iPod How Would You Improve the iPod touch?

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

It is not necessary to have a data plan with an iPhone. You can turn off cell network data access without turning off wifi access. Lack of cellular data just stops you using the internet when away from Wifi.

Data plans are required in the US. If you use a smartphone, the service provider automatically adds a data plan to your account.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

It is not necessary to have a data plan with an iPhone. You can turn off cell network data access without turning off wifi access. Lack of cellular data just stops you using the internet when away from Wifi.

But I'll still have to pay Verizon $23.40 a month for two years ($561.60) for a data plan whether I use it or not.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Data plans are required in the US. If you use a smartphone, the service provider automatically adds a data plan to your account.

Exactly

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Exactly

How do they know you have a smart phone? Buy an unlocked second-hand iPhone. Insert your current SIM. Voila.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

How do they know you have a smart phone? Buy an unlocked second-hand iPhone. Insert your current SIM. Voila.

They'd know because I'd buy it from them.

Used phones are too expensive and will have been used for a year two; meaning the battery might need replacing fairly soon, causing an added expense. Then there's the matter of a warranty - is there one? Also, I have no idea whether carriers charge for data plans on phones you bring to them. Too much trouble for me.

As a side note, I'd never get an iPhone; I'd go Android. The only reason I have an iPod touch is because there isn't an Android touch.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

How do they know you have a smart phone? Buy an unlocked second-hand iPhone. Insert your current SIM. Voila.

IMEI perhaps? Or maybe the mobile OS identifies itself somehow? All I know is people who have bought unlocked phones with 3G support for their service providers end up getting a data plan forcibly added to their account. That's why if you're buying a smartphone in the US, might as well go the subsidized route since you'll be paying for data either way.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Also, I have no idea whether carriers charge for data plans on phones you bring to them. Too much trouble for me.

Same price. Data is data. Doesn't really matter if you bought the phone as part of a 2-year contract or unlocked. Well, it really only matters for AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon and Sprint don't use SIM cards.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

As a side note, I'd never get an iPhone; I'd go Android. The only reason I have an iPod touch is because there isn't an Android touch.

There are actually some pretty nice unlocked Android smartphones. You could just buy a smartphone and not bother inserting a SIM card. Should be in the same ballpark as the 32GB and 64GB Touch.

My first try using Android in a smartphone is a prepaid $150 LG Thrive. I've found it to be a very nice starter smartphone but it's easy to see why it only costs $150. If you don't use a lot of minutes/messages, you could even use the phone functions and go the prepaid route on either AT&T or T-Mobile. The data plan is optional on prepaid.

[JSWolf]

Put in better electronics for the sound. Apple has lost focus of what the iPod is supposed to be about. It's supposed to be about playing music. Apple has lost focus and put in cheap poor quality electronics in the sound path and the sound is substandard. Apple could make the iPod really something special. But I think they just don't care.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

All I know is people who have bought unlocked phones with 3G support for their service providers end up getting a data plan forcibly added to their account.

That's disgraceful. I apologise for not understanding earlier. I just didn't imagine that any carrier would do such a thing.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

That's disgraceful. I apologise for not understanding earlier. I just didn't imagine that any carrier would do such a thing.

Sometimes it sucks living in the US

edit: apology not needed - how were you to know?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Put in better electronics for the sound. Apple has lost focus of what the iPod is supposed to be about. It's supposed to be about playing music. Apple has lost focus and put in cheap poor quality electronics in the sound path and the sound is substandard. Apple could make the iPod really something special. But I think they just don't care.

My $25 Sansa Clip+ has much better sound quality and puts the iPod to shame.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

There are actually some pretty nice unlocked Android smartphones. You could just buy a smartphone and not bother inserting a SIM card. Should be in the same ballpark as the 32GB and 64GB Touch.

My first try using Android in a smartphone is a prepaid $150 LG Thrive. I've found it to be a very nice starter smartphone but it's easy to see why it only costs $150. If you don't use a lot of minutes/messages, you could even use the phone functions and go the prepaid route on either AT&T or T-Mobile. The data plan is optional on prepaid.

I've never done a prepaid phone, so I have no idea how they work. Can you just buy one, turn off the 3G, and then use it like an iPod touch?

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Put in better electronics for the sound. Apple has lost focus of what the iPod is supposed to be about. It's supposed to be about playing music. Apple has lost focus and put in cheap poor quality electronics in the sound path and the sound is substandard. Apple could make the iPod really something special. But I think they just don't care.

I don't know if Apple has ever cared about sound quality. My Toshiba Gigabeat and Sony PSP have better sound quality than the iPod Mini, iPod Classic 5G (Video), iPod Nano 4G, iPod Touch 4G, iPhone 2G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I've never done a prepaid phone, so I have no idea how they work. Can you just buy one, turn off the 3G, and then use it like an iPod touch?

Yes, you can. I'm using the LG Thrive with AT&T GoPhone service ($0.10/min plan). I didn't even bother turning off 3G data. If you don't buy a data package, you just can't access the internet without wi-fi. Not sure if you can save a bit more battery life if you turn off 3G data, though. Needless to say, you have to watch your talk & text usage more carefully. I bought my phone from Amazon for $150 and added $100 credit which expires in 1 year (lower denominations expire in 30~90 days).

If you don't need cellphone service, though, just buy an unlocked Android smartphone. You'll find much better models.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Yes, you can. I'm using the LG Thrive with AT&T GoPhone service ($0.10/min plan). I didn't even bother turning off 3G data. If you don't buy a data package, you just can't access the internet without wi-fi. Not sure if you can save a bit more battery life if you turn off 3G data, though. Needless to say, you have to watch your talk & text usage more carefully. I bought my phone from Amazon for $150 and added $100 credit which expires in 1 year (lower denominations expire in 30~90 days).

If you don't need cellphone service, though, just buy an unlocked Android smartphone. You'll find much better models.

Thanks; I'll have to check it out. I need the following features, otherwise there's no need to switch from my iPod touch:

• 1 GHz CPU / 512 MB RAM
• dual cams - front (VGA) / rear (3MP AF w/ flash)
• GPS / compass
• Android 2.3
• iPod touch pricing

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Thanks; I'll have to check it out. I need the following features, otherwise there's no need to switch from my iPod touch:

• 1 GHz CPU / 512 MB RAM
• dual cams - front (VGA) / rear (3MP AF w/ flash)
• GPS / compass
• Android 2.3
• iPod touch pricing

I'm waiting for newer phones to come out actually. That should drop the prices on current models. I'm really liking the Nexus S. I think I'll probably pull the trigger when it drops to under $300 unlocked.