With the autumn 2007 launch of those newest iPods, Apple introduced a completely new sub-category with the iPod touch. The slender flash-based multimedia player was reminiscent of the iPhone, released earlier that year, but lacking telecommunications and therefore less expensive. It was also revolutionary in its use of a "Multi-Touch" screen on a portable entertainment device, for unbelievably direct (and wicked-cool) control of all functions.
The recently issued second generation of iPod touch maintains all that was good about the original while pushing the concept even further. The 3.5-inch screen is still the largest on any iPod, with the widest aspect ratio as well. In keeping with its radical design dynamic, the original touch offered no hard volume control buttons, rather adjustments had to be made via the touch-screen interface, frustrating for some, leading to one of the most significant updates to the hardware: volume up/down keys on the edge, perfectly positioned for the left thumb. Never let it be said that consumer discord falls on deaf ears at Apple.
While virtually identical in dimensions and weight, the look and build has changed to incorporate a new stainless steel back that now continues uninterrupted to more securely encompass the glass screen, adding structural integrity and strength, as compared to the separate beveled ring on the first generation. It also managed to collect a few crumbs in the narrow gap at its perimeter, but that's probably my fault for eating so many Triscuits while conducting my tests.
The more tapered lines of the steel housing however give it a slenderer feel in the hand, despite the other hardware enhancement, an internal speaker. This speaker is different even from that inside its cousin the iPhone, which of course needs to put its audio driver in a fairly predictable spot, for conversations and such. While some audio now emits from the vicinity of the 30-pin connector and headphone ports on the touch, we can actually cover them and still hear sound, emanating from the back of the player.
The internal speaker is a convenience really, and for any serious listening we'll want to use headphones. The included pair of earbuds is adequate, if not the most comfortable. Apple has two new pairs of step-up headphones with on-cable remote and recording microphone coming out, not ready in time for this review but we hope to post our impressions in the near future. Also inside the clear plastic box is a handy polishing cloth, a small plastic adapter to help the touch mate with various iPod docks, and a redesigned USB 2.0 cable:
The new touch no longer locks to the port when plugged in, it just slides in and out, maybe requiring a little wiggling for encouragement. That might not sound like a big deal, but it always bugged me that I used to have to unplug my headphones before my fingers were able get in there and pinch both sides of the connector to remove it. This new cable isn't only easier to use, but it reduces wear and tear on both headphone plug and jack. For those who use the iPod as part of healthy regimen of diet and exercise, Nike + iPod support no longer requires the player add-on module, thanks to the touch's built-in Wi-Fi, just the sensor inside the shoe.
On The Softer Side
The touch arrives running the new 2.1 software, which brings a host of new features, most notably support for the myriad applications available through the iTunes store. These include hundreds of games specifically developed to take advantage of the unit's accelerometer, which automatically senses motion and changes in position, and the touch-screen.
There were a few surprisingly multimedia/home theater-friendly tools available too, including Remote to control our iTunes library via Wi-Fi on the computer, or an Apple TV in the living room, and Intelliremote from Melloware, to operate a multifunction entertainment PC. Netflix users will also want to check out PhoneFlix, which helps us manage our existing account from just about anywhere. All three of these are free, like a lot of the neat stuff in the iTunes App Store, which frequently adds new items. Music playback continues in the background during certain applications, too.
Within iTunes there's also the new Genius playlists feature, which works in two distinct ways. Genius first needs to be turned on in the latest version of iTunes, to initiate the gathering of info from the entire library. The size of the library will of course affect the length of this process, I have over 30,000 tracks and for me it took a couple of hours. This data is then sent via the internet to an undisclosed location (allegedly a Genius satellite orbiting the Earth) before customized results are returned to iTunes. Connecting the touch activates this feature on the portable player as well, so we just pick a song, any song on the touch, and if we're carrying around a deep enough library (I added a bunch more music over the course of the review), Genius will create a tailored playlist that complements that first track. Back on the computer, the Genius sidebar will also recommend new songs to purchase and add to our expanding collection. Although the touch can access the iTunes store via Wi-Fi and download music directly, we cannot use this second Genius feature on-the-go.
The Content
Apple doesn't give out much information regarding the iPods' internal processors, although they did confirm that the audio/video performance of this second-generation touch was the same as the first, which is just fine with me. The image quality on this screen remains absolutely gorgeous, and a properly authored and compressed movie can look quite good even at this handheld size and limited resolution. And there are more sources than ever for authorized iPod-ready movies.
Disney is now on board with their August re-release of The Nightmare Before Christmas on Blu-ray and DVD, both of which include a Digital Copy file in the package, Universal Studios began a similar business model with Forgetting Sarah Marshall the following month, and the portable content pioneers at Fox have even gone back and started reissuing catalog titles as affordable Digital Copy edition DVDs, fun youth-skewing action/adventures and comedies like Independence Day, Dodgeball and Napoleon Dynamite. At 16 gigabytes of storage capacity, this particular unit can hold a dozen feature films, if that's our pleasure. And if I ever fully understood how sophisticated a retail iTunes movie file can be--titled chapters each with their own little progress indicator--then I forgot, so I was impressed all over again during my evaluation.
In practical use everything is just easier with the touch screen. For example, if we decide that we don't want to see the black bars on a widescreen movie, it's just a tap to bring up the user interface overlay, then one more on the little box with the arrows to zoom it in perfectly. No interruptions, no fiddling with menus and sub-menus. I still find myself dragging a finger across the screen to adjust volume, force of habit despite the new buttons. One of my favorite refinements is surely the new automatic reorientation of video: I can rotate the player 180 degrees when switching from my left hand to my right when my arm becomes tired during a long movie, and the picture promptly adjusts to remain right-side-up. The batteries cooperate too, still going after a full day of commuting. It was movies in, movies out and movies during an extended coffee break--all in the name of research--plus plenty of music in between.
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Final Thoughts
This is hands-down the best iPod to watch movies on, for its big, wide screen, fluid controls and even the built-in speaker, when we want to share or just don't feel like wearing headphones. The original iPod touch was pretty revolutionary, and pretty fabulous, so Apple did not re-invent the wheel with this second generation, but they did manage to improve it just enough to make current owners think about an upgrade, or the hesitant finally jump in.
Available on Amazon.com:
Also Available on the Apple Store with Free Custom Engraving:
Manufacturer's Specifications
Manufacturer's Contact Information
Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
(800) MY-APPLE
On the Web at: www.apple.com
Where to Buy:
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