Apple is always under scrutiny. For example, in September, the line of iPod players was traditionally launched, this clearly did not go unnoticed. Our gaze rushes to the new nano and shuffle, but our curiosity is directed to the flagship model, which is the symbol of the player of our time. Note that this is the original prototype of the iPhone, not only it, all "touchphones" are followers of "this". So, a novelty. iPod touch. First about her.
Key features of the fourth generation Apple iPod touch are:
- Touch Multi-Touch display diagonal of 3.5 inches, with a resolution of 960x640
- Flash memory 8, 32 or 64 GB
- Functions: audio, video, photo, organizer, games, alarm clock, calendar, Face Time videophone, photo and video shooting and editing
- WiFi with a set of internet applications
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- Frequency range - 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Resistance - 32 Ohm
- Genius function
- Accelerometer
- TV-out.
Design and construction
There is a question, I wonder, can the appearance of the iPod touch change beyond recognition? This question is rhetorical. The answer to it is "no, it cannot." As an option to transform - this is the replacement of the rear mirror panel. But, disappointingly, this thing remains. Its only change is the material - stainless steel. Accordingly, the surface becomes more scratch resistant.
Despite the above-described detail, touch has slightly changed its dimensions, it has become thinner. A forked volume control key appeared in his arsenal. And the HD camera is located in the previous place of the rubber cap.
The front panel is also occupied by the camera, which "serves" the application, mind you, a new one, Face Time, information about which is also in this review. Someone might say that the touch has become somewhat sleeker. There is no need to argue, because everyone has their own opinion. What catches your eye is the black screen. Retina. The word that was remembered with the advent of the iPhone 4.
Regarding the dimensions of ipod touch 4 - 111x58.9x7.2 mm, weight - 101 grams. Touch "lost" by 14 grams, which is easy and simple to calculate thanks to simple arithmetic operations. In this case, the glass and metal remained in place. And the eyes rejoice and the hands grow cold. An important and necessary detail is a microfiber cloth. Everyone knows what this is for. Due to the fact that the dimensions of the touch have decreased somewhat, it is no longer so secure in the hand.
Equipment
Standard set for iPod: - PC connection and charging cable - Earphones of the same quality - Documentation Control and interface One thing says about the interface and control - iOS 4. By the way, earlier there was also info about touch, for example, you can find the info here. About the hardware keys. Their adjustment has become more convenient, this is due to the new bent key. But the power button is harder to press, tk. fingers rest on the bezel of the player, and the key is hidden behind them. iOS 4 Regarding the iconic innovations in iOS 4.0, there are seven of them. The first is multitasking, which will make it possible to run multiple applications at once. In addition, multitasking in the new iOS 4.0 will be implemented in such a way that it will be possible not to overload the processor and extend the operating time of the gadget. Unfortunately, applications will not be able to work to their full extent, based on the fact that only some of their functions will be used. The second feature is the implementation of the user menu. In iOS, they found a place for folders in which you can store various applications, which makes it possible not to burden the desktop with a huge number of shortcuts. The numbers speak for themselves, now up to 2160 shortcuts are saved in folders, when previously the desktop made it possible to add only 180. Another innovation in iOS 4.0 is a single mailbox for different accounts, which makes it possible to quickly switch between them. In addition, the Apple mobile platform now has the ability to change the background image of the home screen. Support for the iBooks app (built for the iPad) is another new addition to iOS 4.0. The following allows you to launch the game social network Game Center, information about which can be read a little below. The seventh innovation in iOS 4.0 is Apple's personal advertising system, iAd. Which will allow creators to add advertising modules to free applications, which will be able to earn even on programs whose cost in the App Store is zero. In this case, after clicking on the banner, the browser will not start, while the advertisement will occupy the entire screen. IOS 4.0 business improvements are also present. These primarily include data protection, support for multiple Microsoft Exchange accounts, the ability to connect to a VPN using a secure SSL connection. The iPod touch has no specific features, meaning the operating system. Functionality The new Retina display, as well as the two built-in cameras, is a key hardware innovation on the new iPod touch. 940x640 pixels, excellent contrast, rich colors, no problems in the sun. This display is truly a gift for a new player. Looking at such devices, the Microsoft Zune HD screen is more interesting. With regard to audio and video, the changes in these functions were not affected. Audio formats supported by touch include: HE-AAC, AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, AIFF, Audible and WAV; video formats - H.264 with a scan rate up to 720p; MPEG-4, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640x480; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280x720 pixels. The maximum resolution for transmission to an external source is 1024x768 (via VGA Dock). Bluetooth, as before, is used to communicate with headphones (headset), and nothing else. Apple is adamant about this. In terms of sound quality, everything remained the same, unchanged, although we would like to improve it. The wonderful display makes watching videos even more immersive. Previously, too, it was not bad, but at the moment you cannot be distracted from downloading 2-3 interesting films. Main camera The iPod touch camera isn't supernatural. Its purpose is to record photos, but primarily video. The camera quality is lower than on the iPhone. The maximum photo resolution is 960x720. Video is shot with the same resolution, there is no flash. But there are also advantages. For example, the ability to instantly focus on a specific object with a simple touch of your finger. But the quality of the photos is poor. For example, a small photo gallery, which was shot on the Pod touch in various conditions, using the zoom and also without it. For the touch camera, of course, applications have been created that extend its capabilities. For example: Hipstamatic: a set of effects, with the help of which, the frames will look like they were made on a LOMO-camera. Incredibooth: photo booth effect for the front camera of iPod touch or iPhone 4. As for the video, it is somewhat better than the photo. The 960x720 resolution does not belong to the last century, focusing on a selected object directly in the process of filming is an interesting opportunity, not a necessity. iMovie Apple is betting very heavily on video recording with the release of the iMovie app. It costs $ 4.99 and does not come with the iPod touch, you have to buy it from the App Store, unfortunately. But it's worth getting it. This editing program is the simplest of all. It really stands out for its intuitive operation and high speed of informative processing. With all this, it does not shine with certain superpowers, but cropping of the filmed material, its smooth gluing and overlaying both music and connection with photographs on it is allowed. For those who still do not cope with the management, there is a clear instruction. In general, the ideal tool for carrying out the operation "shot a video -> cut and edited in a quick way -> sent to video hosting". Facetime The purpose of the front camera is not only presentability. It is used by full-fledged video telephony, which is carried out through the additional FaceTime application. This application is also available for installation on the iPhone 4, it is really simple and also convenient.When using, your Apple ID is created, then you need to go into the application, find the mail recipient and arrange a video session. Almost an alternative to Skype. The circuit doesn't work perfectly. In theory, FaceTime only requires Wi-Fi access. But verification also requires patience. The connection is not made immediately and not on the first try. In general, this is the only remark about the application. Everything else is normal - the person is seen well, it is not bad (with a slight distortion of the voice) it is heard, it is possible to switch between cameras, to show the surrounding area to the interlocutor. Video telephony in openwork. GameCenter Apple is interested in cooperative play. The GameCenter app allows you to combine downloaded multiplayer games that you can successfully play with both friends and strangers who have also added games to GameCenter. And again, a simple and convenient application, while really logical, was waiting for its appearance. This service has become a competitor to Sony PlayStation Network and Microsoft Xbox Live, and players using Game Center can not only communicate and exchange experiences, but also hold tournaments. There are enough games in the App Store, as much as 50,700. And this despite the fact that 2477 and 4321 games are available for Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, respectively. The prospects for playing iPod touch are much brighter with the advent of GameCenter. GPS applications For the new touch (as well as for the iPhone 4), applications related to your location in space, applications based on the principle of augmented reality are purposefully moving. For example, Acrossair. A free application with which you can perfectly navigate even in places where you have never been. Special markers left by other users will help you find the right place, and indicate points of interest located nearby. Or GolfScape GPS. A paid app for golfers, it lets you know the exact distance and direction to a nearby hole, as well as see interactive tips right on the iPod touch screen. Augmented reality The idea of augmented reality, embedded in the new GPS applications for iOS 4.0, is today one of the most important for the development of entertainment and educational applications for the iPhone 4 and iPod touch. You can take a few of the most interesting ones that are currently offered on the AppStore. Pocket Universe. This app is a fascinating example of how augmented reality technology is helping us expand the boundaries of our understanding of the outside world: point your iPhone or iPod touch at the sky, and the screen displays information about the constellations, planets and nebulae that you see. In addition, a detailed description of celestial bodies, the phases of the moon, the movement of planets in the solar system, and also the current location of the International Space Station, which is tracked in the sky in real time. Sun Seeker. Using the capabilities of the built-in compass and three-axis gyroscope in the iPhone and iPod touch, this application allows you to see the location of the sun and track its movement throughout the day. An interesting fact is that you can trace the path of the star, even at the moment when it disappeared behind the clouds or moves below the horizon. The application can be useful for real estate buyers - you can imagine exactly how the sun will shine in each of the rooms throughout the year. It will also be interesting for gardeners, photographers and just romantics. ARSoccer. Play real football without using the ball. It seems impossible, but the ARSoccer application allows you to really play with a virtual ball. By the way, the results really depend on skill: a great way to stretch your legs and have a great time, wherever you are. Tweet 360. This application allows Twitter users to exchange messages both in real life and on the web. The Tweet 360 application allows you to determine the exact location of other users of the system who are nearby, and tell you where to go to meet with one of your friends. Battery The built-in battery lasts 30-35 hours of music playback, or 5-6 hours of video playback. This characteristic suggests that the operating time in comparison with the previous generation of touch has increased by one and a half times, and this is despite the fact that the screen has improved and the body has become thinner. General conclusion The iPod touch offer is very close to its fourth iPhone, it includes video calls, Retina display, iOS 4 with all its features. Only the GSM module is missing. By the way, FaceTime, this application is relevant for the United States. In our country, it will be difficult to create a network for communication only for touch and iPhone 4 users, and besides, it will be difficult to solid. But still, this is a great application, and the touch turns into an unusual video device, which has no analogues on the market. The function of recording HD video with its further editing in iMovie is very interesting and unusual. Despite the simplest camera, the player has a lot of advantages, for which it is worth buying. The conclusions are quite simple: iPod touch changed its dimensions, became thinner, but did not get rid of its main limiting factors (very easily soiled body, does not support unconverted video, iTunes). All this is part of the same iPod touch, only in a more integrated form with modern trends, a greater emphasis on video, applications. Much more can be said, but the fact remains that touch still takes the place of the main multimedia player on the planet.
