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iPod New to iPods, Need Buying Advice

Thunderbird

Thunderbird

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 25, 2005
961
791
I've actually never owned an iPod, but I'd ike to get one, and have certain features in mind. I've tried looking on Apple's website for more details on the features of individual models but there doesn't seem to be a lot of in-depth info.

What I would really like is the following:

-Playlist
-Fast forward/rewind
-Camera
-Microphone (for recording memos to self)
-FM Radio
-Suitable as an e-reader for iBooks (not absolutely necessary)

Does any iPod model come close to having all or most of these?

Do you think retina display will migrate to any of the iPods?

I understand new updates are expected in the Fall, and I plan to wait until then to decide. Just thought I'd ask about which models to maybe be on the lookout for.

Thanks!
 
Thunderbird said:
-Playlist
Click to expand...
Can do on all iPods.
Fast forward/rewind
Click to expand...
No problem
-Camera
Click to expand...
Nano only for now.
-Microphone (for recording memos to self)
Click to expand...
I don't think any of them do this, could be wrong about the Nano. You need a special headset to do this on the Touch and I think it ends up being kind of complicated.
-FM Radio
Click to expand...
Nano only. I don't expect this on a future Touch.
-Suitable as an e-reader for iBooks (not absolutely necessary)
Click to expand...
See "retina" below.
Do you think retina display will migrate to any of the iPods?
Click to expand...
I think that would be very cool. But I doubt it. I'm 50/50 on a retina Touch this Fall.
 
Probably the closest one is the iPod Nano. It comes with all the features you wish, except for the ability to use iBooks. Although the camera on it can only take videos.

You might also be interested in looking at the iPod Touch. It includes all the features out of the box, except a camera and the ability to listen to the radio. However, due to access to the App Store, you can get a third party FM Radio App.

In the Fall I would expect a camera to make its way to the iPod Touch. I'm not sure about the Retina Display yet, as it is an expensive component in the iPhones. Perhaps we'll see the Retina Display next year instead. I think it would be unlikely to see an FM Radio out of the box on the iPod Touches as well.
 
By fast forward and rewind, I meant within the same song, and not simply fast forward to the next song. If all iPods can do this, that's good to know. Thanks.

Radio is on the Nano. Okay. And possibly on the iPod Touch (via an app?)

I guess the only question marks are the microphone and the camera. I thought for sure one of the models would have a microphone (sorry, spinnerlys, your link to other models didn't work).
 
Thunderbird said:
By fast forward and rewind, I meant within the same song, and not simply fast forward to the next song. If all iPods can do this, that's good to know. Thanks.

Radio is on the Nano. Okay. And possibly on the iPod Touch (via an app?)

I guess the only question marks are the microphone and the camera. I thought for sure one of the models would have a microphone (sorry, spinnerlys, your link to other models didn't work).
Click to expand...

iPod touch is the best. It comes with earbuds w/ remote and mic. You can fast forward/rewind using the touchscreen much easier than other iPods, even for the same song. None of the iPods have mics built-in, but I think all of them work (except the shuffle) with external mics like the one found in Apple's earbuds w/ remote and mic.
 
Great, thanks spinnerlys. It sounds like any 5th generation iPod would be able to record voice memos through the earphone-with-remote-and-mic accessory.

Edit: thanks snowleopard2008, I guess we posted at the same time. I am leaning toward the iPod Touch. It's just a matter of what kinds of feature updates might come out this Fall.

Can anyone confirm a radio app for the iPod Touch?
 
Thunderbird said:
Great, thanks spinnerlys. It sounds like any 5th generation iPod would be able to record voice memos through the earphone-with-remote-and-mic accessory.

Edit: thanks snowleopard2008, I guess we posted at the same time. I am leaning toward the iPod Touch. It's just a matter of what kinds of feature updates might come out this Fall.

Can anyone confirm a radio app for the iPod Touch?
Click to expand...

Haha, I just noticed that too. Unless camera and slightly smaller size is important to you, I recommend the iPod touch. It just opens a whole new world (App Store). I think Apple will add a camera of some kind in the Fall. Either a front-facing one for FaceTime or one on the back. Either way, it won't be of the same quality as the iPhone 4 for obvious business reasons.
 
My Opinion:
I would say the iPod Nano is best for you, built in video camera, microphone, playlists, fast forward, rewind, no ebooks though :/
 
Hmm...what if I just got an iPhone 4, would that have everything I'm looking for?
 
I'm "guessing" your best choice is the iTouch.
The only option that's missing in the iTouch is the camera.
The 4th generation "should" include camera.
If not, it's still the better iPod of the rest.
 
I say wait until the new iPods come out in September, and if you like them buy one of them. The old iPods will be cheaper when the new ones come out so if you have already decided you want the 5th gen Nano or the 3rd gen Touch they will be cheaper then.
 
Wait 1 month when they release the new iPod's next month, presumably September 8th, the touch will most likely have the cameras, all iPods have playlists, even the shuffle. nano has a mic, but the new touch 4G is most likely going to have a built in microphone, I don't think the touch will get FM radio, but the nano already has it, the touch has iBooks, the retina is expected by a lot of people to come to the touch.

My advice: Wait a month, and there will most likely be a lot of new features coming to all of the iPod models, the last two iPod events were kind of let downs, so this probably the year of the iPod.
 
Peterson8765 said:
Wait 1 month when they release the new iPod's next month, presumably September 8th, the touch will most likely have the cameras, all iPods have playlists, even the shuffle. nano has a mic, but the new touch 4G is most likely going to have a built in microphone, I don't think the touch will get FM radio, but the nano already has it, the touch has iBooks, the retina is expected by a lot of people to come to the touch.

My advice: Wait a month, and there will most likely be a lot of new features coming to all of the iPod models, the last two iPod events were kind of let downs, so this probably the year of the iPod.
Click to expand...

Has an iPod event been announced?
 
sparks9 said:
Has an iPod event been announced?
Click to expand...

No, they usually announce them a week before the event. Last year it was on September 9th and they announced it on August 31st. They've always had the iPod events in the beginning of September.
 
It looks like I got everything I wished for in the new iPod Touch (except for the FM radio, but I think one can buy an earphone accessory for that).

Thanks to everyone on this thread.
 
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