iPod Touch (2010): Our Take on Apple's Latest and Greatest.

   Well, its here. A forth generation iPod touch has been purchased and is ready to be reviewed. Here is our review:

Design
   This product is designed beautifully, but is not very different from the design of the previous generation. The back now has a flat surface on the back so that it can sit without spinning in circles. The shiny, curved back is getting old, and this iPod is too thin. Offering a device that is the size of the iPhone 4, with a similar form-factor, would allow for a larger battery and a better, more secure feel in the hand. Overall, this is a very attractive device that fits into the pocket nicely, but users are tired of dealing with the shiny, polished surfaces that attract fingerprints.

   The degree of thinness impaired the ability to use the iPod with ease. The beveled edges combined with sloped volume and sleep buttons make one-handed use nearly impossible. A case or a skin to give it more bulk and/or grip may be something to consider.

The Retina Display:

The resolution on this screen is insane, and almost unnecessary.

   Wow, this thing is glorious. The pixels are so dense, and the colors are so bright. This screen is the more beautiful than can be found on most other devices. It is like touching something that is more than just a screen. Pictures and video jump, and really make help to make it a worthy investment over the older models.

   The first unit that we reviewed had a dead pixel and was returned to the retailer. This does not appear to be a widespread issue, but it is worth noting. The second unit has no such issue.

The Cameras

This Camera is much different than the one that the iPhone 4 offers. 

   The cameras are a welcome addition to the line of iPod touches. The rear-facing camera allows 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. With the purchase and addition of iMovie for iOS devices ($4.99), the user is very easily able to create and edit a video with music, titles, subtitles, and multiple clips. This option is practically unrivaled in today's market, even with standalone computer applications. Often times, after editing, one must load the clips onto a computer and edit them there, but it is extremely useful to be able to shoot, edit, and export in a simple, intuitive nature. iMovie would be so much better if it were simply included with the iPod touch.

See an example of a video shot and edited on the iPod Touch at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTdNJ8V3ScE

   it is disappointing to find that the music plays in mono sound in the videos edited in iMovie. There is no known way around this.

   Unfortunately, the still images that this camera takes are far less impressive than the iPhone 4. It seems that because this unit is so thin, Apple was unable to use a sensor and lens that is of the same quality of the iPhone 4. As a result, the rear-facing camera only takes .7 MP pictures. Instead of compromising on size, they compromised on picture quality. This is a big mistake in the long run.

   The front-facing camera is the same as the one featured on the iPhone 4 and will serve well as a video conferencing camera.



iOS 4.1

    iOS 4.1 is a more than welcome upgrade to iPod Touches everywhere. When combined with the A4 processor, the interface is refined and efficient to use. Processes are not cumbersome or overly taxing. It is great to see multitasking work well after such a long, and perhaps unnecessary wait. The ability to change the background of the home screen is a welcome feature as well. It is a great way to personalize the device, and make it slightly more aesthetically pleasing.

   Apple has done a great job in iOS 4 to take advantage of the high resolution retina display. Every Apple-made Application sports a hi-resolution icon and interface, and is very pleasing to the eye.

   In addition to FaceTime, apple has added a "Game Center" application in order to promote continued growth and community interactions on the iPod touch. Also, users will find the "Voice Memos" application much more useful after the addition of a built-in microphone.

Conclusion
   The 4th Generation iPod touch is an outstanding product and a worthy upgrade from a 1st or 2nd Generation touch. The addition of the cameras, an upgraded screen and processor, and iOS 4 make this a killer product for a reasonable price. The 4th Generation iPod touch is available now in 8GB, 32GB, and 64GB models.