New iPod Touch 'retina' Display - Not the same as iPhone?

[Caleo Global Moderator]

So, I was really looking forward to the new iPod touch HOPING apple wouldn't screw ipod touch fans over again with another crappy release, and it appears they haven't fully disappointed. It's only missing a couple things I was hoping for:

GPS

iPhone 4 design

iPhone 4 quality camera

Now, in this video @ Engadget, I noticed that the screen has some major color shift at non normal viewing angles. It's right next to an iPhone 4 so the difference is like night and day.

I'd like to see more proof of this before I seriously consider upgrading my old 16GB 2g touch. If anyone could take video (showing color-shift) of a new touch when they get one... preferably next to an iPhone 4, that'd be awesome.

[Raa]

In other words, you should've bought an iPhone by the sounds of it...

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

I'm quite surprised at the lack of GPS, especially considering Apple keeps promoting their MobileMe service that lets you track the device if it's stolen (another problem, it doesn't have any 3g data component, so it can only be tracked while it's connected to a wireless access point, which is a manual process)

Everything else is good, but the lack of GPS means I'd be much more likely to just buy a second hand 3Gs.

[Caleo Global Moderator]

In other words, you should've bought an iPhone by the sounds of it...

Nah, I'm not paying $400 + $100 a month for something I don't need (data/phone). Wifi suffices for anything mobile I need to do on my Touch.

[+jamesyfx Subscriber²]

This iPod Touch has a more appealing design for me than the iPhone 4. It's a lot more slender looking.

[Gary2MBz]

Did they include vibrate support this time for gaming? Does the microphone on the back work for voice apps such as Shazam and the Talking Tom Cat?

[Caleo Global Moderator]

Did they include vibrate support this time for gaming? Does the microphone on the back work for voice apps such as Shazam and the Talking Tom Cat?

Vibrate? No, pretty sure they didn't (it'd be kinda stupid anyway).. microphone, probably.. also, I believe the microphone is at the bottom on the opposite side of the sync port where the headphone jack is.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Now, in this video @ Engadget, I noticed that the screen has some major color shift at non normal viewing angles. It's right next to an iPhone 4 so the difference is like night and day.

Yeah, you can definitely see this effect at the ~0:20 mark.

I was almost set on buying the new ipod touch, but after this, not so sure. Even though they advertise it as if its the same retina display from iPhone 4, you can clearly see in the video that its not the same thing.

[Elliott]

Same resolution, pixel density, and LED backlighting. However, this display doesn't seem like it's an IPS display, so you don't get the great viewing angles of the iPhone and iPad.

[Quillz]

Of course they aren't going to make the touch nearly as good as the iPhone 4. They don't want to cannibalize iPhone sales. This is the same reason the new nano lost many of the things the older models had, like a video camera, video playback and a larger display: it's all engineered so that you'll want the bigger and more expensive model.

[Dom]

Of course they aren't going to make the touch nearly as good as the iPhone 4. They don't want to cannibalize iPhone sales. This is the same reason the new nano lost many of the things the older models had, like a video camera, video playback and a larger display: it's all engineered so that you'll want the bigger and more expensive model.

The Camera on the Nano was ditched because of the new Camera on the Touch, one of the reasons why the Nano was radically changed also.

[Quattrone]

Maybe GPS or 3G data plan will be add to the next version of iPod touch. Every year they add a new feature to the iPod Touch.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Maybe GPS or 3G data plan will be add to the next version of iPod touch. Every year they add a new feature to the iPod Touch.

We'll more likely see a cold day in hell than SJ allowing 3G on the iPod touch

[Quattrone]

We'll more likely see a cold day in hell than SJ allowing 3G on the iPod touch

True but let me point out also that with the new iPod touch, they also added mic built-in which is great. I don't need to use a damn headset with mic anymore. This new iPod is a winner in everything over the previous model.

[thealexweb]

Does the new iPod Touch have a microphone?

[Quattrone]

Does the new iPod Touch have a microphone?

Yup built in

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

There's no reason why the iPod Touch 'retina display' would be any different from the iPhone 4 one. I'd suggest looking at the device in person when it's available in an Apple Store instead of relying on videos shot under whatever odd lighting conditions.

[figgy]

I'm quite surprised at the lack of GPS, especially considering Apple keeps promoting their MobileMe service that lets you track the device if it's stolen (another problem, it doesn't have any 3g data component, so it can only be tracked while it's connected to a wireless access point, which is a manual process)

Everything else is good, but the lack of GPS means I'd be much more likely to just buy a second hand 3Gs.

The lack of a good quality GPS in these cellphone devices prevents me one replacing my dedicated GPS unit.

Maybe next year we will see smartphones with good quality GPS based on something like the SiRFstar IV

[Xerxes]

Maybe GPS or 3G data plan will be add to the next version of iPod touch. Every year they add a new feature to the iPod Touch.

That is called an iPhone! the iPod touch will never get GPS, unless Apple redesign the Maps app to allow you to cache maps to the device (I wish they would! loved that feature of my previous phone [Nokia N95]). As for being able to access the phone network for data, what is the point? if you want that then what you want is an iPhone not an iPod touch. Not to mention that could seriously cannibalize the iPhone sales too, I'm sure Apple will block being able to make phone calls on it but with something like Skype or just jailbreak it to allow phone calls (I'm sure you could) you got yourself a cheap iPhone! I am also aware the iPad has a 3G version but that is a completely different device! Well that is my 2 cents, take with a grain of salt.

[Quattrone]

That is called an iPhone! the iPod touch will never get GPS, unless Apple redesign the Maps app to allow you to cache maps to the device (I wish they would! loved that feature of my previous phone [Nokia N95]). As for being able to access the phone network for data, what is the point? if you want that then what you want is an iPhone not an iPod touch. Not to mention that could seriously cannibalize the iPhone sales too, I'm sure Apple will block being able to make phone calls on it but with something like Skype or just jailbreak it to allow phone calls (I'm sure you could) you got yourself a cheap iPhone! I am also aware the iPad has a 3G version but that is a completely different device! Well that is my 2 cents, take with a grain of salt.

I believe you, but also you need to understand that they add new features every year to the iPod touch. GPS may not come soon or not even in the next model but I am truly believe that Apple may add in two or three years an iPod touch with GPS built in. They don't need to have a full GPS , they may add that to the map app only. I don't think Apple will add a full GPS to the iPod touch.

[thealexweb]

Yup built in

Might make a fairly good Skype phone then.

[shockz]

I'm quite surprised at the lack of GPS, especially considering Apple keeps promoting their MobileMe service that lets you track the device if it's stolen (another problem, it doesn't have any 3g data component, so it can only be tracked while it's connected to a wireless access point, which is a manual process)

Everything else is good, but the lack of GPS means I'd be much more likely to just buy a second hand 3Gs.

Agreed. Not only that, but TomTom and Navigon would probably make a killing if iPods supported GPS. I know I'd use it for such a purpose. My iPod spends the majority of its time plugged into the radio in my car. GPS seems almost like common sense.

[undu]

videos shot under whatever odd lighting conditions.

See the video again, that effect cannot be made usin 'odd lighting conditions', this type of color shift only happens in TN screens. Since we know that the iphone 4 screen is and IPS screen we can conclude it's a much lower quality screen, like it or not.

[Malisk]

1. Who looks at their iPod Touch in a way that exhibit that issue?

2. At the point of an odd viewing angle in the video, the iPhone displays a mostly black screen which doesn't tell much, regardless if it's IPS or TN.

I also recommend checking one out in a store to see how much of a problem this would be to you.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

I know my iPod caches map data, but I'm not sure how much it caches.

But still, the iPod OS reports it supports geolocation to apps, the camera app stores that information in any pictures it takes, but the iPod itself doesn't actually support geolocation (unless you use the WiFi method, but that only works if you are connected to an open, known WiFi point. I had to add mine to the Skyhook DB by hand to get any info)