[MW Forums]

Macworld's Jason Snell takes a video hands-on first look at the new iPod touch, which arrived in stores Wednesday. more

[MacTel]

Now I understand people's gripes about the calendar. That's silly that you can't add events directly on the device. What's the reasoning for leaving that out?
Not having bluetooth is a slight disappointment. The iPhone has is so why not the iPod touch? People have been asking for it for some time now. I don't have a wireless network at work but I have bluetooth on my laptop at work so it would be nice to have the option to sync with.
Anyway, I might just buy one for my wife despite those shortcomings. Any device can be nit-picked to death.

[daneb]

If the powers that be say so, calendar event adding could be added via a software update. If we complain enough, it may be so.
As for the bluetooth: Yes it would be nice to sync contacts, calendars with it, but anyone that's transferred any file of significant size over bluetooth knows its limitations... way too slow! Your first sync would take hours!
Now syncing via Airport? That would be nice.

Jason--is the screen surface the same as the iPhone (i.e. glass)?

Just found out via appleinsider's unboxing article: "Fortunately, at least the screen side will still look nice, thanks to the same glass face as the iPhone. "

[sven70]

I'm sorry but the crippling of the calendar app completely ruins the iPod touch for me. I know that iPods haven't ever had the ability to add calendar events, but this device is (or at least should be) much more than an mp3 player, and the thought that someone at Apple actually went to the trouble of crippling an application that was already written and working fine on the iPhone just plain sucks.
I guess that this won't be an issue so much for people who have the option of buying an iPhone instead... but for the rest of us who don't have that option it's a bit of a kick in the head.
Anyhoo I'm looking forward to at least visiting an Apple dealer and seeing that beautiful screen close up.

[chewygoat]

Bluetooth is far, far to slow for syncing an iPod. IMHO, it's also woefully inadequate for listening to music. Bluetooth headphones feature static and other noise and poor sound quality. The idea of a wireless headset is cool, but the current bluetooth technology doesn't suffice.
On the other hand, I am annoyed with the missing Add button on the Calendar, as well as the missing Notes and Mail applications. I've written feedback to Apple with regard to these things and I hope others complaining have done the same.

[rfrmac]

Thanks for doing the piece. It was a great help.

[kelake]

Great video. Thanks for confirming that you cannot add data to the calendar. That fact alone pretty much ruins the device for me. I want to be able to enter data.

[stormovick]

Not being able to add events to the calendar is a killer for me too. Ill wait until that gets changed. I cant see any reason to do that other than to differentiate the Touch from the iPhone. Big mistake. Apple should be more concerned about the competition because you can bet their calendars all work.

[Chris Breen]

Quote:

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Not being able to add events to the calendar is a killer for me too.

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Seriously? Granted, it would be cool if I could enter events on my iPod touch and the fact that you can't does seem arbitrary, but I've never been able to enter a contact or event on an iPod before. Is it really such an important feature that you'd forgo the coolest portable media player on the planet? Sounds like a bit of face spiting to me.

[Peter Cohen]

Well, it certainly gives one pause to consider the iPhone instead. Indentured servitude to AT&T be damned.

[Chris Breen]

Yyyyesss...but buying a phone is, as you suggest, a pretty serious proposition. If you have another carrier, you have to kill that contract and pay the penalty. Then you have to consider whether AT&T delivers reasonable service in the locations you frequent.
There are lots of good reasons for considering an iPhone but I'm not sure the lack of input in the iPod touch's Calendar app is one of them.

[pdmarsh]

I noticed that when he switched from portrait to landscape the image didn't rotate, but refreshed in the new orientation. That makes me wonder whether the iPod touch has a slower processor or less memory (RAM). Why else would they change the video routine?

[dwilliams]

I would forgo this aptly named "coolest player on the planet" (even though I've been looking for a replacement to my 3G non-video iPod) if I knew that calendar functions COULD be added (such as entering events on the device). This device has more potential than being just a pimped-out media player. It has the potential to be what the Newton (minus the handwriting recognition) was supposed to be.
If Apple said (or someone of high technical knowledge) "This is something that can be added with another software update or with new iPod Touch Apps Kit), then I would be more inclined to be an "early adopter". I'm holding out until I know that any function on the iPod Touch CAN and WILL be user-managed (installed, removed, etc.) just like a PDA.
dwilliams

[BuzzWriter]

Thanks for the overview. For now, I'm holding off until Bluetooth (disagree with comments about speed - works for me, but that's something each person has to decide) for sync, which I use daily between my Powerbook and Palm "T" - although I agree the first time was best done by direct connection. After that, a couple of minutes - but I'm not syncing music, which I agree should be hard wired. And I want true PDA functionality, with the ability to update my calendar, memo/note, to do, and address wherever I am and know my computer will be up to speed at next (bluetooth) sync.
Not important to you? Understood. My priority is to get as many "gadgets" out of my pocket, off my belt, out of my carry-on as possible while still staying on top of a busy schedule. I love the looks and interface of the iPhone and iPod Touch, but they understandably put the priority on entertainment while mine is business first, entertainment next.