Photo: DeathByBokeh / Flickr

When we began researching this topic, by both looking at what we had said in the past, and what others were saying as well, we happened across a brilliant Cnet analysis on the same question. The best part of the whole piece was the conclusion, which read: ‘In any case, much as the iPod Touch transcended simple music playback, PNDs must move beyond their original purpose of simply providing directions to the unfamiliar or lost. The image of those glory days is rapidly shrinking in the rear-view mirror.’

A GPS is just a one-trick tablet

While Cnet suggests the future of satnav devices is in them evolving beyond merely providing directions, much like the iPhone did music, they miss the point about someone already beating the satnav device manufacturers to that – the same people who make the iPod Touch. Satnav devices are, if you think about it, tablet devices that can only run one application. This is especially true for touchscreen GPS devices.

Think of this concept for a second. While TomTom and Garmin have essentially been selling a tablet OS that boots into one piece of software, marketing that software as the proprietary offering, others like Apple and Android have sold the tablet OS as the commercial offering, while encouraging developers to run amock with applications for it. Said developers obliged, with many replacing the need for GPS devices through sophisticated software solutions that run on somebody else’s proprietary hardware. It’s genius.

Paul Graham has the answers

Paul Graham, founder of the famous Y Combinator startup incubator, and widely considered one of Silicon Valley’s smartest minds, articulated the point we’re making more succinctly than anywhere else we’ve seen.

In his brilliant essay, simply entitled Tablets, Graham writes: ‘If the iPad had come first, we wouldn’t think of the iPhone as a phone; we’d think of it as a tablet small enough to hold up to your ear.’ He continued, writing ‘The iPhone isn’t so much a phone as a replacement for a phone. That’s an important distinction, because it’s an early instance of what will become a common pattern. Many if not most of the special-purpose objects around us are going to be replaced by apps running on tablets.’

And it’s hard to argue with the point he makes. The stand-alone GPS device has no future insofar as its manufacturers tether the concept to the device. Garmin, TomTom and the other big players need to start making tablets – easier said than done, we know – with their proprietary GPS application being a major selling point. Outside of that, the company’s will see the customer based for satnav devices continue to erode. It’s inevitable.

So, in short, there is no long-term future for the concept ‘GPS devices’. They will either fall to the wayside, or evolve into tablet devices with GPS applications as a major selling point.

Photo: here / Flickr

The next-generation iPad could make a large impact on the imaging market with Apple predicted to be including both a front-facing and rear-facing camera on the device. The addition of the dual camera feature is rumoured be accompanied by an improved display, while the tablet will be thinner and lighter.

Previous criticism

A concern voiced by many regarding the previous models of iPads was the absence of a built-in image capturing option. Some competitors of the iPad, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, have already been released with one or more built-in cameras. It seems that Apple could finally be taking these criticisms on board.

Other devices

The iPod Touch was also produced without camera hardware for several generations, but the latest iPod Touch includes a dual camera option, a camera on the front as well as a low-resolution camera on the rear. The rear camera lacks an autofocus feature unlike the iPhone 4, but this is because the iPod Touch is too thin to include a high resolution autofocus camera module.

Clumsy?

It is a possibility that the size and weight of the iPad could make for an awkward camera, with previous rear cameras on similarly-sized devices with a dual camera feature (Galaxy Tab) being seldom used. Apple could then opt for a cheaper camera module on the rear and focus their efforts on making improvements in other areas such as increased RAM, a better display or faster processors.

Most effective

In our day and age of things being all-in-one to give devices multiple uses in order to increase their necessity, it might be a good idea for companies to produce devices which dominate fewer functions rather than offer a range of average functions. However, when they get it right by mastering numerous functions, it can be this superiority that blows the competition out of the water.

Photo: JacobMetcalf / Flickr

Much like Gears of War made the Xbox 360 a must-own console, Epic games are looking to repeat that trick when they release the hugely anticipated iOS game, Infinity Blade. The developer has announced both the release date and the retail price for the title that might finally change core gamers’ sentiment on mobile gaming.

9 December, under $6

The Unreal Engine-powered iOS game, a third-person hack and slash title, will be available on the App Store come 9 December. The date itself was something of a surprise, since we were convinced it would only arrive in 2011. It will cost a pretty pricey (by App Store standards) $5.99, but suffice to say that’s unlikely to stop it from rocketing to the very top of the charts when it releases. (The UK price point is as yet unannounced.)

A reason to buy an iOS device?

As hinted at earlier, many gamers don’t so much buy consoles for the overall experience, as opposed to purchasing them for one particular title, with the many other games being bonus content. This is often referred to as a console’s ‘killer app’. Like the first Xbox had Halo as its killer app and the Nintendo DS had Nintendogs, gamers may be swayed by the drop dead gorgeous Infinity Blade to drop their pennies on an iOS device. More importantly, it could result in core gamers taking mobile gaming more seriously than they have to this point.

Supported devices

Infinity Blade will be supported on the iPhone iPod Touch 3^rd Gen, iPod Touch 4^th Gen, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and the iPad. And you can be certain we’ll be reviewing it as soon as we get our grubby paws on the title.

For those of you who are still cool on mobile gaming, does this iOS game have enough promise to sway you, or are you still unconvinced about a smartphone’s ability to compete with dedicated handheld consoles?

Photo: Apple

Several months on the shelves now, in the final leg toward Christmas, the iPod Touch 4G has established itself as arguably the best dedicated personal media player on the planet. And it’s done this on the back of nine years of experience building iPod devices, and the software platform – iTunes – that supports it. It is all but guaranteed that Apple will sell this device by the buckets come Christmas, and here’s all you need to know if you’re considering getting your hands on one.

So what are your options?

The iPod Touch 4G comes in three capacities: 8GB, 32GB and 64GB. The 16GB version seen in previous generations has been completely dropped. Outside of capacity, these devices are all pretty much the same thing.

The new features the iPod Touch 4G offers are dual-facing cameras, allowing for 720p HD video recording, still camera functionality, and FaceTime calling. The Retina Display, which made its debut on the iPhone 4, also makes a welcome appearance here. Although, like for like, the screen on the iPod is inferior to that on the Apple phone, it’s still significantly better than what you find on most any mobile device on the market today.

The media player to kill all media players

Apple has taken to marketing the iPod Touch 4G as an iPhone minus the ‘phone and expensive contract’, and this sentiment has never been more true than now. Seriously, the only difference between the current iPod Touch and its iPhone big brother is the Touch lacks a built-in GPS module, 3G data, and calling functionality. If you’re unsure which way to lean between the two, you should read this.

Other than that, you have the exact same device with access to the exact same 250,000 plus app marketplace. For other media players, this is scary. While in terms of engineering quality, it’s very difficult to compete with a device of that quality at that price tag, especially for the 8GB iPod Touch 4G version. Now add a number of world class device-enhancing apps, and Apple really does have an unfair advantage over the many other media players out there.

In fact, to this day, outside of the as-yet unreleased Samsung Galaxy Player 50, there is nothing on the market that is even comparable to the iPod Touch 4G, when you factor in what it does beyond music and videos.

To buy or not to by

If you’ve wanted an iPhone 4, but couldn’t justify (or afford) the expensive monthly carrier fee, or if you’re just looking for a highly proficient media device, the iPod Touch 4G is highly recommended. When we first got our hands on it, we were blown away by how good a device it is. The more time we spend with it – and the more great apps we add – the better it gets.

Photo: Krijn Schuurman / Flickr

Nike just threw down the gauntlet to fitness apps everywhere. The company’s fantastic Nike Plus training system that pairs up with various Apple iOS devices has gone through a significant metamorphosis. Now, you no longer need the sensor in the special Nike plus running shoes, you can just use your device’s GPS.

Sensor free but for a price

You can now get the fitness tracker for $1.99 from the US app store. It now includes a built-in GPS tracker – a function the previous version did not have – for tracking your runs and distance covered, as well as the classic sensor-based system. What that means is from the iPod Touch 2^nd Gen right through to the current iPod Touch 4^th generation, you can use the Nike Plus app with the sensor in your special Nike Plus sneakers, while iPhone owners can use it with GPS only.

Effectively this is the same Nike Plus app that you know and love, which allows you to track distance covered, goals met, running speed and community interaction you’re used to, minus the extras like the sensor and the special Nike shoes.

Fitness all the rage

Fitness applications have been all the rage in recent months with a number of iPhone, Android and web-based apps emerging. We covered a service called DailyBurn recently, which allows you to track your workouts, too, as well as Adidas’ late arrival to the scene with its MyCoach app.

One more thing

Oh, and one last thing about the Nike plus sensor-free app is it is revelatory of just how much earning potential the Apple app store has. Previously, the app was free with Nike making some money off of the sensors sold and all of the money off of the required sneakers, but now, for iPhone owners, the only revenue stream Nike will see is from the app store. At the right scale, even a company like Nike can see significant earnings from Apple’s ecosystem, which is testament to just how much money is available to breakout successes.

Photo: Apple

At the Apple press conference, Steve Jobs finally called the iPod Touch what many of us have been calling it for years – the ‘iPhone minus the phone’, and with this year’s update, that adage proves more true than ever.

What’s new?

The iPod Touch 4th generation’s most notable addition is two cameras – one a rear-facing camera and the other a front facing camera. These were developed specifically for FaceTime, Apple’s built-in video chat service that was introduced with the iPhone 4. The rear-facing camera also allows for 720p HD video recording, while both cameras will function as stills cameras.

The other brand new addition

What’s changed

Aesthetically, the iPod Touch 4th generation keeps the rounded look the squarer iPhone 4 recently abandoned. Apple has however managed to squish down the components, thus being allowed to reduce the iPod’s overall size by 15 per cent. It’s a small, but not inconsiderable change.

Apple has also switched out the old screen and replaced it with their highly praised retina display, also introduced on the iPhone 4. If you’ve seen it in action, with its high 3.5-inch screen, high pixel density and high resolution, you’ll know that this is a pretty big deal.

Be afraid

While watching the Apple press conference, it dawned on me that Jobs & Co. may, in fact, be pushing for a resurgence for the iPod. In recent years, with the iPhone’s meteoric rise, the line of music players that ushered in the new Apple began steadily fading to the background. Now, if this Apple press conference is any indication for the future, Apple wants to target that part of the market that cannot afford the iPhone 4, but still wants the splendours of an iOS device.

Our short hands-on time with the iPod Touch 4th generation confirmed that it is the ‘iPhone minus the phone’, which should be review enough to conclude that it is an incredible device.

Photo: Old Shoe Woman / Flickr

Digital cameras brought photography to the people. Mobile phones brought photography to the masses, but only recently did the quality of a mobile phones camera become comparable to that on a dedicated digital camera. On the eve of Apple’s next major product reveal, we explore what the future of the consumer digital camera is.

The stand-alone digital camera will not die… completely

The first thing to note is that the stand-alone digital camera is not completely done for. Far from it, in fact, particularly with DSLR cameras steadily decreasing in price. But entry-level point and shoot digital cameras will either go the way of the dodo or become dirt, dirt, dirt cheap. This is a very good thing for consumers, but concerning for manufacturers.

The smartphone – tomorrow’s everything device

The mobile phone disrupted the fixed line telecommunications business. The smartphone is damaging the business of virtually every pocket-size consumer electronic gadget in the world. Handheld console? Check. GPS device? Check? Timepiece? Uhm, Check. The digital camera. Without a doubt, check. Since the phenomenal HTC Desire shipped with its 5 megapixel camera, and with the iPhone following suit, the gap between a basic point-and-shoot digital camera and what you can get on your smartphone has diminished rapidly. Now, with its 12 megapixel Nokia N8, the Finnish mobile giant wants to, well, finish the job.

The perennial disruptor: the iPod?

Photo: woolennium / Flickr

At Apple’s special music event tonight many expect Steve Jobs to unveil an updated iPod Touch with a front-facing and rear-facing camera, much like the iPod 4 has. Though Apple’s intention for the device is to forward its own personal FaceTime agenda, it could have huge ramifications for point-and-shoot digital cameras, and other consumer devices like Cisco’s Flip Cam.

The iPod is no stranger to disrupting markets, being significantly responsible for upending the music business, but does it have one more swansong in it by gutting the camera business and Cisco’ brilliant Flip Cam range, too?

All in all, with the advancements in mobile computing touching every corner of consumer electronics, the point-and-shoot digital camera cannot escape unscathed. How bad the market erosion will be is yet to be seen, though.

Photo: Apple

As is customary for the folks in Cupertino to do, Apple has sent out an invitation to the world’s technology press for a special even the company is hosting on 1 September. Oh, what could it be? Stop agonizing, it’s the 4^th generation iPod Touch.

How do we know?

How are we so confident on what the product is? Apple introduced the first iPod Touch in September 2007. In September 2008, the second generation of their media player launched. In September 2009, the third generation of their media player launched to a suspecting world. So we think it’s pretty safe to say the iPod Touch 4 will be what’s profiled at the event. Oh, and the invitation has an image of a guitar with an Apple logo cut out of it, too, so you make what you will of that.

What to expect

The absolute certainty is that the iPod Touch 4^th generation will have a speed boost through a processor update, ram update or a combination of the two. From thereon, all we can do is postulate.

Some believe Apple is dead serious about making the iPhone 4 feature FaceTime a big, big deal, and will, as a result, put it on the iPod Touch 4. If this is the case, you can add two cameras on the media player – one front facing and one rear facing. And this would also imply Apple would need to build a microphone into this model, too.

Additions that are slim to unlikely but would be nice to see nonetheless are the retina display, a gyroscope, a design aesthetic similar to the iPhone 4 and even more storage. It’s nice to want things, they say, but who knows?

It’s bargain bin time!

Photo: Apple

As is customary when Apple releases new product, retailers begin drying up of stock of the previous product. Occasionally, however, there is a stock surplus resulting in retailers selling the product at bargain bin prices, or Apple itself keeping a model from the previous generation with reduced capacity for a cheap price. In short, it’s likely you can start buying iPod Touch 3^rd gen devices on a budget soon, if not already.

All in all you shouldn’t hold your breathe to be absolutely blown away. Apple makes the big money on the iPhone 4 and would not risk matching the features of the iPod Touch 4 with its money-spinner too closely.

What are you expecting the company to announce?

Photo: Stock.Xchng

It’s seems that the Apple iPad won’t cool down as it sells like hot cakes, and users are now looking to sue Apple over the iPad’s overheating which causes impromptu shut down. The lawsuit has been filed by Scott Cole & Associates on behalf of iPad users who they believe have been victim to false advertising as the device becomes unsafe and unusable once it overheats.

Overheating claims

The claims that the Apple iPad suffers from overheating were first brought to light immediately after the launch of the product where several users reported that the Apple device had shut down a few minutes after being used while exposed to direct sunlight. However, Apple did nothing to rectify the problem and will now see their legal problems mounting on top of the iPhone 4 lawsuit which apparently makes for a good iPod touch when held in one’s left hand.

A strong case

Photo: Apple

The lawsuit which has been brought against Apple is strongly worded and accuses the iPad maker of ‘false advertising’ on the basis that ‘the iPad was touted as a revolutionary invention – a product that Apple claimed could be used inside or outside and for purposes such as playing games and reading e-books’. However, ‘Books and board games don’t close up after a few minutes of use and require you to stick them in a refrigerator to cool off,’ according to lawyers from Scott Cole & Associates. The lawsuit refers to Apple as being common fraudsters and seeks ‘damages, including punitive damages, and restitution for the alleged false advertising scheme’.

It clearly seems that though Apple seem to be releasing devices which are ahead of our time, they should have taken a bit more time to check on the finer details allowing them to focus their attention on developing even better products instead of constantly finding themselves in the courtroom. Though this may just be a small oversight at the Apple labs, it’s not the first time and this may be signaling that something is not well at Apple.

Photo: Apple

This is just getting silly. Apple has announced that they’ve crossed the 3 million iPads sold threshold in just 80 days. This last million, remarkably, comes a mere 22 days after the company reached its 2 million mark!

Fastest million yet

This last million is the fastest rate the iPad has ever reached that milestone, confirming that there are either far more ‘early adopters’ than we thought, or that the transition to ‘mass market’ is already in full swing. The first million Apple tablet computers were sold in 28 days. The second million were sold in 30 days. This third million was sold in 22 days – nearly a full week (6 days, to be exact) faster than the initial batch did. Obviously, one major contributing factor to reaching this latest milestone so fast is because the Apple tablet computer is now available in other countries in the world, whereas the first two batches were limited to the United States.

Other tidbits

In the press release, Apple revealed there are over 11,000 iPad apps already available on the App Store, with over 225,000 apps in total for Apple’s iOS devices, including those for the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

The debate continues… unnecessarily

Photo: Apple

Even now, people are chiming in about whether the iPad or more generally, tablet computers, have a place in our computing repertoire. Perhaps, you know, 3 million iPads later and however million all the other manufacturers move between them, it no longer matters? The device is a proven category.

That killer app

We believe the game-changing killer app for tablet computers has yet to be developed. What we’ve seen is app developers still coming to grips with the platform and form factor, by mostly porting iPhone apps and developing a few new apps based on their experience working with smartphones. This is not to say all developers have done this, but it will take some time for developers to create truly compelling software for the Apple tablet computer that isn’t possible on any other platform. When that happens, the value of tablet computers will reveal itself.