any iphone owners purchasing a ipod touch?

[hattrick74]

and if you are, why? i am debating on getting a touch and wanted some thoughts

[BJB4735]

there really wouldnt be a point, unless they wanted the 16gb. im getting a touch because i love the idea of the iphone, i just cant switch providers now so ill be going with a touch.

[jhollington]

The only thing that that the iPod touch has over the iPhone in terms of core features is 16GB of capacity. Anybody who already owns an iPhone is unlikely to have any reason whatsoever for a touch.

There may also be 16GB iPhone models around the corner as well.

As an alternative to an iPhone, the touch offers a few benefits, mostly on the logistical side of things.... You don't need an AT&T contract and you can buy one legitimately outside of the U.S. For people who don't want a side-order of phone with their iPod, the iPod touch fills the niche quite nicely.

[Surf Monkey]

Why buy iPhone Neuter when you can buy the read deal?

[jhollington]

....because not everybody wants their iPod to be their phone. Further, because there are a lot of people outside of the U.S. who can't legitimately get an iPhone even if they wanted one (and let's not forget that most people are not going to be interested in 'hacking' their iPhone, or paying $400 USD for a device that may or may not ever be supported outside of an AT&T or other Apple-approved cellular network).

[(Jay)]

As an alternative to an iPhone, the touch offers a few benefits, mostly on the logistical side of things.... You don't need an AT&T contract and you can buy one legitimately outside of the U.S. For people who don't want a side-order of phone with their iPod, the iPod touch fills the niche quite nicely.

Exactly, since the iPhone craze never happened in Canada I would assume there will be a bigger demand here than in the States to get the touch. Personally, given the choice between the two i'd rather keep my regular KRZR phone and get a iPod Touch so i'm happy with the way things have worked out. Its hard enough to keep my phone charged on a busy day yet alone keeping a phone/iPod/video player/internet browser/etc charged to make it through the day. I'm a little different than most though, I have no home phone just the cell.

[Surf Monkey]

....because not everybody wants their iPod to be their phone.


Agreed. But as I've said many times, iPod Touch is nothing but an iPhone with the core functions, the ones that iPhone was obviously designed around, removed. Had Apple made iPod Touch a truly unique device, one that was strongly centered around what it should be (media capabilities) I would have had no problem buying it at all. As it is, I got the Classic because it's what an iPod should be: media centric. When/if iPod Touch gets the design attention that it deserves, I'll probably buy one, but as long as it's a hollow iPhone, there's really no point whatsoever.

[jhollington]

Exactly, and the only reason I would even consider buying an iPod touch in its current form would be for troubleshooting and research purposes (due to exclusively to my role here at iLounge).

I'm extremely happy with the iPhone, and actually see the iPod touch as a step down from what I currently have.

...and I should note that I don't even use my iPhone as a phone, but the touch is still missing too many other useful functions that I like having around. I carry a Nokia E90 Communicator as my real cell phone,

[i0Nic]

Exactly, and the only reason I would even consider buying an iPod touch in its current form would be for troubleshooting and research purposes (due to exclusively to my role here at iLounge).

I'm extremely happy with the iPhone, and actually see the iPod touch as a step down from what I currently have.

...and I should note that I don't even use my iPhone as a phone, but the touch is still missing too many other useful functions that I like having around. I carry a Nokia E90 Communicator as my real cell phone,
Like what, the camera?

The other apps like email should be ported over pretty soon. Or if you mean you don't use it as a phone as in calling, but you use the edge data, then nevermind...

But if one truly uses the iphone without activating the phone part (including the data), then I can't see why an iPhone is particularly better, the 2mp camera isn't worth an 8gb hit in capacity.

[hyroboarder]

Why buy iPhone Neuter when you can buy the read deal?

Also because over the two ipod touch models being the same prices as the iphone models, you're paying 60$ a month for a phone. Google maps and internet browsing isn't 20$ a month important to be on the go. I and many other people can't afford 60$ a month and my parents won't pay that much either.

[jhollington]

Like what, the camera? The other apps like email should be ported over pretty soon.
No, the camera is relatively useless to me, as the E90 has a 3.2MP camera in it that's actually easier to work with (for those rare times I care about a cell phone camera).

It is basically the other applications, and the fact that they're part of the package. Hackers may be able to bring these features over from the iPhone, but you're still left in a scenario where every update to the iPod touch will likely leave you having to hack on the other apps all over again.

I do use the iPhone when I'm travelling to the U.S., and the reality is that the higher capacity of the touch is relatively meaningless to me, as 8GB is more than adequate when I'm home every night, and 16GB isn't nearly adequate for when I'm travelling. My primary iPod will therefore always be the higher-capacity models.

The bottom line is that if I didn't already have an iPhone I might consider the touch, but even then I don't yet see the point, right now. If Apple starts to create a software divergence between the two devices, this will change, but right now the iPod touch has nothing over the iPhone from a technical point of view other than increased capacity, and in my case 16GB is not enough of an increase to make a meaningful difference.