Apple has recently released their 3rd Generation iPod Touch which has effectively combined all of their past hardware releases with several new bells and whistles. Most definitely the fastest iTouch device to date, Apple has now also integrated a speaker, microphone, faster processor, and more memory available then ever before. With the 3rd Generation devices out, Apple has released 8, 16, 32 and 64 GB versions of the iTouch. The prices range from $199, to $249, to $299, to $499 respectively.

Apple’s new iPod Touch’s are the creme of the crop when it comes to portable media. There is simply no other device on the market that can compare to the flexibility, features, and ease of use when compared to any of Apple’s products. Even if you are an avid music listener, the new iPod Touch can offer you much else in the areas of video and photo sharing. With the ability to download and playback video, the iPod Touch has become a prime destination for many to watch their favorite movie clips, TV shows, and YouTube videos. Even for the average user who uses their device to enjoy music during a job, the iPod Touch offers a sleek design that easily fits into any pocket. Since the release of the 2nd Generation iPod, Apple has been able to wane milliliters off the edges of the device, resulting in a sleeker and more portable design. The bright and sensitive touchscreen adds great interactivity, make the iPod Touch both simple and enjoyable to use. In essence, you really wont be able to find a more compact portable media device on the market today. With thousands of accessories to chose from, the iPod itself has not only become a want, but a necessity as a fashion statement in our digital culture.

Although the 3rd Generation iTouch embraces us with the most feature-filled and impressive device to date, we still find a few things lacking. Apple will probably add these features slowly with the next few releases of the iTouch (or maybe a new comparable unit?!) in an effort to keep selling as many devices as possible. Some clear missing elements include: a camera, a higher resolution screen, longer battery life and a higher resolution audio/video output jack. It has become evident that many users are now adapting their iTouch for integration with their car, home theatre system, and workouts at the gym. Although the current output may be enough for the average headphone user and jogger, we would definitely like to see increased support for Dolby Digital Surround Sound for use in home theater systems. The iPod (iTouch) has truly become an integral part of our digitial age. Users have begun to take this portable device to share with family and friends not only their musical joys, but videos, pictures and of course gadgets. As aforementioned, the iTouch is seeing some of it’s users stray away from its musical capacities, and are now using the device to transport and project video. Video output to a television is another enjoyable feature (with the appropriate Apple cables), similar Microsoft’s Zune which has also accomplished such a feat. We are also left boggled as to why Apple has still not added an AM/FM tuner to all of it’s iPod & iTouch units. Radio transmission was made possible several years ago, with a short adapter that you plugged into your iPods port, for easy radio listening on your unit. Microsoft’s Zune has a radio tuner built in, and we seriously can’t understand why Apple hasn’t done the same.

Apple now boasts over 100,00 downloadble applications, many of them free, which can quickly and easily entice the average user to download several screens of applications for their pleasure. Although most of them are pretty pathetic and useless applications, it does seem to make the user feel pretty empowered with the things they can do. Users can now download applications which include everything from pinball and skeeball games, to GPS, restaurant and ATM locators, to programs that teach you how to tie your necktie, empower you with a light saber and offer celebrity soundboards. More recently, SiriusXM launched an application that is only usable on the new generation iPod Touch’s which allow you to listen to their exclusive satellite radio stations. With the advent of this new program, and the thanks to the hackers across the net who have jailbroken thousands of iTouch’s, SiriusXM now charges $2.99 per month fee for use of their application. Overall not a bad price when compared to their standard receivers and contracts, especially if you are a true music junky – however, you will of course need internet access to use this, which clearly makes this more advantageous for iPhone users.

With WiFi, a lot is now possible with faster download speeds and a more secure connection to the internet. However, much of the problem lies when you are away from the home or office, and are lacking an internet connection. New devices such as the new Amazon Kindle can now connect to the internet from any place with a signal, using new 3G services that let it download applications, news and data. Apple should definitely look into this for the next release, which would easily make the iTouch more accessible than ever before.