until microsoft comes out with its zune2

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:29 AM

I'd wait for Cowon's players. There getting ready to release some new players, like the iAudio X7. I'm sure it'll be better than both the iTouch (did I just say that) and Zune2.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:00 AM

"who needs 80 gb or even 160 gb for a classic ipod?"

*raises hand*

I'll gladly take the 160 GB. That would finally hold my library.

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:53 AM

Exactly. And for those who do have a lot of synced dvd's that are compressed with Xvid/DivX can play them on their new ipod! ... OH NO WAIT the iPod doesn't have that capability. I'll stay with my Creative Zen Vision:M, thankyouverymuch.

Score: 0

By GS5

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 12:28 AM

"who needs 80 gb or even 160 gb for a classic ipod?"

Anyone that has 80 to 160gigs of mp3's and don't want to spend $400 on a 16gb player.

Score: 0

By cranbers

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 8:56 PM

OH lord, did you really say zune? That thing would not even be in any sort of news but thanks to the pos most well known company behind it you have heard of it. That thing can't even hold a candle to creative's players or sansa's for that matter. NOw that ipod has wifi its feature set is complete and zune doesn't have a prayer, just like all other services microsoft offers, search is a prime example they can't do anything, no matter how much money they pour into it.

Score: 0

By darkzero63a

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:18 PM

One thing Apple doesn't have that Zune does- Subscription model.

Until then, I refuse to buy an Ipood.

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:56 AM

Yeah agreed. It can surf on the INT0RN3TZZZZZ. WooWOO!! I'd be impressed if they actually included features that I would actually use. Instant messaging, to start with, being able to listen to the radio if you REALLY needed, integrate some kind of microphone just in case you need to leave a meeting for a restroom break, and finally being able to actually natively sync back files after you hose your HD.

I'd also be nice if they'd sell mp3's at a reasonable price.

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 10:15 PM

wow stop talking before you hurt yourself.

Score: 0

By Tyrok

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 7:31 PM

Hah whoever bought the iPhone for only it's non phone features will be really pissed off now.

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 7:56 PM

I KNOW!!!

Score: 0

By mrsamezcua

edited Sep 5, 2007 - 6:56 PM

I am stickin' with the classic ;) I can wait a few years until I get the touch! I was disappointed in price and performance with the "I touch". I’m in need of a new ipod and the new classic does it for me ;) The classic is a much better value...I have more peace in my head when I think of having tons of video with the classic...rather than having a bit of video on a touch screen.

Score: 0

By NULLedge

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 11:29 PM

i dont like the tiny screen. my old eyes need the larger real estate. im almost 30 you know ;)

i cant conjure up an image of 160 gigs of "40,000" songs, but i can sort of get a picture of what that many movies might come out to. i still dont have any number of movies i'd want to put on an ipod, especially not 160 gig worth

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 6:51 PM

Aw, you mean it's not 160gb of flash?

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 5:58 PM

"drive different customers into different purchase funnels." That sounds just down home and friendly don't it.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 6:12 PM

Yeah, almost like their customers are being herded.

Well, they always have been very reminiscent of sheep. I guess that means they're looking to attract a new breed of barnyard animals? :)

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 9:14 PM

yeah, hybrid dogs come to mind.

Score: 0

By elftyrrell

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:54 PM

The Touch with a hard drive seems like it would be unbeatable. Wonder if this is a marketing calculation or if there is a technical reason - i.e. works only with flash memory.

Larger screen nice, but too expensive for only 16GB.

So close.

Score: 0

By pitdingo

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:42 PM

Apple leads the way...again. How long until all the clone makers steal Apple's design...yet again?

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:34 AM

What about wifi? They stole that from Micrsoft. Plus what the other posters said.

Score: 0

By pitdingo

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 7:28 AM

LOL. see my post above to LOL at your statement.

Score: 0

By Joco

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 9:26 PM

Leas the way? Are you joking? Let me predict the future line of the iPod Nano:

- 4th generation: has Radio FM
- 5th generation: has Voice Recorder
- 6th generation: has bigger screen and can finally play DivX, Xvid video.
- 7th generation: has RAM extension slot

You can have ALL of these right now with non-iPod players. In addition, they are compatible with more audio and video formats. Some are even compatible UMS (used as a flash drive, no software needed). And they are LESS expensive. Apple is not really that innovative. They thrive mainly by a herd of naive customers.

Score: 0

By pitdingo

edited Sep 6, 2007 - 7:37 AM

I love the M$ drone apple put down statment. Always something along the line: "They thrive mainly by a herd of naive customers."

Yep. Apple customers are all dumb and everyone that does not buy an apple product is a genius.

Apple makes innovative products. Apple is an industry leader. They innovate. They compete. They do not have a desktop monopoly to fall back on.

You pay a premium because they make an awesome product that no one can match. If other companies made a truely equal or better product than Apple, Apple would not be selling stuff like hotcakes.

People just don't get it.

According to your logic no one should buy a BMW over a Honda. They both have engines. They both have tires. They both have a steering wheel. Stupid BMW owners pay extra for those things, right?

Score: 0

By Joco

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:43 PM

I didn't mention M$, may be you were thinking I was implying the Zune crap. By non-iPod, I though of Creative, iRiver, Cowon and Samsung. Some other brands are still worthwhile. There are plenty of reviews available if you accept to look outside of the iPod world.

If you accept to pay a premium for what you think a quality, that's your own business. One can live happily without BMW or Hummer.

Apple's products are generally overly expensive. It is not creative to sell expensive products with less features (compare a Nano vs Creative ZEN or Samsung P2 and you'll be convinced). They succeed in this absurdity thanks to good marketing. I'll be convinced by Apple innovation only when their products are at the same price than major competitors.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 8:52 AM

Think you better re read his post, he doesnt even bring M$ into it.

And I agree, apple is very innovative. Thats the difference between stealing a idea or taking a idea and making something of it. I for one like this 16gb touch player. Its also the first time I have ever been interested in an ipod. I dont need 160gb to store all my music on it, to me thats just stupid i prefer all my music managed on the computer so it can easily be access around the house.
I also believe apple dont sell like hotcakes because they make the best products, not by a long shot do I believe that.
I reckon they sell like hotcakes because when it comes to marketing, theres noone better. And I accept that.

Score: 0

By NULLedge

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 11:32 PM

radio isn't pushing the itunes music model. voice recorder might be useful. wont ever have a ram expansion slot. thats a pipe dream.

Score: 0

By kashin

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 10:11 PM

Bingo!

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 4:38 PM

Steal apples design? The only thing apple did was take this from existing technologies to use in a music player.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:06 PM

Will this use the same connection type as the nano? If so I might get this.

Score: 0

By mrow

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:03 AM

All ipods since the begining (minus the shuffle) use the same 30 pin dock connector. so as long as what you want to plug in only plugs into the dock port and not something else at the same time like an FM transmitter for the nano that needs the headphone jack too, it will work.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 12:52 PM

thank you.

Score: 0

By Noremacam

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:01 PM

Is it just me, or is the ipod touch slowly turning into a pda? It has the webbrowser, it just needs a few personal information management utilities and a calendar, and I'm all set.... or does it have these things?

Sigh, oh yes, and the ability to program for it too(with apple's blessing).

Score: 0

By pitdingo

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:39 PM

If it has a web browser, it has all those things and much more.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:29 PM

Hey Cam. :)

Score: 0

By GS5

edited Sep 5, 2007 - 3:03 PM

I would have actually bought an ipod touch if there was a 160gb version for the same price as the 160gb ipod classic. Apple just doesn't me to buy any of their products. They always find a way halfass their products.

Score: 0

By WeezulDK

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:04 PM

for the love of all that's holy their engineers are idiots.

8 or 16 GIG!?! For cripes sake they could have put in 30 gig hard disks at least!

They're off their nut if they think that the iPod Touch will sell to any serious iPodders.

Score: 0

By GS5

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:20 PM

Agreed, most people nowadays have at least 30 gigs of mp3's. Personally, I have just under 120gigs and pretty much everyone I know has at least 60+ gigs. Again a bad business decision from the geniuses at Apple

Score: 0

By -Wanted-

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 6:43 PM

Bad business? LOL!

There's a reason why you are not on the flip side of the argument.

Apple's latest decision to "tease" the market with the current incarnation of the iTouch player is nothing short of a BRILLIANT business move and exhibits suave marketing skills.

The current iTouch players (8GB and 16GB models) will sell, and reap lots of dough. Then, as expected, sometime next year Apple will unveil a updated version of the player, one outfitted with a larger hard drive, an improved UI, and for a cheaper price.

This isn't friendness, this is BUSINESS!

With love,

A-far-from-loyal-iPOD-owner

Score: 0

By mrow

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:07 AM

it's not an iTouch. it's an iPod touch. you don't call a Ford Mustang a FMustang.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 1:37 AM

But then again Ford doesn't put any letter (like i) at the beginning of any of there car models. But I get your point.

Score: 0

By GS5

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 7:46 PM

"The current iTouch players (8GB and 16GB models) will sell, and reap lots of dough."

It could only reap lots of dough if there was nothing else to choose from. There is a $349 160gb and a $249gb 80gb ipod to choose from. A 160gb ipod, that's 10x the storage for $50 less. If I had to choose it would be a no brainer. You don't tease the market with a $400 16gb mp3 player. Most people will wait till they up the storage and lower the price.

In fact I'm willing to bet my left nut that the iPod Classic will outsell the iPod Touch.

With love,

A-far-from-loyal-non-iPOD-owner

Score: 0

By WeezulDK

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 2:51 PM

Ok, so for 249 you get a "6th generation Ipod" with 80gb space, or 299 for 8gb IPhone-less Ipod Touch?

Duhhhhhh Gee Georrrge....

And yeah that "seven wonders" comment made me laugh... Talk about an ego trip.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:28 PM

I hear ya... Apple's products have never really been about "what they have" but instead "how you use it".

They are neat, but not the end-all be-all.

Score: 0

By Joco

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 2:39 PM

"We think its one of the seven wonders of the world" LOL!. Overpriced! Creative ZEN and Samsung P2 are much less expensive for more features.

The only "feature" of the iPod Touch is the touchscreen. This will probably lead Apple to a massive class action. Most iPod customer won't realize that, in order to operate the touchscreen, they actually have to touch the screen. As a result will stain the screen with their finger prints and therefore reducing the sharpness of the screen.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 6:10 PM

Okay, actually that statement is a little ridiculous, as the iPhone and iPod Touch screens are glass. iPhone users have not had this problem, so I think iPod Touch users will not, either.

As for your first statement though, I agree. Again, it's not about "what it has", it's about "how you use it" with Apple products... always has been.

Score: 0

By ptksr

edited Sep 5, 2007 - 2:32 PM

so, is it really the phoneless iPhone? Cause that, I like. And want.

edit: guess so. sweet.
edit 2x: that new nano looks ugly as sin.

Score: 0

By Slimberg

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 2:03 PM

interesting... i dont really need the phone capability anyways. So they are essentially saying that since the largest Touch is $400, that the ability to use it as a phone is worth an additional $200 by itself?!

BS!

Score: 0

By Merlyn_3D

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 2:48 PM

The iPhone 8GB is now $400 too....so you decide which is more worth it, another 8GB in memory or the phone capabilities.

Score: 0

By KSzostek

posted Sep 5, 2007 - 3:48 PM

If you already have AT&T
Also I go thru to many phones to put all my eggs in one basket (lose a phone lose it all, drop a phone lose it all etc.

Score: 0

By Famguy929

edited Sep 6, 2007 - 4:53 AM

Yes i love microsoft, but even i was impressed by the iphone commercials.

Yet Microsoft Surface will defeat Apple and the ipods because it is a full computer based on this type of tech.
Not a phone, Nor a mp3 player.
:)

Oh and i have proof,simply go to this page: microsoft.com/surface and watch at least one video.

The last thing, I am going to say is it has Zune integration.

Score: 0

By Tdogshakka

edited Sep 13, 2007 - 11:08 PM

I don't agree..
The Microsoft Surface is a completely different thing.
It's not a portable mp3 player.
Its a big a** table.

Just watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZrr7AZ9nCY

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 6:39 AM

...?!!??!!!!!!

You do realize we're talking about something that can fit in your pocket, right? Cause last time I checked my cargo pockets weren't quite large enough to fit a table into.

Just checking.

Score: 0

By Famguy929

posted Sep 6, 2007 - 2:28 PM

Well, u have a point there.
Who knows maybe microsoft will have a "touch zune" or a shrink ray might be out by 2010.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Score: 0

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