Apple iPod touch 8 GB (1st Generation)

I have to say I thought I would just be putting on music videos and albums, but this is so much more than that. I use just about everything. The internet, the wheather, stocks,of course the Apps for all those free games, And since I'm a personal trainer I find the notes to be quite handy as I'm training. This thing is awsome!!

Obviously from all these other reviews this is by far the most functional product out there, and I'm not disputing that at all, I loved my Ipod touch, but they have a ridiculously short lifespan. The kicker is that if you as much as sweat on it or expose it to rapidly changing temperatures (as is common in the upper midwest) your warranty is voided and your Ipod might not last long at all.

I just lost an Ipod touch due to moister condensation from taking it from 30 degree weather to 70 degree weather. That created enough condensation to trip the water marker inside the Ipod which voids the warranty and shorted out the screen. To top it off; that one was actually a replacement for another Ipod touch because the first one I got had a phone jack that broke within a month of normal use, and then this one had a faulty screen due to "water damage" and now Apple conveniently doesn't have to replace it anymore.

Just read some of the discussions on Apples site about Ipods and water damage, it literally takes just one drop of water to short it out and void the warranty.

So if your getting one my advice is to live somewhere that doesn't get too cold or put you in situations that allow moisture condensation to happen.

(This is a review of the 16GB IPOD Touch 1st gen)
My wife bought me this as a gift. I had no clue what it was when I opened it. I had been considering buying a nano for my music in the car. Once I started using this, I could not imagine not having one. I put every CD I own on it so I have about 2600 songs. There was still room on it so I put all my photos (1900) from the last 10 years on it too. With the wireless networking, I can check the weather, movie times, email... the list goes on... from the comfort of my bed. I can do this anywhere in the house or anywhere with a wireless network. There are games and apps that can be downloaded right from the unit and every day that library expands. Also, I will be downloading TV programs to it as well. I just can't believe how much I enjoy this device.

I would love to say the item was awesome but I never received it. My credit card sure was charged though....

I have to begin with a brief disclaimer: I got the I-Phone, and I kinda regret not getting TOUCH...
Though they're very similar, the big problem arises when you realize that while this is a GREAT device, there's no doubt that before you notice it, the next generation will be out, and it'll be ALL the better... only us I-Phone users will be hunkered down with mobile phone service contracts and I worry that jumping from one to the next will require tons and tons of paper work... Additionally speaking, who in the world wants to be interrupted by phone calls when playing with a neat little gadget like this...? I'm serious... Imagine: You're listening to your favorite group, playing some video game or using some app you downloaded, and next thing you know, the lil' bugger is ringing and you have to hold it up to your face?

So all this said: If the issue is TOUCH vs. PHONE... I say: TOUCH !

As for the device itself: I'm told by people who've had it longer than me (and not THAT long since its pretty new here in Japan) that you get used to the quirks... The quirks for me include that the screen might be BIG by i-pod standards, but in terms of the keypad factor, its rather small if you have big fat fingers like me, so as a result using the keypad can be a rather clumsy process (*and just when I was getting used to using the cell phone alpha-numeric keypad for texting!)... In addition, the screen gets schmootched up pretty easy... I mean, as much of a slob as I am, the greasy looking fingerprints can get to look a bit nasty after almost minimal use... They do give you a cleaning thing to clean it off with, though I have to admit feeling a bit insulted that it didn't come with a carrying case (I bought one for around $30.00.)
In addition, like an I-Pod, don't expect the energizer bunny to be on your side... By the end of an 8 hour work day (which included an hour train ride) the battery was frightfully low... Luckily I was able to drop by an electronics store and get a battery charger... This really upsets me, because most people work about 8-9 hours a day, plus might have an hour or two travel time: so in an ideal world with ideal technology, 12 hours would be more on the money.

So all this said, what's my personal verdict:
Well, if you love your i-pod, and would rather have MORE features than memory (in other words, an overall carry it with you i-pod entertainment center), this baby is IT... and you can download some pretty cool aps. (I check my e-mail, study Japanese, play a few games... I also use it as an alarm clock, check the weather quite frequently, and do lot's and lot's of other stuff. There's also a YOU TUBE link, but honestly speaking the video qualities aren't so great.

As for the downside: I really wish it had a pointer pen... I had some networking problems... and typical to I-Tunes, it had "quirks" which initially made sync-ing difficult. In the end, I wonder if I'm the only person who has a love-hate with the whole I-Pod thing anyway - - Its a really neat device in concept, but in someways the "chic simplicity" requires dire improvements, and I would not mind a slightly clunkier device with more "analog" type features... (Know what I mean?) It would also be cool if the back of the device was made out of something less prone to the "schmootz" factor... say some kind of rubber or something like that...

All in all... I know its going to get better, am frustrated with one or two things, but heck yeah... I'm glad I didn't wait!