Since it’s launch, I thought iPod Touch was underrated and under appreciated. The iPhone’s got the glory, and it’s easy to dismiss the Touch as a “fancy iPod”. But it’s a lot of computing in a small and cheap platform: 8-32GB of flash memory, 128Mb of RAM, a great display and a 522 Mhz processor. It’s got more power than many PCs from 10-12 years ago!
It was interesting to read about the Army’s use of the Touch for solider applications. I think we’ll see the Touch in more cases where the economics of a general-purpose, mass-produced hardware platform enable an app that wouldn’t otherwise work. Could you imagine the Army making a custom-hardware Arabic translation device?
Also, my prediction: Apple’s “netbook” competitor will be a large-format Touch with Bluetooth support. Add Apple’s little wireless keyboard, and you’ve got a fine laptop replacement for many users.
coincidentally, i was in the apple store the other day dealing with an ipod issue. i happened to ask the guy helping me which ipod was most popular, he said the touch, by a wide margin. when i told him i was shocked, he said it provides everything kids want: a great game platform, wireless messaging, and – – of course – – music.