subject: Portable Music Player - Apple Ipod Touch 8gb [print this page] When Apple announced a PMP based on their iPhone concept, many of us were excited - for the first time we'd have freedom from menus, complicated sequence of button presses to achieve a simple task, and the ability to navigate a device at our leisure. After all, exploration is a leastpe activity, isn't it? Now that we've used the iPod touch, we must say it's an experience that's been conceptualised exceptionally well and executed with the same panache and finesse that Apple has been known for. Once you play around with the Touch, feeling it and exploring its world, chances are you're already doomed to shell out the 17,000-odd rupees that it takes to possess such a device with the same favour that wannabe rich boys chase Lamborghinis and playboy playmates with. And all this even before you listen to what it can do to your senses!
The touch incorporates excellent sound, with the kind of tonal neutrality that most run of the mill PMPs can only dream of. With a bass response approaching perfection, a deep hit in the gut feeling that can only come through expensive speakers, the Touch sounds equally at ease with Heavy Metal as it does with jazz or blues, or even rock music where liquidity of response is the name of the game. With class leading vocals and mids, the Touch has a revealing top end that's clear and precise without being overly bright.
It's a photo viewer well calmte par, and you'll love the way browsing through photos is as simple as flipping through an album. As if to prove it's touch status, there's a single button on the facia whose sole aim is to return to the main menu, regardless of where you are. It's a very good video player too, and will satisfy even movie junkies with it's large, crisp and clear screen.
The integrated WiFi ensures that you're connected even while... Err... Disconnected, even as the Safari web browser makes a snap of surfing the internet. Initial firmware issues had us bothered about the sluggishness of the browser, but that's history with the version 1.1 firmware. With the ability to flash your device online, and the usage of entire storage space as a flash drive, the touch also boldly goes where no previous iPod (save the very recent 3G nano and 5.5G classic) has good before.
Its one of those rare must have lifestyle products, like a Nokia N95 8GB, Nokia N97 or even a BMW M3 - one of those flashy yet functional devices that doesn't deserve your hard earned cash, but demands it...
