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R.I.P. iPod! Should I get a Touch?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by daniel, Jan 10, 2010.

  1. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    My 7- or 8-year-old iPod mini died at the start of a short trip I just got back from. I turned it on, selected a track, and pressed Play. The Play indicator triangle came on, but no sound came out, and the time indicator remained on zero. None of the controls responded. By the end of the 1 1/2-hour flight it was warm to the touch.

    Someone in the airport showed me how to do a hard reset, and the screen went blank. But when I tried to turn it back on, all I got was a trouble icon and "www.apple.com/support/ipod" on the screen.

    Back home, plugging it into the computer, iTunes does not recognize it and the Finder does not see it. None of the suggestions at the apple support site help.

    I think it's just dead.

    It had a long and useful life.

    So now I need a new iPod, but they don't make this kind any more. An 8 GB iPod nano is $133 and takes movies, which I have ZERO use for. A 32 GB iPod Touch is $283 and has WiFi and a real web browser (Safari) instead of the klunky non-standard browser in my Nokia N-800. And lots of cool apps, probably none of which I have any real use for.

    But I need something immediately, because I'm addicted to having my music and lectures and radio programs on a portable player. I can afford whatever I decide I really want, but I don't want to waste money on something I won't actually use.

    Opinions?

    P.S. Before anybody suggests it, I even opened it up, disconnected the battery, re-connected the battery, and put it back together and it didn't help.
     
  2. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I used to work at the Apple Store a couple of years ago when I was in college so I may know a thing or two: ;)

    Sounds like the nano is for you since are mostly interested in listening to music, and the new Nano has a radio that even the iPod Touch doesn't.

    Personally, I have an iPod touch and love the ability to check my email, stock quotes, and surf the web, but to me, it is quite useless without wifi. I don't listen to much music anymore except when I plug the iPod into my Prius. ;)

    I know I haven't told you much, I'll be back with more...
     
  3. markderail

    markderail I do 45 mins @ 3200 PSI

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    Why Apple? When SANDisk is cheaper per Gig, uses a standard USB, has a mini-SD memory slot, etc.

    Unless you want to play games, iTouch. If just a media/MP3 player, generics are way cheaper.

    iow, if a SANDisk player + DS Lite is cheaper than an iTouch...

    I like MP3 players that can be easily expanded, can be used with any computer (Mac, Linux, Win), and the battery can be easily serviced.

    Ever since I got my BlackBerry Pearl, I've not used a dedicated music player.
     
  4. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I think the OP will be disappointed going from having an iPod to a SanDisk player. That is a downgrade.

    The upshot of an iPod is quality, technology, familiarity and the use of iTunes. I think that's well worth the price.
     
  5. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    I have a touch, and prefer it. I got it when I sold my iPhone. It is very satisfactory, especially if your son and you take it traveling. You will find that you can access wifi and be entertained with your own in movie flight, without having to pull out a big laptop or anything.

    It is an overall wonderful device.
     
  6. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    Don't know why I said your son... I am all messed up today. :) Glad to see you posting again. Reward yourself with the touch if that is what you desire. Live each day like it could be your last, without making it your last or endangering your future. LOL

    That's my motto.
     
  7. SPEEDEAMON

    SPEEDEAMON Professional Car Nut

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    Maybe you can help me. I have a 2nd gen iPod and a Powerbook G4 (yeah I'm old!) When Apple prompted me to install a new version of iTunes I did it following the directions carefully. The result was that I lost all the songs in my MAC. I went through the APPLE tech and got back half. Most of the purchased songs are gone. The iPod still has all the songs. Now I have an iPhone 3GS. I don't know what to do. I don't want to sync because I will losw all the remaining tunes. Any advice?
    Thanks


     
  8. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    There are 3rd party programs that will allow you to copy the music from the iPod onto another computer, so that you don't lose the music on the iPod. One such program is called Senuti (iTunes backward) and I believe there are others. I think you can also do it using Terminal if you are into the whole command line thing. Google it, I'm sure you will find something.

    Re: iPod Nano vs. iPod Touch vs. iPod Classic

    Just because you can download video, surf the Web, etc. doesn't mean you have to. If you are just interested in music, any of the above will work and it is really a matter of which size and capacity best meets your needs. I have a first gen Nano which I still really love, but its only 4GB, so I wish it was bigger. I also have a iPod Touch, but I only use it for music; I have used it on WiFi to watch YouTube videos but again it only has 4GB, so I wish it had more room.
     
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  9. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    If you knew for sure you'd only ever listen to music, then the nano does the trick. But the touch does everything except phone home - it seems to me to be the perfect little travelling computer. I'm sure you'd soon find some very useful features - updating your flights, checking the weather, downloading a book to listen to, posting on PriusChat....:rolleyes:

    Get the touch. And keep your eyes open for the new iTab. :)
     
  10. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    If you had an iPod Mini, then a Nano would be a more than suitable replacement.

    I think the Touch is a pretty poor value when you start going to toward the larger capacities. You may as well get an iPod Classic instead (160 gig Classic is $249).

    If you're ok w/refurbs and sometimes not the latest generation, consider a refurb from Refurbished iPod - Apple Store (U.S.) (select lower left of Refurbished iPods from store.apple.com if my link doesn't work.)

    IMHO, using an touchscreen device like an Touch or iPhone as a music player isn't the best in a car (where I use my iPod a lot). To navigate between songs, you have to use the touchscreen and can't really easily almost do it blindly/by feel like you can w/the clickwheel interface. My music and podcast collection was too big to fit on the largest Touches at one point, so it made no sense to go with one coupled w/the high price and the above.

    As for surfing on the Touch, finding free open wi-fi can be a challenge. It's not that readily available wherever you go. I can speak from experience w/my iPhone 3G. It's also much slower to surf on such a device compared to a real computer, even over wi-fi. I think that surfing on a Touch is gimmicky at best due to the limited connection availability unless you also carry around a mobile wi-fi hotspot like a Verizon MiFi.

    As for lots of cool apps, yep. There are a TON. You might be surprised that you will find some useful or at least cool. You might even find some casual games that you like.

    If you have plans to watch videos, then a Touch would be better due to its larger screen, but you might find its capacity to be limiting. (My iPhone's only 8 gigs and I have to limit my music, podcast, photos and videos synced to it to be a VERY small subset. For my 80 gig iPod Classic, I just let it sync everything and still have tons of room to spare.)

    FWIW, I have have an 8 gig iPhone 3G, 3rd gen Nano, 6th gen 80 gig iPod Classic, and a no longer used 4th gen iPod.
     
  11. GreenGuy33

    GreenGuy33 Active Member

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    I love how easy it is to download apps and podcasts on my Touch.
    I am trying to learn French and I have downloaded translators and dictionaries, also French podcasts, as well as my Pimsleur cd's.
     
  12. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    Capacity is not an issue as far as audio content. My Mini was 2 gigs, and I never filled it. I did have to limit to not more than one 48-lecture series (from The Teaching Company) at a time, or not more than two 24-lecture series, on top of all the music I carried and a couple of audio books.

    Listening in the car is not an issue because I'll start a playlist and just listen through. I don't jump from track to track.

    As for wi-fi availability, I'm not sure. Normally I'd be checking my email and weather and such, from hotels and lodges where they provide free wi-fi. My sister has a Verizon thing in her laptop so she can connect anywhere there's Verizon cell phone service, but I don't need to be connected that much -- though some research turned up that it does not have GPS. It finds approximate position by sniffing out local wi-fi hot spots, but of course web content like Google Earth or maps would only be available when you have a connection, I suppose.

    Delta has free wi-fi on some flights. OTOH, I cannot read on a plane. That's why I bought my iPod in the first place!

    I need to make a decision today. I don't want to be without a player.
     
  13. awmyhr

    awmyhr New Member

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    I'd highly recommend going with the iPod touch, as the endless selection of apps and wi-fi connectivity in such a compact device are very valuable. I have several iPods, but the touch gets the most use. Even around the house it is handy for quickly looking up information & checking social stuff (e-mail/chat/twitter/fb/whatever) without always running to the computer or opening the laptop. You are correct that it has no built-in GPS, and network connectivity does require one has access to the wireless network (a sore point with me at work), but even offline I use mine a lot to entertain the kids, read books, use various apps.

    One great thing is, once you buy an app (which tend to be ridiculously cheap), you can use it on all the iPhones and iPod touches linked to your account. We currently have two, one for my wife and one for me, but I'm seriously thinking of getting a couple for the kids instead of DS's partially because of this fact.
     
  14. risingsun

    risingsun seeker of the way

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    If it were me, I'd get a new 64GB Touch and enjoy it. If you don't need the space, get a smaller one, but IMHO, the Touch is the way to go for now.

    We've got 4 iPods in the house (4G, 2x5G, and a 3G Nano), and I am itching for a Touch for the wifi capabilities. Probably will hold out for the rumored tablet to be announced soon...
     
  15. macdonald

    macdonald New Member

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    My granddaughter got a Touch for Christmas, and she loves it. I'll defer to her judgment, lol.
     
  16. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Daniel,
    The flexibility allowed by an iPod touch for storing photos (such as when you're traveling), e-mail access, browser access, some apps that even you might find useful...and the ability to listen to music make the iPod Touch a very good option for you IMO. A 32GB will last you forever.
     
  17. royzaboy

    royzaboy Junior Member

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    If you have a bunch of songs purchased from iTunes, you are probably stuck with an iPod. The Nano or a classic are both great music players. If you want it only for music, I'd stick with either of those. The Touch, in my opinion, does a fine job of "playing" music, but is cumbersome to navigate (not a good thing for a car). On the other hand, you can connect to your Prius through Bluetooth, avoiding any wiring, so that may outweigh the navigation issues. I have both and seem to use the Touch on shuffle more than my Nano, primarily because of the bluetooth connectivity. The Touch is a much better toy for email, games and web surfing (provided you have wifi). It's essentially an iPhone without all the dropped calls.
     
  18. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    You could buy one of each, Daniel, and give the one you like least as a present for someone. :)
     
  19. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    Well, I bought the Touch.

    I spent several hours trying to get it to connect to the internet via the iMac using Airport, until I found out from Apple support that that would require more hardware. Apparently the wi-fi in the iMac is not the kind of wi-fi needed to let it be a hot spot for another device. Then I spent a little time unsuccessfully trying to connect to my Linksys wi-fi travel router (I really do not understand networking). So just to find out if the darn thing would connect at all, I went to the library (where they have free wi-fi) and it connected immediately and effortlessly.

    Back home I went to the iTunes store on the Mac, and got some apps: A game that consists of nothing but unwinding an entire roll of t.p. as fast as you can; a chess game (of course); a free solitaire game that I am going to dump; a sudoku game that's too small for my eyes; and an Audubon field guide to mammals.

    Generally the thing is okay, though some icons seem to require a slightly off-center touch, and the "i" icon on the world clock refuses to register nine times out of ten. Is this normal, or a defect?
     
  20. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Hi Daniel,

    My iPod Touch linked up to my wireless router with no problem, I just had to enter the password I set for my network. I wonder why yours isn't happy?