Apple iPod touch 3rd Generation Black (32 GB) MP3 Player

I purchased my first ipod in 2007 (an iPod Classic 80 gb) which I have thoroughly enjoyed and think is great. However, my purchase of the ipod Touch 32GB (3rd Generation released in September 2009) has relegated my Classic to the background, as this 3rd Generation ipod Touch is a mini-computer marvel!

I chose the 32gb (versus the 8gb) because it had more features, and is more powerful (voice control, enhanced graphics, improved accessibility, higher capacity and a faster processor). The other choice was a 64gb (I felt I didn’t need that much space as I’m not a gamer). I would recommend the 32gb or 64gb for people who use their ipods for more than just music (a nano is good enough for that). Gamers will get more power from a 32gb or 64gb also. You will find yourself using many different features. The app availability is amazing. You can download apps that will make this ipod even more powerful.

How I Use My iPod: email, web browsing, downloading documents and books, watching videos, listening to news podcasts and doing research. I’m not into gaming and music so much, but do have a few songs on my ipod I loaded from CDs I have. You can import your CDs into iTunes and sync to your ipod.

You will need to download iTunes (version 9.0 or later); thus, you will have to set up a free iTunes account. This software is used to sync, buy and download apps and for transferring documents and videos back and forth to your main computer. To buy apps, you simply add your credit card information to your iTunes account, or buy iTunes Cards, which most stores carry in various denominations of $15, $25, $50 or $100.

Operating System Requirement: Vista, XP SP3, Mac OS X or Windows 7 operating system is required. In addition, you need a USB 2.0 port.

Design and What Comes in the Box with your ipod Touch:

·         Touch Screen
·         Glass-covered 3.5” screen with 480 x 320 pixel resolution
·         4.3” tall by 2.4” wide (will fit in your pocket)
·         Supports Wi-Fi (802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.1 EDR)
·         Volume control  ( left)
·         Hold Switch aka Wake/Sleep button (on top left)
·         Home Button (face of player below screen)
·         Universal dock port & headphone jack (bottom)
·         USB 2.0 Cable & ear buds with microphone & remote control (not on 8gb) (You can talk to your ear bud microphone and tell it to play certain songs. It takes voice commands; I kid you not!)

No case included - I purchased a nice leather tri-fold case from The Source (Gnarly Fish flip case for 3rd Generation ipod Touch). It’s great and holds the ipod very securely, while padding it from damage, if accidentally dropped.

NOTE: I use a Centrios Dual AC/USB Charger to charge my ipod and to take with me when I travel.

Apps that come on the Unit: (These are moveable)

1)    e-Mail (Multiple accounts allowed and supports all the major email services)
2)    Calendar
3)    Clock
4)    You Tube
5)    Notes (I use this to copy and paste small articles I find)
6)    Weather (Set up the cities of your choosing)
7)    Photos (Import your own, add screenshots or from email attachments)
8)    Settings
9)    Maps (Google)
10)  Stocks
11)  Contacts
12)  iTunes
13)  Voice Memos
14)  Calculator (2 types) 

The following Apps, at the bottom of your screen, are stationary: Music, Videos, Safari (Browser) & App Store.

NOTE: You can easily move the flexible apps by holding your finger on one until they start wiggling. Then you simply drag them where you want them, or batch similar ones by putting one over the other, and it will create a folder and name it. You can then rename the folder to your liking. It’s easier to find apps, if they are grouped into similar categories.
 
Upgrade to Apple iOS4 (free upgrade- 1st generation is incompatible)

Step1: Upgrade iTunes.
Step 2: Connect your device, with USB cable, and let it sync with iTunes.
Step 3: Select your device.
Step 4: Create a Backup to be safe.
Step 5: Check for updates.
 
Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example, multitasking (double tap Home button), custom wallpaper, unified e-mail in box, Bluetooth keyboard support and more are available only with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and the third-generation iPod touch (32GB and 64GB models from late 2009).

Fingerprints on Screen – Some ideas:

1)    Use a ScotchBrite 3m Cloth for cleaning the screen. Works great!
2)    I made a finger glove out of a plastic baggie with a point on the end of it and wrapped it with clear tape. This keeps the finger prints at bay. Maybe someone will design something to keep the screen cleaner. It can get pretty grungy because touch is how you use this little marvel, and your fingers are constantly on the screen.

Battery Life:

I don’t listen to music that much, but the word is that you can get 30 hrs of use if only listening to music.
If you watch videos, or use other features you can get 6-8 hours use out of the battery. I find myself having to charge it every 8 hrs or so, and that’s not always fully depleted.
They say if you can turn off apps you are not using, it will conserve battery power.

My Favorite Apps: (Many are free or nominal cost)

1)    * Print Central by EuroSmartz ($7.99, and well worth it)
This is the most amazing app I have come across. I like to print articles I find on the web and that was one thing I didn’t like when I first started using my ipod. So, I went looking and sure enough there was an app that allows you to print to any printer which is nearby your ipod. I use mine over my Wireless Network and it works amazingly well. If your printer is Wi-Fi, it should work for most printers automatically using this app. However, if your printer is any other configuration, you will need to download the free software they provide (WePrint software). Just load this software on your computer, and it sets up a Server so that your ipod Touch can communicate with your printer. My printer is hooked up via USB, so I needed to download this software. It will install so that it comes up when you boot your computer. It just sits open on your desktop so that it is always ready for a command to print.
This software was just released in August 2010! JUST AMAZING!
WePrint Software Link: //mobile.eurosmartz.com/download.html

2)    * Good Reader ($0.99) 

This is a great little program you can use for collecting documents you find on the internet. You can download some large 300 mb documents using this app. All you do is put the link in the browser, bring up the page, and then scroll to the beginning of the URL and type a “g”. Then click GO and Good Reader opens and grabs the document.

3)    * Fluent News & Newspapers (Newspapers is $1.99)

The first, Fluent News, is an app you install that will search all the major newspapers and report the top stories of the day. You can save, tweet, and send via email any of the stories you find. A great little app!

The second, Newspapers, is a link to worldwide newspapers. You simply go down the world list and chose your favorites selected by country, town, and newspaper.

4)    * Radio Shows (Alex Jones, SHOUTcast Radio & C-Span Radio - Free)

If you want to know what is really going on in the world, and get another viewpoint, find the radio shows you like and follow them. Alex Jones Show is particularly informative. Be sure to investigate everything Alex says. You will learn a lot that many don’t know.

5)    * Skype (Free) (Yes, you can chat on Skype with your friends using your ear buds with microphone built in – ONLY ON 32GB and 64GB ipods).

6)    *eBay (Free)

7)    * Twitter (Free) (Tweet to your heart’s content from your ipod ) You can also tweet direct from Fluent News (app mentioned above)

8)    * Gold Live! (Kitco) (Free) Keeps up to date on the gold price, as dollar tanks.

Utilities:

9)    * Download Manager Lite (Free) for help in downloading movies

10) * Genius Scan (free)

11) * Battery Magic (Free) (Tells you how much battery power is left)

12)  XE Currency (Converts your currency if you travel)

13)  Speed Test (Download speeds are great on this ipod)

14)  Alarm Clock & Clock (Alarm Clock is a free app I downloaded)

15)  Boingo (for use in airports – Can buy time from them. I used my ipod in an airport recently. Some have free wifi sites you can join; others will require using a program like Boingo or some other. Just turn your ipod on, and it will show you the wifi sites available. There is also a setting in your Settings called Airport. I’ve read you should turn this setting to off once you board, so your ipod signal doesn’t interfere with the plane.  I still have to learn more about how to use this, as I had reception in some airports, but not others.

16)  Text Plus

Reading and Storage of Documents: (Other apps that are useful)

17)  * Drop Box (A way to store your documents and sync between devices)
18)  PDF Reader Lite
19)  Dictionary
20)  Wikipanion (Wikipedia direct)
21)  Facts 2010 (World facts)
22)  iBooks
23)  Read It Later
24)  Holy Bible

Fun Apps: (All are free but one)

25) Megaphone – turns your ipod into a megaphone when hooked up to speaker.
26)  Motion X – Dice
27)  Remote – Lets you control your music in iTunes remotely even if in the garden.
28) Scribble – turns your screen into a drawing pad. You remember the old etch a sketch pad?  You can also import pics to the screen and then draw on them.
29) Soundhound  ($4.99) – Hum or sing a song into your ear bud microphone, and it tells you the name of the song. I’m not kidding! J
I have downloaded all of these apps. The ones with the * are the ones I like and use the most. The others sounded like something I would use in the future.
There are tons of these apps on the internet, and many are free. Use the App Store on your ipod or find them through iTunes Store on your regular computer and then sync them to your ipod. Get started! There are 1,000s to look through, and some are remarkable, as stated. Be sure to search on You Tube for videos of  “Best Apps”. You will see demonstrations.

Features that come on the ipod that I think are neat:

·         Screenshots & copy pictures – If you see a picture you like on the web, put your finger on it and hold and copy it. Then go look for it in your PHOTOS folder.

·         If you see a webpage you want a screenshot of, simply set it up the way you want it, and then hold down the HOME button (bottom of screen) while simultaneously holding down the WAKE/SLEEP button (top left of ipod) and it sounds like you have just taken a picture because you did – of the screen. I love this feature!

·         Accessibility – If you are visually impaired, you can enable features in your General Settings to help you (on 32gb & 64gb versions).

·         Web Clips – if you frequent certain sites, create a web clip and it will make an icon on your Home screen so you are one click away from your favorites.

·         Accelerometer – Turn your ipod and you can convert it to either portrait or landscape.

·         Set Wallpaper – use a provided design in Settings or use your own photos.

·         Video 30 Second Rewind – Look for the small circular arrow and if you miss what was said in the video, it will back up 30 secs for you.

·         Music Player Controls – Swipe to the far left in Multitasking (double tap Home key) and these controls appear.

Rent Movies on iTunes: (It disappears from iTunes in 30 days or 48 hrs from time you start watching)
I have rented a couple of movies on iTunes just to see how it works. A newer movie will  cost $4.99; older ones are $3.99. It took a while to download them, but that will depend on your internet speed, of course. The quality was very good. However, I tried to watch a video on my regular TV using an AV Composite cable, and it kept stopping on me, so that was annoying. We then read that the movies should be watched on an APPLE TV (some sort of Apple converter box), ipod or on your computer.  I don’t have a High Def TV, so it may mean getting a new AV cable or changing some Setting on my ipod. I need to look into this.

If you are bombarded by Advertisements on your ipod, here’s what you can do:

1)    To opt out of Interest-based advertisements on your ipod touch, go to the following site from your touch:
https://oo.apple.com/

It may take a couple of tries before you get a SUCCESSFULLY OPTED OUT message. You will still see some advertisements on your ipod, but it will be less relevant and not based on either your interests or location.

2)    To opt out of location-based advertisements, toggle the device’s location-based service capability to “OFF” in SETTINGS/GENERAL/LOCATION SERVICES.

Another Tip: (If you have two ipods, and want to sync them separately)

Since I use two ipods and didn’t want to mix them up in iTunes, I simply set up another user account on my laptop called GUEST and have a separate iTunes sync with the things I want on my ipod Touch, and use my regular sign in for syncing my ipod Classic.
 
iTunes download: (download the latest version to get started) http://www.itunes.com/download

iPod Touch User Guides:
http://help.apple.com/ipodtouch
http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/ipod

CLOSING:

I highly recommend buying the 32gb ipod Touch or 64gb because you will get more power, speed and more features to choose from. The ipod Touch is a remarkable mini-computer, and one that you will find you use for more than you thought when you originally purchased it. Like I said, I thought the ipod Classic was wonderful, but now there is no matching my ipod Touch.

You will be entertained, educated, kept informed, and be able to communicate with friends and family. You will also find new things to do with this ipod, as the apps expand on a daily basis.  I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve owned many computers in my lifetime. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. The ipod Touch 3rd Generation is revolutionary!

REMEMBER: flick, tap, pinch to make text smaller, or spread your fingers to enlarge the text. This is the way to move data on your screen.  Enjoy your new ipod. I certainly do!