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So, how do you improve the mighty iPod touch? Hmm. That's a question that seems to have Apple stumped. The third generation of iPod touches looks identical to the2nd generation models, but the capacities and prices are improved: 8GB ($199), 32GB ($299), and 64GB ($399). There's no built-in video camera, as had beenrumored, which is a bit of a surprise, considering the less-expensive and much-tiniernano got one. With the touch, Apple's focus remains firmly on music, and, more so than ever, portable gaming. Along with a nice speed bump come some app organization improvements and new Genius features, all of which are welcome additions. Even if there's no exciting surprise with this touch iteration, after three long years, there's still not a better portable media player out there.
The new iPod touch doesn't just look like the old touch—it's identical. Measuring 4.3 by 2.4 by 0.3-inches (HWD) and weighing in at 4.1 ounces, the device is, as always, dominated by its luscious 3.5-inch glass touch-screen. With a 480-by-320 resolution, the display is the best in the business—only the LCD on the upcomingZune HD, which is smaller, rivals the touch's bright and responsive screen. The player's top panel houses the Power button, the back of the player looks like a warped funhouse mirror, and the proprietary connection for the USB syncing cable lives on the bottom panel alongside the earphone jack. The Home button remains centered below the display. Included with the touch: a sync cable, a plastic dock adapter, and a pair of standard-issue white (and dismal-sounding) Apple earbuds. You should definitely upgrade:Ultimate Ears' $50 MetroFi 170 earphones are a solid, affordable choice.
I've been a contributing editor for PCMag since 2011. Before that, I was PCMag's lead audio analyst from 2006 to 2011. Even though I'm a freelancer now, PCMag has been my home for well over a decade, and audio gear reviews are still my primary focus. Prior to my career in reviewing tech, I worked as an audio engineer—my love of recording audio eventually led me to writing about audio gear.
Probably because of their prevalence in the recording studios I worked in a long time ago, I am most comfortable on Macs—I'm writing this on the 2019 iMac I use for testing. I also have a MacBook Pro that gets plenty of similar use.
My workspace has a mini recording studio setup, and the the gear I work with there is a mix of items I've used forever (Paradigm Mini Monitors and a McIntosh stereo receiver) and newer gear I use for recording and review testing (such as the Universal Audio Apollo x16).
I'm obsessed with modern boutique analog synths—some of my favorites instruments in this realm are the Landscape Audio Stereo Field and HC-TT, the Soma Enner, the Koma Field Kit, and the Lorre Mill Keyed Mosstone.
From my studio days, I'm comfortable using Pro Tools, and in recent years have branched out to other realms of creative software, like Adobe Premiere and After Effects.
I stream music, but I also still buy albums, digitally or on vinyl, and encourage anyone who wants fair compensation for musicians and engineers to do the same.
I also play lots of Wordle.
