iPod How Would You Improve the iPod touch?

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I know it is; but that still doesn't make it right.

Anyway, if the Galaxy S 4.0 gets good reviews, I'll be ditching my iPod touch and kissing Apple goodbye. The Galaxy has a whole host of features the iPod doesn't, like:

• faster CPU
• larger RAM
• larger display
• larger speakers
• larger battery
• mSD card slot
• higher res camera
• auto focus camera
• LED flash
• FM radio
• GPS
• compass

Actually, the Galaxy S's specs look good, and I'm going to definitely take a look. Specs ain't everything, though. Eco system matters more, and there the IPT is in front.
For example, useful as a compass and GPS are, unless you are connected to the Internet, they aren't all that helpful. I can navigate around my own house without external help, thanks.
The better camera is clearly more useful, but then there are probably more photo related apps in the App Store (dunno, for sure, though).

I like the idea of FM radio most of all, (never understood why Apple didn't put in iPods till the nano), but then iTunes has that huge podcast selection.

Then there are all those IOs games.

The Galaxy player is definitetely worth a look though.

[JSWolf]

I have an iPhone 3G and I do not use it to play music. It doesn't sound good enough.

[GlennD]

Originally Posted by stonetools

While Itunes has its quirks, I have not found it to be a dog. What problems do you have with it?

I agree with him - iTunes almost turns me off the iOS. I connect my devices as little as possible.

Number one, it's insanely slow, even on a recent computer. It handles its own library of music, even to the point of making second copies of your library in its own folders. When you shut that feature off (which I have, so maybe there's a better way around it that I'm not aware of) you end up having to manually rescan your library when you add music. It ignores the Windows convention of the folder.jpg - it's not really an iTunes issue but I can't stand the way Apple deals with cover art. I scan my own CD covers so that I can have a large enough file to use as a screen saver while music is playing. I don't WANT a copy of that file embedded in every song on an album. A single copy per album should be adequate.

Luckily I use my Zune for music more than either of my iDevices. The Zune software handles music very well and you can easily shut off any automatic updating of files. It's also less of a performance hog. On the flip side, I much prefer the way iTunes handles TV series videos. On the Zune software, each video gets an entry, so if you have a lot of series ripped to mp4, it can take a while to display all of the thumbnails. iTunes creates an entry for each season, so you don't see the thumbnails unless you actually want to.

Needless to say, this is all on a PC. iTunes on the Mac is smooth and pretty, almost like it was designed to run there.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by GlennD

Needless to say, this is all on a PC. iTunes on the Mac is smooth and pretty, almost like it was designed to run there.

Definitely like two completely different programs-they really haven't optimized the Windows version at all over the years.

I'm still wondering why its not just browser based by now. Maybe with all the iCloud syncing it won't be such a big deal, however.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by stonetools

For example, useful as a compass and GPS are, unless you are connected to the Internet, they aren't all that helpful. I can navigate around my own house without external help, thanks.

I don't know about the Galaxy 4 or iPod touch, but the maps app on my iPad keeps a fairly sizable cache. One time when my mother got us lost I was able to figure out how to get home just by what was saved. It would have been quicker though if the bugger had GPS.

Anyway, there are also plenty of apps for both iOS and Android that store maps locally on your device.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by stonetools

Actually, the Galaxy S's specs look good, and I'm going to definitely take a look. Specs ain't everything, though. Eco system matters more, and there the IPT is in front.
For example, useful as a compass and GPS are, unless you are connected to the Internet, they aren't all that helpful. I can navigate around my own house without external help, thanks.
The better camera is clearly more useful, but then there are probably more photo related apps in the App Store (dunno, for sure, though).

I like the idea of FM radio most of all, (never understood why Apple didn't put in iPods till the nano), but then iTunes has that huge podcast selection.

Then there are all those IOs games.

The Galaxy player is definitetely worth a look though.

Specs: the Galaxy's specs are last year's specs; but since Apple didn't bother to upgrade the touch's specs, it looks like those specs get another year of being current.

Ecosystem: Android more than satisfies my needs.

GPS: Samsung uses a stand alone GPS that doesn't need the internet.

Camera: my need for a better camera revolves around location and identification apps that require AF and a res above 2MP - photos are irrelevant to me.

Games: there are more than enough Android games for me.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

I don't know about the Galaxy 4 or iPod touch, but the maps app on my iPad keeps a fairly sizable cache. One time when my mother got us lost I was able to figure out how to get home just by what was saved. It would have been quicker though if the bugger had GPS.

Anyway, there are also plenty of apps for both iOS and Android that store maps locally on your device.

The Galaxy uses a stand alone GPS; similar to the ones in handhelds and cars. The only thing needed for any of these to function is a good view of the GPS satellites orbiting overhead.

My need for GPS is primarily driven by apps such as star charts that require a compass and GPS to display and identify the stars your device is pointing at.

Since the Galaxy is using a stand alone GPS, it should also open up its use for casual geocaching.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by stonetools

Actually, the Galaxy S's specs look good, and I'm going to definitely take a look. Specs ain't everything, though. Eco system matters more, and there the IPT is in front.
For example, useful as a compass and GPS are, unless you are connected to the Internet, they aren't all that helpful. I can navigate around my own house without external help, thanks.
The better camera is clearly more useful, but then there are probably more photo related apps in the App Store (dunno, for sure, though).

I like the idea of FM radio most of all, (never understood why Apple didn't put in iPods till the nano), but then iTunes has that huge podcast selection.

Then there are all those IOs games.

The Galaxy player is definitetely worth a look though.

The GPS should work like a regular GPS if you are not on-line and there are Android apps that permit download of maps that remain local on the device. While getting a fix may not be immediate without the Internet or cell towers you should be able to use it the old fashion way.

Dale

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by stonetools

I'm thinking about the KF, instead of the iPod touch. Dunno if I can give up the App Store or podcasts, though.
Can't imagine that the battery life is worse than the Android phone.

Amazon App Store seems to have some podcast apps that presumably will work on Fire (and I expect AAS selection to improve dramatically over the next few months). Though I don't see it being better overall than iPod Touch, if only because the latter is more portable. Battery life should be better.

[kayaqiu]

I like the iPod Touch， which is big encough for to enjoy my spare life.

[rhari79]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have an iPhone 3G and I do not use it to play music. It doesn't sound good enough.

Seems like you are close to an audiophile.
I have been reading raving reviews about Cowon's audio; but still cant push myself to buy one.
I personally have no complaints against the idevices. Except that the music player shuffle seems quite bad.

But again, if Apple can take notice and improve the audio quality (heard even Zune/Creative are rated better), then the itouch will be a real classy device.

A new app, "mytunes" in US store is supposed to give much improved sound. Am yet to try it out.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by rhari79

Seems like you are close to an audiophile.

But again, if Apple can take notice and improve the audio quality (heard even Zune/Creative are rated better), then the itouch will be a real classy device.

You don't have to be an audiophile to notice that iDevices sound bad and it's not just due to the included headphones.