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Apr 30
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Product Summary
The good: The Apple iPod Touch has a large, video-worthy screen, a cutting-edge interface, and Wi-Fi Internet, e-mail, and music download capabilities.
The bad: The iPod Touch may cost too much for you, depending on your needs. It has a small capacity for a portable video player.
The bottom line: The iPod Touch is a beautiful product, inside and out, but prepare yourself for sticker shock.
Specs: Device type: Portable media center; Dimensions (WxDxH): 2.4 in x 0.3 in x 4.3 in; Display type: 3.5 inch
If you find yourself dazzled by the Web, video, and music capabilities of Apple’s iPhone but can’t stomach the contract commitment, the iPod Touch might be just what you’re looking for. Offered in 8GB ($299) and 16GB ($399) capacities, the iPod Touch is a premium-priced device with an attractive set of features for a midsize portable video player (PVP). Still, the Touch’s limited storage capacity makes it a difficult choice when held up to higher capacity products like the iPod Classic or Archos 605 WiFi.
Design
For better or worse, the iPod Touch is clearly the iPhone’s baby brother. Like most products that roll out of Apple, the Touch shows the love of committed designers, hardware engineers, and usability experts. The Touch measures a slim and pocketable 4.3 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.31 inch, with an all-metal-and-glass design that feels as expensive as it looks. Because nothing will ruin a portable video player faster than a gouge across its screen, we’re happy to see that the face of the iPod Touch uses the same scratch-resistant glass found on the iPhone. Most users will still want to buy a protective case, however, since the Touch feels a little fragile and the back is covered with the glossy, scratch-prone, smudge-loving chrome exterior common to most iPods.
