When the iPod touch first came out, I dismissed it as a gimmicky iPhone-lite, and never saw myself using it. I already had a 160GB iPod classic, which holds all my music, movies, photos, etc., and I didn’t see myself using the fancy coverflow music scrolling, since my most-listened-to music is in the form of DJ mixes with no cover art. As a consultant, I already carry around a MacBook Pro almost everywhere I go, so I didn’t see the appeal of any of the computer or organizing features.
When the 2007 holiday season rolled around, SDE rewarded each of its employees with an engraved 8GB iPod touch. When I loaded mine up and started using it, I quickly changed my opinion. With Apple’s $20 software upgrade to add Mail and Google Maps among other things, the iPod touch is now an indispensable part of my personal organization and daily workflow. I only take my iPod classic with me occasionally, and I take my MacBook Pro with me when I’m working, but my iPod touch never leaves my side!
I love having instant access to my email, address book, iCal schedule, Google Maps, and web browsing via Safari. I can keep track of all aspects of my work life and home email whenever I want. I can check my iCal for my next consult, map it with Google Maps, dock the iPod in my car and follow the directions to the appointment, play music along the way, check email from my manager and clients, and browse the web to research problems. In my personal life, I can keep up with email from friends, check sports scores, or browse the web if I’m bored somewhere.
I’m really looking forward to 3rd-party applications officially appearing on the iPod in June, but it’s already my favorite gadget ever! If you haven’t already, give one a try and see if you fall in love as much as I did!
View all iPod touch models here.