Posted on 12/07/2009 9:18:03 AM PST by Star Traveler
Posted 12/07/2009 at 8:33:11am
by J.R. Bookwalter
Apple may have to fend off a number of competitors for the iPhone’s crown of smartphone dominance, but one area where there seems to be comparatively little competition is the roost ruled by the iPod touch.
Based upon a report by Flurry, a San Francisco mobile analytics company, there are 24 million iPod touches in use, which represent 40% of the total 58 million iPhone OS devices, according to Gigaom’s Om Malik.
After all, the iPod touch has one big advantage over the iPhone: No wireless carrier commitment, which adds more than $2,000 to the purchase price over the 2-year contract. Otherwise, it’s functionally the same as the iPhone, sans camera (which is rumored to appear with a future hardware refresh), for a one-time price. With a virtual explosion of free or cheap Wi-Fi almost everywhere, the iPod touch begins to look like a very enticing alternative that helps boost the iPhone OS market share.
The mobile advertising company AdMob (currently being acquired by Google), reported back in October that the iPod touch accounted for 9.8% of all request for applications and websites that embed their advertising scripts. The iPhone, by comparison, has 22.4% of such requests. But the AdMob results mostly mirror those of Flurry, and point to an increasing user base for the iPod touch.
“It’s important to remember that the iPhone’s flank is protected by an often-overlooked, powerful fighting brand: iPod touch,” the Flurry report released today explains. “As all industry eyes look to the iPhone, the iPod touch is quietly building a loyal base among the next generation of iPhone users, positioning Apple to corner the smartphone market not only today, but also tomorrow.”
Malik goes on to state that the inclusion of a camera on the iPod touch could really push it into the stratosphere, not only for use as a digital camera to take snapshots (and presumably, video) but also as a secondary role as a barcode scanner, for instance.
Also in the iPod touch’s favor: Gaming. Flurry notes that Social Networking and Gaming are among the biggest categories for iPod touch use, which have already started to erode the lead held by specialist game device makers such as Nintendo.
however, if you dont have access to wi-fi, it's basically just an ipod.
Analysis: Apple Embraces The Cloud, Positions Mobile With Lala Deal [Extends iTunes]
[ a FReeper article... ]
however, if you dont have access to wi-fi, it's basically just an ipod.
Now..., don't go misleading people who don't know... LOL...
An iPod Touch is a "whole lot more" than a simple iPod -- if there is not a WiFi connection nearby.
It's a little/mini computer in your hands... really...
It does have programs on it, various one that don't have anything to do with WiFi. I have a bunch of them, myself (and I'm on the iPhone...).
You can make voice memos (at least Apple just added that, but there were applications that would do that, too). You have an extensive Note Pad, which I use quite a bit for notes to myself when I'm out and around. I can either use the voice-notes or the written notes. I like the little calculator (use that one in the store... LOL...). And then there is the calendar function, which I'll use when I'm out and about, when something comes up (when going around) and I have to remind myself a bit later on. I'll do it right then.
I also have several programs that are Bible-readers and have different versions there for me to look up. Because I'll discuss, quite frequently with people, things about the Bible, it's sure handy for me to look up verses right there when I'm talking to someone. :-)
On top of that, if I want to refer to the Koran (usually to show how evil and whacko they are) I've also got the Koran right there on my iPhone.
Then, I've got a bunch of little programs for fun and entertainment, too... :-)
All of that (and there's more, too) is all that one can do -- which is much more than a "simple iPod"...
The iPod Touch is like having a mini-computer in your pocket, one that is also an iPod... :-)
Is that why I saw a teenager using one in church yesterday?
Seriously, regarding my earlier comments, tell me why someone (me) who has no friends and family who text would want to upgrade to such a "machine".
Somebody must text me, however, because I have about 80 unopened texts in my incoming list right now. None of them are from people I know. I do not open them because I have to pay for them. (I'm on an ATT family plan with my phone.)
Is that why I saw a teenager using one in church yesterday?
Maybe! LOL...
But, for me, I've done that before, too. I have used it to switch between versions and see what one version ("translation") says versus the other one. That's handy.
And then, there are times when I'm reminded of something else and I'll do a search to find a word or phrase in reference to what is being discussed. It's quite handy.
Sold me, but I think I’ll wait for the camera and the FM tuner.
Seriously, regarding my earlier comments, tell me why someone (me) who has no friends and family who text would want to upgrade to such a "machine".
If you're asking why someone would want to upgrade from an iPod Touch to an iPhone, there can be several reasons. Just the convenience of not carrying around two devices would be one reason (a phone and an iPod Touch).
Then there are some functions you get with the iPhone that are nice, like the GPS functionality and the Google Maps to help you navigate. And there is a specific navigation program that Apple is supposed to be working on now, that will probably be in a future upgrade.
Text messaging is what drives people to upgrade from an iPod Touch to an iPhone, I don't think... :-)
Sold me, but I think I’ll wait for the camera and the FM tuner.
I know the camera is coming, but I'm doubting that an FM tuner is coming. I'm thinking that the direction that Apple is going here is shown with the acquisition of the company "LaLa"... :-)
Analysis: Apple Embraces The Cloud, Positions Mobile With Lala Deal [Extends iTunes]
[Freeper thread...]
We’re testing a couple of SIP apps to see if we can use our iPods as Cisco VOIP phones. So far, not as bad as I expected.
We’re testing a couple of SIP apps to see if we can use our iPods as Cisco VOIP phones. So far, not as bad as I expected.
Would this be similar to how users are using the Skype app on the iPod Touch and iPhone?
Nope. This actually sets you up with a virtual IP phone. Cisco has one based off of the TinCan protocol that mimics the 7920 wireless IP phone.
Yes, this is really important. The iPhone firmware continues to evolve. You might not get a feature that requires the latest hardware (i.e. video or the compass in the 3GS), but you aren't stuck with buggy firmware.
I'll probably buy the next generation iPhone (after the 3GS), since my 2-year contract will be up for renewal. AT&T offered me an upgrade to the 3GS (at the contract renewal price), but I decided to wait another year -- the features in the 3GS weren't enough for me to make the new commitment.
I'm really happy to see the Android and Palm Pre hit the market. I'm not going to get into a fanboi shouting match about which is the best, because I think every one of them has strengths and weaknesses. But, each will push the others to continuously improve, and everyone wins.
A new release of the iPhone/Touch firmware usually follows soon thereafter, which can be installed onto existing devices. The new iPhones typically go on sale 1-2 months later.
Nope. This actually sets you up with a virtual IP phone. Cisco has one based off of the TinCan protocol that mimics the 7920 wireless IP phone.
Sounds like a cool project... is there an app that will be released?
SIPhone, Media-5, and iSip are the products were are looking at.
SIP - Session Initiation Protocol
The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol, widely used for controlling multimedia communication sessions such as voice and video calls over Internet Protocol (IP). The protocol can be used for creating, modifying and terminating two-party (unicast) or multiparty (multicast) sessions consisting of one or several media streams. The modification can involve changing addresses or ports, inviting more participants, adding or deleting media streams, etc. Other feasible application examples include video conferencing, streaming multimedia distribution, instant messaging, presence information and online games.
Yeah... I guess that’s the one I was talking about. It gives the length of the product cycles... thanks...
Thanks.... that was the site... :-)
“Second, wow, it’s like $100 plus dollars a month for phone and data service! “
We pay about $120 for two iPhones: $50 service for the first phone, $10 for the second, $5 per phone for messaging and $30 phone per phone for data: $50 + $10 + $5 + $5 + 30 + $30 = $130 minus a 25% corporate discount = $105 + about $15 for taxes = $120. A little steep still, but nothing we wouldn’t be paying elsewhere for Internet capable phones.
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