By Joshua Secrest

This Christmas, I got an iPod Touch 4G from dear old Dad. The iPod Touch 4G has a number of features that makes it the greatest MP3 player on the planet. It is also the most iPhone-like edition of the iPod Touch yet- with a camera, microphone, and the retina display. For this review, I am going to split it into 3 parts- The Hardware, The Software, and My Final Thoughts, and rating.

The Hardware

The iPod Touch 4G comes with a camera, microphone, and an incredible display dubbed the “Retina Display”. This display is one of the best displays I have ever seen.
The iPod Touch 4 has the iPhone 4′s A4 processor. This means fast speeds to keep up with iOS 4′s multitasking features.  After using the iPod Touch 4, I can tell you, this thing is fast, and handled all of my 3D games, and phone calls (yes, phone calls) extremely well.
The camera(s) on the iPod are great, as well. I took a lot of footage, and photos

During our “white christmas”, I shared it with friends via email. The camera is average, but for an MP3 player, it is more than acceptable.  The microphone also comes in handy, especially when making phone calls over Wi-Fi (TextFree With Voice & Skype FTW)

Battery life is great! Apple claims 40 hours of audio, and 7 hours of video. I usually have about 4 apps in my multitasking bar, and the battery life is still extremely well.

The Software

The iPod Touch has great software, with it running iOS 4.0. iOS 4.0, the newest release of firmware for the iPod Touch, comes with all of the features (Software-Wise), that an iPhone 4 comes with, except for the Text-messaging, and phone. The interesting thing is, you can get both of these for free, in an app called Text free with Voice. Text Free allows you unlimited text messages (Wi-FI Only on iPod!), and a free telephone, which you download apps to add minutes! You also get your own free number, which people can text and call for free. This actually Beats having to pay AT&T monthly fees.

Multitasking is amazing. Just double-press the home button, and a bar slides up from the bottom, with all of your currently running applications. The rendering for the retina display is stunning. The sharpness of the iPhone 4′s, and the iPod Touch 4′s display cannot be matched by any other device, in it’s category, on the market.

 Then you have the folders feature, which allows you to place an app over an app, also makes the software, and general usability, a lot more easier, and faster. The included camera software is also decent, with the tap-to-focus feature, and the ability to take videos. This, to me, beats Flip Video Cameras in every way, without even entering their market; and if you need to edit a video clip quickly, you’re in luck, with iMovie For the iPhone. This app is $4.99, but is well-worth the price, with its themes, effects, and even some included music!

Final Thoughts

All in all, the iPod Touch 4 Met, and exceeded, my expectations. It could not only act as an MP3 player, or a web-device, but also as a Phone, a Camera, and a Gaming Console. The iPod Touch is great for all users, especially the ones who don’t want to, or cannot afford, a $120 monthly AT&T bill.

My Rating: 8.8/10

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