I love my iPod touch. Its touch screen interface is wonderful and the stock list of applications has been very useful. As long as I am within range of a wireless internet signal, this unit really shines.
I was really surprised when I logged into Apple.com yesterday and found that there was a major software upgrade available. Five new productivity applications available for $19.95 and a quick download. The applications are…
- Mail: A robust e-mail application that works with popular mail applications such as Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo mail. The interface is fast and intuitive, with quick fingertip scrolling. You’ll love this app.
- Maps: Take the best of Google maps and put it in a handheld interface with fingertip scroll and pinch resizing. This unit is really nice on the go. You find your destination on the map and with one click you’ll have step by step scrollable directions. This is a very useful app.
- Weather: Quick… what is the weather going to be like this week? Not to worry if you have an iTouch. One click answers for all the cities that you have input in a clean weekly format. Fast and easy.
- Notes: I really like this one. You can now input notes from the fingertip keyboard as fast as you can click. This is very useful for meetings, appointments, or just a quick note to bring home some milk.
- Stocks: If you are an investor this bright clear interface will bring you the latest stock news (delayed 20 minutes) in an easy to read format. Just the stocks you want listed, without having to log into a web site.
After using these app’s for a day, I am a raving fan. These have really bumped the usefulness of this device up to a new level. What I really like is the easy to read screen and the intuitive interface. Within seconds you can get where you want and get the information that you need.
The new app’s require that you update your iTouch to the latest firmware and that you interface with the latest version of iTunes. The iTouch update is about 160 megs and takes about 30 minutes to download and setup if you have a broadband account. The actual app’s are a simple purchase from the Apple store through iTunes for $19.95
The good news is if you haven’t bought an iTouch yet, they now come with these app’s pre-installed. If you’ve been waiting to buy one, the incentive is now that much greater. Pick up one of these and increase your productivity and have one of the coolest devices going.
About John Richardson
Easy? I have tried all morning and have not been able to update any suggestions? I have all the newest versions, and all that.
like I wanna know for sure if it’s going to go online in the airports or retaurants?? can it free??
thanx
Hi Matt,
Ditto, for trying all morning. However, I went through the update in itunes and my itouch locked up! I then had to re-sync which wiped my itouch. Then I re-loaded my 17 gigs of stuff and guess what? The new program loaded zip bang!!
Just a thought-
Tony
Hi Mariama,
After loading the new update program, It works in wi-fi areas just great, as it did before, btw, The new update doesn’t reduce the itouch’s ability at all. It enhances quite a bit, I think so anyhow. Definately worth the $20 bucks, just for the maps and weather. The notes are cool too.
Tony
Hi Tony and Miriama, thanks for the comments. I had good luck loading the update in iTunes and then purchasing the software. Like Tony mentioned, the wireless range is real good with the unit. I use it both at home and at work on different wireless networks and it connects automatically without a hitch (Once you setup any wep passwords).
Overall the new software is great and the new e-mail interface is awesome. They just announced a 32 gig iTouch model today which may answer the storage problems of those who have lots of video files.
This is really turning out to be a real productive tool.
John
How do you get apps onto your itouch. And why should I jailbreak my itouch? what are the pros and cons of jailbreaking?
Thanks
Hello, I would like to know if anyone knows if there is a 3rd party application that will allow Microsoft word files to be viewed on the itouch. Or a apple equivalent type program that does the same as Word. This is the only thing keeping me from buying an itouch right now. KrisMarrs@comcast.net
I see a lot of good remarks about the productivity apps. I too use them on my 32g itouch. The software came with the Itouch. How, I just bought a used Itouch 8g and the applications are not on it. I have install the most recent firmware and Itunes. However, I can not find the Productivity Apps in the Apple Store. The only thing close to it is the MobileMe which is $99. However, this is not available yet. How do get the $19.99 apps? Thanks
doc635 I have exactly the same problem. I’ve been pulling my hair out with frustration these last few days looking for these apps. All I want to do is pay Apple £13 for these apps but can’t and i too have an 8gb touch. It’s been bugging me……any ideas out there would be gratefully received.
doc635 i just read this posted today on apple discussion forum “I just bought my iPod Touch yesterday, rushed home to get my update, and didn’t see it on iTunes, called support, and they tell me I’m SOL until July… anyone else had this problem, and is there a fix?”
I think apple have pulled the january upgrade from the itunes store either due to an issue or because they are to release a new software upgrade in july which just so happens to cost a lot more money. Sometimes Im really put off apple asd a company…if only they didnt develop useful products id have nothing to do with them!
I know that someone already asked this, but…
what are the pros and cons for jailbreaking an ITouch??
A friend of mine says that the only con is that you lose your warranty on it (i don’t have one so it won’t matter if it comes to that,) and that if I jailbreak it, I can finaly use the networks at my school….. and people keep saying ‘you get more apps’, what does that mean??
Sorry if that might seem a bit airheaded….
I’ve been having a problems with my i touch all day today, anytime i click to play a application on my itouch it takes me back to my main application page.
What happened am i doing something wrong, I’ve had this Itouch just 4 weeks now. Help Vicky-joy
I tried to upload ver. firmware on my itouch just to have it lock upwith the image of the usb cable and itunes on the screen. No matter what I do it will not reset. I tunes says I must restore it. I try and it fails with the same image mentioned before. I do not know what to do. Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Rowland B.