The iPod has become ubiquitous on the backpackers’ circuit these past few years and none other than yours truly kept waiting for the day that Apple would truly put the internet in my pocket backpack.
Then along came the iPod Touch, with its built-in wifi and internet browser. Apple fanboys cheered. The rest of us still found it cost a lot of hard earned travel money for a device that, though claiming full internet capability, could not be used to make VoIP calls using services like Skype.
For many travelers, the VoIP issue became the missing link in what could very well have been the perfect travelers’ gadget. Not to mention that it cannot be used as regular hard drive to backup photos like its older, less sophisticated sibling, the iPod Classic, but that’s a different story.
Someone out there was listening. This week, Apple announced some subtle changes to the iPod Touch, including microphone support as well as offering some new earphones with a built-in mic. Macrumors.com outlines some of the details and it looks like Apple has opened up to the idea of the iPod Touch as a VoIP device. Cultofmac.com confirms this new feature in an article posted today. Travelers rejoice! It looks like making easy and cheap phone calls will soon be just a Touch away.
Ooohhhh!!! I’m looking at the 16gig iPod Touch and i still don’t know if i want it or not. But if the new set of Touch’s have the VoIP thing, then it’d be a good buy!
Hey Fennie!
The iPod touch might come in handy for your next trip to the Philipines.
Since I’ve posted this, there have been many other articles confirming the VoIP functionality. Now if they can only make it easy to transfer and back up photos on the device like on the classic iPod (hint hint Mr. Steve Jobs).
I’m definitely picking up an iPod Touch for my trip. I’m digging the VOIP capabilities for sure. Skype on the road is priceless! Plus, no need to flash your big ol’ laptop when you need to look something up on the internet. Sweet!
I recently picked one up for my move abroad. Was researching phones that I could possibly take abroad and it finally narrowed down to the iPod Touch. I’ve been playing with it and I’m starting to see the possibilities of this being a great traveler’s companion!
Okay, so I’ve been trying to look up the best/cheapest way to get Internet easily (without laptop) on the road. The iPod Touch or iPhone seem to be the way to go. And the Touch seems just as versatile and a little cheaper. I think I’m going to pick one up this week.