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iPod Touch $20 Upgrade Rocks

I admit that paying $20 for a software update to my iPod Touch, less than a month after I got it, is kind of depressing, but I went for it and it’s like I have an all new iPod!

New features include:

  1. Email client. Fully functional email that’s amazing.
  2. Weather app. I love the weather, so this is like candy to me.
  3. Notes. I’ve been using address book for taking notes, not so much anymore. I wish I could do check boxes though too.
  4. Stocks – Not my cup of tea, but I got it.
  5. Google Maps – Not only do they look great, but I can get three types of maps (line, satellite, hybrid), traffic conditions, directions and I can search for business on the map. It’ll tell me where all Targets are for example. It even has the ability to figure out where I am based on my internet connection. Doesn’t work at home, but I’m going to try it everywhere. 🙂
  6. Web clips. Creating a quick shortcut to Gmail on my iPod Touches home screen is simple as pie. It’s a great way to add even more ‘virtual’ applications.
  7. Multiple home screens. Just like the weather, I can flip through home screen after home screen.
  8. Customizable home screens. Press, hold and it all starts to wiggle. Then I can move icons around all I want. I’ve already done this a few times.

Here is my short iPod Touch Wiggle movie.*

I do have to say that I’m very impressed with the $20 upgrade. In my mind, it’s better than coming out with new features that are only available on new iPods. Lets just hope that Apple continues to let iPod Touch owners get more software updates like this in the future.

*If anyone has tips on getting better image/video captures from iSight, let me know.


11 Responses

  1. Bob says:

    Nice writeup!

    One Question: Is there better (more access to Wi-Fi) due to the Maps program and the partnership with SkyHook or is it still restricted to wherever you have free Wi-Fi in a particular area?

  2. Thomas says:

    Not sure on that one Bob. I’ll have to test it out this weekend, but my best guess is it’s still restricted to wherever I find free Wi-Fi.

  3. Jeff says:

    Can the Maps app be used without wifi? you know just as a map? lol

  4. Thomas says:

    Jeff – Yes, to a point. I found out that without a WiFi connection I could zoom in and move around to areas that’d I’d perviously been when I did have Wi-Fi. So it basically used a cached version.

    Bob – I was never able to connect to the mapping software without Wi-Fi access.

  5. Jean says:

    I have one question: can you use the notes app without wifi??
    Thanks!!

  6. Thomas says:

    Yes Jean, you can. No WiFi required for notes.

  7. Mike says:

    why waste the money? You can get all of that for free by jailbreaking it by going to jailbreakme.com

    Peace,
    Mike~

  8. Indra Surya says:

    The worst thing for me is even if I am willing to pay for the software pack, Apple didn’t allow me to! It is simply because I live in Indonesia and it is not in Apple’s list of the country that can do business with them! This is ridiculous! Apple should consider not to sell the hardware to the countries with no Apple Stores.. Now Apple leaves me with an iPod Touch which cannot be upgraded..

    Next time, I think we should wait for 3-4 months before buying a new product from Apple. Remember the $200 cutting price? And, now we have to pay $20 for a pack of software which was given free to the new buyers?

    Apple sucks..

  9. M says:

    I agree with mike, I jailbroke my ipod touch, even with 1.1.3 firmware. Why should I be required to pay an extra $20 for features that SHOULD come with the ipod in the first place!

    Plus I can get games and sweet apps. 🙂

  10. fernando says:

    where exactly can i find the upgrade whit the maps, mail ald all the other stuff for the ipod touch, i’ve been searching everywhere in the apple site, and i couldn’t fint it!!

  11. Thomas says:

    Fernando, there is a new update that will be out later today for the iPod Touch for only $9.99 and it’ll include maps and much more. Watch Apple’s site or iTunes.

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