I haven’t had time writing on my blog lately, and there has sadly been a few things that should have made it to the blog. One thing that I really want to blog about, is that I have gotten myself an iPod Touch! I know, I know, after 6 years resisting the iPod, I gave in and got myself a 8 GB iPod Touch. I was trying it out in a local Apple store close to where I live, and got asked to demo it for three people that came in to the shop. Ok, so I did, but strangely enough it was me that ended up buying one!

iPod Touch

As some of you might know (iPhone – No Thank You! and  Another Reason to Say NO!), I have been critical to Apple’s approach to the mobile market. There is no reason for them to keep the phone completly closed. Windows Mobile and Symbian are both open, and the same goes for the Linux-driven phones. What made me change my mind was an article published on Engadget, that Apple had announced on its Hot News feed:

“that it is currently at work on an SDK for the iPhone, the apps from which will naturally work on the iPod touch. Apparently it’s going to take ‘em until February to do it up right“

I guess the combination of the impressive graphical userinterface and that the iPhone/iPod Touch soon will be more open, made me give in. iPod Touch is simply one of the best PDAs that I have ever tested: Beautiful calendar, addressbook and worldclock with alarms. And Safari, I am speachless.  There is no mobile browser like it. Opera, my other favourite, isn’t even close. I haven’t tested the YouTube-player included, or playing video on the device. But iPod Touch is great way of listening to my favourite music and podcasts. My HTC 4350 is currently collecting dust on the shelf. It used to be my music player and phone. Now I am back to carrying two devices around, my Nokia E60 and the iPod. But it is worth it. If or when Apple is releasing iPhone in Norway, I guess that will be the next device that I buy. Apple has brought PDAs and Smartphones to a new, higher level, and it is time for others to try to catch up.

If I can come with two finally advices, it would be one for you as a buyer and one to Apple. If you plan to buy an iPod Touch, and as me have ripped your music collection to 320 Kbps, then go for the 16 GB version of the iPod Touch. Other wise you will only have space for about 700 – 750 songs. I use such a high biterate cause I also sync my Mac against Apple TV, and that device is connected to my homecinema system. The advice to Apple should be no surprise, please update both the iPhone and iPod Touch to include WPA Enterprise! Students need it to be able to use the devices at universities across Europe and probably also in other parts of the world.