iPod Touch - upgrading to 2.0
Since I got my iPod Touch last month it has quickly worked its way into my daily use. Though I still keep the iPod Nano around for running, the Touch is my preferred device for general entertainment and music listening, especially if I'm within reach of a WiFi point I can access. On Saturday I upgraded the software on it to 2.0 and downloaded a couple of the free applications from the iTunes store. I'll talk about the ones I like in a future post.Overall I do like the new software. The ability to download applications directly from the App Store into my iPod through WiFi is fantastic. If I download an application and then later connect to iTunes it asks me if I also want to place the application into iTunes so that I have it there as well. It's very nicely implemented.
The only problem that I've encountered so far is that the WiFi connection is now a bit unstable initially. Whereas before I could pop into Mail or Safari every time and it simply worked, now very often my Touch has a difficult time connecting immediately after pulling it out of sleep or turning it on.
I'll hit the button, slide the unlock and see a nice solid connection on the WiFi indicator. The problem is that if I go directly into Mail or Safari I get an error that reads:
"Safari can't open the page because it is not connected to the Internet", with an OK button:
Eventually it will go through, though it takes considerably longer than it did prior to the update. This has had an impact on the way I use the device; I used to leave it upstairs and if I wanted to quickly check e-mail without running down to my basement office I would simply grab the Touch and check my e-mail. Now it's a much more frustrating process.
That issue aside the Touch is a great option for those of us that want the cooler part of the iPhone experience. If only Apple had made the iPhone carrier independent I'd have one right now. Instead I'll have to be content to use my iPod Touch until my Sprint contract is expired.
Bonus iPhone/Touch Tip:
Ever wanted to grab the screen on your iPod or iPhone like I did to show those error messages? It's really easy:
While viewing the item you want to capture hold down the Home button and then press the power button at the top edge of the device. The screen will flash white and briefly fade. Then pop into Photos and a folder named Saved Photos will contain your screen shot.
You can transfer it to your Mac by loading up iPhoto and importing it.
Comments
The only GSM networks in the USA are AT&T and TMobile.
I think Apple made the correct decision to build only one iPhone platform on GSM.
I had the same problem with WiFi instability with my iPT after the 2.0 upgrade - my wireless router didn't want to give it an IP address.
I solved the problem syncing my data, doing a full hardware reset, then restoring the iPod from the backup. No hassles since!
Hope this helps,
jmg
The main reason I'm behind GSM is because I have seen how well one standard works. I traveled across a portion of Europe a few years back, and having reliable phone service everywhere was amazing. I bought a SIM in the UK to put into my T-Mobile phone, then traveled into the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. In every location, my phone found a provider that would work with the SIM I had, and always had a good signal. So many of the companies over there have agreements with each other, so if coverage of their own network is poor in one area, the other company makes up for it. At one point in my trip near the German and French borders in Switzerland, my phone saw 9 different providers it could work with.
It is a shame though that the iPhone is locked to a specific provider though. Had Apple allowed both T-Mobile and AT&T to carry the device in the US, some interesting competition would have happened. But instead, we get stuck with horrible data and messaging plans all because AT&T is the only place to get an iPhone.
Keith
Verizon has announced its intent, when building its 4G infrastructure, to base it on the successor to GSM. As has AT&T - so both AT&T and Verizon will be on the same infrastructure starting about 2 years down the line. AT&T will have a leg up because enhancements can be made to the existing hardware without putting in all new hardware for the transition to 4G. Unfortunately (or not, depending on how you look at it), Sprint has put its weight behind WiMax and will be using that for its 4G data - so no, I doubt you will ever see phones that run on Sprint from Apple (unless WiMax REALLY takes off, but I doubt it).
@Keith: I tried that; no luck. I think I'm going to have to go with JMG's suggestion.
apple bit off a bit too much this time i think...