I have never used Apple ipod product before I bought an 8 G ipod touch second generation.
I am an electronic gadget enthusiast, and a fan of Apple Corporation, for its vision, innovation and artistic capability, connection and influence (the last character is rare within high tech community, which established Apple’s iconic status). There are other corporations are bigger, richer, better (in terms of business operation), and even more innovative (Microsoft, Cisco, HP, Google, just name a few), however, to the public eye, no one as inspiring and fun as Apple. (Apple is not immune from corporate lay-off disease – it was painful to employees when it happened).
However, at the same time, I am a strong supporter of open standard as I am a true believer of freedom and democracy of people. In terms of product design, I believe it should provide ultimate flexibility and freedom of choice, which means adaptation of open standard.
I very much admired that Apple pioneered the content transferrable/portable personal digital music player (i.e. 3mp vs. CD. – CD is a media portable device, but is still not content portable. Content portable gives more freedom and flexibility than media portable) revolution with the introduction of pod, started the phenomenon of a new experience of personal music enjoyment in a new millennium, and dominated the respective market.
I watched the ipod followers, who have near religious enthusiasm and loyalty, with great interests, but resisted to join the cult for tow reasons: the non-standard format and interface, and the prime price. After all, I am not a frequent music listener. I had a few mp3 players during that period of time, for its open standard format music content playing, its radio function, as well as for experiencing the technology. I heard of and watched the demo of the amazing experience people had for the menu design and the turn-wheel scroll user interface which ipod introduced uniquely, but never used one myself.
It’s almost 5 years since ipod time and I had my ipod touch 2nd generation. Although I am still against its non-standard approach, I must say that I am very impressed despite of that. In summary, the experience has exceeded my expectations.
I especially like
And of cause, its uncompromised music experience up to other ipod products and ipod fan expections
I realize that every product has its limitation due to its budget, and I am still in awe of the production of ipod touch in such a low cost. However, I do have a list of thing to be improved, simply because I like and care about it. To the list:
cut & past function
delete function
Document and word processing applications – e.g. ability to read word and pdf document
extend web browser functions –
Allow multiple application –
For same users, FM/AM radio is a import function for them to effortless stay close to current news and event. And of cause, wireless internet access and build-in key applications
Enhance wireless setup and configuration
Adaptation of open standard
In summary, with ipod touch, I expect Apple would draw more customers from traditional PDA and smart phone (use broader meaning of ipod touch – iPhone is included here) users as well as other mp3 player users.
For traditional hard core ipod fan, I expect them to continue stay with ipod nano classic products due to these models’ focus on music experience, for two reasons: the more compact size for portability, for content storage capability, as well as for value (currently, a 150 G ipod classic is about the same price as a 8 G ipod touch second generation).