Apple's iPod Touch puts the multimedia capabilities of the iPhone into a lighter, leaner package. Available in 8GB and 16GB capacities, the iPod Touch has drop-dead looks and a graphic user interface that's ahead of it's time.
Donald Bell
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
At just .31 inches thick, the iPod Touch is remarkably thin. It's not quite as thin as the iPod Nano, but it's one of the thinnest widescreen portable video players on the market.
iPhone applications like email, text messaging, and notepad might be missing from the iPod Touch, but the inclusion of the Safari Web browser and YouTube video portal are still prized features.
Unlike the plastic screen found on the iPod Classic and iPod Nano, the iPod Touch and iPhone use a glass screen that resists scratches. A case is still a worthwhile investment, however.
From the back, the iPod Touch (center) looks much more like the iPod Classic (right) than the iPhone (left). The glossy chrome backing of the Touch and the Classic is beautiful at first glance, but without a case, smudges and scratches will quickly take over.
iPhone users might accidentally catch themselves 'ghost dialing' on the iPod Touch's lookalike interface. Anybody want to bet we'll see a VOIP hack for the Touch before the end of the year?
While most of the iPod Touch's features have trickled down from the iPhone, the ability to access the iTunes WiFi music store is brand new. Using the iPod Touch's WiFi internet connection, users can browse, preview, purchase, and download selections from Apple's iTunes music store.
With its glossy glass screen, the iPod Touch produces its fair share of glare compared to competing PVPs with matte screens. So long as lighting conditions aren't too bright, the all-black trim makes a nice frame for viewing photos and videos.
