Product face-offs
Apple iPod Touch 2G 8 GB
  | ||
| Target Corp. | 36.99 | |
| PC Connection | 69.00 | |
| Target Corp. | 69.99 | |
| PC Connection | 114.99 | |
| J&R Music and Computer World | 139.88 | |
| Camera World US | 162.35 | |
| Compare prices | ||
 | |||
| Ecran LCD | 3.5'' multi touch | ||
| Résolution d'écran / Couleurs | 320 x 480 pixels pixels / Yes couleurs | ||
| Stockage | Flash memory 8 GB (+cartes -) | ||
| Dimensions / Poids | 110 x 61.8 x 8.5 mm / 115 grammes | ||
| Batterie | 36 hours music playback / 6 hours video playback | ||
| Formats supportés | AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, H.264,.mp4 and .mov | ||
New Firmware with Nike+
What's the upgrade to version 2.1.1 of the Touch's firmware all about then? As far as we can see, the only feature that's been added is compatibility with Nike+, which was missing from the earlier generation of Touches which didn't have the right sort of receiver built in.
Now though, you can slip the Nike+ sensor (available separately) into your trainers when you go for a run and it will log your progress, even providing spoken feedback via the headphones if you wish. If you upload the data online, more complex options are available and you can, for instance, set targets for your future runs.
Nike+ was an irritating omission from the first round of iPod Touches, but given the little wireless chip that's now inside, the ability to use some Bluetooth headphones would be welcome.
Now though, you can slip the Nike+ sensor (available separately) into your trainers when you go for a run and it will log your progress, even providing spoken feedback via the headphones if you wish. If you upload the data online, more complex options are available and you can, for instance, set targets for your future runs.
Nike+ was an irritating omission from the first round of iPod Touches, but given the little wireless chip that's now inside, the ability to use some Bluetooth headphones would be welcome.
Michael Jeulin-L
Test date: 2008-10-10
Test date: 2008-10-10
When we first tested it just over a year ago, our verdict on the first generation of the iPod Touch was clear: a five-star score and high praise for 'a real portable video player, at long last … practical, aesthetically-pleasing and with a decent screen.'
This autumn, Apple has revealed an update to all of its portable products in the run-up to the holiday season, but do the additions to the Touch make an upgrade worthwhile?
Handling
One of the most obvious changes is a new, slimmer design.
Dubbed 'contoured' in shape, the new Touch feels a lot thinner thanks to its curved back, which also gives it a better grip.
Another change to the outside of the case that we had long been hoping for is the addition of a pair of buttons for adjusting the volume without having to use the regular interface.
This autumn, Apple has revealed an update to all of its portable products in the run-up to the holiday season, but do the additions to the Touch make an upgrade worthwhile?
Handling
One of the most obvious changes is a new, slimmer design.
Dubbed 'contoured' in shape, the new Touch feels a lot thinner thanks to its curved back, which also gives it a better grip.
Another change to the outside of the case that we had long been hoping for is the addition of a pair of buttons for adjusting the volume without having to use the regular interface.
As you can see, other than this, very little has changed between the first generation of the Touch (left) and the second (right):
.jpg)
What's new on the inside?
There aren't any major changes it seems.
The firmware has been upgraded to version 2.1.1 to include Nike+ functionality (see here for more), and now boasts a speaker for listening to music without the headphones.
Speaking of the headphones, their jack is now also an input for a microphone allowing you to record voice memos. A useful touch, yes, but perhaps one which presages the arrival of VoIP services, itf not from Apple, perhaps via a third party?
Activating the Genius option via iTunes allows your Nano to select tracks which are--in theory at least--complementary.
The results are based on what other users have in their iTunes libraries, and can therefore sometimes be a little surprising.
But isn't the sign of a good DJ the ability to entertain you with unexpected treats?
Finally, battery life has been extended, moving from 22 hours of audio playback and 5 hours of video to 36 and 6 hours respectively.
Sound Quality
We couldn't detect any improvements in sound quality, and the Touch still ships with Apple's frankly inferior famous white headphones.
You can sometimes get better results by changing the encoding settings in iTunes, and if you're a real aficionado, then think about using lossless encoding; there is, however, an inevitable drop in the amount of songs you can cram in due to the higher file sizes this entails.
There aren't any major changes it seems.
The firmware has been upgraded to version 2.1.1 to include Nike+ functionality (see here for more), and now boasts a speaker for listening to music without the headphones.
Speaking of the headphones, their jack is now also an input for a microphone allowing you to record voice memos. A useful touch, yes, but perhaps one which presages the arrival of VoIP services, itf not from Apple, perhaps via a third party?
Activating the Genius option via iTunes allows your Nano to select tracks which are--in theory at least--complementary.
The results are based on what other users have in their iTunes libraries, and can therefore sometimes be a little surprising.
But isn't the sign of a good DJ the ability to entertain you with unexpected treats?
Finally, battery life has been extended, moving from 22 hours of audio playback and 5 hours of video to 36 and 6 hours respectively.
Sound Quality
We couldn't detect any improvements in sound quality, and the Touch still ships with Apple's frankly inferior famous white headphones.
You can sometimes get better results by changing the encoding settings in iTunes, and if you're a real aficionado, then think about using lossless encoding; there is, however, an inevitable drop in the amount of songs you can cram in due to the higher file sizes this entails.
-
Interface: volume control is a good addition
-
Large touch screen
-
Thinner
-
Genius keeps things interesting
-
Speaker not very good
-
Easy to get grimy fingerprints
-
Ditch those white headphones if you can
If you're thinking of trading up your first generation Touch in favor of the 2G, then don't bother. It's still an excellent product, and this new version only brings a few little extras.
