Apple iPod touch 32GB Black (4th Generation)

by Apple

Product Features

• 3.5-inch TFT LCD display
• 32 GB capacity for about 8,000 songs, 40,000 photos, or 40 hours of video; Up to 40 hours of audio playback or 7 hours of video playback on a single charge
• 960-by-640-pixel resolution (326 pixels per inch). Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Support for AAC, Protected AAC (iTunes Store), MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV audio formats; H.264, MPEG-4, and Motion JPEG video codecs in M4V, MP4, MOV, and AVI formats
• One-year limited warranty, Text engraving feature is not available for MC544LL/A

› See more product details

Product Description

Capacity: 32GB | Color: Black

Amazon.com

The world's most popular portable gaming device is even more fun. Now available in black and white, iPod touch includes iOS 5 with over 200 new features, like iMessage, Notification Center, and Twitter integration. Send free, unlimited text messages over Wi-Fi with iMessage. Record HD video and make FaceTime calls. Visit the App Store to choose from over 500,000 apps. iPod touch also features iCloud, which stores your music, photos, apps, and moreÑand wirelessly pushes them to all your devices.

On the front of iPod touch is a built-in camera perfect for making FaceTime video calls.

FaceTime. Oh, I see what you're saying.

Video calling on iPod touch means your friends can see what you're up to, when you're up to it. With a tap, you can call someone on an iPhone, iPad 2, iPod touch, or Mac over Wi-Fi. And come face-to-face with even more fun.

Tap for a more instant, instant message.

Take "LOL" to the next level and actually see friends laughing. Or bring "XOXO" to life when you blow someone a kiss from miles away. FaceTime on iPod touch makes it possible. FaceTime works right out of the box--just enter your Apple ID and email address. Or create a new email account just for FaceTime. Using FaceTime is as easy as it gets. Say you want to start a video call with your best friend over Wi-Fi. Just tap the FaceTime app and find her entry to start the call. An invitation pops up on her screen asking if she wants to join you. When she accepts, FaceTime begins. It's all perfectly seamless. And it works in both portrait and landscape. See how much fun you can have.

Two cameras make either side its fun side.

iPod touch has two built-in cameras, one on the front above the display and one on the back. The front camera has been tuned for FaceTime. It has just the right field of view and focal length to focus on your face at arm's length. So it always presents you in the best possible light. Which is especially handy when you're talking to someone who's more than just a friend.

The back camera. See and share.

So your friend is sick with a cold and can't make it to the concert. You can share the encore with a FaceTime call. As the band takes the stage and starts playing one of her all-time favorite songs, just tap a button. And before the lead singer can belt out his first note, iPod touch switches to the back camera and to the sure-to-be-legendary performance. Another tap switches to the front camera and to you. Simple, fast, and fun.

Camera with HD Video Recording. Ready, and action.

The next great Internet meme could be yours. iPod touch and its HD video camera go with you everywhere, so you can capture every "What the?" moment that comes your way.

Trim a little off the ends. Or the middle.

No need to wait until you're back at your computer to edit video. With basic editing built into iPod touch, you can get right down to business. Just drag to select start and end points on a filmstrip. Keep only the parts of the video you want, and turn it into something you and your friends will watch again and again.

iPod touch features a second camera on the back, which lets you shoot amazing 720p HD video.

Special guest star: iMovie.

You're on an epic road trip, and you want to create a video postcard of everything you've seen and done. Just use the iMovie app--pick it up on the App Store for just $4.99. Built for Multi-Touch, iMovie lets you combine and edit video clips, give them that extra something with dynamic themes, add music and photos, and share your finished movies with the world.

This is so going on YouTube.

Maybe you're in the middle of texting a friend or browsing the web when you look up and suddenly see something that words just can't describe. Launch the camera and record on the fly. Then upload your HD movie directly to YouTube. Or select some video from the Camera Roll and attach it to a new email message, ready to send. Posting to your Facebook page or blog is also just a tap away.

Two cameras. Countless photo ops.

A really cool piece of graffiti art. A cupcake too cute to eat. Your cat camouflaged by stuffed animals. If you want to take a quick photo to post on Twitter, either camera on iPod touch can also capture stills. Use grid lines, pinch-to-zoom gestures, and single-tap exposure lock to compose the perfect shot. Then tap to tweet at will.

Retina Display. Seeing is still not believing.

Thanks to the Retina display, everything you see and do on iPod touch looks amazing. That's because the Retina display's pixel density is so high your eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels. Which means images in games, movies, and photos pop off the screen. Text in books, web pages, and email is crisp at any size. And everything is sharper. No wonder it's called "cutting edge."

When iPod came on the scene years ago, it was all about music--and it still is. Enjoy your favorite tunes, whether it's on headphones or wirelessly over AirPlay.

More wow per inch.

Behind the screen of iPod touch, there's some serious technology going on. By developing pixels a mere 78 micrometers wide, Apple engineers were able to pack four times the number of pixels into the same size screen found on earlier iPod touch models. This many pixels packed this close together--326 per inch--make graphics and text look smooth and continuous at any size. Prepare to be glued to the screen.

LED backlighting.

The Retina display includes LED backlighting and an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen for the best viewing and battery life possible. So you can focus on more important things. Like destroying aliens.

AirPlay. Broadcast live to your HDTV and speakers.

With AirPlay, you can wirelessly stream what's on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your HDTV and speakers via Apple TV. That's gonna go over big.

Give your photos and video the big-screen treatment.

You have great photos on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and some friends on your couch. Or you're in the middle of an epic action scene that could use a little more screen. Tap the AirPlay icon on your iOS 5 device from a specific app--Photos, Videos, or Safari, for example--and everything streams to your HDTV via your Apple TV.* Make sure both your device and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and the AirPlay icon appears automatically.

DJ wirelessly.

AirPlay isn't just for photos, movies, and apps. It's for your music, too. A song, an album, a favorite playlist--if it's on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can stream it to your home entertainment speakers via Apple TV. Because rocking out is always more fun in surround sound.

Your speakers and AirPlay. Perfectly in tune.

Conduct a symphony, chill with an indie band, or put on a rock concert--anywhere in the house. Connect any speaker you own to an AirPort Express. Or stream directly to AirPlay-enabled speakers from manufacturers like Denon, Marantz, B&W, JBL, and iHome. Your iOS device automatically detects your speakers: Just tap the ones you want to use. Since it all happens wirelessly, you have the freedom to cue the tunes from wherever you happen to be sitting, standing, or dancing.

Music. The DNA of iPod touch.

Your workouts, your cram sessions, your commute, your late-night dance party of one, your ever-present need to drown out the noise around you. It's your music that keeps you going. And you know what respects that? iPod touch.

Turn iPod touch on its side and glide through your music by album art with the flick of your finger.

A work of album art.

What a song does for your ears, Cover Flow on iPod touch does for your eyes and fingers. Turn iPod touch on its side and glide through your music by album art with the flick of your finger. Tap an album cover to flip it over and display a track list. Tap again to start the music.

From one great song comes an even greater playlist.

Songs in your library get a newfound rhythm thanks to Genius. When you're listening to a track you love and want to hear others that go great with it, let Genius take over. It finds complementary songs you own and makes a Genius playlist for you. Listen to the playlist right away, save it for later, or even refresh it and give it another go. Count on Genius to create a playlist you wouldn't have thought of yourself.

A genius of a mix.

Genius acts as your personal DJ. All you do is sync iPod touch to iTunes, and Genius automatically searches your library to find songs that sound great together. Then it creates multiple mixes you'll love because it's entirely your music. Genius Mixes are like stations tuned precisely to your taste. They're a great way to rediscover songs you haven't heard in forever--and some you forgot you had.

Shake it like you mean it.

The next time you're listening to your tunes, turn on Shake to Shuffle, then give iPod touch a shake to shuffle to a different song in your music library. It's just another way iPod touch keeps your music feeling fresh.

It's hard to be bored when you have instant access to over 500,000 apps, including the latest in gaming titles.

If it's entertaining, it's on iTunes.

Add songs and music videos to your iPod touch from iTunes on your computer. Or buy and download new music on your iPod touch over Wi-Fi with the iTunes app. When you do, iCloud automatically downloads it to all your devices over Wi-Fi or 3G. So everything new appears everywhere--on your iPad, iPhone, Mac, or PC. You can also browse your purchase history and choose specific songs or albums to download again at no additional cost. Sign up for iTunes Match and you can access all your other music from iCloud--including music you've imported from CDs or purchased somewhere other than iTunes. For just $24.99 a year.

Games + Apps. What iPod touch was made for.

It's hard to be bored when you have instant access to over 500,000 apps. Available in almost every category, they're just a tap away at the App Store. And when it comes to games and entertainment titles--over 100,000 and counting--no other platform comes close to iPod touch. Which probably explains why it's the world's most popular portable gaming device.

iOS. The world's most advanced mobile operating system.

Running the show on every iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad is iOS. It lets you browse, read, and see everything just by touching the screen. It also includes all the fun, powerful, and innovative built-in apps you use every day, many times a day. And the latest version, iOS 5, is packed with over 200 exciting new features that will make you say, "Best. iPod. Ever." Here are a few of our favorite new features in iOS 5:

iOS 5 is packed with over 200 exciting new features--such as iMessage, pictured above--that will make you say, "Best. iPod. Ever."

• iMessage
  Now you can be all "I was allÉ" and "She was allÉ" all you want. Send unlimited text messages to any iOS 5 device free over Wi-Fi with iMessage.


• Notification Center
  You're about to beat the final boss. Now's not the time for an alert to get in the way. And it won't, thanks to Notification Center.


• Game Center
  Get ready to rumble. Game Center lets you play against friends and people you don't know. And it recommends new games and new opponents.


• Twitter Integration
  Twitter users rejoice. iOS 5 adds Twitter capabilities to Safari, Photos, Camera, YouTube, and Maps, so you can tweet directly from them.


• Reminders
  Forget much? Reminders can fix that for you. Create lists of things to do or remember, set a deadline, and Reminders sends you an alert.


• Safari
  Web articles minus the ads. What bliss. Tap the Reader button in Safari and ads disappear. Add article links to Reading List and read them later.


• Photos
  Photo Stream in iCloud stores all your latest photos and pushes them wirelessly to your other devices. So every pic is everywhere.


• PC Free
  You can activate and set up your iPod touch wirelessly, right out of the box. Without the need for a Mac or PC.


• Newsstand
  A magazine rack that's just for you. That's the idea behind Newsstand. Find all your publications here and even subscribe to new ones.

iCloud. Your content. On all your devices.

Thanks to iCloud, your iPod touch has an even tighter bond with your Mac or PC (and your iPhone or iPad). iCloud stores your music, apps, games, latest photos, and more and makes them accessible on your other devices. And it keeps your email, contacts, and calendars up to date across them, too. It's all automatic. There's no syncing required, no management required, no anything required. iCloud does the work for you.

iTunes in the Cloud. Your music and TV shows. Wherever you want them.

You never know when you'll suddenly be in the mood to listen to a favorite song or rewatch that hilarious sitcom episode. With iCloud, you can have iTunes automatically download new music purchases to all your devices the moment you tap Buy. You can also access past music and TV show purchases from any of your devices--wirelessly and without syncing.

Photo Stream. Snap. And it's everywhere.

With Photo Stream, you can take a photo on one iOS device and it automatically appears on all your other devices, including your Mac or PC. Import new pictures to your computer from a digital camera, and iCloud sends copies over Wi-Fi to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. You can even view recent photos on your big-screen TV via Apple TV. There's no syncing, no email attachments, no file transfers. Your pictures are just there--on whichever device you happen to have handy.

Buy a new book from the iBookstore, and iCloud makes sure it appears everywhere--your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Documents in the Cloud. Start here. Finish there.

You can create amazing documents and presentations on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. And now with iCloud, you can keep your work up to date across all your iOS devices. You don't have to save your work or transfer any files. Your documents--with all your latest edits--automatically appear everywhere. iCloud is already built into Apple iOS apps like Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. It can also work with other iCloud-enabled apps. So you can do things like create a spreadsheet on your iPad and make edits to it on your iPhone. Or start sketching on your iPod touch and add the finishing touches on your iPad at home.

Apps. All your apps. Always at hand.

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you have apps. And you probably download new ones all the time. iCloud lets you automatically download new app purchases to all your devices at once. So the app you need is always right where you need it. If an app you bought previously isn't on one of your devices, not to worry. You can download it again from your purchase history--at no additional charge.

iBooks. All your devices are on the same page.

Buy a new book from the iBookstore, and iCloud makes sure it appears everywhere--your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. So if you have to put it down, you can pick it back up on another device, in exactly the same place. In addition to the best seller you're glued to at the moment, the iBooks app keeps a list of titles you've read before. And just like with apps, you can download them again to any of your devices.

Calendar, Mail, and Contacts. Up-to-date everything.

iCloud stores all the stuff you can't live without--your contacts, calendars, and email--and keeps it up to date across all your devices. Say you delete an email, add a calendar event, or change some settings. iCloud makes all your changes everywhere. Same with your notes, reminders, and Safari bookmarks.

Backup. iCloud saves the day.

iCloud backs up your iOS device daily over Wi-Fi when it's connected to a power source. From your Camera Roll and messages to your device settings and ringtones, everything is backed up quickly and efficiently. And since iCloud is built into iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, you can restore your personal data on a new iOS device or one you already have without using a single cable. iCloud does it all for you over Wi-Fi.

Find My Friends. Friend-spotting.

For finding your way to the party, keeping track of family at a crowded amusement park, or getting picked up at the airport, Find My Friends is your app. You can give friends and family permission to see your whereabouts. And vice versa. When you don't want to be found, a single switch takes you off the grid. Simple as that.

Find My iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. Lost. And found.

If checking all the usual spots hasn't turned up your missing iOS device, Find My iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac can help.4 Just sign in at icloud.com or use the Find My iPhone app on another device to locate yours on a map, display a message on its screen, remotely set a passcode lock, or initiate a remote wipe to delete your data.

AirPrint. Wireless printing, right from your iPod touch.

Late for a concert? Quickly print your tickets from your iPod touch. Stumble upon a list of cheat codes for the RPG you've been struggling with? Print it and share it with your friends. A few taps is all it takes to go from onscreen to on paper.

Hard copies made easy.

AirPrint on iPod touch makes it simple to print your email, photos, web pages, and documents. There's no software to download, no drivers to install, and no cables to connect. With just a few taps on your iPod touch, you can go from viewing something onscreen to holding a printed copy. And because all the printing takes place in the background, there's no waiting around. Instead, you can start printing and then go back to flicking through photos, browsing the web, or doing whatever you were doing before.

True wireless printing.

"No cables required" means exactly that. AirPrint printing is 100 percent wireless. iPod touch automatically locates and connects to AirPrint-enabled printers on your wireless network. Whether you're on the other side of the house or on another floor from your printer--or you're walking from one room to the next--you can still print what you need, when you need it. In fact, it's all so easy and fast that by the time you finish reading this sentence, you could have printed it from your iPod touch.

What you see is what you print.

If you can open it on your iPod touch, chances are you can print it with AirPrint. AirPrint works with Safari, Mail, Photos, PDFs in iBooks, and third-party apps with built-in printing. Print that hilarious photo of your friend dressed up as an '80s rock star. Running late for a movie? AirPrint lets you quickly print your tickets as you're heading out the door, so you won't have to miss the previews.

Game Center on iPod touch lets you add more players to your gaming network.

Works with AirPrint-enabled printers.

Many AirPrint-enabled printers are available. Just visit the Apple Online Store and find one that's right for you.

Built-in apps. Fun from the get-go.

iPod touch gives you serious game. But there are so many other things you can do with it that are just as entertaining. Make a FaceTime call to your best friend. Shoot HD video of your favorite band. Take and post plenty of planking photos. Check out your go-to celebrity gossip blogs. All this and you can check email, watch a movie, listen to music, and more. Impressed? That's just how iPod touch rolls.

Messages with iMessage

Your two-thumb typing skills are about to be put to some serious use. Say h-e-l-l-o to iMessage, the new text messaging service for all iOS 5 users. It's free over Wi-Fi, so you can say as much as you want, and then say more. iMessage also lets you send a picture, share a video, or text a location. This is definitely going to have people talking.

FaceTime

FaceTime on iPod touch lets you hang out, catch up, and goof off with friends when you can't be there in person. With just a tap, your iPod touch can make a FaceTime call to someone else's iPod touch, iPad 2, iPhone, or Mac over Wi-Fi.1 Witness a prank in action. Or watch your friend on the other side of the country crack up at your stories from last night. All you need to get started is an Apple ID and an email account. You can choose an email account you already have or, if you prefer, set up a new one. You'll never see fun the same way again.

Game Center

Game Center on iPod touch lets you add more players to your gaming network. Invite friends to join. Then totally dominate them. See how your score ranks against your friends and other players of each game. Compare achievements. Put together a select group of friends to play with or have Game Center suggest some new friends based on the games you play. You can even choose to go up against people you don't know in a multiplayer game. So get in the game. And get your friends in it, too.

Camera with HD Video Recording

"You should have seen it!" is a thing of the past. Because with iPod touch, you'll always have a great HD video camera with you. So when your dog does that thing where he sounds like he's talking, you're ready to capture it in all its glory. In high-definition 720p video. You can record video in low-light settings, thanks to the advanced backside illumination sensor. You can even edit and create your own mini blockbuster right on iPod touch using the iMovie app--with Apple-designed themes, titles, and transitions. It's available on the App Store for $4.99.

App Store

Tap App Store and you'll find over 500,000 apps--including over 100,000 game and entertainment titles. With more added every day. Thanks to iCloud, new apps you buy on your iPod touch automatically download to your iPad or iPhone. There are apps for anything and everything--from giving videos you shoot a vintage feel to letting you take on the role of a cunning secret agent. You can download them fast. Many of them are free. And all of them make your iPod touch that much more can't-live-without-able.

Music + iTunes

With iPod touch, you don't just play your music. You hear it, and see it, in entirely different ways. Let Genius create a mix or a playlist for you automatically with music you already own and love. Flick through albums in Cover Flow. Or give iPod touch a shake to shuffle your songs. Craving some new music? iTunes is only a tap away. Browse millions of songs you can buy and download right on the spot. And thanks to iCloud, your purchases automatically download over Wi-Fi to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC, too.

Videos

Your favorite movies and TV shows are now playing on a subway train or plane near you. Because you can buy or rent movies and purchase your favorite TV shows right on iPod touch. Shop the iTunes Store and choose from thousands of must-see titles.

Mail

Whether you have one email address or five, iPod touch lets you manage it all. View and open attachments. Format text. Drag to rearrange names in address fields. Add or delete mailbox folders. Search the body of messages. And with iCloud, you get a free email account that stays up to date on your iOS 5 devices and Mac or PC.

Tap App Store and you'll find over 500,000 apps--including over 100,000 game and entertainment titles.

Safari

Safari on iPod touch now includes Reader, a handy feature that removes annoying ads so you can read articles without distractions. Want to read a story but don't have time? Add it to Reading List and read it later. iCloud keeps your Reading List updated across all your devices, in case you want to check out the story on your Mac or iPad instead.

Photos

So many hilarious, unforgettable, I-can't-believe-you-just-did-that moments are in the photo library on your iPod touch. And new features in iOS 5 give you more control over the photos you take. Crop, rotate, enhance, and remove red-eye right on iPod touch. Even organize your photos in albums. With Photo Stream in iCloud, all the photos you shoot on iPod touch automatically appear on your other devices.

Maps

Maps on iPod touch shows you where you are and how to get to where you want to be. Or maybe you're craving something sweet. Type what you're looking for--"ice cream," for example--and see what's nearby.

Reminders

A new feature called Reminders makes iPod touch seem like a sticky note come to life. Create a list for whatever you don't want to forget--homework assignments to finish, chores to do, concert tickets to buy. Set a deadline and Reminders will send you a notification to keep you on track.

YouTube

From tweens with incredible vocal skills to bizarre-but-real TV commercials, YouTube is a video wonderland. And with the YouTube app on iPod touch, you can keep yourself entertained for hours on end.

Nike + iPod

Get the most out of your workouts with the Nike + iPod Sensor (sold separately) and iPod touch. The sensor slips into your Nike+ shoe and wirelessly transmits data about your workout to your iPod touch. The Nike+ app even works with cardio equipment in many fitness centers.

Voice Memos

If you have something to say, say it. Voice Memos on iPod touch will record it. Whether it's a lecture on covalent bonds or your friend's goofy made-up song, you can keep it for posterity. Trim your memos on iPod touch, then sync them to iTunes to use in your podcast or share.

Find My iPod touch

You know your iPod touch is here somewhere because you had it like 10 minutes ago. Don't freak out. Find My iPod touch was made for situations like this. When you first get your iPod touch, set up Find My iPod touch. Then if you misplace it, you can find its approximate location on a map. Display a message or play a sound to help you find it. You can even remotely wipe it clean of your personal information, if you need to.

More Built-in Apps

Keep all your news and magazine apps in Newsstand. Write about anything and everything in Notes. Do quick math with Calculator. Check the weather. And watch your investments with Stocks.

What's in the Box

iPod touch (32GB, Black), Earphones, Dock Connector to USB Cable, Quick Start Guide

Product Description

The world's most popular portable gaming device is even more fun. Now available in black and white, iPod touch includes iOS 5 with over 200 new features, like iMessage, Notification Center, and Twitter integration. Send free, unlimited text messages over Wi-Fi with iMessage. Record HD video and make FaceTime calls. Visit the App Store to choose from over 500,000 apps. iPod touch also features iCloud, which stores your music, photos, apps, and more and wirelessly pushes them to all your devices.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5,890 of 6,222 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lines Between iPod Touch and iPhone Have Started to Blur September 7, 2010

By Scott Showalter

Color Name:Black|Size Name:32GB

Having had a chance to spend a little time with a review model gives me a chance to share the experience with you a bit early (before my own arrives). I'll take you hands-on with the new model, plus I'll share from my past two years of iPod touch ownership altogether, especially for those who haven't yet owned (or been owned by) one of these mobile gems.

I've also hidden a treasure trove of info on how you can legitimately download tons of quality apps for free. First though, let's quickly cover what's new.

+ Faster 1GHz A4 Processor - to keep up with the high demands of multitasking
+ Ultra high resolution "Retina display" - packs a 960 x 640 resolution at 326 pixels per inch
+ 15% larger battery - 3.44 Whr/930 mAh plays 7 hrs of video & 40 hrs of audio
+ Rear-facing camera - supports 960 x 720 sized photos (0.6 megapixels), plus 720p HD videos
+ Front-facing VGA-quality camera - VGA-quality is a resolution of 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
+ 3-Axis Gyroscope - allows for higher precision and more motion gestures
+ Wireless N - Connect faster and go farther than ever, with this WiFi device (requires a router with 802.11n)
+ Built in microphone - but Apple reverted back to using the remote- and mic-less earphones
+ Game Center - Apple's own social gaming platform
+ Sleep/Power Button - it's been moved to the right, but not improved beyond that
+ Thinner, lighter than ever
* Note - Memory remains at the same 256MB despite several unconfirmed sources touting 512MB. There's also no vibrate module.

Unlike last year's iPod touch update, this one's a complete overhaul to the entire line. Last year, the new models didn't change in appearance. On the inside, faster processors and double-memory were added to the 32GB & 64GB models, but the 8GB got left out. Not this time. Buying the new 8GB iPod touch indeed gets you all the new goodies. You'll also pay thirty bucks more than before, so consider buying the 32GB model instead. You'll get 400% of the storage capacity for only 23% more coin!

===== Background =====

I'm a mobile app developer who's created a few apps and games for the iPhone, iPod Touch and now iPad. I was initially drawn to the iPod touch because of the popularity and capabilities of its mobile Web browsing--I was primarily a Web developer at the time and no other device could surf the Web so well. After I got one, I was hooked. I racked up over a hundred bucks in app purchases within the first month, and before long, I found myself learning how do develop native apps for the device.

Indeed, if you have never had an iPod touch before, you're in for a real treat. Of course, if you have, then you know first hand: it's is worth its weight in gold--no, in platinum. And now, with the latest generation, it may even be worth its weight rare gem stones! I digress.

===== Out With the Old =====

The iPod touch is frequently called an iPhone without the phone. However, until now there have been several other features also missing in the iPod touch besides the phone: a camera, GPS, magnetometer (compass), and some newer amenities from the iPhone 4: front-facing camera, high resolution "Retina display" as it has been dubbed, and the powerful 1GHz A4 processor--indeed a necessity to keep up with multitasking.

That all changes, now. The 4th gen iPod touch brings with it some new features and amenities, some of which have been anticipated by iPod touch fans and developers alike, including myself, for several generations of the device. From a developer's perspective, the more hardware features we can get our hands on, the better and more innovative apps we can create, and the more users that can download, use and enjoy them.

===== In With the New =====

The striking new design of the latest iPod touch is definitely a looker. Apple has made it even thinner (and I thought it was already too thin before) complete with a beautiful chrome back. While the super thin design is certainly attractive, I've found it slightly difficult to keep it well-gripped in your hands. The usual chrome back looks great too, but it's scratch-insistent. Yes, it's incredibly easy to scratch it all up, even after the first few days. For these two reasons, definitely get yourself a silicone skin (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042GVG5G?tag=1pod-20&ie=UTF8) alongside your new touch!

For ages, the feature topping everyone's wishlist for the iPod touch has been a camera. Check! It handles HD video too--bonus! Granted, its not the 5 megapixel camera that the iPhone 4 sports, but again, the new iPod touch is thinner than ever, making it a miracle that we even got a camera in the first place, let alone two! Yes, Apple went the extra mile so we could make video calls with our iPhone toting friends, via their FaceTime app. Brilliant! So, having not had any camera on the iPod touch before, and now having TWO cameras on it, we can't really complain can we? Nah.

I'll have details on the quality both cameras later, but what excites me even moreso is the new much-higher resolution screen--dubbed "Retina display". You may not think much of it if you haven't used an iPhone or iPod touch before, nor have an older model nearby to compare it to, but for those that have and/or do, the difference is clear! (pun intended)

Where this really comes in handy is in browsing the Web and reading non-mobile-formatted PDF e-books. Now, I can see things so much clearer at the default zoom level (which shows the full width of a Web page or document). My vision isn't spectacular by any means, I just don't mind seeing things smaller on the screen. It allows me to see more content without having to scroll. Indeed, the Retina display was the #1 feature I never knew I wanted (until I saw it in the iPhone 4 that is).

Other newness includes: 15% larger battery, HD video recording and editing, built-in mic, wireless-n for nearly double the WiFi connection speed and distance, Game Center: Apple's new social gaming platform (which seems to be Apple's attempt to kill-off third party social gaming platforms like OpenFeint and Plus+), 3-axis gyroscope sensor, which complements the existing accelerometer sensor, both of which handle the rotating, swinging and other motion gestures of the device (previously, rotation were roughly calculated from accelerometer data), and new placement of the sleep/power button on the right (but still as difficult as ever to press).

Features still missing include: 512MB of memory, vibration, 5 MP quality camera + flash (iPhone apps now support using LED flash as a flashlight, like Android does), magnetometer (compass), and the GPS. I'd happily trade the thinness of the latest iPod touch to have the GPS. WiFi based location is often inaccurate, and the GPS doesn't need a WiFi or cellular connection, it just needs to see the satellites in the sky.

===== iOS vs Android =====

So far, Apple has cornered the market of multitouch mobile devices that aren't phones, but things are slowly changing. Currently, the two hottest mobile and smartphone operating systems out there right now are Apple's iOS (formerly: iPhone OS) and Google's Android. Of course, iOS is popular because it runs on not only the iPhone, but also on the iPod touch and now on the ipad as well. Plus, it has garnered support from scores of app developers who've gotten behind Apple's slew of high-demand devices.

The iPod touch has really made iOS what it is today. It does a lot of what the iPhone does, without a contract, or carrier exclusivity, as is the case with the iPhone and the iPad (WiFi+3G models). So if it weren't for the iPod touch, a lot of the market share Apple now has in the industry would have been stifled by their carrier exclusivity. I think Apple will see the light soon, but that's another discussion.

Enter Android. Google has held a different stance on their mobile OS. It isn't tied to a select few devices, and it's open source, so it can be further developed by manufacturers who use it. Indeed, several mobile device manufacturers have now latched onto Android as a foundation for numerous devices. Wireless carriers that have been unable to carry the iPhone have also taken a liking to it. Now, tons of Android devices have been released, and there's no end in sight. Manufacturers have also seen the iPad's potential and now they want a piece of that pie, too. So, expect to see a lot more Android tablets and media-centric non-phone devices soon. The competition is heating up.

But not everything with Android, nor with iOS, is perfect. I own an EVO 4G, one of the most popular Android devices currently available. I've also used an iPod touch almost every day for nearly two years, so I'm pretty qualified to share my experience with each platform. Both certainly have their share of unique offerings, and neither of them are without flaws. For this reason, and because of the increasing competition between the two, I plan to dispel some of their key differences for you at various points in this review.

===== So What Can the iPod Touch Actually Do? =====

Well, what can't it do?

The iPod touch is like a magical little box, only it's flat. While it cannot cook your breakfast, yet (I'm sure someone is already working on that), it can indeed do some pretty extraordinary things. It's an amazing catch-all device that can provide hours of entertainment, give you the power of the Web in your hand, and it can even replicate the functionality of countless one-off products. Developers have been creating apps that take advantage of special hardware of the iPod touch to emulate some other product for less, and sometimes even for free.

Even expensive products have seen cheap iOS based clone apps. Read more ›

521 of 568 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This thing rocks! September 8, 2010

By MDTenoso

Color Name:Black|Size Name:32GB

*This review is from someone who never owned any Apple products before, married, healthcare professional, blackberry and palm TX owner (yeah I know, belongs in a museum), I was looking for a handheld internet browser by wifi, no monthly fees for 2 years, with camera, video, and apps that i can use for my work, and put in my pocket and it led me to this device. This is therefore a completely un-technical, layman's review.

1. Delivery time: I was supposed to receive this September 10-14 with the regular shipping, but I got it today, maybe because I ordered it as soon as Steve Jobs finished presenting, so this deserves more than 5 stars!

2. Dimensions/looks: I actually prefer the "handling" of the bigger and heavier 3rd gen that I borrowed, its all smudge now without any cover, but boy! this is the most beautiful handheld device that I ever held, 4 stars for being smaller and lighter and smudgy.

3. Display: The retina display is amazing! Like reading from a glossy magazine, and yes you cannot see the pixels! 5 stars!

4. Wifi: Sync with ATT wifi - no problem, wifi in gym - no problem, monthly fees - no problem! 5 stars!

5. Internet Browsing: Hard to type in the addresses initially, but pages loads super fast (the longest was within thress-onethousand - all news channels), surfed the web with no problems,make pages bigger or smaller... this gets 5 stars as well.

6. Speed (Processor): this thing is super fast, web pages load within 3 seconds, downloading apps within 30 secs, youtube in a flash, the email attachment that opened in 1 minute in my computer took only 10 seconds! 5 stars indeed!

7. Camera: very grainy, will not use it for any important event, only for quick-I-need-a-camera moments, it will not replace my dSLR, but since it wasnt there in the previous gen, and I only use my dSLR and nothing else, this camera is still a bonus it gets 4 stars.

8. Apps for work/"work": I already downloaded 4 very useful apps for work for free! plus 5 other free games for me and my 3 year old kid, the fact that I can now have apps without an iphone/ipad is great, the fact that its free is sweet! 5 stars!

8. Video: 720p HD! And I bought a Vado HD that does nothing else! Quality is up to par! 5 stars!

Overall, I have a device that surfs the net very very fast, manages my email, has a camera, great HD videocam, great free apps for work, that looks beautiful, and is great to look at, that I got 1 week early, what more can I ask for?!!! Worth every penny and deserves 5 stars!

And it stores and plays music too?! And has facetime?! And maps?! I feel like I paid for a Toyota and got a Lexus!

Will buy another one for my kid so she doesnt have to borrow mine!

653 of 722 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Actual Owner of iPod Touch 4G September 8, 2010

By D. C. Hanson

Color Name:Black|Size Name:32GB

Alright, so Best Buy got the 32GB iPod Touch 4G in stock so I drove an hour to go get one. I was not disappointed. I will run through the features I have come across so far.

Body: Aside from moving the sleep button to the right and making the back of the device slimmer and more flat, not much has changed. Yes, the chrome back is still there erg! It was so pretty for the first 30 seconds.

Ram: The Ram on the iPod Touch is only 256 MB, so do not believe the talk of 512 MB, it is simply not true.

Wireless: Fully supports A/B/G/N

Vibration: There is no vibration, so do not expect that.

Multitasking: Works real well and very smooth transition

Display: While the display on the iPod is not IPS like the iPhone do not think it suffers in anyway. This display is so beautiful and crisp to look at. I cannot even distinguish the pixels, and text on a website is like you are reading out of a book, it's so refreshing. I played a digital copy of "UP" on here and the colors practically jump off the screen, very nice. Apple's icons are so much more vivid and sharp, while 3rd party developer icons who have yet to make an upgrade for the new displays shows what a step up this new screen has to offer.

Speaker: I am not sure of the quality of the speaker on the 3G iPod Touch, but on my 2G iPod Touch it was very tinny and I only used it for game sound. Here on the 4G there is a new spot on the bottom left for the speaker and it has risen in clarity. Music is very listenable and clear, however nothing replaces a good set of earbuds, but when you're in a jam, you won't be gritting your teeth with this speaker.

Processor: The new Apple processor is a sure win for this device. Everything loads very fast and switching from one screen to another is very swift and smooth. Crash Bandicoot finally has a nice framerate to play with on this iPod and for once I did not regret buying that game.

Front Camera: This is the camera that is primarily used for Facetime. It's resolution is at 640 X 480. After taking a few pictures with it, you will notice how it is really not for taking stills, but works fine for videochatting (which I have not tried, but did run some video tests with it). Obviously Facetime will work better in well lit areas, but then again, doesn't any camera?

Rear Camera: Again stills are just so so. What really bugs me is when you go to take a picture, you see how crisp the preview is, then you take the picture and you can see it blur. The tap to focus works nice for adjusting exposure and well lit photos look very decent on the display. It's when you upload them to your computer when you notice how not so decent they actually are. While this may be a negative for many people, if you are like me, you want to just upload photos with this device to FaceBook and capture funny moments with the video camera. If I want to take a really awesome picture, I'll pull out my DSLR, but for me this iPod's capabilities are more than adequate for my quick shooting of certain events. The video captures quite nicely, while not superb like an actual HD camcorder does enough for me for again, capturing fun moments. Don't worry, you don't cringe while watching the video, it's more than adequate and produces vibrant colors and a fast framerate. Some may complain on this, and believe me those reviews will be here shortly, but then again why not buy an HD Camcorder that is made for HD content? (I'm not ignorant to HD quality either, I'm a huge fan of it. I run a 3D 65'' 1080p display with Blu-ray and Dolby Tru-HD decoding surround sound system)

Microphone: Testing out Skype my friend told me I was coming in loud and clear. I also played back a video I made on the iPod on my computer and the microphone captures top notch audio. Very crisp and clear, I was quite pleased.

Battery: While I haven't tested out Apple's claims of 40 hr. of music, let's be honest who really does that? I'm sure Apple's claims are quite credible in their battery life depending on how the device is used.

One note I should also make, my iPod Touch 2G accessories, (car charger, wall charger) work with my iPod touch 4G. Apple sometimes changes stuff like the charging pin on the iPod's to make a person have to buy new accessories. Anybody remember when the iPod Video A/V cables had the Audio and Video switched around so people couldn't use their cables with the iPod? Well they could, they just had to switch the audio and video cables in the port around. Anyways, away from this funny piece of marketing history.

Is the new iPod worth it? For me, upgrading from the 2G Touch, yes! The display is brilliant, the speed of the processor amazing, video quality is very much enjoyable and the rear camera is excellent for taking quick fun shots. If I had one word to describe this iPod, it would be fun! You can't handle one of these without feeling like a joyous kid, (I'm 22) and the business aspect is still there and quite useful. I would highly recommend this iPod Touch as a worthy upgrade to any generation of the iPod Touch you may own and if you don't own one, there has never been a more perfect time to go out and get one! Don't hesitate to leave a comment here if you have a question for an actual owner. I'll do what I can!