The New 1.1.3 Firmware update for the iPod Touch has also been made available, and it does very nearly make a Touch, an iPhone with no phone, camera, or bluetooth. The Mail, Maps, Weather, Stocks, and Notes applications are identical to these apps on the iPhone. Interestingly, since the new location feature in Google Maps uses WiFi location services, it works on the touch as well, and we’ll soon see if it’s consistent in the real world. I suppose if you carry the touch everywhere you would an iPhone, then the WiFi data for you would be the same. This alone, instantly makes this so much more than an iPod.
You also have the full Mail program now, as well as Safari, with WiFi… so what is this device now?… it’s not a phone, or an iPod (just). Another year or two with this device, and it’s predecessors, and this will be one of Apple’s UMPC’s (Ultramobile PC).
They probably won’t ever call it that though… (how about "Ultramobile iMac"… the "UMi"?… pronounced "You-Me"). but as various VOIP offerings mature (and this is happening rapidly) these devices will still be focused on communications, but with a mix of connectivity or technique. If you live in a metro area, for example, that is blanketed with WiMAX, cellular service would only be missed occasionally, because typically, and for much less cost, you would use your Skype or other VOIP account for calls, video conferencing, etc.
And like iPhone users, of course… coming for iPod Touch as well… amazing new native apps, major market apps like Lotus’ Microsoft Office challenger "Symphony", hundreds of thousands of web sites and applications built for iSafari…
Wow… the life of an iPod.
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