One of the interesting developments with mobile web browsing is the increasing number of iPod Touches I’ve seen in my travels.
For the unaware, the iPod Touch does just about everything the iPhone does….except offer cell service. As long as there’s WI-FI, a user can browse the internet, download apps and songs and check in on FourSquare or Facebook Places. Since WI-FI is available in many businesses (McDonalds, StarBucks, etc), coverage is widely available.
Since the latest version has a mic and two cameras, now you can now snap and upload photos, record video and communicate via FaceTime, Skype or similar VOIP service.
I know of at least three people who have ditched their smart phone for a ‘basic cell’ and use the iPod for their mobile web needs.
Right now, my smartphone contract is up, and I’m experimenting with my Touch. To be fair, the Touch delivers a far better internet experience than my Windows Mobile phone.
Can I survive with a Touch and a ‘dumb-phone’? The jury is out. Let me know if you’ve made the leap or why you wouldn’t even think of it.
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Jim,
Interesting question. I’m pretty sure you could survive with just a “dumb phone”. People did it for years before the advent of the blackberry. Would I use the ipod touch for Voip? No, voip is hit or miss via wi-fi, and most public places block those ports (‘specially if the internet is being provided by AT&T or Verizon). You could do texting via google voice over wi-fi and the ipod touch, and update twitter, facebook, ect.
Ed
I think the only somewhat compelling reason for this approach is to reduce monthly expenses; I know a few people who do the same but I also think that if you can swing the extra cost of a data plan (and don’t need the extra storage allowed by the 64gb touch), the iPhone is a clear winner. While it’s a little bit heftier than the iPod, it also halves the number of devices you need to carry, the camera is significantly better, it has GPS, and I can truly get my email nearly anywhere (versus having to hunt down the elusive hotspot here in Wausau).
Given my previous experiences, I can guarantee that if my phone and iPod were separate, the iPod would be left at home most of the time, because I’m not willing to carry that extra device “just in case”. Obviously YMMV.
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