Apple iPod Touch 2nd Generation 8gig capacity (Apple iPod touch (2G) 8 GB)

Member Name: EricAble

Product:	Apple iPod touch (2G) 8 GB
Date:	01/04/09 (177 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Thousands of applications, wonderfully easy to use, sharp screen.

Disadvantages: Battery life limited with wi-fi and game use. No microphone. Easily scratched case.

The choice between iPhone and iPod Touch 2g was easy. I have a phone, I have a camera and really only wanted the mp3 player and wi-fi web access; so the decision was easy - iPod Touch 2g.

Nicely packaged in a minimalist way but with a limited manual. Further, in depth, information is available online but the enclosed 'leaflet' I wouldn't call it a manual, is sufficient to get you up and running.

After opening the transparent, plastic box you are presented with the Touch, earphones, docking device and USB cord to attach to your computer. This USB cord also charges your new acquisition as well as transferring information, one to the other, via iTunes.

The Touch is a thing of considerable beauty I must confess. The tactile quality of this high end mp3 player is a joy. The smooth, cool, highly polished chrome backing and surround to the crisp screen display are wonderful. However, from the first touch (intended pun) finger marks adhere to the shiny surface, despoiling the virginal polish with a vengeance! A case is, in my opinion, essential. Put the case on and, of course, hide the beauty of the Apple case - you just can't win.

A word of caution on cases - the silicon type are prone to getting small particles of dust between the surface of the Touch and the case. This will cause scratching! A hard case is better; one that clips together, rather than one where the Touch slides in - again to obviate the chances of that pesky speck of grit that scratches so meanly as you slide the Touch into the case.

Back to the Touch; the built in applications are all fine. The calculator is a pretty basic but there are plenty of others, including free ones, to download via the wif-fi connection or through your computer and iTunes. The screen display is beautiful, crisp, clear and finger movement controls operations fluidly and is a joy to use. Wi-fi connection is good but there is no Bluetooth available (I understand that the mechanics of Bluetooth are actually installed on the Touch 2g but not activated).

Battery life when using applications or surfing is limited to about 3-5 hours. If listening to music with wi-fi and screen inoperative many more hours.

The base of the Touch does get warm when playing games or surfing but not uncomfortably so and is basically an indication of how much work the processor is performing. It also gets warm when charging, which is normal.

Music reproduction through the standard Apple earphones (earbuds) is fine. If you are an audiophile you may want to invest in superior phones but for us everyday Joes, the originals are fine. The 8gig version (tested) holds about 1,700 songs - adequate for most flights and journeys. I also managed to add a movie without problem and the Touch presented it beautifully, within the limitations of its screen size. Podcasts, both audio and video, are also available and work equally well.

It is a bind having to go through iTunes to perform synchronisation and updates to your Touch and I think Apple are wrong to maintain this limitation. However, from a financial point of view it is understandable.

All in all a good bit of kit - albeit an expensive bit! Are there better mp3 players on the market? Possibly. Do they have the kudos, the charisma that the iPod Touch possesses? No. Probably the reason Apple have sold 30 million (and counting) iPhone/iPod Touch units since their inception.

The iPod Touch 2g is a joy to use and the touch screen works superbly well and with the, literally, thousands of applications available to download you will always have your iPod Touch by your side.

Summary: Beautiful and a joy to use.

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