The Evolution of the iPod Touch

Four more generations of iPod Touch have come from from Apple since the release of the first in September 2007, each outdoing the previous with new features, many of which also featuring on the Touch's closest relative, the iPhone. As well as the music by which the iPod became popular, the Touch provided more entertainment options such as videos, apps, and of course games. But with so many models starring in the iPod Touch timeline, what's the difference between them?

The 1st generation iPod Touch was released the September after the original iPhone in 2007, and like the iPhone changed the way we listen to music, offering the capability of watching videos, playing games or sending an email, all while listening to our favourite tunes. The App Store allowed users to download music, apps and videos from the largest content collection available. Although its features now seem very limited, it was the first MP3 player with Wi-Fi connectivity and multi-touch gestures, along with the widest selection of apps via the App Store. However, it lacked volume buttons on the side and a built in speaker - features to be included in later models.

The 2nd generation Touch was a decent step up from the original, with a shinier back, rounded edges, external volume buttons, a built in speaker, bluetooth for connecting and sharing photos with other iPods and other minor features like shake to shuffle and a longer battery life.It also included an upgrade to iOS 4.1.2, however its features were limited, for example, multitasking and home screen background editing were not available.

The 3rd gen version, much like the iPhone 4S, offered little more than the previous model. It was 50% faster then the 2nd gen, a remote and microphone on the earphones and Voice Control for 16GB and 32GB versions, but except for that it looks exactly the same.

In the 4th generation Touch, released September 1st 2010, included more features than ever before. A front facing camera compatible with Facetime allowed users to, like Skype, connect and talk with other friends on their Macs, iPhones or iPod Touches, while the back camera was capable of  recording 720p HD videos for viewing on the Retina Display screen. It also featured Apple's latest operating system, iOS5, which included  photo editing, a camera shortcut on the lock screen, Apple's BlackBerry Messenger equivalent, iMessage, and a much needed notifications bar, solving previous problems in which notifications would simply disappear after interrupting your game or call.

The latest iPod Touch, 5th gen, again arrived with more features, including the new iOS6. As well as its taller screen, faster A5 chip, Lightening power connector and 1080p HD video recording, iOS6 added a whole bunch of new features. Firstly, Apple included its own Maps apps to replace Google Maps. Although it originally came under criticism over towns and cities being mislocated, its good graphics, real time traffic updates and flyover view to view the city from the air make up for the odd mistake. Secondly, the Passbook app stores all your coupons, loyalty cards and tickets on your iPod/iPhone for use in partaking shops and cinemas. Siri became available for latest iPad and iPod Touches, Safari was updated to include seamless browsing on different devices, allowing you to continue your browsing experience on whatever device you prefer, and Facebook became integrated with your iPod, making it even easier to share your favourite photos and links with your friends. However its hefty £250 price tag makes it only £10 cheaper than the iPad Mini - a much better idea. But without note to the price, the 5th generation iPod Touch has to be, by far, the best yet.

Google Nexus 7 vs Amazon Kindle Fire HD

Before the release of the Google Nexus 7 in July, tablet options were limited to 10 inch models, such as the iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab. However, since then has come the arrival of a number of smaller tablets; too big to be a phone, and too small the be a proper tablet, which have reshaped the tablet market due to their price and portability. It was this that allowed them to become a hit with the consumer technology market. Perhaps the two most popular of which are the Google Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD, which I will compare here.

The screens on the two tablets are both very similar, with 7 inches diagonally across them and 216 pixels per inch. However, the Kindle Fire's screen has more of a contrast between colours on the screen, while the Nexus displays sharper, and generally better images. Google's 'Project Butter' helps to enhance smoothness and faster touch response on the screen, and the Kindle's HD screen capable of streaming 720p HD video, with a large besel to hold while watching will make the tablet appealing to hardcore tablet film fans. And thanks to the Kindle's 'X-Ray' feature, a tap of the screen during movie streaming brings up IMDb provided information for that film, including actors and actresses. Although the Nexus' relatively decent speaker, 720p video and rubberised grip on the back should also appeal to users looking to use their tablet for entertainment purposes, the Fire HD focuses on Amazon's content (movies, music, apps), hence the lack of much storage space on the device. Although both Google and Amazon focus greatly on content for their devices, customers who have already built a library of Amazon books or apps may choose to opt for the Kindle.

As for syncing with other devices, both have Bluetooth connectivity for easily sharing files with friends or your other devices. The Fire HD is able to link all your Kindle devices using WiFi, allowing your page numbers and other annotations to be kept across your Kindles. The Nexus' equivalent, Chrome log in, lets you continue your browsing on your other devices, along with your history and bookmarks. Its Near Field Communication (NFC) chip enables contactless payment at shops, meaning compatibility with Google Wallet; the app which lets you pay for items in shops with just a tap. Meanwhile, the Fire HD comes with a HDMI cable to show on a TV or computer screen what's on-screen, a feature missing on the Nexus 7.

The cameras on the two tablets are both similar; neither have a back camera, but with 1.2 and 1.3MP resolutions on the Nexus and the Fire HD respectively, while their batteries have reasonable 8 hour and 10 hour lives respectively. For Browsing, the Nexus 7 probably cuts just above the Kindle, with its fantastic Chrome browser and Chrome log in. However the Fire HD puts up a tough fight with its Dual Antenna WiFi for much faster connection, and its decent Silk browser - however neither of the tablets have 3G; perhaps a feature in later models.

The Nexus 7 runs on Android 4.1.2, Ice-Cream Sandwich, a nice interface running with the Google Play Store for apps, music and films, however with a limited number of apps compatible with the Nexus 7 in particular. The Fire HD runs on a limited version of Android 4.0, with a fairly uncustomisable interface in that the apps sit on a default ordered shelf. Another disadvantage are the limited number of apps available for the Fire HD, and more advanced games simply don't work at all. Ads on the lock screen are sure to aggravate users, only removable by paying a one off £10 fee.

Currently, the Nexus 7 comes in 16GB version for £159, and a 32GB version for £199, with the Kindle Fire HD shipping at the same prices.

Overall,  if you're a user keen on reading or with a library of books or films already bought from Amazon, the Kindle Fire HD will match your needs perfectly. However for those looking for a neatly priced tablet and value for money with lots to offer in terms of apps and features, the Nexus 7 is probably the tablet for you.



Thanks for reading, and please keep checking back (or subscribe by email) for more!

iPad Mini

Just days ago came the arrival of the highly rumored and highly anticipated iPad Mini from Apple, a competitor to the number of other 7 inch tablets previously released. This new iPad had a lot to live up to, with the Google Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 to compete with, all of which are cheaper.

Apple have a problem, in that their products have a certain style and quality mark to live up to, meaning that they are unable to make a tablet to easily compete with the number of other 7" tablets under £200. It was perhaps because of this high price that, after the announcement of the iPad Mini, Amazon Kindle Fire sales rocketed. Many tablet users were expecting a cheap Apple tablet, but, when the £259 pricetag was unveiled, opted for a cheaper Kindle Fire - and who could blame them?

However, when picking up the iPad Mini for the first time, what is immediately obvious is how thin and light it is compared with its rivals. At just 308g, and 7.2mm thin, it is by far the thinnest and lightest tablet on the market; made increasingly more impressive considering that is definitely not the smallest. Its new lightning connector on the bottom frees up space for an extra speaker, adding enhanced sound performance to the iPad. Plus, all the iPad apps which Apple users have grown to love are easily compatible with the iPad Mini due to its identical aspect ratio, preventing app developers from having to adjust their apps.

Although so many criticise the iPad Mini, calling it unnecessary, I think that it reaches the perfect balance between a phone and a laptop, and that 7.9 inch tablets could be the new must have gadget.



What's your opinion? Please leave a comment, share with friends, and subscribe by email --->