The most amazing thing about Apple's latest iPod touch is its colour.
It's available in both black and white. No, we're not being glib - we mean it!
Apart from the colour change there's no difference here between the specs of the iPod touch 4th Generation from 2010, and this latest refresh. This is certainly not the iPod touch 5th Generation that you may be looking for...
When the iPhone got a bump in specs with the release of the iPhone 4S last October we expected the specs for the iPod touch to get a bump too, but so far they have remained... untouched.
So, it's still available in 8GB, 32GB and 64GB models, the camera still takes 960x720 sill photos and 720p video and has an Apple A4 processor inside. In fact, the only other change, apart from the colour, is that it now ships with the iOS 5 software pre-installed.
So what's it like in white? Well, we could wax lyrical about how its beautiful milky exterior makes it look like a stray ice crystal prized from Superman's Fortress of Solitude, or how it's so thin and light that it feels like you're holding a delicate slice of the Internet in your hand. But, well, unsurprisingly it's startlingly similar to what it was like to use in black.
Saying that it does look good in white, and we wouldn't be surprised if the new colour means there are more iPod touches languishing under Christmas trees this year than there would be otherwise.
The iPod touch range starts at £169 for the 8GB model, but we've found that's simply not enough storage to be practical, especially when you consider that some video-heavy apps from the App Store can weigh in at around 1GB each in size. The 32GB model that we're reviewing here costs £249 and there's also a 64GB iPod touch at £329.
If you haven't looked at an iPod touch in a while because you've got an iPhone then we recommend a trip to your local Apple Store try one out because at just 7.2mm in depth it feels noticeably thinner than an iPhone 4.
At 101 grams, compared to the iPhone 4S' 140 grams it's also noticeably lighter. The other big difference in appearance is its steel back. With its slight curve it fits better in your hand than the iPhone's flat, glass back, but has the downside that it's incredibly receptive to fingerprints, and scratches.
The only other difference in appearance compared with its more expensive sibling is that it lacks the iPhone's mute/lock switch and the screen. While it shares the Retna display of the iPhone 4 and 4S (960x640-pixel resolution at 326 pixels per inch) it doesn't use IPS (inter plane switching) which reduces the viewing angle slightly and makes it look slightly darker than the iPhone when you put them side by side.
On the front of the iPod touch you'll find the same VGA camera for FaceTime chats and there are two volume buttons on the side and a sleep/wake button at the top.
Your comments (15) Click to add a new comment
aero2121
December 16th 2011
15. I love this iPod 4th Generation!
The new iTouches are amazing little gadgets. The Hardware alone is worth the $. The high res screen, fast proc. memory, wifi, blue tooth, voice command, you couldnt ask for much more in an MP3 player! The thing is quick, slim and has just about any feature you can ask for. Face time although not "ground breaking" is suprisingly smooth and high quality.
It's thin, light, and can do a lot more than you think it can. It hasn't totally replaced my desktop computer, but depending on what you use your computer for, you might be able to say something different about that. There's nothing that this iPod can't do that all the others can. I couldn't be more happy with my purchase.
I found the best price at http://www.nismo.gknv.com/shop/index.php?c=all&n=none&i=B001FA1O0O&x=Apple_iPod_touch_8GB_4th_Generation_Black_Current_Version
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rebi2000
September 30th 2011
14. I really want a ipod touch 4g for chrismas but i dont think im gonna get it because i already got a dsi a mp3&4 .
Is that true the screen can crack easily?
And the earbuds are badd?
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pcf_Dogboy73
June 15th 2011
13. Can this connect to the Internet anywhere like the 3G iphone/ipad? I get confused by this being called '4G'. I thought 3G meant it had a satellite Internet connection. Does 4G just mean it's 4th generation?!
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ipodcritic
May 18th 2011
12. i ecently recieved the new ipod 4g for my birthday. Just yesterday i slid off my lap (it fel no more then 1 foot) hit my hardwood flood and shatered the screen. I purchased a warenty to find out acidental damage was not covered. THey now want $100 to fix it!!!! its is a very expanesive Paper weight now. Thank alot apple.
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dinadana
March 9th 2011
11. If you want to record facetime calls - video and audio - you can use IMCapture for Facetime. It's the unique soft. http://www.imcapture.com/IMCapture_for_FaceTime/
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hsabol98
December 6th 2010
10. I have the iPod TOUCH 4 generation. unfortunately i cracked the front screen by knocking it off the table onto my concrete. IT STILL WORKS, even though the screen is pretty well shattered. The only problem i have is it always freezes and when i click on the FACEBOOK application (app) it goes right back to the home screen. THEREFORE I'M GETTING THE IPOD TOUCH 4G!!!!!!i I'm excited and can't wait to use it. Thanks for all your help with the reviews :)
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brutus1308
November 29th 2010
9. For a great price on 4th generation ipod touches go here: http://austinhy.gknu.com/shop/store/shop.php?c=2&x=Electronics
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oudinmelanie09
November 15th 2010
8. I just got the new iPod Touch 4G and it is really a video playerwith thinner design including two cameras for FaceTime and HD video recording, Retina display from iPhone 4, Apple A4 chip.
But there still a limitation of its playable video formats. iPod Touch 4G can additionally play video with formats of MPEG-4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) and QuickTime video formats. This is a headache issue because various video downloaded from web or Blu-ray/DVD video can not be played in this iPod Touch 4G. Via google, I found a program named Aunsoft iMedia Converter for Mac is an ideal assistant for iPod Touch 4G. This software can efficiently transcode almost all formats of video to iPod Touch 4G video formats.
http://www.aunsoft.com/imedia-converter-mac/
Now share this info with you, guys.
Hope useful.
Oudinmel
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gyeongjin
October 27th 2010
7. APPLE ipod touch!!!
When you live in london, it's very convenient to use the iphone.
If you already have a mobile but you don't have a mp3 player,
I strongly recommend the ipod 4G
The Shape of the ipod 4G is similar to the iphone. But the ipod is thinner than the iphone.
The function is similar too Without call function.
You can use various applications through itunes, take a photograph, use wifi,
record and so on...... depends on your applications, your ipod can change ! I think it's very cool.
The memory is separated to 3things, 8GB, 32GB, 64GB. you can choose !
The biggest difference of ipod 4G compared to ipod 3G is you can take a photograph yourself.
It has a self -camera. So when you are in alone, you can take a photograph by yourself easily !!
I think self-camera is very useful for women, but for men it's just cool.
And user of the ipod 4G can use facetime. It's similar to skype. It's free to call each other.
As you know, the weakness of the ipod is that it's easy to scratch. So you have to put it in a case if you don't want to scratch to your ipod.
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biberkopf
September 19th 2010
6. I was really happy with my 3rd generation Touch, so when this came out I just gave it to my niece and ordered the 32gig model. 4x as many pixels-sweet.
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biberkopf
September 19th 2010
5. Hey dominogeek:
"The iPod supports a range of audio formats, including 8-320Kbps AAC (and the protected variant that you get from the iTunes Store). You can also play HE-AAC, regular and VBR MP3, AIFF, Apple Lossless, WAVE and Audible (2, 3, 4, Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+).
But it won't play FLAC, OGG or WMA files without converting them on your computer first. If you try to copy an incompatible file to your iPod touch, iTunes will warn you it won't work and will refuse to copy it.
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mikeg7000
September 17th 2010
4. Coupla questions…
- Is the scrolling still unbelievably clunky/laggy when you scroll through Albums (or any other music listing with an image in it - Podcasts, Compilations)?
- Is the Recently Added playlist bug still there? The only way to make it duplicate the chronological view you have in iTunes is to turn off Live Updating in the playlist options before you sync. Otherwise, the playlist in iTunes is completely random!
One day, we'll get an iPod for people who like music and not just being upsold cookery apps…
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dominogeek
September 16th 2010
3. So this is a review of Media Player right?
It's nice to read about all the features that have not much to do with the Media Player functionility, such as the built-in camera and the comparison with the iPhone.
However what I miss here is:
* Does it play my FLAC-files (without need for conversion), like some other Media Players do?
* Does it play my OGG-files (like plenty Media Players do).
* What other audio file types does it support?
* What video formats does it support?
* How is the audio quality with the included earpieces?
* How is the audio quality with reference headphones?
* Can its output drive big size headphones?
* How does it compare with other Media Players e.g. from Cowon, iRiver, Creative, etc?
This review seems to be for people who already own an iPhone or iPod, which I'm not. A bit disappointing to call this a review.
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bradavon
September 16th 2010
2. "better yet I can hook it up to the net wherever I go by turning my Desire's WiFi Hotspot option on!"
That is a rather canny and funny ability Android gives users of Apple hardware, including the iPad. Providing functionality Apple don't want you to have.
Be careful of those who data costs though. I imagine Facetime uses quite a lot of data.
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xailter
September 16th 2010
1. I already own a HTC Desire but have always wanted to try out the new iPhone as well. A friend suggested I look at the new iPod Touch and I was impressed with what it offered. I don't need another phone but this device will let me carry around a wider variety of games and music and better yet I can hook it up to the net wherever I go by turning my Desire's WiFi Hotspot option on!
I bought the 8GB version and am just waiting on delivery now - I'm sure I will be very impressed with it :)
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