Apple Updates the iPod Touch

Stand-alone music players have slowly faded from most consumer backpacks as the smartphone has all of the functionality that these legacy devices offered. But for those who have a need for a device that provides the same functionality as a smartphone but without the cost or contract, Apple has updated its iPod touch.

The new device has Apple’s A10 SoC but that’s about all that is new, the device looks like the last generation iPod touch and includes a headphone jack. The hardware also features a 4in display, home button, and comes in a few different color choices.

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The A10 was first introduced with the iPhone 7 which means it may not be the fastest chip on the block but it should be more than capable of running this type of device. The iPod touch starts at $199 for 32GB and tops out at $399 for 256 GB of storage.

If you need a stand-alone music player, the iPod Touch is likely a good option as it supports everything iOS offers, minus the cellular connectivity. And at $199, it’s a much cheaper way to gain access to FaceTime/iMessage for kids instead of buying an iPad or an older iPhone.

While I don’t think anyone has been losing sleep waiting for a refresh of the iPod Touch, you can order it today with delivery as early as tomorrow.

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Conversation 14 comments

  • Stooks

    28 May, 2019 - 10:12 am

    <p>Between the lack of a headphone jack and FaceID only, I pretty much hate my iPhone X these days. I think it is finally time to make the move to Android, with a Samsung S10.</p>

    • Jeff.Bane

      28 May, 2019 - 11:02 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430933">In reply to Stooks:</a></em></blockquote><p>I did that very thing and I'm pretty happy with it.</p>

    • David Berk

      28 May, 2019 - 12:02 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430933">In reply to Stooks:</a></em></blockquote><p>Glad you finally got that off your chest </p>

    • Chris Payne

      28 May, 2019 - 1:00 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430933">In reply to Stooks:</a></em></blockquote><p>I love FaceID. It works flawlessly for me (except when I'm wearing sunglasses). Dunno why so many people hate on it.</p>

      • Jeff.Bane

        28 May, 2019 - 3:31 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#430977">In reply to unkinected:</a></em></blockquote><p>I found it to be a pain when using it with my car mount for navigation. Also in meetings where you just want to peek at your phone without holding it up to your face to unlock. Edge cases I know, but nonetheless annoying.</p>

        • Stooks

          29 May, 2019 - 8:09 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#431051">In reply to Jeff.Bane:</a></em></blockquote><p>This. Plenty of times where it fails or more effort than a finger print. If the phone had both methods I would be fine. The lack of audio jack is just lame. </p>

  • thalter

    Premium Member
    28 May, 2019 - 10:14 am

    <p>The iPod touch is a great "gateway drug" into the iOS ecosystem, getting kids hooked on Apple products at an early age. I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't realized this. </p><p><br></p><p>My kids both used iPod Touches before they were old enough to get iPhones. When they were finally old enough to get their first phone, they were already too invested in the Apple ecosystem (games, movies, music, etc.) to consider anything else. They are now (mostly) grown up and are still loyal Apple customers. </p>

    • Chris_Kez

      Premium Member
      28 May, 2019 - 11:32 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430934">In reply to thalter:</a></em></blockquote><p>What other manufacturers would benefit from this approach?</p>

      • Patrick3D

        28 May, 2019 - 12:29 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#430954">In reply to Chris_Kez:</a></em></blockquote><p>Samsung used to make a Galaxy Player with Android, but lack of marketing and a high price compared to cheap Android phones kept it from gaining traction, so it was discontinued.</p>

      • SvenJ

        28 May, 2019 - 2:25 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#430954"><em>In reply to Chris_Kez:</em></a><em> </em>MS could have. The low cost Lumias, that showed up as Go-Phones and such, made great media devices. Had all the goodies, music, video, gps (free onboard maps), many had FM radio, Skype over Wifi for video call, and Skype out for phone calls. Many were way less than $75, and had removable batteries and SD slots as well.</blockquote>

    • mhomer89

      Premium Member
      29 May, 2019 - 5:36 am

      <blockquote><a href="#430934"><em>In reply to thalter:</em></a><em> </em>The iPod touch is a great "gateway drug" into the iOS ecosystem, getting kids hooked on Apple products at an early age. I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't realized this.</blockquote><p>The Samsung J3 is cheaper than an iPod Touch, and it's a phone. There are even cheaper Android phones. There are also Android tablets marketed to kids.</p>

  • madthinus

    Premium Member
    28 May, 2019 - 3:11 pm

    <p>Pretty much confirms they are killing anything not running A10 and later in iOS 13. </p>

  • bill_russell

    28 May, 2019 - 5:12 pm

    <p>For the last couple years I have easily found the latest regular iPad at $249 on special, I think amazon, not much more than this $199.</p><p> </p><p>Also, I have found that older android phones work well as "ipods" for the kids, such as the Galaxy S5 with Lineage OS. Google family link is pretty good. A good way to recycle these phones.</p><p><br></p><p>Also I encourage then use of non-iMessage/Face time apps when that option is presented on iDevices. There are plenty of good options that are cross platform and work in browsers, etc. Of course this would include Hangouts, which everyone says is going away, but I'm not sure about that. </p>

  • mattbg

    Premium Member
    03 June, 2019 - 8:42 am

    <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have one of these new iPod Touches now. I think there's a little more to it than just a new CPU. The body and screen are identical, but over the previous generation it also:</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1. Supports full Battery Health reporting and battery % in the status bar.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2. Wakes the screen when picked up</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">My iPod Touch 6th Gen didn't do either of those things.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It also comes with 3.5mm EarPods – not Lightning ones. That is not new but it is appreciated.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As with the A8 Touch, the A10 processor in this one is underclocked so performance will be perfectly adequate but not identical to other A10 devices.</span></p>

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