A first look at the Apple iTouch
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By Mark Kaelin
By Mark Kaelin
The iTouch is Apple’s latest portable multimedia iPod device. The iTouch includes the usual music playing features, but adds video playback and WiFi connectivity to its arsenal. We took a first look at the iTouch recently and here is what we found. The next step of course is to crack it open and see what it looks like on the inside.
Macy Gray
Macy Gray
An artist named Macy Gray is on the box cover – I have no idea who that is – but then I’m not really hip anymore.
Assembled in China
Assembled in China
Not much in the box
Not much in the box
Apple continues the tradition of sparse documentation. Tips on how to use the iTouch are going to have to come from somewhere else.
Pristine
Pristine
Apple packages the iTouch with plenty of protective plastic — too bad that as soon as you start using it the greasy fingerprints will never go completely away.
TechRepublic personalization
TechRepublic personalization
No fingerprints yet
No fingerprints yet
The screen is crystal clear and bright — I almost hated to touch it.
On button
On button
The only other button on the iTouch is the power button. There are no external controls for volume, pause, next on the playlist etc.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper
Movies
Movies
Movies on the Apple iTouch are not high-definition obviously, but they look pretty good. It is hard to tell from these pictures, but the screen is just about the right size for palm-of-the-hand viewing.
Simple interface
Simple interface
The movie interface is simple but effective, but I would still like to have some physical buttons to press.
Wide screen
Wide screen
For Star Trek: First Contact, which i downloaded from iTunes, the screen was easy to see. Much better than the iPod Video Nano which was way too small.
