iPod Touch vs Android

[switch842]

So, I've been thinking about this. My main reasons for wanting to get an Android are basically to have some sort of mobile internet. For tweeting, GPS, etc. Problem is, an Android phone involves a whole bunch of extra monthly charges that we really don't have the funds for right now. Is an iPod Touch in any way similar to an Android/iPhone but without the phone? I know it has apps and all that, but are there any monthly "internet" charges? Or is it just you buy the Touch and that's it? As you can tell, I'm pretty clueless about all this so any info any of you have would be appreciated. :-)

Comments

[whisper99.livejournal.com]

The monthly data charges that you are talking about wiht the Android is the same (if not more) if you were to get, say, an iPhone. This allows you to be able to make calls, do all your internet stuff (browsing, gps, posting to twitter, etc) wherever you are that you can get a cell phone signal. I'm not sure how much you pay for data charges for an android phone, but I know that it can cost up to $100 for an iPhone.

That said, an iPod touch only works for browsing, gps, posting, etc, as long as you have access to an open wireless connection. In other words, it won't work if you are out and about driving or shopping, unless the area you are in has a wireless connection.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. So, there needs to be open wifi for that to work. May not be suitable for my needs then...

[gatehorse.livejournal.com]

The required monthly data plan for the Android is $30/month, and that includes internet access wherever you have a phone signal. You can also connect to wifi for free if there's a signal. Most of the apps are free (I've heard that's not the case for the Iphone) and the turn by turn is awesome. I was already using the GPS on my old phone for $10 a month, and any new phone I would have gotten would have required a $20/month limited data plan (anything that didn't require the data plan was too basic, because I need the keyboard), so I didn't think $30 was that bad. Also, the Droid is just awesome.

I say go for the Droid...but then, I'm slightly biased because I hate Apple.

[lunachickk.livejournal.com]

I have an iPod Touch. It is like an iPhone without the phone kind of but it only comes with Wifi internet. If there is a Wifi signal handy, you have internet. There is no monthly charge for internet though.
I love mine though.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

I like the no monthly charge thing. :-) This may require further investigation.

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

I know with the iPhone my cousin tried it for a week on a trial and she could not get service for the internet or a signal anywhere. And she lives in a major city. I don't know about charges, but I know another friend said their bill the first month with the iPhone was something like 2 grand. So yeah...

[duck-wrangler.livejournal.com]

I got an ipod touch for free (with rebate) when I bought a Mac computer for my niece for college. Thus far I've used it as a paperweight, but that's more cuz I hate Apple more than anything else. YES supposedly you can surf the net, use GPS, and there are a GAZILLION aps for the darned thing. Problem is the most useful/fun aps you have to pay for to download, but once you download them, no fee beyond that.

And OH, it doesn 't connect to the internet on it's own (like a cell phone) you need to be near an open wireless connection, elsewise it reverts to paperweight status.

Course don't listen to me, I HATE Apple! Who the freak else would make you buy a $200 device and then REQUIRE you to log into the internet to download the frikkin' operating system and oh yeah, hey, to login to their system you have to give them an active credit card number to download the BASIC operating system for the thing you just paid $200 for! Well, according to them it's just for future purchases, but HELLO, I just gave you $200 I shouldn't NEED to give you my credit card info for you to turn my gadget on!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I digress... (Have I mention how much i-frikkin-anything gets my hackles up?)

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Yes, generally, I'm with you in the Apple sucks category. Plus, I seem to be Mac kryptonite and have their products break whenever I touch them.

Anyway, it is sounding like this isn't really going to work as one of the things I wanted to be able to use it for is when we're out in the middle of nowhere Indiana with no internet. So, yeah. I think I'm leaning towards "Never mind" right now.

[ctrokj.livejournal.com]

ok I don't know if this has been answered yet. The iTouch is just a iPod with apps. For the internet you have to be able to get onto it. In other words if your are on the road and there is no internet then you wont have the GPS or other internet apps. If you can wait to Android I say do that. I have the LG answer to it and I love it. The keyboard fits my fingers better then the Android did.

[or-mabinogi.livejournal.com]

Since I got the Droid I haven't tried the GPS yet. I mean, other than opening the Map application and it eerily pinpoints where I am. (The satellites! They are following me!) Mostly I use the Twitter app, a few games (WordUp is like Boggle and I cannot stop playing!) and some news aggregators. I wanted the Droid model with the full qwerty keyboard slide-out. But now that I have it I've actually had it easier with the touch-screen keyboard.

Yes to what has been said above (although I can't say much for the iPod Touch). The Droid accesses the internet with 3G anywhere you can receive a cell phone signal. But it is a little slow (unless you fondly remember dial up on 256k modems). For faster surfing you can use the wi-fi option at no additional charge, as long as there is a wi-fi signal.

If what they are saying above is true that the iPod Touch accesses solely via wi-fi, then it probably wouldn't be all that useful as a GPS tool as you would be driving in and out of signals, if any at all.