The Apple iPod Touch is without doubt one of the best MP3 players on the market. When the first iPod Touch was released in 2007 it changed the way we look at MP3 players and Apple have sold over 60 million units since its launch.
So what is all the fuss about exactly? After all it is actually quite expensive even if you manage to pick up a cheap iPod Touch 8GB. Just before jumping into finding out what makes it the number 1 MP3 player on the market I would like to point you in the right direction to pick up an iPod touch cheap for yourself.
Where To Find A Cheap iPod Touch
I spent quite a lot of time hunting for a cheap iPod Touch 8GB and found that online prices were always much better than the high street. However if you do choose to buy yours online then please make sure you stick with a reputable retailer.
I actually bought mine from Amazon but any of these well known online retailers will be fine-
A Closer Look At The Apple iPod Touch
Since it’s initial release the iPod Touch has received a number of hardware and software upgrades. We have had everything from faster processors, to a new operating system and the latest generation introduced a high definition video camera. Apple is continually innovating with the iPod Touch and many people describe it as an iPhone without the phone part.
Look & Feel
Pictures do not do the ultra sleek design of the Apple iPod Touch justice; it really is something you need to see for yourself. When I first picked up the device I fell in love with it instantly much to the annoyance of my less attractive girlfriend.
Although the device is very thin and doesn’t look that sturdy, it is surprisingly rigid when in the hand. As with every Apple product it just feels like a quality product when you’re using it. If you have ever owned a cheaper MP3 player you will know what I mean. You will also be surprised by how lightweight it is, it’s amazing how far things have moved on when I compare the new version to the original first generation iPod. I would recommend investing in one of the many iPod Touch cases that are available to help protect it.
iPhone Like Software
The Apple iPod Touch runs the same iOS5 software as the iPhone. The user experience is near identical across the two devices and just like on the iPhone you can choose from hundreds of thousands of apps to install on your iPod Touch.
You can use the iPod Touch to post updates to social networks, chat to your friends over a range of instant messengers, play 3D games, take high quality pictures, record high definition video, watch movies and you can even listen to music!
As you would expect from Apple, it is very easy to just pickup and use the iPod Touch even if you haven’t used one before. Everything is very intuitive and after using it for 10 minutes you will have no problem tapping and swiping you’re through the system.
Impressive Hardware
Considering the Apple iPod Touch is in essence just an MP3 player, there have been a number of bells and whistles strapped on in the hardware department.
One of the biggest upgrades recently was the addition of a front and rear facing camera. The rear facing camera is capable of recording 720P HD video at 30 frames per second and capturing decent quality images. The front facing camera is not quite as good and is only intended for FaceTime video chat or Skype video calls and so forth.
Powering the device is the Apple A4 processor which can also be found in the iPad and iPhone 4. This will ensure a smooth and lag free user experience when using the device. It also features the high resolution Retina display which can also be found on the iPhone 4. Alongside that is a 3 axis gyroscope and built in microphone.
You also get some impressive lifetime out of the battery as well and there’s no need to charge the device every single day. A lot of reviews have stated how good the battery life is lasting over 47 hours with music playing continuously.
Apps & Gaming
Just like with the iPhone, you will have full access to the Apple Appstore to download new apps and games for your iPod Touch. This opens the door to a host of possibilities as there are literally apps for everything, you’ve seen the adverts right?
Apple also introduced the Game Centre last year which will hook you up with a friend or someone random to play real time multiplayer games. Your win/loss record is tracked over time to give you bragging rights and show off to all of your friends. It’s actually quite an exciting way to experience mobile gaming!
Surfing The Web
Another handy feature is the ability to browse the web using the built in Safari web browser. You will be able to pinch, zoom and flick your way across the World Wide Web effortlessly. The high resolution screen is fantastic for viewing websites and it offers a truly PC like web browsing experience. There isn’t any other device on the market that isn’t a mobile phone that provides a mobile web browser of this quality.
There is also direct Email support built into the Apple iPod Touch which is very easy to setup and use. In just a couple of clicks you can setup your Gmail, Hotmail, AOL mail or Yahoo mail accounts and begin sending/receiving emails with the device.
Cheap iPod Touch Retailers
The Apple iPod Touch is a premium product and as such often comes with a premium price tag. The most affordable way of picking one up is to look out for some cheap iPod Touch 8GB offers online from reputable retailers. If 8GB won’t be enough for your needs then consider the iPod Touch 32GB instead.
Prices are changing constantly so take a look at these retailers who always provide a range of cheap iPod Touch offers-
Keep an eye on prices as there are always new iPod Touch deals appearing online all the time. It is also worth checking out if a new model is due to be launched as prices get slashed as retailers clear stock of the older models.
Final Thoughts
Although the iPod started life as a music player, it has evolved into much more than that. The Apple iPod Touch not only delivers music, but a complete multimedia and digital communications experience. There is no other product on the market that can compare to it and certainly not as this price. Apple have also released the iPod Touch 64GB for those with a larger collection of music.
There is a reason Apple have sold over 60 million units and you can’t go wrong if you manage to bag a cheap iPod Touch online.