I love my iPod touch. Its touch screen interface is wonderful and the stock list of applications has been very useful. As long as I am within range of a wireless internet signal, this unit really shines.
I was really surprised when I logged into Apple.com yesterday and found that there was a major software upgrade available. Five new productivity applications available for $19.95 and a quick download. The applications are…
- Mail: A robust e-mail application that works with popular mail applications such as Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo mail. The interface is fast and intuitive, with quick fingertip scrolling. You’ll love this app.
- Maps: Take the best of Google maps and put it in a handheld interface with fingertip scroll and pinch resizing. This unit is really nice on the go. You find your destination on the map and with one click you’ll have step by step scrollable directions. This is a very useful app.
- Weather: Quick… what is the weather going to be like this week? Not to worry if you have an iTouch. One click answers for all the cities that you have input in a clean weekly format. Fast and easy.
- Notes: I really like this one. You can now input notes from the fingertip keyboard as fast as you can click. This is very useful for meetings, appointments, or just a quick note to bring home some milk.
- Stocks: If you are an investor this bright clear interface will bring you the latest stock news (delayed 20 minutes) in an easy to read format. Just the stocks you want listed, without having to log into a web site.
After using these app’s for a day, I am a raving fan. These have really bumped the usefulness of this device up to a new level. What I really like is the easy to read screen and the intuitive interface. Within seconds you can get where you want and get the information that you need.
The new app’s require that you update your iTouch to the latest firmware and that you interface with the latest version of iTunes. The iTouch update is about 160 megs and takes about 30 minutes to download and setup if you have a broadband account. The actual app’s are a simple purchase from the Apple store through iTunes for $19.95
The good news is if you haven’t bought an iTouch yet, they now come with these app’s pre-installed. If you’ve been waiting to buy one, the incentive is now that much greater. Pick up one of these and increase your productivity and have one of the coolest devices going.
