Apple iPod Touch 4th generation September 2010
New Apple iPod Touch with HD video camera
Apple has launched the fourth generation of its flagship iPod Touch. Still packed with features, the upgraded device now comes with two cameras and an improved touchscreen display.
The Apple iPod Touch remains the flagship of the iPod family and alongside the iPod Nano and Shuffle was upgraded in September 2010.
This new version, the 4th generation, is slimmer than its predecessor and has added some of the features found on the iPhone 4.
Since writing this First Look review in September 2010 we've fully tested all the iPod range. Read what our experts have to say in our full iPod Touch review.
New iPod Touch cameras
The updated iPod Touch comes with two new cameras. The camera on the back can capture HD video clips at 30 frames per second. Pre-installed software then allows you to edit your clips (you can download more advanced software from the App Store) and you can then upload these directly to sites such as YouTube using the player’s wi-fi connectivity.
It may not compare to dedicated camcorders but the video camera is incredibly easy to use and the videos look pretty good.
Read our expert verdicts on hundreds of other models on our MP3 player reviews page.
Apple's FaceTime feature allows you to make video calls on the iPod Touch
The Touch’s second camera is front-facing and let’s you make free video calls using Apple’s FaceTime feature. Again this works well but you can only make calls over a wireless network and then only to other 4th generation iPod Touch or iPhone 4 owners.
The two cameras can also take still photos but only at a very low resolution (unlike the iPhone 4) and the results are disappointing.
Improved, 'Retina' display on iPod Touch
Another feature taken from the iPhone 4 is the improved screen. The new Touch has the same ‘Retina’ display (960x640 pixels), offering four times the total pixels compared to the previous model. This means that images look extremely sharp.
The new Touch runs on the latest operating system, iOS 4.1, and so supports multi tasking. It’s very easy to use and has the same A4 chip found in the iPhone 4 and iPad so everything runs along smoothly. And like the previous versions, the new Touch can access hundreds of thousands of downloadable applications at the Apple App Store.
Apple says the battery will last for 40 hours of music playback and 7 hours of video.
The new Apple iPod Touch is available in 8GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, costing £189, £249 and £329 respectively.
Pros: Super sharp display, HD video camera, access to App Store, long lasting battery
Cons: Expensive, no FM radio, disappointing still camera
