Advice for Apple: Grow the iPod Touch | Hacker News Reader

Advice for Apple: Grow the iPod Touch

pcworld.com

6 pointspaul929010 comments

Most people are buying a Touch because they don't want to get involved in a long cellular contract. Otherwise you might as well just get an iPhone.

not really, I don't want an iPhone, I like the Blackberry much better, but I bought a touch for other uses.

@zev i only want a month to month 3G/4G plan that connects to my compatible 3G/4G Internet mobile device (i.e. iPod Touch). That does not exist at the moment!

I don't want cell phone svc; i prefer using the Internet to communicate via text(primary) or voice(2ndary).

In your case would you be willing to pay for a 3G data plan for the Touch (presumably along with a separate plan for your BB?) Probably a really limited market for that type of expense for mobile data. Lots of people have a hard time justifying one $30/month data plan. I think it would make more sense for Apple to offer the iPhone on multiple carriers and carrier competition would take care of the rest. Someone would offer an iPhone with a data-only contract probably with some tie-in on Pay-As-You voice minutes.

yes I agree and I am one of them. As entrepreneur/hacker I like to see and enjoy hacking old business models. I'm personally sick of the Cable TV and cellular phone service business models as they are restrictive. I don't want to sign a two year contract and I don't want to pay for channels I find no value in. Thus for me I see the Internet a way to break down these biz models(opportunity) and allow consumers more freedom and choice in how they enjoy content and how they purchase/use their communication devices.

For me a iPod Touch with 3G/4G or a device similar to it would become my phone, text, twitter, email, facebook, etc communication device without having to sign a contract. I would just sign up for the service as I do now with my wire-line broadband connection and have the same Internet experience I have on laptop and desktop!

So you want a month by month cellular plan? I would be surprised if AT&T woudln't sell you one if you walk into the store and ask for it.

The potential of the iPhone/iPod Touch platform is something I think everyone underestimates. What these two devices do is to give developers programmatic access to a bunch of things that have never been available before. Find me the other voice recorders with APIs or the other cameras with APIs. It really is the first truly portable computer.

The iPod touch makes that all available (camera coming soon I'm sure) at a minuscule price point. Meaning they can be widely deployed. Apple needs to put more focus on the security of the devices but once they do I could see iPod touches being deployed in hospitals, law offices, construction sites and just about anywhere that values portability.

I have be waiting and have been excited for the day to have an unrestricted Internet mobile device that does everything my laptop/desktops do, but in my pocket! I don't think Apple would ever do what the author is suggesting, but it does leave the door open for competitors to create something like this. I'd buy a Zune HD if it did this, but alas that device is more focused on music and does not have built in 3G/4G.

Try a Zii Egg instead: two cameras (video & still), wifi, a multi-touch screen, music & video playback, HD output...

Ah yes, because Apple is crying out for advice - they're really not sure what to do next.

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