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- MikeSetera, on 09/09/2008, -5/+82***** Radio, give me COPY AND PASTE!
- jggube, on 09/09/2008, -2/+55Dugg for suggesting Blue Tooth - seriously that would make it much easier to sync stuff.
- photohunter, on 09/09/2008, -5/+37The inclusion of Pandora app SOMEWHAT alleviates the need for a real radio. But darnit, sometimes I just want NPR.
- zdiggler, on 09/09/2008, -4/+25If you work at Apple and if you listen to FM Radio you're automatically fired.
- inactive, on 09/09/2008, -2/+23Bluetooth would be great if it worked all the time.
- inactive, on 09/09/2008, -1/+15***** Radio, give me COPY AND PASTE!
- nbabbitz, on 09/09/2008, -3/+16the fact that none of the ipods offer stereo bluetooth is absurd
- hpharty, on 09/09/2008, -2/+15If my iPod had an FM tuner in it who would listen to my 160GB of stolen music?
- BootsElectric, on 09/09/2008, -0/+13It's a sad day in America when possibly the least biased most easily accessible source of free news, programming, in depth interviews, and cultural discussion is written off because it doesn't play god awful Clear Channel approved "music".
- Gee1004, on 09/09/2008, -8/+21What's a FM radio?
- attention, on 09/09/2008, -3/+13custom equalizer settings?
- jakem1, on 09/09/2008, -0/+10Why not just have both and then you can both be happy.
- andreo, on 09/09/2008, -0/+9Um, yeah. When the apocalypse comes I'm not really going to worry about listening to the radio.
- abajaj2280, on 09/09/2008, -3/+11When there's an apocalypse and you die, I'm going to tune into my FM radio for updates.
- tobikow, on 09/10/2008, -0/+7***** all of you guys, I want a UNICORN!
- betheturtle, on 09/09/2008, -1/+8Pluralization fail!
- WiseWeasel, on 09/09/2008, -15/+22Gah, let FM radio die already! Other than that, these features would be nice additions.
- inactive, on 09/10/2008, -0/+7isnt pandora dying?
- TheR3dMenace, on 09/09/2008, -2/+8Well, with the inclusion of the microphone/volume/skip button earbud, it looks like jailbroken Touch's could implement VOIP
- fadeedaf, on 09/09/2008, -4/+10They could have introduced an iPod touch with Bluetooth, WiFi Phone integrated with Skype, a 4" screen with 10 free apps along with copy and paste, all for 149$. It wouldn't matter though, someone will always complain about some stupid feature that it's missing that only say, 2000 people have a use for.
Also, the only reason people use the FM radio on the Zune, is because it's too freaking hard to actually get music onto the thing. - mspengler, on 09/09/2008, -3/+9I'm sure there is another way to get your music to sound like crap. Why introduce new technology to do it?
- Delta009, on 09/10/2008, -2/+7What the iPod really lacks is FLAC compatibility.
I don't need dozens of gigabytes of storage capacity if my music is in low-quality MP3. - GothAlice, on 09/09/2008, -0/+5Luke, sync over WiFi. That's what it's there for.
- gordeaoux, on 09/09/2008, -1/+6I think this article screwed us. Anything with the phrase "the iPhone's camera is pretty impressive" in it should be banned from existence.
- digiguy, on 09/09/2008, -0/+5I don't understand when people argue against camera and adobe flash. They are more than taking pictures and looking at ads. They have the potential to stream live video chatting on flash based sites like ustream, youtube, stickam and justin.tv!
- GothAlice, on 09/09/2008, -4/+8For those like me:
Nothing sets gadget geeks into a frenzy like an Apple product launch. The drama! (Will Steve Jobs play nice?) The mystery! (Will he unveil a MacBook Touch?) The inevitable disappointment! (What, no iPhone Flip?)
So when Apple holds its event in San Francisco today, the only thing we're relatively sure about is that there will be a few new iPods (the company made this much clear with its "Let's Rock" email invitations). And while most speculation is centering on incremental, evolutionary improvements to the existing product line (and accompanying iTunes software), there are a few features we'd like to see on the iPod (particularly the powerful iPod Touch).
Now this list isn't mere fanboy fantasy: Every single one of these upgrades is something that Apple is perfectly capable of delivering (or allowing another company to deliver through a piece of software or approved iPod accessory). But, we're going to guess that, come this afternoon, we're not going to see any major innovations on these fronts. Stay tuned to PM's Apple Central for instant analysis, but, in the meantime, we can always dream...
1. Wi-Fi VoIP
In the future, phones will likely be data-only communicator devices, ditching minute-based voice plans and instead relying on next-gen wireless networks such as WiMAX or LTE (Long Term Evolution) to transmit your voice just like any other piece of data. Of course, the voice-to-data part of this technology already exists: It's called VoIP (voice over Internet protocol), and it would be fairly easy for a software developer to create a program that would allow you unlimited calling through the iPhone's 3G or Wi-Fi connection slots of similar programs already exist for other phones. And although Apple has already signaled that 3G-based VoIP programs won't be allowed (no surprise, considering it would cannibalize its partner AT&T's business model), it left the door slightly open for future Wi-Fi-based VoIP programs. Still, the prospect is unlikely, as it's hard to imagine AT&T not objecting to people using Wi-Fi connections to avoid paying for phone calls. But there's really nothing to keep the company from putting it on the iPod Touch, which doesn't have a contract-based revenue model to cannibalize.
Why Apple Won't Offer It /// Apple would never put a killer app on just the iPod Touch, without also giving it to the more lucrative iPhone. And it will likely be a lot longer before a third-party developer is given the go-ahead to do this either.
2. Non-AT&T 3G Modems
The iPod Touch shares the Safari Web browser with the iPhone. But while the iPhone can use AT&T's data network to surf the Web when you step outside of a hotspot, the Touch relies solely on Wi-Fi for its data needs. There are iPod Touch users out there who are happy subscribers to the 3G networks from Verizon and Sprint who would love to take advantage of the Touch's slick surfing abilities without having to get a new device and a new cellular provider. To remedy this, it would be great if the Touch featured the ability to plug in a USB 3G modem from a company such as Sierra Wireless or Novatel. And while there's no USB jack on the iPod, it couldn't be too hard to develop a modem that plugs into that famous iPod dock. Come on, Apple, your competitor Archos has this feature in its new line of portable media players.
Why Apple Won't Offer It /// The only real way of tapping into the iPod's hardware is through Apple's proprietary dock connection. Because Apple controls the distribution of the hardware needed to tap into these docks, the company holds a tight grip over what sorts of accessories can be made. So unless an iPod modem is to come from some under-the-radar Chinese knockoff shop, the chances of us seeing one anytime soon are steep. Why? It just doesn't fit in with the company's character. They like to hold firm control over the entire product ecosystem, and allowing anybody to plug Apple's products into just any data network is a stretch.
3. Bluetooth
If the iPod Touch had Bluetooth, we could stream music to headphones and speakers, or beam files to other devices.
Why Apple Won't Offer It /// As a whole, Apple is allergic to Bluetooth. The iPhone famously only has Bluetooth profiles that work with mono headsets, yet won't work with high-fidelity Bluetooth stereo headsets. None of the iPods (including the iPod Touch) have any Bluetooth capabilities at all. We're not going to spuriously jump to any conclusions as to why Apple won't include the ubiquitous wireless audio standard, but it would allow users to skirt the use of dock-based accessories, which are a steady cash cow for the company.
4. Camera
Apple's iPhone has an integrated 2-megapixel digital camera, but the iPod Touch does not. What gives?
Why Apple Won't Offer It /// Apple's philosophy and business interests are probably to blame for most of this list's feature omissions. But why the company hasn't put a camera on the iPod Touch is anybody's guess. After all, Apple doesn't even make stand-alone cameras that could see sales cannibalized, and they were pioneers when it came to making built-in laptop webcams a standard feature. And the iPhone's camera is pretty impressive, as far as cameraphones go. Still, such a large feature upgrade is unlikely in the upcoming line of iPods (we would have probably heard some rumors about it if it were), but it isn't out of the question for inclusion in the near future.
5. FM Radio
The multitouch capacitive touchpanel on the iPhone and iPod Touch is a groundbreaking technology that Apple's competitors still haven't managed to offer in their products a year after launch. Broadcast radio is a technology with an almost 90-year history that just about every electronics manufacturer has managed to incorporate into at least one portable device. The only way to listen to live radio on Apple products is if that radio station is simulcast on the Internet, and if your Apple device has access to the Internet.
Why Apple Won't Offer It /// Apple has had seven years to integrate a radio tuner into the company's iPods, and has shown no interest in doing so, despite years of expressed interest by iPod fans who just want to tune into their local Lite FM stations. Jobs hasn't budged on the issue, and we don't expect he will now. A creaky old technology like radio in a sleek and beautiful iPod? Never had it, never will. - V1ncent, on 09/09/2008, -2/+6Apple is too good to give us what we want. Instead they tell us what we want and we still buy them. (Not me, but others do)
- RobotBuddha, on 09/10/2008, -0/+4Because I want multiple features, and no phone on the market supports them all. Currently the iphone has the majority of what I want, far more than any of the competitors. If I got one of them, and complained, you'd be saying "Why don't you get an iphone instead?".
- Saml01, on 09/09/2008, -2/+6Here are the answers for why they wont:
1. Reason 1, is its going to hog up the bandwidth and they would need to build more towers. Reason 2. They dont want you calling using skype at the price of pennies per minute while you leach off their data for a flat fee and then still spend less then a normal monthly plan. How are they going to pay for the towers youre using?
2. Reason 1, Bandwidth again. 2. Youre gonna people ditching their DSL or Cable connections to leach off the iphones 3g at a flat price. Instead they will just force you to pick up an additional pc card for your computer so they can make more money off your sorry ass.
3. Reason 1: This is easy, because if you want to have cordless headphones and an apple device then buy another one, yes they are pretty slick capitalists arent they. Reason 2. They dont want you sharing music with other iphone users, they want those people to go and spend money in their apple store.
4. Reason 1. They would rather you buy an iphone if you want mp3 player and a camera, and hell while you have that lets hook it up to a cellular plan as well. Reason 2. They will sell each one of these to early adopters and in 6 months release one with new features so the early adopters and everyone who doesnt have a touch jumps on the bandwagon. Once again making more money. Its not the first time apple doesnt introduce blatantly obvious features during initial device releases.
5. FM radio? Pfft. They want you buying music at the apple store, they dont want you listening to it for free. But hey if you want to listen to internet radio then yea, youre gonna have to get that extra data plan now.
Anyway, money talks and ***** walks. - nreynolds, on 09/09/2008, -0/+4you've clearly never listened to nocturna or any of the other awesome music programs on NPR, and it makes you damn smart too.
- Kazbaeden, on 09/10/2008, -0/+3Too hard?
Step 1: Put CD in drive or buy digital music from marketplace
Step 2: Software rips and tags music, sends to player wirelessly.
How can it possibly be easier? - jasmus, on 09/09/2008, -1/+4and so much slower. I had a samsung T10 with bluetooth, and had nothing but problems with it.
- CATSCEO2, on 09/10/2008, -0/+3They do have an external antenna if you want one.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA070G/D?fnode=M ... - punkcat, on 09/10/2008, -1/+4i second the death of FM radio.
- SouthsideIrish, on 09/09/2008, -0/+3Why can't radio's stream over the internet to iPhones/Touch's. CBS seems to get it with AOL Radio. Every morning I push a couple of times on my iPhone and I am listening to the score on my phone.
Who needs a radio? - gamelord12, on 09/09/2008, -0/+3How about a feature to use good computer music software to sync to your iPod (and support every feature of the iPod rather than just music syncing)? Let's face it: iTunes sucks. No folder watching? What is this? The stone ages?
- conversekid, on 09/10/2008, -0/+2Amen brotha. I stick to V0, which crams up my iPod.
- inactive, on 09/10/2008, -0/+2Although they're not live, there are podcasts of NPR programs available.
- bacon_skoda, on 09/10/2008, -0/+2"The only way to listen to live radio on Apple products is if that radio station is simulcast on the Internet, and if your Apple device has access to the Internet."
what do you call this:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA070G/D?fnode=M ... - jakem1, on 09/09/2008, -1/+3My mobile phone has a skype app supplied by my phone company and I can make free skype-to-skype calls whenever I want (3 UK). They don't seem to have a problem with bandwidth being hogged or losing revenue so why couldn't ATT do the same thing?
- Karmavs, on 09/10/2008, -0/+2Video Chat: Another function of a PHONE.
- DelMonte, on 09/09/2008, -0/+2Wi-Fi VOIP is now possible on the new iPod touch with the new earbuds/mic combo, and there are already some VOIP apps on the appstore. Skype not must be far behind...
Considering that the new earbuds are very similar to the iPhone headset, and that VOIP apps ARE allowed on the appstore, I don't think Apple added these just to record voice notes... - punkcat, on 09/10/2008, -1/+3um thats been there for years. you can even save multiple EQ settings of your own making.
- WasabiBomb, on 09/10/2008, -1/+3On my bike ride home, just now, I was able to adjust the volume on my iPhone without having to remove it from my pocket.
So yes, it's really that ***** hard. - maanwi, on 09/10/2008, -0/+2With small optics and sensor, you don't need or want a huge pixel count capturing camera; all that would do is provide you with an image that is grainy as hell and of gigantic file size. Jack-of-all-trade devices are masters of none.
- bacon_skoda, on 09/10/2008, -0/+2you expected different on digg?
- DDION, on 09/10/2008, -0/+2Dugg for truth.
Dugg with enthusiasm. - Thekirby45, on 09/10/2008, -1/+3Why do you need a radio I have it on my zune and never use it
- tyler0is0sexy, on 09/10/2008, -0/+2blah blah blah i want an iTablet
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