Our Geek Life

*drool iPod Touch HD?

Posted by shegeek at March 9th, 2009 | No Comments »

ican haz a super Touch?

I must admit…I love my iPod Touch.  It’s a cool gadget that I had to have, and HG surprised me with last year.  I have enjoyed it thoroughly, but truth be told, I have been dreaming about all the things that would make the Touch even better.

The end of 2008 brought a growing hum about the possibilities of Apple’s next great thing.   Michael Arrington wrote about it in a December 30, 2008 article  in TechCrunch:

We’ve got this from three independent sources close to Apple:  expect a large screen iPod touch device to be released in the Fall of ‘09, with a 7 or 9 inch screen. Prototypes have been seen and handled by one of our sources, and Apple is talking to OEMs in Asia now about mass production…. I’m not saying Apple is definitely launching a large form iPod Touch. But sources I trust are saying they are currently planning to, and one source has actually held the device.

While that was definitely a tasty morsel, it was still too early for any type of real anticipation.  Fast forward to today when DigiTimes quoted a daily Chinese-language financial newspaper, Commerical Times, as saying:  “Taiwan-based Wintek will supply touch panels for Apple’s new netbook, and shipments will start in the third quarter this year”, that hum became a buzz.  The internet was suddenly a flutter with commentary about the possibility of a netbook by Apple.

The information quote from Commercial Times states that the Wintek touch screens are for an Apple netbook.  A previous quote about netbooks by COO Tim Cook stating that Apple was ”not too impressed with what it’s seen so far” would seem to contradict this.  In fact, based on the popularity of the iPod Touch and the iPhone, it would seem to make a lot more sense that Apple has  been developing a hybrid device – something in between the Touch and the Macs.

So what do you think?  Netbook or a super coolio new iPod Touch?  I say, “BRING IT!”  I am ready for a new iPod Touch!!

Blackberry has the answer

Posted by shegeek at March 1st, 2009 | No Comments »

Blackberry has a bit of ‘tude.  Gotta love it!!

iTouch 8GB Review

Posted by hegeek at February 21st, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Apple iTouch 8GB

I got my iTouch last winter and have recently used it more heavily at work. Consider this a 1 year review of this first generation touch-screen iPod. It’s an 8GB model that includes WiFi connectivity, web browser, email capabilities, contacts, video, games and more. 

Just the other day I upgraded the firmware to the latest 2.2 version from Apple. This is the same firmware that powers the current 3G iPhones. The upgraded firmware cost $9.95 (something I not a big fan of), but thus far I believe is worth the cost. 

The key, and biggest selling point to the firmware upgrade, is the ability to download and install applications directly on the iTouch. As long as you have Internet connectivity, there is much you can do with the iTouch. 

A new feature I am starting to use are Podcasts. In particular, video podcasts. The current subscription I have is to the Dilbert video cartoons. They run about 20-30 seconds each, but it’s well worth the free subscription. So far I have downloaded over 100 of these Dilbert p0dcasts and watched about 10. I’ve got a ways to catch up.

And onward to the main reason I have an iTouch…. music! With 8GB of space on this iTouch, there is plenty of room for songs. I think I have used up about 6.5GB of space with hundreds of songs to listen to. One great feature of the firmware upgrade to 2.2 is the inclusion of the “Genius” feature. When playing a song, press of the “Genius” icon on the screen and the iTouch/Genius “robot” will automatically put together a playlist for you based on the song you are listening to. If there are not enough songs to make a playlist, Genius will let you know as well. I actually found this out listening to a Prodigy song and didn’t have any other music on the iTouch that matched up with that type/genre of music. Right now I am listening to a lot of Rock/Metal bands. 

Get yourself a nice pair of headphones too if you pick up an iTouch. The headphones that come standard with the iTouch are okay, but I didn’t like the way that felt. I picked up a pair of black “Shure” headphones, though expensive, but have enjoyed them quite a bit. They come with multiple ear fitments and the sound quality is first class.

The newest investment made into the iTouch is the addition of an “Invisible Shield” by Zagg. This is a scratch proof rubber-like adhesive that is applied to the iTouch, form-fitting even. I did have a case for the iTouch. And while it was a nice case, it ended up breaking up on me. The Invisible Shield has proven to be great. It’s very thin, actually improves the viewing on the iTouch, and outside of a couple of air bubbles that are cropping up, has been worth the money. 

The Microsoft Zune is the direct competitor to the iTouch. While the Zune is quite a bit cheaper and can hold more space, it does not have a touch-screen. I find the touch-screen much easier to use while driving to and from work and honestly, just feels easier to use versus a scroll-wheel interface like the old iPods.