[analogue SPRINKLES]

I can't help but wish Apple would sell an iPod Touch with 3G and a earpiece/mic. Combined with a VOIP app this would make a killer phone replacement/supplement for many people.

Doing this will take out most of the cellular guts that eat up space/batteries and adds costs.

The iPad 3G has also shown that there are wonderful things such as contract free unlimited data plans for $30/month.

Now obviously this is not for everyone as you require data connections but for teens, students $30/month for all the VOIP you like plus email/internet/twitter etc this would be killer.

I use my iPod touch all the time for skype but it sadly does not pair with a bluetooth headsets for mysterious Apple software reasons. Using the headphones with mic works fine.

It must be obvious to all cellular companies by now that the future is all in data not in regular voice calling. In most cases Skype sounds better than normal calls and the prices can't be beat.

Yes it can cause iPhone sale to go down but who cares as long as it is another Apple product.

There are countless advantages to a product like this so I hope Apple can convince AT&T to be open to the idea.

[Eug]

iPod touch with 3G?

Yeah... It's called an iPhone.

Personally I think an iPod touch with 3G data only is completely pointless.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Yeah... It's called an iPhone.

Personally I think an iPod touch with 3G data only is completely pointless.

Ok well we'll add it to the loooong list along with the pointless (near 1 mil sold) flashless iPads.

Anywho, I've mentioned several ways it could be useless to many people I know. Anyone else think this might be coming?

I also found a couple stories that are all under the same umbrella.

5 Reasons Cellphones and Mobile VoIP Are Forging an Unlikely Truce | Epicenter�| Wired.com

Will iPhone 4's Audio and Video Chat Finally Break the Voice Calling Scam? - iChat - Gizmodo

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

I can't help but wish Apple would sell an iPod Touch with 3G and a earpiece/mic. Combined with a VOIP app this would make a killer phone replacement/supplement for many people.

Doing this will take out most of the cellular guts that eat up space/batteries and adds costs.

Huh ?

I doubt you can remove anything if you keep 3G and the mic.

-t

[imitchellg5]

Erm, what?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Erm, what?

The "radio" portion still needs to remain (for 3G networking), so I was wondering what exactly he thinks could be removed.

-t

[Eug]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

The "radio" portion still needs to remain (for 3G networking), so I was wondering what exactly he thinks could be removed.

-t

Indeed.

And before he brings up the iPad again - voice is not in the iPad because the iPad would make for the world's dumbest looking and kludgiest phone.

Maybe things will change in a few years though, with regards to handheld voip.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Here's the dif.

The radio for 3G only is smaller and less data hoggy.
Even if it was the same size here are other advantages.

iPhone
$200 + 2-3 year contract
No contract $699
Monthly plans with data average $75
Limited minutes, limited long distance.

iPod touch with 3G
Normally $200 but let's add $100 extra for 3G.
$300
No contract
$15-30 month data plan.
Wifi most of the time when home/office anyway.
Unlimited Skype calling us/Canada landlines/cells $2.95

Teens would love this as they data/SMS all day and most parents give them really limited cheap talk plans and cheap on contract phones.


OMG i think I found a point!

[turtle777]

Would be nice, but unrealistic price point.

On the technical side, you really don't save much by leaving out the GSM phone ability.

As a matter of fact, I doubt you can even buy a chipset that only does 3G, and no telephony.

-t

[Simon]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

The radio for 3G only is smaller and less data hoggy.

Less data hoggy? Nonsense.

If you want to save space and power you leave out 3G entirely. Once you include 3G for data, voice or no voice makes zero difference.

What you're saying is essentially that VOIP is cheaper than cellular voice. Well, yeah. Duh. The truth is neither Apple nor the carriers want to actually push that.

[imitchellg5]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

The "radio" portion still needs to remain (for 3G networking), so I was wondering what exactly he thinks could be removed.

-t

Sorry, my confusion was targeted towards the OP, not you.

With the price point that's being suggested, plus monthly data, parents would be better off just adding an iPhone for their kids to their own plan.

[Cadaver]

Take some Velcro and stick a Verizon MiFi to the back of an iPod touch. Bingo - iPod 3G

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Sorry, my confusion was targeted towards the OP, not you.

With the price point that's being suggested, plus monthly data, parents would be better off just adding an iPhone for their kids to their own plan.

$15 a month with no contract vs how much for cell plan WITH contract?

[imitchellg5]

It costs $10 a month to add a phone onto your existing AT&T line.

[ibook_steve]

I just got the Sprint 3G/4G Overdrive and it rocks with my iPod Touch. Unfortunately, I don't live in a 4G enabled area (no 4G in Silicon Valley? Seriously?), but eventually I'm sure it will get here. Only downside is $60 a month data plan. But I now, finally have Internet everywhere without dealing with AT&T.

Steve

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

It costs $10 a month to add a phone onto your existing AT&T line.

oh right the one with the 2 year contract and limited features.