Blog: Now You Can Make Calls from iPod Touch

Apple has recently launched the new version of the iPod touch which is more than just an MP3 player. Now you can also get the features of a mobile phone in this device.

Apple has submitted a patent application covering an accessory that could allow iPod touches to make phone calls.

Features: The key feature of the device is that it comes loaded with “Face Time” video conferencing service, which will allow the users to telephone over the internet. The latest iPod touch 4G, the fourth generation of the iPod, measures just 7.2 millimetres in thickness. The iPod Touch boasts of a A4 chip which is present in Apple’s latest smartphone- the iPhone 4. It also features the “retina display” (960 x 640 pixels) which is found in iPhone 4. The camera of the iPod Touch is capable of taking HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos just like iPhone 4.

Game Center: Jobs also announced a “game center” in operating system iOS 4.1, allowing owners of an iPhone or iPod touch to play networked with one another. The “Game center” offers direct access to multi-player games like Project Sword from Epic Games. Thus, you can say that Apple is challenging PlayStation and Sony’s PSP.

Connect to Mobile Phones: Apple had also filed patent for a device like the iPhone to connect to two separate mobile phone networks at the same time. Patently Apple first found the patent applications. In its application, Apple has sought patent for a transceiver that could connect to a device either through a direct connection or wirelessly.

Upcoming Latest Versions: At the same time as the fourth model of the iPod touch hits the stores, Apple is also releasing completely reworked versions of the smaller iPod nano and iPod Shuffle models. “Anyone who claimed that the iPod has reached the end of its life cycle was completely wrong”, said market watcher Michael Gartenberg after seeing the iPod presentation from Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The latest version of iPod nano come with a touch sensitive screen, albeit it does not have the iPhone 4 operating system. The size of the iPod nano display is 1.5 inches, just like its predecessor. Yet at just 21 grams, the player is almost half the weight of before.

Price: The iPod touch is priced as: 8 gigabyte (GB) about $229, the 32 GB version around $299 and the 64 gigabyte model is coming in at around $399. While, the iPod nano is offered in seven colors and costs about $159 (8 gigabytes) or around $189 (16 GB) and the 12.5 gm iPod shuffle is available in five colors for $49.